Moderators' Note

Birders are encouraged to post lists to eBird Australia, where sightings are incorporated into the BirdLife Australia Atlas. To do this you need to register with eBird Australia then login. All Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot reports should be forwarded to Mick Roderick to assist in the recovery of these severely declining species: mick.roderick@birdlife.org.au. Note we will not be publishing reports of Accipiter raptors (Collared Sparrowhawk, Grey/Brown Goshawks) or Square-tailed Kites unless they are in unusual locations or are seen with unusual prey etc.

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October 2024

Mon 21		Greater Sooty Owl Narrowneck, Katoomba
		While photographing the C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) comet last night atop Narrowneck Plateau, we heard the single falling bomb whistle call of an adult Sooty Owl in the valley below at 20:43hrs. Time is very typical for an adult to call as the light has disappeared from the sky. I've often heard them call in suitable areas about this time of the light period. Only one call, but loud and clear for easy identification. Approximate location (Google Maps) -33.728263, 150.283740 eBird checklist
		Ákos Lumnitzer, Netra Chetty and The Rockman (Andy Klotz) 22/10 #271869
		Masked Booby,Buller's Albatross,Wandering type Albatross. Long Reef Aquatic Reserve.
		Had a great days seabirding from Long Reef today highlights were Masked Booby probably the same bird seen on the Sydney pelagic,also counted 9 Buller's Albatross,about 80 Shy Albatross,about 85 Black-browed Albatross,I very snowy Wandering type Albatross and 6 Arctic Jaeger's.
		Michael Ronan 21/10 #271868
		Beach Stone Curlew 28°48'02.4"S 153°35'47.4"E Lennox Head
		Two seen along the shoreline at sunset. Possibly a breeding pair.
		Tara McGready 21/10 #271867
		Brush Cuckoo, Little Bronze-Cuckoo Coutts Crossing Village
		Brush Cuckoo heard calling yesterday (Oct 20), first for season although a short call 3-4 days earlier was probably this species. Little Bronze-Cuckoo heard calling in yard again today.
		Greg Clancy 21/10 #271865
Sun 20		Banded Lapwing, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-kneed Dotterel, Songlarks, Trillers Richmond Lowlands, Pitt Town Lagoon
		Banded Lapwings have arrived in northwest Sydney - four at Richmond Lowlands (Cornwells Lane : 33°34'36.3"S 150°46'02.4"E) and 13 at Freeman's Reach Turf Farms (Batchellors Wharf Rd : 33°34'35.5"S 150°48'57.0"E). Bushells Lagoon, Wilberforce Lagoon and Pitt Town Lagoon all chock full leaving little shoreline for waders. Nevertheless, a walk down to Pitt Town Lagoon (via Lagoon Rd : 33°35'26.2"S 150°51'32.5"E) yielded the Red-kneed Dotterels, a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and an Eastern Long-necked Turtle. Many Brown and Rufous Songlarks primarily at Richmond Lowlands, and White-winged Trillers everywhere.
		Chris Rehberg - Sydney Birding, with Garth Shaw 21/10 #271864
Sat 19		Black Falcon Lawrence (Ensby Road, approx 1km south of Lawrence)
		A pair of Black Falcon initially observed flying low & fast over cane field being harvested. Male caught what was possibly a Common Myna & flew to a nearby power pole & was joined by much larger female. Male consumed the prey & pair remained perched for some time. Both birds observed perched together on a nearby power pole later in day in same field. Black Kite, Sea Eagle, Whistling Kite & Wedge-tailed Eagle also observed over harvesting operation. Previous records in this vicinity from approx 3 years ago, Black Falcons are rarely observed in the Clarence Valley. eBird checklist
		Darryl Eggins 19/10 #271862
Fri 18		Great Knot, Sanderling, Greater and Siberian Plover Manning River estuary at Harrington Breakwall
		The Central Coast Group, Birding NSW currently are holding a three camp at the Harrington Caravan Park. Part of the time his morning and around lunch time was checking out the waders that were feeding at the beginning of the run-out tide today opposite the Marine Rescue Centre in Harrington. The number included 4 Sanderlings, 23 Pacific Golden Plover, 1 Great Knot, 1 Greater and 1 Siberian Plover, 11 Eastern Curlews, 28 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Red-necked Stints and 12 Red-capped Plovers, 6 Pied Oystercatchers including one pair with two chicks. Most of these birds have been recorded on eBird (with photographs) by a variety of eBirders but no details have been published on Birdline. . eBird checklist
		Alan Morris, Gabrielle Rees, Paul Johnstone & 23 other members of Birding NSW CC Group 18/10 #271857
Thu 17		Masked Booby Offshore--Sydney Pelagic
		The highlight of yesterday's private charter was a lone Masked Booby (juv with some white starting to show). The bird flew in with an Australasian Gannet as we were motoring out and, typical of Masked Bobbies, it briefly followed the boat giving everyone onboard great views. This is the first record of Masked Booby on a Sydney pelagic. Other species of note were a distant Cape Petrel, seen while in transit, and a White-chinned Petrel, which hung around the boat at the drift. Other petrels seen, as expected, were Grey-faced and Providence (all in >500m). Albatrosses included good numbers of Black-browed (36), Shy (10), Campbell (1) and Gibson's (1). Shearwater species included Short-tailed, Flesh-footed, Wedge-tailed, Sooty and Fluttering. Wilson's Storm-Petrels seen at the drift. Both Brown Skuas and Pomarine Jaegers encountered whilst in transit. Australasian Gannets, Crested Terns and Silver Gulls also seen. Photograph: Greg McLachlan eBird checklist
		Sydney Pelagics and all onboard 18/10 #271854
Wed 16		White-throated Gerygone Sanson Hill (private property) 17km east of Lake Cargelligo
		The song caught my attention, didn’t sound quite right for Western Gerygone. Highly unusual sighting. Two birds foraging in canopy of eucalypts. Habitat - gravely hill, open areas as well as more dense areas with eucalypts, deans wattle, Eremophila, small mallee trees as well as a few other shrubs and taller eucalypts. Quite a few birds present, white-winged triller, mistletoe birds (including young) crimson chat, zebra finch, thornbills and honeyeaters. Good flocks of budgerigar here last week, none today.
		Rebecca and Sandy Van Dyk 16/10 #271853
		Dollarbird, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Little Bronze-Cuckoo Coutts Crossing Village
		First record for the season for Dollarbird (heard calling), Cuckoo-Dove heard calling in yard on 15 Oct and Little Bronze-Cuckoo on 14 October.
		Greg Clancy 16/10 #271852
Tue 15		White-bellied sea eagle Federal
		Single bird burst out of a mature Canphor Laurel on edge of Federal village, chased by crows. Unexpected sighting in the Byron hinterland.
		Ian Colvin 15/10 #271850
Sun 13		Australian Tern, Red Knot (9) The Entrance
		Single Australian Tern (non-breeding adult) at The Entrance this afternoon. From memory the last record for the Central Coast LGA was February 2021. Also reasonable numbers of Red Knot and still over 50 Bar-tailed Godwits at various locations on Tuggerah Lake.
		Andrew Robinson 13/10 #271837
Sat 12		White-browed & Masked Woodswallows + Budgerigars Manna Forest Rd, south of Condobolin
		Mixed flocks of White-browed & Masked Woodswallows along most of the 5km western edge of Manna State Forest. Also present 10km west at Weelah State Forest. We watched a male Masked WS breaking off twigs from a dead eucalypt & taking them to a fork in foliage. Male White-browed also investigating forks in branches. Assume looking to breed. Several flocks of 10-15 Budgies seen in this area, often feeding among scattered grass.
		Rosemary & Catherine Stapleton 14/10 #271843
		Kelp Gull adult Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
		A brief look at Long Reef in the high winds gave us an adult Kelp Gull. An unusual visitor for this time of year. Also seen were Shy and Black-browed Albatross and migrating Short-tailed Shearwater in their hundreds. Thanks to Michael Ronan for the ID eBird checklist
		Mike Barrow: Aussie Bird Tours 13/10 #271836
Fri 11		White-browed Woodswallow Firth Heinz Rd, Pillar Valley.
		calling high in the sky, possibly Masked though in my experience White-brows most common of the 2 near the coast.
		Clive Barker 15/10 #271849
		Kelp Gull (adult) Norah Head
		Adult Kelp Gull first seen at Soldiers Beach heading north earlier in the day, before being found roosting at Norah Head in the afternoon. (Moderator's Note, 8th record for the Central Cost LGA, most previous reports have been for immature brown birds, it is rare to have an adult bird. AKM)
		Guy Dutson and Andrew Robinson 11/10 #271833
Thu 10		Brown Treecreeper Glenugie State Forest near 8 Mile Rd & The Avenue, Glenugie.
		calling bird, Black-chinned Honeyeatrrs also calling.
		Clive Barker 15/10 #271847
		Square-tailed Kite (breeding) Bushland between Callala Bay and Beach Roads
		Pair with an active nest. Sighted due to their attempts to remove a monitor lizard from a tree some 15-20 metres from their nest. This area has been affected by 2 separate bush fires in the past 10 years with the most recent being 2020. The land including this nesting tree is earmarked for a housing development.
		Charmaine Edwards and Doug Edwards 12/10 #271835
		Pale-headed Rosella Nyngan
		Single rosella feeding on a grass strip before flying off. Only the second PHR i've seen in Nyngan in the seven and a half years I've lived here.
		Mick Crosland 12/10 #271834
		Forest Kingfisher Randwick Environment Park
		The bird was photographed far away, but the distinctive white dot between the eyes, dark blue head and sides of wings identify the species. (Moderator's Note: Rare bird for Sydney Region, in Andrew Patrick's Book "The Birds of Sydney" 2016, he mentions six reports without other details, while Ern Hoskin's Book "Birds of Sydney" 1991, mentions West Pennant Hills in 1936 and Longneck Lagoon in 1963. AKM) eBird checklist
		Francisco Martins 10/10 #271832
		Forest Kingfisher Randwick Environment Park
		Forest Kingfisher first reported here yesterday by Lewis Loncar, and followed up today by the usual local birders. Very unusual record for Sydney. I suspect it's a migrant bird from FNQ or PNG that's overshot its southerly spring migration and ended up here in suitable habitat. (Moderator's Note: While Field Guides might say that Forest Kingfishers are migratory, on the Mid North Coast and North Coast of NSW, the birds can be found in their favourite spot of woodland all year round. AKM)
		Richard Murray 10/10 #271831
		Orange Chat Edgells Lane Wetland, Bathurst
		Completely blown away by the discovery of a pair of Orange Chats on my very first visit to the wetlands today! A lifer for me and the first record for this species for Bathurst (at least according to eBird - so I am happy to be corrected). (Moderator's Note: No previous records for Bathurst as far as I can see, but two records east of Bathurst at Malabar Headland NP East 8-21/1/2006 and adult male at Tuggerah Lakes Saltmarsh 7-13/10/2018 .AKM). eBird checklist
		Joel Poyitt 10/10 #271829
		Orange Chat Brick Pits Wetlands, Kelso
		Two birds were first reported on ebird at 12pm by Joel and Ellenore Poyitt. I went out at 1pm and saw and photographed both. eBird checklist
		Alexander Bonner 10/10 #271825
Wed 9		Australian Pratincole Near Chat Alley, Lake Cargelligo
		Two Pratincole feeding on the edge of the road, first sighted by Meg and Neil Boness on 8th October, found again the following morning in the same location by my partner, Sandy Van Dyk. Our first ever record after searching for 7 + years!!!
		Sandy Van Dyk 13/10 #271842
		Satin Flycatcher Jerrara Dam Kiama
		One bird first heard than observed feeding in riparian zone next to creek. Satin Flycatcbers are a rare summer migrant in the Illawarra region.
		Terrill Nordstrom, Dave Rower 9/10 #271824
		Noisy Pitta Darlinghurst
		Rachael from WIRES has advised me that a Noisy Pitta has flown into a window on a balcony of a 12th Story Unit in Darlinghurst. It has been taken into care by WIRES. The bird was badly concussed but is now recovering and will be released into appropriate habitat when it is deemed fit for release.
		per Alan Morris 9/10 #271823
Tue 8		Black-chinned Honeyeater Firth Heinz Rd, Pillar Valley
		calling from canopy as moving through.
		Clive Barker 15/10 #271848
		Grey Falcon Sturt National Park--northwest corner
		Location: Wild Deserts enclosure. Posted to Facebook Rare Birds Alerts: Life bird in Sturt National Park on Tuesday. This Grey Falcon, seen with and initially spotted by Chris Chapman, is one of those birding moments that will not be forgotten. We beleive it was chasing Fairy Martin's though it spent more time driving away a Black Kite and some crows in an incredible acrobatic display. We watched it for several minutes before it was gone. The bird was seen over the information gazebo on top of the sand hill at the Wild Deserts enclosure in the far north west of Sturt National Park at about 7:45am. I had placed us in the location in the hope of this bird. I couldn't believe that plan had worked; such a long shot. Posted in our eBird list: Fantastic bird! Hands shaking as I type this. Probably hunting the Fairy Martin’s nesting in the information gazebo on top of the sand hill. Large numbers of Zebra Finch also around the gazebo. Bombed the Black Kite and the Little Crows multiple times. Acrobatics like a WWII fighter pilot dogfighting. Two to three minutes of observation. Amazing to watch. Very strong wind blowing from the south. Plenty of lift over the face of the dune. Cool but not cold. Habitat photo included in our photos attached showing the Fairy Martins and the gazebo on the sand dune. eBird checklist
		James Churches & Chris Chapman 14/10 #271845
Mon 7		Far Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) Corindi Ck estuary (Red Rock)
		Group of 8 birds seen on sand bank near mouth of Corindi Creek. Dog chasing unleashed with family group. (Moderator's Note: While Eastern Curlews are neither rare nor out of range and we would not normally publish random sightings of this species, they are a migratory Threatened Species and at this time of the year, small flocks are making their way down the NSW coast to their favorite estuaries here or further south in Victoria and Tasmania and they need their feeding and roosting areas to be protected and conserved. AKM) eBird checklist
		Jo Conway 7/10 #271819
		Spectacled Monarch Narara
		In a private area of Narara ecovillage. (Moderator's Note: Spectacled Monarchs are well out of range in the Central Coast but in recent years there have been regular sightings in the Ourimbah Creek RTA Landcare Reserve, a familiar story in respect to some other out of range rainforest species like Varied Trillers and Noisy Pittas!.AKM) eBird checklist
		Guy Dutson & Andrew Robinson 7/10 #271815
Sun 6		Black-tailed Nativehen Dicksons Rd, Jilliby
		A Black-tailed Nativehen was reported seen at Dicksons Rd, Jilliby. I grabbed my camera and was lucky enough to spot it on the side of a dam on a private property. It is a very rare bird to the Central Coast of NSW. If I understand correctly the first was in November 2012 and this may be the second sighting. First reported by Ann Lindsay at the same location 5/10/2024. eBird checklist
		Graham Nelson 7/10 #271814
		Whiskered Tern; Wood Sandpiper Central Coast Wetlands (Tuggerah)
		25 Whiskered Terns feeding over the main lake from approx 11:45-12:05. Flew off northwards. Single Wood Sandpiper in the swampy area closest to the entrance road on the SW side. The Wandering Whistling Ducks reported on 5 October had gone. eBird checklist
		Tom Wilson 6/10 #271812
Sat 5		Eastern Koel River Road, Bathurst
		first Koel for the season heard late in afternoon
		Robert Porter 6/10 #271813
		Wandering Whistling Duck Central Coast Wetlands (Tuggerah)
		9 present this morning.
		Andrew Robinson 5/10 #271811
Fri 4		Dollarbird Mitchell Park, Cattai
		A Dollarbird was early for this site and there were also two White-throated Gerygone and three Rufous Whistlers
		Roger McGovern 5/10 #271809
		White-winged Triller Richmond Lowlands
		Good spring morning on the lowlands with3 Eastern Koel,1 White-winged Triller,1 Brown Songlark,4 Rufous Songlark,8 Banded Lapwing, a pair of Pink-eared Duck with three recently hatched downy young and1 Wedge-tailed Eagle
		Roger McGovern 5/10 #271808
Wed 2		Short-tailed Shearwater migration Kamay Botany Bay National Park--Cape Banks
		South-easterly wind today is enough to push the solid stream of migrating Short-tailed Shearwaters inshore. Quite far out say more than 5 kms from shore. Moving south. My rough estimate 500 birds per minute, say more than 20,000 birds in the short time I was there. Actual number could be a multiple of many times more.
		Richard Murray 2/10 #271803
Tue 1		Beach Stone-curlew Farquhar Inlet, Old Bar
		Was not expecting a quick scan with the binoculars to turn up a pair on the south side of the inlet - originally seen from Mudbishops Point Road. eBird checklist
		Joel Poyitt 2/10 #271805
		Dollarbird Woombah village, northern NSW
		Single bird observed sitting on powerline near village centre. My first for the season. (Moderator's Note: While this bird may be your first for the season, there were three earlier reports, 3 were seen in Koala St Port Macquarie by Ken Monson, and 2 at Sherwood, near Kempsey by Karen Smedley, both sightings on 14/9/2024, and 2 at Lees Reserve Chittaway 29/9 by Nick Carson. There were a number of reports on 1/10/2024 including David's..(AKM)
		David Charley 2/10 #271804

September 2024

Sun 29		Rose-crowned Fruit Dove Palm Beach Golf Course
		Found in shed. Released outside after assessment and no injuries were found.
		Holly Ross 29/9 #271794
Sat 28		Powerful Owl, Black-faced Monarch, Dollarbird Kurrajong Hills
		A pair of Powerful Owls were calling then one sighted in shale-sandstone transition forest adjoining dry rainforest. I have only 3 previous records on this site in 20 years, and this was the first sighting. There are few records north of the Hawkesbury in the LGA, though anecdotally they are widespread if not common. Also calling were a Koala and a Southern Boobook. Black-faced Monarch, Dollarbird and Pacific Koel also arrived here on 28 and 29 Sep, so all regular spring migrants now here except Rufous Fantail
		Eric Finley 30/9 #271796
		White-winged Triller. George Kendall Park.
		There are currently 4 White-winged Trillers in George Kendall Park Sydney 3 males and 1 female they have been present since the 26-9-24.
		Michael Ronan 29/9 #271792
		Dollarbird Douglas Farm Rd, Kurrajong Hills
		First arrival for the season. In line with usual arrival dates here between last week Sep and second week Oct - but appears to be the first eBird record for the season in w Sydney. (Moderator's Note: Another arrived at Lees Reserve, Chittaway in Central Coast LGA on 29/9/24. AKM) eBird checklist
		Eric Finley 28/9 #271791
		Little lorikeet Glenwood
		A pair in a small bush corridor Meurants Lane
		David Potter 28/9 #271790
		Glossy Black Cockatoo Deep Creek Reserve, Narrabeen
		Spotted three individuals feeding in a Casuarina tree.
		Nikola Markovina 28/9 #271789
Fri 27		Northern Giant Petrel and Arctic Jaeger Mistral Point, Maroubra
		An early Arctic Jaeger (breeding plumage)seen today along with 42 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Flesh-footed Shearwater, 8 Short-tailed Shearwater, 5 Black-browed Albatross, 2 Shy Albatross, 1 Northern Giant Petrel, 2 Kelp Gulls and a Caspian Tern. Currently there is a subtle passage of Caspian Terns occurring.
		David Mitford 30/9 #271798
		White-headed Petrel. Sydney Harbour National Park,North Head Manly
		Highlights of a sea watch from North Head this afternoon were 2 White-headed Petrels both travelling south.
		Michael Ronan 27/9 #271788
Thu 26		Sooty Shearwater, Giant Petrel & Shy Albatross Mistral Point, Maroubra
		Great passage of Shearwaters this afternoon, highlights: 71 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Short-tailed Shearwater, 3 Flesh-footed Shearwater, 2000+ Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 10 Hutton’s Shearwater and 35 Fluttering Shearwater. Other species noted were 2 Shy Albatross, a Giant Petrel (sp) and a Caspian Tern.
		David Mitford 27/9 #271786
		Brolga North Macksville
		Not sure if they are common or uncommen but I've never seen one in my life and I've been in the this region for 4 years. A pair of Brolga in a paddock. I have photos but blurry.
		Michelle 26/9 #271785
		Brolga Macksville
		9 AM Brolga pair opposite Mid Coast Trucks at north Macksville
		John Gale 26/9 #271784
Wed 25		Channel-billed Cuckoo Warren Weir Reserve & Gin Gin Weir Reserve near Trangie
		One bird seen and heard by 23 members of the Hastings Birdwatchers on their visit to this reserve. An hour later, and 20 km further to the southeast, another was heard calling at the Gin Gin Weir Reserve. These are rare sightings for this species in this part of the Central West of NSW. eBird checklist
		Alan Morris and 23 members of the HBW 30/9 #271800
		Red-chested Button-quail University of Wollongong
		Bird was found on UOW campus looking a bit disorientated in the cold snap. It was in a high traffic area. Taken overnight and returned the next day. It ate leaf litter insects in captivity but not interested in quail starter mix. Was unhappy in cage. Returned the next day to the same location. On campus but returned to a patch where “quails’ have been reported amongst tussock grass on a creek line. I have several excellent videos for ID. Possibly dumped because sadly a lot of pets are dumped on campus. Usually ducks. (Moderator's Note: Most unlikely to be "dumped". Button-quails migrate at night, and often become disorientated, perhaps by lights, and hit windows in urban areas.AKM)
		Johanna Turnbull 29/9 #271795
		Rose-crowned Fruit-dove. Denistone Park.
		Sitting on the seat overlooking roly poly Hill I was surprised to see a Rose-crowned Fruit-dove fly across in front of me being chased by 2 Noisy Mineres which disappeared over the road and eventually lost sight of it.
		Michael Ronan 25/9 #271782
Tue 24		Straw-necked Ibis Sydney Olympic Park mown grass adjacent to Jamieson St
		One bird foraging over a green mown area. Not unusual in the west of Sydney in open grasslands but have not seen one this close to the city.
		Ian Bailey. Barbara Dundas. 24/9 #271781
Mon 23		Pacific Bazas Grays point NSW
		Had a pair of Pacific Baszas in my yard today, about 10 metres up in angophoras, they were mating at one stage, Very unusual and rare bird, (I think) I've never seen them here before in 25 years, very cool to see. I didn't get a photo, they were too high up for my iPhone 6.
		Brad and Rita Butler 23/9 #271780
		Eastern Yellow Robin Pinecliffe, 10kms SW of Molong
		In the garden, in bright plumage (breeding? This species has bred here before, but I have not detected it for some years in Spring,, although a pair regularly visit the garden in winter, to use a birdbath at twilight, I thought it was worth mentioning, considering that I have lost other Robins (Flame, Rose Scarlet and Hooded). Moderator's Note: while I can understand that Hooded Robin's may have disappeared, the other Robins are only very rare winter visitors to the Molong District, because Molong is at the end of their winter range. AKM)
		Bruce Tinsey 23/9 #271776
Sun 22		White-necked Herons (6) Randwick Environment Park
		A siege of 6 White-necked Herons taking up position in the shallows is very unusual here, or anywhere in inner-city Sydney. Counted 6 birds in view at the same time. There's an abundance of frogs and insects now in this ephemeral wetland, so these nomadic birds have come to the right place.
		Richard Murray 22/9 #271774