Australian Pelican and Black Swan near the small weir
It is unusual to observe two of Australia's largest birds together. However, as I peer over the embankment above a small weir, I find an Australian Pelican near a nesting
Black Swan.
Footbridge upstream from the Hackney Bridge
I have walked upstream along Linear Park from
Hackney Bridge, crossed the smaller footbridge, then continued along the eastern side of the Torrens as the path slowly climbs above the river.
Swan nest with a sinle egg
From my vantage point, I watch the nesting swan for a while until its partner changes place on the nest. They seem to have a solitary egg. Perhaps there are more to come as Black Swans typically lay 3-9 eggs in a clutch.
Gilberton Swing Bridge
My next stop is the
Gilberton Swing Bridge. The original bridge was completed in 1920 and then reconstructed in the same style in 2017 to comply with modern building and safety standards. The view from the bridge of the Torrens River is worth the walk and allows an observer to watch and photograph wildlife in the canopy and on the water from a fresh perspective.
Rainbow Lorikeet feeding on lerps in the canopy
After crossing the river, I head back downstream on the western bank. My first stop is a viewing deck with seating and shade. It is an ideal place to unpack a snack from the St Peters Bakery. Sitting quietly for 10 minutes, I am able to identify numerous birds from aquatic herons, ducks and moorhens to the more common urban species including parrots, honeyeaters, mudlarks, magpies and ravens.
Native orchid species
A few hundred metres further on the O-Bahn bus (a light rail system) crosses over the river. After a short climb up some steps, the path levels off. I walk under the shady eucalypts watching Noisy Miners squabble and squawk over territory. My next stop is the Bickle Reserve where a local preservation group has planted native shrubs, grasses and ground covers with a special emphasis on orchids.
Pied Cormorant
The track now descends gently to the riverbank and I see several Pied Cormorants. One is drying its wings while the other is perched on a branch watching the water. The presence of cormorants suggests there is plenty of fish, frogs and other prey in the river.
Pacific Black Duck in algal growth
The final stretch of water below the weir and footbridge back to Hackney Bridge takes on a different character from the upstream section. As there has been little rain over summer and early autumn, this section is coated with a layer of bright green algae in which the ducks, coots and moorhens appear to feed on.
Walking between the bridges and enjoying the wildlife and scenery has been a rewarding experience and I will certainly investigate the next stretch of the Torrens up to Walkerville in a later Weekend Notes review. Meanwhile, try this walk for yourselves and enjoy this fascinating part of our Linear Park.
Additional notes
This is a reasonably easy walk with a few uphill sections, some steps and a wobbly but safe bridge crossing. It is quite suitable for families and seniors. There are public toilets, a grassed oval, barbecues, parking and other facilities nearby. It is dog friendly.
