Malabar Headland – 16 August 2024

Posted on August 25, 2024 by Dave Noble

Sue and myself visited Malabar Headland and enjoyed a great day. This visit – both the Peregrine Falcons made an appearance – and they performed!

On the walk out from Maroubra, we spotted a Nankeen Kestrel perched on Magic Point. Continue reading →

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The New Bald Hill Track – and Historic Disused Railway Tunnels – 15 August 2024

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Dave Noble

I had suggested to Bob that we visit the new track that goes from Bald Hill down to Stanwell Park, to the south of Royal National Park. This will form part of a greater walk from Kurnell, all the way along the coast, with a ferry trip from Cronulla to Bundeena, then the Road Coast Track, and then down Bald Hill, and back along the Wodi Wodi Track to Sublime Point and beyond. The Bald Hill section had been completed, so we should check it out. And then we could visit some nearby railway tunnels.

The trip worked out very well. We ended up doing the new track (it didn’t take long), then returning via the old Otford Tunnel, and then back along another track to Bald Hill. Then we headed to Helensburgh and visited three more disused tunnels – the Metropolitan Tunnel, the Helensburgh Tunnel and the Cawley Tunnel. Then we had time left over to visit two heritage horse troughs near Audley in Royal National Park. Continue reading →

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Back to Sydney Park – 14 August 2024

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Dave Noble

I was keen to see more of the Pacific Baza at Sydney Park, so I made an afternoon visit. But while I was there, it was raining – light rain, but continual, so I was walking around under an umbrella. And the birdlife was very subdued. Even the Noisy Miners were quiet for once. So, I did not spot the Baza. Nor did I see any Buff-banded Rails, which were my next target birds.

White-faced Heron

Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 14 August 2024

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Dave Noble

The local bird surveys keep on coming. This time it was the early morning survey along the Hawthorne Canal section of the Greenway. The group meets at Taverners Hill Light Rail Station at 7:30 am.

It was relatively quiet at Taverners Hill Station. Perhaps the birds were waiting for the sun? Continue reading →

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Mudlarks Cooks River Bird Survey – 13 August 2024

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Dave Noble

Up early in the morning, I walked down to the Cooks River to join the Mudlarks for their monthly bird survey. This month the group surveyed downstream from the Lang Street Bridge to Marrickville Golf Club and back on the other side (the Wave Rock Circuit).

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

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Birds at Sydney Park – 12 August 2024

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Dave Noble

A Pacific Baza had recently been observed at Sydney Park, so I made a visit to see if I could find it. I had seen one there back in 2022, and they do not often visit the Inner West.

I was fortunate to find the Pacific Baza without too much trouble. All I had to do was walk around and listen for the kerfuffle caused by Noisy Miners and other birds that have an aversion to Pacific Bazas.

But on the walk, looking and listening, I also spotted some other nice visitors to the Park – three Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. One was watching while the other two were feasting on Banksia – Continue reading →

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Tempe and Cooks River Birds – 10 August 2024

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Dave Noble

I joined the Tempe Birdos for their monthly survey. This month I was in the group surveying the wetlands. It was reasonably quiet with not that many birds seen.

The highlight was perhaps spotting this Australasian Grebe in one of the ponds.

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

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Mt Jellore Walk – 9 August 2024

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Dave Noble

Not long ago, Bob and myself competed a walk to Ahearn Lookout, just above the Nattai River. On that walk, we had looked at Mt Jellore – a prominent peak to the south, and thought it worth climbing. Over the years, I had noticed it from the Blue Breaks and the end of Narrow Neck, as being the peak that stuck out the most on the south eastern horizon. So when Bob suggested it for a walk, it did not take long to agree.

It is quite an easy mountain to climb with a well marked track leading to it. It lies in the Mt Jellore Flora Reserve, administered by the NPWS.

We travelled down to Mittagong, then went along the Wombeyan Caves Road a short distance, and turned off on the Soapy Flat Road. The car park is short distance from where that road enters the crown land. Continue reading →

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More Birds at Long Reef – 8 August 2024

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Dave Noble

Lately, Long Reef has provided the best opportunities for bird photography of the type I like doing (shooting raptors in flight), so I made another trip there with my camera.

Again, I had some good birds there – four Osprey, a Sea Eagle and a Black-shouldered Kite.

When I arrived, I met another bird photographer that I know – Simon. I walked down to the bottom of the lookout and spotted an Osprey perched in a tureen the northern side. I started walking that way, but had not gone far, when the bird flew towards me – Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 7 August 2024

Posted on August 15, 2024 by Dave Noble

This was a morning trip to Barton Park to photograph birds. I arrived fairly early, around 8 am, but things turned out to be relatively quiet while I was there.

Here are some birds –

Welcome Swallows

Continue reading →

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