Flat Rock Creeek to Middle Harbour, Sydney
2007 New South Wales trip report #25
While we were staying with our son in Sydney he decided to take an afternoon off from work (he works at home) and take us on a walk from Artarmon along Flat Rock Creek to Middle Harbour. This harbour is a small part of the greater Sydney Harbour.
The walking track took us through nearby suburbs and we enjoyed looking over people’s back fences into their gardens. The track also took us under several major roads and a freeway. Most of the first part was a sealed or concrete walking path shared with cyclists. This first part didn’t yield many interesting birds but it was a very enjoyable walk anyway.
Flat Rock Creek, Northbridge, Sydney
The track then changes to a narrow dirt track and plunges quickly 50 or 60 metres down into Flat Rock Creek. When we reached the creek bed the path then follows the creek along to the harbour. I was not surprised to see Laughing Kookaburras along this part, and observed on flying in a hollow. This could indicate nesting but the hollow was too far away over the creek to investigate further. Pied Currawongs were seen and heard frequently as were Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. Superb Fairy-wrens flitted in and out of the bushes along the path, but never stopping long enough for a photo.
At one stage I saw several Red-whiskered Bulbuls but couldn’t get a clear shot of one. I did manage to get a nice shot on the return walk. This was a new bird for the trip list and a nice one to see despite it being an introduced species. I’ve only ever seen it about three times in total.
Red-whiskered Bulbul
I was also delighted to see two Chestnut Teal, a male and a female, swimming in the creek which at that point seemed rather polluted. Nearby several Red-browed Finches caught our attention and White-browed Scrubwrens called from nearby bushes. Noisy Miners were everywhere and we heard several Striated Pardalotes, a Grey Butcherbird, several Australian Magpies and the occasional Australian Raven flew overhead.
I haven’t seen too many pigeons and doves in this part of Sydney, but on our walk I saw Crested Pigeons, Rock Doves and Spotted Turtledoves. Thankfully not too many Indian Mynas were seen in this part of the city. I saw no House Sparrows; they seem to be absent from around here. At the harbour we saw Welcome Swallows and Silver Gulls.
Rock Doves, Northbridge, Sydney
On the return walk I only added Common Koel to the list. As this was another “lifer” for the trip I was pleased. This species has just arrived from its spring migration south. The whole walk took just a few minutes short of four hours, the return part being largely uphill with some very steep parts. We were pleased that we achieved this as both of us are not as fit as we should be. Our son thought it was just a pleasant stroll, but then he walks the area nearly every day.
Birding at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden
2007 New South Wales trip report #24
One of the places we planned to visit on our stay in Sydney was the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden. This garden is open to the public every day and is located next to the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in the northern parts of Sydney. We last visited this garden on a visit seven years ago and have fond memories of that visit.
Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens
This time we were a little disappointed. Although it is early spring the wildflowers were not fully out so that was a shame. Perhaps we should have planned a later visit. The birding was also a little slow though I did get some good photos of two Laughing Kookaburras keeping an eye on our picnic lunch.
Laughing Kookaburras
Other good species included the Superb Fairy-wren. The brochure lists Variegated Fairy-wrens as present but I didn’t see any. I also had good views briefly of a Red-browed Finch but it didn’t sit long enough for a photo. Rainbow Lorikeets, Little and Red Wattlebirds were quite common throughout the garden.
Banksia flower
To check out the web page of the gardens, click here.
Boobook Owl, Artarmon, Sydney
4 Comments »6th October, 2007; Category: Trip reports
2007 New South Wales trip report #23
During our stay with our son and daughter-in-law in Artarmon (north Sydney) I didn’t do any intensive birding as such, except for several day walks. My son is sufficiently aware of the birding life around his place to recognise most of the common species and he often comments on changes to the birdlife, or some special sighting.
In the streets around his home the most common bird appears to be the Rainbow Lorikeet. A considerable number make a terrible noise every evening as they settle to roost in the foliage of several palm trees just up the road.
Rainbow Lorikeet
Another common species throughout this area is the Noisy Miner. This species seems always to be in conflict with the local Pied Currawongs, Australian Ravens and the occasional Laughing Kookaburra who dares to wander into the garden.
Less common species in the immediate area include Australian Magpies, Magpie Larks, Welcome Swallows and Indian Mynas. On several occasions I saw small numbers of Galahs, but my son assures me that he does not see them very often around here.
Of particular delight was hearing a Southern Boobook owl calling outside our window late one night. My son has also had Tawny Frogmouths in the garden trees on a few occasions. He is very familiar with this species from home in Murray Bridge and also on many camping trips in South Australia.
I’m sorry I do not have a photo of the owl to show you. My bed was too comfortable.
Birding around Artarmon, Sydney
2 Comments »5th October, 2007; Category: Trip reports
2007 New South Wales trip report #22
We left the Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens and headed off towards Sydney. We had one small incident on the way in; we missed the entry ramp for the M2 motorway so we needed to do a little meandering around a nearby suburb before getting on to the correct road. It just shows a vast lack of knowledge and inexperience in driving in Sydney.
I navigated while my wife drove. I had very little opportunity to look out for birds along the way. I did see one important one and I’m not sure which family of birds it belongs to. Going past the Richmond RAAF* base we saw Airforce 1 sitting on the tarmac. USA President George W. Bush was in town for the controversial APEC Conference. I guess there are those who think that bird should be extinct. I will refrain from making terrible puns about a bird in the bush.
We arrived safely at the home of our son and daughter-in-law without further incident, albeit about half an hour later than anticipated.
The following afternoon my wife and I decided to take a ten minute walk to the Chatswood shopping centre. We enjoyed looking at the beautiful plants and flowers in people’s front gardens.
Artarmon garden flowers
Along the way I watched out for birds. The bird life around here is not all that prolific. There are plenty of Rainbow Lorikeets everywhere; they are very noisy at dawn in the nearby trees. Pied Currawongs are also plentiful and very bold, being used to people all around. Several times we’ve heard Laughing Kookaburras and seen Noisy Miners.
Pied Currawong
It seems strange to have Australian Ravens and Galahs in the heart of such a large metropolis but there are here. I usually associate these birds with the farming areas in the country. My son said that the Galahs are not all that common around this part of the city.
*Royal Australian Air Force
Birding at Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens
No Comments »4th October, 2007; Category: Trip reports
2007 New South Wales trip report #21
A short distance on we stopped at the Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens. It had been raining off and on since lunch and was still quite overcast during our visit but we didn’t need our umbrellas. The gardens are very interesting with quite a few plants flowering already. During the next few weeks the whole area should become even more beautiful as many more plants begin flowering.
Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, NSW
During our meanderings through the gardens I added several more species to my trip list, including the very endearing Superb Fairy-wren. I thought I’d taken several good shots of the colourful male but his constant hopping around proved he was being a little difficult.
Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, NSW
Later I added Little Wattlebird to the list. Several White-browed Scrubwrens skulked in the undergrowth, scalding me for daring to come so close. An Eastern Spinebill entertained us for a minute or two but he wouldn’t stay still enough in the open for a photo.
One species I added to the list by call alone was an Eastern Whipbird. I looked for it but it escaped my search. I am sure I’ll have more opportunities over the coming days.