| Sat 19 | | Little Eagle, Brown Goshawk, Peregrine FalconEast Kurrajong, Private Property |
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| Watched a dark morph Little Eagle fly past property this morning to the north. Not long after an adult Brown Goshawk was seen stooping down into a large tree with talons thrust out (never seen this before) to catch a bird, but it failed. I also saw an adult Peregrine Falcon in the evening.
Present were male Rose Robin, male/female Golden Whistler as well. |
| Ákos Lumnitzer 19/4 #217421 |
| | Grey GoshawkOld Port Rd Port Kembla |
| Flew low (tree height) over the road south of Christy Drive trailed by a Nankeen Kestrel. |
| Paul & Carol Lynch 19/4 #217410 |
| | Gang Gang CockatooPennant Hills Park/ Upper Lane Cove National park |
| Single bird high in trees then flying north over bushland from Blackbutt Avenue Pennant Hills |
| Ian Francis 19/4 #217408 |
| Fri 18 | | Common Noddy, SanderlingLong Reef Aquatic Reserve |
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| One Common Noddy still roosting with Cresteds on the reef at low tide this afternoon. It looked a little sick, so hopefully it gets better soon and finds its way back up north. Other than the usual suspects showing a bit of colour, there was at least 2 Sanderlings on the reef (not seen together, but different birds were separated by the breeding colours one was beginning to show). (Moderator's Note: Common Noddy photo provided by Greg McLachland and taken when Henry was present). |
| Henry Coleman 18/4 #217400 |
| | Scarlet Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, MistletoebirdIrrawong Reserve |
| 8 Scarlet Honeyeaters feeding on Mahogany flowers in Warriewood Wetlands whilst a male Mistletoebird and 2+ Yellow-faced Honeyeaters fed on Mahogany flower in Irrawong reserve. Also plenty of Musk and Rainbow Lorikeets. |
| Jayden Walsh 18/4 #217396 |
| | Hoary-headed GrebeDee Why Lagoon |
| 4 Hoary-headed Grebes near Pittwater Road in a creek that connects to form the lagoon. |
| Jayden Walsh 18/4 #217395 |
|  | Black Falcon, Superb ParrotCondobolin STW |
| Good numbers of Pink-eared Ducks, Australian Shovelers and Hardheads present along with about 30 Hoary-headed Grebes. A sudden explosion of ducks was followed by a pair of Black Falcons hunting low over the ponds. 6 Superb Parrots were seen feeding close by in gums at the golf course. |
| Warren Chad 18/4 #217391 |
| Thu 17 | | Musk LorikeetTaronga Western Plains Zoo |
| A few Musk Lorikeets in the zoo at the moment with a lot of the eucalypts in flower here. An uncommon visitor to the zoo. Also plenty of Little Lorikeets, Little and Noisy Friarbirds around. |
| Andrew O'Brien 17/4 #217382 |
| | Noisy PittaBus stop track Valla Beach |
| Lew saw the Noisy Pitta on the same date last year (first sighting for both years) |
| Lew Witten per Allen Hamilton. 17/4 #217378 |
| | Chestnut Teal, Australian King ParrotWhittaker's Lagoon |
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| Whittaker's Lagoon has partly filled up after recent rainfall. Lovely to see the drought broken and lush green everywhere where grasses shot up everywhere after cattle went through during October 2013-February 2014 leaving no grass anywhere. A single male Chestnut Teal was distantly spotted in flight (photo) for a second near a flock of Grey Teals, possibly also female Chestnut Teal but not identified. Chestnut Teals were always found here throughout 2009-2010, which was very unusual. Today's sighting is the first since June 2011. Other birds included 10 Black-fronted Dotterels and a Sacred Kingfisher. Nearby in scrub on the Mehi River were Spotted Pardalotes which have just returned to the area and 6 Australian King Parrots which are very rare on the plains, especially out this far west! Further information |
| Curtis Hayne 17/4 #217374 |
| | DollarbirdMoree Common |
| A single adult Dollarbird was still present, late in the season. Further information |
| Curtis Hayne 17/4 #217372 |
| Wed 16 | | Ground Cuckooshrike, Great Crested Grebe, Freckled Duck, Silver GullCotton Farms, Ashley |
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| A flock of 6 Ground Cuckooshrikes were found perched on dead trees in an empty, overgrown farm irrigation dam. A Great Crested Grebe was also found in a large irrigation farm dam. This species was always found here in numbers of up to 10 birds from 2008-June 2012. Since June 2012, this is only the second sighting. A total of 55 Silver Gulls were also found spread over several dams, the largest flock we've ever seen (usually only 1-10 birds). 2 Freckled Ducks were also found among other waterfowl. Also present were about 35 Black-winged Stilts, 24 Red-necked Avocets, 1 White-bellied Sea Eagle, 6 Caspian Terns, 8 Australasian Shovelers and 300 Pink-eared Ducks. Further information |
| Curtis Hayne and Ainslee Lines 17/4 #217375 |
| | Fairy Prion and Shy AlbatrossMistral Point, Maroubra |
| A Fairy Prion was seen today, early, but not that surprising, considering 5 days of gale-force southerlies. 20 or so Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, 2 Fluttering Shearwaters and a Shy Albatross also logged. |
| David Mitford 16/4 #217368 |
| | Azure Kingfisher, Rose Robin, Spangled DrongoBonnievale Camping Ground, Bundeena |
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| Just along from the pond at Bonnievale camping ground down from the end of Woodfield Ave., found Azure Kingfisher, Rose Robin, Spangled Drongo, Brown Gerygone and Golden Whistlers, around midday. |
| Bruce Roubin 16/4 #217367 |
| | Common NoddyLong Reef Aquatic Reserve |
| One Common Noddy roosting with Crested Terns at low tide this afternoon. A good number of waders still about, and two Caspian Terns also on the reef. |
| Max de Beer 16/4 #217361 |
| | White-winged ChoughTallong |
| 7 White-winged Choughs flicking up and sorting through freshly cut grass by side of Highland Way. |
| Lorne Johnson 16/4 #217360 |
| | Wedge-tailed Eagle, Grey CurrawongBadgerys Lookout (Morton National Park), Tallong |
| 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles flying purposefully over Shoalhaven River in Morton National Park (viewed from Badgerys Lookout). Also present in area: Grey Currawong, 4 White-eared Honeyeaters, 2 Superb Lyrebird, Bell Miners, Wonga Pigeon, Striated Pardalote. |
| Lorne Johnson 16/4 #217359 |
| | Grey Ternlet, Wandering TattlerFlat Rock, Ballina |
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| Pleased to report that the Grey Ternlet is still around. It was located amongst hundreds of terns at 12.30pm. Also, great views of a Wandering Tattler in full breeding plumage. |
| Bernie OKeefe 16/4 #217356 |
| Tue 15 | | Lewin's HoneyeaterLane Cove National Park (Blue Gum Creek) |
| A pair of feeding Lewin's Honeyeaters on backyard Sasanqua Camelia in the rain. Several years since I saw them in this area. |
| Chris Charles 15/4 #217348 |
| | Barking Owl, Osprey, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Striated Heron, Capsian Tern, Sooty OystercatcherNarrabeen Lakes |
| A great day of birding today saw a White-bellied Sea-Eagle fly over the lake as well as an Eastern Osprey fishing at Jamieson Park, the Barking Owl was present at its usual spot, a Striated Heron was seen flying along a creek near the end of the Jamieson Reserve track (Cromers end), a Little Egret was also seen near the coastal environment centre and a Caspian Tern was fishing at the lake entrance to the sea. A Sooty Oystercatcher was also seen feeding near the lake entrance. Photos taken of all species and photos shall be uploaded here: Further information |
| Jayden Walsh 15/4 #217346 |
| | Plum-headed FinchWollar Road, Bylong/Wollar area |
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| A flock of around 30+ Plum-headed Finchs was located on Wollar Rd feeding on seeding grasses. They were exactly 3.6 km from the T-intersection of Wollar Rd/the road to Bylong coming from Denman, around half way between Mudgee and Denman. Also on Wollar Rd about 30 km towards Mudgee, at the one small location, were 4 finch species including Zebra, Double-barred, Diamond Firetail and Red-browed. A big thanks to Bill Morecraft for giving me the tip as to where to find these finches. |
| Bernie OKeefe 15/4 #217342 |
| Mon 14 | | Grey CurrawongMount Tomah Botanical Gardens |
| Seen in gardens near cafe buildings. |
| Carol Abbott 15/4 #217337 |
| | Plumed Whistling-DuckPowells Lane Pond |
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| Group of about 5 Plumed Whistling-Ducks seen late afternoon. |
| Carol Abbott 14/4 #217333 |
| | Grey Ternlet, Wandering TattlerFlat Rock, Ballina |
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| Single Grey Ternlet found resting on Flat Rock at 5:20pm this afternoon. It was still there when we departed at about 6:15pm. Also count of 4 Wandering Tattler, highest count for me this season. Further information |
| Steven McBride and Hans Wohlmuth 14/4 #217325 |
| | Straw-necked Ibis, Australasian Grebe, Eastern OspreyMona Vale Golf Course |
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| A single Straw-necked Ibis was feeding with a group of Australian White Ibis this morning. Other highlights included 2 Australasian Grebes in the large pond and an Eastern Osprey at Mona Vale beach |
| Jayden Walsh 14/4 #217310 |
| | Spectacled MonarchCaniaba, Lismore NSW |
| Single Spectacled Monarch active in understorey on eucalypt hillside. Probably on passage north. |
| paul griffin 14/4 #217308 |
| Sun 13 | | Spotted Quail-thrushBraidwood - Nerriga Road |
| A pair of Spotted Quail-thrush crossed the road ahead of us. We had excellent views of them foraging along the roadside vegetation |
| Peter West 17/4 #217371 |
| | Collared (Magnificent) Petrel, 'New Caledonian' type Storm-Petrels - now with link to photosBrittania Seamount off Ballina |
| Highlights of day 2 of Paul Walbridge's trip (for day 1 see #217306 in Birdline Central & Southern Queensland) were: A Collared Petrel (paler than the three at Queensland Seamount), 10+ 'New Caledonian' type Storm-Petrels, a Red-tailed Tropicbird, 3 White-tailed Tropicbirds, a Streaked Shearwater, two White-faced Storm-petrels, large numbers of Tahiti and Kermadec Petrels, good numbers of Gould's Petrels, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 White Terns, many Sooty Terns (plus the usual Grey-faced & Providence Petrels, Wedge-tailed & Flesh-footed Shearwaters). P.S. 'New Caledonian' type Storm-Petrel is an undescribed taxon similar to large NZ Storm-Petrels with darker underwings (previously seen off Ulladulla, NSW [March 2010]; SEQ and New Caledonia). This taxon may represent the mysterious 'Striped Storm-Petrel 'Pealea lineata' or 'Thalassidroma lineata' (see discussion in our submission of the Ulladulla bird in March 2010). More research needs to be done. Here is a link to Raja's photos: Further information |
| The crowd on Paul Walbridge's Seamount pelagic 14/4 #217324 |
| | Grey Goshawk (white morph)Cantril Rd, Leeton |
| Mike Schultz phoned to say there was a white goshawk in his nursery beside Cantril Rd. I went to see it and agreed it was a Grey Goshawk. It was confirmed a half hour later by Keith Hutton. This is the first siting of a Grey Goshawk in the Leeton area for the past 30 years or more. |
| Mike Schultz, Max O'Sullivan and Keith Hutton 14/4 #217322 |
| | Pacific GullMarine Parade, Maroubra |
| Pacific Gull, immature, flying back and forth along the cliff line. |
| Chris and Jane Gregory 13/4 #217304 |
| | Rose RobinJerrara Dam, near Kiama |
|
| Observed a lone adult male Rose Robin back at the Dam again. Just where the dirt road intersects to go up the hill. Lots of other species about. [Moderator's note: Rose Robins are moderately common autumn and winter visitors to coastal woodlands and open forest areas, and to a lesser extent into the mid west of NSW. The latter reports are of more interest than the coastal records. Rose Robins are now being seen for instance at a number of Central Coast sites in the past week. For this season, we won't publish any more records, other than the tablelands and slopes reports, after today.] |
| John & Sue O'Malley 13/4 #217300 |
| | Leaden FlycatcherHeeley St, Paddington 2021 |
| One female flitting between power lines and trees on west side of street at about 1600. Calling frequently. |
| Andrew Wood 13/4 #217299 |
| | Peregrine FalconCastlereagh |
|
| This morning I observed a female Peregrine Falcon attempting to take down a Straw-necked Ibis. Got quite a few photos of the event from some distance away. The falcon didn't manage to make a kill.
Note: sex determined from large size of falcon and it's comparable almost to the ibis in size. |
| Ákos Lumnitzer 13/4 #217290 |
| | Brolga147 Levenstrath Rd. Levenstgrath near Grafton NSW |
| 10.15am Two Brolga on edge of lagoon. Not often seen in this locality. |
| Warren Thompson 13/4 #217289 |
| Sat 12 | | Great-winged Petrel, Shy and Black-browed AlbatrossMistral Point, Maroubra |
| 5 Great-winged Petrels today, along with 1 Shy Albatross, 3 Black-browed Albatross, 2 Pomarine Jaegers, 1 Arctic Jaeger, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, a few Flesh-footed Shearwaters and about 200 Wedge-tailed Shearwater. |
| David Mitford 14/4 #217307 |
| | Grey (White) GoshawkKurrajong Hills |
| A white phase bird landed in a tall ironbark in our garden. The species is resident here, but this is my first white phase sighting locally. Also excellent views of Sugar Glider just after sunset - latest sighting since first seeing this species in garden earlier this year. |
| Eric Finley 13/4 #217291 |
| | White-headed PigeonExeter |
| 4 White-headed Pigeons on power lines near the railway station 1pm. Most unexpected. They're rarely seen in the Southern Highlands. |
| Lorne Johnson 12/4 #217284 |
| | White-plumed Honeyeater, Little Eagle, Grey GoshawkWarriewood Wetlands |
| 3 White-plumed Honeyeaters feeding on mahogany flowers next to the eastern water quality pond. Also a Grey Goshawk flying very low (below the canopy of the trees) next to the eastern water quality pond. A little Eagle flew about 2-3 metres above my house in Warriewood. I have observed 2 Little Eagles in Warriewood about 10 times in the past 2-3 months. |
| Jayden Walsh 12/4 #217276 |
| Fri 11 | | Red WattlebirdEulah Creek |
| During a recent trip into the Nandewar Range (Mount Kaputar NP) I could not find any Red Wattlebirds, possibly because there are no eucalypts in flower. Today a bird came to our property in the western foothills of the Nandewar Range, where our lemon-scented gumtrees are flowering (and also attracting Musk Lorikeets and Little Lorikeets). Eulah Creek is on the western edge of the species' range, where they are not seen every year. No photo today, but the bird's call was recorded ("Further information" link). Further information |
| Michael Dahlem 11/4 #217271 |
| | Eastern Osprey, Australasian Shoveler, Azure Kingfisher, Spangled DrongoDeep Water Park Milperra |
| Single Eastern Osprey at the largest pond. Only about 1 km from where I saw one yesterday, so perhaps the same bird, but this time in Bankstown LGA. Also 3 Australasian Shovelers, an Azure Kingfisher and a Spangled Drongo |
| David James 11/4 #217266 |
| | Scarlet Robin, Spangled DrongoANU Campus, Kioloa |
| First local record of these two species for the Milton Ulladulla Bird Club |
| Chris Shinton 11/4 #217265 |
| Thu 10 | | Red-tailed TropicbirdOff Sydney Heads |
| A dead adult Red-tailed Tropicbird found floating about two nautical miles due East off Sydney Heads. The carcase seemed reasonably fresh. |
| Darryl Smedley 11/4 #217273 |
| | Musk LorikeetBelmont North |
| Approximately 50 Musk Lorikeets are now settled in my area feeding on callistemons in neighbouring yards and flowering eucalypt street trees. |
| Bill Boyd 11/4 #217262 |
| | White-headed PigeonStrickland State Forest |
| A single White-headed Pigeon in clear view near the car park sat for some time for a few photos as well. |
| Lisa Abra/Grant McLeod 10/4 #217260 |
| | Little FriarbirdBundanoon township |
| Heard an unusual call for home late arvo, so rushed outside... a lone Little Friarbird was sitting in a neighbour's tree... very cool... I've never seen one in the Southern Highlands, Illawarra or Greater Sydney areas before. |
| Lorne Johnson 10/4 #217258 |
| | Eastern OspreyVoyager Point Wetlands |
| An Eastern Osprey fishing along Williams Creek between Voyager Point Wetlands and Lt Cantello Reserve (Hammondville, Liverpool LGA) was a big surprise. Not sure if it has been recorded in Liverpool before. My 16th raptor species (including falcons) for my patch along the Georges River around Milperra in just over a year here. |
| David James 10/4 #217253 |
| Wed 9 | | Rose RobinCaniaba, Lismore NSW |
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| First sighting according with autumn dispersal to lowland forests. Probable imm. male foraging in canopy of brush box (but shown in ironbark) on eucalypt hillside. Also seen recently White-throated Gerygone, Varied Sittella (white-headed form) and small feeding parties of exclusively male Scarlet Honeyeaters, contrasting with the parties of juveniles and females reported on 25/3. White-headed Pigeon now sitting on egg. |
| paul griffin 11/4 #217267 |
| | Grey GoshawkMilperra |
| An adult female white morph Grey Goshawk was being well and truly mobbed at the former Riverlands Golf Course, Millperra, mid afternoon. |
| David James 10/4 #217254 |
| | Spangled DrongoBatehaven nr Batemans Bay |
| One Spangled Drongo on wires near shopping centre. |
| Marg Hamon & Maggie Mance 9/4 #217247 |
| | White-bellied Sea-EagleNorth Narrabeen |
| I observed a single White-bellied Sea-Eagle soaring on thermals for 5-10 minutes whilst walking home this afternoon until it disappeared out of view. |
| Jayden Walsh 9/4 #217246 |
| | Pacific BazaNurragingy Reserve Doonside |
| One bird perched in the northern woodland area. Also a colony of Bell Miners in the adjoining property to the west. |
| Brian Downer 9/4 #217245 |
| | Little LorikeetMilperra |
| Several pairs of Little Lorikeets amongst the usual hoardes of Musk Lorikeets in urban trees in Milperra and around the former Riverlands Golfcourse |
| David James 9/4 #217238 |
| Tue 8 | | Plains-wandererNorth of Wanganella |
| An adult male was observed with 4 young chicks while spotlighting on private property north of Wanganella. |
| David Parker 11/4 #217275 |
| | Square-tailed Kite Grey GoshawkShoplands Rd Annangrove |
| Another Square-tailed Kite (adult) hunting amongst the gums along the ridgeline in the morning. In the afternoon an adult female Grey Goshawk was seen perched in the ironbarks around Annangrove Park. |
| Darryl Smedley 11/4 #217274 |
| | Regent Honeyeater Dunbogan, Camden Haven River |
| A big surprise among the park and riverside birding just seaward of the db boat shed . A bunch of Noisy Friarbirds stopped for a rest in a lemon scented gum making me look at the crowd. At the highest branch a Regent Honeyeater was in the view. Seemed to leave also with the Noisy Friarbirds heading northerly. Didn't detect any bands but wasn't good view of legs. |
| Duncan fowler, Carmen Ludcke, Madeline Sanders 10/4 #217249 |
| | Peregrine FalconCookamidgera SF |
| single male causing a large flock of Galahs (500+) to scatter with a lot of screeching but he didn't appear to be successful in catching one.. |
| N.W. Schrader 9/4 #217243 |
| | Gilbert's WhistlerBack Yamma SF |
| Same spot observed for the last 20 years, though only three pairs appear to remain in the forest. |
| Neville Schrader 9/4 #217240 |
| | Black Honeyeater4km sw of Cookamidgera |
| 6 males and at least 4 females feeding on blossoming Mugga Ironbark, along with a number of other honeyeaters like, Brown-headed, White-naped, Black-chinned, Fuscous and Little, Noisy Friarbirds, Little Lorikeets also present Musk Lorikeets and Superb Parrots. Large number of Silvereyes (50+) were also feeding on the flowers It is interesting to note there was no other concentration of species at Back Yamma SF or Cookamidgera SF even though Mugga Ironbarks were flowering. |
| Neville Schrader 9/4 #217239 |
| | Little EagleMcCarthy Rd. Coutts Crossing. 2460 |
| 11.00am. Dark morph. Two birds circling over ridge line between Orara River and McCarthy Rd. They left in a flat glide in a westerly direction toward the Poley Bridge over the Orara River. |
| Warren Thompson 9/4 #217231 |
| Mon 7 | | Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Southern Emuwren, Red-browed TreecreeperLake Cathie, Port Macquarie |
| About 40 bird species in just under two hours, great business here lately. 5 Glossy Black-Cockatoos seen on two mornings same time, Australian Owlet-Nightjar calling daytime, young Australian Koel fed by Little Wattlebirds, and much more |
| Duncan Fowler, Carmen Ludcke, Madeline Sanders 10/4 #217250 |
| | Common NoddyBrooms Head |
| 3, possibly 4 Common Noddies at Brooms Head NSW north coast on Monday 4pm. Only other one seen during cyclonic weather early last year |
| Peter & Bev Morgan 9/4 #217234 |
| | White-throated Treecreeper, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Scarlet Robin, Rose Robin, Red-rumped ParrotBundanoon |
| Intrigued to see a White-throated Treecreeper climbing up a railway underpass wall (Shangri la Rd) for two minutes, searching for food. I've seen WTTs inspecting telegraph poles for food, but never a sheer brick wall. It must've been channelling the Wallcreeper from Europe! Other birds of note in area: 8 Buff-rumped Thornbills, Scarlet Robin, Rose Robin (just returned), White-necked Heron, Little Black Cormorant, 2 Red-rumped Parrots (the first I've seen in Bundanoon). |
| Lorne Johnson 7/4 #217184 |
| Sun 6 | | Providence Petrel, Great-winged Petrel and Caspian TernMistral Point, Maroubra |
| Between the downpours, managed to see 1 Providence Petrel, 2 Black-browed Albatross, 30 Flesh-footed Shearwater, 5 Pomarine Jaegers, 1 Caspian Tern, 1 Kelp Gull and then towards dusk a Great-winged Petrel (undetermined type) came in. |
| David Mitford 7/4 #217203 |
| | Australian LogrunnerSaltwater National Park |
| Female Logrunner observed along Five Islands Track, just north of the creek crossing from the picnic area / carpark. Bird was silently foraging along the ground in rainforest habitat. Definite ID: Dark upperparts, slightly larger than Scrubwren, rich rufous throat bordered by black stripe, dark wings with two light wing bars. Couldn't find any previous records for this species in the area. |
| Rob Child 6/4 #217181 |
| | Spotted HarrierRiverstone |
|
| I was delighted to watch this morning a pair of adult Spotted Harriers flying over a paddock off Farm Rd. One of these spectacular birds actually landed in a melaleuca tree only a few metres away from me and stayed in there for a few minutes. Also at the same place, I watched a pair of Australian Hobbies continually over half an hour or so catching dragonflies as they made several low sweeps over a dam. A group of 160-180 Australian Wood Ducks beside another nearby dam was the largest number I have seen here or anywhere else in Australia. |
| Edwin Vella 6/4 #217178 |
| | Double-barred Finch and Freckled DuckWonga Wetlands, West Albury |
| At least 3 Double-barred Finches heard and seen early morning on open grassland area on the left along boundary fence on the red 2km track heading to main lagoon from carpark. Also 3 Freckled Duck sighted mid afternoon on lagoon running along boundary fence on left hand side of carpark (follow track over fish bridge and turn left to follow fence line). |
| Helenna Mihailou, Sara Judge & Sam McPaul 6/4 #217176 |
| Sat 5 | | Bush Stone-Curlewresidential property near Linton St Wharf, Davistown |
| A Bush Stone-curlew was found in a yard near Linton St Wharf, Davistown, possibly an immature bird going by its weight. It was taken into care by WIRES and held for two days, the bird appeared to be in reasonable condition. The bird was banded and released back into a nearby saltmarsh/bushland reserve on 7/4/14, after being well fed during its two days R&R. |
| Alan Morris 7/4 #217210 |
| | Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Bar-shouldered Dove, Noisy Friarbird, Yellow-tailed Black-CockatooChiltern Trail, Ingleside |
| A great morning of birding up at Chiltern Trail. Highlights included 1 Chestnut-rumped Heathwren observed briefly on track, 6 Noisy Friarbirds, 3 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos flying over landing in a radita pine at the start of Chiltern Road and 10 Bar-shouldered Doves at the end of Chiltern Road past the trail entrance. |
| Jayden Walsh 7/4 #217209 |
| | Freckled Duck, Cattle EgretCorowa Sewage Ponds |
| A lone Freckled Duck noticed on the southern pond. Also a Cattle Egret seen which is an unusual birds around this area. Further information |
| Michael Ramsey - Bronzewing Birding Services 7/4 #217200 |
| | Sooty Owl, Masked Owl, Australian Owlet-nightjarCoombadjha Creek, Washpool National Park |
| Sooty Owl observed, Masked Owl and Owlet-nightjar heard calling. |
| Greg Clancy 6/4 #217172 |
| | Channel-billed CuckooNorth Moree |
| Although very late in the season and in inland North-west NSW, Channel-billed Cuckoos still seem to be around, probably for not much longer though. Further information |
| Curtis Hayne 5/4 #217145 |
| | Rufous Fantail (1)Yaralla Estate, Concord |
| Finally found a Rufous Fantail on the local patch. Other relatively good birds included Golden Whistler (2), Eastern Spinebill (1) and Noisy Friarbird (2). |
| Dion Hobcroft 5/4 #217140 |
| | Spotted Harrier, Peregrine FalconCastlereagh |
|
| Adult Spotted Harrier seen near Princes Farm in usual paddock. Two Black-shouldered Kites also present, I watched one catch a mouse and devour it. Near the Regatta Center I actually witnessed a juvenile Peregrine Falcon take a Spotted Dove on the corner of Leland St and Old Castlereagh Rd. Photos taken of all birds (incl. BSK eating mouse). |
| Ákos Lumnitzer 5/4 #217139 |
| | Emerald DoveTerrys Creek, Vimiera Park, Epping |
| After missing it yesterday afternoon with David James, the immature Emerald Dove was showing well on the walking trail along Terry's Creek for about 15 minutes at 0730 this morning before being flushed by a jogger. Other good birds included Eastern Whipbird, Australian Brush-Turkey (3), Rufous Fantail, White-throated Treecreeper, Eastern Yellow Robin, Brown Thornbill. Many thanks to Irene Timmins for the report-a great County tick! |
| Dion Hobcroft 5/4 #217138 |
| | Brush Cuckoo, White-bellied Cuckoo-ShrikeYellomundee Regional Park |
| The highlights of a great morning's visit to Yellomundee was an juvenile Brush Cuckoo and two dark phase White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrikes. A total of 51 species seen or heard, many migrating Yellow-faced and White-naped Honeyeaters with a few Noisy Friarbirds. |
| Mark Ley 5/4 #217137 |
| Fri 4 | | South Polar Skua (Subject to submission to BARC)Lord Howe Island |
| 1 pale-ish intermediate morph South Polar Skua halfway between LHI and Ball's Pyramid. Also White-bellied Storm-Petrels, Little Shearwater, Kermadec Petrels and a White-necked Petrel the following day. [Moderator's note (NH): Sightings of South Polar Skuas should be submitted to BARC] |
| Tobias Hayashi 8/4 #217221 |
| | Black-chinned HoneyeaterSams Swamp Clarenza 29o42'50"S 153o01'05"E |
| 1 Black-chinned Honeyeater observed in gums. |
| Greg Clancy and Warren Thompson 6/4 #217171 |
| | Freckled Duck, Pink-eared DuckLawrence Egret Colony |
| 3 Freckled Ducks and 4 Pink-eared Ducks. Numbers well down on previous visits. Water level low and quality poor. |
| Greg Clancy and Warren Thompson 6/4 #217170 |
| | Topknot PigeonClarence River, Great Marlow |
| 6+ Topknot Pigeons flew from fruiting Camphor Laurel tree |
| Greg Clancy and Warren Thompson 6/4 #217169 |
| | Gang-gang CockatooRuse NSW |
|
| Small flocks of Gang-gang Cockatoos moving through the suburb. Two small groups arrived separately to the same tree to feed. 8 to 10 in number (moving around a little) with males and females and begging juveniles. |
| John Dodd 4/4 #217122 |
| Thu 3 | | Diamond Firetail, Rufous SonglarkBaldersleigh, near Lyndhurst, between Guyra and Ebor |
| 4 Diamond Firetails on powerlines. One Rufous Songlark heard singing its rich liquid musical song. I was a little surprised as I had expected that they would have migrated north by this time of the year but there are a number of other migrants still on the move so probably not totally unexpected. |
| Greg Clancy and Jill Smith 6/4 #217168 |
| | Brush Cuckoo and Tawny Grassbird Eastlakes Golf Course |
|
| Two juvenile Brush Cuckoos today feeding on caterpillars near the 9th tee, also a Tawny Grassbird, 2 Brown Honeyeaters and 8+ Eastern Spinebills. |
| David Mitford 4/4 #217128 |
| | Black HoneyeaterCookamidgera South, on the Parkes-Eugowra Road. |
| Went to a large area of flowering Ironbark 15 ks from Parkes on the Eugowra Rd this afternoon and found about a dozen Black Honeyeaters feeding there. Other species include Brown and Yellow Faced HEs, numerous Musk Lorrikeets and 15 Superb Parrots. A large group of White-browed Woodswallows were hawking overhead. |
| Warren Chad 4/4 #217126 |
| | Eastern OspreyMerimbula |
|
| Two Ospreys have been present all week in Merimbula. Often perched on the taller posts among the oyster leases in Mermbula Lake in the centre of town. |
| Leo Berzins 4/4 #217121 |
| | Yellow-billed SpoonbillMount Hunter |
| Single Yellow-billed Spoonbill asleep at a paddock dam close to Burragorang Rd in Mt Hunter. Not many reported from Sydney region and surrounds lately. |
| David James and Dion Hobcroft 4/4 #217120 |
| | Speckled Warbler, Crested Shrike-tit, Dusky WoodswallowMacquarie Grove Rd, Cobbitty |
| A mid afternoon visit to remnant shale woodland at the corner of Cobbitty and Macquarie Grove Rds produced a mix of woodland residents and migrants despite encroaching housing development: Speckled Warbler, Crested Shrike-tit (pair with fledgling), Dusky Woodswallow, White-naped Honeyeater, Fuscous Honeyeater, Striated Pardalote (red-tipped), Buff-rumped Thornbill. Also of note where several Euros, six Fallow Deer and a massive Lace Monitor. |
| Dion Hobcroft & David James 4/4 #217119 |
| | Pacific BazaCut Hill Road, Cobbitty |
| Towards the end of the road 6 Pacific Bazas (including at least 4 juveniles and 1 adult) were foraging in eucalypts along the road for half an hour before soaring up and moving northwards, around midday. A Brown Goshawk soared with them briefly. A Whistling Kite, 3 Jacky Winters and 1 White-throated Gerygone were also seen. |
| David James and Dion Hobcroft 4/4 #217118 |
| | Square-tailed KiteSeveral km south of Woodburn on the Pacific Highway |
| Seen flying across the highway. Adult Square-tailed Kite with very pale face. |
| David Charley 3/4 #217108 |
| | Hoary-headed Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Musk Duck, Musk LorikeetGrahamstown Lake |
| There has been an average 120 Hoary-headed Grebes on the Lake since Dec, but I counted 284 this morning, with 120 and 60 in the first two flotillas. Musk Ducks have averaged 25 and Great-crested Grebes 34 per month. The dam level was raised several years ago, and since then has become habitat for Great-crested and Hoary-headed Grebes that are reliably present. Its a good year for Musk Lorikeets so far in this area too. |
| Philip Slack 3/4 #217107 |
| | Powerful OwlMilner Rd Wollstonecraft |
| Heard calling at 5-40am in backyard tree. |
| Lindy Jones 3/4 #217101 |
| Wed 2 | | White-bellied Sea-EagleGwydir River, west of Gwydir River National Park |
| Adult pair high over River. |
| Greg Clancy and Jill Smith 6/4 #217166 |
| | Musk Lorikeet, Yellow-tufted HoneyeaterWarialda National Park, off Adam's Scrub Road |
| Flock of 10-12 Musk Lorikeets in flight. 3+ Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters in trees. No public access. |
| Greg Clancy and Jill Smith 6/4 #217165 |
| | Brown NoddyLong Reef, Sydney |
|
| Checking out the reef we sighted a young Common Noddy on the easterly rock platform. It flew around the reef a few times then headed north up the coast. It was mid afternoon and 2 hours before low tide. It maybe the same individual reported a couple of weeks ago from Bilgola Beach. |
| Chris and Jane Gregory 3/4 #217103 |
| | Emerald DoveTerrys Creek Parklands |
| Near walking track adjacent to creek in Vimiera Park area. Quietly foraging on ground for a long time - well camouflaged. |
| Irene Timmins 3/4 #217097 |
| | Freckled Duck; Australasian Shoveler; Pink-eared DuckPitt Town Lagoon |
| 10 Freckled Duck roosting on the island about 2 o'clock when looking out from the hide. Counted at least 20 Australasian Shoveler and 60 Pink-eared Duck on this island too. 4 Yellow-billed Spoonbills feeding to the easten shoreline. Only waders were Masked Lapwing and a single Black-fronted Dotterel. At least 6 Restless Flycatchers buzzing around the hide area and a flock of 50+ Chestnut-breasted Mannikins were around the hide too, which included many juvenile birds. 2 Double-barred Finch were close to this flock. The trees behind the hide held 12 Brown-headed Honeyeaters, pair of Crested Shrike-tits, a Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo and a Spangled Drongo. |
| Tom Wilson 3/4 #217095 |
| | Sacred KingfisherGore Creek |
| 4 Sacred Kingfishers were feeding on the mudflats at low tide this afternoon. |
| Judy Clark 2/4 #217093 |
| | Barking OwlJamieson Park, Narrabeen Lakes |
| Observed at 10am in large Cabbage palm nearest the path, just before the 2nd bridge, very vocal and unconcerned by the human traffic beneath. up about 5mts in the tree. Many thanks to Lisa Abra for her reporting. |
| Stephen Gallivan 2/4 #217087 |
| | Freckled Duck, Baillon's Crake, Spotless CrakePenrith Sewage Treatment Plant |
| This very nice wetlands with two big islands in the middle of the ponds and a quite large path of cumbungi. Good selection of water birds including Freckled Duck (2). Australian Shoveler (4), Spotless Crake (1). Baillon's Crake (2), Royal spoonbill (4), I. Egret (1), Red-kneed Dotterel (3), Black-winged Stilt (1), Nankeen Night-heron (2), Swamp Harrier (1). |
| Ted Wnorowski 2/4 #217085 |
| | Rose Robin, Spangled Drongo, pair of White-bellied Sea-EagleLane Cove National Park (Fairyland) |
| Apart from passing by White-bellied Sea-Eagles, there were quite a lot of small birds including a juvenile Black-faced Monarch, quite a lot Golden Whistlers, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Rufous Fantail. Also first Rose Robin and possibly the last Spangled Drongo of the year at my lunch time patch. Worth to mention the huge Red-bellied Black Snake. |
| Fatih Sam 2/4 #217084 |
| | Black Bittern, Australasian Shoveler, Little LorikeetDeep Water Park Milperra |
| A single Black Bittern (adult female) was the highlight of a morning visit to Deepwater. She flushed from the edge of a pond, flew across the pond and perched in clear view for a minute or two. Two Striated Herons flushed separately and also perched in the open provided nice comparisons shortly after. Other highlights were a pair of Australasian Shovelers (my first in Milperra), 8 Little Lorikeets flying over, several pairs of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets inspecting hollows, and 20 European Goldfinches, the first I've seen locally since early November. |
| David James 2/4 #217078 |
| Tue 1 | | Little EagleNear Dumaresq Dam turnoff |
| 1 Little Eagle in flight. |
| Greg Clancy and Jill Smith 6/4 #217167 |
| | Diamond Firetail, Forest RavenAberbaldie Nature Reserve, SW of Walcha |
| Two Diamond Firetails flew from roadside. 2+ Forest Ravens heard calling. |
| Greg Clancy and Jill Smith 6/4 #217164 |
| | Black FalconCondell Park Bankstown |
| Stuck my head out the door at work upon hearing a commotion by the resident Noisy Miners to have a Black Falcon fly directly overhead, circling twice before disappearing from view. First record for the Bankstown LGA. |
| Darryl McKay 3/4 #217114 |
| | Scarlet HoneyeaterEastlakes Golf Course |
| 9 species of Honeyeater today, including 2 Scarlet, 1 Brown, 2 White-plumed, 3 Yellow-faced and at least a dozen Eastern Spinebills. 1 Rufous Fantail plus Rufous and Golden Whistlers also seen. Last winter's warm temperatures may have resulted in good/early breeding conditions, hence more autumn activity this year. |
| David Mitford 2/4 #217081 |
| | White-throated NeedletailBundanoon township |
| 4 birds low over home about 6pm. |
| Lorne Johnson 2/4 #217077 |
| | Yellow-tailed Black CockatooCoachwood Glen, Blackheath |
| Begging chick in tree hollow. Adult bird carefully entered hollow tail-first, followed by feeding sounds from chick. |
| Mark Hocking 1/4 #217075 |
| | White-throated Nightjar (x2)Castlereagh |
| At around 7pm I observed two White-throated Nightjars hunting around Smith Road, over the quarry paddocks with one bird coming across to Princess Farm. |
| Ákos Lumnitzer 1/4 #217071 |
| | Musk LorikeetBelmont South |
| Large numbers of Musk Lorikeets in the east Lake Macquarie area at the moment just south of the Belmont golf course and here in Belmont north, feeding on eucalyptus robusta (swamp mahogany) |
| Bill Boyd 1/4 #217069 |
| Mon 31 | | Topknot PigeonWaterfall Way, E of Bellingen |
| 60+ Topknot Pigeons in flight in two separate flocks. One bird at Thora. |
| Greg Clancy and Jill Smith 6/4 #217163 |
| | Long-toed StintDairy Swamp, Central Coast Wetlands, Tuggerah |
|
| The Long-toed Stint was seen and photographed on 30 March by Tim Faulkner, and again on 31 March 2014 by AKM, John French, Fiona Lumsden and others but has not been seen since. On the last occasion, 4 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, 6 Black-fronted Dotterels and 6 Australian Shovelers were also present as well as other waterbirds. There is no public access to the swamp. |
| Alan Morris & Tim Faulkner 3/4 #217104 |
| | Rufous Fantail, Rufous Whistler and Brown HoneyeaterEastlakes Golf Course |
| No less than 3 separate Rufous Fantails, 1 Brown Honeyeater, 1 Rufous Whistler, 1 Golden Whistler, 1 Spangled Drongo and at Least 6 Eastern Spinebills. Prior to this March, I had only ever seen 1 Rufous Fantail and 1 Eastern Spinebill ever at this site in 15 years ! |
| David Mitford 1/4 #217064 |
| | Caspian TernLake Munmorah |
| There were about 50 Caspian Terns flying north on the western side of Lake Munmorah at 6pm. It's only the second time I've seen so many here. |
| Rebecca Citroni 31/3 #217053 |
| Sun 30 | | Blue-billed Duck, Musk Duck, Great Crested GrebeLake Wallace |
|
| 3 Blue-billed Ducks, all either juvenile or female, at least 5 Musk Duck [3 males, 2 females], probably more. Many Great Crested Grebe with dependant young, most quite large, but some were small stripy chicks. |
| Jenny Stiles 31/3 #217050 |
| | Rufous and Grey Fantails, Black Petrel, Gould's PetrelPort Stephens Pelagic |
|
| It was an unusual pelagic off Port Stephens yesterday, with a Gould's Petrel and Providence Petrel seen before we made it to the shelf, followed by a couple of Great-winged (Grey-faced) then a Black Petrel in reasonably quick succession. Things went very quiet after that, but the 'highlights' were 2 fantails seen about 90 minutes apart, both whilst drifting about a mile beyond the shelf break (c. 25 nm from land). The first was a Rufous Fantail, the second a very likely Grey Fantail (views were not great of the 2nd bird but 'proof' images show it wasn't another Rufous and must have been a Grey). Both birds were flying low over the water, the Rufous circling around and showing some interest in the boat. Rufous Fantails have been recorded on NSW pelagics in the past (e.g. Sydney 11 March 2000, though that bird was only 12 miles out) and Grey Fantails have been recorded a few times on Port Fairy pelagics (which is not unexpected as they are known to cross Bass Strait), but I don't know if a Grey Fantail has been seen on an east coast pelagic before? [Moderator's note (NH): October 2009 we (SOSSA's deep water pelagic) had a Grey Fantail over deep waters off Ulladulla] |
| Mick Roderick and others aboard the MV Argonaut 31/3 #217040 |
| | Grey GoshawkGovetts Leap, Blackheath |
| Grey Goshawk flying from tree to tree in rainforest/wet sclerophyll forest below cliff line |
| Mark Hocking 30/3 #217038 |
| | Spotted HarrierCastlereagh |
|
| My wife and I had an adult Spotted Harrier quarter low towards us along a ditch beside a road near Castlereagh. It was in this spot we also observed (this or another) an adult on March 23 at 5pm doing the same. Today, the bird flew across some 30 meters in front of us not much above head height. A really lovely sighting of a beautiful raptor close to home. Further information |
| Ákos and Donata Lumnitzer 30/3 #217037 |
| | Rose Robin, Rufous FantailCentennial Parklands |
|
| Single male Rose Robin observed near the Powerful Owl roost with a Rufous Fantail. Didn't expect to see either at this site. Given the time of year, they're presumably on passage. Interestingly the robin was hanging around with the fantail, as the satin flycatcher was hanging around a fantail at Sydney Olympic Park earlier this month. |
| Simon Gorta 30/3 #217036 |
| | Chestnut-rumped HeathwrenPrivate property near Gowan, NW of Bathurst. |
| One very vocal individual calling from Sifton Bush (Cassinia Sp.)infested paddock. Lots of outstanding mimicry from this bird including calls of Scarlet Robin, Dusky Woodswallow, Silvereye and Pied Currawong. The bird was glimpsed only once over a two hour period (9 - 11am), but was present for all this time. Very exciting to find this species in a region supposedly devoid of them (see Simpson & Day or Morcombe field guides).
|
| Tiffany & Melissa Mason, Garry Germon & Linda Villy 30/3 #217031 |
| | Square-tailed KiteBobbin Head Rd, North Turramurra |
| Single adult Square-tailed Kite seen over house approx 12:45pm. Came from west side (Lovers Jump Creek), circled over house for about 5 mins and then headed back the same way. Appeared to head north once it reached the creek line. |
| Tom Wilson 30/3 #217030 |
| | Wandering Whistling-DuckKing Creek Road Swamp, Wauchope |
| The number of Plumed Whistling-Duck had dropped to 10 observable this morning. However, there was one Wandering Whistling-Duck amongst them. The recent rains have topped up water levels and there were two Comb-crested Jacanas out on the lilypads. I also flushed a Latham's Snipe at the western end. |
| Clive Meadows 30/3 #217029 |
| | Glossy Black-CockatooChiltern Trail, Ingleside |
|
| Male and female Glossy Black-Cockatoos at entrance to trail 10.15am. |
| Carol Abbott 30/3 #217028 |
| | Square-tailed KiteTerry Hie Hie Road, 20km South-east of Moree |
|
| A Square-tailed Kite was observed circling above farmland on the Terry Hie Hie Road, 20 km South-east of Moree or 30 km North of Terry Hie Hie after 11:30am. This is my first sighting of this species. Bad photo attached, bird was very shy. Further information |
| Curtis Hayne 30/3 #217022 |
| | Magpie GooseNarrabri Lake |
|
| Only two days after the big rain that brought the lake to the point of overflowing (200 mm within 7 days, 230 mm for the month of March) the first four Magpie Geese have returned to Narrabri Lake (together with other, more common aquatic species). Magpie Geese had been absent from the lake for months (since about early November 2013), while it was completely dry. Further information |
| Michael Dahlem 30/3 #217019 |
| | Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow LorikeetNarrabri Township |
|
| In Narrabri at present various types of eucalypt are in flower, including local species (Mugga Ironbark?) and introduced Western Australian eucalypts, attracting large numbers of lorikeets. Photos of Musk Lorikeets (at least 50) were taken; Rainbow Lorikeets were heard, possibly a few Scaly-breasted Lorikeets with the Rainbow Lorikeets. Various types of (locally common) honeyeaters were also found in the flowering trees. Further information |
| Michael Dahlem 30/3 #217017 |
| | Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Turquoise ParrotTerry Hie Hie |
|
| A nice morning in the scrub at Terry Hie Hie. Apart from all the regular birds seen here, there were 2 Fan-tailed Cuckoos, which were found in the cypress pine scrub at the northern side of the Aboriginal Area, (my first sighting), 2 highly vocal Turquoise Parrots in the scrub near the creek, 4 Brown Quails foraging in grassland and an Australian Hobby was also observed after being disturbed by a Wedge-tailed Eagle. Rainbow Bee-eaters and Dollarbirds are still well around but Sacred Kingfishers have vanished in the past month. Azure Kingfishers seem to reside here, at least 2 were seen at different creek sites, with others heard. A Cattle Egret was seen in a field north of the village. Further information |
| Curtis Hayne 30/3 #217016 |
| | Satin Flycatcher (1) Rose Robin (1)Sydney Olympic Park |
| Mixed flock of passerines on the move at Little Kronos Hill, behind Water Purification Pond/Wentworth Common. Satin Flycatcher (1 female) Rose Robin (1 female). Also present Rufous Whistler (2) Golden Whistler (4), Eastern Spinebill (1), Spangled Drongo (heard only). At Waterbird Refuge Red-necked Avocet (8), Little Egret (1), Mangrove Gerygone (heard only), Sacred Kingfisher (3). My second record for Satin Fly and third record of Rose Robin for patch. |
| Dion Hobcroft 30/3 #217003 |
| Sat 29 | | Superb ParrotPrivate property, Grenfell |
| At least 100 Superb Parrots seen flying, perched in trees (flowering ironbarks) and feeding in adjacent paddocks |
| Elisabeth Karplus and members of Birding NSW 7/4 #217189 |
| | Pied HoneyeaterPrivate Property, Grenfell |
| One male seen perched on transmission wires, Possibly a female seen earlier with male |
| Elisabeth and Tom Karplus 7/4 #217188 |
| | Common Cicadabird, Rufous Fantail, Black-faced MonarchCoutts Crossing, SW of South Grafton |
| Common Cicadabird heard calling in school reserve. Juvenile Rufous Fantail and 1st year Black-faced Monarch in bushland adjacent to village. |
| Greg Clancy 6/4 #217161 |
| | Eastern Ground Parrot x12, Eastern Bristlebird, Beautiful FiretailBarren Grounds Nature Reserve |
| Frustratingly (and surprisingly, despite the late start) heard at least 12 individual Eastern Ground Parrots call throughout the morning (including four counter-singing at one point around 9:30) - did not see a single one. High calling incidence must have had something to do with the misty windy weather (?), and was particularly exciting because we did not realise Barren Grounds still supported so many Ground Parrots (all were within the first 1km of tracks south from the carpark). Also 8 Eastern Bristlebirds (I counted 9 last weekend) and 20 Beautiful Firetails. Full list at the link. [Moderator's note (NH): Typical is to hear them within the first 15 minutes after dusk (usually 6 or so; so 12 is really good). However, they are known to vocalise under certain conditions during the day.] Further information |
| Joshua Bergmark, Ashwin Rudder, and participants of Follow That Bird 31/3 #217058 |
| | Brown HoneyeaterBarton Park, Rockdale, Sydney |
| 2 Brown Honeyeaters with 3 Eastern Spinebills. Brown Honeyeaters were seasonly common in Arnold McGill's surveys of nearby Wolli Creek up to the 1960s but have been absent from Wolli surveys in the last 30 years. |
| Andrew Taylor 30/3 #217001 |
| | Black KiteArmidale Rd. South Grafton |
| 11.30am. Entrance to lawn cemetery. One Black Kite over trees. |
| Warren Thompson 29/3 #216986 |
| | Long-toed Stint, Square-tailed kite, Curlew Sandp[iper, Caspian TernDairy Swamp, Central Coast Wetlands, Tuggerah |
|
| Central Coast Group, Birding NSW members had a great day at the Central Coast Wetlands today, seeing and photographing a Long-toed Stint, 1st Central Coast record. The bird was first seen by Trevor Waller and photographed by Christina Port, leader of the outing. The Stint was about half the size of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and a Curlew Sandpiper feeding nearby. It had a black line from the back to the tail, and a broad black bar at the base of the tail with small white flank markings, white belly and underparts, a chestnut cap, an eye stripe and was coming into breeding plumage. Other birds present included 6 Australia Shovelers, Grey Goshawk, Black-fronted Dotterels, Common Cicadabird, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Collared Sparrowhawk, 2 Whistling Kites, a Caspian Tern and Square-tailed Kite circled over the adjacent Tuggerah Creek. There is restricted access to Central Coast Wetlands and the cattle grazing paddock in which the wetland is located is definitely out of bounds to visitors. |
| Alan Morris & 22 members CC Group, Birding NSW 29/3 #216980 |
| | Noisy Friarbird (3) Spangled Drongo (2) White-throated Needletail (10)Yaralla Estate, Concord |
| Eastern Spinebill and Brown Gerygone found last week still present. Beautiful adult male Golden Whistler also good for the site.
Friarbirds in flowering Eucalypt at far eastern corner of Majors Bay beating up the Noisy Miners! My first record of Noisy Friarbird in local patch, second for Spangled Drongo and fourth for needletails. |
| Dion Hobcroft 29/3 #216976 |
| | Plumed Whistling-DuckKing Creek Road Swamp, Wauchope |
| 30 Plumed Whistling-Ducks in small groups mainly on the western side of the swamp. |
| Clive Meadows 29/3 #216967 |
| Fri 28 | | Black HoneyeaterPrivate property, Grenfell |
| Two male Black Honeyeaters feeding in flowering Ironbarks |
| Elisabeth Karplus, Allan Richards 7/4 #217187 |
| | Pink (Major Mitchell's) CockatooLake Wyangan, Griffith |
| Up to 15 Pink Cockatoos either seen (majority) or heard calling as they flew north along the western side of Lake Wyangan. Birds seen/heard calling whilst on Lakes Road, north of Jones Road intersection. Birds seen at 11.30am |
| Deryk Engel and Paul Burcher 29/3 #216963 |
| | Freckled DuckPitt Town Lagoon |
| 9 Freckled Ducks |
| Mark Hocking 28/3 #216955 |
| | Australian Pied OystercatcherWagonga Inlet, Narooma |
| At least 19 Australian Pied Oystercatchers and one Sooty Oystercatcher foraging on sand/mud flats around low tide, pairs and small groups well spread out. |
| Bob Moffatt 28/3 #216952 |
| | Grey GoshawkLane Cove National Park (Brown's Waterhole) |
|
| Beautiful Grey Goshawk spotted this morning in a Eucalypt overhanging the waterhole. Very rarely seen around this area and well worth the very wet boots I got crossing all the creeks! |
| Jenny Stiles 28/3 #216949 |
| Thu 27 | | Brown Honeyeater, Rufous Whistler and Golden WhistlerEastlakes Golf Course |
| Another good day for passage birds : 2 Rufous Whistlers, 1 Golden Whistler, 10 Eastern Spinebills, 1 Brown Honeyeater, 2 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, 1 Spangled Drongo, 1 Sacred Kingfisher and 4 Musk lorikeets all at the extreme Southern section near railway line. Also some unusually large flocks of more regular birds: 34 Cattle Egrets, 15 European Goldfinches, 50 Tree Martins yet only 1 Fairy Martin. Still 5 Latham's Snipe in the usual spot. |
| David Mitford 28/3 #216957 |
| | Pink-eared DuckYallah - large pond north of Yallah Bay Road |
| 6, possibly more Pink-eared Ducks on northern side of large pond about 4pm. |
| Carla Jackett 27/3 #216947 |
| | Eastern OspreyMerimbula |
| Feeding on a flounder on light post in middle of town |
| Bob Moffatt 27/3 #216945 |
| Wed 26 | | Great FrigatebirdLord Howe Island |
|
| On Wednesday Jane and I went on Jack's boat trip from LHI to Ball's Pyramid. Approaching the Pyramid Jane called a Frigatebird fast approaching from the stern. It's a vagrant sighting around LHI. Photo attached but boat speed and swell made photography tricky. It appears to us to be a late immature female Great Frigatebird. |
| Chris and Jane Gregory 31/3 #217059 |
| | Pacific BazaMitchell Park |
| Five Pacific Baza flying above, settling in the top of a tall tree for a while before continuing. |
| Ida Rohne 27/3 #216943 |
| | Noisy PittaBorder Ranges National Park (Border Lookout) |
| Two birds calling strongly from deep within the rainforest close to the escarpment edge. Difficult to locate, I think I almost saw one of the two. |
| David Stewart 26/3 #216942 |
| Tue 25 | | Square-tailed KitePrivate dwelling Tumbi Umbi, NSW |
|
| Seen and photographed a Square-tailed Kite raiding a Crested Pigeons nest. The kite butchered the young pigeon in the nest, removing organs through an incision in the back and then discarded the body before flying off. |
| Stephen Clark 29/3 #216995 |
| | Grey GoshawkCaniaba, Lismore NSW |
| Grey Goshawk seen over open country heading in general westerly direction as part of autumn dispersal. Buff breast indicated young bird. Landed on edge of eucalypt forest, hunting from tree to tree. |
| paul griffin 29/3 #216958 |
| | Blue-faced HoneyeaterMyall Lakes National Park (Mungo Brush) |
| Was eating a ham and cheese sandwich at Mungo Brush when this cheeky little Blue-faced Honeyeater dropped in for a bite. Was a pleasant surprise and I didn't mind sharing! |
| Brad Gabriel 26/3 #216940 |
| | Black Falcon, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Whistling KiteScheyville National Park |
| Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Whistling Kite spotted circling each other above the main carpark at Scheyville. The Black Falcon flying past at the same time, all right in the middle of the day. |
| Grant McLeod & Lisa Abra 25/3 #216927 |
| | Australian Shoveler and Australian ShelduckPitt Town Lagoon |
| 2 Australian Shelducks spotted on the far right side of the lagoon from the new hide. Also quite a few Australian Shovelers spotted all over the lake throughout the day. |
| Grant McLeod & Lisa Abra 25/3 #216920 |
| | Plum-headed FinchDangars Lagoon, Uralla |
| A single Plum-headed Finch was collecting feathers from beside the lagoon this morning. |
| Ian Kerr 25/3 #216917 |
| | Powerful OwlWoodfield Ave, Bundeena |
| One individual heard calling in front of my house this morning around 5.20 am. |
| Deryk Engel 25/3 #216916 |
| | White TernGladesville |
|
| Storm-blown White Tern found in suburban Gladesville in Sydney. On way to Taronga Zoo Wildlife Hospital for care before release. |
| Mark Hocking 25/3 #216912 |
| | possible Satin Flycatcher, Bassian Thrush, Black-faced Monarch, Rufous FantailBerowra Valley Regional Park |
| Highlights from an early mornings birding down to Berowra Valley was a possible female Satin Flycatcher. 1 Bassian Thrush. 3 juvenile Black-faced Monarchs and an juvenile Rufous Fantail. [Moderator's note (NH): No detailed description was given for the Satin Flycatcher; so given the extreme difficulty of identification of this species pair and the poor and misleading coverage in the current field guides, I added 'possible'.] |
| michael ronan 25/3 #216911 |
| Mon 24 | | Yellow-tailed Black-CockatooWentworth Golf Club Orange |
| Two Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos flying over the course today. Surprised to see this species in Orange. |
| Stephen Gibbs 24/3 #216894 |
| | Golden Whistler, Rainbow Bee-eatersRiver Road, Bathurst |
| One female Golden Whistler in the Ironbark in my backyard - a new species for the backyard list! She was very quiet, but unperturbed about being stared at. Usually expect this species a little later in the year (April). Also, Rainbow Bee-eaters have been heading north-east over Bathurst for the past 2 weeks. A flock of 39, flying quite low (100m), seen today. |
| Tiffany Mason 24/3 #216890 |
| | Powerful Owl, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Whistling KiteDeep Water Park Milperra |
| Mobbing Pied Currawongs led me to a female Powerful Owl roosting low down in the 'rainforest walk' area. My first Whistling Kite sighting since the spring and an adult White-bellied Sea-Eagle were other highlights. Apparently no Dollarbirds or Sacred Kingfishers are left. Plenty of migrant passerines in the woodlands. |
| David James 24/3 #216883 |
| Sun 23 | | Little EagleKatoomba |
|
| We observed a dark morph Little Eagle over north Katoomba along Albion Street around 11am on the day. I was very confident of ID, but wanted to double check and have it Iconfirmed by Dr Stephen Debus (thanks Steve). I even managed a photo with the eagle and the waning moon in one frame, but sadly the eagle was not banking in those sequences. See further info and scroll down the page a little. Further information |
| Ákos Lumnitzer, Fiona Lumsden, John French 25/3 #216931 |
| | Little Shrike-thrush, Common CicadabirdCoutts Crossing Village |
|
| One Little Shrike-thrush feeding in canopy and vines in backyard at 0820 hrs. First record for yard but does occur on Orara River, a few kilometres away. Adult female Common Cicadabird (see photo) with dependent juvenile in yard at 0940 hrs, stayed in general area for an hour or so. |
| Greg Clancy 25/3 #216919 |
| | Scarlet Robin, Buff-rumped ThornbillBoomanoomana section, Murray Valley Regional Park |
| 3-possibly 4 Scarlet Robins, 3 males and one female, were seen feeding in a mixed flock of Buff-rumped Thornbills, Weebills, White-throated Treecreepers, Grey Fantail and Golden Whistler amongst the Red Gums in this reserve. The area was so dry and birds were very hard to find. |
| Alan Morris and 16 members CCGBNSW 25/3 #216908 |
| | White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Brown TreecreeperKyffins Reserve, Mulwala |
| 3 White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes were seen loosely associated with a small flock of Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes in the Kyffins Reserve, where the only other birds of signficance seen were Brown Treecreepers. However there were 14 Australian Shelducks at this location (a bird not seen over 3 days no doubt because the whole district is so dry) and a pair of Black Swans with 4 tiny cygnets. According to the Birdlife Australia Bird Atlas, there are very few records of White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes in this region (7 records for 1493 surveys). |
| Alan Morris & 16 members of CCGBNSW 25/3 #216907 |
| | Black KiteRacecourse Headland, Goolawah National Park, Crescent Head |
| Single Black Kite drifting over Racecourse Headland. Not too far, as the Kite flies, from the Crescent Head Road Landfill. |
| Tim Morris 24/3 #216901 |
| | Barking OwlJamieson Park, Narrabeen Lakes |
| Saw a very vocal Barking Owl near the second timber bridge - seen by lots of locals who regularly see and hear them at this site. |
| Lisa Abra 24/3 #216897 |
| | Square-tailed KiteMaclean NSW |
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| Very close over our balcony about noon |
| Nick & Lola Swallow 24/3 #216880 |
| | Red-browed Treecreeper, Beautiful FiretailBlue Mountains National Park (Evans Lookout) |
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| We located at least two Red-browed Treecreepers, possibly more right next to the main lookout car park as we had gotten out of our cars. Thanks to Fiona for her sharp ears! There was at least one Beautiful Firetail and many migrating Brown-headed Honeyeaters. |
| Ákos Lumnitzer, Fiona Lumsden, John French 23/3 #216879 |
| | Little PenguinNorth Avoca |
| It was great being in the surf with a Little Penguin today, watching it chase baitfish through the unbroken waves. I haven't seen one at North Avoca for about 8 years. Interestingly, most times I have seen them there before it has also been in early Autumn. |
| Nick Carson 23/3 #216877 |
| | Straw-necked IbisBicentennial Park, Glebe |
| 2 Straw-necked Ibis flying over Bicentennial Park late morning. I've never seen them in the inner-city. |
| Lorne Johnson 23/3 #216874 |
| | Pilotbird, Beautiful Firetail, Grey GoshawkEvans Lookout Rd, Blackheath |
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| Got to see two Pilotbirds and fairly close to us. Lots of New Holland Honeyeaters and a couple of Beautiful Firetails too. The small birds (Pilotbirds too) got very excited at the arrival of a Tiger Snake in the area. The cacophony of cranky birds was deafening. A grey morph Grey Goshawk was also seen. |
| Ákos Lumnitzer, Fiona Lumsden, John French 23/3 #216873 |
| | White-fronted ChatNewington Armory-Nature Reserve |
| Two male White-fronted Chats feeding in the big grassy paddock adjoining the fenced nature reserve along with seven Aust. Pipits. I think these might be the last two birds in this population-they need a girlfriend! First time I have seen them in this paddock outside the restricted access reserve. |
| Dion Hobcroft 23/3 #216872 |
| Sat 22 | | Square-tailed KiteFinley Lake |
| An immature Square-tailed Kite, in heavy moult flew low over Finley Lake while members of the CC Group Birding NSW were having lunch. Other birds seen close by were 3 Black Kites, a Swamp Harrier and a Wedge-tailed Eagle. According to the Birdlife Australia Bird Atlas, for the period 1998 to 2014, in the Tocumwal, Finley, Berrigan and Barooga Areas, there have been no Square-tailed Kites seen in 1493 surveys. |
| Alan Morris & 15 members CCGBNSW 25/3 #216906 |
| | Black-chinned HoneyeaterSt James Anglican Cemetery, Pitt Town |
| One Black-chinned Honeyeater heard calling amongst very good numbers of Brown-headed and smaller numbers of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters attracted to a flowering eucalypt. Also seen was a pair of Jacky Winters, some Peaceful Doves, and Restless Flycatcher. |
| Edwin Vella and Follow That Bird 24/3 #216903 |
| | Musk Lorikeet, Little LorikeetKurrajong Hills |
| There is a significant movement of lorikeets into the lower Blue Mountains around Kurajong at the moment with 3 species present. Musks are rare visitors here but at present are outnumbering other species. Littles are also present in good numbers at the moment. A pair of Rainbows had 2 dependent young. Moving around Sydney today I saw Musk Lorikeets in Redfern, Newtown, Surry Hills, Moore Park, Concord, Five Dock, Blacktown, Richmond and Kurrajong Hills - the scale of the current Sydney influx is really impressive. |
| Eric Finley 24/3 #216886 |
| | Topknot Pigeon, Little Lorikeet, Black-shouldered KiteGlenola Farm, Yarramalong |
| 4 Topknot Pigeons, 16 Little Lorikeets, 6 Musk Lorikeets and 42 Straw-necked Ibis flew over Glenola Farm at the World Water Day event sponsored by Wyong Shire and Gosford City Councils. A pair of Pied Butcherbirds were quite vocal and a Black-shouldered Kite rested in a Eucalypt for more than 2 hours in the heat of the day. |
| Nick Carson 23/3 #216878 |
| | Varied SittellaLake Munmorah |
| 5 Varied Sittella flying low crossing highway near traffic lights at new shopping centre. |
| Bill Boyd 23/3 #216861 |
| | White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Barking Owl, Whiskered TernJamieson Park, Narrabeen Lakes |
| Observed a single Whiskered Tern hunting over the lake near Jamieson Park as well as on the other side of the lake near Middle Creek, nearby were also 30 Black Swans, 10 Little Pied Cormorants, 20 Australian Pelicans, 20 Little Black Cormorants and 2 Australasian Darters. The Barking Owl was seen just before the bridge near the cabbage tree palm grove on the side closest to the lake again in a cabbage tree palm. I also observed a White-bellied Sea-Eagle fly over the lake heading towards Long Reef. |
| Jayden Walsh 23/3 #216860 |
| | Spangled DrongoKings Point, Ulladulla |
| Two Spangled Drongos were spotted flying north early this morning. These are the first Drongos seen by me personally this year although they have been reported a couple of times over the last 2/3 weeks by members of our club in and around Ulladulla. We are also begining to have good numbers Honeyeaters flying through or area. |
| Bob Rusk 22/3 #216858 |
| | Yellow-faced HoneyeaterPetersham, inner west Sydney |
| flock of 7 heading North - first I've seen of this year migration |
| Andrew Taylor 22/3 #216851 |
| | White-naped Honeyeater (1) Eastern Spinebill (1) Brown Gerygone (1)Yaralla Estate, Concord |
| Three quite good rarities for the inner west (all second or third records for me in local patch). Both honeyeaters first year birds. Also a juvenile Sacred Kingfisher, two Mistletoebirds, two Grey Fantails and heard Olive-backed Oriole. Lots of Silvereyes many with dull chestnut flanks, but showing green-yellow throat, (not whitish throat of Tasmanian population). |
| Dion Hobcroft 22/3 #216849 |
| | White-throated Needletail, Cattle EgretTycannah Creek Crossing, Terry Hie Hie Road, 20km North of Terry Hie Hie |
| A single White-throated Needletail was observed flying overhead at 8:30am. This species is rarely found within the Moree Shire, but regular in the Narrabri and Gwydir Shires. It is also very late in the season for this species, especially this far inland in cotton farm country. The Needletail was seen flying over the road between open bimble box, wilga and coolibah country near Tycannah Creek (The Cory Bridge), Terry Hie Hie Road, 20km North of Terry Hie Hie or 30km south-east of Moree. Nearby was a Cattle Egret foraging amongst cattle in a field, this species is also rather uncommon here. Further information |
| Curtis Hayne and Ainslee Lines 22/3 #216847 |
| | Black-faced WoodswallowOrange |
| 6 Black-faced Woodswallows feeding low over house, unusual observation for Orange. |
| Neville Schrader 22/3 #216846 |
| Fri 21 | | Peregrine Falcon, Grey-crowned BabblerGum Swamp Forbes. |
| 10.00am. Huge numbers of feral pigeons being harassed by male and female Peregrine Falcon. Above the blue green algae warning sign at the bird hide, Grey-crowned Babblers are building a nest. Apologies for delayed reports but did not have access to computer. |
| Warren Thompson 29/3 #216990 |
| | Satin FlycatcherCoutts Crossing Village |
| Adult female bird in backyard at 1515 hrs. Not seen since. |
| Greg Clancy 25/3 #216918 |
| | Topknot PigeonCoramba Nature Reserve |
| 30+ Topknot Pigeons flying near Coramba Nature Reserve, N of Coramba. (Day's total in the Orara Valley: 250; see other posts). |
| Greg & Val Clancy 21/3 #216836 |
| | Topknot PigeonGlenreagh |
| 20+ Topknot Pigeons at Glenreagh. (Day's total in the Orara Valley: 250; see other posts). |
| Greg & Val Clancy 21/3 #216835 |
| | Topknot PigeonNana Creek, Nana Glen |
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| 200+ at Nana Creek, Nana Glen, attracted to fruiting Camphor Laurel trees. Day's total in the Orara Valley: 250 (see other posts). Photo shows part of the flock at Nana Creek. |
| Greg & Val Clancy 21/3 #216823 |
| | Brolga, Black-necked Stork, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-necked HeronMaloney's Creek, Braunstone (29o49'39"S, 152o57'25"E) |
| Adult pair of Brolgas present in morning. Adult pair of Black-necked Storks, 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles and 2 White-necked Herons present in afternoon. Brolgas are very rare in the Braunstone area and this is the first sighting locally for many months. |
| Greg & Val Clancy 21/3 #216822 |
| | Eastern OspreyLane Cove National Park (Sugarloaf Point) |
| Eastern Osprey tried to catch fish twice from a tall tree next to the river. Then flew to north side of Lane Cove river. There was also a young Australasian Grebe and a Brown Goshawk. |
| Fatih Sam 21/3 #216817 |
| | Brown Honeyeater, Golden Whistler and Spangled DrongoEastlakes Golf Course |
| A very good selection of migrants today. 2 Brown Honeyeaters, 2 young Eastern Spinebills, 11 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, 1 Golden Whistler, 1 Spangled Drongo, a few Tassie Silvereyes and 15 Musk Lorikeets. All seen in the extreme south of the site around the flowering paperbarks, close to where the stream goes under the railway, this section is (usually) pretty quiet. |
| David Mitford 21/3 #216812 |