Birds at Barton Park – 9 August 2023

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Dave Noble

This was another afternoon trip to Barton Park to photograph birds.

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

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Greenway Bird Survey – 9 August 2023

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Dave Noble

Early in the morning, I took part in the bird survey along the Greenway – between Taverners Hill and Hawthorne light rail stations.

As usual, we spotted  a nice range of birds up on Taberner’s Hill Station. We could hear a lot of Spotted Pardalotes, but this time I could not get any reasonable photos. Continue reading →

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Mudlarks Cooks River Bird Survey – 8 August 2023

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Dave Noble

I was able to join the Mudlarks on their monthly survey along the Cooks River. This month, the survey was the downstream loop. We saw some nice birds along the way.

From the Lang Street Footbridge, where the group meets at 7:30 am, we watched a Royal Spoonbill on the mudflat below – Continue reading →

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Taronga Zoo – 7 August 2023

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Dave Noble

After our bushwalk along the harbour foreshore, I joined Sue and Valerie for a short visit to Taronga Zoo. We wanted to see the refurbished Nocturnal House which we had told would reopen in July. Arriving at the Zoo, we made our way to the Nocturnal House, and found it closed! Talking to a Zoo worker, he informed us that a wrong power cable had been installed and it would need to be replaced. So perhaps… the house may reopen in October. So we stayed at the Zoo to see some of the other animals.

Here are some photos – Continue reading →

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Taronga to Balmoral Walk – 7 August 2023

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Dave Noble

This was another walk led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW that I joined. The walk is along the foreshore of Sydney Harbour and is largely within Sydney Harbour National Park.

Most of the party met at the wharf at Circular Quay, and we then travelled to Taronga via ferry. On the voyage, we noticed this large and unusual vessel. It is a US Navy boat – the “Miguel Keith”, and is a mobile command centre. Continue reading →

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Long Reef Birds – 6 August 2023

Posted on August 8, 2023 by Dave Noble

I headed up to Long Reef on the Northern Beaches, hoping to be able to photograph some ospreys and other Ospreys. The weather was somewhat challenging – with light rain on and off, but I did manage to see some nice birds.

When I arrived, I met another bird photographer Fred. He had just seen a Peregrine Falcon, and I had glimpsed it as it flew off. Down below were some Sooty Oystercatchers.  Continue reading →

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The Discovery and Naming of Tiger Snake Canyon

Posted on August 5, 2023 by Dave Noble

Recently, while I was in Tasmania, a friend, Keith Maxwell, had been asking about the history of Tiger Snake Canyon. Keith had been on the trip where we had found the canyon back in 1977 and we tried to remember when the trip took place and exactly what happened for the canyon to get its name.

Now back home, I have had a chance to check my records, and will place in this post my recollections.

The trip took place on 10 – 11 September 1977. It was a normal weekend bushwalk and in the party there were members of both Sydney University Bushwalkers and also the Ramblers Bushwalkers. I think the trip was probably on the Ramblers program. Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 4 August 2023

Posted on August 5, 2023 by Dave Noble

On our previous outing to Malabar Headland, with Sue, we had only a brief glimpse of one of the Peregrine Falcons. So we were keen to have another look. We decided to make this an afternoon visit, and met at Maroubra Beach at 11:30 am.

We walked out to near Boora Point, without seeing any Peregrine Falcons or any other raptors. But we could not help seeing this large helicopter. It is a US Army Chinook. It flew past several times. Continue reading →

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Bonnie Doon Walk – 3 August 2023

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Dave Noble

Bob and myself were keen to revisit Bonnie Doon at Katoomba for a better look. We had both visited the area twice recently – the first trip being a reconnaissance to see if we could find the old tracks, and then a follow-up trip when Nellies Glen was reopened and that allowed us to do a through trip on the old tracks from the bottom to the top. This new trip would give us an opportunity to look a bit more carefully.

We first walked out to North Lookout and admired the fine views. Looking down we could see Bonnie Doon – Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 1 August 2023

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Dave Noble

Another nice day spent on Malabar Headland. I met Sue at Maroubra Beach and we walked out to look for the Peregrine Falcons. As far as the falcons were concerned it turned out to be a very quiet day – with only a glimpse of one as it flew by and landed on a ledge for a short time before flying off. But the other wildlife we saw was very good.

We sat on the cliffs and watched the passing Australasian Gannets. Continue reading →

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