Barton Park has generally been a very good place for bird photography recently – but it can be varied. There are quiet times and busy times. Sometimes you get both on the same day. My previous trip started off very quiet and finished a lot better. On this visit, I arrived around 11 pm and stayed till 4 pm, and it was reasonable most of the time. And like my previous visit, I was able to get some daily good photos of the Swamp Harrier.
At the Park, I met local birder Michael, and also Philip and Madeleine, who I knew from the Northern Beaches. And also Sam was there. There were also a number of other bird photographers and birders at the Park.
When I arrived, I saw this Great Egret on the edge of the Spring St Canal near the Market Garden
In the next photo, it has a small skink in its beak.
A White-faced Heron was hunting in the Canal.
Together with the others, we spotted a Brown Goshawk.
There were a lot of Welcome Swallows and also some Fairy Martins.
At this point of time, Sam and Michael headed off to visit other venues. But Philip and Madeleine stayed.
Here is a distant Golden-headed Cisticola –
And in the grass, near the old stadium were a pair of Double-barred Finches feeding with the Red-browed Finch flock.
And one of the Red-browed Finches –
A Welcome Swallow –
The Swamp Harrier appeared around 2:30 pm. It was hunting in and near the old Stadium.
Here it is being harassed by a Raven –
After the Swamp Harrier left, we headed down to the Canal again. Here is a White-faced Heron –
And we also observed a Buff-banded Rail foraging in the wetland near the cycleway.
Back up at the higher area, we spotted the Swamp Harrier again.
And my photo of it were interrupted by a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike flying past with an insect garnished with some greens –
Back to the Swamp Harrier –
It left the stadium, and outside it caught a lizard.
Like my previous visit, it flew off with the lizard to the north – heading towards the SWOOS or the Golf Course. Perhaps to a nest in that direction?
Another interesting day.