A springlike winter walk around Kaurna Wetlands Park

Maryann and I have been super busy over the past few weeks so we have had no time to get out.

Sunday morning dawned bright and still, so I took Kobe in one hand, and my camera in the other, and took a walk around Kaurna wetlands.    Even though we are still in winter here, the morning had a definite springlike feel to it.   It was very still, and the reflections on the main inlet pool were beautiful.

Lots of birds were singing, some common others not so.  Red Wattlebird is very common here, as is Crested Pigeon.  Magpielark is here all year round, and I have found quite a few of its mud bowl nests, though rarely with Mum in situ!

A common bird two kilometres (1 mile) away, but less common in the park is Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.  Australian Pelicans are often seen soaring over the park, so it was a nice surprise to see this one land and rest a while. 

I took a long shot of some ducks roosting, thinking they would be Pacific Black Ducks, but on closer inspection, I think they may be Freckled Duck, an irruptive species that I haven't seen here before.  It's always great to get a new bird on your local patch!

The "heron tree" had a Great Egret, but he flew to the middle of the wetlands before I got there.   Also on the tree was an Australian Darter, only the second I have recorded here in almost five years.

On the way back, a small group of Purple-crowned Lorikeets entertained, feeding busily on the Eucalyptus blossoms.

Chilly winter's morning

This morning dawned bright, but chilly, with the mercury struggling to get above freezing. But Kobe and I still took our usual early morning stroll round the wetlands.

The moon has almost waned to third quarter, and it wasn't till I got home that I noticed the Galah sneaking into shot!!.  It was a bit misty, but this didn't bother the ducks, and the heavy dew made for some nice "arty" shots of the reeds and shrubs around Kaurna Wetland Park

 

 

There were a few birds around, mainly common ones like the White-plumed Honeyeater.  Striated Pardalote is often heard in the park, but less frequently seen.  This Noisy Miner was living up to its name, soundly scolding me and Kobe as we passed by.

The "Heron Tree" really lived up to its name, sporting two Cattle Egrets, a White-faced Heron and a Little Pied Cormorant.

Finally I had a lovely encounter with a group of Purple-crowned Lorikeets high up in a gum tree. 

Windy winter walk

This morning I took Kobe for a very windy walk around the wetlands.  Yesterday was very wet so I was hoping for some bird activity.

In the end it was pretty difficult getting any useful pics, but I was pleased to get a couple of Purple-crowned Lorikeet (at last!!).  These little parrots are very common in the park, but I only ever get good views when I don't have my camera with me.

Other common birds seen were New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird and Magpielark

Birds SA walk at Hardy Scrub

Today I went on a morning walk with some other Birds SA members to Hardy Scrub in the Onkaparinga River National Park. The park is in the Adelaide Hills between Adelaide and McLaren Vale. The autumn view over McLaren Vale was lovely, as was this Purple-crowned Lorikeet perched on a wire at a nearby farm. The light was horrible, I had to keep the ISO setting pretty high which means the quality of the images is diminished. Early on in the walk we saw Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo, and nearby Fan-tailed Cuckoo. We had been hearing Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos since the start of the walk, and soon 7 flew over followed by more, In the end we probably saw around 100. Other birds seen included Eastern Rosella, Grey Fantail and Eastern Spinebill.