Day 86 of lockdown. I just did short exercise walk down to the Cooks River, and then upstream to the Boat Harbour and Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands, walking back down on the far side.
As usual, I packed a camera and was on the lookout for birds.
The previous week, on a bird survey with Simin, we had found three Magpie Lark nests on the north side of the river between the Food St Bridge and the Boat Harbour. I could not find he first of these nests, but did locate the second – and it is now occupied.
The third of the nests was nearby, and it looks more like an old abandoned nest.
At the Boat Harbour, I soon saw both Tawny Frogmouths. The female was again perched very close to the nest.
A friend, Valerie, visited the area later that day and she had seen the female sitting on the nest around 6 pm. So I hope there will be eggs soon.
The male was not far away, perched in a different tree. It was a bit restless, moving about a bit. I waited to see if it would open its eyes. It did.
I continued on my walk, crossing the Cooks River at the old Sugar Mill Bridge. Then I continued upstream to the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands. In the second pond I spotted some Australian Swamphens with their chicks.
A colourful flock of squawking Rainbow Lorikeets flew past.
The south side was a bit quieter. But I did see two rather large nests in the mangroves not far above the water. The first, and I think the second, were Dusky Moorhen nests.
A Little Pied Cormorant was perched on a fallen tree.
And I spotted another Magpie Lark nest.
On this walk, I had also looked for the second pair of tawny Frogmouths. They have previously nested near Younger Avenue. But, again, I could not locate them on either side of the river near that spot.
Wednesday update: Boat Harbour Tawny. At 10am one (fem.?) was sitting on the nest facing the river, but an hour later was sitting on the branch next to the nest, as usual.