More Birds at The Central Coast Wetlands – 24 February 2020

This was another rewarding day spent at the Central Coast Wetlands at Wyong. Like previous trips, I caught the train to Wyong and then walked the short distance to the wetlands.

As I walked in, I spotted an Australian Hobby perched on a dead tree. The tree was very close to the road, so I too a few distant photos, then walked a bit closer and took some more, and repeated this until it flew off.

It then perched in a tree, not too far from the road, but in a position where you could not get close photos. It stayed in that perch for several hours. I continued on to the pavilion and looked around the pools. I could not spot any unusual birds. But there were certainly some nice birds around, and patience and being prepared to spend most fo the day in the area was rewarding. Here are some of the birds I photographed –

Australasian Darter

Intermediate Egret

Whistling Kite

A Whistling Kite flew past and flew around the wetlands before settling on a post in the middle of one of the pools. It stayed on the post for 30 minutes or so.

A second Whistling Kite flew over.

Swamp Harrier

I then decided to go on one of the short walks – the one along Pioneer Creek. On my last visit I had seen a Pheasant Coucal on this walk. No luck this time, but I did see some other nice birds –

Grey Butcherbird

Eastern Rosellas

Superb Fairy-wren

Rainbow Lorikeet

Back near the pavilion, a Masked Lapwing was harassing a Swamp Harrier –

An Intermediate Egret with unusual plumage cruised past.

Then a juvenile White-bellied Sea Eagle appeared –

And some White-faced Herons –

On a very distant tree, a Black Shouldered Kite was perched –

I then went on the Tuggerah Creek walk. On the far bridge I spotted a Sacred Kingfisher –

Back at the pavilion, I saw some Black Swans fly past and the Swamp Harrier –

High above were a few White-throated Needletails –

You can also see insects (Dragonflies) in the photos – that must be what they are hunting.

Another loop around the Pioneer Creek walk – More Rainbow Lorikeets and a Red Rumped Parrot –

Then it was time for me to leave. On the way out I photographed some White-breasted Woodswallows