Cooks River and Barton Park Bike Ride – 2 August 2021

Day 37 of lockdown. My exercise was another bike ride down to Barton Park and back, and as usual I took my camera.

I expected to see some Sacred Kingfishers on my ride as the tide was low. Not far along the ride, just downstream from Illawarra Road, I spotted a Sacred Kingfisher. I stopped and took a few photos –

The Kingfisher dint stay for long. It soon flew off downstream. I also continued downstream. At Waterworth Park, near the junction with Wolli Ck I spotted another Sacred Kingfisher. This one was perched on a rock.

It flew off upstream, so I continue on my ride. I made it to Barton Park and as usual first visited Landing Lights Wetland. Here is a White-faced Heron and Great Egret –

There were two Royal Spoonbills in the main pond.

The White-faced Heron was on the prowl.

I could hear a Golden-headed Cisticola calling. I spotted it at the top of small tree.

Back to the pond –

Then I wandered around the hinterland of the wetlands. Here is a New Holland Honeyeater –

A a nice Silvereye –

A few Yellow Thornbills were around –

And a Superb Fairy-wren –

I moved back to the pond and watched the Pied Stilts. There was aa lot of squabbling going on. I think it is probably competition amongst the males – their breeding season is approaching.

The White-faced Heron was watching –

I then headed up to the higher area of Barton Park. On the way I stopped to photograph a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike –

In the past, on one of he grassy areas, I have seen a large flock of Red-browed Finches. In that spot this visit were a flock of Nutmeg Manikins –