I had suggested a visit to the Botanic Gardens at Mt Annan to Valerie and Sue – as there seemed to be a lot of interesting birds seen there recently and also it was Spring – and so the flowers should be good.
We had a great day.
When we arrived we first visited Lake Nadungamba. We saw a wide range of birds. Here are some – Continue reading
This was one of the rare Sundays when the eastern section of Malabar Headland National Park was open. So I decide to make a visit. I walked in from Malabar this time.
At Malabar Headland, I normally photograph the Peregrine Falcons, and perhaps a few passing whales. This time I had a bonus – a pair of juvenile Black-shouldered Kites and a Swamp Harrier. Continue reading
I made a second visit to Sydney Park in the afternoon after the Greenway Bird Survey. I was on the lookout for the Australian Spotted Crake again, and any other Crakes or Rail that may be around. The day before, I had heard, buy not seen a Lewin’s Rail.
I did not see any Rails to Crakes this visit, but I did hear the Lewin’s Rail again. But it did not show itself despite some quiet waiting nearby.
Here are some of the birds I did see –
Australian Reed-Warbler
I took part in the early morning bird survey along the Dulwich Hill section of The Greenway. As usual, the group met outside Waratah Mills Light Rail Station at 7:30 am.
Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading
I had heard that an Australian Spotted Crake had been seen the day before at Sydney Park. I had some time in the morning and went to the park to see if I could spot it. During my visit, it was raining lightly most of the time, which did not help with photography. But I was pleasance to spot the Crake fairly quickly. It ran off out of sight, soI waited patiently to see if it would return to an open spot. It did.
Some more photos – Continue reading
Bob and myself completed a walk in Royal National Park where we visited a number of heritage sites. Two of them were Aboriginal art caves that we had some information about, but we also found an Aboriginal sharpening groove site, and also the site of an old hut or lean-to.
As well, at this time of year, on any walk in Royal National Park you get to experience an amazing display of wild flowers.
We set off down a track. Not far along, we came across a few orchids – Continue reading
Another hot day – so another early start and early finish. This time at Barton Park. When I arrived, I first visited landing Lights Wetland. I found few birds and the wetland almost dry. I did spot this juvenile Striated Heron on the mudflats –
As I got closer, it took off and left the area. Continue reading
Another very hot day was forecast, but I was keen to get outdoors, so I did an early morning trip to Sydney Olympic Park where I visited the Bicentennial Park Waterbird Refuge and Wentworth Common.
It was very hot, so I did not stay too long. Here are some birds I saw –
Olive-backed Oriole
I had been on the circuit walk around the Curra Moors in Royal National Park about two weeks earlier. On that trip the wildflowers had been very good. But the flowers come and go as the season develops. So I joined Brian Everingham and other walkers from the National Parks Association of NSW. It turned out to be a very hot day, so we did not do the full circuit.
The group met up at the carpark at Heathcote Station. In the party was Brian, Sophie, Sue, Graham, Deb, Tania, Philip, Elaine and myself. Our first stop was at the south end of Lady Carrington Drive, where we stopped for a short time to check out a few orchids. A few metres along the Forest Path track we spotted a number of nice orchids. Continue reading
I sent most of the day at Long Reef in the Northern Beaches. as usual, I was on the lookout for Ospreys and other raptors.
A hot day was forecast for Sydney – around 30°C. But conditions on the Headland were reasonable with a cool sea breeze most of the day.
As soon as I arrived at the lookout, around 11 am, there were no raptors in sight, so I walked down to the rock platform area. the tide was still quite high (low tide was around 3 pm). So I could not walk too far out. Continue reading
