Day 73 of lockdown. Another beautiful day. A good day for a ride. I had arranged to meet Valerie at Barton Park, where we would walk around a look for birds.
On the ride down, I stopped off at Gough Whitlam Park and looked for the Striated Heron nest.
I could see both Herons near the nest. One, I think spotted me and moved to a different spot.
I don’t want to disturb these birds, so will not visit again for a while.
I then made my way to Barton Park. I met up with Valerie at Landing Lights Wetland. We watched the Pied Stilts.
It is interesting to see, that after mating, the pair walk around together for a while.
As well as the 22 Pied Stilts that we could see, there was one Little Egret and a number of Chestnut Teals.
And there were a number of Superb fairy-wrens.
We then walked down the Spring St Canal.
After following the track to the point, we returned and walked up to the top area. Here is a New Holland Honeyeater –
And a Welcome Swallow –
The tide was going down and when we returned to the Landing Lights Wetland, we waited a Little Black Cormorant walk up the Spring St Canal. we watched it as it walked for about 200m. Its walk was a “waddle” a bit like that of a penguin. When it got close, it found a deeper pool and then had a swim. It then walked back downstream. Perhaps if was washing salt off?
We then decided to head to Cahill Park and find a shady place for lunch. It was quite hot in the Sun. After a short break, we looked for Kingfishers, without spotting any. But we did see a Striated Heron.
It flew off as soon as I pointed a camera in its direction. On the sand bar, there was this Little Pied Cormorant –
A White-faced Heron was hunting amongst the oysters. It caught a crab –
We then went for a walk around the area – across the Princes Highway bridge and around Tempe Reserve and then across the bridge over the Alexandria Canal, then along the airport road and back across another bridge to Cahill Park. I was on the lookout for Ospreys – but we had no luck.
Valerie then headed for home. I decided to wait a little longer in case an Osprey turned up. I waited near the Princes Highway bridge at Cahill Park. Here is a Little Pied Cormorant –
I didn’t spot any Ospreys, but I did see a Sacred Kingfisher. It didn’t stay for long, but at least I got some reasonable photos.
All too soon, it flew across to Tempe Reserve.
I waited a bit longer and did another circuit around the three bridges. But no Ospreys and no more Kingfishers.
Amazing shots ! Especially love the last one of the kingfisher gliding across the clear blue sky.
The Kingfisher’s background is water (the Cooks River) – not the sky. But thanks for your nice comment.
Boat Harbour Tawny is nesting today, about same time as last year.
Thanks for that update. I was expecting it. Will go down one evening soon and see if I can photograph the hand-over.
Sorry dave, the tawny was not on the nest today (Saturday lunchtime). A number of people looked for it and saw it there yesterday. Could be trying the fit? forming to shape? Hopefully will have a clutch.