I hadn’t been to Long Reef on the Northern Beaches for a while, and it was one of those places I had been meaning to go back to for a while. So with a forecast of reasonable weather I caught the B-line bus to Dee Why, then a 199 bus to the nearest stop. From there it was a short walk to the headland.
I had been hoping the Ospreys would be out. But I didn’t expect to see them even before I got there. Walking past Fishermans Beach, I saw two large birds flying around the cliffs on the north side of the headland. Where they Ospreys? They were soaring, so it seemed likely. I quickly made my way to the carpark, and then climbed up the steps to the nearby lookout.
Yes – two Osprey were circling overhead. I quickly got my camera out.
A Raven, who didn’t like Ospreys, turned up and tried to attack one of them.
But the Osprey came off the best, and the Raven flew away.
The Osprey flew away. But then a Nankeen Kestrel flew past.
It was around 10:30 am when I got to the lookout on the point. On the way, I bumped into another bird photographer I know – Gavin. He had been on the headland since 7:30 and had been in the wrong place to see the Ospreys flying around near the other lookout. He was just leaving. After a chat, I headed down to the rock platform. The tide was still quite high.
A White-faced Heron dropped in –
Through binoculars, I could see one of the Osprey perched on the remains of a tree, at the northern part of the headland. Storm damage has broken a lot of trees in that area, and there was also a large slip.
I made my way along the beach towards that spot. The Osprey was still there.
Another bird photographer, Diana, and her friend were also there. We waited to see if the bird would take off. We didn’t have too long to wait.
I noticed a Nankeen Kestrel perched on the cliffs nearby. It seemed happy the Osprey was gone.
Meanwhile, the Osprey was hovering over the sea searching for fish.
It must have seen a fish, as it started to dive.
But the fish escaped. The Osprey had to try again.
The next dive was better. Much better. I missed he dive, but got the splash.
The Osprey emerges.
And, with some effort, takes off.
This time it has a nice large fish.
It flew past us, then out near the rock platform, then circled back.
It flew right past us! And going in a circle brought it around into good direct light. Great for photos.
The Osprey didn’t land, instead it started another circle.
And again, this brought it right past us.
And then it circled around another time.
The fourth loop was shorter and this time it flew back to its old perch.
After a careful look around, it started eating.
It would take a few bites of fish, then look up again – scanning the neighbourhood for any danger.
By this stage, I had been on the headland about an hour, and already had a respectable set of photos. Diana and her friend then left, and I walked back to the east point. Another bird photographer, Roger, had seen the Osprey action but been too far away for decent photos. I talked to him for a while, and as it was quiet, had my lunch.
I spotted the second Osprey far out to sea, but flying towards us.
It didn’t come that close, but started searching for fish. Then a nice dive –
It missed the fish.
So more searching –
It then flew towards Collaroy.
Here are a few Crested Terns –
I then walked around to the northern side. The first Osprey was still happily munching away on its fish.
I continued around to see if the Nankeen Kestrel was still around. It was.
And there was a pair of them.
Back to the Osprey, It was still eating.
Back to the Nankeen Kestrels. One was still around and doing some nice dives.
And then there were two –
But they were outnumbered when three Ravens arrived. The Kestrels seemed to vanish.
Back on the point, an old boat was far out to sea –
And the Osprey was still eating. It had been eating for three hours! It was rather a large fish.
But then those pesky Ravens arrived.
The Ravens scavenged below the Osprey, picking up fallen bits of fish.
Meanwhile a White-faced Heron cruised past.
The Osprey was not too keen on the Ravens being close to his fish. So he packed up and left.
The Ravens then flew to the Osprey’s perch and cleaned up that area,
It had been a very interesting day! It was now time for me to head home.