Malabar Headland Visit – 17 November 2023

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Dave Noble

I visited Malabar Headland again, accompanied by Sue and Valerie. Our main purpose was to check out the status of the Peregrine Falcons. If there were any chicks this season – then they should have fledged by now. We did see both adult Peregrine Falcons – but they were on different parts of the cliffs – about 500 apart, and did not seem to interact while we were there. There was no sign on any fledglings and we saw no food being delivered to a nest. So I think we have concluded, sadly, that their nest has been unsuccessful this year.

As we were leaving the carpark at the south end of Maroubra Beach, as spotted a White-faced Heron with a nice skink – Continue reading →

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Aboriginal Heritage Walk – 16 November 2023

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Dave Noble

Back in September, Bob and myself had been on a walk in the Northern Blue Mountains were we visited a number of Aboriginal art caves and some engravings sites. But on that trip, we had run short of time and missed looking for some engraving sites.

On this trip, we had plenty of time to look for the rock engravings. Here are a few photos taken on the walk in – Continue reading →

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Rookwood Necropolis Visit – 15 November 2023

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Dave Noble

I only had a few hours available in the morning, so I made a visit to Rookwood Necropolis to see what birds were out. On my previous trip, I had spotted a Brown Goshawk nest  and I was wondering if any chicks had hatched. Also – there may be some small birds such as Scarlet Honeyeaters out.

Well – it did not take me long to spot the Brown Goshawk nest and there were indeed chicks. At least two I thought. Continue reading →

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Mudlarks – Cooks River Birds Survey – 14 November 2023

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Dave Noble

I joined the Mudlarks for their monthly bird survey along the Cooks River. As usual, the group met at the Lang St Bridge at 7 am (7:30 am during the non-daylight saving period). This month the group was surveying upstream – on the loop up to the Boat Harbour, then across to Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands and then back on that bank.

While gathering on the bridge, we heard the raucous call of a Channel-billed Cuckoo. It was flying down with a flock of Rainbow Lorikeets. Continue reading →

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Minnamurra to Kiama Walk – 13 November 2023

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Dave Noble

This was another National Parks Association of NSW walk led by Brian Everingham. Most of the party woke up at an incredibly early hour and travelled by train to reach Minnamurra around 8:30 am.

In the party was Brian, Valerie, Sue, Vivienne, Joane, Deb, Elaine and myself. Arriving at Minnamurra, we quickly looked around for a cafe for our coffee fix. We first found a church – Continue reading →

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Back to the Peregrines – 12 November 2023

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Dave Noble

Two days earlier, I had been very fortunate to witness an amazing flying display from three juvenile Peregrine Falcons on the sea cliffs of the Northern Beaches. On that trip, I had also visited two  other spots. I decided to make another visit and spend all my time at the one spot – on the cliffs where the three juveniles were rapidly growing up.

When I arrived, The first Peregrine falcon I observed was the adult female. She flew past with some prey.This was about 11:30am. Continue reading →

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Tempe and Cooks River Birds – 11 November 2023

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Dave Noble

I joined the Tempe Birdos for their monthly early morning bird survey. The group meets at Tempe wetlands at 8 am, and then splits up. This time I joined the group surveying the wetlands. After the survey finished and morning tea, I walked upstream along via Cooks River to Canterbury.

The survey went well, with a lot of bids being recorded, but nothing unusual this time. Here are a few of the birds we saw – Continue reading →

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Northern Beaches Bird Photography – 10 November 2023

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Dave Noble

I again visited the Northern Beaches area. This time I visited a number of sites. I was on the lookout for raptors.

The first place I went to was a headland, that earlier in the year I had seen a pair of Peregrine Falcons performing courtship flights.  I thought it could be worth a visit to see if they were nesting in the area and had had chicks. Continue reading →

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Visit to Oatley Park – 9 November 2023

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Dave Noble

I decided to make a visit to Oatley Park – partly to photograph any birds I could find, and also to look for flowering orchids.

I did find both birds and orchids. The highlight was observing a family of Tawny Frogmouths. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 8 November 2023

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Dave Noble

My friend Sue had visited Malabar Headland on Monday, and had little luck seeing any action from the Peregrine Falcons. I was concerned that their nest may have failed – so after talking to Sue, we decided on a late afternoon trip to try and work out what was going  on.

I walked in from Malabar, and Sue walked in from Maroubra Beach and we met on the cliffs. We looked carefully around the cliffs – but could not spot any Peregrine Falcons while we were there. It was quite windy – and we didn’t feel like staying too long.

I thought that if the Peregrine Falcons were feeding any chicks in their nest – then it would be likely that we would have seen one of  them at least bringing in prey. And if there are chicks – then they should have fledged already or be very close to fledging by this time. Continue reading →

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