Friday 28 February 2025 Bega River: Mogareeka to Blackfellows Lagoon

 Before we start, a sad sight we saw when in Bermagui on Thursday - the fishing boat Volition caught on the rocks. 

Overnight she was battered to bits and the next day there was nothing but left of her but debris and an oil slick which has caused closure of the beach at Horseshoe Bay.

On a happier note: As you will see, R, L and I had a most agreeable and relaxing one-way paddle up the Bega River, from Mogareeka to Blackfellows Lagoon Boat Ramp.

Aiming to set off an hour before high tide at the entrance, we made it onto the water 10 minutes ahead of schedule and headed toward the entrance, where the incoming tide was perfect for practising ferry glides. Turning to let the tide whoosh us upstream we saw not one, but two of the dark morphs of the Eastern Reef Egret!

Letting the tide do most of the work we poddled slowly up the river into the unnamed lagoon where we were entertained by a lot of fish activity and prawns skipping across the surface. 

Rejoining the river we poddled up to the first of the islands and stopped for a break. 

After the break R and I continued on whilst L flew the drone.

 Along the way we saw the Sea Eagle flying overhead, spotted a couple of Azure Kingfishers and had a really good sighting of a Grey Goshawk as it flew low across the river right in front of us and landed in a tree near the bank.

R & I spent a bit of time exploring leads through the reed beds in Blackfellows and L caught us up halfway up the lagoon.

G, having swapped into our car back at Mogareeka was there to greet us as we pulled into the boat ramp about 12.15pm. With G to help, we soon had the boats unpacked and loaded onto the trailer. Then, having changed we headed to the Tathra Pub where we met G&R's friends from Dubbo for a convivial lunch.

Trip Notes:

High Tide at Entrance: 9.15am 1.9m

Put In: Mogareeka

Take Out: Boat ramp, Blackfellows Lagoon 

9.75km