Nurragingy Reserve – 14 October 2022

I spent another nice day at Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside.

On these visits, I always aim to find and photograph the Azure Kingfishers. But again, I missed spotting them despite a lot of looking. I did see a pair of Sacred Kingfishers, and a lot of other nice birds. But I did not see many small birds this time, and I did see quite a few turtles.

I walked twice round the perimeter fire trail during my visit. On the first circuit, I met another photographer, and he pointed out a pair of Eastern Rosellas –

I did see a Scarlet Honeyeater, but only obtained an out of focus photo. Here is a Golden Whistler –

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Red Wattlebird

Last visit, I had seen a Red-eared Slider Turtle – an invasive species that I reported. This time, in a different pond, I spotted either the same one or another.

Here is a Great Egret with breeding plumage –

And I spotted a Sacred Kingfisher.

Then I heard second call, and knew there must be two. I waited a while and saw them both perched on the one branch –

A passing Little Pied Cormorant –

More Turtles –

Last visit, I had seen this large Wood Duck Family. There are actually 16 chicks – and it amazing that they all have survived (so far).

And one more Turtle. This one in the pond in the Chinese Garden.

On my second walk around the perimeter trail, I saw a Brown Goshawk –

Perhaps that may explain why I did not see or hear too many small birds.

Now – a Turtle and a Water Dragon –

Back to the Great Egret.

It had perched in a tree, but it must have been too close to a Magpie nest.

A Little Pied Cormorant looked on as the Egret landed nearby.

One more view of one of the Sacred Kingfishers –

I had been watching a White-faced Heron nest above the Kingfisher pool. I had seen a chick looking out, waiting fora parent to return with food. This time it did. The chick was looking quite excited.

And when the parent arrived, it too was looking “quite excited”. Perhaps it is a real ordeal to feed large chick?

It was amazing to watch. The chick seemed to be fighting its parent, trying to get food from its mouth.

The parent finally was able to get it’s beak in the chick’s and regurgitate some food.

I get the feeling that the chick was not satisfied.

It was now time for me to head home. It had been an interesting visit.