Long Reef Birds – 6 August 2023

I headed up to Long Reef on the Northern Beaches, hoping to be able to photograph some ospreys and other Ospreys. The weather was somewhat challenging – with light rain on and off, but I did manage to see some nice birds.

When I arrived, I met another bird photographer Fred. He had just seen a Peregrine Falcon, and I had glimpsed it as it flew off. Down below were some Sooty Oystercatchers.

And through binoculars, I spotted an Osprey eating a fish on the beach on the south side of the headland. We both walked along the cliffs to get a better view. The ride was too high to go down.

A bit later, we though twas saw another Osprey flying along, but it was a White-bellied Sea Eagle.

I then went down to the beach below the lookout. Some Australian Ravens were eating a fish. Perhaps one dropped by a Sea Eagle or Osprey?

Nearby was a Little Pied Cormorant.

I then went back to the lookout and walked around a bit looking for Kestrels. No luck. But here is a Little Wattlebird –

Rainbow Lorikeet

I only spotted one distant whale. It seemed to be going south.

Some Australian Ravens came down to inspect a radio controlled glider –

I was worried that the weather was getting worse.

The the Ospreys appeared. One flew past.

And this one has the remains of a fish –

The first one was being harassed by a Raven.

And then two Ospreys were flying together overhead.

A White-faced Heron flew by –

Again, the weather looked quite threatening. And as well as rain, it was cold and windy.

A Nankeen Kestrel made a cameo appearance.

I was on the lookout and spotted an Osprey out on the island, so I walked down to the lower level. I then pointed it out to another bird photographer Ramon. We walked out as far as the tide would allow.