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 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 number of birds. All Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot reports should be forwarded to Mick Roderick to assist in the recovery of these severely declining species: mick.roderick@birdlife.org.au. Note we will not be publishing reports of Accipiter raptors (Collared Sparrowhawk, Grey/Brown Goshawks) unless they are in unusual locations, are seen with unusual prey or have been seen performing atypical behaviour. Likewise we will not be publishing every Square-tailed Kite sighting posted to Birdline because of a significant increase in reports in recent years, particularly in coastal areas (with the exception of the far north coast).

• Reports
• Criteria

February 2019

Sun 17		Red capped robin Wianamatta Nature Reserve
		Following up on recent report I entered the reserve from Cranebrook Road. Approx. 300m along Receiving Station Trail sighted 2 Red capped robin, 1 being a male with faint colouratons. A second sighting of another at the junction of Static Trail and Antannae Trail.
		Peter Lockhart 17/2 #236830
		Pacific Swift City of Estella, Wagga Wagga NSW
		Approximately 20 birds flying over residential area and cleared grazing area in Estella. (Over 100 birds were seen at the same location on 6/1/2019)
		Camilla Donnelly 17/2 #236828
Sat 16		Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Gang-Gang Cockatoo TrailShare Cabins, Collins Rd, Kulnura (Private Property)
		4 Glossy Black-Cockatoos (4 male, 1 female) and at least 10 Gang-Gang Cockatoos (roughly even sex ratio) were observed drinking at a dam on the property. Both are listed as vulnerable species in NSW. Record photos by Karen Zwi (phone)
		Karen Zwi et al. per Simon Gorta 17/2 #236832
		Horsfield's Bushlark Pitt Town Lagoon
		Flushed a pair of Horsfield's Bushlarks from grassy area adjacent to horse property. They then perched on barbwire fence. Australasian Shovelers also still present with good views from bird hide
		Peter Lockhart 16/2 #236826
Fri 15		Topknot Pigeon, Superb Fruit-dove, Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Wompoo Fruit-dove Wanganui Gorge, Nightcap NP
		A large flock of 500+ Topknots feeding on ripe Bangalow Palm fruit and Native grape (Cissus) fruit. One of the largest flocks I have seen for a number of years. Fruit-doves also common in mid-storey and in fruiting trees.
		David Charley 17/2 #236831
		White-breasted Woodswallow North Narrabeen
		A small flock of 4 White-breasted Woodswallow flying over tree height. Narrabeen portion of Powder Works Road. First I have ever seen in Sydney. (Moderator's Note: In recent years WBWS are summer visitors to the Hawkesbury Marshes, and there have been previous reports for Narrabeen Lagoon, they also occur down to Batemans Bay! AKM) eBird checklist
		Kurtis Lindsay 16/2 #236825
		Brush Bronzewing, many Bar-shouldered Doves Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell, Sydney
		First Brush Bronzewing record in eBird for all of Sutherland Shire north of Port Hacking, except for two observations in the far western corner at Lucas Heights two years ago. Bird was flushed from northern edge of Tabbigai Gap as someone came walking up from the shore and rested briefly in a shrubby tree. Also at least 6 Bar-shouldered Doves sighted (possibly 9), including four on ground feeding together at top of Tabbigai Gap just before sunset. eBird checklist
		Chris Rehberg 15/2 #236822
		Pied Honeyeater, Black Honeyeater Durridgere Road, Upper Hunter Valley
		Male Pied Honeyeater observed in open riparian woodland just east of Durridgere Road's intersection with Ulan Road. During the observation a female Black Honeyeater flew into the dead canopy branches of a tall tree. Pair of Diamond Firetails also observed at the site and another site west of Smedes Road. Also observed along Durridgere Road at various sites Little Friarbird, Plum-headed Finches (9), Black-eared Cuckoo, Emu (4) and a flock of over 1,000 White-browed Woodswallows with a few Masked Woodswallows. Grasshoppers in large numbers and diverse species appeared to be attracting the large influx of birds, including a flock of Little Ravens in excess of 130 individuals.
		Allan Richardson and Steve Roderick 15/2 #236820
		Australian Little Bittern, Pectoral Sandpiper Emperor Parade Holding Pond, Chisholm
		Single juvenile Bittern seen just before dusk on the south eastern side. Single Sandpiper seen on lower wetlands.
		Grant Brosie 15/2 #236819
		Streaked Shearwater Sydney Harbour National Park,North Head
		2 Streaked Shearwaters flew south past North Head this afternoon.
		Michael Ronan 15/2 #236818
		Brolga (18), Freckled Duck (2) Fivebough Wetlands Leeton
		A mid-morning visit was rewarded with 18 brolgas with the usual other waterbirds including Freckled Duck. Since last Friday's rain, there has been some water in the northern section despite being dry for several weeks. eBird checklist
		Max O'Sullivan 15/2 #236813
		Pale-headed Rosella Bogan river, Rotary Park, Nyngan
		Single bird flew into a tree next to the boat ramp.
		Mick Crosland 15/2 #236812
Wed 13		Barred Cuckoo-shrike Kooloonbung Creek Nature Park
		2 birds sighted in fruiting fig, near bat colony in north eastern part of park. Just on the rise before boardwalk to bat colony, and behind houses.
		Tom Petty 14/2 #236801
		Musk Lorikeet Kingswood, western Sydney
		A common bird but not often seen in the immediate Penrith area. Last night there were hundreds of them feeding in flowering gums in various parks and spaces. A single flock of at least 150 flew over my house on dusk, presumably going to a roosting site. eBird checklist
		David Ongley 14/2 #236800
Tue 12		Pale-vented Bush-hen Rocky Creek Dam
		Birds heard calling from edge of creek, went back few days to try to see them without luck. But very actively calling, seemed like a family group from the number of different calls at one time.
		Tom Petty 14/2 #236802
		Budgerigar Eulah Creek
		A small group of 8-10 budgies flew over our place, near the T-junction of Eulah Creek Road with Box Gully Road, 20 km E of Narrabri, at 9:20 this morning. No chance to get a photo. (Moderator's Note: this is just the 3rd report of Budgerigars in NSW since 1st May 2018 via eBird or Birdata records. MR)
		Michael Dahlem 12/2 #236796
Mon 11		Glossy Black Cockatoo Elanora Country Club,North Narrabeen
		2 Glossies feeding in tress. One of multiple recent sightings including many recent sightings near Staples Lookout on Woy Woy Rd in Brisbane Water NP.
		Andrew Whitaker 11/2 #236793
		Diamond Dove, Little Friarbird Ringwood Road (northern edge of Goulburn River NP)
		At the same location where we originally located Diamond Doves on the 8th January along Ringwood Road (#236546) there was one bird present today, calling from the vicinity of the farm dam to the west of the road. Also a Little Friarbird feeding in the foliage of a small Euc.
		Mick Roderick and Dan Williams 11/2 #236792
		Pied Honeyeater, Little Friarbird Durridgere Road (two sites), Upper Hunter Valley
		Four Pied Honeyeaters were found at one site along Durridgere Road (-32.18194, 149.88472), along with Plum-headed Finches, Diamond Firetails etc. The birds appeared settled and favouring a tree with dead branches out in one of the paddocks. Another male Pied was found further west along Durridgere Road, close to Ulan Road (-32.1743151, 149.8024951) where there was also a Little Friarbird (scarce in the Hunter). A second Little Friar was also seen east of the first Pied site described above. A flock of 400 White-browed Woodswallows was seen further east again and amongst this flock were a few Masked, including one juvenile bird. The area feels like it is experiencing a 'second spring' with numerous vocal and conspicuous Rufous Songlarks, Horsfield's Bushlarks etc.
		Mick Roderick and Dan Williams 11/2 #236791
		Pilotbird, Rockwarbler Dharawal National Park
		Rockwarbler + Pilotbird both seen at the bottom of the Jingga track this AM. I 'pished' the Pilotbird which responded by repeatedly scolding me whilst fluttering its wings + advancing towards me, the first time I've ever had such a response to pishing - intriguing + charming in equal measure!
		Michael Ellison 11/2 #236790
		Black Noddy Sydney Airport - restricted area
		A single Black Noddy roosting at the south east corner of the third runway this afternoon. It’s a first for the airport list. Photo from the back of the camera.
		Nigel Coghlan 11/2 #236789
Sun 10		Eastern Osprey Nepean Weir, Penrith
		Seen flying low over the Weir at about 10 am. It has been a few years since I last saw one there.
		Edwin Vella 10/2 #236784
		Australian Little Bittern Lake Wallace
		One juvenile in reeds on western foreshore, close to campers and day visitors. eBird checklist
		Mark Ley 10/2 #236783
		Frigatebird Sp, Shy Albatross Sydney Harbour National Park,North head
		A male Frigatebird was circling and drifting north on the southerly this morning this is my first Sydney record of a Frigatebird also a Shy Albatross flew north.
		Michael Ronan 10/2 #236782
		Australian Pied Oystercatchers x96, Grey-tailed Tattlers x39, Common Sandpiper Taren Point Foreshore Pathway
		Large numbers of Botany Bay shorebirds roosting on the artificial sand island and old jetty in Woolooware Bay close to high tide. I counted at least 96 Pied Oystercatchers and 2 Sooty Oystercatchers. A single Ruddy Turnstone was roosting on the jetty with 39 Grey-tailed Tattlers. Earlier on the incoming tide, the continuing immature Common Sandpiper was feeding near the Boat ramp. (Moderator's comment: As a long term counter of waders in Botany Bay, I would say that the number of Pied Oystercatchers was exceptional!. AKM) eBird checklist
		Richard Murray 10/2 #236780
Sat 9		Red-capped robin Wianamatta Nature Reserve
		At least three including a young male starting to show colour. I have seen these birds in the same spot since September last year. On the main track in from the Northern road, on the south side of the track not far from the creek. Photo of young male attached. More photos on ebird eBird checklist
		David Ongley 10/2 #236781
		Long-tailed Jaeger, Sooty Tern, Flesh-footed Shearwater Offshore--Sydney Pelagic
		Highlights from today's pelagic included Long-tailed Jaeger (2), Sooty Tern (1), Sooty Shearwater (2), Hutton's Shearwater (4) and good numbers of Flesh-footed Shearwater (100). Also seen were Pomarine Jaeger (8), Grey-faced Petrel (2), Fluttering Shearwater (5), Short-tailed Shearwater (3), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (300). eBird checklist
		Greg McLachlan, David Mitford and all observers on the Avalon IV 10/2 #236778
		Pied Honeyeater Smedes Lane, off Durridgere Rd, near western edge of the Hunter Valley
		Flock of 11 Pied Honeyeaters at -32.168685,149.935021, Smedes Lane, off Durridgere Rd. 5.28 pm. Flew away out of sight after a few minutes. (Moderator's Note: Given the recent reports of Pied HEs in the Narrabri, Moree and Warrumbungle areas I commented to a few people that they might soon arrive in the Upper Hunter, so this is very pleasing! A great record and just the fifth for the Hunter Valley. Being such mobile birds and with conditions presumably less than ideal inland observers should be on the lookout for them anywhere in sparsely wooded habitat. MR) eBird checklist
		Michael Kearns 9/2 #236777
		Brown Songlark Liverpool Catholic Club, Sydney
		Approachable bird seen on football field outside ice rink at Liverpool Catholic Club (private property). On approach it crouched down low to ground before finally flying off a short distance. Disheveled tail feathers. eBird checklist
		Chris Rehberg 9/2 #236776
Fri 8		Powerful Owll Katoomba
		Sitting on a possum
		Paul Thorogood 9/2 #236775
		Common Sandpiper St Huberts Island, Foreshore Rd Reserve
		A single Common Sandpiper feeding along the tide line, near mangroves, seen from boat, a rare bird on the Central Coast (see Michael Scobie's photo). Interestingly there was a party of 4 Mangrove Gerygones in the same area actually feeding in the mud, amongst the roots of the mangroves at low tide, maybe catching hatching insects and these were joined by a Brown Honeyeater! On the adjacent Rileys Island NR, a pair of Ospreys were perched at the new special nesting platform constructed by NPWS, one was sitting on the platform. A Sea-eagle was roosting nearby.
		Alan Morris, Doug Hocking, Michael Scobie & Frick Gautschi 8/2 #236768
Thu 7		Superb Parrot 10-15 kilometres west of Narromine.
		I'm not sure if this worth reporting or not but I saw 5 Superb Parrots fly across the Mitchell Highway at approximately 6:30pm Thursday afternoon. There was one adult male and the rest were either juvenile or female birds. Moderator's Note: Probably earlier than usual, but normally come autumn, they are found all the way along this Highway from Narromine to Nyngan & Hermidale! AKM).
		Michael Crosland 8/2 #236767
Wed 6		Brown Booby Flat Rock Ballina
		One adult Brown Booby flying south over Flat Rock late this evening.
		June Harris 6/2 #236762
		Stubble Quail Brownlow Hill Loop Road, Cawdor near Camden
		I heard at least 8 Stubble Quail calling throughout farmland adjacent to Brownlow Hill Loop Rd. I assume there's many more around the area. 3 others were also reported from Cawdor yesterday on an Ebird report. eBird checklist
		Timothy Paasila 6/2 #236758
Tue 5		Barred Cuckooshrike Kooloonbung Reserve, Port Macquarie
		Barred Cuckooshrikes have returned once again to Kooloonbung Creek arboretum and historic cemetery in Port Macquarie. At least 2 birds observed feeding in heavily fruiting fig tree in the NE corner of the park.
		Liam Murphy 6/2 #236760
Mon 4		Pacific Baza Macquarie University, North Ryde Campus
		Pair of adult Baza feeding at least 1, but I think 2, young birds at 8-8:40am this morning. Were in the stand of trees just to the south-west of the pool compound. Young birds quite vocal and I think (from my brief observations) that the kids were being taught how to catch bugs off the foliage as they had a couple of goes as well.
		Tom Wilson 4/2 #236748
Sun 3		Pacific Baza Lovers Jump Creek Reserve, North Turramurra
		2 birds seen sporadically across the morning from about 9:30 to midday. Seen from my house (on Bobbin Head Rd). Cruising/circling and calling persistently above the valley to the west of Bobbin Head Rd (Lovers Jump Creek)
		Tom Wilson 3/2 #236734
Sat 2		Beach Stone Curlew, Fairy Tern Lake Wollumboola
		Spent three hours at the lake. It seems that the rains have brought the shorebirds back: 2 Eastern Curlew 20 Bar-tailed Godwits 800 Red-necked Stints 200 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers 1 Sanderling 1 Ruddy Turnstone 3 Pacific Golden Plover 2 Double-banded Plover 100 Red-capped Plover 8 Pied Oystercatcher 16 Red-necked Avocet 100 Pied Stilt- including four downy young. Judging from their behavior there's probably 8-10 pairs breeding on the lake atm. 20 Masked Lapwing 1 Beach Stone Curlew. 130 Little Tern 3 Fairy Tern 1 Whiskered Tern 20 Caspian Tern 100ish Crested Tern Water levels are quite low. Please be mindful of nesting shorebirds when visiting the lake.
		Demetrios Bertzeletos 2/2 #236728
		Common Noddy,Brown Booby Sydney Harbour National Park,North Head
		Highlights of a seawatch from North Head today was a Common Noddy flying north close in and this afternoon an adult Brown Booby flew north in with large numbers of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters.
		Michael Ronan 2/2 #236727
		Blue-billed Duck, Freckled Duck, Wandering Whistling Duck Pitt Town Lagoon
		2 Blue-billed Duck (and possibly a 3rd), 2 Wandering Whistling Duck and 1 Freckled Duck seen at Lagoon 7:30-11am. Also at least 8 Aust Shoveler, 6 Pink-eared Duck,1 Lathams Snipe,4 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, a Swamp Harrier and a young Peregrine.
		Tom Wilson (and others at CBOC's World Wetlands Day event) 2/2 #236726
		Common Sandpiper Richmond Lowlands
		One Common Sandpiper this afternoon at small dam half way along and on the eastern side of Onus Lane, Richmond Lowlands.
		Andrew Patrick 2/2 #236724
Fri 1		Plumed Whistling Ducks Curl Curl Lagoon, Manly
		I saw the birds circling the lagoon in a v formation then they landed on the lagoon. Photo attached of the back of my camera so not the best quality.
		Geoff Longford 9/2 #236771
		Dollarbird Tabratong St, Nyngan
		Single bird sitting on power lines near the Nyngan police station
		Michael Crosland 1/2 #236719
		Brown Booby Stockton Breakwater
		The Brown Booby flew in to the Breakwater at about 12 pm today and settled on the rocks. It still has a lure stuck in its side and a bystander told us that an attempt was going to be made tonight to rescue it.
		Pat Thorn, Pattie McGee, Cathy Goswell, Jenny Tang 1/2 #236718
		Freckled Duck Pitt Town Ferry Road Wilberforce NSW
		3 roosting on post in western end of Pitt Town Lagoon.
		keith Brandwood 1/2 #236717
		Sooty Terns Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
		An immature Sooty Tern flying over the reef this morning, drifting north in the southerly wind, and an adult Sooty Tern beachwashed on the northern side of the reef. Good numbers of Red-necked Stints, Ruddy Turnstones, Grey-tailed Tattlers, Pacific Golden Plovers and Sooty Oystercatchers (and a Pied Oystercatcher) on the reef.
		Robert Griffin 1/2 #236716

January 2019

Thu 31		Pied Honeyeater Eulah Creek
		As part of what shapes up to become a major push of birds of the interior moving eastward (Crimson Chat, Diamond Dove, Brown Songlark, Zebra Finch, White-winged Fairy-wren), I have just had a male Pied Honeyeater in the garden (near the Box Gully Road turn-off off Eulah Creek Road, 20 km E of Narrabri). Before I could get better shots it flew off towards Bullawa Creek (NNEasterly direction). There are no reports of this species on ebird within 300 km of here (Warren and Walgett are the closest). (Moderator's Note: Since this was published a report of 5 Pied Honeyeaters in the Warrumbungles from yesterday (30/01/19) has been posted on eBird https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S52187247 - there are no records of them in the Warrumbungles in either eBird or Birdata. MR, however AKM advises that they were reported at Upper Maules Ck Narrabri in 1972 & Macquarie Marshes in 1960- McGill, Morris & Holmes 1981).) eBird checklist
		Michael Dahlem 31/1 #236710
		Grey-tailed Tattler, and Common Sandpiper Taren Point Foreshore Pathway
		Fourty-five Grey-tailed Tattlers and the continuing Common Sandpiper were observed about the heritage jetty and surrounds. The attached photograph shows 39 Grey-tailed Tattlers and the Common Sandpiper. For further information, please see eBird checklist
		Jesse Gibson 31/1 #236709
		Common Sandpiper Taren Point, Sydney
		Continuing bird. Seen 1hr after high tide. A kayaker passing the man-made islet at 34°01'11.5"S 151°07'51.0"E disturbed all birds. Last to leave was the Common Sandpiper - white bar on wing visible in photos as it flew off low to water, north-west. It seems probable the bird should regularly retreat to this islet during high tides. A local birder suggests it should remain for summer. eBird checklist
		Chris Rehberg 31/1 #236707
Wed 30		Double-banded Plover Lake Wollumboola
		One bird observed feeding with Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Red-necked Stints and Red-capped Plovers.
		Terrill Nordstrom, Brian Deans 30/1 #236705
Tue 29		Blue-billed Duck, Freckled Duck Saleyard Ponds, Berrima Rd, Moss Vale
		On arrival from 6:30pm, a family of 5 Blue-billed Ducks were observed feeding in the pond. The 3 young ducklings were also diving and venturing away from their parents at times. 12 Freckled Ducks present also. I presume these ducklings are the result of copulation I saw take place here on the 19th of December, 2018. Not sure if may successful breeding records are recorded in the Southern Highlands region? Image of the adult female with one duckling by Dan Crowley.
		Carla Jackett, Kim Touzel, Dan Crowley 30/1 #236703
		Streaked Shearwater Sydney Harbour National Park,North Head
		There was a Streaked Shearwater feeding in with about 3,000 wedge-tailed Shearwaters off North Head this afternoon.
		Michael Ronan 29/1 #236702
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Seven Mile Creek, Thurgoona/Albury
		Two Juvenile Channel-billed Cuckoos heard and then seen calling in trees adjacent to dam along Seven Mile Creek, Thurgoona (just west of Wignell Rd.) eBird checklist
		Matthew Lincoln 29/1 #236698
Mon 28		Brown Booby Stockton Breakwater
		Brown Booby seen today at Stockton Breakwall on the northern side of Newcastle Harbour. Apparently it has been seen there by fisherman for the last few days. Only the sixth record for the Hunter Region. Originally reported by Stephen Cox and Cynthia Sleight Myles.
		Ian Benson, Dan Williams, et al. 28/1 #236691
		White-winged Chough Bundanoon
		Finally, after a decade of birding in Bundanoon without seeing them, 4 White-winged Choughs in a paddock not far from where Old Argyle and Ferndale Roads converge!
		Lorne Johnson 28/1 #236690
		Crimson Chat Eulah Creek
		While trying to find a Brown Songlark that I could hear calling on a neighbour's paddock near the T-junction of Eulah Creek Road and Box Gully Road, 20 km E of Narrabri (no public access), I found a juvenile Red-capped Robin and, following it, two other birds that turned out NOT to be its parents, but a pair of Crimson Chats. First found the male and the female separately; later saw them foraging together (see composite photo). This is a first for me at this location since coming to live here 12 years ago. The last time I have seen a Crimson Chat in the Narrabri area was in the summer of 2005/2006, at the time 20 km south of town. eBird checklist
		Michael Dahlem 28/1 #236685
Sun 27		Freckled Duck Newstead Pond, Moruya Heads South
		A count of 64 birds at the pond. Other birders had reported them here in the previous weeks.
		Marnix Zwankhuizen 3/2 #236737
		White-necked Petrel and ‘cookalaria’ Petrel Mistral Point, Maroubra
		In unusual weather conditions had a very unexpected seawatch Moderate southerly but very poor visibility, not the best start. About a dozen Wedge-tailed Shearwaters were seemingly feeding on something when a White-necked Petrel crashed the party. It quickly disappeared and I looked for it again in vain. I went back to the micro feeding event and the White-necked Petrel was back there. It flew off after a few passes. I scanned left and the next bird I saw was another Pterodroma, but smaller and pale around the head suggesting Cook’s Petel. However with far from perfect conditions it will have to remain an unidentified ‘cookalaria’ petrel. 16 Pomarine Jaegers, 1 Arctic Jaeger, 11 Flesh-footed Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Fluttering Shearwater and only 150 Wedge-tailed Shearwaters also seen.
		David Mitford 27/1 #236683
		Common Sandpiper Richmond Lowlands
		Common Sandpiper (1) seen early this morning at dam on Powells Lane (-33.582326, 150.750831). eBird checklist
		Greg McLachlan 27/1 #236677
		Pectoral Sandpiper Dangars Lagoon
		First seen by Michelle Ruthenburg on 26/1. Was in amongst a small group of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in amongst the reed beds in the south-east corner of the lagoon. Demarcation is quite clear with clean white underprts and light bill base. Water is dropping quite rapidly with the remaining water shallow enough for the larger waders to forage in the middle. eBird checklist
		Heath Milne 27/1 #236675
Sat 26		Mottled Petrel, Sooty Terns, Long-tailed Jaegers, Shy Albatross Offshore--Kiama Pelagic (SOSSA)
		The highlight of todays trip was a Mottled Petrel that did several passes of the boat while we were at the continental shelf. Other notable sightings included 4 Sooty Terns, 1 Shy Albatross and 2 Long-tailed Jaegers. Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (2,000+) and Grey-faced Petrels (50+) were the most numerous birds of the day. Several Wilson's and White-faced Storm-petrels were also seen. (Moderator's Note: The Mottled Petrel is on the review list for the NSWORAC).
		Brook Whylie and all aboard the MV Kato 26/1 #236673
Thu 24		Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater Yeramba Lagoon, Picnic Point Sydney
		Taking the track around the Lagoon counter-clockwise, about 100-200m from Henry Lawson Drive two gullies cross the track. Many honeyeaters common at this spot. Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater photographed. Few records on eBird between Georges Parramatta Rivers. eBird checklist
		Chris Rehberg 25/1 #236661
		Australian Painted Snipe, Lewin's Rail, crakes. Chisholm, near Maitland
		One female Painted Snipe standing at the edge of the water near the roots of a paperbark tree. About halfway along the stand of paperbarks looking from roughly -32.7507447, 151.6249900. Seen from around 200m away while scanning the muddy edges with my spotting scope. 1 Lewin's Rail, 1 Spotless Crake, 3 Baillon's Crake also seen at a couple of areas where reeds line the muddy edges while scanning from the same point. This is a new suburb and the recently built street where I parked my car to walk a short distance to my viewing point is not yet on google maps. eBird checklist
		Michael Kearns 24/1 #236660
		White-necked Petrel, Black Petrel, Common Noddy, Sooty Terns Pelagic off Crowdy Head
		The first bird in deep water off Crowdy Head today was a White-necked Petrel that passed us by briefly. For the next couple of hours the sea was dominated by Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Sooty Terns. The latter were feeding in the slick and were comprised mostly of adults with a juvenile in-tow (several seen on the way out and back in as well; perhaps ~75 birds in total). A Black Petrel and Common Noddy were both seen during a slow motor along the slick on the return leg. (Note: On the 20/01/2019 Michael Kearns and others recorded a Cook's Petrel, Gould's Petrel, Tahiti Petrel, Streaked Shearwater, 3x White-tailed Tropicbirds and ~150 Sooty Terns on a pelagic off Crowdy Head).
		Mick Roderick et al 24/1 #236659
		Beach Stone-curlew Moonee Beach
		Feeding at the surf-line. Poor photo from 330 metres
		Roger Giller 24/1 #236657
		Freckled Duck Louth Park Rd Maitland
		At least 18 Freckles at the first pond coming out of Maitland. There was also many more Teal and Black Duck present. Present at 11am
		Archie Brennan 24/1 #236655
Wed 23		Square-tailed Kite Kellyville - Backyard
		Over the last couple of weeks the local Cockatoos have been making a lot of noise on a couple of occasions. At the time I went out onto my back verandah and thought that I spotted a raptor which explained why the Cockatoos were alarmed. The noise happened again for a third time but I couldn't see any raptors but then I noticed a dark shadow in the large gum tree of my neighbour's backyard.I managed to get a number of photos so I posted them on a forum for a positive ID. I have lived here for 35 years and this is one of the rare occasions that I have seen a raptor in the area, especially more so now with the amount of habitat that has been replaced by housing.
		Narelle Wajzer 24/1 #236658
Tue 22		Beach Stone-curlew Lake Wollumboola east
		I observed this bird at the NE corner of Lake Wollumboola, roosting in a strip of short vegetation at 6:40pm approximately. This bird was first found the same morning by Bob Ashford and is possibly the same bird I observed at Shoalhaven Heads earlier in the month on the 7th of January.
		Carla Jackett 24/1 #236656
		Peregrine Falcon West Ryde
		Whilst a Peregrine Falcon itself isn't particularly unusual, I was surprised to find one actively pursuing and attempting to kill a Grey-headed Flying Fox on dusk, near West Ryde Train Station.
		Jayden Walsh 22/1 #236653
		Fork - tailed Swift Pinecliffe, 10 kms SW of Molong
		At least 50+ Fork - tailed Swifts, many quite a bit lower than I have observed on other occasions. The white rump clearly visible as they turned. , 19 10 to 2015 . There may have been another species as well ?, because some appeared smaller! but I did not discern the white throat and vent of the White - throateds.
		Bruce Tinsey 22/1 #236652
		Fork-tailed Swift Breeza and Curlewis
		Roughly 10 Fork-tailed Swifts observed flying over ecotone of woodland and open paddock off The Dip Rd, Breeza. At least 20 Fork-tailed Swifts observed flying low over the railway crossing over the Kamilaroi Hwy at Curlewis.
		George Madani 22/1 #236651
		Powerful Owl Green Point Foreshore Reserve, Valentine
		One female present. This years young was present with a Common Ringtail Possum about 2 metres up on the 20th eBird checklist
		Archie Brennan 22/1 #236650
Mon 21		Black Honeyeater Split Rock Reservoir
		A male Black Honeyeater was re-located and photographed in the same place as seen two weeks ago behind the toilet block. It was feeding on mistletoe in a Grey Box. eBird checklist
		Matt Hinze 22/1 #236648
Sun 20		Fork-tailed Swift Armidale
		A flock of approximately 40 swifts were soaring and hawking over the centre of town at 18:45. White-rump and very dull white throats visible, displays of fork tail and overall dark plumage ruled out White-throated Needletail. My first record of them on the west of the GDR. eBird checklist
		Heath Milne 21/1 #236641
		Wandering Tattler etc Nambucca River Entrance
		At Wellington Rock, an adult Wandering Tattler was feeding amongst the marine flora exposed by the low tide (of ~ .3 metres). The three resident Beach Stone-curlews were observed, and heard calling (‘HC’), on the v-wall island. Five adult Gull-billed Terns in breeding plumage were roosting on the extensive sandbar off Bandicoot Island. Approximately 20 Pacific Golden-Plovers were also on said sandbar. Good numbers of Little Terns with six juveniles were flocking about the Little Tern nesting colony at South Beach. Furthermore, a Nankeen Night-Heron was HC yesterday evening. For more observation infomation, please see: eBird checklist
		Jesse Gibson 20/1 #236633
		Plum-headed Finch Wallalong Road, Wallalong (Hunter Valley)
		8 birds seen feeding on the ground about half way along the road. Associating with Zebra Finch, Galah and Crested Pigeon. Rare sighting for the Lower Hunter but recent sightings in the area may suggestion easterly push.
		Grant Brosie 20/1 #236632
		Oriental Cuckoo Rhoda St, Goulburn
		Ashlea Mahoney sent me this photo which she took around 10am this morning in her backyard in Goulburn. This must be one of the most southerly and inland records in NSW.
		Frank Antram on behalf of Ashlea Mahoney 20/1 #236628
Sat 19		Fork-tailed Swift Kattang Nature Reserve
		A flock of 100+ birds flying over the headland, heath and woodland. While swifts are seen here regularly in the right weather conditions it is unusual to see Fork-tails, particularly in these numbers and in a flock where we could not find any Needletails
		Peter West & Susan Proust 20/1 #236627
		Fork tailed Swift, Brown Honeyeater 41 Molong Street Condobolin
		4 FTS flying over my house early this morning, very uncommon here. The Brown Honeyeaters have fledged two chicks and were feeding in a bottlebrush in my yard all day.Up until last Spring I had only ever seen about 4 birds in 30 years but now there are pairs all over town. Nicest day of the year today, only 38 degrees. Birds have been suffering badly.
		Warren Chad 20/1 #236626
		Yellow-tailed black cockatoo Marrickville (Ewart Street)
		One yellow-tailed black cockatoo calling and flying south over Ewart Street towards the golf course and Cooks River
		Fiona Campbell 19/1 #236619
		Diamond Dove Driveway of ‘The Dip’ homestead. The Dip Rd, Breeza.
		A solitairy male Diamond Dove was observed perched in a stand of well established native tree planting’s along the driveway. A rare sighting in this part of the world. Part of the current eastward irruption of this species given dry conditions out west.
		George Madani 19/1 #236618