This was a full day of bird photography. I started off with the Tempe Birdos at their monthly survey. Then I walked down to Barton Park and enjoyed a few hours there.
At Tempe, I joined the group surveying the wetlands. Being early it was quite cold and not that many birds were active at first.
Early on we spotted a raptor flying high above. It looks like it is a Collared Sparrowhawk.
Here is one of two Australasian Grebes at the wetlands (in different ponds) –
A Royal Spoonbill flew overhead.
One of the waterbirds – a Pacific Black Duck –
we saw quite few small birds including Spotted Pardalotes, Red-browed Finches and some Superb Fairy-wrens –
After the survey, at morning tea at Tempe Reserve, a Grey Butcherbird came down to see if there were any crumbs –
In the bay, it was low tide. A Royal Spoonbill was searching for food.
On the way to Barton Park, at Cahill Park, amongst the Silver Gulls in the shallow section was a single Caspian Tern –
At Barton Park I ran into Michael. from the Greenway Birdos and Sam, another bird photographer. Here’re some of the birds I saw there –
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
New Holland Honeyeater
At the end of the Spring Street Canal, we spotted an Osprey flying up Muddy Creek.
We saw it perch on one of the boats. We made our way closer, and then found a gap in the mangroves for a closer view.
Would the Osprey take-off? They an stay perched for hours. I turned my camera to a nearby Chestnut Teal –
Then the Osprey did take off. I was able to get some shots as it gained altitude.
It circled around a bit, and we looked to see if had perched on another boat. But it looked like it had flown off.
Some of the other birds in Muddy Creek –
Pied Stilt
Little Black Cormorant
Pelican
I had my lunch in a nice sunny spot at the end of the Spring Street Canal, while the others headed off. I then walked to the Landing Lights Wetland for a look. It was pretty quiet, but another birder I met told me a Swamp Harrier had been there earlier and tried to grab a Moorhen chick. Some Ravens had flown down and encouraged the Harrier to leave. I had missed the action.
On my way to the higher area, I saw this White-faced Heron on the path –
Near the old stadium, I had aged encounter with a Brown Honeyeater.
It was doing its best in imitating a hummingbird (and doing well) –
The usual Welcome Swallows were wizzing around –
And I could hear small birds twittering away in a tree. They were Yellow Thornbills –
And here is a Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike –
I wandered around a bit more. Here is another New Holland Honeyeater –
And an Australian Raven –
Earlier, the three of us had been looking for the Nankeen Kestrel or one of the other raptors in the old sporting fields. We had no luck, but now I spotted the Nankeen Kestrel on a distant light.
As I walked closer, it suddenly took off.
Unfortunately it seemed to leave the area. But its nice to know it is still around.
I finished off by visiting the wetlands once more.
White-faced Heron
Dusky Moorhen chicks –
Royal Spoonbill
Great Egret
