Birds at Tempe and the Cooks River – 14 July 2018

I spent a very enjoyable and interesting morning looking for and photographing birds in my local area. I started at Tempe Wetlands where I joined the Tempe Birdos for their monthly bird survey. The survey always concludes with a morning tea and chat at Tempe Reserve. I then cycled around Tempe Reserve to see what birds where out and had another look at the Wetlands before heading home by slowly cycling up the Cooks River – looking for more birds.

Swamp Harrier

At Tempe Wetlands with the Birdos, I was fortunate to observe a new species for me – a Fan Tailed Cuckoo. 

Fan Tailed Cuckoo

It was a cool morning, and there was not too many birds about at that time. After morning tea, at Tempe Reserve, I first photographed some Welcome Swallows flying low over the grass trying to catch insects.

As well, a Striated Heron flew past –

There was also a new pole installed at the Tempe Reserve by the Inner West Council with nesting boxes and a bat box.

Back at the Wetlands, I photographed some New Holland Honeyeaters and a Grey Fantail.

I was lucky to spot a raptor flying overhead. I was not sure what it was, but after passing photos around to people who know birds a lot bette than me, the consensus seems to be that it was a Swamp Harrier –

I  then spotted some Egrets and a Heron feeding in the stormwater drain near Tempe Station. It was interesting to watch them catch fish –

Along the Cooks River, I spotted a Sacred Kingfisher perched on a branch over the water. The last time I had seen one along this stretch, it had flown away before I was able to photograph it. This time I was luckier –

I continued to the  Boat Harbour, where I photographed a pair of Tawny Frogmouths sleeping on a tree branch and some Cormorants –