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For Black-necked Storks, Newcastle is about the
southern limit and "not south of their usual" range. There have always
been a few pairs around the Newcastle area, with reports of upto
5 birds together on a single occasion (adults and young Storks). I personally
don't see them all the time in the Hunter but have had 3 sightings in the past
few months and 2 others. However, as I am from Sydney, I would imagine the
Newcastle locals would encounter them more often. They use to occur and
breed around Shoalhaven River (where one was seen 2-3 years ago
according to birding-aus/birdline) approx. 200km south of Sydney CBD). They used
to live in the Sydney area (McGraths Hill STW, Penrith etc) prior to
the 1970/80's and there were many sightings in the NSW central coast in the
early to at least the mid 1990's around places like Wyong, Tuggerah
and Mandalong (I know a place at the later where they used to reside at the same
swamp each year according to the property owner and they probably still do). In
the NSW Hunter region, I know of 2 regular nesting spots, one at
innacesible location near Harrington in Crowdy Bay NP where I know the property
owner who sees them collecting nesting material from his property.
However, I do suspect that they also nest much closer to Newcastle,
probably in some inaccesible area. I am sure Alan Morris can elabarote
on their distribution.
Edwin Vella
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