This visit to Malabar Headland was to again check on the status of the Peregrine Falcons. I also had another reason for the visit. A very hot day was forecast, so I though a long bishwalk would not be the best. The walk out to to Malabar Headland is short, and although shade is limited, I had a nice cool sea breeze all day – quite pleasant conditions.
This time I walked from the Malabar side. On the way out I spotted this nice Rufous Whistler – Continue reading
I spent most two the day at Sydney Olympic Park photographing birds. I started off at the Mason Park Wetlands, then headed into Bicentennial Park and first went to Lake Belvedere, then the Bennelong Ponds. Next the Waterbird Refuge. Next, into Wentworth Common and the Brickpit before returning to Bicentennial Park and finishing at the Waterbird Refuge.
Mason Park was fairy quite, which was not surprising – it was almost dry. I saw a Koel perched in a tree and a single Pied Stilt. Continue reading
I spent a full day visiting three sites on the Northern Beaches where I mainly photographed raptors.
At the first site, a Peregrine Falcon was guarding the nest area. I could see one chick that looked like it was either fledged or close to fledging. Continue reading
On the trip to Boorowa, Digi Dave and myself, made a trip into the nearby township to visit the Superb Bakery and Lollyshop, and also to look for Superb Parrots. Roger said he often sees them at the property (as well as Rainbow bee-eaters) – but we didn’t find them there this time.
Roger had suggested we visit the Redhill Reserve on the east side of the town, but we could not find it on the map, nor any mention of it at the town tourist display area (which ad a lot of interesting railway history). But on our way out of town, later on, as were leaving, we spotted it. We had searched for “Red Hill” rather than “Redhill” – and it on the east side – but in the town rather than in the hinterland. Its a reserve that occupies one whole block in area and contains natural bush. Continue reading
My friend Roger, had invited Digi Dave and myself to visit a property he owns with his wife near Boorowa. Roger planned to be there at the time and this would give us a good opportunity to experience the area. And a very beautiful place it turned out to be.
The property itself has never been complete cleared as parts of it are hilly and rocky, and this makes it very appealing. It was probably more attractive as well due to the end of the drought. The countryside was quite green. There was a hill on one side and several creek radiating from that. There were also three dams and some other pools to attract waterbirds.
We did quite a few walks around the property – looking for birds and wildflowers. Here are some of what we found – Continue reading
I was heading to Boorawa with Digi Dave for a stay at a friend’s property. Digi Dave suggested driving down via Crookwell as this would allow us to visit Pejar Dam. This sounded like a good idea.
It was. There were plenty of interesting birds to be seen around the dam. In particular there were a few Diamond Firetails close to the parking area. Here are some of them – Continue reading
Back in August, I had been invited to see some rarely seen and very unusual orchids growing at a location in the Lane Cove Valley. Back then the orchids were only buds. I was recently invited back to see them in flower. The orchids are Rhizanthella slateri – an underground orchid.
This patch had been found by Vanessa McPherson and Michael Gillings, and it was a real privilege to be able to see them. They are certainly a most extraordinary plant. I believe that underground orchids are only found in Australia. They are perhaps quite common, but are rarely seen because their flowers develop underground. Vanessa and Michael found two clusters of them, close together, in a gully in a tributary of the Lane Cove River. They were searching for club and coral fungi at the time – and were looking under the leaf litter when they found the developing buds. Between inspections of the developing flowers, they covered them with leaf litter. If they were not covered the flowers would not develop. Continue reading
More local birds – this time with the Inner West Environment Group for their monthly bird survey of the Greenway near Waratah Mills light rail station.
I think the highlight of this month’s survey was spotting a Leaden Flycatcher. See the photo above. Here are some more photos – Continue reading
This was a walk that had been on my “to do” list for a fair while, but had not gotten around to doing. It turned out to be quite easy and also both spectacular and interesting. Our plan was to drive out along the fire road that leaves the Mountain lagoon Road part way along. I think this is called the North Wheeny Gap Trail. Near the end of this trail is a track that descends to Lagoon Creek, and from there it is a short walk downstream to Wheeny Creek at Wheeny Gap.
On the trip were Bob and Doug. On the way up, Doug recalled a weekend trip he and Bob had done in 1981, where the had walked in to Wheeny Gap from a fire road to the south. Then they had gone up via the Green Scrub to Mountain Lagoon, then to the Colo River via Conder Trig and out via Bob Turners Track. Then a hitch out. Bob also recalled a weekend trip where he had entered Wheeny Creek from high up and then walked all the way downstream to the picnic area (or nearby) and then hitched out. I had not been in this area before, except for the picnic area. Continue reading
Another day spent out on the headland. This was a quiet day – no whales seen, no dolphins seen, one distant seal seen, only one raptor seen – one of the Peregrine Falcons was around for about an hour or so. But it is still a pleasant place to spend some time.
On the walk out, I noticed some Slender Onion Orchids (Microtis parviflora) have returned. They are in the same spot I saw them last year. I expect more to appear during the next few weeks. Continue reading
