Ironbark Creek Walk – Popran National Park – 28 August 2019

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Dave Noble

I had been on a previous trip to Popran National Park not long before and had been impressed with the area. That trip was with Bob, and we were both keen to visit the park again. One feature of Popran National Park is its high density of Aboriginal sites.

Bob had done some research and found there was an old track not marked on the maps that ran from the Hominy Creek Trail North to Ironbark Creek. This trail is continuation of the Mailmans Walking Track, that is marked on the maps, and runs south east of Mt Olive in Glenworth Valley. The western part of the track leaves the fire road before Donovans Forest and meets Ironbark Creek between Koala Gully and Ferny Gully. Continue reading →

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Birds of the Lane Cove Valley – 27 August 2019

Posted on August 30, 2019 by Dave Noble

I had travelled up to Cheltenham to see a pair of newly fledged Powerful Owlets. I met my friend Bob, who lives close to where the Powerful Owls have their nest, and we walked the short distance into the bush of Byles Creek to see if we could locate the chicks. We were very fortunate we soon found both the Owlets and both parents. I will upload some photos in a separate blog post. After taking photos of the Owls, I left Bob and headed down the fire road along Devlins Creek to the Lane Cove River, I then walked down that and then up the track that follows Terrys Creek to Eastwood. This was an excellent trip for bird photography.

As I walked down Devlins Creek I could not help seeing and hearing a lot of very noisy Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. Continue reading →

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Birds at Tempe – 26 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

I spent a morning at Tempe, wandering around the Tempe Wetlands and the wastelands nearby, then around Tempe Reserve, and back through the Wetlands before heading home for lunch.

It started off fairly quiet, but as the morning proceeded, more birds seemed to appear. This is often the case with bird photography. You need to be patient. Continue reading →

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Red Rocks Weekend 24 – 25 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

It was good to spend a weekend in the Northern Blue Mountains with a group of friends. John and Chuin Nee had organised the walk, and with them went their young sons Jasper and Sebastian, Eugene, Dave Os, Martin, Steffy, Rob, Rik, Colin, Sam and myself.

After driving to Newnes, we set off up the valley of Little Capertee Creek – following a rough and very faint track that follows the true left bank most of the way, and then up a side tributary to the Wolgan/Capertee divide. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 23 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was a bit of an opportunistic trip. I had visited the headland a few times recently, and had originally planned to do some bird photography at another site. But the forecast was for more high seas, so I thought the coastline would be nice.

It was another very good day. But it started badly – here had been a train with a mechanical problem at Town Hall on a different line that the one I was taking to Central. But the whole rain system seemed to be stuffed up. The train journey was very slow. Then the bus trip to Maroubra Beach. So I eventually arrived around 10:30 am, and started my walk out into the National Park. Continue reading →

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St Michaels Cave – 22 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

I had been planning to do a walk up the mountains with Bob, but due to an adverse weather forecast (strong winds) we changed plans. The forecast was also for a powerful surf, so I suggested some coastal walking. Bob then suggested visiting St Michaels Cave near Avalon.

In some ways this was a crazy thing to do. To visit a sea cave in a time of high seas was probably madness. But that did not deter us. Bob parked near Avalon Beach and we walked down to the beach and then approached the rock platforms to the north. We were soon stopped by a place where the cliff met the sea. The tide was half way between low and high (and on the way up). Large waves would wash up right to the cliff. Continue reading →

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Urban Coastal Walking – Milsons Point to Waverton – 21 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was a pleasant half day out with the National Parks Association of NSW on a walk led by Brian Everingham. Also on the walk were Gary, Sue B, Sue W, Esther, Claire, Kevin, Allen, Derek, Karen, Paul, Terry and Graeme.

We met near Milsons Point station and then walked down and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and followed the path around towards Luna Park. On the way we passed the art deco North Sydney Pool, which was used for the Empire Games, and a venue where more swimming world records have been set than any other pool. Impressive! Continue reading →

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Wattamolla to Marley Walk – 20 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

Another walk in Royal National Park. Another chance to see wildflowers, birds and great scenery. Digi Dave and myself set out from Wattamolla carpark along the Coastal Track.

A windy day was forecast, but most of the time we enjoyed reasonably sheltered conditions as the wind was from the west. New the carpark, at the creek is a good place to spot birds. I saw an Eastern Spinebill and several New Holland Honeyeaters as well as a Superb Fairywren. Continue reading →

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Birds at Nurragingy Reserve – 18 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was another pleasant day photographing birds at Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside. Like the previous visit, I had no luck spotting any of the Azure Kingfishers this time. But there were plenty of other nice birds to see.

Yellow Thornbill

The best birds of the visit were found along the perimeter fire trail – close to the creek. I found it best to wait quietly and see what turned up. If there were no birds around, then I would move along short way and try waiting again. And multiple trips were beneficial. Continue reading →

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Birds at the Cooks River and Barton Park – 17 August 2019

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was a day spent in my local area – cycling along the Cooks River Cycleway from Cup and Saucer Creek to Barton Park and then back home.

I started, by looking for Tawny Frogmouths. I found one pair along the Cooks River. One sitting on a nest and the other perched in a nearby tree. Continue reading →

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