Birds along the Cooks River and Botany Bay – 3 November 2020

Gary had suggested a photographic trip to the Taren Point Shorebird Reserve. The mist was planned for the afternoon when the tide would be falling and some migratory birds should be showing up. I deiced to join him, but would start off earlier and cycle there via the Cooks River Cycleway and the Botany Bay Cycleway. The weather was perfect – a warm sunny day but with a nice cool sea breeze.

I first visited the Tawny Frogmouth at the Boat Harbour on the Cooks River. I knew where their nest was, and had soon located the female –

I could only see one chick with the father at the nest. The hick was asleep.

But seemed to be waking up.

I wondered if the second chick was still there or had died. I next visited the Tawny Frogmouth near Younger Avenue. Again – I soon spotted buth birds of the pair –

The male on the best was a little restless, but I could see no chicks.

Then I continued downstream. At the Striated Heron nest – I could see the chick asleep on the nest.

Nearby was an Eastern Rosella –

Then I cycled downstream to near Gough Whitlam Park – no change in the nest there.

on the Island in the park, I spotted the Satin Bowerbird.

Then I continued to Landing Lights Wetland for a brief stop. There were quite a few Pied Stilts –

Then I cycled along the Botany Bay Cycleway, stopping for lunch near the Scott Park bird hide. I crossed over Taren Point Bridge and arrived early at the Taren Point Shorebird Reserve.

While I was waiting for the others, I didn’t see too many interesting birds. Here is a Willie Wagtail –

And a Raven –

The Gary arrived with Jon and Phil. A little later Geoff join the group. Still not too many birds around expect for Silver Gulls. Here is a Welcome Swallow –

Then, as the ride stared receding, some good birds appeared. First a pair of Bar-tailed Godwits. Here is one –

And some Pied Oystercatchers –

We then moved along the bay a little to another viewing platform near an artificial island. There were more Bar-tailed Godwits –

And a pair of Pied Oystercatchers were displaying some interesting behaviour. Perhaps courtship?

Her is a passing Pied Cormorant –

Quite a few Pelicans were around –

And a White-faced Heron –

Here is a Silver Gull chick with its parent on the artificial island –

I didn’t spot this bird until I looked at my photos later. It is (I think) a Whimbrel –

Back at the original spot, we spotted an Eastern Curlew –

This bird has flown from Korea and need to refuel with food before heading further south. I was a shame to see a person with their dog on the beach of the reserve – depot a lot of signs forbidding this.

I then left the others to return home on my bike. I stopped off again at a few places. Here are some Black-fronted Dotterels at Landing Lights Wetland –

And some nice lighting for a Pied Stilt –

Back at the Striated Heron nest, the hick was still by itself –

And at the Boat Harbour, I could see the two Tawny Frogmouth chicks with their father in the nest.