This was a pleasant day out and it include a nice bike ride and some nature photography. I set off along the Cooks River Cycleway to Tempe. Then I visited Tempe Reserve. The tide was quite high and the salt marsh was full of water. I only saw a few Superb Fairy-wrens there.
In the Cooks River, I photographed a Pied Cormorant flying just above the water.
The Princess Highway cycleway is still closed due to some upgrading, so I cycled over the bridge that crosses Alexandria Canal and then went past the airport, and across the road bridge over the Cooks River and then along the cycleway towards Botany Bay.
At Barton Park, I stopped and spent a fair bit of time at the Landing Lights Wetland. in the hinterland were a large group of noisy Red-Browed Finches.
And in the same dead bush was a Golden-headed Cisticola.
There were a number of Ravens around.
In the pools were the usual White-headed Stilts and Chestnut Teals. But no Avocets this time.
Flying, a fair way off was a raptor being harassed by a Willie Wagtail. I think the raptor was a Brown Goshawk.
Nearby were some more Superb Fairy-wrens.
I then continued on my bike along the cycleway to Botany Bay. I looked to see if there were any gannets diving for fish in the mouth of the Cooks River, but not seeing any, I continued cycling along the Botany Bay Cycleway. I rode all the way to Captain Cook Bridge, which I crossed.
Eastern Koel (male)
I had heard (see comment on this post) that the cycleway on the Taren Point side had been extended. In the past, you had to ride a few kilometres of road before you reached the cycleway. Not the road section is much shorter. A nice new cycleway has been constructed around the foreshore. On the way you pass a few bird areas that are well signposted.
This new cycleway ends with a short section of footpath cycleway, that like to the cycleway through the mangroves that leads to Shark Park.
Pied Oystercatcher
I stopped at a few places along the way, but didn’t see too many birds of interest. I then returned the way I had come. I stopped for lunch at the Fish and Chip Cafe near the end of the Botany Bay cycleway just before the Cooks River.
On the way back, I stopped again at the Landing Lights Wetland. Mush the same as earlier. The Brown Goshawk was still being harassed by a Willie Wagtail – but again too far off for good photos.
High overhead a pair of Pelicans did some nice synchronised flying –
My second visit was cut short however as some kids on trail (and quad) bikes roared around the wetlands. Not too many birds left after that. Signs indicate that such activities are not permitted in the area.
I continued to Tempe Reserve, and this time spent some time in the Tempe Wetlands. Again – early afternoon was a bit quiet for birds. I did see and hear a nice Reed Warbler –
And a White-plumed Honeyeater –
In the middle pool a large group of Welcome Swallows were wizzing around.
I then rode up the Cooks River Cycleway. Near Younger Avenue, I checked the Tawny Frogmouth nest – no change. One adult (probably male) still sitting on the nest. No sign of a chick.
At the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands I ddi see some chicks. The first I have seen there this season. Some Purple Swamphen chicks –
