I had seen some photos recently taken of an Owlet Nightjar that was living in a tree hollow at the Botanic Gardens at Mt Annan. I knew that these gardens were a good to observe and photograph birds, so decided to pay a visit.
Red-capped Robin
I caught a train to Cambelltown and then a bus to the stop just past the park entrance. From there it was a short walk to the lake with the bird hide. I spent most of the day in this one small area and was rewarded with a variety of birds. Continue reading
Wendy was keen on a multi-day walk over the long weekend and she also had a few extra days off. Options were limited by national park closures. She decided on part of the Great North Walk as it had not been burnt by bushfires nor was the track closed. She invited me to join her.
The forecast for the first day was for very hot weather, so we spent that day at the Reptile Park at Gosford. From there, it was a short walk to the Girrakool Picnic Area in Brisbane Waters National Park. This was where we started our walk. Continue reading
I was heading off on a bushwalk with Wendy. However, the weather forecast for the first day was fr a heatwave – temperatures above 40°C. Far too hot for walking in the bush. Our plan was to walk along a section of the Great North Walk from near Gosford towards Sydney. So we decided to spend the first day at the Reptile Park near Gosford. From there, it would only a be short walk to where we could start on the Great North Walk.
I had been to the Reptile Park previously and had a great day. Wendy had never visited it and was keen to see the animals. We caught a train to Gosford, then caught a taxi to the park. The staff were very friendly and stored our packs for us while we spent the day at the park. Continue reading
Liz invited me to join her on a trip to Coachwood Glen at Blackheath to see if any fungi was out after recent rain. Coachwood Glen is a council reserve on the road down to Megalong. It is situated in a moist rainforest and often is one of the better places to observe fungi in the greater Sydney region.
Slime Mould – Ceratiomyxa fruticulosa
We were perhaps a little premature with this visit. The ground was quite moist, but not that much fungi was out. It seems to be still too early in the season and also perhaps not enough soaking rain has fallen recently. We did observe quite an abundance of slime moulds – but like on other recent trips, they were only examples of two species. Continue reading
This was another visit to Bicentennial Park at Homebush Bay. This time I was with the National Parks Association of NSW on an activity led and organised by Brian Everingham.
White-winged Triller
We met at the start of the boardwalk into the mangroves. In the party was Brian, Ken, Sue B, Sue W, Esther, John, Allen, Gary, Erden and one of his friends, and myself. Most of the party had brought along cameras with telephotos lenses. Continue reading
On my way back from the Mountains, I stopped off and spent some time at Sydney Park at St Peters. I was on the lookout for certain birds – but had no luck spotting them.
The weather was threatening with thunderstorms. And a times the sky grew ominously black. But I checked the rain radar a few times and it appeared the storms were going around Sydney Park. Continue reading
I spent a pleasant morning catching up with Don, and old friend, who lives at Springwood. We made a short walk down to Birdwood Gully to check out any fungi, wildflowers and birds.
Black-faced Monarch
It was nice to set off in light rain. Pleasant conditions. Continue reading
I spent a pleasant day walking down the Two Valleys Track along Wolli Creek from Bexley North to Tempe, then I continued on the same track up the Cooks River to the Boat Harbour. It had rained recently, and I was on the lookout for fungi and slime moulds, but I also carried my light bird camera.
Not that much fungi was out. I did manage to spot a few species out along Wolli Creek. Here are some – Continue reading
I had not been to the Warriewood Wetlands for a while and thought it may be better than some of the closer wetlands that have dried up due to the drought. Well I found Warriewood Wetlands had largely dried up too. This was perhaps the reason that there were not too many birds around.
I started by walking down a section of Mullet Creek. I was on the lookout for Black Bitterns. No luck today. I did see a pair of Dollar Birds and a White-faced Heron. Continue reading
I cycled out to Landing Lights Wetland at Barton in the afternoon to see what birds were around. I got shock when I arrived as there were virtually no birds! None in the main pond anyway. No ducks, no stilts, no herons or egrets. None around the hinterland. Unlike Tempe Wetlands – the pond was full, but it is filled during periods of high tide. Perhaps the water was too salty for the birds?
The area around the wetlands was very dry. Rain is needed badly. Continue reading
