Bob suggested a walk at Mt York to see the historic tracks that go along the route of the old roads. I had never walked these, but had been along them many times on mountain bike, but on a bike you travel fast ands miss out on a lot that you can see.
One this walk we first visited the top section of Berghofers Pass. Then down the old Coxs Road to the Hartley Vale, and back up along Lockyers Road. Here are some photos – Continue reading
This is a busy week for bird surveys. I took part in the survey along the Hawthorne Canal section of the Greenway.
Here are some of the birds we observed – Continue reading
After the Mudlarks Birds Survey on the Cooks River, I joined Helen for a visit to Sydney Park to look for the Pacific Baza. On previous recent visits to the Park, I had been able to spot the Baza pretty quickly due to the pandemonium made by Noisy Miners objecting to the its presence. But this time, we were unable to spot it, so I think it is likely that it has left the Park.
We did spot the Tawny Frogmouth on its nest, and its mate perched nearby –
I joined the Mudlarks for their early ,morning bird survey along the Cooks River. This time the group surveyed upstream from the Lang St Bridge to the Boat Harbour, then across the river to Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands, and back downstream on that side.
Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading
Brian Everingham had planned this walk the week before, but it been unable to go ahead due to closure of all tracks in Royal National Park and a total fire ban. I was thankful when Brian put it back on the National Parks Association walks program a week later.
The party was Brian, Valerie, Sue, Derek, Suzanne, Elaine and myself. We set off from the carpark, and soon spotted our first orchids – Continue reading
Sue joined me for another day spent out on Malabar Headland watching the Peregrine Falcons.
We had a very interesting and enjoyable day, but it was a bit perplexing to try and work out the status of the Peregrine’s nesting.
This time, we met at Maroubra, and first walked along the western track. I was a keen to look for some orchids. In particular Flying Duck Orchids. We didn’t spot any, but I did find a Beard Orchid that was out – Continue reading
I travelled up to the Northern beaches again for some more bird photography. And like previous recent visits, I spent most of my time at Long Reef photographing the local Ospreys.
I first visited the sea cliffs to check on the status of a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons. I could only spot one of the Peregrine Falcons. Continue reading
Bob had suggested a walk at Mt Victoria, below the cliffs. This time, we were also joined by Doug.
The plan was very similar to a walk Bob and myself had done in 2014, where we were discussing wet weather options, and we decided a walk under the cliffs would at least offer some shelter in overhangs when we needed a break. That walk was very good – and we did have shelter, but we had very few views owing to the mist.
On the earlier trip, we had started at Fairy Bower. This time we started at Mt Piddington. We then walked down the track towards Coxs Cave. Continue reading
This was another great walk led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW. Of particular note was the number of orchids we observed.
In the party was Brian, Valerie, Ian, Elaine and myself. The route we walked was along the Mirang Road Fire Trail, near Heathcote, to the Pipeline Trail, then south along it to Heathcote Creek – at The Batteries. Then back north along the Pipeline to the Friendly Track. which we followed to the Scout Camp and Heathcote shops.
Once we started off on the Mirang Road Trail, we were on the lookout for orchids and other wildflowers. Continue reading
I decided to visit Sydney Park again, mainly to get more photos of the Pacific Baza, if it was still around.
I did find the Baza, but I also spotted two other fairly rare birds for the inner west, a Boobook Owl and a Hoary-headed Grebe.
The usual way to find the Baza is to walk around the likely parts of the park where it could be – places with Eucalypt trees., and then listen for the pandemonium created by Noisy Miners harassing the bird. This visit, I had to walk a bit further than usual. Continue reading
