Visit to Emu Green – 15 August 2022

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Dave Noble

According to my blog, the last time I visited Emu Green was in November 2021. A long time ago! I had been intending to visit this Reserve again, but it had been badly damaged by floods again in the meantime, and other venues had been more convenient. But, now was the time for a new visit.

I caught a train to Emu Plains, then walked to the Reserve. On the way, I checked out the Whistling Kite nest. I could not see any Kites at or near the nest, so perhaps it is no longer being used.

However, the Reserve remains a good place to see raptors. Since my last visit, there has been a massive amount of flood damage – one whole section of road has been washed away. But the council seem to be taking a more active management role – eg planting native trees. Continue reading →

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Raptors at Long Reef – 14 August 2022

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Dave Noble

I hadn’t been to Long Reef on the Northern Beaches for a while, and it was one of those places I had been meaning to go back to for a while. So with a forecast of reasonable weather I caught the B-line bus to Dee Why, then a 199 bus to the nearest stop. From there it was a short walk to the headland.

I had been hoping the Ospreys would be out. But I didn’t expect to see them even before I got there. Walking past Fishermans Beach, I saw two large birds flying around the cliffs on the north side of the headland. Where they Ospreys? They were soaring, so it seemed likely. I quickly made my way to the carpark, and then climbed up the steps to the nearby lookout.

Yes – two Osprey were circling overhead. I quickly got my camera out. Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 13 August 2022

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Dave Noble

Barton Park has generally been a very good place for bird photography recently – but it can be varied. There are quiet times and busy times. Sometimes you get both on the same day. My previous trip started off very quiet and finished a lot better. On this visit, I arrived around 11 pm and stayed till 4 pm, and it was reasonable most of the time. And like my previous visit, I was able to get some daily good photos of the Swamp Harrier.

At the Park, I met local birder Michael, and also Philip and Madeleine, who I knew from the Northern Beaches. And also Sam was there. There were also a number of other bird photographers and birders at the Park. Continue reading →

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Tempe Birds Survey – 13 August 2022

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Dave Noble

I spent a pleasant morning with the Tempe Birdos at their monthly bird survey. This month I joined the group surveying Tempe Reserve.

We observed a nice range of birds. Continue reading →

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Wolli Ck – Cooks River Walk – 12 August 2022

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Dave Noble

Some rain was forecast, so I abandoned plans to go to a distant place for some bird photography and instead chose my local area. I caught a bus to Bexley North, then walked down the Two Valleys Track, along Wolli Creek, to the junction with the Cooks River then walked upstream to Wardell Road and then home.

Along the first section of track, I heard a lot of birds, but most of them seemed to want to stay hidden in the foliage.

Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 11 August 2022

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Dave Noble

I had organised another day at Malabar Headland with Sue and Valerie. Our previous visit had been very interesting – especially observing the nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons. This visit turned out to be just as interesting if not more so.

On our walk out to the headland  from Maroubra Beach, Sue spotted some Dolphins swimming not too far off. Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 10 August 2022

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Dave Noble

I arrived in the late morning and stayed till around 4pm on this visit. The start was very quiet with few birds seen, and I was about leave around 2pm, and then thought I should stay a little longer. This proved very worthwhile.

And this visit, I had much more success in photographing the Swamp Harrier. Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 10 August 2022

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Dave Noble

This was a busy day. I started off with the local bird survey along The Greenway. The group met at 7:30 am at Taverner’s Hill Light Rail Station and then from there continued along the Greenway to Hawthorne Light Rail Station.

At Taverner’s Hill, Spotted Pardalote were seen, but I was not able to get any good photos this time. Down along the path, we spotted a Grey Fantail –  Continue reading →

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Birdwood Gully Nature Walk – 9 August 2022

Posted on August 9, 2022 by Dave Noble

My friend Don suggested a walk to visit Birdwood Gully at Springwood. I hadn’t seen Don for a while and was keen to catch up, and Birdwood Gully is always a nice place to visit. So I travelled to Springwood and met Don near the station, and we set off for the track from Boland Avenue.

This track took us down to Madoline Glen. Madoline was the daughter of Thomas Boland, and early resident of Springwood. But a short way down the track is another bit of history, that Don was not aware of. This is a memorial inscription chiseled into a rock wall near the track. Continue reading →

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Bundeena to Marley Walk – 8 August 2022

Posted on August 8, 2022 by Dave Noble

It was pleasant to join Brian Everingham and other walkers in the National Parks Association of NSW for a walk from Bundeena along the Coastal Track to Marley Headland and back the same way.

The weather was fine, but there was a strong cold wind blowing from the south east.

Most of the party travelled to Bundeena on the ferry from Cronulla, and then walked the short distance to the start of the track. There, we assembled and set off. We stopped at the Balconies for some photos. Continue reading →

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