Mooramong Trail – Lower Dams Nature Walk

Tall grasses thrive in this flat, moist area. The most common grass here is Phalaris. This was introduced from the Mediterranean to provide pasture for stock. It grows vigorously in well-watered areas but tends to smother native vegetation. Its vigorous growth dries off in summer which can be a fire risk.

Birds are the most conspicuous creatures here. Look for Cisticolas, Little Grass Birds and Welcome Swallows. You might even see a Black-Shouldered Kite hovering above.   

Also look amongst the grass for crickets, grasshoppers and butterflies. These are important food sources for other animals. In the wetter areas you may hear various frog calls.

As you walk over the dam wall look below for the old sheep wash. This was built in the 1880’s. Sheep were herded through here and washed before shearing. Workers would stand in the water to rub and squeeze the wool to remove contaminants.

There are some beautiful examples of Blackwood growing here today. Look for their dark green foliage and creamy flowers in spring. Also growing in the depression are Silver Banksia’s, with their distinctive flower cones.

Most of the birds here drift across the deep water and feed on floating algae and plants. Common species include coots, ducks, grebes and swans.   

Wading birds feed on crayfish, mussels, worms, and other invertebrates along the shoreline. Species you may see here include herons, spoonbills and ibis.

Looking to the west you can see the shearing shed.

The trees here are typical of the Stony Rises Woodlands. These include Drooping She-Oak, Silver Banksia, Sweet Bursaria, Blackwood, and Tree Violet. These trees flower at different times of the year. They provide important pollen and nectar to birds, mammals and insects. Their fruit includes berries, pods and cones, providing a variety of foods. Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos love feasting on the She-Oak cones.

In the heat of summer, you might see Eastern Grey Kangaroos resting under the shade of these trees.

From here you can also see larger canopy trees. These are Blue Gums and Radiata Pines. They are not native to the area but now provide valuable nesting and viewing spots for birds of prey. Look for Whistling Kites, Brown Falcons, Wedge-tailed Eagles or Peregrine Falcons passing through. It is quite common to see Magpies and Corellas harass these birds of prey as they soar past looking for food.

This elevated position provides a scenic view of the landscape beyond Mooramong. You can see examples of the volcanic past which created the Victorian Volcanic Plain. To the south, Mt Elephant rises above the Plain and to the north you can see the peak of Stockyard Hill. These are volcanoes that last erupted between 100,000 and 500,000 years ago. Lava from volcanos like these created the rich basalt soils of the Plain.   

You may notice that many of the introduced Blue Gums and Pines have died. These trees now provide fantastic habitat for a wide range of animals and insects. Birds and bats nest in the tree hollows. Insects bore into the dead wood to lay eggs. Fungi break the wood down to recycle the nutrients. This all makes for a rich and healthy ecosystem.

Water is rarely visible flowing through this area which connects Big Dam to the Lower Dams. The water moves underground keeping the soil damp during dry spells. This supports plants such as Bullrush, Bog Sedge, Spike Sedge and Poison Lobelia.   

Listen for the calls of Ewing’s Tree Frog, Spotted Marsh Frog and Common Froglet. Their raucous chorus can be heard in all but the coldest months. Birds such as the Reed-Warbler nest and feed within the taller vegetation. You may also see Swamp Harriers flying low to the ground in search of food.

There are two very old Sweet Bursaria trees to your right. A local group collect seed from these trees for land restoration projects.