Cattai National Park Visit – 6 July 2023

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Dave Noble

Bob and myself decided to visit Cattai National Park in Western Sydney. We were both interested in looking for Aboriginal sites and I was also keen to look for birds. The park is in tow sections – one to the west along the lower section of Cattai Creek and then along the Hawkesbury River, and an eastern section further up Cattai Creek which was formed from the old Mitchell Park. I had visited Mitchell Park many years earlier on a scout camping trip.

We visited the western section first. Driving down towards the river towards a picnic area and campground, we saw several large rock platforms adjacent to the road. We stopped and look for Aboriginal engravings. Continue reading →

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Birds at Sydney Park – 5 July 2023

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Dave Noble

I met up with Sue at Sydney Park and we walked around looking for birds. Near the entrance, close to St Peters Station, we heard the raucous calls of Lorikeets feeding in the trees. Some of them were Musk Lorikeets.

I had to wait a while for one of them to move to a better position. Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 5 July 2023

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Dave Noble

I visited Barton Park in the morning, and in the afternoon I visited Sydney Park – which I will post about separately.

At Barton Park, I saw a good range of birds. Perhaps more were out because it was a nice sunny morning following a cold wet day? Continue reading →

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Birds at Oatley Park – 3 July 2023

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Dave Noble

My friend Valerie, had chosen Oatley Park as a venue to celebrate her birthday with a picnic, and to wander around for some bird watching. We were joined by Sue and Deb. We all had a very pleasant time.

Valerie was hoping for another sighting of the Powerful Owl we had seen on an earlier trip to the Park, the previous week. So before our picnic, we strolled around some of the tracks. Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading →

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Raptors of the Northern Beaches – 2 July 2023

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Dave Noble

I spent a nice day visiting two spots on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. First Rat Park and Turimetta Head, then Long Reef Aquatic Reserve. I was on the hoping to spot Ospreys and other raptors. I was not disappointed.

First at Rat Park. Walking in, I soon spotted one of the Ospreys on the cross spar of its nest pole. Continue reading →

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Franklin River Celebration – 1 July 2023

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Dave Noble

I was very pleased to be able to attend a reunion lunch of members of a conservation group I was actively involved with from 1975 till the early 1980’s. The group was “The South West Tasmania Action Committee”, which formed in Sydney to campaign for the preservation of the South West of Tasmania. Our lunch was to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the High Court decision that prevented the Hydro-electric scheme that would flood the Franklin River.

Here is Keith Tarlo toasting the Franklin River – Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 30 June 2023

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Dave Noble

It was cold and windy in the morning, but the wind eased somewhat during the day, so I spent a few hours in the afternoon at Barton Park. I arrived a little after lunch and stayed till around 3:30 pm.

Here are some of the birds I saw – Continue reading →

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The Oaks Fire Trail – Looking for Aboriginal Sites – 29 June 2023

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Dave Noble

Bob and myself had been keen to look for Aboriginal sites along some of the more remote sections of the Oaks Fire Trail – which runs between Woodford and Glenbrook. The best way to travel along the fire trail is on mountain bike.

There are two well known sites – that are marked on the topographic map. These are “The Circles” and the “Bora Ground”. We wanted to look at these sites and also other close by, and also look for some art caves. Continue reading →

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Barton Park – 27 June 2023

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Dave Noble

Compared to other recent visits, this one was relatively quiet in terms of the birds I was able to photograph. I was at the park in the morning from about 9:30 am till just after noon.

The water level was relatively low in the Landing Lights Wetland, and as the mudflats were exposed I thought some Dotterels may be around, but I did not spot any. And this time I did not see any Quails or the Spotted Crake. Nor did I observe any raptors,  except a very distant Kestrel.

Here are some of the birds I saw – Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 26 June 2023

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Dave Noble

This was another great day out on Malabar Headland looking for Peregrine Falcons and Whales. And again I was joined by Valerie and Sue. The forecast was for strong westerly winds. While we were there, it was very pleasant – we were warm in a sunny sheltered spot most of the day.

As we walked out, we saw the usual New Holland Honeyeaters. Continue reading →

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