Moderators' Note

Birders are encouraged to post lists to eBird Australia, where sightings are incorporated into the BirdLife Australia Atlas. To do this you need to register with eBird Australia then login. 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) or Square-tailed Kites unless they are in unusual locations or are seen with unusual prey etc.

• Reports
• Criteria

January 2022

Sun 23		Radjah Shelduck Hastings Point WTP
		Five birds present, discovered yesterday, seen by multiple observers.
		Hans Wohlmuth, Susan Inglis 23/1 #264564
Sat 22		Radjah Shelduck West Byron Wetlands (Restricted access - Council key required)
		Two birds seen by multiple observers. Not located again the following day.
		Hans Wohlmuth, Susan Inglis 23/1 #264563
		Musk Duck and Blue Billed Ducks Denbigh Farm Dam - Cobbity NSW
		One adult female Musk Duck, two adult male Blue Bills and one adult female Blue Bill Duck. All hanging out together at first then one AM and AF Blue Bill moved off together so I assume they are a pair. Remaining AM Blue Bill and AF Musk Duck did their own thing for a while until the Blue Bill decide to "make a pass" at the Musk Duck. She was not very happy about that! First record of Musk Duck for this location eBird checklist
		Brett Mezen 22/1 #264558
		White-fronted & Pied Honeyeaters, Shy Heathwren Round Hill Nature Reserve--railway line at -33.04922, 146.21281
		Very few birds about despite the cooler weather but some good birds seen. I only went as far as the main rail line and birded about 1km on each side. Lots of Diamond Doves present and good views of the White-fronted Honeyeaters, and one female Pied Honeyeater. eBird checklist
		Max O'Sullivan 22/1 #264557
Fri 21		Pink-eared Duck Powells Lane, Richmond Lowlands
		A pair of Pink-eared Ducks with 6 ducklings at Powells Lane. A rare breeding event for the Sydney area.
		Jenny & Rod Stiles 23/1 #264562
		Plumed Whistling Ducks Yarramundi Lagoon
		9 Plumed Whistling Ducks [continuing birds]. Viewed from Castlereagh Rd. The birds were hidden from view until flushed by a passing bulldozer.
		Jenny and Rod Stiles 23/1 #264561
		Bassian Thrush Bronte
		I heard rustling on the garden floor as I was getting my clothes off the line and assumed it was one of many local cats. I didn't have my camera (or even phone) so raced upstairs to grab camera and then saw it again 30 mins later. I thought it was a song thrush when I saw it fleetingly at first but photo indicates it is a BT (but happy to be corrected by the experts). If so, a very unusual sighting for Bronte.
		Charles Hunter 21/1 #264554
Thu 20		White-winged Black Tern Rosendahl Reservoir, Port Macquarie
		5 White-winged Black Terns at the reservoir this afternoon. Photo by Ian Kerr captured 3 of them. (Moderator's Note: It is of interest that last year at the same location, 1 White-winged Black Terns were present for the period 26/1 to 11/3/2021. Could one be the same bird? AKM).
		James Oates, Ian Kerr, Tim Morris 20/1 #264552
		Ruff Crookhaven Heads, Shoalhaven
		The Ruff was re-found today by Carla Jackett (thank you!). We saw the bird this afternoon on the western side of the headland, just north of the caravan park at -34.903228, 150.765499. Lachlan Hall and Graham Barwell were also present. eBird checklist
		Martin & Penny Potter 20/1 #264550
Wed 19		Sooty Tern Stockton Sandspit
		Adult seen flying along the Hunter River towards the coast. eBird checklist
		Archie Brennan & James Bennett 19/1 #264547
		Sooty Tern Horseshoe Beach, Newcastle
		Juvenile seen flying at great height eBird checklist
		Archie Brennan and James Bennet 19/1 #264546
		South Island Pied Oystercatcher Manning Estuary, Harrington
		South Island Pied Oystercatcher "1N" (red tag) was seen on the sand spit at Harrington this morning. Last record at the site was 21/4/2021. As with last year it was with a large group of, non-resident, Australian Pied Oystercatchers that congregate in Harrington around this time of year.
		Silas Darnell 19/1 #264545
		Lesser Frigatebird Gerroa
		Adult female flying south over Gerroa at about 8am.
		David Hair 19/1 #264543
Tue 18		Red-chested Buttonquail Martindale
		Flushed and seen in flight. Small brown buttonquail with faint wing panels and red sides to tail. Photo on eBird list eBird checklist
		James Bennett and Archie Brennan 18/1 #264542
		White-winged Black Tern, Blue-billed Duck Lake Goran
		Further to recent reports from this site, a single White-winged Black Tern seen well fishing over the flooded Lake Goran Rd. A single male Blue-billed Duck also here, just west of the crossing. The last time this site had water was 2011-2013 and there are masses of birds present, particuarly east of Lake Goran Rd where over 300 Whiskered Terns are breeding in flooded grassland. Please see eBird list comments for details regarding access. eBird checklist
		Max Breckenridge 18/1 #264540
		Great Crested Grebe (breeding) Breeza
		Interesting observation of 25 active Great Crested Grebe nests (35 individuals) on the western pond near the Breeza grain silos. Musk Duck (4), Gull-billed Tern (7) and Tawny Grassbird (1) also present. eBird checklist
		Max Breckenridge 18/1 #264539
Sun 16		Brush turkey Belongil beach
		A mob of 10 turkeys roosting (?) as a group on powerlines in an urban street at dusk. Never seen this behaviour before.
		Ian Colvin 16/1 #263538
		Curlew Sandpiper Lake Goran
		Following up on David Schuemaker's report (#263516, 8 Jan 2022), I found in amongst a mob of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers 3 Curlew Sandpipers. They were all on the road, at the northern end of the crossing through the lake, this morning. Some species have already been breeding at Goran Lake and there are thousands of waterbirds present right now. For more photos, including one showing the mixed flock of small waders, see the ebird checklist. eBird checklist
		Michael Dahlem 16/1 #263537
		Streaked Shearwater Mistral Point, Maroubra
		Two Streaked Shearwaters seen today close to shore in light southerlies, also seen were 3 Flesh-footed Shearwater, 5 Fluttering Shearwater, 2 Australasian Gannets, 200 Wedge-tailed Shearwater and 2 Pomarine Jaegers.
		David Mitford 16/1 #263536
		Common Gull-billed Tern Stockton Sandspit
		One Common Gull-billed Tern seen amongst the shorebirds this morning.
		Edwin Vella, Martin Snowball et al 16/1 #263535
		Australaisan Bittern Hexham Swamp Nature Reserve--Old Pipeline Track
		Good but brief flight views of the Bittern flying over the reed bed in the morning. Also great was of course the Little Curlew and a female Black-necked Stork.
		Edwin Vella and Martin Snowball 16/1 #263534
		Tahiti and Gould's Petrels, Sooty Terns Offshore--Port Stephens pelagic
		Highlights of a reasonably low diversity Port Stephens pelagic today (12 species outside the heads) were singles of Tahiti and Gould's Petrels, 50+ Sooty Terns and 30+ White-faced Storm-petrels.
		Mick Roderick and others aboard the MV Contagious 16/1 #263532
		Spotted Crake, Buff-banded Rail, Australian Little Bittern (H) Fivebough Wetlands
		An early morning visit produced 55 species. Despite plenty of water in the wetlands there are some good birds to be seen. The Reed Warblers seems to have exploded with birds everywhere likewise for Cisticolas and Little Grassbirds. No Oz Bitterns booming but I assume they are still present. The Little Bittern was heard calling but no sighting. eBird checklist
		Max O'Sullivan 16/1 #263529
Sat 15		Brown Booby Smoky Cape Lighthouse
		Liam and I spotted a Brown Booby traveling north amongst the 1000's of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. eBird checklist
		Heath Milne and Liam Murphy 16/1 #263533
		Massive nesting event of Australian White and Straw-necked Ibises. Campbell's Wetlands, Griffith
		There is a very large breeding event happening at Campbell's at present with well over 500 of each species cohabitating in a massive nesting colony. There are young birds already fledged with others sitting on eggs and others still carrying in nesting material. The swamp itself is overfull with the recent rains and even the boardwalk is under water. Very few ducks seen but a couple of Blue-bills, Musk and Pink-ears about. eBird checklist
		Max O'Sullivan 16/1 #263531
Fri 14		Plumed Whistling Duck (4) Mount Penang Gardens, Kariong
		Four rather skittish Plumed Whistling Duck present on the lower dam this morning.
		Andrew Robinson 14/1 #263525
		Beach Stone-curlew Stockton Sandspit, (Newcastle)
		1 bird at the high tide wader roost. Plus 35 Black-tailed Godwit and 60 Far-eastern Curlew. Bird moved out to closest mangrove island and disappeared into the shadows.
		Chris Gladwin 14/1 #263522
Thu 13		Barking Owl Lisarow
		Pair of adult Barking Owls seen and heard calling over the last two nights.
		J. Manners 13/1 #263521
		White-winged Black Tern Lake Wollumboola
		In mixed flock with Little Terns, Common Terns and Australian Fairy Terns eBird checklist
		john anderson 13/1 #263519
		Ruff Crookhaven Heads and Lighthouse
		Male based on size-larger than Pacific Golden Plover. Unusual to see this species in a marine coastal environment. May be the same individual that was at Flat Rock, Ballina until a week or so ago.
		Dion Hobcroft 13/1 #263517
Wed 12		Lesser Frigate Abraham’s Bosom
		First spotted during steady downpour on the morning of the 12th - seen again when the weather in the afternoon… Outstanding to watch it manoeuvre around the terns , tormenting them . Could be spotted working around Currarong anytime on subsequent days. eBird checklist
		Paul Charlton 14/1 #263526
		Glossy Black Cockatoo Old Kempsey Road Gum Scrub
		Single Black Glossy Cockatoo feeding. Photograph by K Graham.
		K Graham 14/1 #263523
		Little Curlew Hexham Swamp Nature Reserve--Old Pipeline Track
		Single bird observed on the mudflats on the Hexham side of the track at about 4:15pm (Moderator's Note: bird was seen this morning [Thurs 13-01] at close range, as well as two Pectoral Sandpipers. MR).
		Rachel Ivory 12/1 #263515
Tue 11		King Quail Kamay Botany Bay National Park--Cape Baily Track
		One bird heard early afternoon, a little north-east of Cape Baily Lighthouse, west of the Cape Baily Track. The Red-backed Button-quail reported in 2021 wasn't heard or seen.
		Lorne Johnson 12/1 #263512
Mon 10		Australian Fairy Tern Lake Wollumboola
		Recorded over several days 10-13th, also reported ar Shoalhaven Head with good photos eBird checklist
		john anderson 13/1 #263520
		Powerful Owl Gelfius Cres Macquarie Hills NSW
		At 22:30 while taking my dog outside I as usual scan the surrounding neighbourhood trees for possums, which are in large numbers here; when I saw a very large bird roosting in a large gum. It look down at me and had the unmistakable head and large body of a Powerful Owl. I went and had my wife come outside to verify the sighting and she agreed that it’s huge size and features identified it as a beautiful specimen of a Powerful Owl.(Moderator's Note: A Powerful Owl while uncommon for the observer , would not be unexpected at this location. The Powerful Owl calling season has just begun, to find out more, check out Birdlife Aust. Powerful Owl Project online and on Facebook. AKM)
		Ron Holmes 10/1 #263506
Sun 9		Gang Gang Cockatoo Wollongong Botanic Gardens
		Heard and then saw 3 Gang Gangs being harassed by noisy miners in the trees around the music Conservatorium at the SE edge of the gardens. They then flew to the East calling like creaky doors as they went. Most unexpected - my 1st record for the Illawarra. eBird checklist
		Steven Cooper 9/1 #263500
		Pacific Emerald Dove Mount Kembla Ring Track
		Two Pacific Emerald Doves heard on the bottom section of the Ring Track. Access near the Windy Gully car park. One just past the house at the start and the other about 1km in near the locked gate. eBird checklist
		Brian Deans 9/1 #263498
		Magpie Goose Wet Lagoon, Breadalbane
		2 birds seen flying low briefly over wetland and landing in centre of lagoon. Unmistakable large goose, white body and underwing, yellow legs and red bill. Completely different flight to swans. Lagoon is between Canberra and Goulburn, densely vegetated and full of water. Possibility there are more geese present and nesting. Impossible to be sure due to vegetation. Other species present include Black Swans nesting, 3 Swamp Harriers and many waterfowl.
		Marnix Zwankhuizen 9/1 #263497
Sat 8		Plumed Whistlings Duck, Pink-eared Duck and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Lake Goran Spring Ridge NSW
		Lake Goran is now full and water birds are in great abundance, great for recreational birding. So, seen from the Gunnedah side of the Lake, I saw along about 500m of shoreline, a minimum of 50 Plumed Whistling Ducks, 50 Pink-eared Duck, 50 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and over 100 Whiskered Terns eBird checklist
		David Schuemaker 13/1 #263516
		Lewin's rail Kamay NP Nth. Cape Banks Rd, 300m or so before the end car park. -33.992004, 151.249258
		Flew across the road about 20m in front of us and started calling at the edge of the road. eBird checklist
		Neil Broekhuizen 8/1 #263496
		Musk Duck North Quarry Lake, Castlereagh
		There were at least 15 Musk Ducks on this lake as viewed from Castlereagh Rd. Several appeared to be pairing up with males displaying to the females so I anticipate the population to increase over the next few weeks. My highest count of Musk Ducks on this lake was 16 on 20/7/20 which was my highest count anywhere in Sydney. The Blue-billed Ducks have not returned back here yet and there were only 3 Great Crested Grebes seen today on this lake with most birds still inland.
		Edwin Vella 8/1 #263495
		Plumed Whistling-duck Yarramundi Lagoon, Agnes Banks
		There were 6 Plumed Whistling-ducks on the lagoon this morning identified through scope views from Castlereagh Rd (just south of the Springwood Rd turnoff). The last time I saw them here was on 28/2/21 when there were 30 of them.
		Edwin Vella 8/1 #263494
Thu 6		White-necked Petrel, ,Streaked Shearwater & Buller's Shearwater. Long Reef Aquatic Reserve.
		Excellent sea watch this afternoon with lots of birds highlights were two Streaked Shearwater going south then a White-necked Petrel also flying south, then a Buller's Shearwater and then another very close in White-necked Petrel. I didn't want to go home.
		Michael Ronan 6/1 #263483
Wed 5		Barn Swallow, Grey Ternlet Hastings Point
		Barn Swallow at Hastings Point STP(no access), Round Mountain Rd, distant view with scope from roadside, seen resting on the metal fence around far pond, about 150m away, with 50-100 Welcome Swallows. Grey Ternlet seen from Hastings Point headland lookout, with a feeding flock of Common Terns, about 500m off-shore. (Moderator's Note: There are only four confirmed records for NSW, last Barn Swallow reported in NSW was two present at the Hunter Wetland Centre 5-12/3/1988 & accepted by NSWORAC, case No 11. Great find! AKM)
		Steven McBride 5/1 #263479
Tue 4		Pectoral Sandpiper Hexham Swamp (Hunter Wetlands National Park, Pipeline Track)
		Single Pectoral Sandpiper seen along the Pipeline Track yesterday (4th Jan); one of only a handful of shorebirds present. Birdata survey here https://birdata.birdlife.org.au/survey?id=5582330&h=c108d77b
		Tom Kendall per Mick Roderick 5/1 #263478
		Great Crested Grebe Denbigh Farm Dam Cobbitty NSW
		4x Birds seen today 3 in open water and 1 in reeds - nesting probably. Seen also in December earliest sighting was of two adult birds and two juveniles. Adult birds seen today may be the two juveniles. Adult near the nesting bird was observed heading towards the other pair as they approached the nest, The two (young?) birds headed away from the bird heading their way. Ongoing observations may resolve if the pair apparently nesting raise chicks. eBird checklist
		Chris Munson 5/1 #263475
		Blue-billed Duck Denbigh Farm Dam Cobbitty (eBird hotspot title)
		Ongoing pair or possibly 4 birds. Seen over a period of weeks in the deep end of the dam. eBird checklist
		Chris Munson 5/1 #263474
		Lesser Frigatebird Richmond River, North Wall
		Adult male cruising the river mouth on the aftermath of tropical cyclone Seth, robbing Crested Terns of their catch. eBird checklist
		Hans Wohlmuth 4/1 #263469
		Common Sandpiper St Huberts Island NSW
		The Common Sandpiper has returned to its former site on St Huberts Island Brisbane Water. eBird checklist
		David Schuemaker 4/1 #263467
		Wandering Whistling-duck, Painted Button-quail Ebenezer (Hawkesbury region)
		There were 12 Wandering Whistling-ducks this morning on the Tizzana Winery Lagoon that is covered with waterlilies off Tizzana Rd. Note the lagoon is on private land but can be viewed from the road side and a spotting scope would be handy for better views. Also at nearby Swallow Reach (near the end of Coromandel Rd) I had a Painted Button-quail foraging on the track there.
		Edwin Vella 4/1 #263464
		Pacific Baza Nurragingy Reserve
		Largest number of Pacific Baza's that I've seen. Maximum count of 15 achieved several times. Observed for about 15 minutes. eBird checklist
		Michael Rutkowski 4/1 #263461
Mon 3		Aleutian Tern Farquhar Inlet, Old Bar
		At least one Aleutian tern present at Farquhar Inlet on a sand bank (-31.950, 152.601). Conditions were horrible as is the photo as I had no camera.
		Silas Darnell 4/1 #263468
		Radjah Shelduck Harrington Park Lake
		Haven't seen this bird in the area and decided to take a picture as I did not recognise the bird. After identifying as the Radjah Shelduck, I thought it was very interesting to see this bird so far south.(Moderator's Note: Radjah Shelducks have been seen south this summer. In the last two months as reported here on Birdline, they have been seen at the Central Coast Wetlands (Tuggerah), Chittaway, Davistown, Hexham Swtuamp and The Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland, with up to 4 at the latter places. AKM)
		James Ratcliff 4/1 #263455
		Australasian Bittern, Marsh Sandpiper, Nankeen Night Heron Fivebough Wetlands
		The Oz Bitterns have been booming since late November with at least three booming and one flew out as I was observing. Also 5 Marsh Sandpipers, Night Herons, Hobby, Collared Sparrowhawk and Buff-banded Rail. See full list on eBird. eBird checklist
		Max O'Sullivan 4/1 #263454
		Little Eagle Riverstone area
		I believe this is a pretty special record for Sydney. Having discovered the nest site in mid-December and noted a single chick in the nest, approximately 7 weeks of age, confirmed by Stephen Debus via photographs. To my knowledge, there aren't many breeding records of this beautiful eagle from the Sydney area. The last one that comes to mind was near Mona Vale in 2016. The nest site is in a tall gum tree, very close to dwellings (<100m). As of today, the young bird is just about ready to fledge, and it will be a sad day, as the tree will be removed by a developer once the young bird flies off. Clearly this will add to the eagles' vulnerable status with the loss of more breeding and foraging habitat. I watched an adult bring in a bird prey, which the youngster happily started to tear to bits. The adult left and came back just before sundown to join in feeding with the offspring and also gently offering food. I took lots of high definition video of the birds today for the record. In 2009, Graham Turner and I came across what we thought may have been a Little Eagle nest in Castlereagh Nature Reserve, but subsequent visits were fruitless. Link to a couple of videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAF_Mm9KBwc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_T13hNalf8 I
		Ákos Lumnitzer 3/1 #263452
		Bar-tailed Godwit Iluka
		Flock of approximately 100-120 Bar-tailed Godwits searching for roosting refuge in massive swell and high tide. Settled in dunes on small beach between breakwall and Moriatys wall at Iluka Breakwall car park. Haven’t seen a flock this large in the Clarence before.
		Nick Priest 3/1 #263449
Sun 2		Double-banded Plover Sand dunes of Harrington Beach
		On the eastern side of the Little Tern nesting area of Harrington Surf Beach, fenced off from the public, a pair of Double-banded Plovers in non breeding plumage were observed with some Red-capped Plovers. There have been no recent reports of Double-banded Plovers on Harrington Beach, although in recent years 1-2 Double-banded Plovers have over-summered at Farquhar Inlet just to the south. The very first returning Double-baned Plovers returning from NZ tend to arrive in late January-early February. Over the 50 or so years that I have been involved with waders on the Central Coast, I have never known them to over-summer there. It is hard to know that it is a change in habits or whether some of the Farquhar Inlet/Manning Estuary birds have had a long past history of the first year birds not returning to NZ. Two pairs of Little Terns were still nesting in the dunes and as well as Red-capped Plovers.
		Silas Darnell & Alan Morris 4/1 #263462
Sat 1		Wandering Whistling Duck James Creek Rd wetland, next to Graham’s Cement Mixers, Yamba
		Great sighting of a single Wandering Whistling Duck, a relatively rare sighting for the area.
		Tim Morgan, Peter & Bev Morgan, Sarah D’Arcy 2/1 #263445
		Eastern Osprey Sydney Airport
		An Eastern Osprey has taken up residence on the Cooks River just north of the M5 Cooks River Tunnel. Its regularly seen perched on a pole eating fish and at night is roosting on an adjacent channel marker closest to the airport's western apron.
		Nigel Coghlan 1/1 #263432

December 2021

Fri 31		Ruff South Ballina beach
		A single Ruff seen roosting with Great Knots(18), Bar-tailed Godwits, Eastern Curlews & Sanderlings, on the beach at South Ballina, approx. 200m south of the Richmond River breakwall. eBird checklist
		Steve McBride 31/12 #263427
Thu 30		Plumed Whistling Duck Small Roadside Dam, Denman Rd, Denman NSW
		Flushed 2 Plumed Whistling Ducks from reeds. They flew away but stayed on same pond. A rarity for this area. eBird checklist
		Brett Mezen 1/1 #263429
		Lewins Rail, Pilotbird, E Bristlebird, Red-browed Treecreeper Barren Grounds Nature Reserve
		Lewins Rail was calling from deep cover on the E Griffiths Track about 300m past the lookout turnoff; 2 Pilotbirds in the Banksia woodlands a bit further along - both calling strongly from either side of the track. E Bristlebirds heard and then seen on the Cooks Nose track; Red-browed Treecreeper in the junction with the Griffiths Track. Also 2 groups of S Emu-wren (4 in each group); a few Beautiful Firetails; 2 Peregrine (adult & large fledgling based on the badgering behaviour); and a single Grey Goshawk. (Also 2 Echidnas and a large Tiger Snake.) eBird checklist
		Tom Wilson 30/12 #263425
		Banded Whiteface x8 Cameron Corner
		Came across a party of 8 Banded Whiteface in shrubbery alongside a grassy plain just before Cameron Corner. Checklist and photos in due course.
		Chris Rehberg, Allon Traub - Sydney Birding 30/12 #263424
Wed 29		Gibberbird x5 and x4 Tibooburra
		En route from Tibooburra to Mt Wood Campground on a hot afternoon, we caught sight of a small bird flying and landing beside the road - Gibberbird (between two Pratincoles). Then a second popped up, then two on the other side of the road and then a third on that side for five, total. There may have been more behind the verge out of our view - suspect they headed up onto this hill to catch the breeze as the plains below were sweltering. Later on Gorge Loop Road another two mixed with Orange Chats - we couldn’t ID every bird in the flock, but certainly two Gibberbirds there and finally another two together beside the road further along. Checklist and photos in due course.
		Chris Rehberg, Allon Traub - Sydney Birding 30/12 #263423
		Regent Honeyeater Capertee Valley-Crown Station Rd -Birdwatching Site #6, Lithgow, AU-NSW
		Single bird seen from 10.42am until 11.18am. Bird flew into tree chased by White-plumed Honeyeater and stayed, initially fed but was harassed intermittently by Noisy Miner or White-plumed Honeyeater. From 10.57 to 11.07 the bird sat and preened, at which point I got the scope set up. No bands could be seen on either legs. Bare eye patch appeared large and uneven which makes me think it was likely a male. From 11.07am until 11.18am it carried on feeding again. As you stand looking at the number 6 sign it was in the tall tree, slightly left and in-front. This is the first record in eBird for this site.
		Martin Snowball 29/12 #263419
		Wandering Tattler Soldiers Point (Norah Head)
		Single Wandering Tattler (now regular at this site although presumably still worth reporting), along with usual other shorebirds; Grey-tailed Tattler (7), Curlew Sandpiper (10), Ruddy Turnstone (24), Red-necked Stint (100+), Pacific Golden Plover (1) and a pair of Pied Oyscatcher.
		Andrew Robinson 29/12 #263418
Tue 28		Crested Grebe Newey Reserve, Cobar
		Spotted two adults and four chicks. Moderstor's note: Rare breeding record for Crested Grebe at Cobar. AKM)
		Maki Okamoto 6/1 #263486
		Eyrean Grasswren Winathee Station - restricted access
		Following on from the incredible efforts of Ian McAllan and co, I decided to give Eyrean Grasswren a go. Allon and I arrived in the afternoon and decided to head straight for the southern dune on which Ian reported a pair of birds. After some searching, one popped out from behind a bush and hung around a short while for clear views for both of us from circa 5 to 10m - though no photo. Next morning I decided to search another dune even further south and found one several hundred metres in from the border. This one hung around calling for a good 5-10 minutes though only provided the briefest of glimpses and some poor record photos. Checklists and photos to come in due course. Many thanks to Ian for his advice and help during preparations for this trip, and Kent and Ester for their hospitality and permission to visit.
		Chris Rehberg, Allon Traub - Sydney Birding 30/12 #263422
		Glossy Ibis Chat Alley, Euabalong
		Approximately 300 Glossy Ibis present in flooded pastures approaching Chat Alley. (Moderator's Note: There have been few reports of Glossy Ibis in NSW in recent times, but an NPWS spokesperson recently said that Glossy Ibis were nesting in the lower Lachlan Swamps, and some nesting has commenced in the Macquarie Marshes. AKM)
		Michael Kuhl 29/12 #263417
		Collared Kingfisher Brunswick Heads
		The usual very vocal Collared Kingfishers were at the footbridge mangroves and around the boatramp on the river - seem particularly prevalent/vocal at their moment. This is the normal southern limit for Collared Kingfishers in NSW. Also 3 Whimbrels seen flying up Simpson Creek.
		Ian Colvin 28/12 #263412
		Black-winged Petrels2,Buller's Shearwater Tacking Point Lighthouse
		2 Black-winged Petrels were flying south in synchronised flight off the point I had excellent views of both birds they had white underwings with very black diagonal bar from elbow to the outer leading edge, wing tips dark and trailing edge dark cap and nape same colour as back with grey collar down the side of neck,grey upper parts with dark M over back,watched the birds fly south together for about 8 minutes before disappearing,also 1 Buller's Shearwater was seen going south into the wind. (Moderator's Note: this species is on the NSW ORAC review list so a submission should be prepared.)
		Michael Ronan 28/12 #263411
Mon 27		Bush Stone-curlew Narran Lake Nature Reserve (restricted access)
		Bush Stone-curlew heard at 2 different locations over two nights. 27th Dec heard at East Mullane Quarters 28th Dec heard at Ironbark Trail/Narran Lake Road gateway
		Pat Johnston 5/1 #263470
		Regent Parrot Euston
		Flock of 19 flew across the Highway in front of me and headed out over the vineyards. Yellow Rosellas also present at the same location
		Michael Kuhl 29/12 #263416
		White-necked Petrel Tacking Point Lighthouse.
		Great views of a White-necked Petrel flying south into the strong southeaster only 250 meters off the point late this afternoon.
		Michael Ronan 27/12 #263408
		Wood Sandpiper Central Coast Wetlands (Tuggerah)
		Birds wading at edge of water I believe this is also first sighting for season eBird checklist
		David Schuemaker 27/12 #263407