I headed out to Maroubra to join Sue, and then we walked out onto Malabar Headland to hopefully observe the resident Peregrine Falcons. As days go, it started off very quiet, but the afternoon was very good.
As we walked out, we observed some of the smaller birds. Continue reading
I took part in the fungi field study at the Waterfall Reserve at Mt Wilson conducted by the Sydney Fungal Studies Group Inc. Despite very dry conditions, we found some interesting fungi.
Most of the fungi we did find was on moist logs. The ground was very dry and despite a lot of looking we found very little fungi growing in soil. Continue reading
Sue had suggested a walk in Royal National Park from Bundeena, down the Coastal Track to Marley and back. Fine weather was forecast, and it sounded like good idea.
We met on the train to Cronulla and were soon boarding the ferry to Bundeena. Continue reading
Another fairly short visit to Barton Park in the afternoon. This time it was relatively quiet – no raptors. But I did spot the Australian Spotted Crake – very briefly.
The Crake suddenly appeared and paused for a second and then ran quickly into cover. Continue reading
The day before had been the Mudlarks Bird Survey on the Cooks River. This morning was the Greenway Bird Survey along the Hawthorne Canal. The group met at 7:30 am at Taverners Hill Light Rail Station.
The sun had just hit the trees opposite and this had brought out a flock of Spotted Pardalotes. It was special to watch these very small, but also very beautiful birds as they hunted for lerps on the leaves of the Eucalypts. Continue reading
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 – Continue reading
While out on Malabar Headland, I was able to photograph a transit of the International Space Station and the Moon.
The series of white dots on the left of the Moon is the ISS. The above photo is a composite of ten of the photos I took. My camera was shooting at 30 frames per second. (1/2000 second, f 6.3, 500 ISO). Continue reading
It was time for another visit to Malabar Headland. Both Sue and Valerie were keen to join me. The weather forecast was good – a fine day with fresh westerly winds.
I travelled to Maroubra with Valerie, and we met up with Sue at Magic Point.
Walking out, we spotted some small birds. Continue reading
I spent another great day at Long Reef. The aim was to photograph any raptors that were there – in particular, Osprey, hunting for fish.
I arrived a little before 11 am, but was I too late? Recently, the afternoon has been the best time. But it looked like some of the local Osprey had caught fish earlier that morning. I heard this from a wildlife officer, who was at the bottom of the path down from the lookout. She was there to keep people away from a seal – which was sleeping on the rocks nearby. Continue reading
I started the day with the Tempe Birdos – taking part in the early morning bird survey. This month I joined the group surveying at Tempe Reserve. Then after morning tea, I walked home via the Cooks River and took a few more photos along the way.
The highlight was seeing a pair of Hoary-headed Grebes in the Cooks River at Tempe Reserve. This is the first time I have seen this species of Grebe in the inner west of Sydney. Continue reading
