Wolli Creek and Cooks River Nature Walk – 26 June 2021

After taking part in the Greenway Bird Survey in the early morning, I spent the afternoon going for a walk along the Two Valleys Track – starting at Bexley North and then continuing all the way down to Tempe, and then I followed the track up the Cooks River to Wardell Road and from there walked home.

This was a nice outing. I was looking for fungi, orchids and birds. All along the track I spotted orchids. These were all Greenhood Orchids of two species.

Pterostylis nutans

Here is a Willie Wagtail at Illoura –

In the upper section, I did not find any new fungi out, but lower down, near the climbing area, I found quite a few waxcaps.

Hygrocybe virginea – 

Hygrocybe austropratensis – 

Gliophorus graminicolor – 

And one Coral, Clavulinopsis amoena – 

Further along, past the Flying Fox Camp, were the second species of Greenhood Orchid.

Pterostylis concinna

I looked carefully for fungi on the lower level. All I could find were these very tiny waxcaps.

Hygrocybe sp. – 

Further along, below Turrella Reserve, at the area below the old quarry, I found a few waxcaps out. This area seems to be good at the end of the fungal season.

Hygrocybe sp.

Hygrocybe griseoramosa – 

Gliophorus graminicolor – 

Hygrocybe austropratensis – 

Hygrocybe aurantiopallens – 

And again, some corals, first Clavulinopsis sulcata –

Clavaria tenuipes – 

Climbing back up I saw a nice cluster of puffballs, Lycoperdon perlatum – 

Below Jackson Place, I found a lot more orchids. Pterostylis nutans –

At the junction of Wolli Ck and the Cooks River, I spotted this White-faced Heron on the far side.

It was soon joined by second bird.

The second one gave the first a good checking over.

And a Pied Cormorant watched –

Near Gough Whitlam Park I saw a few more Cormorants –

The Little Black Cormorant seems to have a band caught around its neck. it is probably the same bird I photographed on 17 May 2021.