Coastal N NSW and Grey-crowned Babblers

["Greg & Val Clancy" <>]

The north coast of New South Wales is a stronghold of the Grey-crowned 
Babbler but they are very rare within a kilometre of the coastline.  The 
three birds at Yamba (Fred, Wilma and Barney - not their real names) are 
well known to the local birdos and I have seen them there myself.  I have 
also seen them at Iluka some years ago and near Minnie Water a few years 
back.  However, they are widespread and common throughout the floodplain 
areas of the Clarence and Richmond Valley, including the Bungawalbin 
catchment.  Despite their abundance, group size has reduced in recent years 
and this is a concern to many locals.  Are smaller group sizes viable?
Greg Clancy
Ecologist and Birding Guide
Coutts Crossing NSW