australia « Steve Happ Photography

May 17, 2010

Perisher Blue Ski Resort

Filed under: Skiing — Tags: australia, Skiing — admin @ 9:52 pm

Perisher Valley Skiing

Perisher Blue Ski Resort in the Snowy Mountains of Australia is made up of 4 resorts – Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Mount Blue Cow and Guthega. There are 47 lifts and the highest point is at about 2000 meters. Perisher Valley is around 30 kilometers from Jindabyne by road but it is much easier to go via the Skitube from Bullocks Flat. You will probably need a car to get around but quite a few of the workers hitch-hike to work so that is a possibility as well.

Mount Perisher

Smiggin Holes is mainly a beginners slope with around seven lifts. It is lower down, so the snow melts earlier there as well. A lot of the package deal accommodation is situated here. There is a hotel here and lodges such as Heidi’s. To get over the hill to Perisher Valley you can catch the free shuttle bus, which runs all day or hop on the Link T-bar, ski down the Piper lift and up the Telemark t-bar to Front Valley in Perisher. Perisher Valley is the largest area with a number of different sections. Front Valley is where the beginners ski, Centre Valley has a few more runs and Mount Perisher probably has the best skiing with lifts like the Eyre and International being the most fun.

Snowboarder coming down under the Mount Perisher Triple Chair

The Skitube goes all the way to Blue Cow which is mainly a beginner’s area. Hop on the chair lift to Mount Blue Cow and give Zalis run a go if you are a speed freak. Getting to Guthega and back again is a bit of an annoying traverse but the trees over at Guthega are supposed to be great when its snowing. But you have to get there early.

The Olympic run at Perisher Valley

As regards sleeping, there are lots of lodges etc. Make sure that you book way in advance for these. It is probably cheaper to get a package deal with beds and lift tickets all included. There are two camping areas in Jindabyne. The Jindabyne Caravan Park is right in town and the Snowline Caravan Park is about a kilometer out of town on the turnoff to Thredbo. The Snowline has bunk accommodation ar around $45, cabins are $60-150 and camping is $30-45. They also have a communal kitchen and TV room. There is also a great camping spot at Sawpit Creek halfway up the mountain. This has a camp kitchen and fireplace which is very cosy, and also a drying room for the wet skiing gear. You can camp for free at Thredbo Diggings, which is about a kilometer past the Skitube going towards Thredbo. But make sure you take chains as it is slippery to get out of after a dump. There is also a camping spot on the road to Guthega.

At the top of the Excelerator Lift

Ski lift prices are horrendously expensive in Australia. Day passes cost more than a hundred dollars. The best deal for a ski bum is to get a Perisher Super Pass which costs $1400 in 2010. This season pass includes the Skitube, which is a must and you can also ski at Mount Hotham and Falls Creek for free that season. I recommend a camper van or RV and the Perisher Super Pass for any aspiring ski bums. It is the only affordable way to ski a whole season in Australia.

The Interceptor Run, July 2007

Skiing in Australia is very expensive, so be prepared to put your hand in your pockets and shell out the hard cash. There are opportunities for ski bums to ski the whole season, but you have to be smart. The other way to get some skiing time in is to get a job, but these are sometimes difficult to find, especially liftie jobs. If you are from the northern hemisphere and want to ski all year, the possibilities are Australia, New Zealand or South America. For hard-core powder hounds from the north, the only places that I would recommend in the southern hemisphere would be Las Lenas in Argentina or Portillo in Chile.

Comments (0)

December 15, 2009

Tomago Wetlands 091215

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, hunter, nsw, tomago wetlands — admin @ 5:49 am

Tomago Wetlands Wader Survey

It was lucky I remembered the survey today. I just remembered last night late. This morning I got up nice and early and headed off to Ash Island to have a look at the pond on the corner to see if there were any crakes or rails hanging around. The pond had no water at all in it. There was a crake but I was not paying attention and by the time that I saw it, it had shot off into the reeds. I walked over the hard-baked mud that was the pond to have a closer look at the reeds and to see what was around the corner. Not much, as it turned out except a couple of Australian Reed-warblers.

So, I gave that a miss and headed off to the rendezvous at Tomago House. Whilst waiting there were a pair of Dollarbirds that were flying in and out of a nest in a hollow. There were a few magpies flapping around and a single Channel-billed Cuckoo flew past screeching its hideous lament. Eventually we all set off to the Tomago Wetlands and stopped at the water sluices or gates. There was hardly anything around. Not a skerrick. We usually see some Mistletoebirds, Brown Honeyeaters, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and thornbills but they were all conspicuous by their absence.

We headed off down to the rice paddy to see what was in that. A few of us walked through the middle of the paddock to flush any snipe or bitterns. But there was nothing. It was very dry, but. So that may have had something to do with the lack of birds. We did however manage to see some Golden-headed Cisticolas. This one looks like he slipped and almost fell flat on his face. Whoops!

Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)

After that lame escapade we went around to the far western paddock and had a look at that. There were a few Swamp Harriers and a Black-shouldered Kite hovering overhead, as well as about a hundred or so White-throated Needletails who were wheeling above us hunting for some brunch.

White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus)

There was not much else. While the beaters walked through the scrub, I sat down for a rest, and nearly fell asleep. That is how exciting it was today!

Well, at least we did see a few birds this morning and here is my list:

Tomago Wetlands bird list 15/12/09

Australian Magpie
Dollarbird
Masked Lapwing
White-faced Heron
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Eastern Rosella
Chestnut Teal
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Swamp Harrier
Black-shouldered Kite
Little Grassbird
Australian Reed-warbler
Cattle Egret
Superb Fairy-wren
White-throated Needletail
Australian White Ibis
Fairy Martin
Willy Wagtail

Comments (2)

December 7, 2009

Belmont Lagoon Bird Photography

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, belmont lagoon, bird photography, nsw — admin @ 5:01 am

Belmont Lagoon Bird Photography

7th December, 2009.

I got up early this morning but I was still later than the sun. It was out before 6am. Does that mean I will have to get up even earlier? The fog was rolling in but got burnt off later on so I knew it was going to be hot today. As soon as I got out of the car there were birds all around me – Australian Wood Duck, hybrid ducks, Silver Gull and Common Myna. There were Spotted Turtle-doves, Crested Pigeons and Little Wattlebirds on the over head wires as well. And then an Eastern Koel starting screeching out on top of a telegraph pole before I even got on the track.

Further down the track, I spotted a whole heap of White-throated Needletails flying past. They have been seen a fair bit in our area lately. I think I saw approximately a hundred flying north. They feed in rising thermal currents and are commonly seen moving along with wind fronts. White-throated Neeletail are in Family: Apodidae and Order: Apodiformes.

White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caucacutus)

A Brown Honeyeater sat up in a tree along the track just for me, so I had to take his photo.

Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)

At the point where Belmont Lagoon flows into Cold Tea Creek there were two Bar-tailed Godwits, a Black-winged Stilt and about half a dozen Silver Gull. Later on I saw a Bar-tailed Godwit feeding in the creek, which I thought was very unusual. Later on I saw this Magpie-lark annoying this Laughing Kookaburra. The kookaburra was not too concerned at first but eventually got fed up with the Magpie-lark and flew off.

Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) and Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

On the way back I spotted this very strange behaviour. A White-breasted Woodswallow was sitting on a branch flicking its tail from side to side and putting its wings out. There was another bird watching it. I am assuming it is some sort of displaying behaviour associated with a mating ritual, but I am still not sure.

White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus)

Edit: David Stowe has confirmed for me that this tail shaking is indeed a mating ritual.

Belmont Lagoon bird list 7/12/09

Common Myna
Australian Wood Duck
Silver Gull
Spotted Turtle-dove
Crested Pigeon
Little Wattlebird
Eastern Koel
Willy Wagtail
Magpie-lark
Welcome Swallow
Australian Magpie
White-throated Needletail
Super Fairy-wren
Little Pied Cormorant
Black-winged Stilt
Bar-tailed Godwit 2
White-breasted Godwit
Eastern Whipbird (H)
Laughing Kookaburra
Grey Butcherbird
Silvereye
Rufous Whistler
Grey Fantail
Black Swan
White-faced Heron
Chestnut Teal
Little Black Cormorant
Striated Heron
Red-browed Finch
White-browed Scrubwren
Royal Spoonbill
Little Egret
Great Egret
Masked Lapwing
Bar-shouldered Dove
Grey Shrike-thrush
Crested Tern

Recommended Resource

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)

Comments (2)

December 3, 2009

Glenrock SCA Birding 091203

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, bird photography, glenrock lagoon, nsw — admin @ 1:48 am

Glenrock SCA Birding

Glenrock State Conservation Area, Newcastle. 3rd December 2009.

Glenrock SCA is just south of the centre of Newcastle. We are very lucky to have such a nice patch of bush right in our backyard. There are patches of rainforest and normal eucalypt bush. A creek goes through it with a few waterfalls for scenery purposes. The tracks are used by bush walkers, birders and mountain bike riders. In fact, I was nearly run over by several of them this morning. One was even wearing lycra(ugh).

I parked near where the Fernleigh Track crosses the road to Dudley and walked along the track towards the creek. A Laughing Kookaburra was the first bird to greet me for the morning, followed by a raucous call of many Bell Miners who were busy cultivating their lerps and creating die-back in the trees. A few White-browed Scrubwren flittered through the branches, of course. A few Chestnut Teal congregated around the creek, and the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos made their usual cackling heard.

Across the bridge and heading towards the ocean, I heard quite a few Eastern Whipbirds and even managed to catch a fleeting glimpse of one. This cute little female Superb Fairy-wren posed daintily for me.

female Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus Cyaneus)

I walked a bit further and managed to see a Grey Goshawk that flew up out of the bushes and parked himself in a low tree. The problem was, he was just a bit too far away to get a decent shot. Oh well, there is always another day. A few Brown Thornbills started appearing as well as a Red-browed Finch, Grey Fantail, Willy Wagtail and an Eastern Rosella.

At least at the end of the walk, I got this good view of some guys having a good time surfing at the point. The water looks nice, doesn’t it. Anyone for a swim?

Glenrock SCA bird list 3/12/09

Laughing Kookaburra
Bell Miner
Australian Raven
White-browed Scrubwren
Lewin’s Honeyeater
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Chestnut Teal
Australian Magpie
Eastern Whipbird
Superb Fairy-wren
Brown Thornbill
Red-browed Finch
Grey Goshawk
Grey Fantail
Willy Wagtail
Eastern Rosella

Recommended Resource

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)

Comments (0)

December 2, 2009

Urban Birding

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, bird photography, newcastle, nsw — admin @ 3:57 am

Urban Birding

Wickham Park, Newcastle. 2nd December, 2009.

Well its been a mad mad world this week, so I got up really early this morning, had breakfast, cuppa, and stepped out the door. The trouble was, it was raining. hmm. Why did I not notice such a thing? So I went back inside, ate my breakfast and did some stuff. Eventually the rain stopped so I took off to the local park, hoping to get some good shots of the Channel-billed Cuckoos that have been waking me up every morning before dawn.

There were a few Common Mynas in the Fig trees in the park and the magpies were singing their morning songs. I did see a Channel-billed Cuckoo but missed a photo of him. I walked across the oval to the eastern end of the park and found a male Superb Fairy-wren on the edges in the rubbish bush.

male Superb Fairy-wren

A rather bedraggled looking Silvereye was skulking in the scrub as well.

Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)

I was quite surprised to find an Australasian Figbird on the wires near the train track. I have not seen them in the inner city before. A Red Wattlebird or two were looking for a feed near the main oval whilst I was heading towards the community garden.

The Noisy Miners seem to hang around the garden and the Common Mynas hang around the outside oval. They might have separate territories and not intrude into the others. The Crested Pigeons seem to like to hang out around the Bocca field.

Crested Pigeon (Ocyphates lophotes)

There were about 4 young Grey Butcherbirds who were chasing each other around and playing mock fighting. They were also hunting the rats that were in the compost bin. It was fascinating watching them sit above the rats, listening and watching for them to come out. This little rat poked his head out and luckily for him, was not eaten.

Rat, I think

Wickham Park bird list 2/12/09

Australian Raven
Rock Dove
Australian Magpie
Common Myna
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Spotted Turtle-dove
Welcome Swallow
Superb Fairy-wren
Silvereye
Australasian Figbird
Red Wattlebird
Crested Pigeon
Noisy Miner
Grey Butcherbird
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Recommended Resource

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)

Comments (0)

November 27, 2009

Stockton Sandspit 091127

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, bird photography, nsw, stockton sandspit — admin @ 5:45 am

Stockton Sandspit Bird Photography

27th November, 2009

This morning I actually got out of bed and went birding. I know, its monumental. I got there about 6:30am and walked towards the northern end of the sandspit and there was this Black-shouldered Kite sitting on a low bush branch. I am not sure if he is a juvenile or not, it seems to me that he might be. Please comment if you know.

Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris)

There were quite a few Black-tailed Godwits and Bar-tailed Godwits inside the lagoon when I first arrived and they moved onto the beach. I timed it really well because the tide was just starting to go out. That is the best time to go there. About two hours after high tide. There was a big flock of Eastern Curlews on the grass as well. The area has signs out warning to not go close to the lagoon section because the Pied Oystercatchers are trying to breed. Down on the beach I spotted this Gull-billed Tern flying around looking for some dinner. This one is in non-breeding plumage.

Gull-billed Tern (Sterna nilotica)

Every now and again, the Eastern Curlews get spooked and up they go. They fly around in a circle and then come back down. When they first come from Siberia they are usually a bit nervous. This one is half way round his lap. ha ha.

Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)

There were a couple of Little Terns who were feeding just in front of all the waders who were parked on the mudflat. These ones were in breeding plumage and you could quite clearly see the yellow beak and yellow legs, as well as the white patch on the forehead. They are classified as a Threatened Species in New South Wales due to nesting at flood-prone locations and predation of eggs and chicks by feral animals. So please keep your cat inside at night and keep your dog on a leash when going for a walk in the bush or along the beach.

Little Tern (Sterna albifrons)

There was a couple of Red-capped Plovers who were feeding along the edge of the beach. The Red-capped Plovers are resident at Stockton Sandspit and usually breed up on the island each year. Check out his head, its the same colour as the brick behind him. Too funny. And also note the size of the mangrove tree seed/ling beside him. That will give you some indication of the size of these little blighters.

Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus)

There were about half a dozen Red-necked Stints who were walking around behind the Red-capped Plover. It took me a while to work out the ID for this one, so thanks to Mark.

Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis)

There were a few Curlew Sandpipers who were hanging out around the back of the Bar-tailed Godwit pack. I almost forgot to mention the thousands of Red-necked Avocets.

Stockton Sandspit bird list 27/11/09

Rock Dove
Magpie-lark
Common Starling
Common Myna
White-faced Heron
Black-winged Stilt
Gull-billed Tern
Little Tern
Chestnut Teal
Eastern Curlew
Pied Oystercatcher
Superb Fairy-wren
Intermediate Egret
Black-shouldered Kite
Masked Lapwing
Bar-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Red-necked Avocet
Australian Pelican
Red-capped Plover
Curlew Sandpiper
Red-necked Stint

Recommended Resource

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)

Comments (2)

November 25, 2009

Bicycle Birding along the Fernleigh Track

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, bird photography, newcastle, nsw — admin @ 7:07 am

Bicycle Birding along the Fernleigh Track

25th November, 2009.

The new section of the Fernleigh Track has just opened in Newcastle. It goes from Adamstown to Redhead at the moment. It follows the old train line that went from Newcastle to Belmont, my old home. It is meant for bike riders and walkers and goes through some glorious bush at the edge of Glenrock Nature Reserve and the bush from Whitebridge to Redhead is absolutely sublime. Anyway, enough of this gushing and on with the show.

I started off just after 6am. I wanted to get an early start so that it wouldn’t be too hot. It was an overcast day so that was good. Going up the hill at Adamstown I saw a few Rainbow Lorikeet and Australian Magpies. Then I spotted a juvenile Blue-faced Honeyeater. I was very pleased about this because it was the first time I had seen one. It did not have the blue face yet as it was only a young one. I am guessing it was between being a fledgling and a juvenile.

Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis)

There were quite a few other birds in the trees around the houses and the road – Galah, White-faced Heron, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Raven and Noisy Miner. After the tunnel that goes under the highway at Highfields, I saw a few Little Wattlebirds and this happy looking Laughing Kookaburra. They always look like they are having a good time.

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo Novaeguineae)

I crossed the road at Kahibah and headed down towards Whitebridge. There were a few Crested Pigeons and Spotted Turtle-doves as well as this fantastic Bar-shouldered Dove.

Bar-shouldered Dove (Geopelia humeralis)

There was a noisy colony of Bell Miners along the track between Whitebridge and Redhead. I think this section of the track was the best section for bird watching and I spotted quite a few different good quality birds such as Eastern Spinebill, Golden Whistler, Spotted Pardalote, White-cheeked Honeyater, Red-browed Finch, Superb Fairy-wren and Dusky Woodswallow. I was also stoked to get another tick for the day with a White-throated Needletail. I thought it was a woodswallow until I had a good look at the photos. Unfortunately none of them were sharp enough but I am very happy nonetheless.

The lucky last bird for today was my personal favourite, the Rufous Whistler. They always seem to sing these lovely songs for me and sit up nice and close and pose for me. I reckon they listen to the camera shutter as well and cock their heads when they hear the camera going off.

Rufous Whistler (Pachycephal rufiventris)

Fernleigh Track Bird List 25/11/09

Rainbow Lorikeet
Austrlian Magpie
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Galah
White-faced Heron
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Raven
Noisy Miner
Common Myna
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Little Wattlebird
Laughing Kookaburra
Crested Pigeon
Spotted Turtle-dove
Eastern Spinebill
Brown Thornbill
Bell Miner
Golden Whistler
Bar-shouldered Dove
Spotted Pardalote
Eastern Whipbird (H)
Dusky Woodswallow
White-throated Needletail
White-cheeked Honeyeater
Rufous Whistler
Red-browed Finch
Superb Fairy-wren

Recommended Resource

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)

Comments (0)

November 21, 2009

Budderoo National Park Bird Photography 091119

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, bird photography, budderoo np, nsw — admin @ 6:48 am

Budderoo National Park Bird Photography – 19th November 2009.

Barren Grounds
Barren Grounds Nature Reserve is situated on a plateau that is part of the Illawarra escarpment on the South Coast of New South Wales. It is composed mainly of dense heath and scattered woodlands. I started off by walking along the Griffiths Trail towards the Natural Stone Bridge. After a few hundred metres I heard this chirping and looked to the side of the track and there were at least three Southern Emu-wren. There were two males at least, possibly three. I hurriedly got the camera working and took a few photographs. I tried to get a bit closer but they moved away deeper into the heath.

Southern Emu-wren (Stipiturus malachurus)

I carried on down the track but did not see much more. There were heaps of White-browed Scrubwren, a Willy Wagtail or two, an Eastern Yellow Robin(of course, the posers). Do you notice that Eastern Yellow Robins always fly right in front of you and pose dramatically on the nearest branch. They are like those hideous amateur child actors – “Look at me, look at me, look at me, take my photo”. Ahem, now seriously where was I? Oh yeah, birds. There were some Superb Fairy-wrens and I heard an Eastern Whipbird, and a New Holland Honeyeater. And that was about it. Lame.

Minamurra Rainforest Centre
I went back down the mountain to the Minamurra Rainforest Centre after Barren Grounds Nature Reserve. It does not open until 9am. What is that? That is too late, that is what it is. Anyway, I went in and walked around the boardwalk which is great. There were Superb Lyrebirds scratching around near the centre but not much else. I saw lots of White-browed Scrubwren again, the same Eastern Yellow Robin flew down the mountain to get his photo taken, a Brown Cuckoo-dove and I heard an Eastern Whipbird and a Green Catbird.

I even did the mammoth trek up to the waterfall. The walk is really steep and tests your fitness. I had to rest quite a few times. It was tough going but I was glad I did it. I sweated about ten litres so that was good. The only photo I kept from here was one of a Water Dragon but that was even out of focus.

Carrington Falls
Carrington Falls is on the top of the plateau and is just past Barren Grounds going towards Robertson. It is not far from the road so it is easy to get to. The trail is reasonably short so it is a nice quick walk. The Carrington Falls themselves are quite spectacular and drop a really long way. Too bad there were hardly any birds around. I saw a Pied Currawong, a kookaburra, White-browed Scrubwren and an Eastern Spinebill. And that was it. pfft..

Budderoo National Park bird list 19/11/09

Southern Emu-wren
White-browed Scrubwren
Willy Wagtail
Eastern Whipbird (H)
Green Catbird (H)
Eastern Yellow Robin
Superb Fairy-wren
New Holland Honeyeater
Superb Lyrebird
Brown Cuckoo-dove
Pied Currawong
Laughing Kookaburra
Eastern Spinebill

Resources:

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)

Australia: An Ecotraveler’s Guide

Comments (0)

November 20, 2009

Shoalhaven Heads Bird Photography 091118

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, bird photography, nsw, shoalhaven heads — admin @ 7:16 am

Shoalhaven Heads Bird Photography – 18th November 2009.

Shoalhaven Heads is just east of Nowra on the South Coast of New South Wales. It is the mouth of the Shoalhaven River but it does not run into the ocean but is blocked off with sand hills. There is a wide section of mud flats and sandy islands which are perfect for migrating waders. There were quite a few Bar-tailed Godwits so I was able to get quite a few photographs of them. Here is a shot that shows the under wing pattern in flight.

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Here is a photo of the Bar-tailed Godwit showing the upper wing pattern. Notice also the slightly upturned bill.

Here is a photo of a Bar-tailed Godwit digging into the sand with its long bill. I noticed that the inside of the bill at the top is rather serrated. I had never noticed that before and have not been able to find any references to this online. If you have any further information about these serrations please comment on this post.

And here is a nice big close up that shows the feathering as well as the holes in the nostril or top of the bill. It also gives a good view of the feet and legs.

I noticed a few other water birds such as Australian Pelican, Silver Gull, Black Swan, Little Pied Cormorant, Masked Lapwing. I went for a walk along the river bank and saw a Great Egrets having a feed on what might have been snails right next to this rather excusive house. There were some Red Wattlebirds who were feeding this whinging fledgling. They were hunting in the long grass for what looked to be slugs or snails.

Red Wattlebird fledgling (Anthochaera carunculata)

I then went along the front of the river flat and went around the island at the mouth of the river. There were a few trees on it and these New Holland Honeyeaters were having a great time flying around and chirping away merrily.

New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)

What else did I see? That’s right – a huge White-bellied Sea-eagle came flying over and all the birds scattered. She was massive and quite a sight. There were also two Whimbrels and a single Pacific Golden Plover. To sum up the afternoon, I got some really good close up shots of the Bar-tailed Godwits which I was really happy with because they have usually been a long way off.

Shoalhaven Heads bird list 18/11/09

Australian Pelican
Silver Gull
Black Swan
Little Pied Cormorant
Bar-tailed Godwit
Masked Lapwing
Australian Magpie
Spotted Turtle-dove
Red Wattlebird
Great Egret
Galah
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Australian Raven
New Holland Honeyeater
Fan-tailed Cuckoo (H)
Whimbrel
Australian White Ibis
Pacific Golden Plover
Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo

Resources:

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)

Australia: An Ecotraveler’s Guide

Comments (2)

November 18, 2009

Nowra Creek Bird Photography 091118

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, bird photography, nowra, nsw — admin @ 4:21 am

Nowra Creek Bird Photography – 18th November 2009.

I was looking for another nature reserve and ended up at Depot Farm at the end of Depot Road in Nowra. It turned out to be the Nowra Creek walk and went to Picnic Point which is at the juncture of the Nowra Creek and the Shoalhaven River. It must be salty water right up here at Nowra because there were mangroves on the side of the creek. But I am far from being an expert on these matters and I was not going to taste the water.

I walked north from the Depot Farm picnic area along the banks of the Nowra Creek and met another guy bird watching who told me that there was a suspension bridge ahead which went over the creek and there was a track on the other side. At this stage all I had seen was a Yellow Thornbill and a few Superb Fairy-wrens. A Channel-billed Cuckoo was being harassed by some magpies on the hill and then I saw the weirdest thing. This Eastern Yellow Robin had an eye in its bill! It took me a while to work out what it was. I thought it had a mutation or something. A three-eyed Yellow Robin!

Eastern Yellow Robin eating an eye

I had crossed over the creek and was heading along the Shoalhaven River by this time. There were a few young Goannas sunbaking on the path as well as a Rufous Whistler and some White-browed Scrubwren. I saw a pair of Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters and they perched right close to me but I had the camera on the wrong setting and they turned out too dark! ( Should I really advertise my mistakes like this? )

Goanna

There were a few notable birds after this – a female Satin Bowerbird, a pair of Dollarbirds, a Black-faced Monarch and a Red-browed Finch on the way back to the van. All in all I think it has great potential this spot because I did not get there until 10am which is way late in my opinion, and I was still seeing birds around mid-day. So I would have to give this place a big thumbs up.

Rufous Whistler singing

Nowra Creek Bird List 18/11/09

Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
Black-faced Monarch
Eastern Whipbird (H)
Yellow Thornbill
Eastern Yellow Robin
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Laughing Kookaburra
Grey Fantail
Chestnut Teal
White-browed Scrubwren
Lewin’s Honeyeater
Rufous Whistler
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Sacred Kingfisher
Satin Bowerbird
Dollarbird
Red-browed Finch
Willy Wagtail

Resources:

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (Helm Field Guides)

Australia: An Ecotraveler’s Guide

Comments (0)

Older Posts »