An early start is needed to participate in the Mudlarks bird survey along the Cooks River. But the early start can be worthwhile in order to see the Cooks River in a different light – on cold morning, when the sun first hits the water. It can be very beautiful.
The Cooks River was very still.
This month, the group surveyed upstream to the Boat Harbour and Sugar Mill, then crossed over and walked up to Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands before returning on that bank.
Now for some birds.
Welcome Swallow
Magpie Lark
Australian White Ibis
Grey Teals
Dusky Moorhen
And a Brush Tailed Possum –
Grey Teals
Olive Backed Oriole
Magpie Lark
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo – with Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease –
One of the locals, Barney, has been helping to look after this sick bird.
Crested Pigeons
This is courtship behaviour –
The other birds don’t seem too impressed.
From the footbridge, we spotted two Little Herons flying upstream.
Great Cormorant
Little Pied Cormorant
Pacific Black Duck
Purple Swamphen
Welcome Swallows
Its about to grab an insect –
Purple Swamphen
Dusky Moorhen
Pacific Black Duck
Purple Swamphen
Tawny Frogmouths
White Faced Heron
Little Pied Cormorant
Laughing Kookaburra
