Birds at Tempe and Barton Park – 14 May 2022

I spent a quite full day involved with bird photography. I started at 8 am with the Tempe Birdos for their monthly survey, then I walk down to Barton Park and spend most of the rest of the day there.

At Tempe, I joined the group surveying Tempe Reserve. Here are some of the birds we spotted –

Little Black Cormorant

Crested Pigeon

Australasian Wood Ducks

Rainbow Lorikeet

Magpie Lark

Superb Fairy-wren

Crested Tern

And here a flock of Little Black Cormorants are flying high overhead.

Wandering around Tempe Reserve, we observed this froth many times that seemed to be deposited in the Casuarinas.

We wondered about it, and what was responsible. Later at morning tea, Ben, one of the Tempe Birdos, found the answer easily using Google.

From the “Saving Our Trees” Facebook page –

Froth from a Spittle Bug Nymphs (Philaenus spumarius) on a young Casuarina tree. The frothy stuff that looks like spit is actually air mixed with a liquid that is excreted from the nymphs anus. This creates a foamy covering for the nymphs to hide in. It tastes bad and so protects from predators. The nymphs hide under the foam and pierce the stem of the plant to drink the sap. The nymphs develop into the adult Froghopper insect. The foamy substance itself is not harmful to plants and is not a damaging or serious problem that you should worry about. Most healthy plants can handle a spittlebug infestation with no long-term or serious damage

Another interesting observation was finding this dead worm on the path. Another Tempe Birdo, Bella, knew what it was – a Hammerhead Worm.

As we were finishing our morning tea, I photographed this Noisy Miner hunting for insects.

And another hungry bird. This Australian White Ibis chick was demanding food from its parent.

I then left the group and started walking across to the far side of the Cooks River on the bridge near the Princes Highway. Here are some birds I saw along this section –

White-faced Heron

Caspian Tern

Welcome Swallows

Sacred Kingfisher

And then at Barton Park, I first looked in at the Landing Lights Wetland. Here I bumped into Michael from the Greenway Birdos. Here are some wetland birds –

Royal Spoonbill

Chestnut Teal Family

I then went with Micheal up to the higher area. Here we spotted a Jacky Winter.

I think this is first time I have seen a Jacky Winter in the city.

On top of one of the lights at the old stadium was a Nankeen Kestrel (and a Magpie).

After it flew off, I left Micheal and headed down to the Spring Street Canal. Some more birds –

Red-browed Finch

As I was walking out to the Cooks River, a Brown Goshawk flew past –

At the Cooks River, I could see a very distant Osprey on the airport side.

It seemed to be eating.

I waited to see if it would take-off and fly my way. I found a good spot to sit down and have my lunch. While I was waiting a Caspian Tern flew past.

I looked back up. Was the Osprey still there? Yes.

Then an Australian Raven flew past. It had a golf ball in its beak.

And another Caspian Tern passed by.

But when I looked up the Osprey was gone! Michael had arrived – but I had no Osprey to show him. After lunch, I did spot the Osprey perched i the airport a long way off.

I then  headed to the old sporting fields. Here I spotted the Nankeen Kestrel.

I was watching the Kestrel, when a Grey Goshawk flew past.

I left the Kestrel and walked closed to where the Grey Goshawk had perched.

It eventually flew off and landed a long way off. I went back to see if the Kestrel was still around. I soon located it.

Here it has caught a small insect –

But a little later it caught a nice skink.

Before I left, I had one last look in the wetlands. Here is a wasp –

White-faced Heron

It was latter joined on the antenna by two Ibis. They did not get a good reception!

And a few last shots, of a hunting Willie Wagtail –

It had been a very good day of bird photography.