Birding at the Royal National Park, Australia
When: October 2016 Weather: Cool, 15-20C
Leica M240 35 summilux, 15mm Voigt Nikon P900
From the barren lava fields of Iceland a few weeks ago to the lush unique forest of the Royal National Park(RNP) in New South Wales, just 45km from Sydney. The second oldest national park in the world, it has both inland and coastal parts making for an interesting day out…
So we headed out on the M1/A1 to the RNP entering it by Farnell Avenue and arriving at the very nice visitor centre at Audley for a pit stop to pick up stuff for a picnic. Just outside the visitor centre were a few sightings already…
Sulphur crested cockatoo at the visitor centre
another view of cockatoo
with their brood of chicks…
Pacific Black Ducks
Chestnut Teal
this active fellow then appeared and started harrassing the crows!
The ubiquitous honeyeater is easily seen
Crow
a parade of purple swamphens
dusky moorhen
A Coot
the Currawong
We then headed down the road towards Nola Creek to take a ramble along the Forest Track, a 4.5km long walk.
the forest track trail
ferns
A blurred record shot of a lively Rufous fantail
A pair of noisy Kookaburras perched nearby
and then a flash of crimson and blue flashed across the trail….
The Crimson Rosella
and just before we left the track, we saw this huge bird perched in the distance…
A superb view of the TopKnot Pigeon!
At Otford, there is a viewpoint with endless coastal views stretching to the horizon
After the viewpoint it’s a easy drive back to Sydney….all in, this was a good way to spend a day at a less well known location near Sydney. Recommended
The Natural Traveller 