This was another interesting day spent at these wetlands at Wyong. Like my earlier visit, I caught a train to Wyong, and from the station, it is short walk to the wetlands. As I walked in, I spotted a White-bellied Sea Eagle perched in a dead tree a fair way off. It was a nice start.
There was a lot more water around tham my previous visit. Another bird photographer at the wetlands, pointed out a Musk Duck, way out in the ponds. But it was too far away for a reasonable photos, and it didn’t come along closer while I was there. Here are some of the other birds in the ponds –
Australasian Grebe
Royal Spoonbill
And here is the Spoonbill with a Little Black Cormorant and some Australasian Shovelers –
Australasian Darter
Australian Pelican
Pied Stilt
Little Black Cormorant
Overhead were a lot of Welcome Swallows –
In the trees near the parking area were some Australian Figbirds –
The Sea Eagle was still in is perch. But another raptor, a Swamp Harrier cruised over the wetlands –
Later, a Whistling Kite made an appearance.
Then the Sea Eagle decided to take-off and it had a skirmish with the Whistling Kite –
The Sea Eagle then cruised around, and then suddenly dived down.
Another raptor swooped down. I think it may have been an immature Sea Eagle.
The Sea Eagle on the right has some prey. It looks like an Eurasian Coot.
The prey is given to the immature Sea Eagle.
I then went on one of the two walks at the Wetlands. The Pioneer Creek walk.
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Grey Butcherbird
I then noticed another quite large brown bird hiding in the Camphor Laurels near the creek. I thought it was probably a Brown Cuckoo-dove. It flew off before I could get a good look. By that time another raptor had made an appearance. It was a White-bellied Sea Eagle.
It was being harassed by a Masked Lapwing –
It flew off, and I resumed looking for the brown bird I had spotted earlier. I found it gain, and it stayed still long enough for some photos. It was a new bird for me – a Pheasant Coucal.
A little further along the path, I spotted a Black-shouldered Kite. It flew down and landed in a large nest.
Back out above the wetlands were two juvenile Sea Eagles –
I made another circuit of the Pioneer Creek track. This time I saw a Tawny Grassbird –
And a Red-rumped Parrot –
A White-bellied Sea Eagle was still around –
It was joined any another –
And a third raptor joined them. I think it was a Swamp Harrier.
I then headed off on the Tuggerah Creek walk. On it I saw these birds –
Oriole
Eastern Rosella
Bell Miner
I then met up with Laurie, a local bird photographer, and were talking about some nearby bird sites. He then took my on a tour of some of the nearby wetlands and to a point out on Tuggerah Lakes where we saw an enormous number of Egrets. This was a most interesting and useful tour and I could experience some new areas. Thanks to Laurie for that kindness.