Wolli Creek Nature Walk – 15 March 2020

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Dave Noble

The weather was again forecast to be poor, so I decided a local walk could be the best plan. I caught a bus to earl wood and then walked down to Wolli Creek Regional Park. I first walked upstream along the Two Valleys Track towards Bexley North, but didn’t go all the way – stopping at Illoura – the grassy clearing. Then I walked back downstream, all the way to Tempe.

I was mainly on the lookout for fungi, but also stopped to photograph birds that I saw. The best encounter with birds was at Illoura. There I noticed a hovering Black-shouldered Kite. It soon flew to perch on an overhead cable near the railway tracks. On my previous trip, I had seen two Brown Goshawks at this spot. Continue reading →

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Birdwood Gully Fungi – 13 March 2020

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Dave Noble

I was able to join Liz for another day hunting for fungi at Birdwood Gully at Springwood. We were on the lookout for some special fungi we had seen last year – in particular a beautiful pink coral fungus, and an interesting gomphus.

We had a very good day and found a lot of interesting fungi – and also some slime moulds and quite a few orchids. It was also great to see quite a few waxcaps. Here are some – Continue reading →

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Why Don’t We Do It In The Road Canyon – 12 March 2020

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Dave Noble

A few more canyons have been opened. This included some near Mt Wilson, so Bob and myself headed up the Mountains with the intention to visit Why Don’t We Do It In The Road Canyon, and then continue down part of Wollangambe Canyon.

We arrived at Mt Wilson and parked at the Cathedral of Ferns. We were soon on our way, along the fire road to the track leading down to the start of the canyon. Recent rain had  resulted in a lot of regrowth after the bushfires. Continue reading →

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Fungi and Slime Moulds at Ferndale Park – 11 March 2020

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Dave Noble

I made another visit to Ferndale Park to check on the progress of the fungi there. I was hoping recent rain may have increased the fungal abundance – but when I arrived, things were not too special.

Delicatula integrella

Here are some photos of the fungi. First some jelly fungi, Tremella mesenterica – Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 11 March 2020

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Dave Noble

I joined the local bird group for their monthly early morning survey along the Greenway – between Taverners Hill and Hawthorne Light Rail Stations.

Topknot Pigeon

Taverners Hill Station is high above the ground level – and the height provides a good view into the canopy of nearby trees. A out of birds are recorded here and not at other places along the Greenway. This morning was no exception. The highlight on the morning was a Topknot Pigeon. Continue reading →

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Cape Baily Walk – 10 March 2020

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Dave Noble

Brian Everingham was leading another walk along the coast for the National Parks Association of NSW. This one was in Kamay Botany Bay National Park and was from Cape Solander to the Cape Baily Lighthouse and back the same way.

This is a very attractive section of coast – with fine views from the sandstone cliffs. In places they were indented by what were once dykes, now eroded to produce a zawn. When we arrived at Cape Solander, the weather was a little uncertain. Nearby, we could see rain falling. It was also a bit windy. As we waited for others to arrive I photographed some birds – a Superb Fairy-wren and a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo – Continue reading →

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Lane Cove Valley Nature Walk – 8 March 2020

Posted on March 14, 2020 by Dave Noble

This was a repeat of the walk I did on 19 February. I started at Thornleigh Oval, and walked down the Great North Walk track to Browns Waterhole and then exited to Eastwood via Terrys Creek.

Abortiporus beniensis

The Lane Cove River was flowing quite high – and most of the stepping stones on the river crossings were a little under water, so wet feet were inevitable. I was mainly on the lookout for fungi and birds. Continue reading →

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Wolli Creek Nature Walk – 7 March 2020

Posted on March 10, 2020 by Dave Noble

This was an interesting and pleasant walk from Bardwell Park to Turrella. I was on the lookout for fungi – but I also observed some birds.

Not far down the track, I could hear some birds calling. They sounded like raptors and the alarm calls of other birds. I was at the Illoura clearing. So waited to see if anything few past. I was rewarded. There were two raptors. They seem to be an adult Brown Goshawk and a juvenile/immature Brown Goshawk. I managed to get a few photos of them as they flew past. Continue reading →

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Birds and Fungi at Oatley Park – 6 March 2020

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Dave Noble

I spent an enjoyable day at Oatley Park with Digi Dave visiting the lookouts and the wetlands, mainly looking for birds to photograph.

There were the usual Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Kookaburras and Rainbow Lorikeets around – Continue reading →

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Bulcamatta Falls Walk – 5 March 2020

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Dave Noble

A wet day was forecast for my weekly walk with Bob. After some discussion, we decided that a visit to Bulcamatta Falls would be suitable given the weather. This was a place neither of us had been to.

It ended up raining more or less continuously most of the day. We drove up to Kurrajong Heights and made our way along Burralow Road, past some communication towers towards to the  National Park entrance. We then walked along the fire road. We soon arrived at a closed gate. The alerts page for Blue Mountains National Park showed that Burralow Swamp was open. Perhaps the gate had been closed because of the bad weather? Continue reading →

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