Birds at Barton Park – 27 September 2023

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Dave Noble

I made a morning visit to Barton Park to photograph the birds. This visit the highlight was a foraging Buff-banded Rail – and it was fairly cooperative.

When I arrived, I found the water level in the Landing Lights Wetland fairly low with a lot of exposed mudflats – good conditions for Dotterels. I scanned the mudflats with my binoculars but could not spot and Dotterels. But I did see a Buff-banded Rail up the far end of the pond. By the time I made my way there, it had vanished. But it later returned. Continue reading →

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Visit to Oatley Park – 26 September 2023

Posted on September 29, 2023 by Dave Noble

I spent an enjoyable morning wandering around Oatley Park. I wanted to see what orchids were about – and I did find a few, but not as many as I was hoping. But I also found a few birds to photograph.

I walked to the park from Oatley Station and entered via the entrance near the primary school. I then set off down a track heading towards Frog Hollow.

I had seen orchids along here previously, but this all I found were some buds. But a lot of birds seemed to be claiming hollows. Continue reading →

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Birds and Flowers – Australian Botanic Gardens Mt Annan – 25 September 2023

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Dave Noble

I had suggested a visit to the Botanic Gardens at Mt Annan to Valerie and Sue – as there seemed to be a lot of interesting birds seen there recently and also it was Spring – and so the flowers should be good.

We had a great day.

When we arrived we first visited Lake Nadungamba. We saw a wide range of birds. Here are some – Continue reading →

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Raptors on Malabar Headland – 24 September 2023

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Dave Noble

This was one of the rare Sundays when the eastern section of Malabar Headland National Park was open. So I decide to make a visit. I walked in from Malabar this time.

At Malabar Headland, I normally photograph the Peregrine Falcons, and perhaps a few passing whales. This time I had a bonus – a pair of juvenile Black-shouldered Kites and a Swamp Harrier. Continue reading →

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More Birds at Sydney Park – 23 September 2023

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Dave Noble

I made a second visit to Sydney Park in the afternoon after the Greenway Bird Survey. I was on the lookout for the Australian Spotted Crake again, and any other Crakes or Rail that may be around. The day before, I had heard, buy not seen a Lewin’s Rail.

I did not see any Rails to Crakes this visit, but I did hear the Lewin’s Rail again. But it did not show itself despite some quiet waiting nearby.

Here are some of the birds I did see –

Australian Reed-Warbler

Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 23 September 2023

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Dave Noble

I took part in the early morning bird survey along the Dulwich Hill section of The Greenway. As usual, the group met outside Waratah Mills Light Rail Station at 7:30 am.

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

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Spotted Crake at Sydney Park – 22 September 2023

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Dave Noble

I had heard that an Australian Spotted Crake had been seen the day before at Sydney Park. I had some time in the morning and went to the park to see if I could spot it. During my visit, it was raining lightly most of the time, which did not help with photography. But I was pleasance to spot the Crake fairly quickly. It ran off out of sight, soI waited patiently to see if it would return  to an open spot. It did.

Some more photos – Continue reading →

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Royal National Park – Heritage Walk – 21 September 2023

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Dave Noble

Bob and myself completed a walk in Royal National Park where we visited a number of heritage sites. Two of them were Aboriginal art caves that we had some information about, but we also found an Aboriginal sharpening groove site, and also the site of an old hut or lean-to.

As well, at this time of year, on any walk in Royal National Park you get to experience an amazing display of wild flowers.

We set off down a track. Not far along, we came across a few orchids – Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 20 September 2023

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Dave Noble

Another hot day – so another early start and early finish. This time at Barton Park. When I arrived, I first visited landing Lights Wetland. I found few birds and the wetland almost dry. I did spot this juvenile Striated Heron on the mudflats –

As I got closer, it took off and left the area. Continue reading →

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Birds at Sydney Olympic Park – 19 September 2023

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Dave Noble

Another very hot day was forecast, but I was keen to get outdoors, so I did an early morning trip to Sydney Olympic Park where I visited the Bicentennial Park Waterbird Refuge and Wentworth Common.

It was very hot, so I did not stay too long. Here are some birds I saw –

Olive-backed Oriole

Continue reading →

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