Some rain was forecast, but the rain radar revealed it was not too widespread, so I thought of visiting Rookwood. But railway track work would mean a slow trip, so inserted I decided to visit Barton Park. But this time – the bus came a little early, so again, I changed destinations to Sydney Park. From there I could also catch a bus to Barton Park later in the day if the rain held off.
Sydney Park certainly delivered the goods, when I spotted a Baillon’s Crake as I was walking past the first pond. It was peeking out of the reeds –
It headed back into the reeds, so I stood very still with my camera poised, and soon after it came out again and resumed it’s foraging.
I then visited some of the other ponds. At the big pond, I photographed this Australian Swamphen chick –
And a parent was nearby –
And a sibling.
I did hear a Lewin’s Rail, and could see where it was – some reeds were moving. But it never came into the open areas.
This bush was flowering and attracting lots of tiny beetles –
The Tawny Frogmouth at the south end was still sitting on a next. I could not see any chicks.
In the lower pond, a Dusky Moorhen was being fed –
Back to the Island Pond. A Turtle –
Australasian Grebe
Another Turtle
And nearby, a Laughing Kookaburra –
I then caught a bus down the road to Barton Park. As soon as I arrived it started raining – but it was very light and didn’t last long. But the gloomy conditions made photography poor, so after inspecting Landing Lights Wetland, I visited the nearby sporting fields near the Golf Firing Range. No interesting birds. The tide in the Spring Street Canal was quite high, but I walked down to the bridge and looked around. A Little Pied Cormorant was flying down the canal –
Walking back, I photographed this Silvereye –
And a pair of Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes flew overhead.
Back at the Landing Lights Wetland, there was not too much around, and I was thinking of departing for home, when Michael, a local bird photographer arrived. After a bit of a chat, we left, and he gave me lift home (thanks!).