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.

• Reports
• Criteria

December 2023

Sat 2		White-throated Needletail Crawford Rd., Cooranbong
		Watched a flock of at least 60 birds this morning - unusually they hung around for at least 1/2 hour from 7:45 when I first noticed them until I left at 8:15. There was always at least 30 birds in the sky at any one time and the most I could see at any one time was 60 but the flock was constantly shifting across the timbered areas and paddocks so could well have been larger. Have never had them hang around for so long - first seen this year 4.11.23 further in towards Cooranbong
		Paul Schofield 2/12 #270014
Fri 1		Australian Painted Snipe & Silver Gull Pitt Town Lagoon
		I flushed a single Female bird on Friday at about 4pm. Since I couldn't get an ID shot, I along with my birding buddies set out this morning (2/12/23) to find the bird again. She was finally spotted by Edwin Vella this morning and we were rewarded with some great views. Almost as thrilling were a couple Silver Gulls which was a first Hawkesbury tick for many in our party. I would like to request twitchers to practice ethical birding from a good distance since the Lagoon is an important habitat for many species.
		Veeraj Sharma, Edwin Vella, Martin Anderson & James Baker 2/12 #270015
		Australian Painted-Snipe Wetland at Bulbul Crescent, Fletcher, Newcastle
		Around 6pm I got views of this bird roosting in the northwest corner of the wetland pond at approx -32.8641558, 151.6434285 . Unfortunately after I got my scope out for a better look it appeared to spook when a Swamphen got too close and I got to see it move from right to left out of view behind a clump of reeds. Unfortunately I didn't have time to wait to see if it would reappear. LQ Heavily cropped, back of camera shot attached. Ebird check list still to be completed. If trying to twitch this one please be mindful of the local residents as the street is narrow with limited parking. (Moderator's Note: We have been expecting one of these to arrive back in the Hunter Estuary - well done Paul! I was able to get up there before last light and saw the bird feeding along the muddy margin near Paul's location. There are some tall Typha clumps that obscure the views a little but it's still visible. Paul is right that the streets are very narrow so please be respectful when parking/accessing. The best vantage is from a water treatment facility along Bulbul Crescent and there are very few other options. The fringing blackberry thicket will prevent anyone half-tempted from entering the swamp! MR). eBird checklist
		Paul Lynch 1/12 #270013

November 2023

Thu 30		Turquoise Parrot Narrawang Wetlands, Sydney Olympic Park
		Female Turqoise Parrot on the gravel pathway that runs between the ponds from Hill Rd to Louise Sauvage Pathway. Possibly an escapee rather than a vagrant. It let me get within a few metres before flying along the path. I wish I had my camera, the mobile phone picture doesn’t show the mauve face and white line across forehead. Didn’t see the Bittern.
		Ian Hackworthy 1/12 #270011
Wed 29		Black-shouldered Kite Liverpool City
		A pair of Kites were observed in Barbara Long Park where I have not seen them for 3-4 years. This record, in my mind, aligns with the comment that we are seeing fewer raptors in all habitats. eBird checklist
		Ian G Bailey 29/11 #270006
Tue 28		Brown Booby Long Reef Aquatic Reserve.
		Highlight from a sea watch from Long Reef this morning was a Juvenile Brown Booby flying south also 2 Black-browed Albatross and about 20 Arctic Jaeger's.
		Michael Ronan. 28/11 #270003
Mon 27		Brown Booby Merewether Ocean Baths
		I believe it was first seen on the rocks just South of the baths on Sunday afternoon. Then seen again at the same place until lunch until it flew off Southbound. David, Jeff and I driving back from Southport decided to bank on it returning often feeding for the afternoon. We arrived about 6:30pm and the Brown Booby arrived back at 6:55pm this time perching in the cliffs above the rocks. The bird looks like it is in a perfectly fit state fending of plenty of Silver Gulls.
		Steve Edwards, David Mitford & Jeff Jones 27/11 #270002
Sun 26		Little Bronze-Cuckoo Coutts Crossing Village
		Female and male Little Bronze-Cuckoos observed in same tree but hours apart. First observation of female this season. Failed to get photo of female but was more successful with male.
		Greg Clancy 26/11 #269997
		Common Terns (42) Ramsgate Beach, Botany Bay
		The large summer flock of Common Terns has returned to their favourite summer spot in Sydney, The swim nets give them a safe place to rest together, and the shallow water around there is swirling with little baitfish.
		Richard Murray 26/11 #269996
		Black-backed (Little) Bittern Narrawang Wetlands, Sydney Olympic Park
		One male seen flying twice. Same location as last summer but my first time this season
		Andrew Holmes 26/11 #269995
Sat 25		Wompoo Fruit Dove Wall Reserve, North Haven
		A single bird was initially seen feeding on the fruit of a heavily laden Rusty Fig Tee, along with many Figbirds, Koels, Channe-billed Cuckoos and Olive-backed Orioles. On 26/11/2023, James Andrews saw two Wompoo Fruit-Doves in the same tree. (Moderator's Note: The observation is significant because throuighout 2023, there have been very few Wompoo Fruit-Doves in the lowland and littoral rainforets of the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA. AKM)
		Ivanka Feher 26/11 #269999
		Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Stork, Brush Cuckoo, Pied Stilt Gillett's Ridge Stork nest area
		Five Glossy Ibis and small group of Stilts foraging in shallow water of wetland. Adult Stork (probably a female) loafing at edge of wetland, Cuckoo calling in distance. Glossy Ibis have been uncommon recently locally due to drying up of wetlands. Other waterbirds present.
		Greg Clancy 26/11 #269998
		Australian Spotted Crake Sam Newman Park, Ermington
		I have seen on various occasions either one or a pair of the Australian Spotted Crake, a new addition to the bird species in this area I've observed over the year - the park is next to the Parramatta river.
		maria maugeri 26/11 #269994
Fri 24		White-tailed Tropicbird, Black Petrel, Wandering Albatross Terrigal Pelagic
		An excellent day’s sea-birding with the highlights being White-tailed Tropicbird, a first live bird for the Central Coast (two previous reports of beach-cast birds), and Black Petrel which is apparently only the 4th record and first since 2006. A Wandering Albatross and 40+ Shy Albatross were also of note. Other species included; Black-browed Albatross (7), Grey-faced Petrel (5), Providence Petrel (8), small numbers of Wilson’s and White-faced Storm Petrel, and both Pomarine and Arctic Jaeger.
		Andrew Robinson and 8 others on board 25/11 #269993
Thu 23		Buller's Shearwater Crowdy Head
		During an hour or so sea watching from Crowdy Head using my spotting scope I was able to locate a Buller's Shearwater amongst the thousands of Short-tailed Shearwaters going past with a smaller number of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters cruising past.. Also I had a small group of White-thoated Needletail tails whizzing just a metre from my head which gave me a fright. Sometimes it's hard to forget how really big these Swifts are!
		Edwin Vella 24/11 #269984
		Oriental Cuckoo, Little Bronze-cuckoo Partridge Creek (Port Macquarie)
		After seeing a male Little Bronze-cuckoo for quite some time, I then saw a much larger cuckoo flying over the track and landing in a casuarina out in the open where it stayed for a few minutes allowing me to take a number of photos. From its "falcon like" flight I knew instantly from my previous experience with this bird (I have seen them a number of times before) that it would be an Oriental Cuckoo. This being an adult grey morph bird which then flew off and disappeared from sight without me being able to relocate if during the following hour I was there. Certainly a great place for cuckoos with the Little Bronze foraging with a young Shining Bronze-cuckoo and with other cuckoos being heard (Horsfield's Bronze, Brush, Pacific Koel and Pheasant Coucal). A Forest Kingfisher also seen perched on a power line which are regular seen around Port Macquarie.
		Edwin Vella 24/11 #269983
		Black-faced Monarch Lewisham
		Bird found dead on a balcony and was sent to me via someone else asking for ID (so I did not find bird). Note white makings on face also.
		Charles Hunter 23/11 #269980
Wed 22		Cook’s Petrel Continental Shelf - Kiama Pelagic
		Single bird sighted and photographed flying seaward approx 20ks offshore. Last reported in these waters 2021 eBird checklist
		Brett Mezen 23/11 #269979
Tue 21		Masked Owl 2 Biripi Way, Taree NSW
		Masked Owl spotted in rafters of main Mid Coast Council building by staff. Bird was overlooking outside dining area around midday on 21st November. Seen by multiple people. Not seen since. Photo taken by James Oates.
		Andrew Morris 24/11 #269982
		Ground Cuckooshrike Metz, 25km east of Armidale
		Singular adult bird feeding in the paddock right next to the cottage.
		Heath Milne 21/11 #269973
		Channel-billed cuckoo Albury - Forest hill
		Heard a channel-billed cuckoo fly through forest hill (suburb near nail can hill albury). First one for me in 30 years of living in albury,
		Janet chapman 21/11 #269972
Mon 20		Turquoise Parrot Koorawatha Falls
		Single male Turquoise Parrot observed, after calls drew my attention. Also the threatened Brown Treecreeper & Speckeld Warbler.
		Clive Heywood Barker 25/11 #269989
		Superb Parrot Muttama (btwn Cootamundra & Gundagai)
		A pair of Superb Parrots flying northwards.over Muttama. (Moderator's Note: while Muttama is withing the normal range of the Superb Parrot, according to eBird, there have been no recent records for this location, even though there have been very recent reports for the nearby towns/villages of Cootamundra, Colac and Jugiong, so that is why the posting is being allowed. AKM)
		Clive Heywood Barker 25/11 #269987
Sun 19		Glossy Black Cockatoo Wheelbarrow Ridge Rd Colo Heighjts
		Four Glossy Black cockatoos feeding quietly in a Casuarina next to to the track, Wheelbarrow Ridge Rd (near Parr State Conservation Area), Colo Heights. This is an area where there appear to be no eBird records for Glossy Black Ciockatoos.
		Madeline Hourihan 20/11 #269969
Sat 18		Pale-vented Bush-hen Pillar Valley (private property)
		Bush-hen pair calling occasionally but most days from large weed infested swamp within hilly dry forest.. I stayed on property in 1994 when I first heard Bush-hens calling from same swamp, probably the southern known location for the species at that time. Awesome to move onto property years later & that distinctive call again. Yet to see them in the dense vegetation but calls recorded.
		Clive Heywood Barker 25/11 #269985
Fri 17		Little Bronze-cuckoo Pillar Valley (private property)
		calling along riparian area in gully within hilly dry eucalypt forest
		Clive Heywood Barker 25/11 #269992
		Brush Cuckoo, Little Bronze-Cuckoo Coutts Crossing Village
		Heard Brush Cuckoo calling on November 16 - first record for the season. Little Bronze-Cuckoo observed on November 10 and heard calling on November 17.
		Greg Clancy 19/11 #269967
		Long-tailed Jaeger, Black- browed Albatross. Long Reef Aquatic Reserve.
		Highlights of an afternoon sea watch were 2 Long-tailed Jaeger's also 3 juvenile Black-browed Albatross.
		Michael Ronan. 17/11 #269962
Thu 16		Pacific Emerald Dove Riverside Walk, Lane Cove National Park, Ryde
		This morning at about 9:30, a Pacific Emerald Dove flew from the Riverside Walk near Korong picnic area in Lane Cove National Park. It landed in a bush next to the path and remained long enough for excellent views using my binoculars. eBird checklist
		Allan Richards 16/11 #269959
Wed 15		Black Bittern Shark Creek, Ulmarra
		Black Bittern flew languidly away after flushing from roadside as we drove through the awesome swamp forest along Byrons Lane.
		Clive Heywood Barker 25/11 #269990
		Black Petrel, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Long-tailed Jaeger, cormorants Offshore--Port Stephens pelagic
		A great day out aboard the 53ft catamaran "Imagine" yesterday off Port Stephens. We hit the magic 20-mark for species diversity thanks to some rather unorthodox species seen over the ocean, including a Cattle Egret about 10 miles out and a lone Great Cormorant and a flock of 14x Little Black Cormorants at the shelf. The Great circled the boat many times, much like a jaeger or similar would. Best 'actual seabirds' were a very dark-billed Black Petrel, a Red-tailed Tropicbird (first Port Stephens record since Feb 2016), a Long-tailed Jaeger and good numbers of Wilson's Storm-petrels for a November trip (50+).
		Mick Roderick et al 16/11 #269961
		Wedge Tailed Eagle Kalang Valley, Bellingen NSW.
		Two Adults known by locals have now had 3 Eaglets. Fledglings observed with parents flying and circulating over and around the Kalang Hall. Last seen flying N / NE.Sketchy Photo attached.Some video footage available. What a Great Day.. (Moderator's Note: Not so unusual but a good breeding record.AKM)
		Clyde ( Bushy ) Holland 16/11 #269957
Mon 13		Crescent Honeyeater Mangrove Mountain
		Seen on 13th, 14th and 15th November, last seen by Kaye and Margaret Pointer at Mangrove Mountain approximately 25 years ago. Good views feeding in Lambertia formosa (Mountain Devil Bush) and gleaning under bark. Calling on all 3 days. Exact location not given as it was sighted on 13th and 14th near a honeyeater type nest and in a publicly accessible location.(Moderator's Note: This is the 5th Central Coast LGA record, last seen at Wyoming on 21-31/5/2023. AKM)
		Kaye Pointer and Margaret Pointer 30/11 #270007
Sun 12		Channel-billed Cuckoo Narooma
		Heard close by then seen flying. (Moderator's Note: This is not the first record for Narooma this spring, one was reported from Narooma on 11/11/2023 on eBird, and at nearby Corunna & Mystery Bay on 9/11/23, and they were first reported at Cobargo on 23/10/23. Never the less, much later than the first arrivals in Sydney in September. AKM)
		A & D Carew 13/11 #269946
Sat 11		Red Knot Woy Woy
		1 Red Knot (feeding with 8 x Bar-tailed Godwit) - rare in Brisbane Water & former Gosford LGA. (Moderator's Note: There are only two previous records in eBird for Gosford LGA , 4 at Wamberal Lagoon 14/11/2001 seen by AKM, & 2 at Woy Woy Bay seen by Andrew Walker on 17/2/2020. AKM).
		Andrew Robinson 12/11 #269945
		Dollarbird Rockey St, Bathurst
		First Dollarbird for the summer heard calling, while flying high overhead (Moderator's Note: Interesting in that the first Dollarbirds arrive along the East Coast the last week in September alhtough the majority did not arrive until the 2nd week in October, Why are they so late arriving in Bathurst? sub-optimal habitat? AKM)
		Robert Porter 11/11 #269943
		Red-capped Robin Pittown Bottoms Rd, Pittown
		Single female calling in tall trees just past the first bridge Unusual to see at this site. Seen by myself and anothe birder
		Gabrielle Rees 11/11 #269942
Fri 10		emu Upper Shark Creek
		Dad with 7 chicks, great to see this group of the Endangered Population of Coastal Emu, hopefully the chicks survive as there has been some losses of chicks in the population recorded recently at nearby locations.
		Clive Heywood Barker 25/11 #269991
		White-throated Needle tail Eve Street Wetlands, Arncliffe
		Was conducting a site visit with bush regen contractors adjacent to the Eve St wetlands and noticed a flock of 30 odd Needletails swooping overhead, not too high up, gone 20 mins later.
		Madeline Hourihan 10/11 #269934
Thu 9		Buff banded rail Carlingford, ponds in Mobbs lane
		There are more than one but I captured this little fella.(Moderator's note: this is a common bird and normally we would not accept this for publication as the species is not rare and nor is it out of range, but the location is unusual although not unexpected. AKM).
		Julie Lennon 9/11 #269933
		Ruff Pitt Town Lagoon
		Ruff (first reported and photographed by Steven Edwards on Tuesday 7/11/2023) still present. Was with a flock of 23 Sharpies, feeding in shallows at various points on the common. The birds repeatedly flushed, and when they did the Ruff was the leading bird. Common Greenshank, Red-necked Avocet, Australian Hobby also seen. Possible group of Red-necked Stints a but distant for binocular id. eBird checklist
		Eric Finley 9/11 #269932
Wed 8		Little Bronze-Cuckoo Coutts Crossing Village
		Adult male Cuckoo first heard calling (both classic calls) then observed and photographed at close quarters near our back door.
		Greg Clancy, Val Clancy 8/11 #269929
		White-throated Needletail Berkeley Creek, Berkeley Vale
		20+ White-throated Needletails seen feeding above the main road at Berkeley Vale. This is the first sighting for the Central Coast this season.
		Daniel McKeon 8/11 #269925
		Red-kneed Dotterel, Common Greenshank Metromix Wetland (Kurnell)
		Perhaps best seen from eastern shore. Also 5 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers roosted overnight but flew off before dawn. It might be tempting to walk closer for photos, but try not to trample the grasses ???? eBird checklist
		Chris Rehberg - Sydney Birding 8/11 #269923
Tue 7		Pied, Black and Painted Honeyeaters, Little Crow Ivanhoe main street
		There are numerous flowering gums right throughout the township of Ivanhoe at the moment. These are being frequented by dozens of HEs, mostly Pieds. There are also a few Blacks and Painteds in the mix. All feeding down quite low and giving extremely good views. At one point I counted nearly 20 Pied HEs sitting together in the top of one tree.
		Warren Chad 10/11 #269936
		Satin flycatcher Pioneer Dairy, Wyong
		An apparent immature male Satin Flycatcher moulting into adult male plumage. A rare bird for the Central Coast wetlands and for Central Coast LGA. (Moderator's Note: An adult female Satin Flycatcher was seen and photographed at Narara Eco Village by Guy Dutson on 27/10/2023. My notes say that the last records were for 4/10/2022 Woy Woy Bay by Louise O'Neill, 3/10/22 Girrakool, BWNP by Tom Wilson ( the new Birding NSW President) and myself on 28/2/20. by myself. AKM). eBird checklist
		Mika Haung 10/11 #269935
Mon 6		Little Bronze-cuckoo Partridge Creek (Port Macquarie)
		Observed behind yellow council sign. Second sighting of a singular bird of this species from same location within a week. Picture taken. (Moderator;s Note: The first report and photo taken was by Tony Morton on 28/10/2023. This is a known site for the species although there have been few recent records. AKM) eBird checklist
		James Andrews 10/11 #269938
		Sharptail Sandpiper, Red-capped Plover, Red-necked Stint, Pacific Golden Plover Ephemeral Lake 25 km Sth of Ivanhoe
		There are around 800 waders at this fast drying lake. About 500 Redcaps, 200 Sharpies and 100 Stints. Also present are 2 Golden Plovers, 100 Gullbill Terns and 500 Whiskered Terns.
		warren Chad 6/11 #269919
Sun 5		White-backed Swallow Glen Alice (Capertee Valley - Birdwatching Site #10)
		Single White-backed Swallow seen hawking over the trees between the cemetery and the road for approx 12:30pm. In with several Welcome Swallows. Headed away over the car park and not seen again. Also here 5 White-browed Babbler, 2 Diamond Firetail, 1 Speckled Warbler and 2 pairs of Jacky Winter with large fledglings (still spotty but close to more adult-like plumage). eBird checklist
		Tom Wilson 6/11 #269914
		Beach Stone-curlew Berrara Creek
		A single bird sighted this morning foraging on the low tide of the northern shoreline Berrara Lagoon Reserve. Possibly same bird that was sighted on the 18th October.
		Sean Grogan 5/11 #269909
Sat 4		Ground Cuckoo-shrike; Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater; Southern Whiteface Barryrennie Rd, Cowra
		Seen on drive from The Slopes to The Wallaby Track are in Conimbla NP. 2 S Whiteface and singles of Spiny-cheeked HE and Ground CS seen at the corner of Barryrennie Rd as it turns to run parallel to Grants Sheep Station Creek (approx 33°48'03.9"S 148°28'05.3"E at the gateway to the property "Jayton". All observations made from the road.) eBird checklist
		Tom Wilson 6/11 #269915
		Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Pallid Cuckoo Pitt Town Lagoon and Sackville
		At a rapidly drying Pitt Town Lagoon this morning waders included a Common Greenshank, 3 Red-necked Stints and 31 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, but no Marsh Sandpiper. The Red-necked Avocet was still present amongst 220 Pied Stilts, and other species including WB Sea-eagle and Whistling Kites were feeding on eels. A Lathams Snipe was at Sackville as was a Pallid Cuckoo.
		Eric Finley 5/11 #269908
Fri 3		Spotted Crake and Baillon’s Crake etc Eastlakes golf course
		A good visit with lots of birds which have been hard to find here in recent years. 3 Baillon’s Crakes, 2 Spotted Crakes, 6+ Latham’s Snipe, 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, 1 Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo, 1 Sacred Kingfisher, 1 Rufous Whistler, 2 Little Egret and my highlight at 7:45pm a Hobby hawking insects over the reedbeds and catching 1 every 15 seconds!! It was so dark I initially thought Nightjar, but quickly realised it was a Hobby.
		David Mitford 3/11 #269902
		(Very unlikely) Painted Snipe Richmond Lowlands
		Saw an adult bird on Sunday with several other people with cameras clicking. It seemed to be the adult with lesser white "neck colouring". Working in the area on Monday I drove slowly by the spot and there was an adult bird in the same spot, with two relatively large (half size?) chicks behind the adult. There were no other birders around and sorry I have no photos. Hope that someone else can confirm same. (Moderator's Note: We have been contacted by a few people who have said that this was an impossible report and that the breeding birds were almost certainly Banded Lapwings. I have moved the report date to today so that the corrected report can be seen to avoid confusion. MR).
		Roger Griffiths 1/11 #269888