Bushcare at Barrenjoey – 31 October 2020

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Dave Noble

Our Bushcare Group was scheduled to spend the day weeding at Barrenjoey Headland. It had been quite wet during the night, and when I awoke in the morning there was a big storm showing on the rain radar in the Pittwater region. So it was touch and go if the event would take place. Some of us use the detailed local forecasts from the Norwegian Weather Forecast Service, and it showed  any rain would stop around 8 am, so the decision  was made to go ahead.

So we met up at Barrenjoey, with a slightly diminished group. But we did have blue sky – and that remained all day while we were there. In the group were Enmoore, Brent, Su Li, Ian, Margaret, myself and Jude (NPWS). Continue reading →

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Birds at the Northern Beaches – 30 October 2020

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Dave Noble

I spent another day visiting tow areas of the Northern Beaches of Sydney photographing birds. I first went to the sea cliffs seeking Peregrine Falcons. I soon spotted one adult and one juvenile.

I did not have to wait long for some flying – mainly from the adult, who was on guard duty for the chick. Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 29 October 2020

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Dave Noble

I got back from the Blue Mountains fairly early, and I took advantage of daylight savings to visit some local birds along the Cooks River. I was going down to the Boat Harbour to see the tawny Frogmouths nesting there, and nearby. When I arrived a Striated Heron hunting for fish stole the show.

The tide was low, revealing the mudflats and the Heron was staring in the shallow water keenly looking for fish. It was interesting to watch. Continue reading →

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Blue Mountains Waterfall Walk – 29 October 2020

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Dave Noble

Rain was forecast for the night before our planned walk and also during the day of the walk, so Bob and myself thought a trip to the Blue Mountains to see some waterfalls may be worthwhile.

Gemini Falls

Our first stop was at Katoomba. We parked at the Katoomba Falls Kiosk and headed out onto Reids Plateau. This gives great views of Orphan Rock and also Katoomba Falls. This mist was just clearing and we are rewarded with some very nice views – Continue reading →

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Back to Malabar Headland – 28 October 2020

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Dave Noble

Two days earlier I had visited the headland, but my trip was cut short because of bad weather. This visit I stayed a bit longer and enjoyed better weather.

On the walk out, I stopped to photograph a Golden-headed Cisticola. It was moving around its territory calling out in all directions. Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 27 October 2020

Posted on November 5, 2020 by Dave Noble

After coming back from Scheyville National Park, I got dropped off at the Cooks River as I wanted to looks for a Striated Heron’s nest that had been spotted a few days earlier by Mark from the Mudlarks and Tempe Birdos.

The nest was tricky to spot – you had to stay in exactly the right place to see it through the mangroves, and it was a fair way off. So there was no problem with disturbing the birds. Continue reading →

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Visit to North West Sydney – 27 October 2020

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Dave Noble

I joined Valerie and Sue for a pleasant and interesting day spent at three locations in North West Sydney. We visited Bushells Lagoon, Pitt Town Lagoon and then Scheyville National Park.

Our first stop at Buchells Lagoon proved to be a bit of a disappointment. It had been a while since my last visit to the normally grea birding spot, and since that time, and with recent rain it was very full of  water. Much higher than normal. This may not have suited some of the birds as a lot of the reeds were covered. Continue reading →

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A Wet Day on Malabar Headland – 26 October 2020

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Dave Noble

It was forecast to be a wet day, but turned out to be wetter than I had expected. After a late start, I decided to visit Malabar Headland National Park. But my visit turned out to be quite short. It was wet, cold and windy.

I walked out, expecting to see high seas, and there were, but the usual sheltered spots I know, where quite exposed to the wind and rain this visit. I had lunch, and then walked back. Continue reading →

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Cooks River Tawnies – 25 October 2020

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Dave Noble

Its been a bit wet lately, so I have not gone fair from home during breaks between showers.  During one drier spell, I cycled along the Cooks River to check out some of the local birds and in particular the nesting Tawny Frogmouths.

I first visited the nesting Tawny Frogmouth at the Boat Harbour. I could not see either the second Tawny Frogmouth, nor the chick. I guess the chick is snug sitting under dad on the nest during quite a cold windy day. Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 24 October 2020

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Dave Noble

I spent a pleasant morning with the Greenway Bird Group (part of the Inner West Environment Group) surveying the birds along the Greenway in the area near Waratah Mills.

It had been raining overnight but the rain held off while we were surveying. One feature of this survey was the number of Red Wattlebirds we spotted. Here are some – Continue reading →

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