This was a nice day out and about with the National Parks Association of NSW on a walk around the South Head Area of Sydney Harbour National Park. It was led by Brian Everingham. As well as looking at some management issues of the area, it was a good look at some early colonial history and also the change to see some great scenery.
In the party were Brian, Valerie, Sue, Suzanne, Chloe, Chris, Mary, Hean Lay, Rebecca, Colin, Ann, Alan, Dianne, Jenny and myself. Continue reading
Another nice day spent on Malabar Headland. I walked in from Malabar, arriving near Boora Point fairly early, around 8:30 am.
Things at the start were quiet. Very quiet. Except for the call of a Rufous Whistler. I went to the Peregrine Falcon nesting area and could not spot any birds. I was not worried, expecting one to be on guard duty, near the nest, and it was perhaps out of sight. But I had to wait till near 12 noon for one to appear. Continue reading
After taking a day off to stay indoors during a heat wave, I was keen to get outdoors the next day. I decided to visit some of my local biding sites – the Cooks River and Barton Park.
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
I travelled by bike and first visited the Boat Harbour. Both Tawny Frogmouths seemed OK. Continue reading
Bob proposed this walk – out from Blackheath, along Ridgewell Road, and then turn off and follow Burra Korain Ridge to the end. Then have a look for a slot pass, then return via a crossing of Crayfish Creek to Hanging Rock and Burra Moko Head, and then back via the fire road.
This turned out to be a really nice walk. Great weather, amazing scenery and fabulous wild flowers. Continue reading
I spent an enjoyable day in the Northern Beaches area, my first visit there for a long time. During the day, I visited three sites – and at each I was able to photograph some nice raptors.
I caught a B-line bus from Wynyard to Warriewood and walked the short distance to Rat Park. As I approached I could see an Osprey perched below their nest. The other Osprey, the male, was sitting higher near a light. Continue reading
On my way home from Emu Green, I called in to Sydney Park at St Peters. My main reason was to see if I could spot any of the Buff-banded Rail chicks. It seems there are three surviving chicks (out of 5 that hatched), and they are now largely independent.
I soon spotted one Buff-banded Rail chick, and it was now much larger than the ones I had seen earlier. I observed it foraging in the one area for about 40 minutes. It wold often be out of sight – so it is possible that one of the chicks may have appeared and then another taken its place. I never saw two or more together. Here are some more photos – Continue reading
I spent the morning at Emu Green Reserve at Emu Plains spending my time there looking for and photographing birds.
Emu Green can be very good for birds. This trip was not my best visit. but it was reasonable and it was nice to visit some of my old birding sites again. Continue reading
I was very pleased to be able to resume my walks with Brian Everingham that he organises for the National Parks Association of NSW. Quite a few of the walkers who attend are regulars and it was good to catch up.
In the party were Brian, Valerie, Ross, Suzanne, Ann, Jenny, Claire, Terry and myself. I met up with Valerie on the train, and we had a nice ferry cruise to Bundeena from Cronulla. There we met up with the rest of the party and set off for the Jibbon Beach. Continue reading
This was my nest visit to Malabar Headland to photograph the resident Peregrine Falcons, and to see if their chicks had fledged.
I was quite a warm and sunny day, but not too crowded (it was one of the rare Sundays that the eastern section of the National Park was open) – and I entered the park from the Malabar side as the track between Magic Point and Boora Point is still closed due to track work. Continue reading
I was able to take part on the monthly Greenway Bird Survey – the loop from Waratah Mills Light Rail Station. It was good to catch up with the group again, and we saw quite a few birds.
We saw quite a few Red Wattlebirds. Here are some – Continue reading
