I spent a pleasant day up at the Northern Beaches photographing birds. I caught a B-line bus to Dee Why and then a local bus to Long Reef. I then walked out along the beach to the headland.
Beach Stone-Curlew
On the way out, I photographed a Willie Wagtail that had just caught a small cicada.
I had checked and arrived at the time of low tide. But the tide was not as low as it might be – and waves were sloshing over the rock platform further out. The only close bird was a Sooty Oystercatcher.
Another bird photographer, Marie, was also there. We looked out with our binoculars and we could see some small migratory birds further out – but they were too far off for good photos.
I had also been on the lookout for a Beach Stone-Curlew that had been seen by others here recently. No sign of it on the headland. While we looking, we spotted a small migratory bird, a Red-necked Stint fly past and land out on the distant rock platform. Then all of a sudden, a raptor few down and grabbed the small bird in its talons. It then flew off with it. It was a Nankeen Kestrel.
I then started walking around the north side of the headland. On the way, I spotted the Beach Stone-Curlew. It was standing on the sand.
Another walker passed me by as I finished photographing, and I kew that it would be likely to take-off when he got closer, so had my camera ready.
The only other bird I photographed on the headland was a White-faced Heron.
I then caught the bus to Warriewood and got off at the Wetlands. I first had a walk down the first bit of Mullet Creek to see if the Black Bittern was around – no sign of it. So I then entered the Wetlands. No many birds were out. I did see a number of Water Dragons.
I did photograph a Varied Sittella –
I then went into Irrawong Reserve. Again – fairly quiet. The highlight was observing Laughing Kookaburra chicks looking out their nest – a termite nest.
Below, you can see the beak of the second chick.
Here are some of the other birds I saw –
Eastern Yellow Robin
Lewin’s Honeyeater
Sacred Kingfisher
Olive-backed Oriole
I then went back to Warriewood Wetlands – the Settling Ponds.
Little Wattlebird
Dusky Moorhen
After this I headed to shady picnic table for lunch at the entrance to the Wetlands. After lunch, I again walked down Mullet Creek, again with no sign of the Black Bittern, then went to Lakeside Park and Rat Park looking for raptors – with no luck. As it was getting quite hot – I decided to catch a bus home.