Rain was forecast, but it seemed to be OK in the morning, so I made a trip to Tempe Wetlands and spent a few hours there.
My observations were similar to what I saw with the Tempe Birdos on the previous Saturday, but there were some new baby birds. A pair of Pacific Black Ducks had five chicks in the upstream pond. Continue reading
It had been a while since my last visit to Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside. My last trip there had been fairly quiet and I thought it about time I made another visit.
I caught a train to Doonside and made the short walk from the station to the Reserve. I made my way to the ponds where I had seen a pair of Azure Kingfishers on some of my previous visits, and like my last three visits I could not see them. I looked along some of the other pools and the creek – but I had no luck. Perhaps they had left the area? Continue reading
This was a very enjoyable day out with friends in the Mt Wilson area. We visited the lower section of the North Branch of Bowens Creek Canyon. The trip was organised by Wendy, and in the party were Enmoore, Keith and myself. Also Roscoe was visiting the canyon, but he arrived early at Mt Wilson and had set out by himself to visit the upper section of the canyon and meet us lower down.
We set off down the fire road. I was on the lookout for Flying Duck Orchids – but had not luck spotting any. I had seen them before in this area. Then we headed along the track that goes steeply down the gully to arrive at Boens Creek not far above the constricted section just before its junction with the South Branch. Continue reading
I spent a pleasant morning in my local area looking for birds. Early on I joined the Tempe Birdos for their monthly bird survey. I was in the group that surveyed Tempe Wetlands.
Juvenile Figbird
Here are some of the birds we spotted – Continue reading
I made another visit to the Northern Beaches mainly to see how the raptors were going that I had seen on my last visit.
I first visited the sporting field where the Osprey’s have their nest. The parents were not there, but two of the three juvenile Osprey were perched on or near the nest. Continue reading
I spent an interesting day with Digi Dave. We had planned to visit Woronora Dam, but when we turned off the Princess Highway, we found a locked gate. It seems the area is now only open on weekends. Perhaps due to some work go on? We had not thought of any alternative, so thought a trip down the coast may be worthwhile.
Black-faced Monarch
We first stopped off at the lookout at Stanwell Tops. Here we had a nice view. There was also some photography and filming going on. There was a photo shoot and at a another spot a TV camera and some local politicians being interviewed. I knew a bushwalkers standing nearby. He said they were announcing funding for walking tracks in the area. Continue reading
This was a very interesting and pleasant day spent at Lithgow and the gardens of Stone. It was organised by Janine Kitson for the Colong Foundation For Wilderness. It was to give recognition to Vern and Joyce Moffitt who were strong unionists and conservationists from the Lithgow area. They were the first to recognise the significance to the pagodas that form the Gardens of Stone and campaign for their protection.
Vern Moffitt was a coal miner and also very active in the union movement. On the celebration day, a large contingent of retired unionists travelled by train from Sydney to Lithgow to show their support for the efforts the Moffitts had made and also to support the Gardens of Stone. Continue reading
I spent another pleasant day in Malabar Headland National Park.
White-bellied Sea Eagle
It was a reasonably windy day, so that would mean good conditions for raptors – ie they should be flying. So I went out to where I had seen the Peregrine Falcons. I soon spotted one perched on the cliffs – but it seemed very settled. Continue reading
This was a short afternoon walk along the Coastal Path between The Gap and Dover Heights. I caught a ferry from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay then walked to The Gap. I was on the lookout for birds and in particular raptors, but those I saw were not very close.
Its still a very nice walk along the Coastal Path, past the Signal Station to the Macquarie Lighthouse, then around Diamond Bay. In the far distance I spotted a Nankeen Kestrel. But it didn’t fly very close. Continue reading
Thanks to Su Li for organising this trip through the excellent Mt Hay Canyon. In the party, as well as Su Li were Martin, Steffy, Jim, Deidree and myself.
It was a warm day, but a very windy one, and it was the wind that made conditions a bit unpleasant – especially on the tops. We set off from the carpark and along the track to the canyon. We completed two abseils down the side creek to get into Rocky Points Ravine. The canyon starts a short way downstream. Continue reading
