Day 96 of Lockdown. I have visited Barton Park a lot during the lockdown and it has been a rewarding place to visit for bird photography. This was probably the best day of bird photography I have undertaken there. The last 20 minutes of my visit were particularly good.
The day started off quite well. When I arrived I could hear a Golden-headed Cisticola calling away to mark out its territory.
Near the pond at Landing Lights Wetland, I spotted an Australian Reed-warbler.
And a Silvereye –
I then went down to the ned of the Spring St Canal. I bumped into fellow bird photographer Daniele, and we noticed a he school of fish in the canal.
In the far distance, the Grey Goshawk was flying.
I wondered around a bit to see what else was out. Here is one of the Pied Stilts at the wetland.
I then headed out to the Cooks River to see if I could spot the Osprey. I couldn’t, so I returned back to the old soccer fields. Here is a small skink –
And here is some courtship behaviour of some Crested Pigeons.
A pair of Willie Wagtails were trying to distort me, so I looked around and spotted their nest.
Close by, a Red Wattlebird was chasing away a Common Myna.
The Willie Wagtails were still busy.
I then headed back to the wetlands. Here is a Superb Fairy-wren –
And a Laughing Kookaburra had a lizard.
These Pied Stilts were a bit aggressive, so it looks ike they are nesting nearby.
I then headed up to the higher level. Here are some White-browed Scrubwrens –
And a Superb Fairy-wren –
And one tree was quite good for the number of small birds lurking under it. Here is a Silvereye –
And a Golden-headed Cisticola –
Next, a Yellow-rumped Thornbill –
I then headed back to the lower level next to the Spring St Canal. I then was wondering whether to start back for home, or to have one last look at the wetlands. I decided to visit the wetlands. As I was walking there, a Brown Goshawk flew past.
It headed off into some trees near the Golf Firing Range. At the wetlands, the Pied Stilts still seemed alarmed even though the Goshawk had left.
I looked up and soon saw why the Stilt were worried. A Swamp Harrier was cruising around, circling above the pond.
The Swamp Harrier, flew higher and gradually left the area. The Stilts settled back down.
Then a Brown Goshawk arrived.
But, even better, it was joined by a second Brown Goshawk. The one I had seen earlier had returned with a lizard.
The two Goshawks flew around together. Was the lizard a nuptial gift? It would be interesting to see if a food exchange took place.
I did not see any food exchange, but things became more complicated when a third Brown Goshawk arrived.
It was an amazing site to see these three raptors flying together. They gradually moved away from the area.
I walked home via the Cooks River and Kogarah Golf Course. Again, no sigh of the Osprey. I did photograph a Raven with some harassing Noisy Miners.
