Birding at Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Silver Gull, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
A few weeks ago went had a family get together. Our son and family were over here for our grandson’s 3rd birthday, and my wife’s sister and niece and her family came down from the mid north of the state. we had a barbecue lunch at home and in the afternoon we went to Sturt Reserve so the children could play on the excellent playground there.
This reserve is popular with locals and visitors. It has plenty of lawn areas for picnics along the banks of the Murray River. After the children had played for a while we all went for a short stroll along the river bank. I had my camera ready – but more for people shots. I wasn’t really taking all that much notice of the birds. I still managed a few good shots as shown here. The Whiskered Terns (see photo below) was a challenged as they constantly flew over the water. I must practise more at photographing birds in flight.
Whiskered Tern, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Little Black Cormorant, Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge
Birding around Mannum, South Australia part 4
Murray River at Mannum, South Australia
Over recent days I have been sharing some photos and my experiences on a birding trip to Mannum a few weeks ago. This river town is about 20 minutes by car from my home. The afternoon was a classically beautiful Sunday afternoon in spring. To add to the wonderful weather the birding was also good.
I know that Silver Gulls are a very common bird here in Australia, but I do enjoy photographing them. The bird in the photo below was particularly photogenic, but I had to be quick with the camera as it was on the move. I’ve also included a few other photos taken on the same day.
Silver Gull, Murray River, Mannum, South Australia
Silver Gulls, Murray River, Mannum, South Australia
Silver Gulls, Mannum, South Australia
Silver Gulls, Murray River, Mannum, South Australia
Birding around Mannum, South Australia part 3
No Comments »18th November, 2011; Category: Bird Behaviour, Darters and Cormorants, Gulls and Terns, Herons and Egrets, Mannum, Waterbirds
Murray River at Mannum, South Australia
A few weeks ago I spent an enjoyable afternoon birding in and around Mannum, about 20 minutes drive north of home. It was a beautiful spring day with bright clear sky, a gentle breeze and plenty of birds. I sat for a while in the Mary Ann Reserve on the river front, watching and photographing the birds on, over and near the Murray River.
I was rather puzzled by the behaviour of several species of birds in and over the water. Several Little Pied Cormorants and Little Black Cormorants were swimming around in the one spot about 30 metres out into the water. I can only assume they were fishing but I didn’t actually see one catch a fish. Over head several White-necked Herons and one Great Egret flew around low over the water sometimes almost landing and snapping at the cormorants in the water. A Silver Gull even joined in, harassing the heron as they flew (see photo below).
Great Egret, White-necked Heron, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants
White-necked Heron being harassed by a Silver Gull
Bogey bird
The White-necked Heron was an interesting sighting for me. It’s been one of my bogey birds over the last 25 years. I went from 1987 to 2001 without seeing a single one of them. Then only one – with another 6 year wait to see another one! Unbelievable. In fact in more than 35 years of birding I’ve only ever seen this species about 20 times. Then on this day at Mannum I saw 4 all flying around in close proximity. Unreal.
A groovy pair of gulls
Silver Gulls, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Sydney Trip Report June 2011
On our trip to Sydney earlier this year we visited Darling Harbour in the heart of Sydney. Many people were gathered there for the Jazz and Blue Festival. In addition to the human audience, these two Silver Gulls seemed to be enjoying the free music too.
In addition to the many Silver Gulls around the harbour, I also saw plenty of White Ibis, Australian Ravens, Rock Doves and those pesky Common Mynas.
This just proves the versatility of this hobby called birding; you can watch birds anywhere.
Sometimes, I feel that the birds are watching us!
Silver Gulls, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Jazz & Blues Festival, Darling Harbour, Sydney
Pacific Gulls
Juvenile Pacific Gull, Yorke Peninsula
At one stage while travelling along the south coast of Yorke Peninsula we pulled off the main road and drove down a rough dirt track towards the beach (see photo below). A solitary juvenile Pacific Gull was feeding on the sand. This species is found along coastal NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and southern Western Australia. While it is widespread it is not present in large numbers in most places. It is usual to see only one or two birds at a time.
The photo above shows the bird in the juvenile plumage which indicates a first year bird. For the next 3 years a variety of plumages stages can be seen, from the chocolate brown through to mottled brown and white until the full adult plumage is developed. Below I have included several photos of two birds in adult plumage at Victor Harbor earlier this year.
South coast of Yorke Peninsula
Juvenile Pacific Gull, Yorke Peninsula
Pacific Gulls, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Pacific Gulls, Victor Harbor, South Australia