| Thu 12 | | Providence Petrel.
Sydney Harbour National Park,North Head Manly. |
| Highlight of a seawatch from North Head this afternoon was a Providence Petrel flying south close in into the strong southerly,other birds of note were 3 Giant Petrel species,3 Brown Skuas,25 Black-browed Albatross and 4 Shy Albatross. |
| Michael Ronan 12/9 #271747 |
| Wed 11 | | Common Sandpiper
Koona Bay, Albion Park Rail |
|
| Observed along the northwest shoreline. Small wader with quick, tail bobbing action while foraging. Brown above and white below with white eye-ring and shoulder patch. Unfortunately it was harassed by a Masked Lapwing and it flew across the bay to the NE side. It's white wingbar and brown, white edged tail were observed in flight. The only previous record on Ebird for the Shellharbour LGA was one by Chris Chafer on the 27/12/1989. eBird checklist |
| Paul Lynch 12/9 #271746 |
| | Female King Parrot
Chipping Norton NSW |
| Have never seen a King Parrot in this area.
Lots of Rainbow Lorikeets.
Very Unit dense area not far from the Lake however in 25 years have never seen one in the area and I walk and watch for birds weekly |
| Robyn Walton 11/9 #271743 |
| Tue 10 | | Bailon's Crake
Batemans Bay Water Gardens |
| Single Bailon's Crake yesterday at the locale. Also one Little Egret which is rare there.
If the spring continues to be dry we might get another influx of crakes along the coast like we did last year. |
| Demetrios Bertzeletos 11/9 #271745 |
|  | Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross
Offshore--Sydney Pelagic |
|
| The obvious highlight on a private charter today was an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross. The bird approached the boat just as we were starting to motor back to shore. Fortunately it made a number of passes a well as circling the boat giving us the opportunity to photograph it before disappearing out of view. It's possibly the same bird as seen on 31 August - I don't have time to check photos just now. If it is then this sighting will be added to the 31 August BARC submission, otherwise a separate report will be made. Other species included Gibson's, Indian Yellow-nosed, Shy and Black-browed albatrosses, a Fairy Prion, a Wilson's and a White-faced Storm-petrel. As expected Providence Petrels were encountered past the shelf. Shearwaters included many Wedge-taileds (all following various current lines), a couple of Flesh-foots as well as Hutton's and Fluttering. Photograph: Greg McLachlan. eBird checklist |
| Sydney Pelagics and all onboard 10/9 #271741 |
| Mon 9 | | Inland Dotterel
Karagi Point, The Entrance North |
|
| Remarkable record of an adult Inland Dotterel today - a first for the Central Coast LGA. The bird appeared healthy, although a little clumsy on the sand and was seen foraging, roosting and in flight. (Moderator's Note: First Coastal record since 2017 when seen at Shoalhaven Heads. 3 other reports at Long Reef 1969, Boatharbour Kurnell1987, and Sydney Airport runway 2010. AKM). |
| Andrew Robinson 9/9 #271739 |
| Sun 8 | | Hudsonian Godwit, Pink-eared Duck.
Boyters Lane, Jerseyville |
| One Hudsonian Godwit feeding amongst Chestnut and Grey Teal on the edge of a small island in the first large body of water on the left. This bird has been reported in other media and is likely the same bird that was located here last year. There were also two Pink-eared Ducks hidden amongst all the roosting Chestnut Teal. (Moderator's Note: The Hudsonian Godwit was first found on 1/9/2024 at this location by James Bennett, and has been present most days since. AKM). |
| Clive Meadows 8/9 #271736 |
| | Brown Songlark, Rufous Songlark
Mount Penang Parklands |
|
| Male Brown Songlark now in the company of continuing Rufous Songlark. |
| Andrew Robinson 8/9 #271735 |
| Sat 7 | | Pacific Koel
Kingsford Avenue, Turramurra |
|
| Female. My first record for the season. (Moderator's Note: Koels have been recorded across Sydney since 22/8/24 when heard calling at Eveleigh, and 24/8 at Sydney Park, and commenced calling on the Central Coast on 29/8 at Norahville. AKM) |
| Ian McAllan 9/9 #271738 |
| | White-winged Triller, Rufous Songlark
Mount Penang Parklands |
|
| It is interesting that Trillers and Songlarks are turning up in the Central Coast LGA, as yet they don't appear to have moved into other coastal areas although a pair of Songlarks have been present at Cattai Wetlands Coopernook since 31/8/2024. (AKM). |
| Andrew Robinson 7/9 #271734 |
| Fri 6 | | Eastern Osprey
Cangai |
| Pair of Osprey at a well established nest in a paddock stag (private property) near Mann River. About 12km along Coombadjha road off Gwydir Highway. Many other species active in the valley - Rufous Whistler, Little Friarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater, White-throated Gerygone White-bellied Sea-Eagle. |
| Ian Colvin 6/9 #271733 |
| | Australian Brush Turkey
Oxford Street Newtown NSW 2042 (cnr Oxford St & Lennox St) |
| Sighted walking along footpath along Oxford Street Newtown NSW at 10am on Friday 6 Sept 2024. A group of Noisy Miners was seen trying to chase it away. (Moderator's Note: Not what one would expect to see in Oxford St Newtown! AKM) eBird checklist |
| Usha P 6/9 #271732 |
| Thu 5 | | Spotless Crake
Sydney CBD |
|
| Rescued from a cafe on Bridge Street in Sydney CBD. A pic of the bird was posted on the Australian Native Birds Facebook page as I got on my bus to work, which stops nearby. The cafe was identifed by the turf, and the stunned bird was easily caught, spent an hour in my office in a donut box, and was collected for rehab by Sydney Wildlife. |
| Mike Kilburn 5/9 #271729 |
| Wed 4 | | White winged Triller
Magenta , Central Coast |
|
| Lone male feeding. ( Moderator's Note: this bird appears to be the first report of White-winged Triller in Coast Areas this spring, and follows on from the clutch of Rufous Songlarks in coastal areas in the past few days. AKM) |
| Steve Bowman 4/9 #271727 |
| | Pacific Baza
Pikes Lane crossing of Bullawa Creek, SE of Narrabri |
|
| This afternoon, starting at 16:00, I checked what the local White-backed Swallows are doing after raising a brood there last season (today 2 present and nesting). While scanning the sky for them, I noticed a raptor with an unknown jizz. It turned out to be a Pacific Baza drifting on a light northerly breeze, following Bullawa Creek upstream. Very uncommon in these parts (I am aware of only 2 sightings in recent years - one somewhere in the Pilliga scrub, the other near the northern edge of the Pilliga scrub, south of Wee Waa). The current bird was ca. 10-12 km SE of Narrabri. Pikes Lane is a 5-km long gravel road connecting Mt. Kaputar Road with Old Gunnedah Road, forming a triangle with these two that have a T-junction much closer to Narrabri. The Bullawa Creek crossing is about half way along Pikes Lane (ebird hotspot https://ebird.org/hotspot/L28159087 ; checklist to follow at some point). There is currently some water in the creek, but stagnant at that point. |
| Michael Dahlem 4/9 #271726 |
| Tue 3 | | Siberian (Lesser ) Sandplover
Ash island unsure which part |
| Found 3 on sand bank near power lines.
Had a clear look at the bird, right size and colouring.
No photo. (Moderator's Note: First return record for NSW this spring. AKM)
. |
| Jeanette Stephenson 3/9 #271723 |
| | Channel-billed Cuckoo
Pacific Highway at Ryde Road |
| Saw one individual being chased by magpies over Pacific Highway at Ryde Road, near Gordon. (Moderator's Note: this will be the last arrival published for Sydney where we have had about 7 reports so far, other locations are of interest though. AKM). |
| Nicholas Henson and Theo Kemp 3/9 #271722 |
| | Sanderling, Eastern Curlew
Harrington Sandspit |
| Saw a single Sanderling this morning with some Red-capped and Double-banded Plovers. My first sighting this spring. Also present were three Eastern Curlew, ten Bartail Godwit, ten Pied Oystercatcher and loads of Crested Terns |
| Warren Chad 3/9 #271721 |
| Mon 2 | | Spotless Crake
Gannons Park, Peakhurst |
|
| Heard various calls from reeds below elevated walkway at -33.972568, 151.051458. Managed to get an ID photo. Has not been recorded in the old Hurstville LGA since 2018 at the nearby Hurstville Golf Course. No records there prior to 2016 on ebird, and none in any other site in the LGA until today. eBird checklist |
| Peter Stevens 2/9 #271719 |
| | Rufous Songlark
Lakes Beach SLSC |
| Individual briefly seen and heard. |
| Andrew Robinson 2/9 #271718 |
| | Rufous Songlark
Magenta |
| Another Westy on the coast today! Heard singing then seen in the low Acacias on the dunes. Uncommon bird on the Central Coast. Rainbow Bee-eaters also present at this site. eBird checklist |
| Nick Carson 2/9 #271717 |
| Sun 1 | | Radjah Shelduck
West Byron Wetlands (Restricted access - Council key required) |
|
| First report in Byron Wetlands since July 2022. SIngle bird in small pond in Melaleuca thicket with flock of Pacific Black Ducks. |
| Geoff Ball 3/9 #271724 |
| | Whiskered Tern (12)
Tuggerah Lakes |
|
| At least 12 Whiskered Tern foraging / roosting on Tuggerah Lake. Earlier and larger numbers than recent years and mostly absent last year. |
| Andrew Robinson 1/9 #271715 |
| Sat 31 | | Whiskered Tern, Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, Flesh-footed Shearwater
Offshore--Sydney Pelagic |
|
| The highlights today on a challenging sea were two Whiskered Terns seen just outside the heads and at the shelf in ~500m an adult Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross. This is the third AYNA seen off Sydney, joining one seen in July and another in August last year (all at the shelf and all aged 4+ birds). Other Albatrosses included Black-browed, Shy and Buller's. Midway out we had a very early return Flesh-footed Shearwater. Other birds seen were more typical for late August. They included Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Brown Skuas, Fairy Prions, Australasian Gannets, Crested Terns, Silver Gulls and both Hutton's and Fluttering Shearwaters. As expected at the shelf we encountered Providence Petrels. A single Grey-faced Petrel was briefly seen along with a White-faced Storm-Petrel. An Olive-backed Oriole was seen struggling into the very strong westerly winds some 42km offshore. It did a wide circle of the boat before disappearing to the south without making any headway toward land. A BARC submission is in the pipeline for the AYNA. Photograph: Greg McLachlan. (Moderator's Note: What an amazing day at sea! And possibly the first ever August record of Fleshy-foot off Sydney? MR). eBird checklist |
| Sydney Pelagics and all onboard 1/9 #271713 |
| | Rufous Songlark, Lewin's Rail
Cattai Wetlands |
| Around midday today heard a Lewin's Rail calling near bird hide. A few minutes later it was seen as it flew across the track. Just a bit further along two Rufous Songlarks were seen in a tree and then both were foraging in grass along the track.
Other birds included White-bellied Cuckoo Shrike, Jacana, Varied Sitella and Brush Cuckoo |
| Warren Chad and Peter West 31/8 #271712 |
| | Beach Stone-Curlew
Moona Moona Creek Reserve, Huskisson |
|
| On shore and grass at Moona Moona Park. No question that it was a Beach Thick-knee (Beach Stone Curlew). Brown body with distinctive white mark on wing, about 40cm tall. Yellow eye with white stripe over the eye and dark stripe on either side of that. Differentiated from other shorebirds by thicker legs and very chunkT beak. In particular, had that classic thick-knee walk, not unlike the Bush Thick-knee walk eBird checklist |
| Lauren Callahan 31/8 #271711 |
| | Swift Parrot
Crawford Road, Cooranbong |
| Close to sunset this afternoon I heard then saw 3 Swifties as they flew over the next door paddocks then came back and landed in a Grey Ironbark. Call and shape very distinct. I raced inside to grab my binoculars but they'd gone when I got down close to the tree. It's been a few years since I've seen them in the area - last time was a pair again in the late afternoon over Morisset showground. |
| Paul Schofield 31/8 #271710 |
| | Black-necked Stork
Deaves Road, Mandalong |
| 3:30ish was doing something in the chookpen when I saw something large slowly flying into the wind over the nearby creek. Stepped out to look and saw it's a stork - unmistakeable colour pattern and size. By the time I walked down to get a better view it had vanished - possibly onto the large dam below our property. Closest to here I've ever seen them was at Wallsend, next to where Bunnings is now |
| Paul Schofield 31/8 #271709 |
| | Little Buttonquail
Berkeley Creek, Berkeley Vale |
|
| Single bird struck a garage door after being startled by a dog. Last seen flying further back in the houses behind initial house. (Moderator's Note: 5th Central Coast record. AKM) |
| Elka Peet, David Peet and Daniel McKeon 31/8 #271705 |
| Fri 30 | | Rufous Whistler
Castlereagh Nature Reserve nr Windsor NSW |
| The first Rufous Whistler we have heard this Spring. It was quite a warm day starting at 14C at 7.30am to 31C at noon. No cuckoos though although a Shining Bronze Cuckoo was recorded in another part of Castlereagh on 13 August. |
| Ian Bailey + four others 31/8 #271708 |
| | Banded Lapwing (2)
Mount Penang Parklands |
|
| A pair of very skittish Banded Lapwing present this arvo following recent strong nor-westers. Great to watch them drink and bathe in the creek before being harassed by a Magpie and Masked Lapwing. (Moderator's Note: The 4th record for the CC since 2008, and 11th record overall. AKM) |
| Andrew Robinson and Dean Purcell 30/8 #271703 |
| | Rufous Songlark
Stockton Sandspit |
|
| Single bird flew up into tree from long grass at -32.8835234, 151.7920547. (Moderator's Note: Another great early RUSO record [refer to #271692 below], likely a mix of early migration and strong north-westerly winds. I have been half-expecting to see/hear White-browed/Masked Woodswallows on the coast. Stil think they will arrive/pass over early. MR). eBird checklist |
| James Bennett 30/8 #271701 |
| | Channel-billed Cuckoo
Eulah Creek |
| The first of the season just called, at 13:20; this is 20 km east of Narrabri, on the western slopes of the Nandewar Range. Earlier in the week (Tue, 27th) I found woodswallows pushing southward in the area Burren Junction/Pilliga (ca. 100 km west of here). So the migrants are on their way south inland early in unseasonably warm and blustery conditions. |
| Michael Dahlem 30/8 #271697 |
| Thu 29 | | Rose Robin
Nail Can Hill Reserve, Albury |
| One male rose robin, seen on Nail Can Hill in the area behind Albury TAFE. First one I’ve seen in the area in 30 years. |
| Janet chapman 31/8 #271706 |
| | Eastern Koel
Newtown (Sydney) |
| Male calling and seen Edgewater Road, Newtown (Moderator's Note: It is worth mentioning here that the first Central Coast LGA Koel was heard and seen by David Schuemaker at Narara Oval on 27/8/2024, followed by another at Norahville on 29/8/2024 seen by Steve Bowman. These are the last returning Koel we will publish unless there is something unusual about the report. MR). |
| Helen Williamson 31/8 #271704 |
| Tue 27 | | Diamond Firetail
Yarrie Lake |
|
| My first record of this species at Yarrie Lake (south of Wee Waa); not reported on ebird for this location since 2005. A single Diamond Firetail found not far from the caretaker's. Approachable to within ca. 10 m. |
| Michael Dahlem 27/8 #271695 |
| | Wandering Whistling-Duck, Chestnut Teal
Narrabri Lake |
|
| Continuing birds. 3 reported repeatedly on ebird by various birdwatchers over the last few weeks. Only, when I found them this afternoon (ca. 16:00) they were on a contour bank where usually the Magpie Geese (and, if/when present, Plumed Whistling-Ducks,) like to hang out, along Mooloobar St. - and that is the south side of the lake. They were getting a bit nervous as I approached the water's edge, but everybody stayed put and gave excellent views in mellow light (the original of the attached photo is poster-size). When checking out the western side of the lake, I incidentally found a male Chestnut Teal on the open water (photos taken). |
| Michael Dahlem 27/8 #271694 |
| Mon 26 | | Magpie Geese
Graincorp wetlands Narromine |
| While going past this site late afternoon I saw 300-400 Magpie geese all along the wetland. Wetland is about 2km out the Tullamore Rd from narromine and is quite full. these birds have nested here in recent years so will be interesting to see how it pans out over next couple of months |
| warren Chad 28/8 #271696 |
| | Noisy Pitta
Mount Keira Reserve |
| Heard two birds calling in rainforest along Mt Keira track. Second record this week, one bird heard calling last Sunday at Stafford Farm track Mt Kembla by Colin Siqueira. |
| Terrill Nordstrom 27/8 #271693 |
| Sun 25 | | Torresian Crow
Cattai National Park--Mitchell Park |
| Individual bird observed perched by the creek and identified by call before flying in a north-west direction along Cattai Creek. eBird checklist |
| James Baker 31/8 #271707 |
| | Rufous Songlark
Penrith Weir Reserve |
|
| Single Rufous Songlark seen and photographed along track next to quarry this morning. Not a common bird at the location and very unusual for this time of year (it appears to be first ebird record in winter in the Sydney region since 2013). We also saw a relatively early White-throated Gerygone.(Moderator's Note: A great record and hopefully a sign of things to come! Don't forget that the calendar on the wall doesn't dictate what the seasons are - we are well into the second week of 'early spring' already! MR). eBird checklist |
| Paul Rowan and Max Weatherall 25/8 #271692 |
| | Channel-billed Cuckoo
Morisset peninsula |
| Heard the first calling of the season this morning. Thought I saw one about a month ago but didn't get a good enough look to be sure.
Also Torresian Crows have moved in at Morisset shops in the last few weeks - heard them calling there several times and seen them twice. Heard both Crows and Australian Ravens calling near there yesterday morning but couldn't locate either in the short time I had. Did see a trio of Ravens overhead as I drove past the swimming pool.
Also seems the local Watagan Estate (used to be Cooranbong airport) has had its House Sparrow population replaced by Double-barred Finches. Haven't seen Sparrows there for 6 months or more but been seeing Double-bars (up to a dozen at any one time) for just over a month now. |
| Paul Schofield 25/8 #271691 |
| | Australian Brush-turkey, Leaden Flycatcher, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
Koukandowie Creek, SW of Coutts Crossing |
| Brush-turkey ran from roadside near creek, flycatcher and cuckoo heard calling in nearby bushland. First record for season for the cuckoo and second for the flycatcher - one heard calling at Coutts Crossing Village on 24 Aug 2024. Observer's first local record for the Brush-turkey but there were a couple of sightings by locals at the Orara River at nearby Levenstrath a few years back. |
| Greg Clancy 25/8 #271690 |
| Sat 24 | | Powerful Owl, Brown Goshawk
Coutts Crossing Village |
|
| Adult (? male) Powerful Owl roosting all day in Forest Red Gum with dead Black Flying-fox in talons in yard behind our backyard. Adult (? female) Brown Goshawk landed in same tree twice, the second time perching above the Owl but not directly interacting with it. This is the observer's first record of the Powerful Owl at Coutts Crossing and only third eBird record for the local area. eBird checklist |
| Greg Clancy 24/8 #271689 |
| Fri 23 | | White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Upper Grose River, Blackheath |
| Immature WBSE flying low along the upper Grose River, between Burra Korain Flat and Pierces Pass. Only the second WBSE I’ve seen in the upper Grose Valley at Blackheath in the past 11 years |
| Mark Hocking 23/8 #271688 |
| | Channel-billed Cuckoo
Balmain |
| Heard calling, 8.30am. First of the season here. (Moderator's Note: This is the 4th report of returning Channel-bills, all for Sydney. However on Friday 16/8/2024 at 0800 hrs, one bird was heard calling twice on the Dunbogan side of the Camden Haven River opposite the Laurieton Boardwalk. It is unusual for Channel-bills to be reported from the Mid North Coast in August as the birds are considered to fly high and past and head to Sydney and all points south first, before filling in the gaps in the North and Mid North Coast. AKM) |
| Robert Griffin 23/8 #271686 |
| Thu 22 | | Gray Falcon
Mutiwintji National Park |
| Possible Gray Falcons seen along the Mutawintji Gorge walking track. 2 birds seen flying fast and low over tree tops. Grey on back and pale underneath, right size and shape for falcons but too far away to see clear identifying features. Have seen once before in this area and recently saw a number of birds on a trip along the Birdsville track. Would be good for others to keep an eye out in this area to potentially confirm the report. |
| Janet chapman and Greg hardham 23/8 #271687 |
| | Gang Gang Cockatoo
Long Beach NSW |
| 20 Gang Gang Cockatoo's & 7 Glossy Black-Cockatoos flying & landing in my yard. |
| Tony & Steph Dawe 22/8 #271683 |
| Wed 21 | | South Island Pied Oystercatcher
Bundjalung National Park, Shark Bay rock-shelf, Woody Head |
|
| South Island Pied Oystercatcher roosting with about 20 Australian Pied Oystercatchers on the rock shelf at the southern end of Shark Bay, Woody Head. (Moderator's Note: South Island Pied Oystercatcher is still on the BARC review list but the submission will be very straightforward given this great photo showing pretty much all the features to eliminate AUPO in the one image! MR).
|
| Steven McBride 22/8 #271682 |
| Tue 20 | | Plumed Whistling Duck
Condobolin |
| Heard a large flock of Whistlers fly over my house last night. They constantly call as they fly by and I often hear them moving around at night like this. Along with the early arrival of Magpie Geese as well I think we are in for a good spring for birds out here on the Lachlan |
| warren Chad 21/8 #271679 |
| Mon 19 | | Pacific Baza
Big River Way, Swan Creek |
|
| Road killed immature Baza in middle of road. (Moderator's Note: in July 2024 I too found an adult Baza dead on the Old Pacific Highway at Fernbank near Port Macquarie, in pristine condition, and could not see any external injuries. Roadkill Bazas are very uncommon. The species at both locations was neither rare nor out of range, but it might be worth keeping an eye out incase something is impacting this species. AKM) |
| Greg Clancy 19/8 #271678 |
| | White Ibis
Link Road Roundabout Zetland Sydney |
|
| Palm Tree with approximately 18 nesting Ibis birds was cut down and chipped today destroying the Ibis nests. The birds are now standing on the adjacant roof looking a bit lost. Hopefully they will find a new place to nest soon. Its a shame Meriton could not have preserved the tree. |
| Mark Govern 19/8 #271677 |
| Fri 16 | | Australian Pratincole
Approximately 70km west of Wanaaring |
| Two birds on stoney downs. Possibly early arrivals. In same area were a nesting pair of Banded Lapwing, Crimson Chat. |
| David Charley 21/8 #271681 |
| | Wedge-tailed Eagle
Wollar Rd couple of Kms east of Honeyeater Flat |
| Single, magnificent WTE feeding on road-kill (young kangaroo) late morning. In the round trip of 3 days, Sydney-Mudgee-Wollar-Jerrys Plains-Sydney, only four raptors seen. The Wedgie, a Brown Falcon at Wollar, a Nankeen Kestral and a Black-shouldered kite at Singleton. (Moderator's Note: For some time Ian Bailey has been concerned about an apparent decline in raptor numbers, particularly in inland NSW where raptors were very hard hit but the Drought 2019-2020. From my experience, raptor numbers in coastal areas were much less affected by the drought, with Sea-eagles, Wedgies, Brown & Grey Goshawks and Peregrines apparently remaining stable, with Ospreys, Square-tailed and Brahminy Kites, on the increase, but Whistling Kites, Brown Falcons Kestrels and Black-shouldered Kites were badly affected , and only now are the populations of four species starting to be on the increase again. The Harriers also declined in all areas. AKM) |
| Ian Bailey and Gerry Duane 19/8 #271676 |
| Wed 14 | | Hooded Plover
Wairo Beach |
|
| Pair at known site. |
| Jack Gascard 14/8 #271672 |