I was planning on going further afield but a rail lockout meant no trans were running, so I decided to use a bus to go to Bexley North and then walk down the Two Valley Trail along Wolli Ck and then keep following up the Cook River.
Early on, Illoura was quite a good place for small birds. Here’re some –
Willie Wagtail
Silvereye
Red-browed Finches
Superb Fairy-wrens
Further along the valley I saw these Rainbow Lorikeets –
Lower down, just past Blackbutt Creek, I spotted two large nests. Perhaps used by raptors such as Goshawks?
I was also on the lookout for fungi but did not find very much. But I was pleased to see the return of an annual. This red bruising polypore seems to grow each season around the base of small tree. I think it is Abortiporus biennis.
Further along, not far past Girrahween Park, I saw this “whitewash” on some ferns and leaves. I wondered if there was a Powerful Owl around. I looked up but could not spot one.
I spent a bit of time at the Grey-headed Flying Fox camp. Quite a few babies still with their mothers.
I continued on to Turella Reserve and then to Jackson lace and Waterworth Park. Near the Cooks River junction, an Azure Kingfisher had recently been reported, so I keep a lookout for it. I didn’t see it.
Here is an Australasian Darter at Gough Whitlam Park –
And a Red Wattlebird –
Like my last trip, I looked for and soon sound the Tawny Frogmouths at Gough Whitlam Park. This time they were nestled together in the same tree.
And further up the Cooks River, I spotted one of the Striated Heron chicks –
