Birdline NSW
Published sightings for the week ending 3 Jan 2010.
Sun 3 Jan Lewin's Rail update Triangle Pond Sydney Olympic Park
We had a great view of a Lewin's Rail at 5pm having a bath in a small
puddle on the edge of the papyrus. It was in view for about 2 minutes
before disappearing into the reeds. It came back 10 minutes later
briefly as it fed along the edge. We left the site at 5.30pm. Weather
cool & overcast.
John Duranti, Dean Portelli, Dave Bertram
Superb Parrot Bloomfield Park, Orange
2 pairs of adult birds seen + 3 juveniles. Nesting pair in tree hollow.
Young very vocal, eating mistletoe and feeding on ground.
Alison Doyle
Double-barred Finch Triangle Pond, Sydney Olympic Park
While waiting for the Lewins Rail to come out this morning (it didn't
for me between 6:50 and 8:10 am, although it called once and I saw it
moving a few rows back), 2 Double-barred Finches were busy feeding on
seeds from the grasses sprouting out of the roadway. Also at the pond a
pair of Royal Spoonbill.
Tom Wilson
Sat 2 Jan Oriental Pratincole Fivebough Swamp Leeton
First seen on Friday evening, 1st Jan in flight over the wetlands. Tried
to relocate the bird on that day but failed. On Saturday evening, 2nd
January I found the bird again with a scope roosting on a small muddy
bank. The bird was in non-breeding plumage and was remarkably
camouflaged against the mud it was sitting on. The bird fed around some
cow pats, picking at small insects it appeared. Other interesting birds
in the wetlands included 20+ Marsh Sandpipers, over 100 Sharp-tailed
Sandpipers, Baillon's, Spotless and Australian Spotted Crakes,
Michael Ramsey
Lewin's Rail, Spotless Crake Triangle Pond, Sydney Olympic Park
Arrived 3.25 pm; full sunshine; crake appeared at 3.50 next to coot, and
foraged on papyrus edge for 7 minutes; briefly on mud flat. Lewin's
appeared on the dot at 4 pm and foraged on papyrus edge in full view for
3 minutes.
Carl Weber
Regent Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater Nurragingy Reserve,
Doonside (approx. 5km west of Blacktown CBD)
The Regent Honeyeater was showing very well for quite a number of
birders this morning at the usual tree in the northern boundary of
Nurragingy Reserve. Just find the bottle we placed on the fence with the
cap facing to the Grey Box where the Regent has been feeding in for at
least the past few weeks. There were also several Eastern Spinebills,
Scarlet, Yellow-faced and White-plumed Honeyeaters but fewer of the
larger honeyeaters about. A White-throated Gerygone also hanged around
as well as an abundance of Mistletoebirds (one or two males came
extremely close to us and within half a metre of the ground). One Hobby
also flew over. With many obliging birds (many of the smaller ones in
particular) there is plenty of good bird photography potential here at
the moment. At the gates there was also at least one Blue-faced
Honeyeater. There is probably a small resident population of Blue-faced
Honeyeaters around the reserve as they have been seen on and off since
April 09.
Edwin Vella, John DeHeume and several others
Fri 1 Jan Lewin's Rail The Triangle Pond off Bennalong Rd, Sydney
Olympic Park (Homebush, Sydney)
Late this afternoon, a number of birders including Max and myself
managed to get great views of the Lewin's Rail at the Triangle Pond. It
was obliging for about 10 minutes in total as if foraged on the edge of
the papyrus and even standing motionless out in the open for a few
minutes.
Edwin Vella, Max Breckenridge et al
Fork-tailed Swift & White-throated Needletails Acacia Gardens
(about 45km NW of Sydney CBD)
At least 1 Fork-tailed Swift and about 10 White-throated Needletails
were seen soaring over my backyard about 1:30 pm before a build up of
rain clouds in hot humid conditions. There were also a few Welcome
Swallows and Fairy Martins in the air and a few Mistletoebirds also
calling about. In the distance, I also saw a swirling flock of at least
another 50 or so Needltails/Swifts.
Edwin Vella
Thu 31 Dec Powerful Owl, Brush Cuckoo Bobbin Hd Track and
Turramurra
Dusk walk on Track had Brown Cuckoo Dove, a pair Brush Cuckoos, and
Rufous Whistler M with several pale birds (F and juv) in a group. On
return home to Turramurra (west of Highway) a Powerful Owl began calling
at 8:30 pm in a tree 10m away for several minutes before flying off to
call again a long way off.
Harry Roberts
Wed 30 Dec Logrunner Royal NP
Adult male found at 5pm at Walkers Garden, RNP.
Bruce Roubin
Pallid Cuckoo, Fuscous Honeyeater Scheyville area
Pallid Cuckoo seen on telephone wires crossing a paddock near the
junction of Pitt Town-Dural & Whitmore Roads in Scheyville. Peaceful
Dove, 2 Common Bronzewing (both sitting on phone lines), 2 Fuscous
Honeyeaters and a big flock of White Winged Chough with young also seen
in that area
Tom Wilson
Glossy Ibis, Baillons & Spotted Crake Pitt Town Lagoon
4 Glossy Ibis, 2 Spotted and 1 Baillons Crake, many Pink Eared Ducks and
2 identifiable Australasian Shoveler, 40 Sharp Tailed Sandpipers, 4
Black tailed Native Hens, 2 Lathams Snipe all seen on eastern shore of
lagoon (Pitt Town side) 1 White Necked Heron and a young Swamp Harrier
flew over. 2 Little Grassbirds had a huge chase, Chestnut Breasted
Mannakins carrying nesting material and quail calling from long grass
near "the mound
Tom Wilson
Lewin's Rail Triangle Pond, Sydney Olympic Park
Further to Robert's post (and my previous post), the Lewin's Rail was
visible for two hours this afternoon at Triangle Pond. It was feeding
out in the open pretty much in the same spot between 16:55 and 18:55. It
was still out in the open when we left at 18:55. It was favouring the
very northern edge of the algae covered water in the pond in front of
the papyrus at the northern end. It was not worried about us at all as
long as we kept quiet. However, it was reacting to the "gu gu gu" alarm
calls of the stilts in the waterbird refuge opposite by diving back into
cover every so often but it soon re-emerged. Those wishing to see it
should take advantage of the next few days as the water level is pretty
much optimum at the moment. Triangle Pond can be viewed from the closed
section of Bennelong Road, Sydney Olympic Park.
Jon Irvine & Geoff Hutchinson
Ground Parrot, Eastern Bristlebird Budderoo National Park
(Budderoo Plateau)
The best heathland birding I've had in almost twenty-five years of
birding, this morning... I saw two Ground Parrots between 8-9am along
the Budderoo Track. The first bird flushed and flew across the track,
shining in the pristine morning sunlight like some green-flamed phoenix!
The second bird was feeding quietly on several 40cm long grass stems by
the side of the track (twenty feet away from me). I watched the
individual munch on the stems (they lay at right angles to the bird's
head) for fifteen minutes. It would walk between stems and at times,
only its head and back were visible in the heath. The bird was aware of
my presence, but seemingly not frightened. I've never been blessed with
such crippling views of a Ground Parrot. Other highlights: 7 Eastern
Bristlebirds (calling mainly; one in the same bush as a Southern
Emu-wren), at least 10 Beautiful Firetails (inc. imm.), at least 10
Southern Emu-wrens, a Latham's Snipe (flushed and a great surprise; the
first time I've recorded this species in heath) and a pair of Flame
Robins at the start of the track, in dead trees by Jamberoo Road.
Lorne Johnson
Tue 29 Dec Square-tailed Kite Erina & Berkeley Vale
Two sightings on the Central Coast today, the first by Danny O"Brien
seen from the Entrance Rd at Erina Heights, and the second, at 1130 hrs,
was a young bird, seen from the Berkeley Vale waterfront flying over the
ridge behind the shops, harasassed by Currawongs and Magpies. Also
present on the waters edge were 11 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, 31
Black-winged Stilts, Great Egret, Cormorants, Darters, Pelicans, Masked
Lapwings and White-faced Herons, Chestnut & Grey Teal.
Alan Morris
Superb Parrot Charnwood, Canberra
A pair of birds clearly seen in a Charnwood Backyard, ACT. I
subsequently found another 5 in a local park. (Moderator' Note: The ACT
is within the known range of the Superb Parrot, and they are regular
summer visitors to Canberra where they sometimes breed around the suburb
of Hall.)
Nathan Ruser
Mon 28 Dec Lewin's Rail Triangle Pond, Sydney Olympic Park
Lewin's Rail being very obliging, having a long walk and feeding on the
mud in front of the papyrus at the Triangle Pond, following the recent
rain, at about 5.30pm. Other sightings at Mason Park as per Jon Irvine's
report of 24 Dec.
Robert Griffin
Baillon's Crakes, Latham's Snipe Marsden Park (10km west of
Blacktown CBD)
During a brief look at Marsden Park late this afternoon, I saw 4
Baillon's Crakes and at least 2 Latham's Snipe along Hollinsworth Rd, a
pair of Australian Hobby's with nest (I have been watching these over
the past 2 weeks but can not see any young yet), Black-winged Stilts, a
few Peaceful Doves etc. I also had here on Christmas morning, the usual
White-winged Triller and Restless Flycatcher, a pair of Crested
Shrike-tits and Dusky Woodswallows with 2 young fledglings (see attached
pic). Along Jackson Rd there is an abundance of flowering Mistletoe
attracting loads of Scarlet Honeyeaters and a few Yellow-faced,
Brown-headed and White-plumed Honeyeaters as well as Eastern Spinebills.
I hope the Regent Honeyeaters turn up here also (this is only a few km's
from where the Nurragingy bird was). About 70 species seen on each
occassion during a couple of hours or so of birding.
Edwin Vella
Stubble Quail, White-winged Triller, Brown Songlark Onus and
Cornwells Lane, Richmond
Many quail could be heard in paddock near the start of Onus Ln and
eventually good views were obtained after flushing several. Skylark were
numerous and a single Brown Songlark was briefly seen, Rufous Songlark
also seen further along Cornwells Ln. A Triller was seen from the car in
trees opposite the playing fields and 2-3 Brown Quail were flushed near
the Bee-eater site while watching Chestnut-breasted Mannikins. Also of
note, 4 Banded Lapwings are still present near the palm-lined driveway
at the start of Cornwallis Ln.
Max Breckenridge and B-Oz members
Black-tailed Native Hen, Crakes, Glossy Ibis and waders Pitt
Town Lagoon
At least 2 Native-hens seen around East side of the lagoon. Single
Baillon's and 2-3 Aus. Spotted Crakes were observed nearby with 15 or so
ST Sandpipers and 5-6 Red-kneed Dotterels. A flock of 7-8 Glossy Ibis
was seen a lot better than the 3 Latham's Snipe, but Pink-eared Duck and
shoveler were easily spotted. Single Yellow-billed Spoonbill among
numerous Royal Spoobills.
Max Brecenridge and B-Oz members
Beautiful Firetail, Glossy Black Cockatoo King's Tableland
Single Firetail observed near the lookout at the end of Little
Switzerland Dr and a total of 14 Glossy blacks along Horden Rd. At least
5 pairs and 2-3 juveniles.
Max Breckenridge and B-Oz members.
Sun 27 Dec Southern Emu-wren North of Boat Harbour, Kurnell
A male and female Southern Emu-wren observed well in Bitou bush on the
coast walk between Boat Habrour and the carpark at end of Sir Joseph
Banks Drive to the north. At Boat Harbour, 4 Ruddy Turnstone, 2 Pacific
Golden Plover, around 50 Red-necked Stints, 1 Eastern Reef Egret (grey
morph), 1 White-faced Heron, many cormorants and Crested Terns.
Shearwaters out to sea.
Ashwin & David Rudder
Black-tailed Native-hens, Marsh Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis,
Baillon's and Australian Crakes Hawkesbury area (approx. 55km NW of
Sydney CBD)
At Pitt Town Lagoon this morning we saw 4 Black-tailed Native-hens, 4
Australian and 2 Baillon's Crakes, 45 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, 4-5
Latham's Snipe, 14 Red-kneed Dotterel, a Yellow-billed and 36 Royal
Spoonbill (a good count!), 6 Glossy Ibis, 50 Pink-eared Ducks, an adult
White-bellied Sea-eagle and a pair of Swamp Harrier. At McGrath's Hill
STW was a single Marsh Sandpiper with about 15 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers,
2 Baillons and an Australian Crake and another Swamp Harrier. At
Richmond, a pair of Rainbow Bee-eaters were feeding young in its nest
hollow, another Yellow-billed Spoonbill, White-winged Trillers, a pair
of Restless Flycatcher as well as both Bar-shouldered and Peaceful Doves
and a few Stubble Quail heard calling.
Edwin Vella , Rob Hynson and Tony
Southern Emu Wren Towra Point Viewing Platform (off Captain Cook
Drive)
Found a party of at least three females and one male Emu Wrens in the
scrub below the viewing point, at around midday. Also, on the sand
flats, 2 Whimbrels, 2 Eastern Curlews, 6 Red-capped Plovers, 1
Red-necked Stint, and around 15-20 Bar-tailed Godwits. A number of tiny
terns were successfully fishing, then flying south towards the dunes,
they were most likely Little Terns. This site is a signposted short (c.
15m) board walk through scrub to a viewing platform, off Captain Cook
Drive (road to east to Kurnell)
Ashwin & David Rudder
Sat 26 Dec Little Bronze-Cuckoo Temagog
1 bird seen (Moderator's Note: First published note tis spring/summer on
Birdline).
Matt Hinze
Fri 25 Dec Common Bronzewing, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove Willi Willi
1 Common Bronzewing on Carrai Rd roadside up nr Fife's fire trail . 3
Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves calling from deep within the rainforest.
Matt Hinze
Fork-Tailed Swift Norah Head Lighthouse
Whilst staying at the lighthouse cottage, about 7:30am on Christmas
morning saw a large flock of swifts to the west. They moved towards the
lighthouse and then proceeded to fly around the lighthouse all morning
in the strong southerly. Initially there were maybe 150-200 birds,
dwindling until by midday there were none left. Clearly Fork-tails as
the white throat and undertail of the WTNT's could not be seen on any
birds observed, however most kept their tails closed and not forked!.
Lewis Benham
Wed 23 Dec Rufous Scrub-bird, Flame Robin Brushy Mountain
Campground, Kookaburra
Rufous Scrub-bird: 5 Scrub-birds heard around the area as we drove
through the Camp Ground which is on the hstings Forest highway at
kookaburra; Flame Robin: 2 females and a great look at a male!.
Matt Hinze
Birdline NSW is sponsored by Birding NSW <http://www.birdingnsw.org.au/>
, Birds Australia - Southern NSW & ACT
<http://www.birdsaustralia.com.au/basna> and Cumberland Bird Observers
Club <http://www.cboc.org.au/> and co-ordinated and hosted by Eremaea
Birds <http://www.eremaea.com> .
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