Out With the Tempe Birdos – 12 October 2019

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Dave Noble

The second Saturday of the month is the time for the Tempe Birdos bird survey at Tempe Wetlands and Reserve.

This survey was notable for the number of nesting birds we observed. Continue reading →

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The Great West Walk – Parramatta to Toongabbie – 11 October 2019

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Dave Noble

A group called the Walking Volunteers have been responsible for mapping walks along the coast of Sydney, and now they have mapped a new walk from Parramatta to Penrith that they are calling the Great West Walk. One notable feature of this walk – is that it passes through the newly opened up Wianamatta Reserve near Ropes Creek. This was previously Commonwealth Government land used for military purposes and out of bounds to the public.

A set of maps and stages was on the Walking Volunteers website, but that seems to be currently offline. Alternative sources are from Bushwalking NSW and Google Maps. Continue reading →

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Blue Mountains Heritage Walk – 10 October 2019

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Dave Noble

I was heading up the Blue Mountains with Bob for some bushwalking. Our main purpose however was to explore an area for Aboriginal heritage sites – engravings, cave art, grinding grooves etc.

We went to an area close to where we had been on some previous walks. On these we had seen some interesting sites. This time, we did not find any Aboriginal sites, but did find some interesting caves that contained old relics and graffiti. Continue reading →

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Taronga Zoo – 9 October 2019

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Dave Noble

Friends had invited me to accompany them on a day at the Zoo. School holidays means the Zoo is busy, but it is always a nice place to visit. In our group was John, his two sons Jasper and Sebastian, Ruth and her two sons Joey and Sam. We all had a great day.

The youngsters were keen to go to the Seal Show, so we started there. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 8 October 2019 – Birds and Whales

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Dave Noble

After a morning bird activity with the Mudlarks, I caught a train to Central and then a bus to Maroubra Beach. I wanted to see how the nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons were going and see what else was happening.

It was a good session. On the way out I spotted a distant Kestrel, and a girl pointed out some distant Dolphins. Continue reading →

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Out with the Mudlarks – 8 Oct 2019

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was a day with two bird activities. It began, early in the morning with the Mudlarks monthly bird survey along the Cooks River.

Striated Heron

Here are some of the birds that we saw – Continue reading →

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Kowmung River Walk 5 – 7 October 2019

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Dave Noble

The October Long weekend is a traditional time to visit the beautiful Kowmung River which flows through the heart of the Southern Blue Mountains Wilderness. It is also the time for the PBT – the “President’s Bludge Trip” organised by Sydney University Bushwalkers. This year, I had planned to do a walk with Roger along part of the Kowmung River and meet up with the PBT party on the second night.

Roger and myself travelled up on the Friday evening to camp with the SUBW party on the Boyd Plateau. Next morning, we set of early for the short drive to Kanangra Walls. The weather was not the best – rain and mist. Our plan was to walk down Gingra Creek to the Kowmung River on our first day, then on the second day – walk upstream to join the PBT party and their camp at Orange Bluff. The join them for the walk out via Brumby Ridge on the last day. Continue reading →

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Birds near Warriewood – 3 October 2019

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Dave Noble

Another full day of bird photography. Another very interesting and rewarding day. I caught a B-line bus to Warriewood and after a quick look along part of Mullt Creek, I headed to Warriewood Wetlands.

I first visited the Settling Ponds on the northern side. Here I encountered quite a few birds. Here are some – Continue reading →

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Back to Malabar Headland – 2 October 2019

Posted on October 13, 2019 by Dave Noble

Another day photographing birds and shales out on Malabar Headland. This time I was joined by Jan, a bushwalker and photographer that I had met recently on a bushwalk. He is well known for his orchid photos, and bird photography is a recent new direction.

Jan was keen to see the Peregrine Falcons. On the day – we saw both of the pair and were able to get some good sequences. But, near the carpark, we photographed a Black-faced Cuckooshrike – Continue reading →

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Nature at Oatley Park – 1 October 2019

Posted on October 12, 2019 by Dave Noble

I spent a very enjoyable day wandering around Oatley Park looking at the plants and animals. The wildflowers were nice, some lizards were out and the birds were chirping.

This time I started from Oatley Station, and walked down to the park and entered via the track that goes towards the swimming area. I the continued on the track around the point, and then down the road to Lime Kiln Bay. I then crossed the bridge and followed the track on the west side of Lime Kiln Bay to the wetlands – then back up the road, to Websters Lookout and then across the top to the new kids park and then back to Oatley Station. Continue reading →

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