Mudlarks – Cooks River Bird Survey – 14 September 2021

Day 80 of lockdown. The Mudlarks Bird Group that surveys birds along two section of the Cooks River has not been able to operate because of the lockdown. But that does not stop birds being surveyed by individuals or groups of two. So I joined Simin to survey a section along the Cooks River between the Land Road Bridge and   the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands.

We met at 7:30 am and surveyed upstream on the north side of the river to the Boat Harbour, then crossed over, went to the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands and then came back along the south side back to the Land Street Bridge. We saw a lot of nice birds along the way.

Here is an Australian Figbird –

We saw quite a few Willie Wagtails and we looked in the mangroves to see if we could spot any nests. We didn’t see any, but Simin did spot a Sacred Kingfisher. I was not able to get a photo.

We did see a number of Magpie Lark nests. Here is a Magpie Lark sitting on its nest –

We watched it get up and check that everything was OK.

We saw this nest and wondered if it was an old one that had been abandoned.

No, it was just being built. We saw a Magpie Lark fly up and deposit some mud. Another one looks like it is under construction too –

At the Boat Harbour, these Rainbow Lorikeets had taken over a nest box.

And short distance away, a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo seemed happy with a hollow –

And we spotted a Grey Butcherbird –

We spotted the Tawny Frogmouth pair.

One is now sitting on the nest. I think it is the female. As far as I know its usually the male that sits on the nest during the day. But perhaps the female is in the process of laying eggs?

Here is one of two Great Cormorants on the pollution boom.

At the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands, we spotted this Eastern Long-necked Turtle –

And we saw these Australian Swamphens with three very young looking chicks. Perhaps there are more to hatch?

Walking back down the river, we saw this young Magpie calling out for food.

And these look like Noisy Miner chicks –

And further downstream, luring in the mangroves was this nice Striated Heron –

We recorded 30 different species during our survey. Thanks to Simin for being great company and a great observer.