Long Reef Headland on the Northern Beaches has been a very good venue for bird photography lately, so I decided on another trip there.
This time it was a bit quieter than other recent visits. It was a warm day and there was no sea breeze at first. So it was quite hot down on the lower level and very limited shade. Another bird photographer, Celine, was also there and she set up a small tarp and sheltered under that – a good thing to do.
I attended the field study held by the Sydney Fungal Studies Group Inc at the Waterfall Reserve at Mt Wilson on Saturday morning. We found a reasonable variety of fungi out, but not a huge abundance dues to recent dry and hot weather. And what fungi we did observe was not in great condition.
Here is a selection of photos – Continue reading
Bob had suggested coastal walk, on the rock platforms under the cliffs between Winney Bay and Avoca Beach on the Central Coast near Terrigal. We thought the walk would be easier in low tide, and as that was in the afternoon, we first visited Kincumber Mountain.
Bob drove up the road to Kincumber Mountain and parked at picnic area on the top. Then we set out to visit the Colin Watters Lookout, reached via the Yanina Walk (a fire road). Continue reading
I made a morning visit to Barton Park to see what birds were there. I saw a reasonable number of birds – and most were at Landing Lights Wetland.
Here are some photos – Continue reading
The previous recent visit to Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside had been outstanding opportunities to photograph the resident birdlife, so I was keen on another visit. Sue was also keen to come along.
This visit proved to be a lot quieter than the previous one. We did not see any Pacific Bazas (at least not confirmed – we did get fleeting views of some raptors), nor did we get quality observing time with the Azure Kingfishers, but we still, overall, had a good visit. Continue reading
I sent another day at Long Reef photographing birds. When hot weather if forecast, Long Reef can be a lot cooler as it often experiences a sea breeze. The sea breeze when it hits the headland creates updrafts that attract the raptors. This visit, with low tide in the middle of the day, I cold also photograph some of the migratory shorebirds.
When I arrived the pair of Nankeen Kestrels that I had seen a lot of lately, were busy hunting on the slopes near the lookout. Continue reading
It was time for the Saturday survey along the Dulwich Hill section of the Greenway. I joined the group outside Waratah Mills Light Rail Station at 7:30 am.
Here are some of the birds we observed – Continue reading
I suggested a walk to Store Beach near the Quarantine Station at North Head to Bob. This beach is normally accessed by boat, but in low tide, it is possible to walk around the shore from the nearby Collins Beach. On the day of our visit, the tide was low.
We set off from the carpark at Little Manly Point Reserve and followed the track down to Collins Beach. Continue reading
The day started off relatively quiet, but as it proceeded, things got better and better. Several highlights – quality time observing a pair of Azure Kingfishers, but later we observed a large number of Pacific Bazas. We were astounded to see 17 of them circling around in the air.
I travelled out with Sue by train to Doonside, and we were soon in the Reserve. Recently, the Nature guru of the park – Wayne had reported seeing 13 Pacific Bazas at one time in the Reserve a few days before. That was a good incentive for another visit. Continue reading
I had visited Hen and Chicken Bay at Abbotsford early in January, and had been able to photograph the Bar-tailed Godwits that forage on the exposed mudflats during low tide. It was time for another visit to see if any of the Godwits were getting their colourful breeding plumage.
When I arrived, the first birds I observed were some Pied Oystercatchers – Continue reading
