It was sad to hear of the passing of Barry Higgins. I had known Barry since 1975 and I think he could be considered as Australia’s most significant bushwalker. He died on 1 October 2026 at the age of 91.
I met Barry when I joined the Kameruka Bushwalking Club, in 1976, and was with him on a number of club walks. Most of these he led. Continue reading
An afternoon visit to the bush in Wolli Creek Regional Park near the corner of Hartill-Law Avenue and Bray Avenue. On this visit, I did not see the great variety of uncommon birds as I had on my previous visits. But it was still worthwhile.
This visit I started in Garrahween Park, hoping to see the Cymbidium suave orchid in flower. It was. This species grows on trees, and this particular one is quite high up, and my telephoto lens i used for bird photography allowed my to get close looking photos. Continue reading
I took part in the bird survey along the Hawthorne Canal section of The Greenway – between Taverners Hill and Hawthorne Light Rail Stations. The weather was dull and gloomy with threatening rain.
Despite the dull conditions, we had an interesting survey, including some mammals as well.
At Taverners Hill Light Rail Station, we did not see too many birds except for a few Noisy Miners – Continue reading
I attended the Mudlarks Bird Survey along the Cooks River. With daylight saving in force, the group, meets now at 7 am on the Lang Street Bridge. And this month, the group was surveying the downstream Wave Rock loop.
When we started, we spotted an Australian Hobby perched on top of a nearby mobile phone tower. We had seen a Hobby, or two Hobbies, perched on this tower on earlier bird surveys. Continue reading
A hot day was forecast, and I did not want to do something too strenuous or be out in the hot sun too much, so I thought it would be worth visiting the sea cliffs again to see how a family of Peregrine Falcons were going. On earlier trips I had been fortunate to observe three chicks.
On this visit, I observed two chicks. Another bird photographer that was there told me that one info the chicks had fledged earlier that morning and flown off with the adult male.
Here is the adult female – Continue reading
Malabar Headland National Park – the eastern section, was open again at last, but only for a day. So I joined Sue for a day on the cliffs. We later met up with Alana. We had quite a good day in terms of interactions with wild animals. We saw some good Humpback Whale action and also the usual raptors.
Near the park entrance, we heard then spotted a Rufous Whistler. Continue reading
This was an afternoon trip back to Wolli Creek Regional Park to the area near Bray Avenue. Here are some of the birds I saw –
Mistletoebird
Often, when i visit my local shops I walk past the Bob Graham Reserve, which forms the only grass part of the playground for Dulwich Hill High School. The years before, I had seen a pair of Masked Lapwings nesting in this grassy area. And they were now nesting there again. When I walked past on 24 August, I spotted a taped off area and in the middle was a Masked Lapwing sitting on the ground. I assumed it was sitting on eggs.
I only had my phone to take a photo.
Masked Lapwings don’t bother with making a nest. They just plonk eggs down in the grass somewhere and then defend that area very aggressively. The spurs they have on their wings are a good deterrent. Continue reading
I got up early and headed to Tempe Wetlands for the Tempe Birdos monthly survey. The weather was not the best – dark and gloomy with light rain. With slightly better light at Tempe Reserve, I joined the group surveying there.
But before heading to the Reserve, I went down to the pond and photographed a family of Dusky Moorhens.
The Flannel Flowers were blooming now in the coastal heath on the cliffs of Kurnell, so another visit to the Cape Baily area seemed worthwhile. Valerie and Sue were also keen, so we headed down to Potter Point and were soon walking out on the sandstone.
And the sandstone here is very special with beautiful and interesting patterns. A good place to linger with a camera. Continue reading
