Central Coast Group, Birding NSW, Outing Report for South
Tacoma, Woodbury Park, Tuggerah STW & Chittaway Point 31 May 2003,
Leaders: John & Carole Carpenter.
A lovely day saw 38 birdos out in force making their first stop
on the Tacoma Rd by the Wyong River. Here we found Golden
Whistler, Musk Lorikeet and 2 Black
Bitterns and further along we added Mistletoebird,
Scarlet Honeyeater, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, a
variety of ducks and cormorants, and an Azure Kingfisher. At
South Tacoma, at the eastern end of the old Pioneer Dairy where there is a stand
of flowering Swamp Mahogany and where the Regent Honeyeaters were recorded last
Jul-Aug, there were many Noisy Friarbirds,
Yellow-faced, Lewin’s & White-naped Honeyeaters,
Eastern Spinebills, Red Wattlebirds,
Olive-backed Oriole, a group of Varied
Sitellas, Rainbow Lorikeets and, the bird of the day,
at least one, possibly two Regent Honeyeaters, while a
Peregrine Falcon flew over. Morning tea was taken at Wyong by
the River.
The water retention basins at Gavenlock Rd Wyong were checked
and here we found a Swamp Harrier gliding over the swampy areas
eyeing off the Coots, Swamphens, Chestnut Teal and
Australasian Grebes, while Cisticolas were to
be seen in the reeds. As usual there were a lovely lot of birds on the Tuggerah
STW including 200+ Hardheads, 8+ Australasian
Shovelers, 30+ Pinkears, Chestnut
Teal, Black-winged Stilts, Hoary-headed
Grebes and a Fantailed Cuckoo in the bushes
While having lunch in the Park near Chittaway Point by Ourimbah
Creek, a good variety of birds either swam or flew past, including a
Striated Heron. The call of the Striped
Honeyeater had us looking and finding it for most to see. Also seen
with the help of Trevor Waller’s telescope, were two Tawny Frogmouths
across the Creek. We later saw Caspian Terns, Little &
Great Egrets, and many cormorants on Curly Island south of the Point. A
White-bellied Sea-eagle flew over and disturbed many of these
birds. A great day with 93 species. It was a pleasure to lead such a great group
of people, always willing to share scopes and knowledge with other people
(Carole & John Carpenter).
