I had wanted to visit some of the wetlands near Windsor for a while now. The logistics of getting there via public transport was not too difficult – train to Windsor, and from there I could cycle to the locations.
Whistling Kite
I first visited Bushells Lagoon from the Wilberforce side – and there were quite a few birds around. Some were ones I had not seen a lot of before – like Straw-necked Ibis. There were also a few raptors flying around.
Straw-necked Ibis
Whistling Kite
I then cycled up to the Putty Road, went a short way along, and then along Kurmond Road and a few small roads to reach Brewers Lane – which takes you down to an area between the two main ponds.
Straight away I spotted a Black Shouldered Kite perched on top of a tree nearby.
Further along, on the lane, between the two ponds, I met Bob, another bird photographer. We talked about the area, and then he said he would be able to show me where an Australasian Bittern was. There are rarely seen birds in Sydney. We walked to where he had seen it earlier, but it had actually moved a little closer to the road, and when we got close, it suddenly looked up and flew off and landed about 50 m into the swamp. I was lucky to get a few photos of it in flight.
Australasian Bittern
There were more raptors flying overhead. A Whistling Kite flew close over us, and in the distance we could see a Swamp Harrier.
Whistling Kite
Swamp Harrier
Bob then left, but another bird watcher, Sharyn, arrived. She lived nearby and knew the area pretty well.
The ponds were full of waterbirds. Here are some –
Egrets
Australasian Grebe
White-faced Herons
White-necked Heron
Australasian Darter
Pink-eared Ducks
Royal Spoonbills
Black Swan
And some of the raptors –
Nankeen Kestrel
in this last photo, the Kestrel seems to be regurgitating a lizard.
White-bellied Sea Eagle
Australian Hobby
Brown Falcon
I then left the area and cycled the way I had come back to Windsor for lunch. After lunch I cycled to Pitt Town and down to a large bird hide at Pitt Town Lagoon.
It was fairly quite in terms of birds when compared to Bushells Lagoon. I could see few ducks out in the water, and a Pelican flew overhead.
On a small island, I spotted a raptor, a Whistling Kite, eating some prey.
When it finished the Kite flew overhead. I had gone outside the hide at this time and was able to get some good photos as it flew past.
Then it flew back out into the lagoon and scanned the water for prey.
It suddenly dived down and caught something –
I am not sure what the bird caught – but it did not look like food. I think the birds also did not know what it had caught.
I then left and cycled to Mulgrave Station and took a train home. It had been a very good day.
Wow fascinating story and some great photos there – thanks a lot