I spent an enjoyable morning at Tempe Wetlands with the Tempe Birdos, taking part in their monthly survey. The rain held off and we had an interesting time wandering around listening for the birds and trying to spot them.
Black-faced Monarch
It was fairly quiet on the day. One bird we spotted that was new to me was a Black-faced Monarch. Nice to see. Apart from that, there were the usual residents. Here are some of the honeyeaters – Continue reading
I had visited Malabar Headland National Park last week, on the one day it was open to the public. The others days it was closed due to shooting at the adjacent rifle range. I was not planning on visiting the headland so soon after my last visit, but this time I was contained not by it being only open for a day, but by the weather. I had planned to go further afield, but a look at the weather radar revealed a lot of patch rain was on the way, so Malabar Headland seemed a good alternative as it does offer some shelter.
I was soon on the bus to Maroubra Beach, and then started walking out on the path towards Boora Point. Continue reading
Pulpit Rock
A wet day was forecast, and it was the day for a daywalk with Bob. We headed up the mountains and on the way discussed options. Something involving tracks and waterfalls sounded suitable. There had been a lot of rain in the upper mountains – and we decided on a walk from Govetts Leap carpark to Pulpit Rock and back. Along the way, we could sit out bad weather in caves or extend the walk in various ways if the weather was reasonable. Continue reading
I spent a very full and interesting day in the Northern Beaches looking for and photographing birds. In some ways this was a repeat of my last trip – as I went to the same areas and saw many of the same birds.
Eastern Osprey
My aim was the photograph some of the resident raptors and also some of the migratory birds. Here are some of the raptors – Continue reading
I have been neglecting some of the birdlife in my local area, so I cycled down to the Cooks River with my camera.
A commenter to my blog, Steve, had mentioned on a previous post about a new Tawny Frogmouth nest. I had been down several times to see it, and seen a bird sitting on some sticks in a fork, not too high in a Casuarina tree. I though that it was about the time the eggs should hatch and there may be chicks. Continue reading
It was a wet day – with light rain on and off, so I thought a short walk in my local area would be nice. I also want to see if the recent rain had brought any fungi.
I caught a bus to Earlwood, and then walked down to Girrahween Park. Continue reading
I wanted to make a visit to Malabar Headland National Park during the week, but looking at the NPWS Alert Page showed that it would be closed most days due to nearby shooting at the adjacent rifle range. Its a shame it is closed during the school holidays, when it could be enjoyed by family groups. The only day open after the long weekend would be the Tuesday.
So that was the day I made my visit. The weather was not ideal – a bit windy. But it turned out to be a very good day – especially for whales. Quite a number cruised past the headland on their way south – some of them breaching quite close. Continue reading
Over the long weekend I attended the Sydney University Bushwalkers President’s Bludge Trip. By club tradition this walk goes to the Kowmung River on the long weekend in October.
It normally attracts a reasonable number of people and the camaraderie means a good time is had by all. The Kowmung River is a beautiful place to visit, and its often at its best in Spring before the weather becomes too hot. This years trip was led by club president, Stella, with organisational help from Ashley. Thanks to both of them. Continue reading
I suggested a walk to Bob to go to a vantage point on the far end of Liversidge Hill above the northern side of the Grose Valley to look at a detached pinnacle.
I had seen this pinnacle many times from near Thor Head on the south side of the Grose Valley. From there you can get a distant vie of the pinnacle. Although it is a fair way away, you do see the profile of the pinnacle and its detached nature. From closer vantage point like Burra Moko Head the pinnacle is hard to discern – it blends in with the cliffs behind it. And note I said “near Thor Head” to get a good view of it. You cannot see it from Thor Head itself or from nearby Asgard Head. But can also get a similar view on the approach to Valhalla Head. Continue reading
I spent a pleasant day in Royal National Park with Digi Dave. I had told him about the dead whale washed up at Wattamolla and we interested to see if any sharks were feeding on it. They had been a few days before.
However, when we arrived at Wattamolla, we heard that the whale carcass had been towed out to sea early that morning. Nevertheless, we walked out to Providential Point for some photography. Continue reading
