Back to Long Reef – 5 December 2021

After a very good trip two days earlier, I though I would again visit Long Reef. So back on the B-line Bus to Dee Why and a change to the 199 Bus to the golf course, and then the short walk out to the peninsula. I arrived about 11 am.

Like some of my previous visits the weather was not the best. It constantly looked like it was about to rain. And as often happens the day started off fairly quiet with not many birds present. The tide was too high to venture out on the headland and it was also quite windy – a strong breeze coming from the south-east.

When I arrived, I walked out to the lookout. I did not see any raptors – no Ospreys or Kestrels. I went down to the lower level and then made my way around the north side to see if any Ospreys were perched in the trees where I had seen them on my previous visit. I could not find any, so I continued around and saw a single Pied Oystercatcher.

The tide was way too high to continue round, so I started walking back. I then saw an Osprey flying towards me with some plant material. This was a about 11:45 am.

It jettisoned its load.

I think collecting stuff like this and flying with it is instinctive behaviour for these birds – practising for nest building.

I saw the Osprey fly higher above the lookout where it was joined by a second one.

I climbed up, bt by the time I was at the top, they had gone. But a Nankeen Kestrel was hunting in the area.

When the Kestrel left I went back to the lower level to see if the Ospreys were perched anywhere. Two other bird photographers also came down and stayed a short while.

There was no sign of the Ospreys. The tide was now lower, so I went around the northern point. I spotted a Nankeen Kestrel hunting for a short time.

There was also a large group of Sooty Oystercatchers.

The Nankeen Kestrel was perched on the cliffs.

An old style saying boat cruised past.

My next Osprey encounter was at 1:40 pm when I spotted one approaching. It had a small stick.

It jettisoned the stick and landed in shallow water on the rock platform.

It seemed happy to stay there for a while.

It then took off to fly briefly and land in the trees.

I stayed  there for a fair while. I waited to see if it would take-off. After around 20 minutes it did.

It left the area and flew straight out to sea. Too far to follow with binoculars. About ten minutes later an Osprey flew in with a fish. I don’t know if it was the same Osprey returning or another.

I was busy photographing the Osprey eating the fish, when I noticed a second Osprey had flown in and perched nearby.

I left the Osprey to continue with its meal and walked out to the bus stop. Another interesting day watching these magnificent birds.