I spent yesterday morning and a bit in the early afternoon (15/1/05) wondering
around a few areas in the NSW Central Coast (60 to 100km north of Sydney CBD). Places
visited during this time included:
MATCHAM AREA – pretty much the usual but interesting
rainforest/forest birds seen here including Brush Turkeys, Wonga Pigeons, Brown
Cuckoo-doves, many Yellow-throated and
some Large-billed Scrubwrens, Leaden Flycatchers, Black-faced Monarchs, Rufous
Fantails, Scarlet Honeyeaters, Green Catbirds, Regent and Satin Bowerbirds and
heard Superb Lyrebirds.
NORAH HEAD – spent an hour or so sea-watching from Norah Head
hoping that Cyclone Kerry may have pushed down the coast some tropical
seabirds. Nothing unusual seen here but saw 300 or more Wedge-tailed and 50 or
so Short-tailed Shearwaters, an Australasian Gannet, 2-3 Pomarine Jaegers, an
Australasian Gannet, 50 plus Common Terns etc. There were also lots of both Dollarbirds
(very numerous in the central coast and there was quite a few young birds as
well) and White-breasted Woodswallows and a Pied Butcherbird on powerlines.
I also checked the reef at Soldiers Pt and saw 6 Pacific Golden
Plovers, c66 Red-necked Stints, c25 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Grey-tailed Tattlers,
24 Ruddy Turnstone, a Whimbrel and 2 Pied Oystercatchers. Also with the waders
were at least 125 Little Terns (of which at least 20 were in breeding plumage).
MUNMORAH SRA – I looked briefly on the edge of this state
recreation area near Lake Munmorah and saw a flock of at least 30
White-throated Needletails with a few Welcome Swallows in with them. A few of
the Needletails flew at about tree top level but most were quite high and not
visible without binoculars. Also in the heath were I was watching the Needletails
was a Bar-shouldered Dove, Dolarbirds and both
White-cheeked and New Holland Honeyeaters.
On my way back home I had a quick look at Tuggerah
Lake in Toukley. I did not see much
in the lake but there was a Striped Honeyeater hoping on the ground in front of
my car.
Edwin Vella
