Malabar Headland – 6 December 2019

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Dave Noble

Another fairly quiet day out on the headland. My previous trip had been quiet, but the one just before that had been outstanding. I think it may be now late in the season for the juvenile Peregrine Falcons to be making much of an appearance. This trip I saw one of the juvenile Falcons and one adult. Perhaps the two other juvenile Peregrine Falcons have left the area? Or perhaps the conditions were not very good for them to be flying?

Early on my visit, I spotted a juvenile Peregrine Falcon flying near Boora Point. It flew past, and I did not see it again. Continue reading →

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Dargans Creek Canyon and some Bushfire Watching – 5 December 2019

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Dave Noble

With bushfires raging in the Blue Mountains it was not surprising that most canyons were closed. A warmed day was forecast, so Bob and myself decided to visit Dargans Creek Canyon, one of the few that was not closed.

On the way up, we visited Echo Point to look at the bushfire burning in the Jamison Valley. Here are some photos – Continue reading →

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Birds at the Northern Beaches – 4 December 2019

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Dave Noble

I spent a pleasant day up at the Northern Beaches photographing birds. I caught a B-line bus to Dee Why and then a local bus to Long Reef. I then walked out along the beach to the headland.

Beach Stone-Curlew

On the way out, I photographed a Willie Wagtail that had just caught a small cicada. Continue reading →

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Bicentennial Park Birds – 3 December 2019

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was another hot day. I spent the morning and early afternoon at Bicentennial Park (and Sydney Olympic Park) photographing the birds before it got too hot.

It was quite smokey, which didn’t help with photography. Photos are a bit washed out. I started at the Wetland Pools, then walked out to the Shipwreck Lookout, then to Wentworth Common and the Brickpit, then back along the Wetland Pools and finished at Lake Belvedere, where I had lunch. Continue reading →

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Bundeena to Marley Photo Walk – 2 December 2019

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Dave Noble

I joined a National Parks Association walk led by Brian Everingham from Bundeena along the Coastal Track to Marley Head and back. It was a walk with plenty of time for photography and the plan was to get back by lunchtime.

As well as Brian and myself, there was Sue B, Sue W, Ken, John, Allen and Gary in the party. Most of us carried cameras. Continue reading →

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Lane Cove River Nature Walk – 1 December 2019

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Dave Noble

It had been a while since I had visited the Lane Cove River and its tributaries. My friend Bob, who lives at Cheltenham had recently spotted the two juvenile Powerful Owls, so they would be certainly worth looking for. His neighbour, Steve, who keeps track of the Powerful Owls in that area had spotted 8 of them recently.

So the plan was to catch a train to Cheltenham, then walk down the track down Devlins Creek, then along the Land Cove River to Browns Waterhole and then to Eastwood Via Terrys Creek. It turned out to be an excellent day with lots of birds and orchids observed. Continue reading →

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Wolli Creek Nature Walk – 30 November 2019

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Dave Noble

I had been to lunch at Bardwell Park. It was too early to head home, so I made my way along the Two Valleys Track down Wolli Creek towards Turrella and Tempe.

At and near Girrahween Park I spotted at least four clusters of Hyacinth Orchids (Dipodium variegatum). Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 29 November 2019

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Dave Noble

After the incredible display of flying, put on by the Peregrine falcons and Sea Eagles that I had had the privilege of observing on my previous visit, I was keen on a repeat performance. However, this visit turned out a lot quieter. It was a hot day, with almost no wind and the birds were not keen to fly.

Golden-headed Cisticola

It was fairly quiet as I walked out to Boora Point. Continue reading →

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Waterfall of Moss Canyon – 28 November 2019

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Dave Noble

Bob suggested a visit to this canyon. A warm day was forecast, and this was one that did not involve too much bushwalking to get to and from.

Some history. I was on the trip that made the first descent of Whungee Wheengee Canyon. On that trip – an overnight canyoning trip with SUBW from Mt Wilson to visit the upper and lower constrictions of Yarramun Creek were Tony Norman, Airdrie Long, Brad Phillips, Michael Doherty and myself. After camping in Yarramun Creek, at the end of the lower constriction, we discussed options for the route back to Mt Wilson. Most of the party decided to head back via Whungee Wheengee Creek, but Michael Doherty and myself were not keen on doing the long swims in Wollangambe Canyon so we decided to head back via a route much closer to a known pass on the southern side. Continue reading →

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Birds at Nurragingy Reserve – 27 November 2019

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Dave Noble

My previous visit to Nurragingy Reseve had been very fruitful – with lots of nice birds to photograph. I was keen to return and check the progress of the Azure Kingfishers, to see if their young had fledged.

Rufous Fantail

When I arrived I went to where I had seen the pair of Azure Kingfishers on my previous visit. All was quiet this time – no sign of them. So decided to do a walk around the perimeter fire trail. On this circuit, I spotted some nice birds. First a Black-faced Cuckooshrike – Continue reading →

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