Mon 18 | | King Quail Shoalhaven Heads Inlet |
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5:20pm
Adult male observed at northern end of Inlet on mudflats with matted weeds. We observed it walking 5 metres back to the safety of the heath bushland. No vocalising.
First record for Shoalhaven Heads/Inlet. Photos taken by a few. This Image courtesy of Kirstin Crosby. eBird checklist |
Carla Jackett/Birding Shoalhaven and 6 others. 19/3 #270329 |
| | Yellow-tufted Honeyeater Lane Cove National Park--Riverside Drive |
A group of at least 6 Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters heard (their harsh, rasping call) and then seen in trees beside Riverside Drive on the sharp right-angle bend at -33.782262, 151.141808. Per ebird not reported in this part of Lane Cove Nat Park since the 1970s (reports from 1972 and 1976). |
Tom Wilson 18/3 #270327 |
| | Black Bittern Boat Ramp / Tidal pool adjacent to Wingham Brush, Wingham |
Good view of BB this afternoon.
Pleasant surprise to see this bird here. We have seen many BB's in Nthn Qld, but not in the town we now live. |
Chris. Catt and Janine Bailey 18/3 #270326 |
Sat 16 | | Grey Noddy, Black Petrel Offshore--Sydney Pelagic |
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Two Black Petrels were encountered at the shelf along with a Grey Noddy. The Noddy gave great views as it flew almost over the stern of the boat before turning and heading south. We had many Flesh-footed Shearwaters out wide and at the shelf. Two Grey-faced Petrels joined the slick as well as a handful of Wilson's Storm-Petrels. Other species included an immature Black-browed Albatross, a number of Shy Albatrosses, Pomarine Jaegers and Wedge-tailed, Short-tailed and Hutton's Shearwaters. Four juvenile Australasian Gannets approached the boat on the return trip. Water temperatures are still high at the shelf at 27+C. We had a northward current too.
Photograph: Jodi Webber. eBird checklist |
Sydney pelagics and all onboard 18/3 #270325 |
| | Wandering Whistling-duck and Blue-billed Ducks Pitt Town Lagoon |
A single Wandering Whistling-duck seen with 3 Blue-billed Ducks (the later involving an adult pair). Just now wondering if both species will be nesting here again as they did at the same time back in March 2019 (where I think it was the first time for both species in Sydney). Watch this space!! |
Edwin Vella 17/3 #270324 |
| | Golden-headed Cisticola Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains |
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Single bird photographed at a small reedy creek crossing along the Six Foot Track in the Megalong Valley. This is my first record for this species in the Blue Mountains LGA, also the first record I could find in the Blue Mountains Bird Observers (BMBO) database and also no records on eBird.
Also saw a two Diamond Firetails nearby which have become scarce in the valley and I haven't located since 2020. (Moderator's Note: There is a list done by an 'anonymous eBirder' in the Megalong Valley 23/9/23 with two Golden-headed Cisticolas claimed, but also with Tawny Grassbird in the list and there are no previous records of them in the Blue Mtns either [no attempt to describe the birds in those lists either]. MR) eBird checklist |
Mark Ley 17/3 #270321 |
| | Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Tuggerah Nature Reserve |
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Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater seen foraging in Swamp Oak with Striped Honeyeater early this morning. Given proximity and despite not being seen since August 2023 (?), there’s a reasonable chance this is the same well-reported / long-staying individual from Central Coast Wetland during the middle part of last year.. (Moderator's Note: This is the 5h report of a Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, in the Central Coast LGA. Previous reports have been in Munmorah SCA 1983, at the Central Coast Wetlands 2008 & 2023, and in the mistletoe infected Swamp Oaks at Pippi Pt Davistown 2007 . AKM) |
Andrew Robinson 16/3 #270320 |
Fri 15 | | Oriental Cuckoo Narara, NSW |
Flew past high over the ridgetop. Large cuckoo with pronounced long pointed wings, long tail and flat-backed appearance. Plain mid blue grey upper parts, fully barred chest, plain vent and prominent whitish underwing bar. eBird checklist |
Guy Dutson 15/3 #270319 |
Tue 12 | | Barn Owl Inalls Lane Richmond Lowlands |
Fairly regular sighting; hopefully no rodenticides on the soccer fields. (Moderator's Note: Not really rare or unusual but good to know that they bare present on the Richmond Lowlands. AKM) |
David Potter 13/3 #270315 |
Mon 11 | | Little Shearwater Providence Beach, Broughton Island |
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Beach washed specimen |
Martin Schulz 11/3 #270312 |
Sun 10 | | Crimson Chat The Sand Trail, Crowdy Bay National Park |
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1x male and 1x juv Crimson Chat found 200m along Sand Trail. Located the day before (9th of March) by fellow bird watcher one day prior to my sighting on the 10th. Continuing birds, having been sighted by fellow birders on the 11th and 12th. (Moderator's Note; This is the third recent record for Crimson Chats in coastal heaths in NSW viz:, An adult male seen at Wybung Head, Munmorah SCA 18/10-21/11/2021 and 2 were at Sandy Beach near Coffs Harbour16-28/12/2023. AKM) eBird checklist |
James Andrews 12/3 #270313 |
| | Blue-billed Duck Pitt Town Lagoon |
Three pairs of Blue-billed Ducks at Pitt Town Lagoon today at about 1:30pm. |
Allan Richards and Raz Ratta 11/3 #270311 |
Fri 8 | | Blue-billed Duck Pitt Town Lagoon |
4 male and one female Blue-billed Ducks were swimming in the centre of Pitt Town Lagoon at lunchtime today. |
Andrew Patrick 8/3 #270307 |
| | Powerful Owl Blacktown |
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Unexpectedly got a call from a wildlife carer contact enquiring about the owl roosting in his backyard near the hospital. The bird was holding a half-eaten flying fox (likely Grey-headed) and was completely unperturbed by our presence.
Not a lot of good habitat, so likely a bird in transit, though the gentleman and his wife will keep their eyes peeled and I'll check back regularly as I pass their house on my way home from work daily. (Moderator's Note: Good record for Blacktown LGA. AKM) |
Ákos Lumnitzer and Netra Chetty 8/3 #270306 |
Thu 7 | | White-throated Nightjar Wianamatta Regional Park |
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single bird accidently found in the Park in woodland. (Moderator's Note: Good record for this part of the County of Cumberland. AKM) |
Sue Gurling 7/3 #270303 |
Tue 5 | | Australian Bustard Collarenebri /Mungindi Rd |
Pair seen and photographed at Collarenebri late afternoon.. Unable to download shots from camera at this time |
Ken Doy 8/3 #270304 |
Sun 3 | | Little Button-quail Malabar Headland National Park (eastern section) |
My partner pointed out a quail that appeared from underneath the boardwalk. Unmistakably a Little button-quail - showed itself three times. A walker came by and still it came back out. Didn’t get a photo as it disappeared quickly into deeper scrub when a jogger came by. I have walked this park since 2015 and it is first time I have ever seen one. (Moderator's Note: Here are some additional notes provided by the observer - "Light sandy brown all over (no obvious dark or any orange to any part of bird), with grey bill. Small size. Clear white eye. Familiar with bird, seen before, great views for several days at campground in Keep River NP, NT. Painted Buttonquail much darker, with obvious black and orange + dark eye. I am very familiar with Brown Quail and Stubble Quail - these are much larger birds and I viewed Stubble Quails only weeks ago. Nothing like either quail." MR)
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Jonathan Lyford 3/3 #270301 |
Sat 2 | | Glossy Black Cockatoo, Budgerigar Lake Banar, 20km Sth of Condobolin on private land |
3 Glossies found feeding in a large stand of Belah on Sth side of Lake Banar around 7;30 am. There were 8 birds in this same tree two days ago. Also good to see small flocks of Budgies nearby feeding on abundant seeding grasses and drinking from a small waterhole. Other birds of note were Diamond Firetails and Dusky Woodswallows with fledglings. The later were in with a large group of White browed and Masked Woodswallows. |
warren Chad 2/3 #270295 |
Fri 1 | | Rockwarbler Pigeon House Mountain trail. |
At beginning of plateau area above sandstone steps and on top of rocky outcrop. Two individuals observed for several minutes with binoculars at close range including one very inquisitive individual coming within 5m. Features accurately matched descriptions / images / audio in guides (Menkhorst et al, Morcombe & Stewart) and a phone video was taken. (Publishing as it is at the southern limit of the species' range, moderator). eBird checklist |
Ross Stewart 3/3 #270299 |
| | Wandering Whistling Duck "Jacana" Hsd Washpool Rd Clarenza NSW |
2 Wandering Whistling Ducks with 4 downy young on our dam. Also 10
Plumed Whistling Ducks |
Eric Wheeler 1/3 #270291 |
Wed 28 | | Masked Owl Crosslands Youth and Convention Centre |
Single bird heard calling just after midday on the 28th, north of Still Creek, and just after 9pm on both the 28th and 29th, east of Still Creek. I was at campsite near flying fox when the bird was calling. I was unable to see the bird as I was looking after Yr 7 kids on a camp. Disappointing, as AMO is till my bogey bird! Other nocturnal birds heard on both nights: White-throated Nightjar, Powerful Owl, Boobook Owl and Australian Owlet-Nightjar. No Tawny Frogmouths, surprisingly. |
Lorne Johnson 3/3 #270300 |
Tue 27 | | Red-footed Booby Bellambi Beach, Wollongong |
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a juvenile Red-footed Booby was found injured on Bellambi Beach and taken into the Fairy Meadow Veterinary Clinic where it was photographed for identification purposes and cared for by Adriana, the Vet nurse.. Toni Burnham from WIRES became involved and advised me of details. Unfortunately the bird had a hook in the gut which needed to be surgically removed. The operation took place at Canley Vale Veterinary Clinic but unfortunately the bird died overnight on 28/2/2024. It is my understanding that this would be the 4th record for the Illawarra Area there being 1 beachcast Port Kembla Bch 3/1/1994, 1 seen offshore Wollongong 28/3/2009 and a white morph adult was seen off Ulladulla 29/3/2010. Many thanks to everyone who was involved in the rescue and caring of this bird. (Moderator's Note: If anyone has any additional information about this bird I will be happy to incorporate the information. It is also a species listed as rare on the NSW Ornithological Records Appraisal Committee review list and a submission will be prepared. AKM) |
Toni Burnham WIRES and Alan Morris 1/3 #270289 |
| | Australian Brush-turkey Deriah Aboriginal Area |
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After a recent report by M. Wheeler of 3 birds crossing Upper Bullawa Creek Road, on the western boundary of Mt. Kaputar NP (16 Feb 2024; eBird checklist S161627311), 40 km east of Narrabri, I found 2 crossing Carinya Road, ca. 500 m before reaching the picnic/BBQ area. This was at 18:35, maybe 10 km south of Upper Bullawa Creek, higher up in the slopes. It is my first sighting of the species on the western slopes since August 2015. One of the birds that I saw had little or no yellow/red wattled skin on its neck, so likely a juvenile. This suggests that the local western population, which is considered endangered, has not only survived the severe drought of 2017-2019, but is also continuing to breed on the western slopes. The attached excerpt from the eBird distribution map shows how they are isolated from other populations of Aust. Brush-turkeys. (Moderator's Note: Birdata records also show this population as very isolated, though show no records since the drought and fires that culminated in 2019. Great to see they have survived and are likely breeding! MR) eBird checklist |
Michael Dahlem 28/2 #270284 |
| | Streaked Shearwater Long Reef Aquatic Reserve. |
I had 4 Streaked Shearwaters travelling south off Long Reef this afternoon not much else though 1 Black-browed Albatross and about 30 White-throated Needletails circling around the headland. |
Michael Ronan 27/2 #270283 |
Mon 26 | | Black-faced Cormorant Port Hacking NSW |
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This bird came into WIRES care from Port Hacking near Caringbah where it was found in a weak condition because it had a fish hook caught in its beak. The bird has been cared for by seabird carer Toni Burnham. The bird has since been rehabilitated and it will be released back into the wild at Eden where there is a known population of Black-faced Cormorants. The most northerly record for a Black-faced Cormorant in NSW is for Montague Island in 1967, all other reports are for south of Merimbula, especially for Eden Harbour where they are resident. The actual origins of this bird in Port Hacking are unknown. Reports of birds outside of the Far South Coast of NSW require a submission to NSW ORAC for verification. |
Toni Burnham and Alan Morris 26/2 #270281 |
Sun 25 | | Black-necked Stork, Plumed Whistling Ducks McPherson’s Rd Swamp |
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Ongoing observation. Adult male BNS with two juveniles, youngsters seen occasionally leaping into the air. Delightful to watch. Also still there, the PWD. Bonus two Tawny Grassbirds and a black snake for the unwary. |
Gina McFarlane 26/2 #270279 |
| | Black-necked Stork McPherson Road Swamp |
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Both adult birds were at the swamp with 2 of this seasons juvenile birds this appears to be the first foray with the juveniles. |
David Schuemaker 25/2 #270278 |
| | Black Falcon, Spotted Harrier Richmond |
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My wife and I saw the above raptors (among many other common ones to the area) over a 1 hour drive around some areas.
Black Falcon was near RAAF base, unable to get out and photograph due to restrictions on signage.
Harrier was in a different area. |
Ákos Lumnitzer and Netra Chetty 25/2 #270276 |
| | Diamond Dove Kings Tableland, Blue Mountains |
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This sighting was a big surprise but even more so later when we discovered that no previous ebird sightings at all in the Blue Mountains. Also very infrequently noted in the eastern half of NSW. This bird was wandering along the edge of a sandy trail that joins up with Chester Trail. Appeared to be foraging and zig-zagging between open spots and grasses. Caught on video as well as one okay photo. (Moderator's Note: More than an 'ok' photo! Although it might at times be tempting to treat a report like this as a possible escapee, I think I am sensing via eBird a hint of a push of Diamond Doves [and Budgerigars] eastwards at the moment - let's hope so, for the sake of us city-bound birders! There is nothing about the bird otherwise to suggest it might be an escapee either. MR) eBird checklist |
Darren Broughton 25/2 #270275 |
| | Brahminy Kite Brooklyn |
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Photographed from the train at Hawkesbury River Station around 0800. (Moderator's Note: Brahminy Kites are becoming more common on the Central Coast and in the Hawkesbury Estuary. AKM)) |
Mike Kilburn 25/2 #270273 |
Sat 24 | | Gang-Gang Cockatoo Farmers Creek, Lithgow |
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Initially, four birds were observed flying towards a stand of Hawthorn bush at the site. Several more groups flew in over the next half an hour or so, which I tallied up to a total of 24 birds. This is a substantial number for these times, and at least half appeared to be juvenile to subadult, which suggests a good breeding season in the area. Though at the time, I focused mainly on getting good portraits of individual birds, I did manage a frame where nine birds are visible which I will attach. eBird checklist |
Peter Stevens (with Rob Annesley) 2/3 #270297 |
| | Australian Shelduck Millthorpe-Vittoria Rd dam |
A quick stop at large dam (the left when driving towards Millthorpe from Bathurst) at approx 5pm revealed 8 Australian Shelduck, incl 2 younger birds with much plainer plumage. Also at the site Red-kneed (2) and Black-fronted (4) Dotterels, 30 Australasian Shoveler, 24 Pied Stilt (unusual number for site per eBird) eBird checklist |
Tom Wilson 25/2 #270274 |
| | Streaked Shearwater. Long Reef Aquatic Reserve. |
Highlight of a seawatch from Long Reef this afternoon were 2 Streaked Shearwaters travelling south we also saw 1 Shy Albatross and 1 Black-browed Albatross. |
Michael Ronan,Mike Kilburn. 24/2 #270272 |
Wed 21 | | Common Greenshank Burren Junction Bore Baths |
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Last reported on eBird for the Narrabri region on 6 September 1973 (by a certain Alan Morris), and not exactly a commoner elsewhere in inland NSW, this single Common Greenshank was found at ca. 11:00 this morning. First it was in the dam with the bird refuge island (eastern side of the bath), then it moved over to the overflow pond on the western side, hanging out with a small mob of Pied Stilts. It was heard calling and audio was recorded (not processed yet). There will also be an eBird checklist at some point. (Moderator's Note: Worth noting there are four Birdata records of greenshanks - and Marshies incidentally - from a wetland south east of Wee Waa between Jan and March 2007. All records are of a single bird. MR). |
Michael Dahlem 21/2 #270267 |
Tue 20 | | Oriental Cuckoo Southgate Flood Reserve/TSR (17km north of Grafton) |
Adult Oriental Cuckoo observed feeding quietly in understory among Acacias. Good views of bird perched front on with distinctive black and white barred lower breast. Plain grey throat & ‘bib’. Plain darker slate grey upper body and wings. Yellow legs, feet and eye ring. Good list of bush birds including: Eastern Shrike-tit, Black-faced Monarch, Varied Sitella, Brown Treecreeper. eBird checklist |
Darryl Eggins 20/2 #270265 |
Mon 19 | | Siberian, Double-banded and Greater Sandplover Harrington Breakwall |
At about 3 hours after high tide at Harrington, at 0830 hrs, a Double-banded Plover was seen amongst just a few Red-capped Plovers near the Harrington Breakwall but few other waders were present. 40 minutes later we returned and there were many more waders there, including a single Greater Sand Plover and a Siberian Sand Plover, 22 Red-capped Plovers, 37 Pacific Golden Plovers, 28 Pied Oystercartchers,29 Far Eastern Curlews and 23 Bar-tailed Godwits. We could not re-find the Double-banded Plover, or any Sanderlings or Red-necked Stints, which are normally present but there was one Sooty Oystercatcher and 11 Australian Terns.. eBird checklist |
Alan Morris & John Harding 19/2 #270264 |
Sun 18 | | White-backed Swallow Deriah Aboriginal Area |
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Unusual count and behaviour (I did not know that White-backed Swallows do flock): 29 found perched in the top of a dead tree. 27 in the attached photo, 2 outside the field-of-view. Not just a rookery, but a mix of adults and juveniles, found at the end of Carinya Road, at the gate to the private property there, at ca. 15:45. |
Michael Dahlem 18/2 #270263 |
| | Pacific Swift Terrigal |
One lone bird seen foraging high above Terrigal Lagoon area, flew west. Not with WTNT. |
Paul Shelley 18/2 #270262 |