Malabar Headland Walk – 28 August 2023

Brian Everingham was put on a walk to Malabar Headland National Park on the walks program of the National Parks Association of NSW. Of course I went on it. As well as the Peregrine Falcons, we saw a beautiful display of wild flowers.

Thelymitra ixioides

In the party was Brian, Valerie, Chris and Mary, Paul, Sue, Margaret, Hean Lay, Rose, Lance and Rosylyn, and myself. We met at the south end of Maroubra Beach and were soon walking along the track into the park. Here are some birds we saw early on – Continue reading

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Raptors at Long Reef – 27 August 2023

This was another nice trip to Long Reef. This time most of my photos were of raptors. I did see a lot of the smaller migratory birds – but they were a long way out in the boulder section of the rock platform.

Here are some Crested Terns out on the rock platform – Continue reading

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Birds at Rookwood Necropolis – 26 August 2023

Simin, a local birder, had been recently observing some Scarlet Honeyeaters and other birds at Rookwood Necropolis. After the Greenway Bird Survey, she invited Lennis and myself to join her on a visit. She soon found the Scarlet Honeyeaters. And although they were high up in the trees, we managed to observe them for quite a while.

Here are some photos – Continue reading

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Greenway Bird Survey – 26 August 2023

I joined the Greenway Bird Group, early in the morning, to survey the birds in the loop from Waratah Mills Light Rail Station.

Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading

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Birds at Cupitts Lane – 25 August 2023

I decided on another visit to Cupitts Lane on the Richmond Lowlands. This time I visited entirely by public transport – taking a train to Windsor and then a bus to a stop at the RAAF base near the start of Cupitts Lane. It was quite a long journey in time! Also, this was my first visit during the week, the previous tow visits being on Saturdays. And things were quite different! Lots of trucks were travelling up and down the lane involved in a work site nearby.

Also – the birds were a lot quieter than on both previous visits. I ddi see two Nankeen Kestrels quite close, but the Black-shouldered Kites I saw were very distant. And, again, no Azure Kingfisher appearance. Continue reading

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Northern Blue Mountains Heritage Walk – 24 August 2023

Bob and myself set out on a walk in the Northern Blue Mountains to look for Aboriginal sites. As these sites are sensitive and can be vandalised, I will not go into details of where we went.

As well as Aboriginal sites, we also witnessed an amazing display of wildflowers. Continue reading

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Birds at Barton Park – 23 August 2023

I had an interesting time at Barton Park, and mainly at the Landing Lights Wetland photographing birds. This was a morning visit.

The highlight was watching the Australian Spotted Crake having a bath. Continue reading

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Wolli Ck Walk – 22 August 2023

After seeing all the orchids at Royal National Park, I thought it worth visiting Wolli Ck Regional Park, which is a lot closer to where I live, and see if any orchids were out. I found two species in flower.

I only did a short walk – from Girrahween Park to the old swimming pool before the Flying Fox Camp and then returned the same way. As well as orchids, I was on the lookout for other wild flowers and birds. Continue reading

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Audley Walk – 21 August 2023

I again joined Brian Everingham, and party from the National Parks Association on a very pleasant day of walking in Royal National Park. We walked from the top of the hill, starting at the National Parks Office, and descended by the Bridle Track down to Audley, then returned to the top via the Honeymoon Track. The highlight of this walk was the number of different species of orchids we spotted.

In the party was Brian, Sue, Valerie, Deb, Ken, Neville, Vivienne and myself.

While we were waiting for the party to gather together, I photographed a few birds near the carpark – Continue reading

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Ospreys at Long Reef – 20 August 2023

I spent a very pleasant day at Long Reef on the Northern Beaches. The main aim was to photograph the Ospreys. I did manage to get some reasonable photos of them, both perched and in flight, but few of them hunting for fish.

When I arrived, at the lookout, I met Eric, another bird photographer that I had seen there on previous trips. After having a chat, I started walking down to the lower level. On the way, through binoculars, I spotted a perched Osprey on the north side of the headland. I walked to the bottom and then walked along the beach to where the birds was perched. As I got closer, I saw there were two Ospreys perched on different trees. Continue reading

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