It was great to be able to join the Tempe Birdos for their monthly survey and also their 10th Anniversary.
As usual, the group met at Tempe Wetlands, near the lower pond, before 8 am. Then one part of the group surveyed the wetlands and the other surveyed Tempe Reserve. Here are some photos from the wetlands – Continue reading
Both Bob and myself had been talking about another trip to Claustral Canyon for a while. But we had been put off by cool weather and too much rain. But now conditions seemed to be right. A warm day (30° C) was forecast and there had been no recent rain, so conditions should be ideal.
It turned out to be great day. Claustral is a showcase canyon and one that I like to photograph. But that means carrying down a camera and tripod – and the weight all adds up. On this trip, Bob offered to carry the rope and I was grateful for this. For Claustral we only take a short (25m) rope – so the weight is not that much. Continue reading
After the Greenway Bird Survey, I walked back to Lewisham Station and caught a train to Thornleigh. Then out to Thornleigh Oval where I set off along the Great North Walk track – down Lorna Pass to the Lane Cove River. My plan was to continue along the river to Browns Waterhole and then I would walk to Eastwood via Terrys Creek.
I was expecting some good fungi to be out, given the recent rain. I did find some nice species, but no great abundance of fungi. And on this trip – it was the birds that dominated my photos and time. Continue reading
This day was a bit like the previous one – an early morning bird survey followed by a visit to another location. This post will just deal with the bird survey – along The Greenway between Taverners Hill and Hawthorne Light Rail Stations.
We had heard reports of White-plumed Honeyeaters being seen recently near Taverners Hill Station, and with some careful looking we spotted some. Continue reading
Earlier in the day, I had been on the local bird survey, then headed home during some rain. But around lunchtime it stopped raining and the Sun came out, so I headed out to Barton Park to see what birds were out. I had a great afternoon.
When I arrived, things at Landing Lights Wetland seemed fairly quiet. There were the usual Teals and Stilts. Then a White-faced Heron flew in – Continue reading
It was time (2nd Tuesday of the month) for the Mudlarks Bird Survey. This month the group surveyed downstream from the Lang St bridge. The weather was cool and wet, but the rain held off – mostly, while we were surveying.
The highlight this survey was the spotting of a pair of Tawny Frogmouths at the Dibble Street Waterhole. Continue reading
This was a very pleasant morning outing to the Wattamolla area of Royal National Park. It was organised and led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW.
The aim was to wander around – looking for good photographic subjects close to Wattamolla and also the inspect the new work done in the area. Continue reading
I thought it was time to head up to Wyong and visit the Central Coast Wetlands again. I arrived there about 9:15 am and then started looking for birds. The weather on the day was mixed – sunny at times, but there was also some showers.
Latham’s Snipe
Here are some of the birds I saw early on – Continue reading
Some rain was forecast, so I decided on a short trip to Chatswood – to visit Ferndale Park to check out the fungi, and then continue walking down Swaines Creek to the Land Cover River and then follow the river downstream.
The fungi at Ferndale Park was not as abundant as I was hoping. Perhaps still too early in the season, despite recent rain. Anyway, -here is some that I spotted – Continue reading
The weather forecast was not the best – showers. But better on the mountains than the coast. So I decided to head to Springwood and visit Birdwood Gully again – as it isa short walk, and caves along the track do offer shelter in the event of heavy rain.
This turned out to be a good plan. The fungi was quite reasonable and the birds were too. And – I spotted some nice orchids. Continue reading
