I visiited Barton Park in the morning and Sydney Park later in the afternoon.
My last visit to Barton Park had been a short one – and a very quiet one. There were very few birds, and no unusual ones there. This visit was a LOT better – with 4 raptors seen as well as 6 Black-fronted Dotterels.
On my last visit to the park, I had expected Dotterels in the Landing Lights Wetland as the water level was low – exposing the mudflats for the Dotterels to feed on. But none were seen. This visit made up for that. There were six Black-fronted Dotterels feeding on the mudflats –
Here are some shots showing the exposed mudflats –
Meanwhile, a Little Pied Cormorant was keeping watch on the antenna of the airport building.
Back to the Black-fronted Dotterels –
Then a White-faced Heron flew overhead.
And there was a second one –
I concentrated on the Dotterels again.
Something must have disturbed them, as they all suddenly took off and flew over to the other side of the pond. When a group of birds take to the air, it is often hard to pick one to photograph in the split second you have. I was lucky to get some reasonable flight shots.
I think these are shots of two different birds. Some of them did stagger their take-offs a bit. The Dotterels were now much closer to me, but in a poorer position for photography, as I would have to shoot into the Sun, and the damp mudflats were also quite reflective.
One of the White-faced Herons returned and circled around before choosing a place to land.
The Black-fronted Dotterels had flown back to their original spot.
These three seem to be having a discussion –
All of sudden the Dotterels vanished. A new player had arrived – a Black-shouldered Kite –
The Kite left the area.
A Great Cormorant flew through –
The Black-shouldered Kite must have been lurking close by. Now it appeared again, being harassed by a Raven –
I followed it as best I could and watched it land in a tree on the side of he Spring St Canal.
After a while, it took to the air, and hovered around searching for prey for a while.
It then flew up to the higher level – behind the barriers, where work is still being undertaken.
I then wandered along the Spring St Canal. I again spotted the Kite flying very high up. Then I spotted a second Black-shouldered Kite flying high up near the first. Perhaps they are a breeding pair? They flew higher and a I lost sight of them.
Here are some more birds along the canal –
Superb Fairy-wrens
Australian White Ibis
Golden Whistler
Red-browed Finch
Yellow Thornbill
Grey Fantail
Red-browed Finch
Nearly back at the wetlands, I spotted a Grey Goshawk perched in a dead tree on the far side of the canal. I stopped to watch it and wait for it to take off.
It did take off – but it flew down the canal, staying behind bushes on the far side. I walked back down to the cycleway bridge, but saw no sign of it.
Back at Landing Lights Wetland, a Brown Goshawk appeared briefly.
Here are some Chestnut Teals –
Like on my previous visit, there were no Pied Stilts in the wetlands. Perhaps the water level was too low for them, but fine for the Dotterels?
Then the Brown Goshawk flew over again –
It had been a very productive morning at Barton Park!
Later, in the afternoon, I made visit to Sydney Park at St Peters. The bird life this visit was relatively quiet.
Here is a Turtle –
Pacific Black Duck
Here is a resident Dusky Moorhen with an unusual coloured – yellow face shield –
Little Black Cormorant
I did spot the pair of Tawny Frogmouths roosting in a tree near the southern carpark. They were in a very bad spot for photography.
White-faced Heron
Welcome Swallow
