Ricki Coughlan
@rickicoughlan.bsky.social
Herbivore 🦕 Bird Observer 🦜 Rainforest Flaneur 🐍 Author 📗 Rational Humanist 👩🏻🔬 She/Her Birding tours and nature discovery walks in the Sydney region: http://aussiewild.com.au
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Ricki Coughlan
@rickicoughlan.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Fabulous tour in Royal National Park today with bird photography enthusiast Prateek from Mombay. Among 58 species we got a gorgeous male Superb Lyrebird, stunning moments with Satin Bowerbirds and Green Catbirds and finished off with a gorgeous family of Powerful Owls! He wasn't disappointed.
Green Catbirds are members of the bowerbird clade. They were going off on call and response this morning in Royal National Park. #birds #birding #nature #naturelovers
December 8, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Green Catbirds are members of the bowerbird clade. They were going off on call and response this morning in Royal National Park. #birds #birding #nature #naturelovers
Ruddy Turnstones at Boat Harbour (Sydney) on a very windy beach (hence the camera shake). The Ruddy Turnstone's bill is the "Swiss Army Knife" of the bird world. It's many uses makes them a success on beaches, rocky headlands and mud flats. They're joined by a random Red-necked Stint. #birding
December 6, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Ruddy Turnstones at Boat Harbour (Sydney) on a very windy beach (hence the camera shake). The Ruddy Turnstone's bill is the "Swiss Army Knife" of the bird world. It's many uses makes them a success on beaches, rocky headlands and mud flats. They're joined by a random Red-necked Stint. #birding
Superb Lyrebirds in rainforests are often accompanied by this fellow, hopping around and collecting any of small invertebrates which are disturbed in the vigorous leaf raking. This is the Yellow-throated Scrubwren, a comensal of the lyrebird and one of the forest's most fascinating species. #birding
December 6, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Superb Lyrebirds in rainforests are often accompanied by this fellow, hopping around and collecting any of small invertebrates which are disturbed in the vigorous leaf raking. This is the Yellow-throated Scrubwren, a comensal of the lyrebird and one of the forest's most fascinating species. #birding
Humans need green spaces as much as every other species. Connecting with nature, receiving its energies and moving with its flows is in our DNA. We must work for more of these everywhere . . . a mandatory part of all urban planning.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The dream that grew into the GreenWay – a car-free corridor from Sydney Harbour to the Cooks River
Plans that evolved over more than two decades are about to become reality as a 6km cycling, walking and nature corridor opens through Sydney’s inner west
www.theguardian.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Humans need green spaces as much as every other species. Connecting with nature, receiving its energies and moving with its flows is in our DNA. We must work for more of these everywhere . . . a mandatory part of all urban planning.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The Rufous Fantail, a beautiful summer migrant in Sydney forests right now. These chirpy chaps mostly forage in denser vine tangles and shrubbery where they use their fanned tails and wings to disturb small invertebrates. However they will also sally from a perch too. #birding #birds #nature
December 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Shire locals and lovers of The Royal will know what I mean . . .
#nature #naturelovers #birding #bushwalking #hiking #Sydney
#nature #naturelovers #birding #bushwalking #hiking #Sydney
December 1, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Shire locals and lovers of The Royal will know what I mean . . .
#nature #naturelovers #birding #bushwalking #hiking #Sydney
#nature #naturelovers #birding #bushwalking #hiking #Sydney
The four most abundant butterflies on the Uloola Track today were the Common Grass Blue, Australian Painted Lady, Caper White and Varied Swordgrass Brown. Caper Whites often eclose in enormous numbers, sometimes in the millions. I'm hoping their presence is the sign of one of these fabulous events!
November 30, 2025 at 6:07 AM
The four most abundant butterflies on the Uloola Track today were the Common Grass Blue, Australian Painted Lady, Caper White and Varied Swordgrass Brown. Caper Whites often eclose in enormous numbers, sometimes in the millions. I'm hoping their presence is the sign of one of these fabulous events!
Reptiles I often find on the Uloola Track are the Common Scaleyfoot (a legless lizard), Coppertail Skink, Eastern Brown Snake and Jackie Dragon. #nature #reptiles #herping #naturelovers
November 30, 2025 at 5:37 AM
Reptiles I often find on the Uloola Track are the Common Scaleyfoot (a legless lizard), Coppertail Skink, Eastern Brown Snake and Jackie Dragon. #nature #reptiles #herping #naturelovers
The Uloola Track is a ridge top trail in Royal National Park which passes through a succession of soil types: sandstone, laterite and shale. Each supports a very different plant community creating a series of ecotones which makes for excellent birding. It's also pretty awesome for reptiles too!
November 30, 2025 at 5:30 AM
The Uloola Track is a ridge top trail in Royal National Park which passes through a succession of soil types: sandstone, laterite and shale. Each supports a very different plant community creating a series of ecotones which makes for excellent birding. It's also pretty awesome for reptiles too!
Old Man Banksia, Banksia serrata coming into flower on the Uloola Track, Royal National Park. These plants are a significant source of nectar for a great many birds, mammals and invertebrates. #nature #Botany #Plants #naturelovers
November 30, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Old Man Banksia, Banksia serrata coming into flower on the Uloola Track, Royal National Park. These plants are a significant source of nectar for a great many birds, mammals and invertebrates. #nature #Botany #Plants #naturelovers
The amendments to the EPBC Act which Labor is currently tabling offer the Minister sole discretionary power over mining and development permits. Clearly this is simply so the wealthiest can dodge science, conservation imperatives and community concerns to influence environmental outcomes. #auspol
November 27, 2025 at 7:03 AM
The amendments to the EPBC Act which Labor is currently tabling offer the Minister sole discretionary power over mining and development permits. Clearly this is simply so the wealthiest can dodge science, conservation imperatives and community concerns to influence environmental outcomes. #auspol
I'm reposting by way of correction . . . The snake isn't trying "to save energy". Even in extreme temperatures, it has no capacity to metabolically thermoregulate, so there is no question of energy saving or expenditure. This fellow was simply seeking the most comfortable environment it could find.
November 26, 2025 at 9:18 PM
I'm reposting by way of correction . . . The snake isn't trying "to save energy". Even in extreme temperatures, it has no capacity to metabolically thermoregulate, so there is no question of energy saving or expenditure. This fellow was simply seeking the most comfortable environment it could find.
A Dusky Antechinus exploring the leaf litter in search of the small invertebrates. A member of the Family Dasuridae, they are related to Quolls, Phascogales, Dunnarts and the Tasmanian Devil. They are semelparous, in that the males generally die shortly after the breeding season.
#nature #mammals
#nature #mammals
November 25, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I had a beautiful Diamond Python and Eastern Brown Snake yesterday along the trail in Royal National Park. The Diamond Python was much blotchier than I'm used to seeing around Sydney. Moments before I saw the brown snake I'd been walking off the trail very close to him! #snakes #reptiles #herping
November 21, 2025 at 8:17 AM
My tour group spent some time with an extended family of six Australian King Parrots in Royal National Park yesterday morning. This is an adult male and immature male. They're somewhat like doves and pigeons in that one feels a sense of peace in their gentle and trusting company . . . #birds #nature
November 21, 2025 at 8:05 AM
My tour group spent some time with an extended family of six Australian King Parrots in Royal National Park yesterday morning. This is an adult male and immature male. They're somewhat like doves and pigeons in that one feels a sense of peace in their gentle and trusting company . . . #birds #nature
Wonder Brown butterflies usually appear in thousands in the wetter forests of Royal National Park around the first week of November. They mate and the females go into hiding until late January, by which time all the males have died off. These images are all males. The females are below . . . 🧵 1/2
November 21, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Wonder Brown butterflies usually appear in thousands in the wetter forests of Royal National Park around the first week of November. They mate and the females go into hiding until late January, by which time all the males have died off. These images are all males. The females are below . . . 🧵 1/2
Reposted by Ricki Coughlan
Breaking: An Epstein survivor just silenced press conference attendees when she delivered the following remarks:
“Today we stand in a moment that will decide whether our government belongs to the American people, or to those who prey on them.”
“Today we stand in a moment that will decide whether our government belongs to the American people, or to those who prey on them.”
November 18, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Breaking: An Epstein survivor just silenced press conference attendees when she delivered the following remarks:
“Today we stand in a moment that will decide whether our government belongs to the American people, or to those who prey on them.”
“Today we stand in a moment that will decide whether our government belongs to the American people, or to those who prey on them.”
Here's another look at that Sydney Spiny Lobster doing his best to look menacing from behind some low sedge along the trail. Truth be told, he didn't have to try very hard, because those nippers were huge and I'm sure could deliver a nasty nip!
November 18, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Here's another look at that Sydney Spiny Lobster doing his best to look menacing from behind some low sedge along the trail. Truth be told, he didn't have to try very hard, because those nippers were huge and I'm sure could deliver a nasty nip!
A Sydney Spiny Crayfish crossing the trail in Royal National Park where he'll find a damp ditch to set up home by digging a deep burrow into the mud. This formidable fellow is around 15cms (6") in length and his presence is a good sign that the Hacking River is in pretty good shape. #nature #WildOz
November 18, 2025 at 4:12 AM
A Common Grass Blue seeking sustenance on a Native Raspberry. Like many small blue butterflies they have a mutualism with ants who protect and raise the butterfly larvae in exchange for the sweet nectar the larvae exude. This is called a myrmecophily which literally means "ant lover".
#naturelovers
#naturelovers
November 18, 2025 at 4:07 AM
A Common Grass Blue seeking sustenance on a Native Raspberry. Like many small blue butterflies they have a mutualism with ants who protect and raise the butterfly larvae in exchange for the sweet nectar the larvae exude. This is called a myrmecophily which literally means "ant lover".
#naturelovers
#naturelovers
Yesterday in the #rainforest I met a mum who had a sling with a gorgeous newborn baby tucked within. We chatted about the importance of a newborn baby hearing the sounds of the forest, taking in its subtle aromas, receiving its energies, building connection with the living planet. #naturelovers
November 16, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Yesterday in the #rainforest I met a mum who had a sling with a gorgeous newborn baby tucked within. We chatted about the importance of a newborn baby hearing the sounds of the forest, taking in its subtle aromas, receiving its energies, building connection with the living planet. #naturelovers
I encountered this king amidst the splendour of the rainforest in Royal National Park yesterday. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful male Eastern Water Dragon than this guy. I've also added couple of photos below . . . check 'em out 👇 🧵 #nature #reptiles #herping #naturelovers
November 15, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I encountered this king amidst the splendour of the rainforest in Royal National Park yesterday. I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful male Eastern Water Dragon than this guy. I've also added couple of photos below . . . check 'em out 👇 🧵 #nature #reptiles #herping #naturelovers
By November the Superb Lyrebirds have regrown their tails and begin to follow females, shake their tails, raise their wings and call vociferously. I came across an entourage of 5 lyrebirds this morning in Royal National Park and this boy was clearly getting hot and bothered! #birds #birding #nature
November 8, 2025 at 4:00 AM