Cape Baily Walk – 7 August 2022

Posted on August 7, 2022 by Dave Noble

I met up with Wendy for a nice day of walking in Kamay Botany Bay National Park. We started from the road that goes out to Potter Point. From the end of the road, its short walk out to the coastal cliffs.

It was a nice fine and sunny day, but a bit windy. And the wind got stronger throughout our visit. Once we reached the cliffs, we started walking north towards Cape Baily. The views along the cliffs are constantly very good, and also the sandstone is fascinating in the variety of its eroded patterns. We were also on the lookout for whales and birds. Continue reading →

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Birds at Nurragingy Reserve – 6 August 2022

Posted on August 6, 2022 by Dave Noble

I hand packed my bird camera and was heading out for the day. While travelling to Redfern, I decided to head out to Doonside at visit Nurragingy Reserve. It had been a while since I had been there.

During my visit, it was relatively quiet. I am always on the lookout for Azure Kingfishers when I visit Nurragingy, bit this time they eluded me. So did the Blue Faced Honeyeaters and quite a few other birds. But it was a pleasant time seeing what else was there. Here is a selection – Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 5 August 2022

Posted on August 6, 2022 by Dave Noble

This was an afternoon visit to Barton Park with Digi Dave. It was relatively quiet during our visit. We arrived around 2 pm and left around 4:30 pm. I had been hoping to show Digi Dave some of the usual raptors – but we saw no sign of any.

However, we did have some nice lighting in the later afternoon at Landing Lights Wetland. Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 3 August 2022

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Dave Noble

This was another day of bird photography at Barton Park. Like previous trips, I had one main aim – to get better  photographs of the Swamp Harrier, and also the long standing aim – to get photographs of the osprey diving and catching a fish. Its good to have aims, but in practice you need a lot of luck for them to be fulfilled – and also to put in a lot of hours. But also – even if you don’t succeed, the visit is always interesting. That was certainly the case this time.

I spent a lot of time walking around different parts of the park looking for birds. I first visited the Landing Lights Wetland. Here are two Royal Spoonbills – Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 2 August 2022

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Dave Noble

The day before, on the Wattamolla walk, I had talked to Sue and Valerie about another visit to Malabar Headland. They were keen to join me and we decided Monday would be the best day. Thanks to Valerie for driving Sue and myself out to Maroubra Beach and back.

It turned out to be another interesting day. When we arrived at Maroubra Beach, we walked out to near Boora Point. Here is a New Holland Honeyeater seen on the walk out – Continue reading →

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Wattamolla to Marley Walk – 1 August 2022

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Dave Noble

This was another excellent day spent in Royal National Park. I had once again joined Brian Everingham for the walk he was leading for the National Parks Association of NSW. We walked along the Coastal Track from Wattamolla to Little Marley Beach and back the same way.

In the party were Brian, Valerie, Sue, Suzanne, Deb, Alison, Jane, Gary, Sheryl and Deo. We enjoyed fabulous weather. Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 31 July 2022

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Dave Noble

Barton Park has been a good venue for bird photography recently with a good range of birds likely to be seen. You never know in advance what you will be able to photograph, and some birds, like the Swamp Harrier, you only get a fleeting glimpse of, so are keen to return and see if you can get better photos.

Brown Goshawk

This was a Sunday, so there were a fair few other bird photographers and bird watchers there, and as well it was National Tree Day – and the Bayside Council had organised some tree planting near the Landing Lights Wetland – and a large number (around 100?) volunteers had turned up. Continue reading →

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Birds and Bats – Wolli Ck and Cooks River – 30 July 2022

Posted on August 3, 2022 by Dave Noble

After the fungal survey, I decided to walk home via the Two Valleys Track – from Girrahween Park on Wolli Ck – to Waterworth Park, at the junction of the Cooks River, then I walked up the Cooks River to near Wardell Road.

Quite a few birds were out, and in particular, I had a good time watching a Sacred Kingfisher hunting for food on the Cooks River. Continue reading →

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Fungi (and Orchids) at Wolli Creek – 30 July 2022

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Dave Noble

I joined the Sydney Fungal Studies Group Inc and members of the Wolli Ck Preservation Society for their second fungal survey of Wolli Creek Regional Park for the year. At present, conditions are not very good for fungal fruiting. Too much rain has fallen! Nevertheless, we did spot some reasonable fungi.

Ramariopsis crocea

Here is some – Continue reading →

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Back to Barton Park – 29 July 2022

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Dave Noble

A late start this day. I arrived at Barton Park not long before noon. The day before I had been hoping for a Swamp Harrier, but had made do with a juvenile Black Shouldered Kite. This day, despite the late start I was able to photograph a few different raptors.

Here are some photos (in order) – Continue reading →

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