Tempe Bird Survey – 14 October 2023

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Dave Noble

I took part in the Tempe Birdos survey on Saturday morning. The group meets at 8 am at the lower pond at the wetlands and then divides – one group surveying the wetlands, and the other surveys Tempe Reserve. This time, I was in the group surveying the wetlands.

As we  were gathering, one of the members, Ben, commented that from an analysis he had made of past surveys, we should have a fair chance of seeing a Black-faced Monarch and a Sacred Kingfisher at this time of the year. Well, we shall see. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 13 October 2023

Posted on October 17, 2023 by Dave Noble

I made a visit to Malabar Headland to check on the progress of the Peregrine Falcons. I walked out from Malabar by myself, but later met Noah, another bird photographer. Much of the day was very quiet with not much action from the Peregrine Falcons, but the best was at the end of our day.

On the walk out from Malabar, I spotted a Black-shouldered Kite. It was flying to land on its usual pole perch. Continue reading →

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Birds at Woolooware Bay – 12 October 2023

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Dave Noble

On the way home from Cape Baily, Valerie and myself stopped off at the bird observation platform on the shared pathway in Woolooware Bay. This gave us the chance to look for some birds we don’t see too often.

Here are some – Continue reading →

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Cape Baily Walk – 12 October 2023

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Dave Noble

Valerie joined me for a walk in Kamay-Botany Bay National Park. I had walked there about this time last year and had seen a very good display of Flannel Flowers, and I was hoping they would be as good this season. They were! in fact they were absolutely amazing – I think the best display of the usual white Flannel Flowers (Actinotus helianthi) that I have ever witnessed.

Valerie drove both of us to the carpark at the end of the Potter Point Road. While we were getting out of her car, we spotted a juvenile Black-shouldered Kite hunting nearby. Continue reading →

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Birds at Sydney Park – 11 October 2023

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Dave Noble

After the Greenway Bird Survey, I caught a tram to Dulwich Hill then a train to St Peters and spent a couple of hours at Sydney Park. I did not see the interesting birds seen on my previous visit – a Baillon’s Crake, a Latham’s Snipe and a Buff-banded Rail, but I did some other nice birds.

There seemed to be a lot of Turtles in the park – Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 11 October 2023

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Dave Noble

Usually on the morning after the Mudlarks Cooks River Bird Survey is the Greenway Bird Survey. This starts off at Taverners Hill Light Rail Station at 7:30 am.

Here are some of the birds we saw –

Superb Fairy-wren

Red Wattlebird Continue reading →

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Mudlarks – Cooks River Bird Survey – 10 October 2023

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Dave Noble

I took part in the monthly bird survey by the Mudlarks, along the Cooks River. During daylight savings, the group meets on the Lang Street Bridge at 7 am. This month the group surveyed downstream.

The highlight this survey was an observation by member david Hair, who heard the call of a Rufous Songlark on the Lang Street Bridge. the bird was not seen.

We also saw a Striated Heron from the bridge –

East of Wardell Road now. Plenty of Noisy Miners – Continue reading →

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Photographing Peregrine Falcons on the Northern Beaches Sea Cliffs – 9 Oct 2023

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Dave Noble

In the afternoon, I visited the sea cliffs to photograph a young family of Peregrine Falcons. Three chicks had recently fledged.

I arrived on the cliffs in the early afternoon, and had my lunch and watched to see what was going on. Well it was not much. No sign of any Peregrines. Another bird photographer was around and he told me had had earlier seen three juveniles that had fledged. Continue reading →

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Back to Warriewood Wetlands – 9 October 2023

Posted on October 11, 2023 by Dave Noble

I had visited Warriewood Wetlands the day before, but I was not satisfied with my photos of the Spotless Crake, so I returned to try again. This time, I was able to get much better photos despite very similar conditions.

Here are some photos from my morning visit – Continue reading →

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Northern Beaches Birds – 8 October 2023

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Dave Noble

I ventured up to the Northern Beaches again, and visited three venues – Warriewood Wetlands (and Irrawong Reserve), then a quick visit to Rat Park, and finished off at Long Reef.

One aim of the trip was to try and get some reasonable photos of a Spotless Crake. One had recently been seen in the Warriewood Wetlands. I have recently got good photos of Baillon’s and Australian Spotted Crakes, and had looked for Spotless Crakes at Mt Annan without any luck. Previously, I had only seen one, from a distance, at Wentworth Common at Sydney Olympic Park, so I was keen to get some better photos. Continue reading →

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