This was a pleasant day spent at Warriewood photographing the birdlife. I caught a B-line bus up the Northern Beaches, and on the walk to Warriewood Wetlands I ran into Jan, who was also visiting the area photographing the birds. We joined up, and later at Irrawong Reserve, met Alexandra, who joined us on the walk back through Warriewood Wetlands. After lunch, Jan and myself continued down Mullet Creek, then crossed Pittwater Road to Lakeside Park and finished off at Rat Park.
At Warriewood wetlands, Jan and myself, took the boardwalk track through to the Settling Ponds. On the way we spotted a few Purple Swamphen chicks.
And further along there was a Dusky Moorhen building a nest.
Nearby was a Royal Spoonbill
At the Settling Ponds we found a lot of birds. Here are some –
White-cheeked Honeyeater
Great Egret
Little Wattlebird
White-browed Scrubwren
Black-faced Cuckooshrike
There were also the usual Waterdragons –
We then made our way to Irrawong Reserve. Along the track we met Alexandra who was also out photographing birds. We saw a Lewin’s Honeyeater –
At one point a raptor made a very brief flyover. I was lucky to get a couple of shots. I think it may have been a Grey Goshawk.
Further along, we could hear the Barking Owl that Jan and myself had photographed on a previous visit. From its call, we realised that it was not close to the track like last time. I found a way through the rainforest to a higher level, but then the calls stopped. I looked in the nearby trees but could not locate it. I did see a Grey Fantail –
And a Golden Whistler –
I returned to the track and rejoin the others. A little later the barking started again, so I headed back. This time it continued while I was close, and I was able to get some nice photos of the Barking Owl.
The others came up, one at a time, and also experienced this wonder of Nature. Back on the track I photographed a Whipbird.
I also could hear some Sacred Kingfishers nearby. Looking up, I spotted one entering a nest hole in a termite nest.
We then made our way back and along the track on the south side of Warriewood Wetlands. Another Sacred Kingfisher –
We also saw a Black-faced Cuckooshrike sitting on a nest.
Here is a Dollarbird –
And another Waterdragon
Just outside the Wetlands were a Galah –
We then farewelled Alexandra, and went to the nearby picnic area for lunch.
Jan and myself then walked slowly down Mullet Creek looking for birds, but things were very quiet. Crossing Pittwater Road, we spotted a Nankeen Kestrel hunting in Lakeside Park. It gave us some nice photographic opportunities.
We then continued along the side of Narrabeen Lagoon and to the beach. Not too may interesting birds around. At Rat Park, we looked at the Osprey nest. We could just see the head of one bird in the nest. We waited a while, but its mate did not arrive, so we walked the short distance to the bus stop and headed home.
