Birds at Sydney Park and The Cooks River – 5 October 2021

Day 101 of Lockdown. This was another enjoyable and interesting day of bird watching and photography at two venues – first Sydney Park and then along the Cooks River between Canterbury Station and Wardell Road.

At Sydney Park, I met up with Valerie and Sue. I had encouraged them to visit the park to see the baby Buff-banded Rails that I have seen a few days earlier. As it turned out, we spotted no Rails at all – adults or chicks. It seems that they have moved. But we did see a lot of other nice birds.

First – here are the newly fledged Magpie Lark chicks.

And now they are getting fed by a parent.

This Little Pied Cormorant takes a break from fishing, but it is not that restful.

Here is one of three Australasian Grebes in the large pond.

This Grebe is chasing away one of the other Grebes.

And this one has a shake.

The Dusky Moorhen family are doing OK –

Here are some Turtles –

Sue looked up and spotted this Nankeen Kestrel flying above us.

However it turned out to be a pair of Kestrels.

And we spotted a Sacred Kingfisher perched on a tree on the island.

In the Island Pond, the Eurasian Coot family was doing well –

Then we went and found the Tawny Frogmouths. Here is the female –

And the male, perched much higher of a nest.

Back at the large pond, we observed an Australasian Swamphen displaying its rear. Perhaps this is a courtship display or a sign that it is receptive?

But rather than love, it was attacked by another Swamphen.

And there was no love between one of the Cygnets and its father.

Here is the mother and the other three cygnets.

And another turtle –

And a Little Black Cormorant –

And a few flower – insect photos –

After lunch, we left the park and travelled to Canterbury via train. We then walked down the Cooks River via the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetland and the Boat Harbour. here are some of the birds we saw.

First, an Australasian Swampen with its chicks at the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands –