Kentlyn Basin Walk – Georges River – 4 December 2025

A hot day was forecast, and a short walk to a swimming hole seemed a good idea. Bob and Doug were keen on a walk, and I had suggested visiting the Basin on the Georges River at Kentlyn. None of us had been there, and as the Basin was supposed to be a great swimming spot, so it seemed a good place to visit.

Doug provided car, and he drove us to the carpark at the end of the Georges River Road. The carpark provides access to the Keith Longhurst Reserve which includes the Basin. The walk to the Basin is one of  number of walks in the Reserve. The Basin is only about 1 km from the carpark. It’s an easy walk, but the last part is steep. Continue reading

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Birds at Wolli Creek – 2 December 2025

I went on a short visit to Wolli Creek to spend a few hours on bird photography. At first I heard lots of birds (mainly Bulbuls). But had few opportunities to photograph them.

I had heard a number of Superb Fairy-wrens near Paperbark Creek, but they remained mainly hidden in the vegetation. But when I walked down the track a bit, near the clearing, I heard a flock of Variegated Fairy-wrens. I waited with my camera ready to see if they would appear. They eventually did. Continue reading

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Visit to Oatley Park – 1 December 2025

I joined Sue and Valerie for a very pleasant day at Oatley Park. The highlight was a nice picnic lunch. Thanks to Valerie for bringing extra food!

Here are some photos –

View from Websters LookoutContinue reading

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The Cockatoo Run – 23 November 2025

The Cockatoo Run is a heritage rail trip, that goes along a line that has been closed to normal passenger trains for thirty years. This is the line between Unanderra and Robertson. The Cockatoo Run trains leave from Central and go to Wollongong and then a bit further along the Illawarra Line to Unanderra and then go off on the line to Robertson and Moss Vale. And then later the train returns to Central along the same route.

To go on this heritage  train, which runs about once a month, you need to book well in advance as it’s very popular and fills up quickly. I booked for myself and also for Valerie and Sue.

We met up at Central, a bit before 9 am,  and then found the train was running about half an hour late. Here is the train coming in to platform 1 – Continue reading

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Greenway Bird Survey – 22 November 2025

I took part in the Greenway Bird Survey along the Dulwich Hill section.  Here are some of the birds we  saw –

Red Wattlebirds 

Continue reading

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Back to the Sea Cliffs of Kurnell – 18 November 2025

I joined Valerie and Sue for another visit to the sea cliffs at Kurnell, where we had recently seen some raptors.

We had a great day.

First, we spotted this Osprey perched on the clifftop – Continue reading

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Greenway Bird Survey – 12 November 2025

I took part in the early morning bird survey along The Greenway – from Taverners Hill Light Rail Station to Hawthorne Light Rail Station.

Here are some of the the birds we saw – Continue reading

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Mudlarks – Cooks River Bird Survey – 11 November 2025

I took part in the Bird Survey along the Cooks River with the Mudlarks. This month the survey was the upstream loop – to the Boat Harbour and Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands.

We saw a good range of birds, including quite a few baby birds. Continue reading

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Birds on the Cliffs of Kurnell – 10 November 2025

I travelled to Kurnell with Valerie and Sue and we then walked to along the coastal cliffs of Kamay-Botany Bay National Park.

Our aim was to look for birds, and also wild flowers (in particular Flannel Flowers which are often very good in this area) and also any whales of dolphins that passed by.

The first bird I photographed was this nice Australian Pipit – Continue reading

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Wolli Creek Birds Survey – 9 November 2025

It was time for the monthly bird survey along a section of Wolli Creek. The group was a small party from The Wolli Creek Preservation Society. We surveyed from Girrahween Park to the Bat Camp and back.

It was quite windy on the day – so a lot of the little birds we normally see did not come out of their shelter.

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

White-browed Scrubwren Continue reading

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