Wildlife of Lane Cove National Park

Noisy Miner

Noisy Miner

Over recent years, my wife and I have visited the Lane Cove National Park just west of Chatswood in the heart of Sydney. We try to get there whenever we visit family living in Artarmon nearby. Despite being in the heart of a bustling part of the city, this park not only preserves some remnant bushland for all to enjoy, it also boasts a good range of wildlife. I am particularly interested in the birdlife – hence this website. I also take an interest in other forms of wildlife, as well as the plant life, an interest which flows over from my wife.

On a visit there last October, I managed a few photos of some of the resident birds, as well as some other wildlife. A few weeks ago I shared a photo of two Long-necked Turtles here. I have also written about the local Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and the Australian Wood Ducks I saw in the park.

One of the very common birds in this area is the Noisy Miner, shown in the photo above. This individual landed on the picnic table alongside where we were sitting. I guess it was looking for a handout of human food, just like the local Laughing Kookaburras and Brush Turkeys. Noisy Miners are certainly the most common of the Australian honeyeaters in this part of Sydney.

Laughing Kookaburra

Laughing Kookaburra

I have noticed on all of our visits to this park that the Eastern Water Dragon is a very commonly observed reptile in the park. I think that we have seen many of these lizards on every visit to the park. The one shown in the photo below was quite friendly and unafraid, coming up quite close to where we were sitting.

Eastern Water Dragon

Eastern Water Dragon

Further reading:

Laughing Kookaburra

Laughing Kookaburra

Australian Wood Ducks

Australian Wood Ducks

Eastern Water Dragons, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Eastern Water Dragon, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Eastern Water Dragon, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Visitors to the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra cannot miss seeing a very common lizard that lives in the gardens, especially around the water features.

Numerous Eastern Water Dragons can be seen sunning themselves on rocks or on the paths.

Taking photos of them can be an interesting diversion from the excellent birding in the gardens. I guess even the plant enthusiasts can be intrigued in these interesting reptiles, especially if they nearly step on one.

Eastern Water Dragon, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Eastern Water Dragon, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Eastern Water Dragon, Botanic Gardens, Canberra

Eastern Water Dragon, Botanic Gardens, Canberra