Birds at Tempe Wetlands – 12 October 2024

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Dave Noble

I joined there Tempe Birdos for their monthly bird survey, and this month I was in the group surveying at the wetlands.

Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading →

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An Aurora in Sydney? – 11 October 2024

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Dave Noble

On the previous evening, I had an alert appear on my phone saying an Aurora Australis may be visible in your location. I checked the app and saw that the level was not that high, and the map indicated that it would be unlikely to be visible from my location (Sydney). I checked later in the evening a few times and went to bed around midnight, then awoke to some amazing photos from people that had stayed up, and eventually, around 4:30 am there was an amazing Aurora visible. I was photographed as far north as Queensland. I had missed out!

But would the geomagnetic activity continue during the next evening? Perhaps. I checked the app as soon as it got dark, and conditions seemed reasonable, so I grabbed a camera and tripod and headed to a nearby park where I could get a reasonable view south.

The photos were taken around 8:30 pm. Is there an Aurora or just air glow or perhaps even a glow caused by the lights? I think it is likely to be an Aurora – since there are purple and green hues. Continue reading →

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Visit to Nurragingy Reserve – 11 October 2024

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Dave Noble

Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside is one of the places I like to visit regularly, but it had been a while since my last visit. So I thought it about time to see what was there.

I had a very good visit. The highlight was probably some noisy Sacred Kingfishers. Here are some of the birds I photographed – Continue reading →

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Kangaroo Creek Walk – 10 October 2024

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Dave Noble

I had never walked down the lower section of Kangaroo Creek in Royal National Park. I am talking about the section below The Olympic Pool to where water banks up from Audley Weir. I had suggested it as place to visit to Bob, and we had talked about it over the years, but the weather had been unsuitable or something else sounded better. But we finally got around to doing it.

We traveled down the Heathcote by train and then started off along the track to The Karloo Pool. Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 9 October 2024

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Dave Noble

Another early morning bird survey. This time along the Greenway between Taverners Hill and Hawthorne Light Rail Stations.

Here’re some of the birds we observed –

Red Wattlebird

New Holland Honeyeater Continue reading →

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Mudlarks – Cooks River Bird Survey – 8 October 2024

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Dave Noble

As usual, I took part in the bird survey along the Cooks River with the Mudlarks. It was a very pleasant morning activity. With daylight saving starting the group now meets at 7am on the Lang Street Footbridge. This month, the survey was the downstream “Wave Rock” loop.

Here are some birds we saw – Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – Whales, Peregrine Falcons and More – 7 October 2024

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Dave Noble

Both Sue and Valerie were keen for another day out on Malabar Headland. It was the Monday of the long weekend, so there were a lot of other visitors walking past while we were sitting on the cliffs, but it turned out to be a very pleasant day.

When we reached the cliffs, we met two other bird watchers – Biggles and Deborah. No sign of the Peregrine Falcons, but quite a few Humpback Whales were passing on their journey south. Continue reading →

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Northern Beaches Peregrine Falcons – 6 October 2024

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Dave Noble

I travelled up to the cliffs of the Northern Beaches again, to photograph a nesting pair of Peregrine Falcons. The day was a bit mixed. The parents seemed a bit unsettled by my presence, even when I was a fair way from their nest area, so I did not stay too long. Perhaps there were feeding young chicks at the time?

Here are some photos from my visit – Continue reading →

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Transport Heritage – 5 October 2024

Posted on October 12, 2024 by Dave Noble

The whole of the October Long Weekend was a Transport Heritage event. I took part in some of the Saturday activities, including a steam train ride from Central to Hurstsville and return.

The whole day was very interesting.

I started by catching a bus to Sydenham. And then I got in a good position to watch and photograph the first steam train journey of the day.

I did not have to wait long for Locomotive 3526 “Nanny” to come along. It would be the one I would also travel in later. Continue reading →

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Vale – Jennifer Newman

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Dave Noble

I was with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of Jennifer Newman. She was a highly respected member of the Cooks River community. She worked as an academic and was a proud of her background as a Wiradjuri woman.

I got to know Jennifer and her partner Barney though our mutual love of the Cooks River Tawny Frogmouths. Jen and Barney lived close to the Cooks River and each season, the local pair of Tawny Frogmouths would choose to nest in a tree very close to the back of their house. I would often come to photograph the birds – especially after their chicks had fledged. If Jennifer or Barney were nearby, they would often take time for a chat. Continue reading →

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