Birds at the Northern Beaches – 20 February 2020

I was keen to return to the Northern Beaches. I was interested to see what migratory birds would be on the rock platform at Long Reef. There had recently been rough seas and high tides during the middle of the day, so I had to be patient. On this visit, the low tide would be a bit after 1 pm. That would give me a chance to visit Warriewood Wetlands first.

I caught a B-line bus to Warriewood and walked out towards the wetlands. On the way, I detoured and had a look down Mullet Creek. No sign on any Kingfishers or Bitterns. I then made my way into the wetlands. It was fairly quiet. Here are some of the birds I saw –

Yellow Thornbill

Grey Fantail

Lewin’s Honeyeater

I then continued into Irrawong Reserve. Here are some photos –

White-browed Scrubwren

Brush Turkey

Rufous Fantail

Variegated Fairy-wren

I then went back to Warriewood Wetlands – the Settling Ponds section.

Superb Fairy-wrens

Here is a Grey Fantail hunting insects –

Little Pied Cormorant

I then walked back to the start of the Wetlands and had lunch at one of the picnic tables near the kids playground. While I had lunch, I could hear a Kookaburra calling nearby. I made sure no food was close at hand that it could grab. As I finished my lunch, a cyclist passed, and then stopped. He asked – “what bird is that” and pointed up to an overhead cable. I said “a Kookaburra”, but when I looked, I saw that the Kookaburra had moved on, and the bird perched there was a raptor – a Pacific Baza.

It soon flew off, but I was able to get some photos of this nice bird.

I then continued down Mullet Creek again, and again – no Bitterns in sight. Here are some of the birds that were there –

White-faced Heron

Australasian Darter

Little Black Cormorant

It was now time to head to Long Reef. I walked to Pittwater Road and caught a bus to the turn-off to Long Reef. I walked out on the rock platform and straight away saw some interesting birds.

Sooty Oystercatchers

Crested Terns

Ruddy Turnstones

Red-necked Stints

The above photo shows a Pacific Golden Plover and three Red-necked Stints.

Sanderling

Pacific Golden Plover

The above photo shows a Pacific Golden Plover and a Red-necked Stint.

More Pacific Golden Plover photos.

Above – shows a Ruddy Turnstone, a Red-necked Stint and a Pacific Golden Plover.

A few more Pacific Golden Plover photos –

I then made my way to the top of the hill and started walking along the track past the golf course to the surf club. On my way I spotted an Australian Pipit –

Then I spotted a Black-shouldered Kite. I watched it as it flew over to where another Black-shouldered Kite was perched. It then flew closer and settled on a small dead bush. It had caught a mouse, and then started to eat it.