I spent a pleasant day at Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside. I had no luck spotting Azure Kingfishers this visit, but I did see quite a few other nice birds. The highlight perhaps was seeing some young Australians Grebe chicks. And at Nurragingy you can see them fairly close.
I made quite a few visits to the pond with the Grebes during my time at the Reserve. I also met two other bird photographers – Lenis, who I know from the Greenway Birdos, and also a friend of hers who I have met before at other venues.
The Grebes were not the only birds with chicks. Here is an Australian Wood Duck –
I constantly heard a Sacred Kingfisher calling. It was harder to spot however.
At the far end of that pond I saw some turtles. One has since been identified as a Red-eared Slider – a highly invasive species. I have since reported the sighting to the Department of Primary Industry. Many wetland areas I visit have signs up saying to report any sightings.
And now for some o f the birds I saw on the perimeter fire trail.
Eastern Yellow Robin
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Crested Shrike-tit
Red Wattlebird
Grey Fantail
Eastern Spinebill
Galahs
One of them had a stick in its beak, and flew to a hole in tree. I think it used the stick as a tool to extricate an insect or grub.
Back at the pool I had seen the Kingfisher, there was a White-faced Heron chick in an nest.
Willie Wagtail
These pair of Australian Wood Ducks had large brood –
And I spotted the Sacred Kingfisher again –
Back at the main duck ponds, a Little Pied Cormorant was hunting for fish –
And the small Grebe chicks were charming –
One last Sacred Kingfisher shot –
And still no sign of an Azure Kingfisher. So back to the Grebes to finish –
