This was another day of train and bus strikes, so I decided to head off on my bike, cycling along the Cooks River, and then out to Barton Park. From there, I intended to return via Tempe Reserve and along a new cycleway along Alexandria Canal, and then to Sydney Park before heading for home. I had a good day out – but it was cut a little short by rain once I reached Sydney Park.
My first camera stop was along the Cooks River, at the usual place below Illawarra Road – there was a Sacred Kingfisher sitting in a tree above the river. I snapped a few shots.
I then continued to Barton Park and first visited the Landing Lights Wetland. Some of the birds had taken to the air. Was a raptor around?
Pied Stilt
Chestnut Teals
I soon worked out it was not a raptor that was disturbing the birds, but rather plains flying low overhead. The east-west runway was in use.
Pied Stilts
White-faced Heron
In the old sporting fields, I spotted a Nankeen Kestrel. The first I have seen there for a while. But it flew off before I could get any decent photos.
Climbing up to the area near the old stadium, I spotted a Brown Quail. This is the first I have seen at Barton Park. I have seen other photographers photos of them there and kew they were around. I crept up quietly and spotted a second. But they both scurried off into the undergrowth.
I thought there was a good chance they would come out again, so waited in the area. I photographed a Tawny Grassbird –
And there was a large flock of New Holland Honeyeaters having a discourse.
And the Red-browed Finches were busy in the grass –
Then I noticed the Brown Quail were back out. I walked slowly over towards them, and sat down to see if they would come closer. They did.
One last bird before departing – a Great Egret.
There has been workers at Barton Park lately – many of them working on the new cycleway bridge and widening of the cycleway. But there were also some compounds erected around the park – temporary fences enclosing small areas. They were being removed, and I asked one of the workers what they were for. He said they were testing the soil. It was thought that the area was once tip – and they were checking on contamination.
I then cycled to Tempe Reserve, and then stopped there for lunch. It looked like rain was coming as I continued along the new cycleway on the west side of the Alexandria Canal. They replaces the old one on the east side which is now a construction site for the Gateway Project.
At Sydney Park, my bird photography was curtailed by rain. So I didn’t stay long.
Great Egret
Australasian Grebe
