It had been a long time since I had been able to visit Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside. It was on the list of many places I wanted to visit one the lockdown ended. I arrived at the Reserve around 8:30 am and stayed till around 1 Pm. By that time it was starting to get very crowded with picnickers.
When I visit Nurragingy, it is always with the hope that I will see some Azure Kingfishers. This time I did see two of them and was able to photograph one, but they didn’t appear till I was about to leave. More on that to follow.
I was surprised when I arrived to see the main pond completely drained. It looks like the council are working on it. I then had a look at the pond near the Chinese Gardens. Here is a Little Pied Cormorant –
And here is a pair of Australian Wood Ducks with a chick.
And there was a pair of Long-billed Corellas –
In the bush area, at the long pond, I spotted a Sacred Kingfisher calling away.
I then set off along the perimeter firetrail. I walked slowly with plenty of stops. I could hear plenty of birds but they seldom appeared. Patience is needed. At one place near the creek along the back fence, I saw briefly a Black-faced Monarch –
I waited to see if I could get a better photo, but unfortunately failed. I did see an Eastern Spinebill however.
And a Yellow-faced Honeyeater.
Along that section, I saw a new bird for me, a White-throated Gerygone –
I then returned to the ponds. No sign of any Azure Kingfishers or Blue-faced Honeyeaters. I did see these Turtles –
And in a palm, there were several Australian White Ibis nests –
I then made a second circuit of the perimeter fire trail. Here is another Yellow-faced Honeyeater –
And here is one of about three Grey Fantails I spotted –
I also spotted a pair of Rufous Fantails, but they were too fast for a photo.
I had better luck with this Spotted Pardalote –
And, nearby, was an Eastern Yellow Robin –
I could hear a Rufous Whistler, and after waiting a few minutes, a pair came past.
There are seemed to be quite a a few Satin Flycatchers –
I have seen Leaden and Restless Flycatchers before, but I think this may have been the first time I have seen Satin Flycatchers.
Then walking back past the long pond, more Turtles –
And a Noisy Miner having a wash –
Then I spotted a pair of Azure Kingfishers. They flew into a thicket on the far side of the pond. I waited to see if they would come out again – but they didn’t. So I found nice shady place to have lunch. When I later returned to that pool, I spotted an Azure Kingfisher. It soon caught a small fish.
It was now getting quite hot, so I departed the Reserve.