I spent an enjoyable but quite tiring day cycling along the Cooks River to Botany Bay, then along the foreshore cycleway to San Souci and then over the bridge to the Taren Point Shorebird Reserve and the nearby bird observation platform at Woolooware Bay.
It was tiring because I had to ride into strong headwind on the way back along Botany Bay and it was a hot day. Continue reading
This was an enjoyable outing with Digi Dave to visit two parks in southern Sydney. We first visited H V Evatt Memorial Park and the Blackbutt Trail at Lugarno.
After checking out the pond, we started off down the Blackbutt Trail. Continue reading
This was another excellent excursion to visit Sassafras Gully at Springwood to check out the fungi and with a secondary aim of looking for orchids and photographing some of the bird life.
I entered via the Sassafras Gully track and walked down to The Lagoon at Glenbrook Creek, where I had a swim. Then I continued down to the Magdala Creek junction and walked back to Springwood via Magdala Creek. Continue reading
I was lucky to be able to join a group of friends staying up at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. I arrived in time for the evening BBQ at Enmoore’s place. Most of the group had been rock climbing during the day, and the plan was for some more climbing on Sunday. But first, on Saturday evening, after the BBQ, we headed down to Megalong for some spot lighting.
We had wildlife expert, Steph with us, and she knew good spots where she often observes Yellow-bellied Gliders and another spot for Greater Gliders. She showed us marks made on a tree by gliders – Continue reading
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
