I spent the day visiting some local birding sites. I started by catching train to St Peters and visiting Sydney Park for an hour or so, then a bus to Barton Park for a few hours, then a bus to Tempe, and a walk home via the Cooks River.
I particularly wanted to visit Barton Park because I was concerned about recent removal of habitat.
Sydney Park
At Sydney Park, I fist visited the Tawny Frogmouth nest. I could see some chicks, but they were asleep, so I visited the nest again, just before I left, and they were more active then.
The Australasian Grebe was still still sitting on its floating nest in the main pond –
The Black Swans seem to have lost their cygnet. It may have died or been eaten.
There are plenty of Australian Reed Warblers at the park. Here is one –
And these Magpie Larks are building a nest on the island –
Ans some Turtles –
I looked several times for the Powerful Owl, without any luck. I think it may have left the park.
Back to the Tawny Frogmouths. There are three chicks.
The nest is getting pretty congested. I expect them to fledge soon.
Barton Park
When I arrived I saw this Striated Heron hunting in the Spring St Canal –
The Landing Lights Wetland was pretty quiet, and the trail on the true right of the canal was fenced off. I walked down the cycleway and the new bridge was now finished –
But it is in this area that more development work is being undertaken. A whole swathe of vegetation has been removed. All along Muddy Creek along the side of the cycleway.
This vegetation, mainly Lantana, was habitat for a lot of small birds – Brown Honeyeaters, Red-browed Finches, Superb fairy-wrens, Brown Quail, Tawny Grassbirds etc.
The whole of the upper area near the old stadium has been fenced off.
There are some concept plans on display –
It looks like the area will be closed until Autumn 2024.
I did see a few small birds –
Superb Fairy-wren
Red-browed Finch
Here is another view of the new bridge –
No access to the upper area –
Or along the bank of the canal –
This Willie Wagtail is about to catch a Dragonfly –
Back at the wetlands, I saw this Golden-headed Cisticola –
And a Royal Spoonbill flew in, but didn’t stay long.
The Cooks River
At Gough Whitlam Park, I inspected the Tiny Frogmouth nest. I think there may be a chick or two – but I could not see them. The nest is very high up.
Nearby was this Grey Butcherbird –
I then went upstream and crossed to the Golf Course and went to check the Tawny Frogmouth nest near Bruce St. Te nest and been abandoned. I then looked in nearby trees and soon spotted a family of Tawny Frogmouths –
One of the two chicks was awake and curious –
Nice to see them ding well. This was a good way to end the day!