Oatley Park – Visit on 23 October 2020

Posted on October 26, 2020 by Dave Noble

I joined Digi Dave for a visit to Oatley Park. My previous visit was cut a bit short due to rain, so I was keen to go back. On that trip, I had seen a lot of orchids, but they don’t last long, so probably would not be out still. But perhaps some new ones will have appeared? And there are always plenty of nice birds to be seen.

From Websters Lookout, we looked at the distant Osprey nest, on the far side of the Georges River. With binoculars  we could see at least one Osprey perched near the nest. It looked like another head was visible at the nest. Continue reading →

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Cooks River Tawnies – 22 October 2020

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Dave Noble

Thanks to a comment made on this blog, after getting back from the Blue Mountains, I cycled down to the Cooks River to see if I could spot a new Tawny Frogmouth chick.

I soon located the nest at the Boat Harbour, but could not see any chick. But I waited a while and eventually I saw small white head appear. You can just see the chick in the photo above. Continue reading →

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Warrimoo to Blaxland Walk – 22 October 2020

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Dave Noble

Last week Bob suggested and planned a very nice Central Coast Walk. This week, I suggested and planned a walk to visit Kanuka Brook in the Blue Labyrinth. I was keen on the idea of a through walk – and the plan was to park at Glenbrook, catch a train to Warrimoo, then walk out along the fire trail at the end of Greens Road. Then we would descend to Glenbrook Creek, up the other side and then along the Bullant Track towards St Helena. We would then walk down the track towards the Duckhole, and turn off part way along for Kanuka Brook.

The walk started off well. It was a pleasant walk out along the Greens Road Firetrail. There were great views at the end. I had seen cliffs there when I was on the other side at Bunyan Lookout. I thought those cliffs should provide a great view – and they certainly did. Continue reading →

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Birds at Tempe and the Cooks River – 21 October 2020

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Dave Noble

I made a visit to Tempe Wetlands and Tempe Reserve, and at each place I took part in The Aussie Backyard Bird Count. I went to those places because I had made counts there on the previous two years. Then when I had finished I walked home via the Cooks River.

At Tempe I did not record any special birds. It was nice to see a lot of breeding going on – adults feeding the chicks, birds sitting on nests etc. Here are some photos from Tempe – Continue reading →

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Back to Malabar Headland – 20 October 2020

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Dave Noble

This trip to check the status of the Peregrine Falcons was with Valerie and Sue.

On the walk out, near he carpark at Maroubra Beach we spotted pair of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. Continue reading →

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Emu-wrens at Emu Green – 19 Oct 2020

Posted on October 24, 2020 by Dave Noble

I finally succeeded in photographing at least one of the Southern Emu-wrens that can be found at Emu Green Reserve at Emu Plains. I have seen Emu-wrens before, at various places, but had not been able to get good photographs of them. This time, at Emu Green had had better luck. This was after several trips that I had made recently to Emu Green where spotting them had been a principal aim.

The photos I took of the Emu-wrens were not great, but significantly better than any of my previous photos. And I also had some good observing time which should help in the future. Continue reading →

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Some Birds on the Cooks River – 18 October 2020

Posted on October 24, 2020 by Dave Noble

I had heard a recent report by Mark Mallone, of the Tempe Birdos, of a Satin Bowerbird that he had seen at Gough Whitlam Park on the Cooks River at Tempe. I had been home most of the day, but thought a bike ride along the river may be worthwhile to see if I could spot the bird.

I enjoyed a nice ride along the river and passed through Gough Whitlam Park but could not spot any Bowerbirds. On my ride, I did spot a few Australasian Darters – Continue reading →

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Birds of the Northern Beaches – 17 October 2020

Posted on October 24, 2020 by Dave Noble

I had another fun day of bird photography in the Northern Beaches region at three different sites. I had two aims – to photograph raptors and also to photograph migratory birds. The migratory birds dictated my timetable. I wanted to go to far end of Long Reef and this is tide dependent. The low tide was at about 3:30 pm, so I delayed my visit there till after 2 pm.

I started at the sea cliffs and the nest site for Peregrine Falcons. I think this pair of Falcons have two surviving chicks (out of three) but I only saw one of them flying. Perhaps only one has fledged? Anyway, this chick and its parents put on an amazing air show for me. Continue reading →

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Central Coast Walk – 15 October 2020

Posted on October 24, 2020 by Dave Noble

Last year, Bob and myself had visited some of the beaches and sea caves of the Central Coast. It was a very interesting area, and soon after Bob had suggested that we could do a walk that would link up a number of interesting places along this coast. He looked at maps, timetables and tide charts and soon had a trip worked out.

We finally got to complete the walk – and it turned out to be very worthwhile. We drove up to park just off the Old Pacific Highway at the Kanangra Drive. I think the locality is called Crangan Bay. Just around the corner on the old highway was a bus stop, and we only had to wait about ten minutes for a bus  (at 9:47 am) that took us (by a quite circuitous route) to Swansea. We got off at the library, and then walked out to Caves Beach. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 14 October 2020

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Dave Noble

This was another visit to Malabar Headland National Park to check on the status of the Peregrine Falcons. For the past two years I have been able to see the Falcon’s chicks at about this time of the year.

I saw a lot of one of the Peregrine Falcons, but perhaps did not see the second one, nor any chicks. Continue reading →

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