Illawarra Coast – Photo Trip – 22 June 2018

David Hufton was keen on a photographic trip to parts of the Illawarra Coast and invited me to join him. He wanted to visit some rock platforms and I suggested calling in to some wetlands along the way.

I met David at Helensburgh and we set off towards the coast. On the way, we first stopped at Stanwell Tops – some morning mist was incredibly beautiful in the trees with shafts of sunlight filtering down.

Our next stop was at Coalcliff Beach. There is an attractive small lagoon near the beach. A few birds were around.

We then proceeded to the Sea Cliff Bridge area. We walked along the path and down to the rock platforms under the bridge. Sooty Oystercatchers and Crested Terns were around and overhead was a Sea Eagle.

Next, we headed to Woonona and the Blue Lagoon. This is an attractive wetland between the houses and the beach.

We then headed a short distance south to Belambi Lagoon at Corrimal. This is quite a large wetland area and the home to many species of birds.

we had lunch as we watched the birds – Cormorants, Pelicans, Spoonbills, Egrets and Herons.

We then started a long circuit around the Lagoon and along Corrimal Beach to a headland to the north and then back to the Lagoon. On the beach were a nice pair of Sooty Oystercatchers.

Further along, we spotted a Nankeen Kestrel.

Back at the starting point, I spent a few minutes watching a White Faced Heron catching some small fish.

At one point, the Heron lunged into the water and returned with a beak full of debris. It then shook its beak vigorously and a small fish was left. Amazing to watch.

We then headed to Port Kembla and a hill between the Steelworks and the coast – Hill 60. This sill provides excellent views up and down the coast and also out to the Five Islands. Flying over the cliffs nearby  was a paraglider.

But also flying nearby was another Nankeen Kestrel.

And a few New Holland Honeyeaters.

It was then time to return back to Sydney. More photos from this excursion are online here on my website.

 

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