Moderators' Note

Birders are encouraged to post lists to eBird Australia, where sightings are incorporated into the atlas. To do this you need to register with eBird Australia and then login. Please send any White-throated Needletail or Fork-tailed Swift sightings directly to Prof. Michael Tarburton for his research: tarburton.m@optusnet.com.au. Include date, location, and numbers of birds. All Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot reports should be forwarded to Mick Roderick to assist in the recovery efforts of these severely declining species: mick.roderick@birdlife.org.au.

• Reports
• Criteria

September 2016

Sun 25		Beautiful Firetail Shoalhaven Heads
		Heard what sounded like the distinct phwee call repeated several times with pauses between calls while walking from car park/Bay to the river mouth in shrubby vegetation/small trees. Heard again twice more on return later in morning. Couldn't locate the bird. 100 Godwits, 25 Red-necked Stints, 4 Eastern Curlew and a pair of nesting Pied Oystercatchers. eBird checklist
		Carla Jackett 25/9 #228661
		White-winged Triller Erskine Park
		In adult male seen in the reserve beside Eastern Creek. A pair of Varied Sitellas also seen here.
		Edwin Vella and Mark Fuller 25/9 #228660
Sat 24		Black-faced Monarch Riverstone
		One passing through
		Edwin Vella 25/9 #228659
		White-throated Nightjar Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
		1 bird heard calling at 6:45pm
		Jayden Walsh 25/9 #228655
		White-throated Gerygone Mallee Reserve 10 km West of Condobolin
		My first confirmed sighting of this species in this area. The bird was feeding quietly until harassed by a Western Gerygone.
		Warren Chad 25/9 #228652
		Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Culrew Sandpiper Lake Wollumboola
		30 Red Knot 11 Curlew Sands (two adults, rest juveniles) 1 Grey Plover (different bird from last time) 1 Pacific Golden Plover 300ish Bar-tailed Godwits 8 Black-tailed Godwits 1 Red-capped Plover only (!) 3 Pied Oystercatchers Water levels are higher after the rain and all smaller birds preferred the inaccessible southern end still lots of disturbance there though in the form of aircraft. canoes and parashoot flyers...
		Demetrios Bertzeletos 24/9 #228650
		Eastern Koel Coutts Crossing Village
		Koel calling in afternoon. Observer's first record for season.
		Greg Clancy 24/9 #228649
		Pacific Baza Bent Street, South Grafton, southern approach to Grafton Bridge
		Adult Baza foraging in front yard near street.
		Greg Clancy 24/9 #228648
		Dollarbird Lake Cathie Village Track
		Dollarbird here again, also a White-brow Scrub-wren taking on small black skink and winning a meal and heard a White - throated Gerygone calling.
		Darin Rounsevell 24/9 #228647
Fri 23		Brown Skua and Short-tailed Shearwaters Mistral Point, Maroubra
		A late(ish) Brown Skua seen today harassing the Wedgies, also 3 Shy Albatross, 4 Black-browed Albatross and about 25 Short-tailed Shearwaters (all flying North against the run of play). A few Bar-tailed Godwits pushing south and a single Red-necked Stint migrating in the same direction.
		David Mitford 23/9 #228644
		Black Faced Monarch, Leaden Flycatcher and Bassian Thrush Ingleside Chase Reserve
		Highlights of a short walk in Ingleside Chase Reserve were 1 Black Faced Monarch and 2 Leaden Flycatchers heading towards Irrawong Reserve and 1 Bassian Thrush foraging 100m above the main waterfall. Other interesting animals included 2 mistletoebirds, 1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo, 1 Brown Antechinus and 1 Broad Tailed Gecko.
		Jayden Walsh 23/9 #228639
		Grey Goshawk Whire Morph Warriewood Wetlands
		Sighted in marshy area. Stayed for a few shots then moved off.
		John Taylor 23/9 #228637
Thu 22		Sanderling, Red Knot Manning Estuary, Harrington
		2 Sanderling and 1 Red Knot present with good numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits, Pacific Golden Plovers, Eastern Curlews, Red-necked Stints. Also Little Terns and Common Terns in good numbers. A promising start to the season. Photo of Sanderling next to RNS for comparison. eBird checklist
		Liam Murphy 22/9 #228635
		Masked Owl Douglas Farm Rd, Kurrajong Hills
		Single bird above road and calling just after 730pm. In open grey gum/ironbark/turpentine adjacent to Western Sydney Rainforest remnants. First recorded this species here 2 months ago.
		Eric Finley 22/9 #228626
Wed 21		Sacred Kingfisher, Grey-crowned Babbler Tucabia
		Two Sacred Kingfishers were the first of the season for us. One Babbler on ground nearby.
		Greg & Val Clancy 22/9 #228630
		Pale-yellow Robin O'Sullivans Gap, Myall Lakes NP
		Single robin seen in the forest near the creek, a few hundred metres along the track leading from the far end of the picnic area. One of the more southern sites for this species. Noisy Pitta, Spectacled Monarch, Leaded Flycatcher and Russet-tailed Thrush also present here. A beautiful bit of forest despite the ferocious leeches! eBird checklist
		Max Breckenridge 21/9 #228621
		Satin Flycatcher Barling Rd Swamp, Casino
		Adult male, assumed to be on passage heading South. eBird checklist
		Gus Daly 21/9 #228613
		Kelp Gull Taren Point Shorebird Reserve
		One Kelp Gull sighted. Also, Eastern Curlew (2), Pied Oystercatcher (2), Bar-tailed Godwit (36) and a Channel-billed Cuckoo being harassed by numerous smaller birds. eBird checklist
		Brian Deans 21/9 #228612
		Channel-billed cuckoo Coolgardie plateau south of Alstonville in northern NSW
		Single bird calling early just around sunrise and spending time in a large stranglers fig. My first for the season and as usual a week or so after the first ones around Sydney (Moderator's Note: Bob Moffat also reported his first Channel-billed Cuckoo at Alstonville today too, again 2 weeks after regular reports from Sydney and the Central Coast. AKM)
		David Charley 21/9 #228607
Tue 20		Eastern Grass Owl Partridge Creek (Port Macquarie)
		Single owl seen very well as it circled a few metres over my head. Seen where the tracks fork near the swamp about 15-20 minutes after sunset. Please be mindful of the birds and nearby residents here. An exceptional spot for raptors; Square-tailed Kite, Spotted Harrier, Pacific Baza, Collared Sparrowhawk, Black-shouldered Kite all seen over a few hours. A single Southern Emuwren complementing the Red-backed and Superb Fairywrens. Lewin's Rail calling from bracken near the track fork and a Brolga heard from across the swamp as the sunset. eBird checklist
		Max Breckenridge 21/9 #228622
		Comb-crested Jacana Cattai Wetlands
		Although a well-known resident here, the jacanas (two birds seen) are very easy to observe currently as the lily pads have yet to grow properly. Several spring migrants also evident; Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, White-throated Gerygone, Black-faced Monarch, Leaden Flycatcher. eBird checklist
		Max Breckenridge 21/9 #228620
Mon 19		Rufous Scrub-bird Gloucester Tops
		Five separate territories occupied by calling males. Most birds in the Kerripit Rd area with one bird about halfway between the turnoff and start of the beech forest track. One bird seen relatively well in sword grass clump and subsequently observed to within a metre as it scurried under a fallen log we were standing on. One Olive Whistler, several Flame Robins, Red-browed Treecreepers, and many Crescent Honeyeaters present in the area. A Spot-tailed Quoll seen very well after sunset at Sharpes Creek and over 20 Greater Gliders on the road uphill were also highlights. eBird checklist
		Max Breckenridge and Joshua Bergmark 21/9 #228619
		Dollarbird Crescent Head
		Single bird seen on outskirts of Crescent Head township. First sighting for me this season.
		Peter Higgins 20/9 #228605
		Chestnut rumped heath wren Nailcan Hill, Albury
		One seen in company of striated thornbills in low grevillea shrub. First reported on Saturday with a pair seen on a popular mountain bike track. Still in the area Monday morning. Not aware of any previous records for Albury/Wodonga.(Moderator's Note: You are correct in that it is rare bird in the Albury Wodonga Region, but there were a few reports during the 2nd Atlas 1998-2002. AKM) Further information
		Janet chapman 20/9 #228602
		Pacific Baza Horsfield Bay, Woy Woy
		I would not normally report as Pacific Baza are regular visitors to Horsfield Bay but I did manage to capture a good image of bird in flight.
		Andrew Whitaker 20/9 #228597
		Sacred Kingfisher Warriewood Wetlands
		Saw and heard 1 sacred Kingfisher on the main boardwalk near where they have previously nested at 4pm this afternoon. Also heard Koel and Channel Billed Cuckoo
		Jayden Walsh 19/9 #228595
		Australian Pratincole Hexham Swamp Nature Reserve--Old Pipeline Track
		Continuing bird still present in samphire just past pile of old tyres towards end of fenceline. Found at 09:30 and still there at 12:00.
		Liam Murphy & Greg McLachlan 19/9 #228592
		Topknot Pigeons Near Dungog
		Hi guys have only ever seen these birds once in the 20 years I have lived here, but not sure if you guys would say they are rare.. I am not on official birdwatcher with a club. I appear to have a group of half a dozen or so. They have been here for a few days so feel really privileged. With the wind its too hard to get a pic.
		Jill Meadows 19/9 #228588
Sun 18		Topknot Pigeon John St Belmont North
		20+ Topknot Pigeons feeding in large weeping fig overhanging my yard yesterday morning. All flew on my approach and headed south. First time I have seen them feeding in my immediate area.
		Bill Boyd 19/9 #228585
		Topknot Pigeon Moore Park, Sydney
		5 birds flying south along Anzac Pde.
		Eric Finley 18/9 #228583
Sat 17		Black Kite Pacific Highway near Chinderah
		1 Kite circling low over Highway.
		Greg & Val Clancy 22/9 #228631
		Gilbert's Whistler, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Pallid Cuckoo Round Hill NR,jnct Lake-Cargelligo Rd & the Mount Hope-Euabalong Rd
		Mallee birds seen at this spot included Gilbert's Whistler, Crested Bellbird, 1 Pink Cockatoo, 1 Pallid Cuckoo, Southern Scrub-Robin, Splendid Fairy-wren & White-fronted & Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters.
		Alan Morris & 19 members CCGBNSW, photo Christina Port 19/9 #228590
		Black-eared Cuckoo, Spotted Nightjar, Spotted Bowerbird Round Hill Nature Reserve--Whoey Tanks
		1 but possibly 2 Black-eared Cuckoos were feeding on the ground with 2 Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoos, Southern Whiteface nesting in tree hollow, both Grey-crowned & White-browed Babblers present, Red-capped Robin's feeding young, Striped Honeyeaters and Yellow-throated Miners nesting, White-winged Trillers, 3 Mulga Parrots.and 3 Spotted Nightjars reported in the evening.
		Alan Morris & 19 CCGBNSW members, photo Christina Poirt 19/9 #228589
		Sacred Kingfisher Western Sydney Parklands, Glendenning
		A returning Sacred Kingfisher seen as well as Dusky Woodswallow, Olive-backed Oriole, a breeding plumaged Great Egret etc.
		Edwin Vella and Birding NSW 18/9 #228579
		Magpie Geese Lake Cargelligo Wastewater Treatment Plant
		I saw three, one looked larger and seperate from other 2, I wonder whether they have nested here. Further information
		Peter Forward 18/9 #228575
		Brown Honeyeater, Magpie Geese Condobolin Town
		Single Brown He seen feeding in flowering shrub throughout the day, calling vigorously.Very rare to see one in Condo. Its flooding everywhere here at the moment and small flocks of Magpie Geese flying over and feeding at the wheat silos are almost a daily occurence
		Warren Chad 18/9 #228573
		Curlew Sandpiper Sydney Olympic Park Waterbird Refuge
		Single bird, initially (8:50 a.m.) with flock of Bar-tailed Godwit, then moved off by itself. Feeding busily. No Sharp-tailed or other sandpipers observed.
		Jeff Byron & Julie Byron 17/9 #228565
		Rainbow Bee-eater Upper Colo Road, Colo
		First spring record of Rainbow Bee-eater in the Sydney region - single bird perched on a wire on the Upper Colo Road.
		Roger and Louise Mcgovern 17/9 #228563
		Osprey Woodlands Estate Reserve, Thornton, Maitland
		1 Osprey hunting 200m-ish into the Northern track in a body of water that I guess is fed from Four Mile Creek. It dived into the water, missed its target, circled for a few minutes, then flew off to the East.
		Belle Farley 17/9 #228560
		Noisy Pitta Royal National Park--Lady Carrington Drive
		Had great views of a single Noisy Pitta about 200m in from the Southern end of Lady Carrington Drive (near the turnoff to 'the forest path' ) at around 8am this morning. Later heard calling.
		Jayden Walsh and Colin Bradshaw 17/9 #228557
		Australian Pratincole Hexham Swamp Nature Reserve
		Single bird hanging around all morning (still present at 3:00pm) on Smithy's Land, visible from the section of the pipeline track where the white tubing lies alongside the fence.
		Anne Lindsey per. hunterbirding 17/9 #228552
Fri 16		Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Great Crested Grebe, Sacred Kingfisher Lake Cargelligo Caravan Park
		Seen within or from the caravan park included a flock of 5 Major Mitchell's Cockatoo feeding in an exotic pine trees and in gum trees at lake edge, where there was a Sacred Kingfisher; Grey-crowned Babblers fed in the park where Blue-faced Honeyeaters were nesting. 21 Great Crested Grebes were counted on the Lake, Black Kites were over the town and the Lake.
		Alan Morris & 19 members of CCGBNSW, photo Christina Port 19/9 #228591
		Magpie-Goose, Sacred Kingfisher, Baillon's & Spotted Crake, Little Grassbird Lake Cargelligo Waste Water Treatment Plant
		Over a two day period, members of the CCGBNSW saw 41 species at the STW, the highlights being 2 pairs of Magpie-Geese, 4 pairs of Black Swans with small cygnets, 3 Baillon's Crakes, 1 Spotted Crake, and a Spotless Crake was heard giving its distinctive call. A recently arrived Sacred Kingfisher was calling, 1 Australian Shelduck, a few Shovelers, Little Grassbird and 3 Cockatiel. Photo Christina Port.
		Alan Morris & 19 members CCGBNSW 19/9 #228587
		Australian Spotted Crake, Orange Chat, Brown Songlark Chat Alley, Euabalong
		Over a two day period, members of the CCGBNSW at their Lake Cargelligo Camp, saw 26 species at Chat Alley including 3 Spotted Crakes, a female Orange Chat, 2 pairs of Grey Teal with ducklings, 2 Shovelers, 6 Pink-eared Ducks, Brown Songlarks, White-winged Fairy-wrens, a pair of Plumed Whistling Ducks, Hobby etc
		Alan Morris & 19 others, photo Christina Port 19/9 #228586
		Dusky Woodswallow Belmont Swamp and Belmont Lagoon
		2 Dusky Woodswallows seen on the Merleview Firetrail in between the swamp area and the dunes area to the east of Belmont Park.
		Belle Farley and Stephanie Owen 17/9 #228566
		Noisy Pitta Old Brush Studio Forest, Brunkerville
		2 singing birds. One patrolled territory between main billabong & creek, singing repeatedly from 20ft up the trees. Also at least 4 Bassian Thrush
		colin bradshaw 17/9 #228558
Thu 15		Dollarbird Palmdale Cemetery, Ourimbah
		The first Dollarbird for spring for the Central Coast was seen and heard this day at the Palmdale Cemetery and Crematorium by Luke UIllrich
		per Alan Morris 21/9 #228614
		Cotton Pygmy Goose North Ballina Lakes at m1 onramp/exit, Ballina Soccer Fields
		Checking for waders too late in the day had the tide up so thought I should finally see if anything much at this site I had never yet been to! Did all the right things like leaving my camera at home, going out late afternoon in the rain, dark and overcast and was scanning the virtually abandoned lake south to the north end when I was astounded to see this chap busy across the lake. Eventually relocated to a closer hillock and retrieved ipod from car to give challenging pictures and video. Goose was busy across the lake, only one sighted and seemed to be working closely with an Aust Grebe. Delightful. It is worth noting there were dog walkers & footy players to the east, busy cars to the north and west with less than 100m to the freeway.
		Duncan Fowler 15/9 #228543
		Swift Parrot Between Spring Farm and Rosemeadow
		I was very surprised to see 5 Swift Parrots rocket across the Hume Highway between Rosemeadow and Spring Farm this afternoon. They were heading west. Only my second sighting of Swift Parrots in 30 years of birding, so I was ecstatic!
		Lorne Johnson 15/9 #228541
		Eastern Koels Winston Hills
		First calls heard this morning. [Moderator's Note: Both large cuckoos are now back in relatively good numbers, so we will try to avoid publishing any more reports. JB]
		L. Morgan 15/9 #228539
Wed 14		Magpie Goose, Australian White Ibis, Royal Spoonbill Wetland adjacent to Pacific Highway at Clarenza
		30+ Geese (probably up to 80 or more) seen briefly as we drove past wetland, mixed in with a number of White Ibis and 1+ Royal Spoonbill.
		Greg & Val Clancy 22/9 #228632
		Channel-Billed Cuckoo Rozelle, NSW
		First call of the season. Flying overhead early morning. [Moderator's Note: Both large cuckoos are now back in relatively good numbers, so we will try to avoid publishing any more reports. JB]
		Chris Macaluso 16/9 #228550
		Gang-gang Cockatoos Burrill Lake Estuary
		A large flock of over 30 Gang-gang Cockatoos today, I htink a few young ones were amongst them, but very high in trees and very restless.
		Charles Dove 14/9 #228530
		Channel-billed cuckoo Killara
		First heard and seen here for the season at 9am near the Killara Golf Course (Are we still reporting? Seems they have well-and-truly arrived here in Sydney). Moderator's Note: Yes we are still reporting but this will be the last one for the Greater Sydney Region! Still accepting reports from further south and inland NSW.AKM) eBird checklist
		David Vickers 14/9 #228529
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Coachwood Park
		Heard calling this morning. First this half of the year for me in the Illawarra. eBird checklist
		Brian Deans 14/9 #228526
		White-bellied Sea eagle Milsons Point
		A Sea eagle circling low over Milsons Point ferry wharf at about 8.30 this morning. Harassed by an Australian Raven and two Magpies it then flew low over the Harbour Bridge approach towards Kirribilli
		Robert Griffin 14/9 #228525
Tue 13		Restless Flycatcher Sydney Bicentennial Park--Lake Belvedere
		One bird seen in vegetation beside the lake on Sydney Olympic Park spring survey.
		Elisabeth Karplus 13/9 #228516
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Mangerton
		My first local sighting for the season of the unmistakable profile of a Channel-billed Cuckoo flying low and south toward Lake Illawarra at dawn today.
		Gavin Phillips 13/9 #228510
Mon 12		Eurasian Coot & Hardhead ( or lack thereof) Centennial Park (Sydney)
		Not so much a sighting, but a non-sighting! Normally Sydney's Centennial Park has a very healthy population of Eurasian Coots (100+ on Duck Pond alone) and Hardheads spread over all the ponds but especially on Duck Pond. About a week ago they left, I only counted six Coots and no Hardheads this morning. Presumably they have headed west. [Moderator's Note: These movements are being observed all over the east coast at the moment, but I thought this sighting particularly interesting in that the birds were specifically observed to disappear in a matter of days. JB]
		Anne Brophy 12/9 #228503
Sun 11		White-faced Storm-Petrel, Wilson's Storm-Petrel Offshore--Sydney Pelagic
		Sunday's rescheduled trip saw large numbers of Wedge-tailed, Fluttering and Hutton's Shearwater moving south close in to shore. Very few of the inshore birds showed any interest in the boat. Further out near the shelf we encountered a typical mix of Albatross, for September, with two Wandering (Gibson’s) landing near the boat. Highlights on the shelf included a number of White-faced and Wilson's Storm-Petrels coming close to the boat as well as Providence and Great-winged Petrels. Good views of Fairy Prion were also had. A lone Northern Giant-Petrel was seen on the return journey along with Brown Skua.
		Steve Anyon-Smith, Greg McLachlan and all on the Avalon IV 12/9 #228500
		Rainbow Bee-eater, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Sacred Kingfisher, Southern Emu-wren Lake Cathie
		3 Rainbow Bee-eaters seen flying south at Lookout at southern side of Lake Cathie Estuary, 1 Wompoo Fruit-Dove at Middle Rock Boardwalk, an early Sacred Kingfisher in the woodland and 3 Southern Emu-wrens in heathland at the Perch Hole Track. Many other Local birds building nests & mating
		Darin Rounsevell 12/9 #228498
		Gang-gang Colo Vale (near Braemar)
		Flock of 6-8 male and female, flying from tree to tree and feeding on a bush in our yard for about 20 minutes.
		Sam Schroder 11/9 #228492
		Blue-faced Honeyeater Werri Lagoon, Gerringong
		Surprising to see an adult Blue-faced Honeyeater checking itself out in my car mirror just now. Never seen one in the Illawarra or Shoalhaven before and checking eBird it looks like there's only on other report from the Illawarra, which was August this year and also on a car mirror. Wonder if it could be the same bird?
		Lachlan Hall 11/9 #228491
Sat 10		Hooded Plover, Sooty Oystercatcher Dolphin Point, Burrill Lake
		Went in search of the reported Beach Stone-curlew, but failed to see that bird. However, at the far southern section of the Dolphin Point Beach, a pair of Hooded Plover, one, an adult, leg-tagged B-0. The second bird not quite in full adult plumage. Nearby a pair of Sooty Oystercatcher.
		Mandy Anderson 13/9 #228520
		Jacky Winter Annangrove
		Thrilled to see a Jacky Winter pair at the site of the old Amaroo Park Raceway at Annangrove. Certainly not common in the Hills District in the County of Cumberland these days so great to see this pair of survivors.
		Darryl Smedley 12/9 #228499
		Australian Figbird Liverpool Uniting Church Pirie St.
		A single Figbird called occasionally during the day on 10th Sept during Local Council election voting. Unusual here.
		Ian Bailey 12/9 #228497
		Rainbow Bee-eaters Bulga
		Nice to see Red-capped Robins, Speckled Warblers, Grey-crowned Babblers with young and nice views of 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles (an adult and a young bird attending to a dead kangaroo carcass off the road) beside Wambo Rd. Beside Wallaby Scrub Rd we saw some Rainbow Bee-eaters, Brown Treecreepers, Dusky Woodswallows, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater and White-winged Choughs. In the flowering Mugga Ironbarks in the town were a number of Noisy Friarbirds, Blue-faced as well as both Spiny-cheeked and Striped Honeyeaters.
		Edwin Vella and Follow That Bird 11/9 #228494
		Pacific Baza, Australian Hobby, White-throated Gerygone, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-faced Honeyea Douglas and Hermitage Roads, Kurrajong Hills
		Remarkable morning of spring birding with at least 6 migrant arrivals not recorded on the same walk last week or during the week, Notable numbers of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters heading nw into the Blue Mountains - a count of flocks passing overhead from 0810 to 0825 was 482 birds and this number continued over the morning and in 2 separate streams totalling many thousands of birds. Season arrivals included Channel-billed, Brush and Horsfielld's Bronze-Cuckoos, several White-throated Gerygones, and a pair of Pacific Baza, 7 raptor species including pair displaying Grey Goshawk and Australian Hobby. eBird checklist
		Eric Finley 10/9 #228484
Fri 9		Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Culrew Sandpiper Lake Wollumboola
		The southern area of the lake can be accessed at low tide if one is willing to wade through the deeper parts. the lake is still open to the sea, but levels have dropped considerably since my last visit. Large areas of mud are now available and the bird numbers and species diversity has increased: 500) Bar-tailed Godwits (all adults) 8) Black-tailed Godwits 1) Grey Plover (adult) 17) Curlew Sandpipers (all juveniles) 4) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (adult) 2) Red-necked stints (adults) 11) Red Knots (adults) 1) Eastern Curlew (adult male) 1) Ruddy Turnstone (ad. male) 3) Red-capped Plovers 5) Pied Oystercatchers (1 juv from last season +4 adults) 1) Masked Lapwing.
		Demetrios Bertzeletos 12/9 #228506
		Magpie Goose Lake Cargelligo STW
		Single bird
		Mark Allen, Darryl McKay, Tony Hunt 10/9 #228480
		Bar -tailed Godwit Deeban Spit Port Hacking
		First of the season seen today, sleeping in the biggest group seen here in many a long year. Estimated 38 to 40 Godwits.
		Julie Keating 9/9 #228471
		Powerful Owl Smoothey Park Wollstonecraft
		2 adult and 1 juvenile were near the Scout Hall until 6pm this afternoon. The birds were sitting side by side and were initially sitting still but began stretching and looking around after sunset. They were easily visible.
		Judy Clark 9/9 #228469
		Beach-stone Curlew and Hooded Plover Dolphin Point, Burrill Lake ocean entrance
		One Curlew observed on rock platform (low tide) at 7.30 this morning. Apologies for iPhone photo. Single Hooded Plover found on beach further around headland (east of Seaside Parade) car park. Seen around 7.30 am
		Deryk Engel 9/9 #228467
Thu 8		Bar-tailed Godwit Picnic Point, The Entrance
		The movement south of Bar-tailed Godwits from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds is now underway, and while overwinter there have been only a small group of 4-5 birds around Tuggerah Lakes, there was a flock of 72 Bar-tailed Godwits on this day. Previously all week there had been no Godwits at The Entrance at all. Similarly on Brisbane Water, near Woy Woy, there had been an over-wintering flock of 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, but on 7/9/16 there were 17 at the Kincumber Broadwater at low tide.
		Alan Morris & Doug Hocking 10/9 #228483
		Noisy Pitta Bidjigal Reserve (Baulkham Hills)
		Sighting on the Platypus track further along from the known roosting site for the Powerful Owls. One very happy observer!
		Jocelyne Mory 10/9 #228474
		Little & Painted Buttonquail, Shy Heathwren, Southern Scrub-robin Nombinnie Nature Reserve (East)--The Old Wheat Paddock
		Both Little & Painted Buttonquail recorded calling at dawn (not seen). Many resident birds vocal at the moment with Shy Heathwren, Southern Scrub-robin, Gilbert's Whistler, White-fronted & Yellow-plumed Honeyeater & Spotted Nightjar all heard calling at dawn. (Although no Red-lored Whistlers heard from this site this morning)
		Marc Anderson 8/9 #228465
Wed 7		Blue-billed Duck Penrith Lakes
		Single bird on Penrith Lakes Further information
		Keith Brandwood on behalf of Adrian Dick 11/9 #228490
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Epping
		First Channel-billed Cuckoo for me this year in Epping. Seen and heard clearly.
		Greg McCarry 7/9 #228457
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Balmain
		First of the Balmain Channel-bills for this season heard calling at Mort Bay this morning
		Robert Griffin 7/9 #228453
Tue 6		Eastern Koel Zetland, Hansard Street
		Calling this arvo from a spot were they reproduced successfully very early in the season last year. Semi industrial surrounding area - I suppose they only need Red Wattlebirds and food.
		David Mitford 6/9 #228446
		Channel-billed Cuckoo & Sharp-tailed Sandpip[er Dairy Swamp, Central Coast Wetlands, Tuggerah
		The first reported Channel-billed Cuckoos returning to the Central Coast were seen today feeding and fighting (?), in the large Moreton Bay Figs at the Dairy Swamp, where there were many Figbirds. At the adjoining Tuggerah Nature Reserve, on the Tuggerah Bay Saltmarsh area, there were 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and a pair Red-capped Plovers, the Sandpipers being the first return for the CC too!.
		Alan Morris 6/9 #228444
Mon 5		Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Torresian Crow, Red-capped Robin, Rainbow Bee-eater Capertee Valley
		Regent Honeyeaters present in the valley, with the majority in Capertee NP (~15) - birds observed while conducting targeted surveys. Approx. 20 Swift Parrots feeding in flowering white box on private property at Glen Alice (seen by Ross Crates). Single Torresian Crown heard calling in the Upper Nile Valley (unusual here, but confirmed against Little Ravens nearby). Male Red-capped Robin 2.5km along Port Macquarie Rd. Rainbow Bee-eaters heard in the Upper Nile Valley. Great conditions in the valley at the moment; large numbers of nectarivores, cuckoos (Pallid, Shining, Horsfield's, Fan-tailed all calling strongly), White-backed Swallows, large numbers of Dusky Woodswallows. eBird checklist
		Max Breckenridge, Simon Gorta, Ross Crates 7/9 #228454
		Black Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle Round Mountain Road, S of Lawrence
		One kite and one eagle foraging in and over recently ploughed canefield, being mobbed by a number of Torresian Crows
		Greg & Val Clancy 6/9 #228451
		Pacific Emerald Dove Lime Kiln Bay Reserve, Oatley
		2 Pacific Emerald Doves were seen at Peakhurst Heights (Shoreline) Reserve - Lime Kiln Bay Wetlands. Note the orange/yellow beak, unsure if immature or adult. Also of interest was an Eastern Yellow Robin, 2 Scarlet Honeyeaters, a Satin Bowerbird, and 6 Varigated Fairy-wren. eBird checklist
		Jesse Gibson 5/9 #228434
Sun 4		Red-necked Avocet 10km SE of Nevertire
		Single bird right beside Mitchell Hwy in flooded paddock.
		Mark Allen 10/9 #228481
		Diamond Firetail, Rufous Songlark 19 km NNE Barellan
		At a spot along the Barellan-Weethalle Road, being mostly wheat fields with a smattering of low bushes and an occasional Yarran acacias and Narrow-leafed Box Trees, a flock of 16 Diamond Firetails were observed to fly up off the road. Other birds in the vicinity were displaying Rufous Songlarks , a Singing Honeyeater and Apostlebirds.
		Alan Morris & Allan Benson 6/9 #228443
		Orange Chat, Red-necked Avocet Chat Alley, Euabalong
		At the famous Chat Alley site, which was fairly flooded as a result of very recent heavy rain, we are pleased to report that there were 4 Orange Chats present on the saltbushes, the adult males looking fantastic in their orange and black plumage. Also present were 2 Red-necked Avocets, 2 Plumed Whistling Ducks, many Little Grassbirds & Reedwarblers, Pinkears, a Hobby, 2 Shovelers etc.
		Allan Benson & Alan Morris 6/9 #228442
		Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Red-necked Avocet Lake Cargelligo STW
		The highlight off a visit to the STW was a flock of 13 Major Mitchell's Cockatoos (Pink Cockatoos) roosting on a dead tree. In an nearby recently inundated paddock caused by heavy rain was a flock of 16 Red-necked Avocets. Calling Rufous Songlarks, many breeding plumaged male White-winged and Variegated Fairy-wrens, and noisy Black-winged Stilts were the other highlights.
		Alan Morris & Allan Benson 6/9 #228441
		Chestnut_rumped Heathwren One Track For All Ulladulla NSW -35.352668, 150.483458
		Two sightings of the Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens seen and photographed today at the Headlands in Ulladulla (One Track For All). I heard this species 2yrs ago at this location but could never confirm or heard since until today. It has been seen and heard in other locations in Ulladulla.
		Charles Dove 4/9 #228425
Sat 3		Spectacled Monarch and Black-faced monarch Southern end of Coolgardie Plateau, south of Alstonville
		My first returns of the season. Both in rainforest.
		David Charley 7/9 #228455
		Emu Braidwood Rd, Sassafras
		Thanks to Carol who spotted the first group in fields to the north of the road (please see check-list for more photos). 15 adults & 4 juveniles observed. Others birds of note, three Grey Currawongs. eBird checklist
		Paul & Carol Lynch 4/9 #228427
		Yellow King Parrot Pringles Rd, Martinsville
		Yellow King Parrot observed feeding from bird feeder in company of several other King Parrot's with ordinary colouration. Poor quality photo attached.
		Bryan Ball (posted by Daniel Kurzawa) 4/9 #228426
		White-breasted Woodswallow Eastlakes golf course
		Seen flying over at 6:35 AM. eBird checklist Further information
		Corey Callaghan 3/9 #228411
Fri 2		Masked Owl Gwydir Highway, Nogulga Creek, W of Jackadgery
		Decayed carcase of roadkilled owl W of bridge.
		Greg & Val Clancy & Sue & K Willis 3/9 #228414
Thu 1		Spectacled Monarch Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park
		An early Spectacled Monarch was photographed by Ken Sheather at 3pm on 5/9 on western side of Kooloonbung Creek nature park, Port Macquarie.
		Liam Murphy per Ken Sheather 6/9 #228445
		Figbird Victoria Park, Camperdown
		Approximately 50 Figbirds were seen in and around Victoria Park. They are feeding in the fruiting figtrees, and resting in the trees with no leaves. This is the largest number I have seen here. eBird checklist
		Jesse Gibson 1/9 #228401
		Little Lorikeet, Channel-billed Cuckoo Bonnie Vale Camping Ground, Bundeena, NSW
		Small flock heard flying overhead. Channel-billed Cuckoo also calling this morning from this location
		Deryk Engel 1/9 #228400
		Channel billed cuckoo Harold Reid Reserve, Middle Cove, Sydney
		Heard calling this morning
		Lorna Bloom 1/9 #228398

August 2016

Wed 31		Masked Owl Pacific Highway, E of Coldstream River bridge near Tyndale
		Roadkilled Masked Owl, very buff and brown with pinkish-buff face, female or juvenile, badly squashed on highway.
		Greg & Val Clancy 1/9 #228407
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Terrey Hills
		An early Channel-billed Cuckoo seen flying across Mona Vale Road at Terrey Hills (Moderator's Note: It always amazes me that despite having to travel the whole length of the NSW coast to get to Sydney, the Channel-billed Cuckoos are always reported first from Sydney, it is days sometimes weeks, before they are reported from the North Coast!AKM).
		Roger McGovern 1/9 #228399
		Swift Parrot Singleton Training Area (Dept of Defence)
		Numbers of Swift Parrots well down on the June 30 survey, with 32 counted today. Although it was not a thorough count there were zero birds where the flocks of 40+ were in June. The vast majority of birds today were in Spotted Gum blossom along a drainage line north of the main power easement. Good numbers of Little Lorikeets and Noisy Friarbirds also on the blossom.
		Mick Roderick 31/8 #228395
		Square-tailed Kite Western outskirts Ballina
		Single bird observed flying and twisting low over trees 200 metres west of new bridge over Emigrant Creek South on road towards Lismore Chased by a couple of crows.
		June Harris 31/8 #228394
		Noisy Pitta Gooseberry Island, Berkeley Nature Reserve, Lake Illawarra (restricted access)
		At least one individual photographed by remote cameras set in subtropical rainforest between late June and late August. At the southern extremity of its range. Unusual occurrence as this island is over 1km to the mainland shore, which comprises mostly developed parklands, houses and Swamp Oak forest.
		Martin Schulz 31/8 #228393
Tue 30		Eastern Koel Killarney Vale
		One male bird heard calling early this morning. Heard again later this afternoon then spotted flying off.
		Daniel McKeon 30/8 #228392
		White-winged Chough Moorebank Ave Moorebank
		Around 5-6 White winged Cough were sighted today and yesterday foraging on the grassy areas on Moorebank Ave, Moorebank just before Anzac Ave.
		Bashir Khan 30/8 #228389
		Topknot Pigeon Balmain
		A lone, lost Topknot Pigeon seen today at Balmain, at about 3.30pm near Mort Bay park. It circled around, chased by Noisy Miners, before heading off to the south.
		Robert Griffin 30/8 #228388
Mon 29		Ruddy Turnstone Woonona Point
		One Ruddy Turnstone sighted on the rock platform 0900 & 1400.
		Ross & Jann Gowans 29/8 #228380
		Pacific Koel Alexandria
		Heard calling. Repeated call several times before being drowned out by traffic noise. eBird checklist
		Brian Deans 29/8 #228374
		Common Diving Petrel, Wandering-type Albatross Ocean, 9 miles off Sydney
		A Common Diving Petrel flew alongside the vessel, then banked in front of the bow. A most unexpected sighting. Seen well by 3 observers. A Wandering-type Albatross had been seen well back from the stern about 15 minutes earlier. A few Fluttering Shearwaters, plus one Hutton's, as well as various small albatrosses.
		Mick Roderick 29/8 #228370
Sun 28		Pacific Koel Marrickville
		Calling earlier afternoon
		Eric Finley 29/8 #228368
		Glossy Black Cockatoo Lower Pappinbarra
		At least 15 GBC settling to roost at 5:30pm. This is the most I have seen here since my observations started in 1980. There had been almost this number back in the early 1980s, but numbers had been dropping over the years. eBird checklist
		Ian Kerr 28/8 #228367
		White-backed Swallow Port Macquarie Marina
		A single bird passed low overhead flying southward. Excellent bins view in perfect light, absolutely unmistakable bird. I waited around for another half an hour but it did not reappear. eBird checklist
		Liam Murphy 28/8 #228359
		White-winged Chough Tallong, Penrose
		I saw a lot of White-winged Choughs in the southern section of the Southern Highlands this afternoon: 22 in Tallong (over 3 locations); 5 in Penrose.
		Lorne Johnson 28/8 #228358
Sat 27		Striated Pardalote Muogamarra Nature Reserve
		1 'Yellow-tipped' Striated Pardalote was seen in a group of three ornatus Striated Pardalotes. Also seen was an Azure Kingfisher, 2 Rose Robins, and 5 Varied Sittella. eBird checklist
		Jesse Gibson 29/8 #228381
		Wandering, Antipodean, Black-browed, Campell, Shy, Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Offshore--Kiama Pelagic (SOSSA)
		Several Gibson's (Antipodean) Albatrosses were the highlight of the SOSSA trip on the 27 August 2016. Other birds of interest were a Wandering Albatross, along with Black-browed, a Campbell's, Shy and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. Other birds included White-faced Storm-petrels, Solander's and Grey-faced Petrels. along with Northern and Southern Giant-Petrels. We also had a White-fronted Tern and a Cape Petrel. Bird numbers overall though were low. Further information
		Brook Whylie and all aboard the MV Kiama 29/8 #228369
		White-browed/Masked Woodswallow, Painted Button-quail Wallaby Scrub Rd, Warkworth
		Saw 4 Painted Button-quail moving through the leaf litter (quite a reliable spot for them here and I also saw many of their fresh platelets). I also had heard a few times but not seen a single White-browed/Masked Woodswallow amongst the Dusky Woodswallows circling overhead; Fuscous, Spiny-cheeked and Striped Honeyeaters, Tree Martins, Speckled Warbler and a couple of Brown Treecreepers.
		Edwin Vella 28/8 #228366
		Hooded Robin Wambo Rd, Bulga
		In the woodland beside Wambo Rd were a pair of Hooded and at least 4 Red-capped Robins, Jacky Winter, Varied Sitellas, a number of Speckled warblers, Striped and Brown-headed Honeyeaters, a fairly large group of Grey-crowned Babblers feeding at least 2 fledglings, and a Rufous Whistler. Across the road beside Wollombi Brook were Spiny-cheeked and Striped Honeyeater, Tree Martins. I possibly also heard a Rainbow Bee-eater or two which should be starting to come back now.
		Edwin Vella 28/8 #228364
		White-backed Swallow, Eastern Barn Owl Broke (Hunter Valley)
		I noticed a Barn Owl perched in a small acacia and fairly exposed in clear view beside the road and after a while it took flight, circled around the swamp and then flew across the road to land in a dense stand of casuarinas beside the creek mobbed by Pied Butcherbirds, Magpies etc. Other birds seen here included 2 Spiny-cheeked and 3 Striped Honeyeaters, a number of Tree Martins, Grey-crowned Babblers, Rufous Whistler and on my return visit early in the afternoon I had some White-winged Choughs, a Brown Falcon, a few Satin Bowerbirds and best of all a single White-backed Swallow.
		Edwin Vella 28/8 #228363
		Bush Stone-curlew Saratoga Wetlands
		This year the Gosford Friends of the Bush Stone-curlews are pleased to report that for the first time in 15 years, there are seven pairs in the Brisbane Water area that includes Saratoga Wetlands. During the week 16-25/8/16 all 7 pairs were confirmed to be present in the general area that they have nested, with the first eggs laid and a clutch of 2 completed at Kincumber on 27/8/16. The latest pair to be located, were seen to mate in the middle of a reasonably busy local road at Empire Bay on 20/7, although as to where they might place their nest remains to be seen. Currently the Friends can account for 15 birds in and around the waterways and public reserves of Brisbane Water.
		Alan Morris 28/8 #228354
		Swift Parrot, Little Lorikeet Quorrobolong near Cessnock
		Between 31 and 50 Swift Parrots were seen on the CCGBNSW annual Outing to three private properties at Quorrobolong. 50+ were counted during our 90 minute walk around one property, and it is possible that some were counted twice at the end of our loop walk. Birds were feeding on lerps as well as Ironbark and Stringybark blossoms. 16 Little Lorikeets, Musk & Scaly-breasted Lorikeets, as well as Fuscous Honeyeaters, a pair of Brown Goshawks, Dusky Woodswallows and nesting Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters were also seen. On the property "Oakleigh" were nesting Choughs, Noisy Friarbirds and Grey-crowned Babblers and a Wedge-tailed Eagle; while on an un-named property there were Buff-rumped Thornbills and Brown-headed Honeyeaters, and there was a Spangled Drongo on electric wires at the corner of Sandy Creek Rd & Heaton Gap Road. Christine Port provided the photo.94 species seen on the day at Quorrobolong.
		Alan Morris & 20 members of CCGBNSW 27/8 #228351
		Scaly-breasted Munia (Nutmeg Mannikins). Barton Park South--Landing Lights Wetland
		About 50 Scaly-breasted Munia observed near the fence of the soccer ground. Also a Lewin's Rail heard calling from the long grass near the pond. eBird checklist
		Brian Deans. 27/8 #228347