Ruined Castle Walk – 14 October 2021

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Dave Noble

With the relaxation of the lockdown, I was able to resume my weekly walks with Bob. We headed up the mountains for the first time in many months. The weather was bot great – misty and wet, so we diced to do a walk that would be nice in the rain – from the Golden Stairs on Narrow Neck along the track to the Ruined Castle and back.

A friend and fellow bushwalker, Phil Foster, had recently been to the Ruined Castle and had reported some stunning Waratahs in flower. That would be another reason to head out that way. Continue reading →

Posted in Blue Mountains, Bushwalking, Wildflowers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Greenway Bird Survey – Taverners Hill to Hawthorne – 13 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dave Noble

With the end of the lockdown, the Greenway Bird Surveys have resumed with a larger group. But the weather on the morning was not the best, and we finished off early due to rain.

Here are some of the birds we saw. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Birds at Sydney Olympic Park – 12 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dave Noble

After the Cooks River Bird Survey, I headed off with Valerie to Sydney Olympic Park. There was a fair bit of rain showing on the radar, and we thought that we could sit out any rain in the hide at the Waterbird Refuge in Bicentennial Park. This turned out too be what we did. The rain did not last too long however, and we had a good walk along the east side of the pond and spotted some nice birds. We also visited Wentworth Common.

Grey Plover

Valerie parked at the Archery Centre carpark, and we noticed most of the nearby nest boxes were occupied by pairs or Red-rumped Parrots. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mudlarks – Cooks River Bird Survey – 12 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dave Noble

I was pleased to be able to take part in the now resumed Bird Survey along the Cooks River with the Mudlarks. It was good to catch up with members of the group again. This month the survey was conducted in the downstream direction from the Lang Street Bridge to the footbridge to the gold course club house, and then back upstream on the other side of the river. We were also bale to look at the newly reopened Dibble Street Wetland.

The day was a bit wet and cold. We met at the Lang Street Bridge at 7 am – and the pool light made photography challenging. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Malabar Headland – 11 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dave Noble

Freedom Day! After 106 days of lockdown with very restricted travel being permitted for exercise or recreation, I was keen to get out and see some “old friends” – the Peregrine Falcons that nest in Malabar Headland National Park. Even though the weather forecast was not good, I still headed out. I caught a bus to Kingsford, then another us to Malabar and walked out to near Boora Point, arriving before 8:30 am.

As soon as I arrived, I spotted a Peregrine Falcon. It was nice to know they were still around. I watched it to see if it would take-off. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cooks River Birds – 10 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dave Noble

Day 106 of Lockdown. The last day of the full lockdown!! The weather forecast was not the best, so I decided on a short local walk, and then I could join Valerie, Deb and Peter for lunch near the Cooks River. A nice way to spend a day.

I walked down to the Cooks River and crossed the Lang Street Bridge and then slowly walked upstream keeping my eyes open for birds. Here are some I saw – Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Birds at Barton Park – 9 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dave Noble

Day 105 of Lockdown. Another visit to Barton Park and a very full morning of bird watching and photography. It turned out to be a very good session. I left around lunch time as it started to get too hot.

I travelled to Barton Park by bus as that would allow me to walk back via the foreshore of the Cooks River, so I could see if the Osprey was around. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cooks River and Barton Park Birds – 8 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dave Noble

After the bird survey, I went home for an early lunch, then cycled out to Barton Park via the Cooks River.

Along the Cooks River, I was on the lookout for a Willie Wagtail nest that Valerie had told me about. The nest had been spotted earlier by Simin, from the Mudlarks Cooks River Bird Group, and she had shown it to Valerie. Valerie’s direction were good and it was easy to find. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Greenway Bird Survey – Waratah Mills Loop – 8 October 2021

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Dave Noble

Day 104 of Lockdown. I joined a small group (David H, Chris, Jo and myself) for a bird survey along the Greenway – the section near Waratah Mills Light Rail Station. We found a fair few birds. Here are some –

Red Wattlebird

Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Birds at Sydney Park – 7 October 2021

Posted on October 10, 2021 by Dave Noble

Day 103 of Lockdown. I decide to make another visit to Sydney Park. One reason was to see if I could spot the Buff-banded Rails.

It turned out to be a relatively quiet day, but its nice place to wander around and spend some time observing Nature. I think I spotted one Rail – a chick, but it ran very fast and that was all I saw of it. Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , | Leave a comment