This was another exercise bike ride with a little bit of bird photography. I cycled from home along the Cooks River Cycleway to Tempe, then continued along the cycleway towards Botany Bay. I went as far as Barton Park – and there, spent some time looking for and photographing some birds before returning the same way.
I didn’t stop on the ride out. When I arrived at Barton Park, I first visited the Landing Lights Wetland. The pool was relatively quiet. No Stilts or Avocets. There was one Spoonbill and some Ibis. A few Herons were around the hinterland. I started walking around to the mangrove area, and on the way, I disturbed a Brown Goshawk that was perched in a dead tree. It flew off and perched on an overhead cable.
I approached slowly and managed to get a photo or two, but then it flew off and did not return.
So I went back to the pond, and photographed some of the White-faced Herons.
Next, the Australian Spoonbill.
It was having an interaction with an Australian White Ibis. The birds are closely related. I wonder if they ever interbreed?
I then left the wetland, and climbed up to the old sports stadium. There were a few birds in the lantana. Here are some Superb Fairy-wrens –
A New Holland Honeyeater –
There were a few Red-browed Finches.
And a Willie Wagtail.
Then a rather odd bird for the area flew past. A Caspian Tern.
A few Yellow-rumped Thornbills were around –
I then went back down to the lower level and walked back along the creek. I paused to photograph a Silvereye –
And one last photo in the wetlands or two Chestnut Teals –
Then it was time for me to get on my bike and ride home. It had been a short but worthwhile break.