After the early morning bird survey on the Greenway, I headed home and then caught a bus to Bexley North. My plan was to walk down the Two Valleys Track along Wolli Creek to the Cooks River, then walk upstream along the river to home.
Except for the high humidity and a very wet park in places, I had a very pleasant walk. On the walk, I was on the lookout for fungi and birds. There was not that much fungi out in the bush sections. I think more time is needed in bushland areas compared to parks and garden beds where a lot of fungi has popped up due to the large amount of recent rain.
Also – there were a lot of lizards out and about. Most of them small skinks. But I did not see any snakes.
Here is some of the fungi I saw near the start along Wolli Creek.
Cruentomycena viscidocruenta
Tremella sp.
Mycena sp.
Abortiporus biennis
This is a species that I have seen for a number of seasons now, growing at the base of small tree. I spotted it on my previous visit, but that particular fungus did not increase in size and seems to have rotted away. But lots of smaller ones have appeared. It is interesting with its red droplets and bruising.
And now for some of the birds, mostly seen near the Bray Avenue Wetlands.
Superb Fairywren
Red-browed Finches
White-browed Scrubwren
Eastern Yellow Robin
I didn’t see too much in the section below Girrahween Park (where I had stopped for lunch). But I did see this Water Dragon.
The Ibis were enjoying the conditions at Turrella Reserve.
I continued along the track to Waterworth Park. Looking up for birds, I saw these Mammatus clouds.
And, behind the fence of the velodrome, I saw these distinctive fungi growing under the Casuarinas. Chlorophyllum nothorhacodes.
Then, looking across the river to the outlet of Gumbramorra Creek, I saw a Little Pied Cormorant and a Striated Heron. I crossed the river and got closer to watch the heron hunt for fish.
The Striated Hero was concentrating on watching for fish.
And its quite amazing when its neck stretches.
Then it dived.
It’s beak is forward ready to grab the fish.
But the fish may have moved, and the heron started to pull out of its dive.
The heron soon after flew over to the far side of the river. So I crossed back over the bridge. Its sad to see rubbish like these party balloons floating down.
I spotted the heron again. But it did not stay long.
The Little Pied Cormorant had been for a swim, but then climbed out to dry its wings.
Then off to Gough Whitlam Park. I soon spotted the Tawny Frogmouths. This time they were perched in different trees but not far from each other.
I spent some time looking for Kingfishers in the mangroves but had no success. Further upstream I stopped at the Striated Heron nest to look for the chicks. It took awhile, but I eventually spotted one. It was not in the mangroves but on the mudflats. I moved around a bit trying to get a clear view.
I then searched to see if I could see the second Striated Heron chick. I had not seen it on my previous visit and though it may have died. But while doing this I spotted a Brush Cuckoo. Perhaps the one I had seen nearby on an earlier walk.
Then, I spotted the second Striated Heron chick. It too was on the mudflats.
Meanwhile, the first one was partly immersed in the river.
It has a good shake to shed water.
Continuing on my way, near Wardell Road, I saw this Willie Wagtail enjoying a pool on the path.
And this Australian Raven was having hard time from the Noisy Miners.
And one of the Welcome Swallows –
