Padstow to East Hills Walk – 23 November 2022

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Dave Noble

I had suggested this walk to Bob awhile back. It was one I had done a few years ago, and wanted to repeat. I think it is one that has the potential to be a classic Sydney Walk – as it goes along a very nice section of the foreshore of the Georges River and Salt Pan Creek and links several reserves and Gorges River National Park. It does however, have two section of road walking.

On my previous walk, I had started from East Hills and walked to Padstow. This time it was more practical to start from Padstow and walk the other way. Bob drove to Stuart Street Reserve on Salt Pan Creek and then, we set off along the coastal path. Continue reading →

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Local Birds – Morton Park and The Cooks River – 22 November 2022

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Dave Noble

It was still very windy weather – so I didn’t want to venture too far, but I did want to spend some time outside. So I visited two local sites – first a short walk to Morton Park on Canterbury Road at Dulwich Hill to see the Tawny Frogmouths. Then, later,  a walk along a section of the Cooks River between Wardell Road and Canterbury Road.

I had, from earlier visits, thought that there were chicks at the Morton Park Tawny Frogmouth nest, and if so, then they may now have fledged. This turned out to be the case. When I arrived, I first looked for the nest, and found it vacated. So then I looked for perched Tawny Frogmouths. I soon spotted a single adult with a single chick. Continue reading →

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Walking near Kurnell – 21 November 2022

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Dave Noble

Sydney is currently experiencing some very windy weather, and the 21st was perhaps the windiest day of late. But we made the best of it on our walk. It was led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW.

We met at Kurnell, near the Kamay Botany Bay National Park entrance. In the party was Brian, Valerie, Deb, Vivianne, Suzanne and myself. Because of the wind, we decided to walk in the sheltered forest first. So we parked near the Visitor Centre and walked around the loop of the Banks-Solander Track. Continue reading →

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Birds along the Cooks River and a Visit to Barton Park – 19 November 2022

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Dave Noble

This was an afternoon walk, from my place, and then along the Cooks River, mainly busting the local Tawny Frogmouth nests, then continuing on to Barton Park – where I inspected the latest habitat destruction caused by the new development of the sporting fields.

First stop was at Marrickville Golf Course to check how the Tawny Frogmouth family were doing. I soon found all four birds – the two parents and their two chicks perched on the same branch. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 18 November 2022

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Dave Noble

Another day on the Headland, with Valerie and Sue. I was trying to get more photos of the juvenile Peregrine Falcons in flight.

We had fine cool weather, with a strong wind coming from the south this visit. We spotted the Peregrine Falcons throughout the day, but they really didn’t do too much flying – and none together. Continue reading →

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Birds at Sydney Park – 17 November 2022

Posted on November 20, 2022 by Dave Noble

This was short afternoon trip to Sydney Park to wander around photographing birds.

I first looked for the Tawny Frogmouth family. My search was in vain. I could not find them. I assume the parents have moved the family a fair way. No sign of the Powerful Owl either. So I went down to the ponds. Continue reading →

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Peggys Pool and Meeks Falls Walk – 16 November 2022

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Dave Noble

Bob and myself did a very interesting walk at Faulconbridge. Growing up in Springwood, I had visited Peggys Pool as a kid, but had never been back. It is a very short walk to he pool – only 400 m or so. But I had never been beyond – to the Blue Gum Forest or to Meeks Falls, further downstream.  We planned to visit these places, and then do a second trip to try and locate some nearby Aboriginal art caves.

I can recall, on a local history excursion at School (Springwood High School) and on it being told that “Peggy” used to operate an illicit still in the area, and that the pool had been named after her. I have not been able to find any primary supporting evidence for this so far. What I did find, was from the Blue Mountains Geographical Encyclopaedia and from old newspapers. The land the pool is on, was once part of John Meeks’ estate – Everton. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 15 November 2022

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Dave Noble

I was keen to visit Malabar Headland again to photograph the young Peregrine Falcons in flight. This time I was joined by Valerie, Sue and Brian.

The weather was fine most of the day (we did have a short shower later). We met at Maroubra Beach and then walked into the National Park. Continue reading →

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Wattamolla to Marley Walk – 14 November 2022

Posted on November 19, 2022 by Dave Noble

I joined Brian Everingham and others from the National Parks Association of NSW on a walk in Royal National Park. The plan was to start at Wattamolla and walk along the Coast Track to Little Marley Beach, and then walk back the same way.

In the party was Brian, Sue, Suzanne, Annyce, Vivian, Fiona and myself. We had a glorious day – the weather was great and we enjoyed a profusion of wild flowers. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 13 November 2022

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Dave Noble

The forecast was not ideal, and it turned out to be a bit wet and quite blustery, but the juvenile Peregrine Falcons are growing fast, so I’ve been taking more opportunities to visit the Headland.

This was a last minute decision so I was by myself. It was one of those rare weekend days that the Eastern Section of the Malabar Headland National Park is open to the public, and so I expected to see a lot of other people, but with the weather, it was relatively quiet. Continue reading →

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