I spent a quite busy day photographing the birds in the Northern Beaches area. I was also fortunate to spot a rather elusive bird – a Black Bittern, that I had been looking for without success on previous visits.
I caught a B-line bus to Warriewood and walked the short distance to the Warriewood Wetlands. The birds in the Wetlands were rather quiet and I had more success in the adjacent Irrawong Reserve. Here are some of the birds, a Brown Cuckoo-dove, a Brush Turkey, a Silvereye, a Laughing Kookaburra and a Brown Thornbill.
The most striking birds were several Eastern Yellow Robins.
One of the Robins caught a worm.
Before eating the worm it rapidly rotated its head back and forth, perhaps to stun the worm?
I also photographed a Scarlet Honeyeater.
As I was leaving Warriewood Wetlands I noticed a nice Red-bellied Black Snake enjoying the warm sun.
After lunch, I wandered along Mullet Creek. I saw a Australasian Darter –
Then I had luck. I noticed a Black Bittern perched on a branch.
This is the first Black Bittern I have seen. It didn’t stay long. A kayaker cruised past, and when I looked – the Bittern had vanished.
I continued to Narabeen Lagoon. No Kestrel around this time. on the goal post were a few Kookaburras –
I also saw a Butcherbird and a Cormorant.
The Ospreys nest was quiet. One had flown off, and the other one was on the nest all the time.
I then made my way to where I had seen the nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons on previous visits.
I was lucky, they were active. I was now late in the afternoon and the light was fading. I was fortunate to get a good series of photos of them in the remaining time.
Fantastic photos David! May I ask which northern beach did you photograph these majestic peregrine falcons? I have tried Malabar a couple of times but no luck, so I want to attempt another location.Thank you so much.
Thanks for the comment on my photos. The Peregrine Falcons on the Northern Beaches are a breeding pair, and currently have a nest near where I took the photos. I don’t want to reveal their location as increased visitation may disturb their nesting. There is also a breeding pair at Malabar Headland and their nest is more inaccessible so are probably more suitable to visit. Often the Falcons will remain perched in one spot for hours. To spot them you need to scan the cliffs with binoculars. At present in both locations, it looks like the females are sitting on eggs most fo the time. When the eggs hatch both parents will be a lot more active and easier to spot flying. Also learn their call and listen for it.