Devilbend Biolink in the Tuerong-Mooroduc-Mt Martha area was the 2013 pilot project for Linking the Mornington Peninsula Landscape. A new Devilbend-Hastings biolink is being developed in 2022 which will replace the current Devilbend Biolink which contained only 5 properties.
The Devilbend Biolink was designed to connect Balcombe Reserve at Balcombe Estuary Mt Martha to Woods Reserve and adjoining Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, taking in The Briars Park
Some key patches of valuable habitat in this area:
- Balcombe Reserve, Mt Martha begins at Balcombe Estuary on the Port Phillip side of the Peninsula, and follows Balcombe Creek, covering approximately 44 hectares between the Port Phillip coastline and Nepean Highway. Balcombe Reserve is a haven for local flora and fauna. Plants range from native orchids, tiny ground hugging herbs and flowering shrubs, to swamp paperbarks, she-oaks and stately manna gums. Wetland birds that graze and roost about the estuary include egrets, spoonbills, cormorants, and herons. Lizards, skinks and frogs find shelter among fallen logs and low plants. For more information on Balcombe Reserve, visit the website of the Balcombe Estuary Reserves Group.
- The Briars Park, Mt Martha on Nepean Highway includes 98 hectares of wildlife reserve and has significant sections of habitat quality bushland along Balcombe Creek.
- Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, Tuerong, covers 1005 hectares, includes the largest (250 ha) inland water body on the Mornington Peninsula, and encompasses 422 hectares of native vegetation. The Reserve provides valuable habitat for waterbirds, and many native animals. For more information on Devilbend Reserve, see Parks Victoria’s Devilbend website.
- Woods Reserve, Tuerong, a small reserve adjoining Devilbend Reserve, is home to a high quality native grass community and is known for its abundant bird life.