Wolli Creek and Cooks River Walk – 15 November 2021

Another windy day was forecast. I had originally intended to do some bird photography at either Emu Plains or the Central Coast Wetlands, but thought strong wind would be no good. I was keen to head out, so decided that the sheltered woodland of Wolli Creek may be better. I caught a bus to Bexley North and then walked down the Two Valleys Trail to the junction with the Cooks River and then followed it upstream along the river back to my home.

I was looking out for birds, but also, at this time of the year, a lot of the Grey-headed Flying Foxes at the Earlwood Camp have babies and I wanted some photos of them flying with babies clinging to them. But before then were some birds. Continue reading →

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

Malabar Headland – 14 November 2021

Another visit to Malabar Headland to photograph the Peregrine Falcon family. This day started off fairly quiet and remained reasonable quite for most of the time I was there. I did not see that much of any of the Peregrine Falcons, but when I did see them, I was able to take quite a few photos. I also had some good whale and dolphin encounters.

The weather forecast was for it to be windy, but out on the headland the wind was not too bad. I arrived near Boora Point around 10:30 am and it stayed quite quiet for the first 40 minutes or so. I could not spot any of the falcons in their usual perches on the cliffs. Then a pod of dolphins went past. Continue reading →

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

Birds at Tempe and Sydney Park – 13 November 2021

It was the second Saturday of the month – the time for the Tempe Birdos to conduct their survey of Tempe Wetlands and Tempe Reserve. This was our first survey for a long time due to the lockdown.

I was in the group that surveyed the wetlands, and t was relatively quiet. Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading →

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

Malabar Headland – 12 November 2021

Another visit to see the quickly growing up Peregrine Falcon chick.

The day started off very quiet. I arrived at the nesting area and soon spotted one of the adult Peregrine Falcons perched nearby. I think it was the female. Continue reading →

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

Blue Mountains Bushwalking Day – 11 November 2021

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 →

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

Greenway Bird Survey – 10 November 2021

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 →

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

Malabar Headland – 9 November 2021

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 →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Mudlarks Cooks River Bird Survey – 9 November 2021

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 →

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

Wises Track Walk – 8 November 2021

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 →

Posted in Bushwalking, Royal National Park, Wildflowers | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Birds at Sydney Olympic Park – 6 November 2021

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 →

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment