Thursday was the day I usually head off for a bushwalking trip with old mate Bob. With a bad weather forecast we thought a trip to see some waterfalls in the Blue Mountains could be sensible. On the day we visited three areas – the first at Valley Heights and the next two at Leura.
Valley Falls
At Valley Height we visited Valley Falls a small waterfall that I had never been to. It was a short walk to reach it via Valley Height Fire Road from the eastern end. Continue reading
Another early morning bird survey. This time along the Greenway between Taverners Hill and Hawthorne Light Rail Stations.
King Parrot
I was quieter than usual when we met at Taverners Hill Light Rail Station with the light rail being out of action for a long time. Continue reading
After the early morning Mudlarks bird survey, I headed out to Malabar Headland to see the status of the Peregrine Falcons.
I had been out to the headland three days earlier, when a chick seemed to be stuck on a lower ledge. Since then the park had been closed due to shooting at the adjacent rifle range. I was keen to see how the chick had fared and how its siblings were. Had they all fledged? Continue reading
I got up early in the morning to arrive at the Land St Bridge on the Cooks River at 7 am for the Mudlarks Cooks River bird survey. This month the group surveyed upstream to the Boat Harbour and the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands.
Rufous Whistler
The highlight was seeing a female Rufous Whistler. it was spotted by David Hair. Here are some of the other birds we saw – Continue reading
Another nice day out in the bush with the National Parks Association of NSW. I was on a walk led by Brian Everingham. Brian had prompted it as “Duck hunting” and indeed that is what happened. We found quite a few Flying Duck Orchids.
The group (Brian, Valerie, Sue, Suzanne, Michael, Max, Anna and myself) met at the parking area at Audley – at the National Parks Office. In the carpark we found a very nice orchid – Cymbidium suave. Continue reading
I decide to visit Sydney Olympic Park for a day of bird photography. I caught a train to North Strathfield then walked down to the Mason Park Wetlands. After a stop there, I entered Bicentennial Park and visited Lake Belvedere, then the Bennelong Ponds. Then through through the mangroves on the boardwalk and out to the Waterbird Refuge. Then over the road to Wentworth Common and a walk around the Brickpit before heading back to Concord West via the Waterbird Refuge again.
Spotless Crake
Mason Park Wetlands were quite dry. on the side track the only birds I could see where very distant Pied Stilts. Back on the main cycleway side near Powells Creek, I spotted a distant Black-fronted Dotterel. Continue reading
It was time for another visit to Malabar Headland to check on the progress on the nesting Peregrine Falcons. The weather forecast was not the best (some rain) – but there is some shelter available.
This turned out to be a most interesting visit. For the first time this season, I was able to observe a chick – but it was in a bit of a predicament. More on that later. For most of my visit, and adult Peregrine Falcon was near the nest area and I was able to photograph it taking off and flying around the cliffs. Continue reading
For my weekly walk with Bob, we had originally planned to head up to the Blue Mountains (as we often do), but with an adverse weather forecast, and the bad weather coming to the mountains earlier, we decided instead to visit Royal National Park. Looking at the rain radar on the way, this seemed to be a wise choice.
Two weeks earlier, I had been on a walk with Bob where we had found some interesting Aboriginal art sites. This time we intended to look for some more. Continue reading
I spent a nice day out at Penrith on the Nepean River near the weir photographing birds.
Here are some of the birds I saw – Continue reading
This was another good day of bird photography in the area near Long Reef. I starred on the sea cliffs to the south looking for Peregrine Falcons, but had no luck. Then I walked along the beach to Long Reef were I was fortunate to observe many great birds. I timed my visit for the low tide on the rock platform.
On the cliffs, I did spot two Nankeen Kestrels hovering as they scanned the ground for prey. Here is one of them. Continue reading
