Greenway Bird Survey – 24 August 2024

It was time once again, for the Dulwich Hill section of the Greenway Bird Survey.

The group meets outside Waratah Mills Light Rail Station at 7:30 am.

While waiting for people to arrive, we watched a Noisy Miner at a nest very high in a nearby tree – Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Malabar Headland – 23 August 2024

I joined Sue for another great day out on Malabar Headland. This time we were lucky to observe some amazing courtship flying by the Peregrine Falcons.

We met at Maroubra Beach, and then started walking out. It was pretty quiet as we walked out this time. Near the Peregrine Falcon nesting area, we spotted the female perched on the cliffs – Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , | 2 Comments

A Walk Along Carawatha Ridge (and we visit an old railway formation near Mt Boyce) – 22 August 2024

I had suggested to Bob, that we visit the Carawatha Ridge again. On a previous walk, we had entered Victoria Brook via this ridge, and it seemed quite scenic. I was keen to see what looked like good views from the end of the range – overlooking the junction of Victoria Creek and Victoria Brook.

This turned out to be a very pleasant walk.

Due to a barrier on the median of the highway, it was easiest for Bob to park at the Mt Boyce Picnic Area. With care, we then crossed the highway, and started walking out along the Carawatha Ridge Fire Trail. This provides access to electricity transmission line pylons. Early on we spotted this RobinContinue reading

Posted in Blue Mountains, Bushwalking, Grose Wilderness | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Back to the Baza – 21 August 2024

I had told Sue about my great encounters with the Pacific Baza at Sydney Park, the previous day, and she was keen to see it again, so we arranged to meet there in the afternoon.

We did meet up near the Chimneys, and then soon located the Baza – again due to the kerfuffle of the other birds. Here are the culprits – Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Birds at Rookwood Necropolis – 21 August 2024

Around this time last year (actually a bit later in the year), I had made a number of trips to Rookwood Necropolis to photograph the birds there. Many thanks to Simin for suggesting this location, as I had not been there for a few years before that. The highlights last season had been seeing a flock of Scarlet Honeyeaters, and some Spotted Pardalotes close up, and then watching a family of Brown Goshawks chicks fledge and grow up.

So, I wondered what smaller birds were around, and would the Brown Goshawks be nesting again?

When I arrived, I walked to the spot where I had seen the Brown Goshawks last year. I soon spotted one – Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Pacific Baza at Sydney Park – 20 August 2024

The Pacific Baza at Sydney Park continues to provide great photographic opportunities. At present it confines itself to the Park, so is not too hard to find. Especially with the pandemonium of the resident Noisy Miners trying their best to move it on.

Here is a selection of photos – Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Birds at Barton Park – 20 August 2024

On this day, a Tuesday, I visited two places. The first was Barton Park, which includes the Landing Lights Wetland. The birdlife was relatively quiet, so I proceeded later to Sydney Park, where I photographed the Pacific Baza again. I will put that visit into a separate post.

Here are some of there birds I saw at Barton Park –

Superb Fairy-wren

White-faced Heron Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sydney Metro Extension – 19 August 2024

It was the opening day of the new extension of the Metro – the line between Sydenham and Chatswood. I was keen to try it out. I met Sue at Sydenham, and we spent quite a few hours on the line, travelling all the way to Tallawong, then back, visiting many of the new stations along the way. Later in the evening, I met up with John and his two boys for a trip up to Chatswood and back.

I met Sue at 10 am at Sydenham. This was after the crowded peak hour, and well after the first train, packed with ferroequinologists much earlier. Continue reading

Posted in Sydney | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Birds at Sydney Park – 18 August 2024

I joined Sue for an interesting session of bird photography at Sydney Park. We were mainly wanting to find the Pacific Baza – which turned out to be very easy – we just had to listen for the pandemonium caused by Noisy Miners.

The Baza can be a difficult bird to photograph in the forest parts of the Park, where is hunts for food. But it does a lot of short flights as it searches for food, and provides plenty of opportunities. And every now and then it flies across an open area. Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Birds at Long Reef – 17 August 2024

This was an outstanding day for bird photography at Long Reef Aquatic Reserve in the Northern Beaches. I arrived around 11 am and stayed till around 4 pm. It was low tide when I arrived, so I was able to walk out onto the rock platform and photograph the overwintering migratory birds. Then when the tide rose, I concentrated on the Ospreys.

First, out on the rock platform – Continue reading

Posted in Birds, Sydney | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment