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.

• Reports
• Criteria

September 2017

Fri 22		Red Knot Boat Harbour, Kurnell
		One Knot seen feeding alone on the shelf. Wader numbers are increasing. A dapper Whiskered Tern reported by Michael Ellison earlier in the week was also present. eBird checklist
		Greg McLachlan 22/9 #231923
		Baillon's Crake Jacana Hsd Clarenza NSW
		Once common here, but not seen for 20 years. ( Moderator's note: this report is publish in the light of the long period since previous sighting at a well surveyed location (AKM).
		Eric Wheeler 22/9 #231919
		Leaden Flycatcher Ingleside Chase Reserve
		2 Birds seen and heard calling. Appear to be first for the season in Sydney. Other recently arrive migrants in Warriewood include: White-throated Gerygone, Rufous Whistler, Black-faced Monarch, Sacred Kingfisher, Dollarbird, Koel and Channel-billed Cuckoo. All that's missing is Rufous Fantail and Cicababird which will undoubtedly arrive soon.
		Jayden Walsh 22/9 #231918
Thu 21		Topknot pigeon Bonnievale camping ground, Bundeena
		4 Topknot Pigeons took flight from cabbage tree palm when I approached from Cabbage Tree Basin into camping ground this afternoon around 3pm
		Bruce Roubin 21/9 #231913
		Koel Suburb Ruse
		I heard a Koel calling this evening from my house in south west Sydney, not sure if they have been recorded as yet this season.
		Brendon Levot 21/9 #231912
		Latham's Snipe Deaves Rd, Cooranbong, NSW
		Single bird feeding on the edges of a pond. On private land but visible from the road
		Maurice Ashton 21/9 #231904
		Torresian Crow Main Street in Gunnedah
		A single bird perched on a power pole proclaiming his dominance over the town.
		George Madani 21/9 #231903
Wed 20		Powerful Owl Boondah Reserve, Warriewood
		Single bird calling at 8.30pm from vegetation along Narrabeen Creek, just to the west of Boondah Road.
		Carl Corden 22/9 #231916
		Baillon's Crake Tuggerah STW
		Originally Andrew Melville found 4-6 Baillon's Crakes at the Tuggerah STW and subsequently on 21/9/1, nine were found by AKM and Allan Benson. They are in the north-west corner of the large pond accessed along the bank from Canntree Rd Tuggerah. This is the first report for Baillon's Crakes on the Central Coast since one was seen at McPherson Rd Swamp Oct 2013, however in period 2010-2013, birds were seen at a number of locations in the period Sep-Dec, indication some form of a spring passage to or through the Central Coast.
		Andrerw Melville and Alan Morris 21/9 #231906
		Eastern Curlew Camden Haven river at North Haven
		Observed 12 Eastern Curlew loafing on rising tide on sandbank, also a pair of Sooty Oystercatchers seen flying down river, not often seen in this area.
		Stephen Gallivan 20/9 #231902
		Brown Falcon (1) Tawny Grassbird (1) Baillon's Crake (5) Spotless Crake (1) Sydney Olympic Park
		Brown Falcon showing well from viewing platform on brickpit ring walk hunting from dead trees and cliff sides, a first for me in inner west. Also Baillon's and Tawny Grassbird seen from here (scope will be handy). Spotless showing on mudflat at water purification pond at Wentworth Common.
		Dion Hobcroft 20/9 #231897
		Channel-billed cuckoo Gordon
		Quietly eating in a fig tree. Checking ebird, seems they are back in Sydney. (Moderator's Note: Yes they are and as a result we won't be publishing ongoing Channel-bill records unless they are in unusual locations, numbers etc. MR)
		David Vickers 20/9 #231893
		Dollarbird Coachwood Park
		Observed two on Monday 18th and heard two this morning. eBird checklist
		Brian Deans. 20/9 #231891
Tue 19		Rufous Songlark (1) Baillon's Crake (1) Sydney Olympic Park
		Great views of songlark after flushed off ground at north side of Water Feature Pond. Single Baillons showing well on mudflat at water purification pond, Wentworth Common.
		Dion Hobcroft 20/9 #231896
		Bassian Thrush Warriewood Wetlands, Illawong area.
		Single bird followed me along trail for about 10 minutes.
		John Taylor 20/9 #231895
		Baillons Crake Warriewood Wetlands
		Single bird foraging in Warriewood Wetlands. Stayed around for 20 minutes. (Moderator's Note: There has been an obvious influx of Baillon's Crakes in NSW with numerous reports, particularly from coastal locations. We won't be publishing further stand-alone reports of Baillon's Crakes unless in large numbers or at unusual locations etc. MR).
		John Taylor 20/9 #231894
		Baillon's Crake Sydney Bicentennial Park--Lake Belvedere
		Two birds seen near reeds at south west end of Lake. Another bird seen at the water quality pond at Wentworth Common and three seen in Brickpit. All sightings during Sydney Olympic Park Spring bird surveys.
		Elisabeth Karplus 19/9 #231886
		Osprey, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Whiskered Tern Boat Harbour, Kurnell
		4 v.smart whiskered terns at the Boat Harbour high tide roost this morning, plus 43 red-necked stint & 11 pacific golden plovers. Also an osprey flying over Captain Cook Drive near Quibray Bay, and a white-bellied sea eagle, 4+ black-browed albatross, c.250 feeding wedge-tailed shearwaters off Cape Solander.
		michael ellison 19/9 #231883
		Pallid Cuckoo N of Poley Bridge, Orara River
		1 on powerline, flew to ground then back to powerline (second local record this season). An irregular spring-summer migrant totally absent some years locally. Another at McIntosh Creek Coutts Crossing today. The Leaden Flycatcher reported for Sep 11 was not the first for the site but the first for the season for the local area. (Moderator's Note: There have now been many coastal/sub-coastal Pallid Cuckoo reports for NSW this season, so we won't be publishing any more unless they are otherwise noteworthy. MR)
		Greg & Val Clancy 19/9 #231880
		Dollarbird, White-browed Woodswallow Shortland, Newcastle
		Single Dollarbird flying south over Shortland this morning. Was flying very low and direct, vocalising as it crossed King Street. Two White-browed Woodswallows seen here yesterday and four more today.
		Mick Roderick 19/9 #231876
Mon 18		Dollarbird Lakes Beach Reserve Budgewou
		The first Central Coast Dollarbird was seen and photographed at the Lakes Beach Bicycle Track by Frank Ullrich and was still present on 19/9
		Frank Ullrich per Alan Morris 19/9 #231878
		Rufous Songlark Randwick Environment Park
		A Rufous Songlark was feeding in the longer grass around the picnic oval. Sometime calling quietly. First record for this site. Photo by Daphne Golvalzez.
		Daphne Gonvalzez (observed later by Richard Murray) 19/9 #231877
		Glossy Black Cockatoo Woy Woy Rd, Woy Woy Bay
		At least 20 observed flying low over the road. (Moderator's Note: This is a large concentration for the Central Coast. AKM)
		Chris Houghton pers Andrew Robinson 19/9 #231875
		Australian Bustard Private Property, Bullarah Locality NW NSW, 90km West of Moree
		Pair of Bustards browsing amongst Chick Peas and previous season Wheat Stubble
		Pat Johnston 18/9 #231868
		Tawny Grassbird, Baillion's Crake, Lewin's Rail, White-necked Heron Lime Kiln Bay Reserve and Wetlands
		One Baillion's Crake, and two Lewin's Rails were in the reeds near the willow tree. A White-necked Heron was feeding in the exposed mud under the willow tree, and the Tawny Grassbird was active in the southwest corner of the reeds. For more information see eBird checklist
		Jesse Gibson 18/9 #231865
		Pied Currawong Collaroy
		At 6.30 a.m. in a suburban street-side Melaleuca quinquenervia I saw a Pied Currawong remove an egg from the nest of a Red Wattlebird, fly a few metres to a nearby roof and eat it, in spite of repeated and determined contact attacks by a Red Wattlebird.
		David Sawyer 18/9 #231860
Sun 17		Australian Painted Snipe Pitt Town Lagoon
		Lone male. Was around 5-5.30pm. It was foraging with Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Video is now available at https://youtu.be/JwcYQVzGQKE eBird checklist Further information
		Darren Broughton and Thalia Broughton 21/9 #231908
		Black-eared Cuckoo Goulburn River National Park
		A Black-eared Cuckoo was present for three consecutive days during monitoring surveys on a private property neighbouring Goulburn River NP, between Merriwa and Wollar. Other birds of note included Black-chinned Honeyeaters, Powerful Owl and White-backed Swallows. Speckled Warblers were ubiquitous, the highest density of this species I have seen anywhere. This is an interestingly diverse zone of overlap, with species such as Satin Bowerbird, Wonga Pigeon and Rockwarbler occuring together with more typically western birds like Emu and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater.
		Liam Murphy 18/9 #231872
		Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Newington Armoury Playing Field
		I saw 6 on ground at close range. Birdlife Discovery Centre Coordinator, said that they had seen 8 earlier in day and that this was a very unusual sighting, especially to see them on the ground and that given the numbers/circumstances, they were probably migrating south. Site can only be accessed at weekends,public holidays and school holidays.
		simon dobree 18/9 #231869
		Little Lorikeet Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park--West Head
		2 Little Lorikeet were seen well and heard repeatedly as they flew around and landed in Eucalyptus paniculata near Koolewong Track.
		Jayden Walsh and Leo Skowronek 17/9 #231854
		Fuscous Honeyeater, White-winged Triller, White-trhoated Gerygone Riverstone (Marsden Rd)
		A good mix of 80 species or so seen for a few hours in the morning including a Wedge-tailed Eagle, 3 Pallid Cuckoos, a number of Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoos, a White-winged Triller (male moulting into summer plumage), Dusky Woodswallows (presumably trying to nest), several White-throated Gerygones, several Rufous Whistlers, a female Rose Robin, nesting White-winged Choughs and a single Fuscous Honeyeater (the later an irregular visitor to the Riverstone area).
		Edwin Vella 17/9 #231852
		Red backed Kingfisher Raleigh
		One adult seen this morn Northbank Rd, eastern end, moving between the first big fig on the left and a plane tree, 500m from intersection with Keevers Dr
		John Gale 17/9 #231850
Sat 16		Superb Parrots Sites on private properties around Grenfell
		Nineteen Superb Parrots seen on private properties around Grenfell during Birding NSW's survey in South West Slopes Key Biodiversity Area.
		Elisabeth Karplus and 28 others 19/9 #231887
		Whiskered Tern West of Coraki northern NSW
		6 birds on lagoon. Five in breeding plumage (Moderator's Note: there are now Whiskered Terns returned to many coastal and inland wetlands so we won't be publishing more unless they are of unusually high numbers or in atypical habitat etc. MR).
		David Charley 17/9 #231855
		Masked Lapwing Finlaysons Road ,Swan Creek
		A gathering of 89 Masked Lapwings on wetland in Finlaysons Rd, Swan Creek
		Eric Wheeler 17/9 #231851
		Black-faced Monarch Don Morris Walk, University of Newcastle
		First of the season
		Alex Berryman 16/9 #231839
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Bellevue Hill, Sydney
		My bird back this morning.
		Chris Gladwin 16/9 #231838
Fri 15		Male Leaden Flycatcher Lakes Beach Budgewoi
		Male Leaden Flycatcher seen near Lakes Beach Budgewoi, first return to Central Coast
		Allan Benson 17/9 #231849
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Austral Ave, Beecroft
		First Channel-billed Cuckoo for me this season.
		Steve Edwards 15/9 #231833
		Red-capped Robin and Pallid Cuckoo Eastlakes golf course
		Red-capped Robin seen at the 9th green, also a Pallid Cuckoo flying around. 2 Brown Honeyeater and a Golden Whistler also in that southern section.
		David Mitford 15/9 #231832
Thu 14		White-browed and Masked Woodswallows Barcoongere Way, near Station Creek
		200+ White-browed and 20+ Masked Woodswallows in canopy and circling over road at 13:20-13:30 hrs.
		Russell Jago 18/9 #231862
		Southern Boobook Pidding Park, East Ryde
		Heard calling at 11pm (Moderator's Note: Unusual urban tecord. AKM).
		Steven Girot 16/9 #231846
		White-winged Triller & White-necked Heron Eastlakes golf course
		During the flight-stopping high winds today, somehow managed some good birds: 10+Whiskered Terns, 9 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, 1 White-winged Triller, 1 White-necked Heron, 1 Tawny Grassbird and 2 Lathams Snipe.
		David Mitford 14/9 #231826
		Red-Capped Robin Tallawarra Ash Pond 3, Yallah (Restricted Access)
		This is a restricted area and you must complete an induction before picking up a key. eBird checklist
		Illawarra Birders 14/9 #231821
		Lathams Snipe Sydney Park, St Peters
		Foraging on muddy bank opposite the boardwalk at the largest pond in the park (at its southern end)
		Katie Oxenham 14/9 #231820
		Brown Songlark Lord Howe Island - Old Settlement Beach
		Male Brown Songlark in cow paddock behind Old Settlement Beach. I had fleeting views of a Lark flushed from a grassy sand dune on Sunday 10/9 which I thought initially may have been a Skylark but returned today and re-found the bird to confirm male Brown Songlark. Strong winds all week here which fits for a blow-in. (Moderator's Note: The first record for Lord Howe? No mention in any literature or databases I can access. MR)
		Dan Pendavingh 14/9 #231819
Wed 13		Pallid Cuckoo, Latham's Snipe, Comb-crested Jacana, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Australasian Shoveler Brotherson's Swamp, Coutts Crossing
		Cuckoo perched on fence post - first local record for the season; Snipe at edge of wetland in/near rushes, 4 adult Jacanas on wetland, 1 Spoonbill perched in partly dead tree, pair of Shovelers on water.
		Greg Clancy & Saul Dixon 19/9 #231879
		Pallid Cuckoo, Rainbow Bee-eater Broughton Island
		Not as impressive as a Brown Songlark on Lord Howe, but still a Pallid Cuckoo seen on Broughton (near the campsites, being chased by Welcome Swallows) appears to be a first for the island. Also present were Rainbow Bee-eaters (second record?) and recent colonists Little Wattlebirds and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters (and many Silvereyes).
		Mick Roderick 15/9 #231829
		Spotless Crake, Australian Spotted Crake, Baillon's Crake Lake Cargelligo Wastewater Treatment Plant
		All 3 crakes in good numbers, including 20+ Baillon's (Moderator's Note: There have been several reports of crakes at this site in recent weeks, though these are the largest numbers reported thus far. MR) eBird checklist Further information
		Greg Roberts 14/9 #231816
		Australian Painted Snipe Kooragang Island
		Found during night time surveys in compensatory habitat of the Green and Golden Bell Frog. It is a lone female bird.
		Chad Beranek 14/9 #231815
		Brown Songlark Coomaditchy Lagoon Reserve, Port Kembla
		Around 5pm I was checking for a Eurasion Skylark that had been performing there on Sunday afternoon. I didn't sight it but was very happy to find a male Brown Songlark (transitioning into breeding plumage) in the field to south of the southern ridge. Other birds of note were 2 Pink-eared Ducks and a brief appearance from 2 Red Whiskered Terns.
		Paul Lynch 13/9 #231811
		Pallid Cuckoo Narrabeen
		A single Pallid Cuckoo flew over Pittwater Road north-west from the direction of Narrabeen Lake. Flew toward Warriewood Wetlands. eBird checklist
		Kurtis Lindsay 13/9 #231805
Tue 12		Black Honeyeater, Southern Scrub-robin, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Gilbert's Whistler Nombinnie Nature Reserve (East)
		Large numbers of honeyeaters including many Black & White-fronted. Scrub-robin & Quail-thrush co-operative eBird checklist Further information
		Greg Roberts 14/9 #231817
		Baillon's Crake, Pink-eared Duck etc Eastlakes golf course
		Warm northerly airflow produced; 6 Whiskered Terns. 5 Pink-eared Ducks, 1 Baillon's Crake, 1 Tawny Grassbird (singing),1 GoldenWhistler (imm), 2 Horsfield Bronze Cuckoo (amorous) and later 5 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (courtesy of Richard Murray) could be a good spring in Sydney if dry persists.
		David Mitford 12/9 #231802
		Sacred Kingfisher Bundeena
		One bird heard calling at around 9.00 am this morning immediately south of the township (in Casuarina woodland to south of the Bowling Club, Liverpool Street)
		Deryk Engel 12/9 #231796
Mon 11		Leaden Flycatcher, White-winged Chough, Wonga Pigeon Coutts Crossing, Plantation Reserve and private land near Cemetery
		Adult male Flycatcher - observer's first record for local area in trees. 3+ Choughs flew to trees from ground - uncommon unpredictable resident or nomad, heard Wonga Pigeon - uncommon at this dry site.
		Greg Clancy & Saul Dixon 18/9 #231863
		Tawny Grassbird Sydney Park
		Tawny Grassbird heard singing and sighted several times on the northern edge on the lake with the island. This bird has been present for several weeks but finally seen well and identified today.
		Rob Hynson & Gokay Gul 11/9 #231790
		Shining Flycatcher Cobaki Boradwater area, Tweed River
		A male and female in full breeding plumage were seen well for 10 minutes or so. In well-developed and diverse mangrove community. In the same general location where DC first saw them in 1992. Also present were numerous Mangrove Honeyeaters and a number of Collared (Torresian) Kingfisher.
		David Charley, Kathy Wilks, Fay Hill 11/9 #231789
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Balmain
		First of the Balmain Channel-bills for this season heard this afternoon - a few days later than usual.
		Robert Griffin 11/9 #231788
Sun 10		Grey Plover, White-winged Triller Lake Wollumboola
		Water levels have dropped 3) Bar-tailed Godwits 1) Grey Plover 20) Red-capped Plover 20) Red-necked Stint 2) Ruddy Turnstone 2) Curlew Sandpiper 5) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper 5) Australian Gull-billed Terns 4) Australian Shoveller 1) White-winged Triller
		Demetrios Bertzeletos 10/9 #231786
		Pallid Cuckoo, Brown Songlark Riverstone
		2 Pallid Cuckoos seen (one at Marsden Rd and another beside Neviille Rd (where also at the later place were Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoos and Fan-tailed Cuckoo. A Brown Songlark also seen.
		Edwin Vella and Mark Fuller 10/9 #231785
		White-necked Heron, Nankeen Night-Heron, possible Dusky Woodswallow Warriewood Wetlands
		An immature White-necked Heron was fishing near the Katoa Close end of the boardwalk approx 10am. Also seen there was a Nankeen Night-heron sporting breeding plumes. Earlier a possible Dusky Woodswallow was seen very briefly - was perched and calling in the casuarina grove near Katoa Close, but flew off towards the shopping centre and was not seen again.
		Tom Wilson 10/9 #231776
Sat 9		White-winged triller Warriewood Wetlands
		White-winged triller female was observed at the settling ponds at Warriewood Wetlands early this morning. I am informed this is a fairly rare sighting for the Northern Beaches
		Hamish Burrell 13/9 #231804
		Banded Lapwing Lake Cargelligo Showground
		10 Banded Lapwing at Lake Cargelligo showground eBird checklist
		Bec Read 11/9 #231787
		Torresian Crow Palmdale
		One heard calling. Southern most edge of their range? Moderator's Note: Torresian Crows have not been reported from Palmdale before so yes southern edge of their range, although they are common and resident at Tuggerah. However they do not appear to be resident further north as in Lake Macquarie LGA, and don't occur until one reaches Hexham Swamp! AKM)
		Edwin Vella 10/9 #231784
		Whiskered Tern Central Coast Wetlands, Tacoma South
		6 Whiskered Terns in summer plumage have returned,also resident pair of Torresian Crows about the car park. (Modersator's Note: The Whiskered Terns returned to the Tuggerah Lakes area 21/8/17 although up until now none had been seen at the Dairy Swamp. Torresian Crows have been resident at the Wetlands and elsewhere in the Tuggerah area since 2005.AKM)
		Edwin Vella 10/9 #231783
		Whiskered Tern Eastlakes golf course
		Two Whiskered Terns in breeding plumage. Hover diving in the big lake and resting in the shallow shorebird area. Return here after being absent for almost 3 years. eBird checklist
		Richard Murray 9/9 #231770
		Pacific Gull, Arctic Jaeger and Shy Albatross. Sydney Harbour National Park, North Head.
		1 Pacific Gull seen off North Head today,and my first Arctic Jaeger for the spring,also plenty of Shy Albatross off North Head today.
		michael ronan. 9/9 #231769
		Jacky Winter Botany Bay National Park--Cape Banks
		We were surprised to see a Jacky Winter confidently moving around the Coast Cemetery. Rare to see in East Sydney. eBird checklist
		Richard Murray and 8 others "Sydney East Birdwatchers" 9/9 #231764
Fri 8		Forest Kingfisher Black Swan Drive, E of Coutts Crossing
		Adult Forest Kingfisher landed on arboreal termite nest and pecked at it briefly and then flew off. Probably testing the suitability of the nest for nesting. No breeding records of this species in the Coutts Crossing area.
		Greg Clancy & Saul Dixon 8/9 #231761
		Red-kneed Dotterel, Australasian Shoveler, Black-winged Stilt Powers Swamp, N of Coutts Crossing
		5 Dotterels, a pair of Shovelers and a Stilt among more common waterbirds.
		Greg Clancy & Saul Dixon 8/9 #231760
		Brown Songlark, Comb-crested Jacana, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Australasian Pipit Brothersons Swamp, Coutts Crossing
		Adult male Songlark observed by GPC and SD and photographed by SD. 4 Jacanas on wetland and 2 Yellow-billed Spoonbills perched in paperbarks.
		Greg Clancy & Saul Dixon 8/9 #231759
		Noisy Pitta Sea Acres Nature Reserve
		Seen in forest beside road down to Shelly Beach, near dry creek/drain, was beside road but moved deeper in forest as we watched
		Samantha Greiner 8/9 #231753
		Pink-eared Duck and Red-kneed Dotterel, Little Bronze-Cuckoo Boyters Lane, Jerseyville
		Most of the swamps around Boyters Lake are drying out however in one swamp there were still 18 Pink-eared Ducks and on another swamp there were 18 Red-kneed Dotterels. At the Bird Hide we saw a pair of Mangrove Gerygones feeding a begging juvenile Little Bronze-Cuckoo.
		Alan Morris and Doug Hocking 8/9 #231752
		Pallid Cuckoo Seales Rd Swamp, Belmore River
		The Seales Rd Swamp is now dry and there were only few birds to see but a Pallid Cuckoo did fly across the Swamp and both a Brown Falcon & a Swamp Harrier were present.
		Alan Morris and Doug Hocking 8/9 #231751
		Little Eagle WIlton area
		One adult bird where Hume Highway meets Picton Road. The first time I've seen a LE in this area in many years of driving this stretch of the Hume.
		Lorne Johnson 8/9 #231750
		White-browed Woodswallow Hexham (near rail facility)
		Just adding to the arrival of sub-coastal woodswallows, an adult male and an immature White-browed Woodswallow were seen perched on a fence post on the approach to the rail facility at Hexham today (i.e. the access into Hexham Swamp). On Hexham Swamp there are building numbers of shorebirds, with about 750 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, 20 Curlew Sandpipers and 2 Red-necked Stints. 2 Black Kites also circling over the swamp and a Spotless Crake feeding on the muddy margin of the same patch the sharpies etc were using.
		Mick Roderick, Grainne Maguire and Dan Weller 8/9 #231748
Thu 7		Pallid Cuckoo West Pottsville
		Single bird observed in grazing paddock. Uncommon on far north coastal strip.
		David Charley 7/9 #231745
		White Browed Woodswallow and Masked Woodswallow Partridge Creek (Port Macquarie)
		Approximately 50 White Browed and 10 Masked Woodswallows perching and feeding . Also present a Horsfields Bronze Cuckoo and 3 Japanese Snipe.
		Tim Morris 7/9 #231744
Wed 6		Black-winged Stilt Mona Vale Beach
		A pair of Black-winged Stilt on the rock platform adjacent to pool. 4 pm on rising tide. Still present when we left an hour later. A possible first for the Northern Beaches.
		Carl Weber 7/9 #231740
Tue 5		White-browed and Masked Woodswallows, White-winged Triller Medhurst Bridge, Martindale Valley
		A group of 22 White-browed and 2 Masked Woodswallows were observed at Medhurst Bridge, in the Martindale Valley south of Denman (mid-Hunter Valley). The birds were seen feeding on flowering eucalypts near the bridge. According to a search through eBird and Birdata these are the first reports of these species in NSW this season. Also present was a White-winged Triller and nearby were Rainbow Bee-eaters and 2x White-backed Swallows.
		Tom Kendall and Anthony Gooden per Mick Roderick 6/9 #231736
		White-winged Triller William Beach Memorial Park
		Observed one female White-winged Triller beside Mullet creek. eBird checklist
		Brian Deans 6/9 #231735
		Red-capped Robin Narrawallee NSW Surf Rd
		A male Red-capped Robin seen at 5 pm around the car park at the end of Surf Rd. Very flighty and disappeared into someones garden when we got out of the car. A photo taken thru car windscreen by Neil Kaye. Id quality only
		Dick Jenkin Neil Kaye Marion and David Stuart 6/9 #231734
		Eastern Koel Lovers Jump Creek Reserve, North Turramurra
		Single bird heard calling twice approx 7am while outside my house. Appeared to come from the creekline near McRae Place. Was not heard again although I was outside for a further 80 minutes. My earliest record for the Turramurra/N Turramurra area by 3 days
		Tom Wilson 5/9 #231727
Mon 4		Cotton Pygmy-goose North Ballina wetlands (Tamarind Drv)
		Single Cotton Pygmy-goose still present (reported on NSW Birdline 31 Aug). Also observed again 6 Sep.
		Peter Higgins 7/9 #231741
		Grey Goshawk Private Land Bullarah locality, 70km West of Moree NW NSW
		Photos taken on Cotton Irrigation Storage (Mehi River) which has been drying out after 16/17 season. Other species on storage in their hundreds included: Pelicans, Pink-eared Ducks, Hardheads, Red-capped Plovers, Black-winged Stilts, Cormorants, Glossy Ibis, Australasian Darters, Spoonbills (Royal & Yellow-billed), Eurasian Coots, Black-fronted Dotterels, Pacific Black Ducks, etc. Smaller no's of Black Swans(4), Whistling Kites (6), Australian Reed-warblers, Red-backed Kingfisher (1), Egrets(20) etc.(This record is ~50km west of the nearest location showing for Grey Goshawk in both Birdata and eBird records: MR) Further information
		Pat Johnston 5/9 #231730
		Channel Billed Cuckoo Stapelon Reserve Avalon Beach
		Flying over the reserve calling and being chased by Noisy Miners
		Cecil Ellis 5/9 #231728
		Fluttering shearwater Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park--West Head
		An impressive flock of 8-10,000 fluttering type shearwaters & 1000 + Silver Gulls feeding c.500m north of Barrenjoey Head, the birds alternately sitting in dense rafts & taking off in groups to land/shallow dive back into the presumed large shoal of fish below. Most birds appeared to me to be Fluttering Shearwaters rather than Hutton's going on the underwing patterns that I could see on the birds that came closer in to me.
		Michael Ellison 4/9 #231722
		Superb Parrot Molong
		Flock of eight birds heading south about 3km east of Molong township
		Darryl Smedley 4/9 #231719
Sun 3		Black-browed Albatross Off Boambee Headland, Sawtell
		2 Black-browed seen mid-afternoon off headland in very strong nor-easterly winds. Not often seen here at any time.
		Peter Higgins 7/9 #231742
		Osprey Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
		4 Osprey in the area hovering for ages in the strong late afternoon wind. An amazing sight to one of them descend from 80-100m high to catch a sizeable fish right in front of the rock platform where all the Silver Gulls and Cormorants were resting.
		Clint Hook 4/9 #231725
		Black-fronted Dotterel Warriewood Wetlands
		First body of water walking along Watergum Drive from Warriewood Wetlands Garden Road end. A single bird right on the water's edge.
		Clint Hook 4/9 #231724
		Osprey, Freckled Duck Ski Gardens, Manilla
		An Osprey was observed flying and perched near the Ski Gardens Caravan Park. Also observed were 28 Freckled Ducks in the one flock on the lake in the same area. eBird checklist
		Matt Hinze 4/9 #231723
		Blue-billed Duck, Freckled Duck Wonga Wetlands--Lagoon 1, Albury
		Male Blue-billed Duck was sitting with a number of Hardhead, Chestnut Teal, Pacific Black Duck and Eurasian Coot. I only picked up the bird after I had left the site and checked my camera pics. Day was cold, overcast. please excuse quality of photograph - the light was very poor. One Freckled Duck was also present. Further information
		Kylie Waldon 4/9 #231716
		Dusky Woodswallow Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park--Waratah Track
		Good views of a single Dusky Woodswallow perched and flying, about 1km before the end of the track.
		Jayden Walsh 3/9 #231711
		Square-tailed Kite Bents Basin Recreation Reserve
		Cold but eventful morning before the wind picked up. Also Rose Robin, Rock Warbler,Wonga Pigeon, Yellow-tufted and White-eared Honeyeaters. Further information
		Lorand Szucs 3/9 #231709
		Spotless Crake Wentworth Common, Sydney Olympic Park
		Feeding on the exposed mud in the Eastern Water Quality Cotrol Pond
		Allan Richards 3/9 #231708
		Fuscous Honeyeater, Square-tailed Kite Chiltern Trail, Ingleside
		Singles of Fuscous Honeyeater (about 300m in from the Chiltern Rd gate) and Square-tailed Kite (as the track zig-zags down to the rock platform). Also another 9 honeyeater species (inc a party of 6 Brown-headed seen at same spot as the Fuscous), which was not bad given there is not much tree blossom along the track. Also saw a Diamond Python - about 2 m long).
		Tom Wilson 3/9 #231704
		Bassian Thrush Irrawong Reserve
		Pair of thrushes collecting nesting material, also Superb Lyrebird, just before the Pitta site on right hand side in clearing
		Chris Pollard 3/9 #231703
Sat 2		Eastern Bristlebird, Square-tailed Kite Booderee National Park, Sanctuary Point
		Beautiful weekend at Jervis Bay with lots of spring activity. Very close & confiding views of 3 separate Bristlebirds at the ruined lighthouse in Booderee NP & a Square-tailed soaring over in nearby Sanctuary Point the highlights. Also Varied Sitellas making a nest of spiders webs.
		Michael Ellison 4/9 #231721
		Baillon"s Crake West Byron Wetlands
		Large numbers (for crakes) visible in the first pond and some also in the 2nd pond. At least 10-15 actually sighted early on Sat. am. All adults. Probably more hidden in the vegetation. Also 1 Spotless Crake and a Buff-banded Rail. ? Influx to coastal wetlands as inland wetlands dry after good breeding season. (Moderator's Note: Does sound like a movement towards the Coast, seems as if they are at every other wetland other than those on the Central Coast!. AKM)
		June Harris, Rose Wisemantel, David Fonda 3/9 #231707
Fri 1		White-headed Petrel Offshore--Eden pelagic
		Three White-headed Petrels were the only stand out species sighted on the Eden Pelagic organised by the Canberra Ornithologists Club per Tobias Hayashi. The back to back trip the following day was cancelled .
		Tobias Hayashi per Alan Morris 4/9 #231720
		Latham's Snipe Dairy Swamp, Central Coast Wetlands, Tuggerah
		Latham's Snipe have now returned to the Central Coast with a single bird seen and photographed by Luke Ullrich on 1/9/17, subsequently seen there today and at McPherson Rd Tuggerah as well. Several sightings at both locations
		Luke Ullrich, Andrew Robinson, Alan Morris and 2 others. 3/9 #231710
		Square tailed kite Carlyle Road, East Lindfield
		A pair of square tailed kites observed circling together above houses and Two Creeks walking track. They were being harassed by a magpie.
		Peter Lockhart 1/9 #231697
		Buff-banded Rail Dubbo
		One adult flushed from an artificial drain/creek in a new subdivision in Argyle St.
		Darryl Smedley 1/9 #231695
		Russet-tailed Thrush, Paradise Riflebird, Woopoo Fruit-Dove Nightcap National Park--Protestors Falls
		Early morning birdtrip to Protesters Falls produced 1x Russet-tailed Thrush, 1x Azure Kingfisher, 10+ Logrunners, 6x Pale Yellow Robin, 5+ Woopoo fruit Doves many calling around the carpark, 1x Rufous Fantail & 1x Horsfield's Bronze Cuckoo calling all these birds were viewed in the carpark.
		Jackson Hagley, Richard Hagley 1/9 #231694
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Harold Reid Reserve, Middle Cove, Sydney
		First heard one call yesterday and very vociferous this morning.
		Lorna Bloom 1/9 #231688

August 2017

Thu 31		Red-capped Robin Walka Water Works (Maitland)
		A male Red-capped Robin was found at Walka Water Works (outskirts of Maitland) on the 31st August by Marg Clarke and Dinah Stehr. The bird was still present this morning (01/09). This is likely the first record for the Maitland LGA. Also present was a Latham's Snipe. Image by Marg Clarke.
		Marg Clarke and Dinah Stehr per Mick Roderick 1/9 #231689
		Cotton Pygmy-Goose Ballina Heights wetland
		Male Cotton Pygmy-Goose first recorded in eBird on 23/8, still present today, in the wetlands below Ballina Heights, adjacent the sports field. eBird checklist
		Steve McBride 31/8 #231687
		Baillon's Crake. Sydney Park
		Continuing bird seen in the same location as reported on Tuesday. eBird checklist
		Brian Deans 31/8 #231686
Wed 30		Pacific Gull Red Point, Port Kembla
		Around 5pm the immature bird flew over the point & out to Big Island where it soared along the south ridge before disappearing. eBird checklist
		Paul Lynch 1/9 #231693
		Baillon's Crake Pitt Town Lagoon
		4 Baillon's Crake feeding along the shoreline.
		L. Morgan 30/8 #231678
		Australasian Bittern Warnervale
		I flushed an Australasian Bittern from dense reeds at Porters Creek Wetland (Warnervale) this afternoon! Decent views as it flew over open water before dropping down into cover. Aus. Bitterns have been recorded there previously but not for a number of years. Also seen was a White-necked Heron and Swamp Harrier.(Moderator's Note: This is the 8th CC Record, the last reports were at Porters Ck Wetland & Bluebell Park reedbed Berkeley Vale in 2003. AKM)
		Nick Carson 30/8 #231677
		Pacific Baza Blackman Park, Lane Cove
		A pair of Bazas moving about keeping to the treetops and attracting plenty of Noisy Miner attention. (Moderator's Note: From now on we won't be publishing records of Pacific Bazas in Sydney [and elsewhere within their standard range] as they are regularly reported and no longer meet the Birdline criteria. We will however publish records of them if they meet other criteria such as interesting behaviour, unusual numbers etc. MR)
		Joan Rosenthal 30/8 #231672
		Channel-billed Cuckoo Toronto, west Lake Macquarie
		Two separate records of a Channel-billed Cuckoo calling at Toronto, ~6am and ~8am. (Moderator's Note: first report for NSW this season? MR, No! One seen and photographed at Dairy Swamp, Central Coast Wetlands, Tuggerah on 23/7/17. AKM))
		Karen Thumm and Andrew Stauber per Mick Roderick 30/8 #231669
		Noisy Pitta Royal NP
		South of the clearing at Jerseys Spring feeding around at the riverside with a Bassian Ground Thrush. Also two Lyrebirds in the area and a fly by Wonga Pigeon and a Wonga Pigeon at Wattle flat ! Further information
		Lorand Szucs 30/8 #231667
Tue 29		Black-tailed Godwit Lake Wollumboola -34.941507, 150.776036
		A visit to Lake Wollumboola turned up a couple of surprises with 2 Black-tailed Godwits and 3 Gull-billed Terns present, along with Caspian Terns, Crested Terns, Red-capped Plovers, Silver Gulls and large numbers of Swans with the White-bellied Sea-Eagles and Nankeen Kestrels keeping an eye on things. Still a lot of water in the Lake even after it has been closed for a few weeks and very little rain.
		Charles Dove 30/8 #231668
		Striated Pardalote Sydney Olympic Park
		Two Striated Pardalotes, one definitely an ornatus in woodland remnant in Dog Walkers Park near Carpark 5. Rare in inner west, my third record and only second for SOP.
		Dion Hobcroft 30/8 #231666
		Buller's Albatross, Brown Booby Tacking Point Lighthouse
		Another productive seawatch at Tacking Point this afternooon despite fairly average conditions, a Brown Booby flying past southward and a Bullers Albatross only 100m out. Fluttering/Huttons Shearwaters still present with about 60-70 seen today and upwards of 800 yesterday, too distant for species-level ID. (Moderator's Note: Buller's Albatross and Brown Booby in the same seawatching session is pretty exceptional! MR) eBird checklist
		Liam Murphy & Tony Morton 29/8 #231664
		Little Grassbird Sydney Park, St Peters
		calling from reeds in the largest wetland
		Katie Oxenham 29/8 #231662
		Baillon's Crake and Spotless Crake Sydney Park
		Spotless Crake seen in the north eastern corner of the main pond with the island, first sighting of this bird since June. Baillon's Crake also seen in the same lake at the southern end under the bridge.
		Rob Hynson 29/8 #231658
		Black Falcon Medway
		One bird leisurely flying over the Hume Highway early this morning. My fourth record for the Southern Highlands. Rare birds in this area.
		Lorne Johnson 29/8 #231656
Mon 28		Buller's Albatross, Hutton's Shearwater, Grey-faced Petrel Mistral Point, Maroubra
		Nice seawatch yesterday with David Mitford at Maroubra. Highlights included a very distant Buller's albatross, huge numbers of Hutton's shearwaters rafting and feeding, and a conservative estimate of 30 grey-faced petrels. Some were distant but most were within a few hundred metres of shore (very easy to scope) with some of the petrels coming in over the breakers multiple times. Mostly flew around in pairs doing synchronised flights, but at one point five birds were flying together. Probably my best seawatch this abysmal winter. eBird checklist
		Simon Gorta and David Mitford 29/8 #231660
Sun 27		Flame Robin Bendethra Valley, Deua National Park
		At least five pairs feeding in just one of the grassy flats in the campground.
		Darryl Smedley 28/8 #231646
		Australasian Shelduck Moss Vale
		2 birds seen in a paddock east of Yarrawa Rd. I've never seen them at this site before. Shelducks are uncommon birds in the Southern Highlands.
		Lorne Johnson 27/8 #231643
		White-bellied Sea-eagle, Little Penguin Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
		Neither species that unusual but the eagle had caught the penguin and was struggling to subdue it (especially with the unwanted attentions of 2 Australian Ravens. Lots (100s) of Wedge-tailed and Fluttering-type Shearwaters offshore and about 12 albatross (mostly Yellow-nosed, 2 Black-browsed).
		Tom Wilson 27/8 #231641
Sat 26		Large-billed Scrubwren West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
		Great views of at least 3 Large-billed Scrubwren at a new location. This population is the only known population on the Northern Beaches with all other sighting being of single birds at the one location (and recorded very occasionally)
		Jayden Walsh and Leo Skowronek 27/8 #231638
		Wandering, Bullers, Campbell, Shy, Black-browed and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses Offshore--Kiama Pelagic (SOSSA)
		Six species of Albatross were the highlight of the 26 August SOSSA trip. There were 4 Wandering, 1 Bullers, 2+ Campbells, 5+ Shy, 5+ Black-browed and 50+ Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. Other birds included several White-faced Storm-Petrels, Solanders Petrels and Wedge-tailed, Fluttering and Huttons Shearwaters. There were no typical winter birds (prions, Skuas or Giant Petrels) at all. The cetacean highlight was a Dwarf Minke Whale, which stayed with us for more than 30 minutes. Further information
		Brook Whylie and all aboard the MV Kato 26/8 #231637
Fri 25		Red-capped Robin Willowglenn, private property 20km east of Tarago
		Single female Red-capped Robin observed for about 30 minutes in mixed acacia and casuarina woodland. No male sighted but the female did make the soft 'puut' call several times. Sound just like lightly tapping two small pebbles together.
		Darryl Smedley 28/8 #231645
		Ringed/Semipalmated Plover Worimi Conservation Lands (Stockton Beach)
		A Ringed/Semipalmated Plover was found roosting/sheltering from rain in the hind-dunes during a monitoring survey of the Worimi Conservation Lands (Stockton Beach) yesterday morning (25/08) by Ann Lindsey, Neil Fraser and others. Whilst details of the location of the bird are still emerging, all that is known at this stage is that it was seen south of the Lavis Lane entry point. Note that access is 4wd only and permits are required to enter and access the beach. (Moderators Note 27/08: the identification appears to be leaning towards Common Ringed Plover, though additional images from the original obs will be scrutinised. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made to relocate the bird on 26/08 & 27/08. MR)
		Ann Lindsey, Neil Fraser, Nadine Russell and Jamie Tarrant per Mick Roderick 26/8 #231630
		Brown Thornbill (1) White-cheeked Honeyeater (1) Yaralla Estate, Concord
		My first ever Brown Thornbill in Sydney's inner west was an exciting discovery-it gave great views in the woodland remnant in a small mixed flock with Golden Whistler, Grey Fantail and Yellow-faced Honeyeater. Also a single White-cheeked Honeyeater a major rarity here, my first since 2002.
		Dion Hobcroft 25/8 #231624
Thu 24		Flame Robin (15) Blast Furnace Park, Lithgow
		At least 15 Flame Robins (males and females) feeding on the ground. Twenty years ago a winter group of this size wouldn't have been noteworthy but these days they're much harder to find around the Blue Mountains.
		Carol Probets 26/8 #231634
		Swift Parrot Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
		One bird out in the open, flitting around on a branch of a Gum calling to other birds in an adjacent tree.
		Camilla Donnelly 24/8 #231622
		Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Kiama Coastal Track
		6 birds sitting on wire fence alongside coastal path.Very tame.From a distance looked like pipits.
		andrew wood 24/8 #231619
Wed 23		Black Honeyeater Round Hill Nature Reserve--railway line at -33.04922, 146.21281
		Single Bird (Moderator's Note: Of interest, 4 Pied Honeyeaters were reported at the old Wheat Paddock site on Saturday 26/08, the first record for NSW in 2017 posted on eBird. MR) eBird checklist
		Derek Collins 29/8 #231657
		Straw-necked Ibis Randwick Environment Park
		First spotted by Paul Johnstone and twitched by me later the same day. An immature Straw-necked Ibis was feeding with a group of 20 White Ibis in the wetland. First record for my local patch. eBird checklist
		Richard Murray 24/8 #231620
		Swift Parrot Hillview Road, North Kellyville, Sydney
		16 birds feeding in Forest Red Gum Euc. teriticornis Further information
		Gavin Thomas 24/8 #231614
		Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos White Bay Power Station
		4 YTB Cockatoos flying from White Bay Power Station across to Glebe Point. Naturally surprised to see these birds so close to CBD crossing Victoria Road towards Anzac Bridge and Glebe Point in peak hour traffic this evening.
		Andrew Whitaker 23/8 #231612
		Eurasian Skylark and Southern Emu-Wren Ian McLennan Park, Kembla Grange
		The Skylark call greeted me when getting out of my car from behind some trees to the East of the Soccer field main entrance. In attempting to get around the trees to see the Skylark I flushed a single male Southern Emu-wren. eBird checklist
		Steven Cooper 23/8 #231610
		Glossy Black Cockatoo Cowan
		A pair seen flying over the Freeway at 6am.
		Andrew Robinson 23/8 #231609