Birds at the Northern Beaches – 1 July 2019

I spent an amazing day of bird photography in the Northern beaches area. The main bird I photographed were Eastern Ospreys.

I caught a B-line bus to Warriewood and walked to one of the sporting fields near Narrabeen Lagoon where I had seen an Osprey nest on previous visits. As soon as I arrived, I could see at least one fo the birds was there. And it was active – going for short flights. I was able to get some reasonable photos.

It looks like the other Osprey of the air was on the nest, probably sitting on eggs. One of the birds always seemed to be on the nest. They may have swapped places at times – it was hard to see.

When one of the birds flew along way away, I decided to have a look at the area near the outlet of Narrabeen Lagoon. There were a few birds around.

I then walked to Pittwater Road and caught a bus to Collaroy and walked out onto Long Reef. On the way out, I took series of photos of a black bird that flew past. Itseemed to have white front. Looking at the photos later, it was a Raven that had a golf ball in its beak. At one point, it paused in its flight to look at what it had caught, and then resumed its flight. Perhaps that is why they have a term called a “birdie” in golf?

Out on the rock platforms of Long Reef were quite a few birds. There were also quite a few students on excursion. But they didn’t seem to worry the birds.

I then, through binoculars, spotted an Osprey sitting on a distant rock. I slowly made my way close to it.

I waited fairly close to see if I would be able to get a sequence of photos as it took off. I was distracted at times by some of the other birds in the area.

A passing Cormorant –

Another bird photographer –

A White-faced Heron flying past –

Two Sooty Oystercatchers –

My waiting paid off. the Osprey then took off and I was able to get my sequence –

I then looked for where the Osprey had flown to. It had landed on a rock on the far side of the  reef. It didn’t stay there for long, so I photographed some Terns –

And an unusual surfer –

I then headed up to the lookout above – for lunch and to see if there were any whales about. On my way up, I saw a Nankeen Kestrel flying around.

On top, I did spot quite a few whales, but they were all a long way out to sea. Much closer was a nice Australian Pipit –

I then was about to walk down towards Dee Why on the path, but looking down I saw an Osprey again perched on a rock on the platform below. So I headed down. This Osprey was eating a fish it had caught. I was able to get several sequences of it taking off and in flight –

Before I left Long Reef, I photographed a Sooty Oystercatcher flying my way –

I then walked down to Dee Why Lagoon. It was starting to get a bit late and the light was getting poorer, so I didn’t look to hard for more birds.