Birdline NSW is a site for the reporting of rare or unusual birds outside their normal range, unusually high or low numbers, early or late arrivals or departures for migrant species and interesting behaviour or unusual habitat usage.

Birdline NSW is sponsored by Birding NSW, Birds Australia - Southern NSW & ACT and Cumberland Bird Observers Club, co-ordinated and hosted by Eremaea Birds and moderated by Alan Morris, Chris Charles and Simon Blanchflower. Register for weekly summary emails, species notifications and the ability to enter full lists.

Recent Sightings

September 2010

Thu 2	Rainbow Bee-eater Sawtell Single bird heard calling in flight over Sawtell this morning (08:35), first return for here. They have not been present over winter. Peter Higgins 2/9 #14535
	White-winged Triller Yambil Street, Griffith A pair observed flying low overhead David Parker 2/9 #14531
	Spotless Crake Penrith Swamp I ventured out into a totally untouched part of this swamp complex this morning looking for the resident Swamp Harriers. I did see one, but from near me came a call that I was not familiar with. The call was made twice by a bird among the reeds and I could not see them. Upon returning home, I listened to my crakes as the call kind of reminded me of Baillon's but it was not that since I am rather familiar with that little crake having seen and heard them a number of times and from less than 5m away at Bushell's Lagoon. Upon going through all the local crake calls I realized that what I heard was definitely a Spotless Crake, a totally new species for me. Lots of Australian Reedwarblers and heard two Little Grassbird too. Further information Ákos Lumnitzer 2/9 #14530
	White-throated Gerygone Nimmitta Heard my first for spring. My last record from here was March 7th. This little warbler was calling non-stop for the hour I was present. Great to hear more migrants. Still waiting for Koels and Channel-billed Cuckoos to come my way. Further information Ákos Lumnitzer 2/9 #14529
	Osprey Ulladulla Met up with Mike Jarmin from NPWS on 31/8 at Osprey nest site. He had a telecom rep climb the tower to check on an eggless but ready and completely lined nest. While there 2 Shoalhaven Council reps arrived with the proposal of installing a camera soon if able to without too much disturbance to the Ospreys. The pair continue to habitat the nest, the hen has been a constant occupier of the nest with the male bringing food. If the camera is installed I'll forward all the details to connect. Bob Rusk 2/9 #14528
Wed 1	Eastern Koel Manly Selective Campus, North Curl Curl Also Channel-billed Cuckoo - both migrants seen for my first time this season this morning (first day of spring haha). Also an Olive-backed Oriole calling. Henry Coleman 1/9 #14527
	PACIFIC BAZA King Creek, Wauchope A pair of Pacific Baza in a tree in my garden this morning. A nice start to Spring and the 7th species of raptor recorded in/over our garden since we moved here a month ago. Clive Meadows & Louise Earnshaw 1/9 #14525
	Channel-billed Cuckoo North Parramatta While waiting for my bus this morning a Channel-billed Cuckoo flew over the bus stop in North Parramatta. (Moderator Note: C-BC's now becoming well reported in Sydney Basin & generally wont be listed further.) Trevor Waller 1/9 #14515

August 2010

Tue 31	Pacific Baza Wattle Flat, Royal National Park One bird overhead about 2:30 p.m. Did two circuits over the picnic area and caused quite a stir amongst the resident ducks, Dusky Moorhens and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. It was mobbed by Australian Magpies, Australian Ravens and Magpie Larks and soon departed. Roger Giller 31/8 #14513
	Glossy Black-Cockatoo Lower Pappinbarra A pair flew to a roost on the edge of the forest at sunset. Ian Kerr 31/8 #14509
	Eastern Curlew Woy Woy Single Eastern Curlew foraging on sand flat at eastern end of Woy Woy Channel. Warren Brown 31/8 #14501
	Australian Reedwarblers are back in the west Penrith Swamp I was elated to hear the arrival of spring that could not have been more appropriately announced than the three plus Australian Reed-warblers busily advertising their territories around the swamp. The resident Dusky Woodswallows are building nests and the 60+ Chestnut-breasted Mannikins, the pair of Crested Shrike-tits are still present, as well as the resident Swamp Harriers. Also heard a rather high-pitched tinkling call that reminded me of my Grey Currawong sighting about a month ago up the mountains. Knowing that Colin Scouler had one close-by at Penrith Lakes recently made me think that it's the same bird perhaps, but without actually being able to see what exactly made the noise I could not be sure. Ákos Lumnitzer 31/8 #14500
Mon 30	Rufous Scrub-bird, Logrunner, other species Gloucester Tops Penny Drake-Brockman, Mike Newman and I went up to Gloucester Tops on Monday 30th to do a reconnaissance for HBOC’s Rufous Scrub-bird survey that will take place there over 15-17 September. We walked 2 km along Kerripit Rd beyond the gate, finding two calling males i.e. two probable territories. If the males are still at those sites in a couple of weeks time, the probability that these are territories will go up. We didn’t find any other sites but it is early in the season for birds to be calling. At one site, the bird only called for a couple of minutes and before & after that it was silent for the 15-20 minutes that we were in the general vicinity. Although it was a quietish day for birding, other good birds we recorded were: 1 x Olive Whistler, 1 x Crescent Honeyeater, 1+ Logrunner, 2 x Crested Shrike-tit, 3 x Red-browed Treecreeper (probably – not seen well), 1+ Bassian Thrush, 2+Lyrebirds, 1 Brush-turkey. We can fit 2-3 additional people in on the Sep 15-17 survey, if anyone is interested. Alan Stuart Alan Stuart 31/8 #14511
Sun 29	Rockwarbler Warrimoo Track 500m SE of Bobbin Head Marina, several birds in mangroves and scattered boulders beside Track. Harry Roberts 30/8 #14486
	Crested Shrike-Tit, Rose Robin, Scarlet Robin, Rock Warbler, Red-browed Treecreeper Nattai River west of Hume Highway, Mittagong Notable sightings while on a bushwalk just to the west of the Hume Highway. After many days of high winds great bird activity. Terry Dunlea 30/8 #14484
	Grey Goshawks, Pacific Bazas, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Shanes Park Air Services Land (off Captain Cook Drive) (approx. 10km W of Blacktown CBD) Spring is well into full swing with all the love making at Shanes Park this morning. Pairs of both Grey Goshawks and Pacific Bazas were seen displaying (the later also calling while displaying), Varied Sitellas seen copulating (many other Sitellas present as well), at least two pairs of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos and their young, Fairy Martins busily repairing their nests/feeding young, White-bellied Sea-eagles honking away, Shining Bronze-cuckoo displaying, a pair of Crested Shrike-tits, a pair of Tawny Frogmouths disturbed in a low roost close to the ground, the Owlet-nightjar looking outside its hollow, Scarlet Honeyeaters, Rose Robins, at least 7 Speckled Warblers (including 3 pairs), White-thraoted Gerygone and a few Rufous Whistlers and at least 2 pairs of Buff-rumped Thornbills with young. Shanes Park is definitely one of the best birding places in Sydney!!!! Edwin Vella, Mark Fuller et al 29/8 #14482
	Figbird Engine Pond Sydney Airport 1 male and 1 female seen in the fenced off figtree Gabrielle Rees 29/8 #14480
	Painted Honeyeater Wingecarribee Reservoir (near Bowral) Absolutely stunned and thrilled to hear the call of one, possibly two, Painted Honeyeaters at Wingecarribee Reservoir today, circa 1pm. I was unable to see the bird(s), unfortunately. There was a lot of flowering mistletoe about. This is only the third time I've recorded these birds in my life and a first for the Southern Highlands. Indeed, I'd be keen to know if any records exist for the Southern Highlands at all. I suggest any local birders get there asap to search for the birds. Lorne Johnson 29/8 #14476
	White-bellied Sea-Eagle Wingecarribee Reservoir (near Bowral) Stunning adult seen circa 1pm; hassled by a Little Raven until it moved tot he south. Only my second record of a Sea-Eagle in the Highlands. Lorne Johnson 29/8 #14473
	Painted Button-quail, White-naped Honeyeater, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Fuscous Honeyeater Chiltern Trail, Ingleside Painted Button-quail: platelets seen and was heard in private property in Ingleside (1). White-naped Honeyeater: It seemed as if the flock of ten and only just arrived. Haven't seen this species here for a couple of weeks now. (10). Chestnut-rumped Heathwren: Amazing veiws of one male. Stunning bird. (2). Fuscous Honeyeater: Unusual here. Great veiws of one. (3). Full list Henry Coleman 29/8 #14468
Sat 28	Pacific Baza Cumberland State Forest Edwin Vella posted on 17 July on this subject. There are now two Bazas hanging around quite close to the main entrance - maybe breeding. Also many Musk and Scaly breasted Lorikeets, Satin Bowerbird etc. Carol Abbott 28/8 #14452
	Ground Cuckoo-shrike 3.2 km south of Euabolong 3 Ground Cuckoo-shrikes feeding in a paddock on the western side of the Lake Cargelligo - Euabolong road this morning. Troy Mutton 28/8 #14451
	PowerfulOwl Rainforest Walk, Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney city. One bird still present Sat morning. The girls in the gardens shop are very helpful and will describe the walk accurately; it's not that well signposted! Further information Alan McBride 28/8 #14450
	Little Ravens and Great Crested Grebe Castlereagh Cell A flock of approximately 25-30 Little Ravens present at the private property Nimmitta on Taylor Rd, opposite St Paul's Grammar School. The nesting White-winged Chough chicks are now fully feathered and are looking well. 14 Great Crested Grebes on west pond of Penrith Lakes at the T-junction of Castlereagh and Cranebrook Roads. 2 Great Crested Grebes on east pond still and another 4 observed on the large pond about 500m south of the town of Castlereagh on the east side of road. Further information Ákos Lumnitzer 28/8 #14446
	Lewin's Rail, Superb Lyrebird, Olive-backed Oriole Irrawong Reserve, Warriewood At least 1 Lewin's Rail near the track through Irrawong Reserve this morning. I first heard the rail calling at around 9:15am, and the low water levels allowed me to locate it and obtain some glimpses. Also, 2 Superb Lyrebirds displaying, one right on the path near the waterfall, and an Olive-backed Oriole. Henry Coleman 28/8 #14444
Fri 27	Figbird Brookvale The Birds reported at Manly Selective haven't been seen since, but today I saw a single male bird opposite the Macdonalds, this means they're nearby, hopefully they should return soon Nathan Ruser 27/8 #14442
	Banded Lapwing, Wedge-tailed and Fluttering Shearwaters Stockton Beach A lonely Banded Lapwing was a surprise to see standing out in the sand-blasted beach today during a regular monitoring survey of Stockton Beach. Also, streams of Fluttering-type Shearwaters not far to sea - estimated 3000+ along the beach (several confirmed to be Flutterings). The first Wedge-tailed Shearwaters we've seen for spring off the Hunter coastline as well, with about 600 birds seen, most flying in a northerly direction. Mick Roderick, Ann Lindsey and Mike Newman 27/8 #14439
Thu 26	Bush Stone-curlew Karuah A solitary Bush Stone-curlew first seen in a Council reserve north of the Karuah bridge and later heard calling on the Karuah side of it. Alan Stuart & Kristy Peters 27/8 #14441
	Powerful Owl; Tawny Frogmouth Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney The Powerful Owl reported last week was still there on 26/7/2010 in the rainforest walk; apparently it has been there for a couple of weeks. Staff at the gardens can assist in locating the owl. Also present was a pair of Tawny Frogmouths. Martin & Penny Potter 27/8 #14435
	Chestnut-breasted Mannikin Penrith Baseball fields This morning a flock of around 60 were feeding on the NW field behind the goal posts. Also heard Brown Quail nearby and the usually present Yellow-rumped Thornbills. This is a good location for seeing the Mannikins as they are generally around in the area. Ákos Lumnitzer 26/8 #14428
Wed 25	Hooded Robin, Splendid Fairy-wren Kemendok National Park (former Nature Reserve section) Male Hooded Robin observed as well as a party of Fairy-wrens in chenopod shrubland at edge of Black Box woodland on main track through the former reserve part. David Parker 31/8 #14506
	Regent Parrot, Olive-backed Oriole, Diamond Firetail, Gilbert's Whistler Kemendok National Park (formerly Mallee Cliffs State Forest) Numerous Regent Parrots observed along the Murray River. A single Olive-backed Oriole in bend opposite Nangiloc (Victorian side). Diamond Firetail and Gilbert's Whilster in the south. Other birds include White-browed Babbler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Mallee Ringneck, Grey Fantail and Whistling Kite. David Parker 31/8 #14505
	Bassian Thrush Bundanon (Shoalhaven River) I'm on a residency in the writer's cottage at Bundanon, a property on the Shoalhaven River, left to the nation by Arthur and Yvonne Boyd. Taking a walk along the track to a natural amphitheatre here yesterday (25/08), I watched a Bassian thrush hop from the leaf litter, and then back when it caught sight of me. For a full ten seconds, though, we stood there regarding each other with fascination—at least, I was fascinated, and delighted. Mark Tredinnick 26/8 #14434
Tue 24	Ground Parrot Barren Grounds Nature Reserve Saw a single Ground Parrot fly from close to the edge of the Illawarra lookout track. Only managed a 5-8 second look as it flew low into the heath away from the track. Gary Gibbs 31/8 #14510
	Regent Parrot Euston Regional Park A number of birds observed throughout this patch of River Red Gum forest. David Parker 31/8 #14504
	Ground Cuckoo-Shrike Sturt Highway, east of Hay (opposite 'Bertangles') A pair observed in paddock on south side of road. David Parker 31/8 #14503
	Grey Goshawk (white morph) Cliff Road Freemans Reach NSW Very clear sighting in the ironbarks on our property. Repeat sighting on the 26th Aug Richard Clark 26/8 #14429
	Great Crested Grebe Penrith Lakes area In case someone is interested seeing the resident (not sure to be technically correct, but I have been seeing them here for a long, long time) Great Crested Grebes near the corner of Cranebrook and Castlereagh Roads, two are still on the east pond (smaller) and there were at least three on the west pond this morning at 10am. Ákos Lumnitzer 24/8 #14420
	Grey Goshawk, Pied Butcherbird Richmond Lowlands Went looking for the Spotted Harrier Edwin reported on Sunday and looked in the fields he observed it, but all I could see was the white phase Grey Goshawk sitting on a power pole along Cornwallis Rd, near the little bridge over the creek. The hawk flew west at around 200m at a time being constantly mobbed by Australian Magpies and Ravens. When I looked over the large fields around Baker's Lagoon seeking the harrier (still) I heard a very sweet butcherbird call. It ended up being the Pied Butcherbird; the first I have seen in the Sydney Basin. Please excuse the sub-standard image of it in flight. Ákos Lumnitzer 24/8 #14419
Sun 22	Beach Stone-curlew Harrington A single bird seen in the small inlet north of the breakwater, past the sea rescue station, by a few members during a Hastings Birdwatchers Club outing. Murray, Silva Vaughan-Jones & Peter West per Clive Meadows 23/8 #14409
	Spotted Harrier, Little Raven Conrwallis Rd, Windsor (approx. 55km NW of Sydney CBD) After visiting some relatives in the Hawkesbury, I decided to pay a short visit to the Windsor turf farms on my way home. I was delighted to see a 2nd year Spotted Harrier flying low across Cornwallis Rd. The grass is quite long here and there was also a few Black-shouldered Kites and a Brown Goshawk hunting in the area. I also heard here at least one Little Raven. Edwin Vella 22/8 #14406
	Buff-banded Rail, Tawny Frogmouth, Royal Spoonbill Centennial Park, inner Sydney Single Buff-banded Rail feeding in drainage ditch leading into Kensington Ponds near childrens bike track. Tawny Frogmouths have begun nesting on edge of Lachlan Swamp. Also single Royal Spoonbill, many Fairy and a few Tree Martins, 2 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. Eric Finley 22/8 #14403
Sat 21	Pacific Baza Lakes of Cherrybrook 2 birds 10:30 am in Blue gums. Seen 3rd week in August same place 2007 & 2008 Gabrielle Rees 29/8 #14479
	Regent Honeyeater Windsor Downs NR About 8 Regent Honeyeaters seen in or near flowering ironbarks on Mr. Corbins Track about 200-300 m. north of Sanctuary Road. They were chased off by Red Wattlebirds and Noisy Friarbirds and could not be re-located. Nathan Bligh per Colin Scouler. 21/8 #14402
Fri 20	White-bellied Sea-Eagle Ulladulla Head. Ulladulla The WB Sea-Eagle has again caught a Little Penguin this afternoon, the second I've seen caught this week. The nearest known penguin rookery is Brush Island, about 20 klm south at Bawley Point so unless there's another unknown one locally they must travel a fair distance to feeding grounds. I've been calling this spot by its local name of Warden Head when it actually should be Ulladulla Head. A friend took some photos so I'll pass them on should I receive them. (Moderators Note: Little Penguins are present all away along the coast north to about South West Rocks. HANZAB says foraging range of breeding birds is up to 20 km but some Penguins stay away for up to 2-3 days and so may travel more, and then there is all the non-breeding birds! AKM). Bob Rusk 20/8 #14394
	Square-tailed Kite, Australian Owlet-nightjar Shanes Park (off Captain Cook Drive) (near Blacktown) At Shanes Park this morning we watched an adult Square-tailed Kite being mobbed by Ravens. The Owlet-nightjar also showed well in its hollow so did a White-throated Gerygone and there were a numbers of cuckoos with at least 3 Shining Bronze-cuckoo displaying. Edwin Vella et al 20/8 #14393
	Powerful Owl Botanic Gardens, Sydney CBD A Powerful Owl was roosting in the canopy of a syzygium tree in the Rainforest Walk of the Botanic Gardens this afternoon. Bruce Roubin 20/8 #14392
	Australian Brush Turkey Frenches Forest The Brush Turkey's are moving more and more south with the grown up version of the young Brush-Turkey that was living with some chickens last year, becoming a new bird for my Backyard list! Nathan Ruser 20/8 #14391
	Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Homebush Bay The Sharpies have landed! I was told that Judy Harrington had spotted one at the Waterbird Refuge on Wednesday afternoon - it was still there this morning (just one) at the northern end of the refuge. Robert Griffin 20/8 #14389
	White-winged Chough Londonderry This is a nest on Nimmitta, a private property. The chicks could be about one to two weeks old at most judging by size and lack of feathers. The group was very busy feeding them this morning with a steady traffic of adults flying to and fro with prey items such as worms, caterpillars and even garden skinks. This nest is about 500m south from Edwin's yesterday. Further information Ákos Lumnitzer 20/8 #14386
Thu 19	Swift Parrot richmond One was hit by a car. had a broken wing and lost alot of blood. died soon after (Moderators Note: Unfortunately Swift Parrots are often hit by motor vehicles. When feeding low in a tree they have a habit of taking off by flying in a downwards swoop and the gaining height, so colliding with cars, tennis court fences and similar structures! AKM). Mitchell Bentley 21/8 #14397
	Australasian Figbird Manly Selective Campus, North Curl Curl Accompanying the arrival of what felt like the first day of spring, the Figbirds that were in feeding in and around the school last year have returned. (A large group have spent the winter around Graythwaite in North Sydney - Moderator) Henry Coleman 19/8 #14383
	Red-capped Robin Lomdonderry Early this morning I was able to find at least one male Red-capped Robin near the junction of Smeeton and Taylor Roads at Londonderry (many thanks Akos for the directions). It's good that a few RCR's are still keeping hold in Sydney at a few places. Also present were a few Little Lorikeets, Brown-headed Honeyeaters, a few Peaceful Doves, Double-barred Finches as well as a group of White-winged Choughs and their nest. Edwin Vella 19/8 #14382
Wed 18	Little Egret, Eastern Curlew Bermagui River Conservation Area 5 Little Egrets in breeding plumage and 3 Eastern Curlews were seen quietly feeding in flooded wetlands along the Bermagui River this afternoon. In nearby mangroves, a Sacred Kingfisher also in full breeding plumage was observed. Jacquie and Len Axen 25/8 #14426
	Grey Goshawk Lyndale Avenue, Port Macquarie A white phase Grey Goshawk has moved into the neighbourhood while I"ve been away Tim Morris 18/8 #14375
Tue 17	Crested Shrike-tit Penrith Baseball Fields This morning while walking my dogs along the NW field beside the vacated industrial lot, I observed a male and female Crested Shrike-tit in the casuarinas alongside. They gave very good views. Other noteable species were Chestnut-breasted Mannikins (~15), , Dusky Woodswallow (1), Striated Pardalotes (calling most mornings in area), Brown Goshawk and an Australian Hobby. Further information Ákos Lumnitzer 18/8 #14372
	White-Bellied Seaeagle Warden head Ulladulla A WB Seaeagle landed on the reef off Warden Head and began dining on a Little Penguin. Another L Penguin was seen behind the reef swimming around in the same area. This is the second time I've witnessed WBS eagles with L.Penguins as prey,and exactly the same as in the first instance, a fishing boat arrived from nowhere and dropped anchor and scared the bird with its prey away. Things are going well with the Ospreys nest with one in attendance at all times. Bob Rusk 17/8 #14367
	White-plumed Honeyeater Curl Curl Lagoon 1 White-plumed Honeyeater in a Casurina tree next to Greendale Creek, 20m along the walking track off Harboard Road Joshua Bergmark 17/8 #14366
Mon 16	Varied Triller Beach access, Harrington A pair of Varied Trillers were present on the pedestrian beach access track along with a female Regent Bowerbird and a pair of Crested Shrike Tits Tim Morris 18/8 #14376
	Grey Currawong International Regatta Centre. Penrith One bird seen briefly near the toilet block on the southern bank opposite the finishing line of the rowing course. GCs are rare vagrants to the lower Blue Mountains from higher altitudes in winter, but very few reach the plains. Colin Scouler 17/8 #14362
Sun 15	Brown Skua 2 km off Coffs Harbour Single Brown Skua seen, with another, possibly same bird, seen ~30 min later during commercial whale-watching trip off Coffs. Also ~10 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, 5 or so Fluttering-type, and only ~20 Australasian Gannets (compared with hundreds off some beaches in recent weeks). Peter Higgins 16/8 #14361
	Little Raven, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Wedge-tailed Eagle Kurrajong Hills nw of Sydney A high-flying flock of at least 32 Little Ravens passed over several times on Sunday morning. This is less than 10 kms from recently reported sighting at Richmond Lowlands but is my first local record. Yellow-throated Scrubwrens nesting in an unusually exposed location in a black wattle on cleared land adjacent to lantana-infested rainforest remnants. Also a juvenile plumaged Wedge-tailed Eagle, and 5 Brown Cuckoo-doves which recently have taken to scavenging leftover dog food on our verandah. Eric Finley 16/8 #14360
	Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Wauchope The single Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater I reported here a few months ago is still here. It seems to be hanging around a Little Wattlebird! Today it was doing some mimicry, and lo and behold it was mostly the Little Wattlebird it was imitating. I wonder if this has ever been reported before? Matt Hinze 16/8 #14353
	Grey Goshwaks, Australian Owlet-nighjar Shanes Park (off Captain Cook Drive near Blacktown) The Owlet-nightjar had its head already outside the hollow when we found the tree we had seen it yesterday. Also while we were looking at the Owlet-nightjar, 2 Grey Goshawks were displaying again overhead so it looks like that they may be nesting in the area soon! Also there were quite a number of Olive-backed Orioles (at least 6 birds) and Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes (15 plus), a Brown Goshawk, a Common Bronzewing and at least 2 Speckled Warblers. Lots of small birds about as like the previous visits but again no Western Gerygone. I attached a poor quality photo of the displaying Grey Goshawks. Edwin Vella, David Mitford & Mark Fuller 15/8 #14347
	Noisy Pitta Ourimbah State Forest One Noisy Pitta calling at dusk in Ourimbah SF. Further information Alan McBride 15/8 #14346
	Black Kite Bobbin Head Road, Turramurra Single dark plumaged bird cruised south approx 9:30am; not too high up, so close enough to clearly see that the notched fork in the tail was not the result of moult. 2nd ever seen from my house in 12 years Tom Wilson 15/8 #14340
	Red-capped Robin Londonderry 2 males and one female. First male in exactly the same spot as I saw yesterday morning. The second male approximately 500m away via the track, but around 200m in a straight line. Female present with the second male. Also White-eared Honeyeater, Spotted Pardalote, Peaceful Dove and Double-barred Finch. Ákos Lumnitzer 15/8 #14339
Sat 14	Black-faced Monarch, White-browed Babbler Inverell White-browed Babbler, a first sighting for me at Copeton Dam Inverell. A small group of approximately 15 birds. Also, a mate showed me an image of a Black-faced Monarch that spent a few days living in his garage at Elsmore back in late February. Ian Colley 21/8 #14395
	Osprey Magdala Park, Lane Cove River, North Riyde An Osprey flew low over Magdala Park (beside Lane Cove River) at about 5 p.m., trying to shake off the clamourous attentions of 30-odd Sulphur-crested Cockatoos plus ancillary Ibises and Currawongs. It finally landed on top of the power-line tower, where it stayed for a few minutes giving great views, until it was chased off to the north-east by 7 persistent Australian Ravens. Ben & Kevin Barker 15/8 #14342
	Glossy Black-cockatoo Pearl Beach Male and female seen at 5pm (male also calling) near the Casuarina forest at the back of Pearl Beach. Charles Hunter 15/8 #14341
	Grey Goshawk Wakehurst Parkway, adjacent Wakehurst Golf Course After seeing 3 GG's earlier in the day at Shane's Park, it was good to get another cruising low over the parkway towards Manly Dam, golf course area. Alan McBride 15/8 #14338
	White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes Knudsen Reserve, Riverstone (approx. 10km NW of Blacktown CBD) At Knudsen Reserve in Riverstone, a pair of White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes (one light morph and the other dark morpth), Crested Shrike-tits, a nice coloured Olive-backed Oriole, 3 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos and nesting Eastern Yellow Robin and White-plumed Honeyeater over the creek. Not bad for a brief visit around lunch. Edwin Vella and John DeHeume 14/8 #14337
	Australian Owlet-nightjar, Grey Goshawks Shanes Park (off Captain Cook Drive) (near Blacktown) This morning's highlights at Shanes Park, good views of the Owlet Nightjar peering from its hollow (my first sighting for Blacktown LGA) , 3 Grey Goshawks soaring together (including one pair displaying), the usual (but always nice to see) Speckled Warblers but no Western Gerygone on this occasion. Edwin Vella, John DeHeume, Alan McBride and Tony Palliser 14/8 #14336
	Grey Currawong Kings Tableland, Wentworth Falls Observed my first of this species along the main road leading into Kings Tableland, approximately 1km south of the observatory. Continually calling, and what a sweet sound it was too. Further information Ákos Lumnitzer 14/8 #14334
	Red-capped Robin Londonderry Near the junction of Smeeton and Taylor Roads, upon Crown Land. First record in this location. Also, Peaceful Dove, Striated and Spotted Pardalotes, Double-barred Finches and the normal flocks of Yellow and Buff-rumped Thornbills. Ákos Lumnitzer 14/8 #14333
Fri 13	Western and White-throated Gerygones, Pacific Baza, Grey Goshawk Shanes Park - bushland off Captain Cook Drive (approx. 10km west of Blacktown CBD) Mark Fuller and I enjoyed a good morning at Shanes Park today seeing the Western Gerygone on 3 occasions as well as an obliging view of a Pacific Baza low down in a melaleuca, 2 White-throated Gergones together (though they normally arrive this month, this pair possibly over-wintered here as I heard one a month or so back at this location), at least one pair of Speckled Warblers (again singing beautifully like last week), a few Rose Robins, Fairy Martins, a Brown Goshawk and heard a Grey Goshawk beside the creek. Edwin Vella 13/8 #14330
Thu 12	Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Beecroft Weapons Range, Jervois Bay Two Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters foraging on the road for insects beside the entrance to the Crocodile Head walking track. A pair of White-bellied Sea-Eagles and a Peregrine Falcon seen at the Point Perpendicular Lighthouse. Strong westerly winds today and persistent rain kept most birds out of site. Left my telephoto lens at home which was a nuisance because the Peregrine was hovering just off the edge of the cliff and calling loudly. Further information Chris Shaw 12/8 #14324
Wed 11	Little Lorikeet Cardiff (park at Western end of William St) approximately 5 within Eucalypts near the concrete creek. Warren Brown 12/8 #14322
Mon 9	Pheasant Coucal Buderoo NP One by side of road on approach to Buderoo, NP. Further information Alan McBride 10/8 #14317
	Pheasant Coucal Curra Moores Firetrail, Royal National Park, Sydney One bird observed flying across Sir Bertram Stephens Drive during the early morning. Deryk Engel 10/8 #14312
	Kelp Gull, various albatrosses, Gannets Wollongong City Beach A single adult Kelp Gull on the beach, which landed quite close. Quite a number of albatrosses with some approaching 200-300m from the shore - appeared to be Shy, Wandering and Black-browed, although could be similar species. Also, one shearwater at ~100m from the shore. Couldn't tell if it was Bullers or a light morph Wedge-tailed, but white underneath with light wing panels on the primaries and on the back, making an 'M' shape, but didn't see the underwing. Tony Keene 9/8 #14308
	Brown Quail Red Hill in the Cromer-Beacon Hill area 2 seen on the paved road that leads up to the Red Hill picnic area, off Lady Penrhyn Drive at about midday, also seen on 4/8/10 in the same place. Also in my previous sighting (May 1, 2010; #13316), I reported these as Painted Button-quail, but now I have a photo I see they are actually Brown Quail. On May 1 there were 3 of them, but there only seem to be 2 now. You can see a video I took here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFzjNtKE_cA. (Moderator's Note I have corrected the 1/5/2010 entry - AKM) Natalie Wood 9/8 #14305
Sun 8	Lewin's Rail Barren Grounds 2 birds calling about 100 - 200 metre east of lodge at Barren Grounds at dusk. Further information Alan McBride 11/8 #14320
	Rufous Whistler & Dusky Woodswallows Western Sydney Parklands, Glendenning Male Rufous Whistler seen, also five Dusky Woodswallows. I haven't seen any of these species over winter, so it looks like spring is on it's way. Mark Fuller 11/8 #14319
	Rose Robin Pearl Beach Single bird seen in the casuarina forest at Pearl Beach at 8am. Apart from the resident Satin Bowerbirds not much else seen. Charles Hunter 10/8 #14311
	Painted Button-quail, Rose Robins Castlereagh Nature Reserve Many platelets around one area, most of them fresh. We walked around for 1 hour trying to find them, but in vain. Also, a pair of Rose Robins were being harrassed by some Fuscous Honeyeaters near the carpark on the Northern Road. NB: We also went to Mt Druitt twice during the day - no Swift Parrots Joshua Bergmark, Nathan Ruser, Henry Coleman 9/8 #14302
Sat 7	Spotted Pardalote, Brown Quail, Peregrine Falcon Centennial Park, inner Sydney Pair of Spotted Pardalotes at a very exposed nest tunnel (alongside a popular dog track..) on the Kenso side of the park. Another single Pardalote seen Sunday in Moore Park. This species seems to have declined noticeably around Sydney in recent years. Also present 3 Brown Quail, a few Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Peregrine Falcon and Grey Fantail. Grey-headed Flying Foxes have recently colonised the paperbark swamp the resident Tawny Frogmouths favour with several hundred present - hopefully not the early stages of a serious colonisation which could impact this little pocket. Several pairs of Black Swan with cygnets at variety of stages. Great Cormorant 9 pairs with chicks - no other cormorant species seems to have commenced nesting yet. Eric Finley 10/8 #14313
	Wedge-tailed Eagle Woodford We were fortunate to observe a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles soaring just over the treetops near the dam this afternoon. Other birds of note in the area were at least five Beautiful Firetails, Pilotbird and Chestnut-rumped Heathwren. Ákos Lumnitzer and Graham Turner 7/8 #14288
Fri 6	Rufous Fantail, Noisy Pitta Copeland Tops SF A surprise to see one either early or overwintering Rufous Fantail on the Old Mine walk. 5 Noisy Pitta provided welcome views too. Further information Alan McBride 10/8 #14316
	Western Gerygone, Painted Button-quail, Owlet Nightjar, Scarlet Robin Shanes Park off Captain Cook Dr (approx. 10km W of Blacktown CBD) This morning at Shanes Park, I had one Western Gerygone foraging with Weebills, Yellow and Buff-rumped Thornbills. According to Ern Hoskin's "Birds of Sydney" there were a few records for them from 1974-1982 around Cobbity, Greendale and Bringelly, so this is another good sighting east of the Great Dividing Range. I have had 3 species of Gerygone this winter in this area at Shanes Park (i.e.) White-throated, Brown and Western. Other good sightings included a Collared Sparrowhawk, a Painted Button-quail, a male Scarlet Robin (a pair have been present here all winter), a couple of Rose Robins, Fan-tailed and Shining Bronze-cuckoos, at least 2 Speckled Warblers (very vocal and calling canary like) and heard an Owlet Nightjar (the later bringing my Blacktown LGA bird list to 215 species!!). Edwin Vella 6/8 #14278
Thu 5	White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Azure Kingfisher Western Sydney Parklands, Quakers Hill (approx. 5 km NW of Blacktown CBD) At the Quakers Hill section of the Western Sydney Parklands (near the Bell Miner colony), I saw a dark-phase White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, an Azure Kingfisher and a Brown Goshawk. The White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike was feeding with 2 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes and called once with its parrot like "kiseek" call. Also at nearby Nurragingy Reserve, there was another pair of Azure Kingfishers and a pair of Crested Shrike-tits. Edwin Vella 5/8 #14272
	Swift Parrots Mt Druitt At least 20 Swift Parrots were still at Mt Druitt and the same place since 2 weeks ago (i.e.) around the car park between the swimming pool and the library. I had some good photogenic ones next to the Library and adjacent to the car park. It's been a while since we have had Swift Parrots this good in Sydney! Edwin Vella 5/8 #14271
Wed 4	Swift Parrot Mulgoa Nature Reserve Five Swift Parrots seen at Mulgoa Nature Reserve near Penrith. The birds were in non-flowering grey box but were gleaning something from the leaves. Mark Ley 6/8 #14275
	Glossy Black Cockatoo, Grey Goshawk Lovers Jump Creek Track, North Turramurra 2 female Glossy Black Cockatoos seen feeding near the Clissold Road junction - possibly a third bird (could have been the male?) but wasn't seen. Grey Goshawk seen several times over the valley when I was level with Golden Jubilee Oval (Wahroonga). Amongst 44 species identified, I also saw an Olive-backed Oriole, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, 2 separate Lyrebirds singing in the valley, Tasmanian (very brown sides) Silvereyes, several groups of Variegated Fairy-wrens, a Wonga Pigeon and a Large-billed Scrubwren. No sign of Powerful Owls at the 2 roost sites where I have seen them on this track before. Tom Wilson 4/8 #14269
	Azure Kingfisher Manly Lagoon Another Azure Kingfisher on the lagoon this morning. They seem to be getting reasonably regular here. Also two Buff-banded Rails being very vocal yesterday afternoon at 5:00. Joshua Bergmark 4/8 #14268
Tue 3	White-bellied Sea-Eagle Macquarie University, North Ryde Campus 1 adult plumaged bird. Appeared distressed. Flew low over the lake and grassy area causing hundreds of cockatoos, galahs, corellas and ibis to take flight. Full list Kurtis Lindsay 3/8 #14262
	Swift Parrot West Ryde (Sydney Water grounds) Three swift parrots are feeding on spotted gum nectar today morning together with a big flock of rainbow lorikeets. The gums are in front of my window so I'm watching them and reporting at the same time. Ted Wnorowski 3/8 #14259
Mon 2	Rose Robin (male) Quarry Creek bushland, West Pymble GPS 56H0326796 UTM6262122 The male Rose Robin was sighted on 2nd, 4th, 6th and 7th August in a gully beside our house in the company of Brown Thornbills Noela and Bill Jones 7/8 #14282
Sun 1	Grey Goshawk, Pacific Baza Western Sydney Parklands the pair of Grey Goshawks have been a regular feature and were seen at the Quakers Hill section. Later, at Glendenning, a young Pacific Baza flopped into the long grass and grabbed what looks like a small frog. It's great to have two sites for these birds both within 10k's from where I live. mark fuller 30/8 #14493
	Great Crested Grebe Wingecarribee Reservoir (near Bowral) 9 birds on reservoir late afternoon. Lorne Johnson 3/8 #14264
	Superb Parrot, Spotless Crake, Brolga, Baillon's Crake Lona Farm Stay, 41 km SW Coonamble Highlights yesterday of a partly enforced stay at Lona Property farmstay due to heavy rain, was 1 Spotless Crake and Baillon's Crake on the Lona Wetland, a flock of 10 Superb Parrots flew over, 2 Brolgas still on property and a lone Ground Cuckoo-shrike was seen, while on the way into Coonamble last night a further 6 Brolgas were seen from the road. John McLennan & Michael Scobie per Alan Morris 2/8 #14257
	Little Raven Cornwallis Road Richmond opposite Bakers Lagoon A flock of 15 seen along the road. Keith Brandwood per CBOC 2/8 #14253
	Eastern Osprey Streetons Lookout Freemans Reach Single bird on River Keith Brandwood per CBOC 2/8 #14252
	Wedge-tailed Eagle Budderoo National Park (Budderoo Plateau) I spent two hours on the Plateau at Budderoo NP this afternoon. As soon as I started walking the Budderoo Track, I heard a Peregrine Falcon's call above me. Looking up, I found the Falcon harassing a Wedge-tailed Eagle. The Eagle folded its wings and it fell into a swoop, with the Peregrine doing the same, pursuing the Eagle angrily. Both birds disappeared over the horizon. Spectacular stuff - something I've never seen. There were very few sightings of other birds on the Plateau due to blowy conditions. An Eastern Bristlebird was heard calling (and, I thought, imitating a Grey Shrike-thrush; the literature doesn't seem to say Bristlebirds copy other bird calls; maybe, I was mistaken). A few Southern Emu-wrens were also heard, but not seen. A pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos were seen huddled in a swaying, wind-swept gum at the southern end of the track. Lorne Johnson 1/8 #14250

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