Saturday, August 7, 2010

Penrith Lakes

Old farm house now almost surrounded by lakes

With the Mountain bikes in need of a service, we chose to drop them off at the bike shop and head out to the Penrith lakes to do some bird watching.

The Penrith Lake system is a series of man made lakes, that were the centre of rowing for the 2000 Olympics. My memories were of it being a sand quarry and my guess is- it has been developed for flood mitigation and storm water control.

I have seen the development of the lake system and an increase in bird activity, so time to take a look.


Some of the quieter sections of the lakes

Dave and I spotted- Great Egret, Intermediate Egret, White-faced Heron, Masked Lapwing, Tree Sparrow, Indian Miner, Common Starling, Black Swan, Willy Wagtail, Red-rumped Parrot, Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin, Brush Wattle bird, Black faced Cuckoo-shrike, Little Cormorant, Dusky Moorhen, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Little Pied Cormorant, Australian Darter, Pacific Black Duck, Black-shouldered Kite, Nankeen Kestrel, Australian Wood Duck, Australian Hobby, Sacred Kingfisher,Yellow-faced Honey Eater.


Black-shouldered Kite. Photo courtesy of Wettropics.gov.au
A reasonable list, and a great way of spending a couple of hours.

11 comments:

  1. I think you are a bit modest calling that a reasonable list. I think it is an excellent list, mate!

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  2. Thanks mate! There is a real element of spring activity with nest building etc etc too!

    I am confused with the Falcon as I heard its often confused with a Hobby.....

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  3. No. It certainly is the same bird as the one we saw on our bike ride a few weeks ago. However the book show the pereguine a little lighter on the underparts. They are not a big bird, similar to the black shouldered kite in size. A quite disctincitve bird.

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  4. i quite enjoy just the names of them. and i agree, thats an impressive list.
    and i like the red guy on your side bar.
    cheers
    ~laura

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  5. thanks Laura- ye sthey have some very interesting names :o)

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  6. Love the shack!! and that is some angry looking bird..

    Happy Friday 13th .. Julie

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  7. hi Julie- the Hawkesbury and surrounds have some really wonerful old buildings and barns.

    The Kite is a beautiful bird and can hover very well.

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  8. I think it is most impressive. Maalie certainly has impressive sharp eyes too and could spot birds from a considerable distance when we canoed together this week. No alligators, thankfully. If you had red ears, that's because your name was mentioned a couple of times. :)

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  9. Ellee- I heard all about it! :o)

    Lilah! g'day Hope you are fine

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