Back to the Curra Moors – 18 November 2023

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Dave Noble

I had been on the circuit walk around the Curra Moors in Royal National Park about two weeks earlier. On that trip the wildflowers had been very good. But the flowers come and go as the season develops. So I joined Brian Everingham and other walkers from the National Parks Association of NSW. It turned out to be a very hot day, so we did not do the full circuit.

The group met up at the carpark at Heathcote Station. In the party was Brian, Sophie, Sue, Graham, Deb, Tania, Philip, Elaine and myself. Our first stop was at the south end of Lady Carrington Drive, where we stopped for a short time to check out a few orchids. A few metres along the Forest Path track we spotted a number of nice orchids. Continue reading →

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Birds at Long Reef – 16 September 2023

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Dave Noble

I sent most of the day at Long Reef in the Northern Beaches. as usual, I was on the lookout for Ospreys and other raptors.

A hot day was forecast for Sydney – around 30°C. But conditions on the Headland were reasonable with a cool sea breeze most of the day.

As soon as I arrived at the lookout, around 11 am, there were no raptors in sight, so I walked down to the rock platform area. the tide was still quite high (low tide was around 3 pm). So I could not walk too far out. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 15 September 2023

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Dave Noble

This was another pleasant day spent out on the Headland, but relatively quiet as far as the Peregrine Falcons where concerned. I was glad of Sue’s company on the visit. We also met up with Sam, a fellow bird photographer later in the day.

On the walk out, we saw a number of lizards – skinks and a couple of Jacky Dragons like this one – Continue reading →

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Oronga Traverse – 14 September 2023

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Dave Noble

One of the walks Bob and myself had been considering for a while, was traversing the ledges below the Oronga Ridge. It looked possible to traverse the half-way ledge between Oronga Gully and Banks Gully near Mt Banks. This ledge seemed to have been well explored by climbers and members of the Springwood Bushwalking Club. Bob and myself had earlier had a brief look at the ledge near the Banksy Climbing Area.

Bob parked on the Bells Line of Road at the top of Oronga Ridge, and we set off along the climbers track along the ridge. Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 13 September 2023

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Dave Noble

I took part in the early morning bird survey along the Greenway. The group meets at Taverners Hill Light Rail Station at 7:30 am. Here are some of the birds we saw –

Red Wattlebird

Superb Fairy-wren Continue reading →

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Barton Park Birds – 12 September 2023

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Dave Noble

After the Cooks River Bird Survey, I visited Barton Park for a few hours.

When I arrived, I could see the water level in the main pond at Landing Lights Wetland was quite low. This means suitable conditions for Black-fronted Dotterels. I looked around the exposed mudflats but could not see any. Continue reading →

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Mudlarks – Cooks River Bird Survey – 12 September 2023

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Dave Noble

I joined the Mudlarks for their monthly bird survey along the Cooks River. The group meets near the Lang St Bridge at 7:30 am (7 am during the daylight saving period) on the second Tuesday of the month.

This month the group surveys along the upstream loop – to the Boat Harbour and the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands. Continue reading →

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Dharawal Walk – 11 September 2023

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Dave Noble

I joined Brian Everingham on a walk he led in Dharawal National Park and Dharawal Nature Reserve for the National Parks Association of NSW (and the Illawarra Plants Society)

In the party was Brian, Sue, Vivienne, Deb, Ian, Philip, Lawrence, Helen, Derek, Elaine, Michael, Helen and myself.

We first walked down to Maddens Falls, and then returned to the cars, and then set off along a fire road near the carpark that went into Dharawal Nature Reserve. We later returned the same way. We saw a great display of native plants along the way. Continue reading →

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Asgard Plateau Weekend 9 – 10 September 2023

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Dave Noble

I spent a very pleasant weekend in the bush on the Asgard Plateau near My Victoria in the upper Blue Mountains. I was with a large group of friends who had all headed out to camp together to celebrate two birthdays.

The Asgard Plateau is a delightful place to undertake some bushwalking or camping. On this trip, we had thought about camping high up on one of the heads, but the forecast was for cold windy weather, so we camped at the most used spot at Asgard Swamp. Continue reading →

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A Few Birds at Hazelbrook – 9 September 2023

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Dave Noble

I was visiting my sister and brother in law at Hazelbrook on Friday night, and on Saturday morning I wandered around their garden with my camera. The Bowerbirds were about.

The Bellbirds were Satin Bowerbirds, and they all seemed to be juveniles. Part way up the drive was a bower. It was hidden in the foliage. Continue reading →

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