Birds on the Northern Beaches – 15 August 2020

I spent a full day out on the Northern Beaches photographing birds. I was mostly after raptors.

I fist visited a sporting field at Manly Vale where in the past I have seen a nesting pair of Ospreys. My visit was short. I saw no activity at the nest and I thought it looks abandoned.

I then travelled further north and to the sea cliffs where I had seen a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons. Again a short visit. I spotted both of the falcons – one was flying below the cliffs, and I saw the other on a nest, presumably sitting on eggs. I dint want to disturb the bird, so I backed off without causing any distress to the bird.

Then further north to Rat Park, another sporting field. I was again looking for an Osprey nest. Form afar, I spotted the nest and could see both birds.

I walked closer and waited for some photographic opportunities .

I didn’t have to wait long. One of the Osprey, the male. took a short flight and returned with a stick to add to the nest.

I had also noticed a distant Nankeen Kestrel hunting in the same sporting field. It now flew closer, so I turned my lens towards it.

It landed on a plinth, but didn’t stay long.

It had found something to eat, then it flew off.

Meanwhile the male Osprey was back in the air.

It didn’t fly long or far. It made a loop and flew back and landed on the female’s back. They then mated.

The Osprey then settled back on the nest.

Then the Nankeen Kestrel returned.

It landed on the same plinth.

It had spotted some prey.

It then returned to the plinth.

More prey.

One last view of the Osprey. They seemed quite settled.

I then walked to Warriewood Wetlands and Irrawong Reserve. Both were fairly quiet while I was there. Here is a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo –

And a Brown Gerygone –

And a pair of Little Corellas –

I then made my way back to the Osprey nest area. One of the Osprey was eating a fish. It was the male.

The Nankeen Kestrel was still in the precinct. But it didn’t come very close.

There also quite a few Galahs.

The Osprey looked satisfied.

It flew off with the rest of the fish.

It took it to the nest and gave it to the female.

The female then flew off with the fish to the other side of the cross spar and started eating.

I assume that the nest has eggs – that is why one bird was always on the nest while I was there, except perhaps when they were mating.

It was time to head home – after a great day of bird photography.