According to my blog, the last time I visited Emu Green was in November 2021. A long time ago! I had been intending to visit this Reserve again, but it had been badly damaged by floods again in the meantime, and other venues had been more convenient. But, now was the time for a new visit.
I caught a train to Emu Plains, then walked to the Reserve. On the way, I checked out the Whistling Kite nest. I could not see any Kites at or near the nest, so perhaps it is no longer being used.
However, the Reserve remains a good place to see raptors. Since my last visit, there has been a massive amount of flood damage – one whole section of road has been washed away. But the council seem to be taking a more active management role – eg planting native trees.
When I entered the Reserve, I spotted this Great Egret in the creek near the barrier.
A bit further along the road, I spotted a female Satin Bowerbird –
Here is a Superb Fairy-wren –
And these are Variegated Fairy-wrens –
Here is one of the Bell Miners in the trees near the model airplane club.
And along the path near the model aeroplane club were plenty of Red-browed Finches –
I saw several Eastern Yellow Robins.
And there are plenty of New Holland Honeyeaters –
I spotted this Brown Falcon perched on an overhead cable. But it flew off as I raised my camera.
Along the path near the prison farm were lots of Red-browed Finches, bit amongst them were a few Double-barred Finches.
A Silvereye was looking down from the Lantana.
And there are often a few European Goldfinches there.
And I could hear the “Bob Hawke” call of the Bar-shouldered Dove.
Then some raptors started appearing.
First a White-bellied Sea Eagle –
Two large raptors were circling together. I thought they were both Whistling Kites. But one was as Osprey –
The other was a Whistling Kite –
I photographed this Golden-headed Cisticola flying in the prison farm –
Back to some more Double-barred Finches –
I had already heard plenty of Whipbirds at the Reserve, but I was pleased when one actually appeared in the Lantana. It was chasing a female.
Then I was very pleased to spot a beautiful white morph Grey Goshawk perched in a tree.
When it flew off, I could see it had some prey – what looked like a rat.
Back near the model aeroplane club, I was watching some Willie Wagtails when I realised one was not a Willie Wagtail. It was a Restless Flycatcher.
And another Superb Fairy-wren –
I spotted this raptor flying away with some prey, perhaps a lizard –
And to finish, a Grey Fantail –
This had been another nice day spent enjoying Nature.