I was able to take part in the early morning bird survey conducted by the Mudlarks along a section of the Cooks River. The area visited alternates each month, and this month the survey was upstream – from the Lang Street Bridge (meeting place 7:30 am during non daylight saving periods) – to the Boat Harbour, then across to the far side and up to the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands and then back on that side to the Lang Street Bridge – and finishing with morning tea at Ewen Park.
While the group was forming, some members had spotted a heron upstream on the mudflat. In the morning light, it looked like a Striated Heron, but a more careful look revealed it was a White-faced Heron –
But all of a sudden, a Striated Heron flew in and landed on a nearby mangrove.
This was a good start to the survey.
Some Little Black Cormorants were flying upstream –
In Ewen Park we spotted two Grey Butcherbirds. Here is one –
Near the Boat Harbour – two Grey Teals –
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian Swamphen at the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands –
Little Pied Cormorant
Musk Lorikeet
Rainbow Lorikeet
Welcome Swallows
We spotted two Australasian Grebes. It is unusual to see these birds on the river.
Magpie Lark
Eastern Rosella
We also saw some King Parrots, but they were too fast for me to photograph them.
Little Black Cormorant
Back at the Lang Street Bridge, a Great Egret was hunting.
And upstream, lots of Little Black Cormorants –
It had been cold and a bit frosty at the start of the survey, but now it was very pleasant in the warm sun. It was also pleasant to chat with the others at morning tea.