Another very full day of bird photography at a number of locations in the Northern Beaches region.
I started by catching a train to Wynyard and hen a B-line bus to Manly Vale. I then walked to a local sporting field to where a pair of Eastern Ospreys have their nest. On the way I observed a Cattle Egret. I have only once before seen these birds in Sydney.
Nearby where a few White-faced Herons.
Both Ospreys were at their nest. One was half way through a fish. At one point it flew from its perch on a light to the nest, then back again. But it later flew back and gave it to its mate.
Close to the grass of the field a few Welcome Swallows were hunting for insects.
Then a cacophony broke out! A Channel-billed Cuckoo flew past.
I then caught a bus to one of the nearby beaches and walked out to the sea cliffs. On my way I stopped to photograph a Superb Fairywren.
One of the nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons was around. I was able to get some reasonable photos in the brief time I was there. The bird was clearly unsettled by my proximity to its nest and young chicks. So I did not stay very long.
I then caught a couple more buses which took me to Warriewood. I first walked to another sporting field for more Osprey photography. As I approached one of the Ospreys flew in with some more nesting material.
Some other birds were also around. Corellas, Welcome Swallows and a Nankeen Kestrel.
The Kestrel took off and flew towards me. It landed on the ground and then gobbled a nice worm. It then flew off to settle on the roof of the changing rooms.
It soon took-off again. It was being harassed by a Magpie. It then left the area.
The Ospreys were having a hard time from the nearby Currawongs.
I then left the field and walked to Warriewood Wetlands. It was fairly quiet, bird wise. Here are some that I saw – a Laughing Kookaburra, an Eastern Yellow Robin, a Great Egret and some Spoonbills, and a Bell Miner.
Along Mullet Creek I saw these Little Black Cormorants.
I then moved back to Narrabeen Lagoon. Near the beach, I spotted one of the Ospreys hunting for fish. I didn’t catch anything while I was there.
A Gannet was also hunting for fish.
Then back at the sporting field, no Ospreys were active. The Kestrel made a brief appearance but did not stay.
Then it was time for me to depart.
Hello David,
I am Anh, i am bird watcher. I live in Manly and often go to Long Reef but dont know where is Peregrine Falcon. Can you tell me where please.
Your photos are really nice.
Thanks.
Anh.
Sorry – I wont reveal the location of breeding pairs. Not for endangered species. But they can be found in various locations along the coastal cliffs at Sydney. You need to watch for them along the coastal path – and where there are cliffs. Use binoculars to scan the cliffs for perched birds, and learn their call and listen for it. If you live in Manly – then the cliffs of North Head are a good place to start. You often need to sit on a cliff and wait for a while to see what birds may turn up – perhaps Peregrine Falcons, perhaps Ospreys or Sea Eagles.
Thank you very much.
Anh.
I went to Curl Curl today, and saw two Peregrine Falcons. I met a guy as Jeff from Kiama. We tried to get a shot but could not.
Anh.
Hi David
Thanks for your article. I saw some kestrels in Curly after the surf and was wondering what kind of birds it was, and I found the answer thanks to your article (I think I typed in hawk/ falcon curl curl).
But I’ve discovered many other birds in this blog as well so thanks again. I didn’t know we have ospreys here. I might have misunderstood them a couple of times with white-bellied sea eagles. I’ll pay more attention next time. Also, I didn’t know there are spoonbills and bell miners at the Warriewood wetlands. I’ll go check that. That looks like a good spot.
Feel free to shoot me an email whenever you come back on the Northern beaches. I know a few spots where you can see gloss black cockatoos, yellow tail cockatoo, golden whistles and sometimes lyrebirds.
All the best