Birdline New South Wales Weekly Update

Birdline New South Wales

Published sightings for the week ending 28 Apr 2013.

Sun 28 Apr	Spotted Harriers, Jacky Winter Castlereagh, at the quarries This morning I observed my first Jacky Winter in this area. I have only ever seen them at Llandilo last year. It does not seem to be a common species. Another brief visit this afternoon blessed me with sighting two adult Spotted Harriers hunting inside the quarries. I was able to follow one as it flew at eye level in front of me in Smith Rd. Then I was just able to pass it, stop and get a couple of photos at lightning speeds. My friend Peter Phelan reported getting great photos of an adult Swamp Harrier, the local Wedge-tailed Eagle pair and a third-year White-bellied Sea Eagle rob a Whistling Kite of its fish. For my own photos of the Spotted Harriers see further information below. Ákos Lumnitzer
	Australasian Shoveler, Pink-eared Duck Richmond Lowlands Australasian Shoveler (4) Pink-eared Duck (6) Photograph attached. Greg McLachlan
	Little Eagle Agnes Banks Nature Reserve Had a good morning at Agnes Banks with Little Eagle, Square-tailed kite,White-bellied Sea-Eagle,Whistling Kite,Brown Falcon,Black-tailed Native hen,Azure kingfisher,Crested Shrike-Tit Tony & Stephanie Dawe
	Mangrove Gerygones Wolli Creek, east of Jackson Place Small flock of Mangrove Gerygones seen hawking in the canopy with Silvereyes, Spotted Pardalotes and Grey Fantails. Hard to get a good long look as they were very active, but they were calling (contact calls and song) constantly which confirmed the ID. Brown Goshawk, Eastern Spinebill and New Holland Honeyeaters also seen. Melissa Mason and Therese Alting
Sat 27 Apr	Swift Parrot Racecourse Beach, Ulladulla 4 Swift Parrots flying south across coastal dune vegetation at 0730 hrs. June Harris
	Square-tailed Kite Nowra One Square-tailed Kite flying/soaring over township June Harris
	Black Falcon Clarence River, Ulmarra One Black Falcon chasing a flock of galahs. Very rare visitor locally. Russell Jago
	Yellow-faced Honeyeaters Nanny Goat Hill, Earlwood Spotted as part of the monthly survey of the area, about 6 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters flying over the hill. Not quite the 100+ sighted earlier in the week but an indication that this is on their route. Also sighted: Nankeen Night-heron, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Golden Whistler, and Brown Goshawk, Melissa Mason, Fiona Vaughan
Fri 26 Apr	Malleefowl, Grey-fronted and White-fronted Honeyeaters Roundhill Nature Reserve One Malleefowl seen around 5pm crossing the Mt Hope dirt road that crosses Round Hill NR. White-fronted Honeyeaters and numerous Southern Scrub-robin & Shy Heathwren seen at the wheat field. Both Grey-fronted Honeyeater & Yellow-plumed Honeyeater seen near Whoey Tank. Kathy Walter and John Goldie
	Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Pied Oystercatcher, Eastern Osprey Metcalfes Track, Kylie Beach Camping Area, Crowdy Bay N.P. Very close views of 5 Glossy Black-Cockatoos resting in trees along Metcalfes Track about 100 metres from Kylies Beach Camping area, which is located top end of Crowdy Beach below Diamond Head on the NSW mid north coast. Also heard and saw 2 the following day flying over the camping area as we were packing up tents. Others birds of interest included a group of 10 Pied Oystercatchers and a pair of Eastern Ospreys, plus many hundreds of Scaly-breasted Lorikeets. Cameron Ward, Janette Ward, Kathy Hayden
	Freckled Duck, Australian Shoveler, Little Eagle Dairy Swamp, Central Coast Wetlands, Tuggerah (limited Access) 35 species seen in 20 minutes just after 1300 hrs. Best birds were 12 Freckled Ducks (back to the numbers recorded in early March), 18 Shovelers, 18 Royal Spoonbills, 3 Yellow-billed Spoonbills, 4 Red-kneed & 3 Black-fronted Dotterels, 20+ Hoary-headed Grebes, 1 Little Eagle, 1 Swamp Harrier, 2 Whistling Kites and an immature Sea-eagle, 116 Grey Teal and 4 Chestnut Teal, still 6 White-breasted Woodswallows present, Striped Honeyeaters in the closest trees, 6 Black-winged Stlts and 44 Masked Lapwings. (To celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on 11/5/2013 CCGBNSW will schedule an extra outing to this Reserve - check with BNSW) Alan Morris, Mike kuhl and Nick Carson
	Masked Owl Majors Creek on Grafton-Armidale Road Very white bird (? male) flew across road @ 1850 hrs. Distinguished from Barn Owl by large size and strong direct laboured flight. Greg Clancy
	Spotted Harrier New England Highway, Glencoe. Adult Spotted Harrier over paddock. Warren Martin
	Spotted Harrier N edge of Glen Innes Adult Spotted Harrier over paddock. Warren Martin
	Diamond Firetail 3.3 Km SE of Rocky Creek Road on the Ashford-Emmaville Road, NW of Strathbogie One Diamond Firetail flew across road. Warren Martin
	Whistling Kite NW of Strathbogie on the Ashford-Emmaville Road c.15 kites took off from dumped pig carcases on ground. 5 were clearly seen as Whistling Kites and all were probably Whistling Kites as they all appeared to be the same size and colour. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Budgerigar, Turquoise Parrot, Little Lorikeet, Brown Treecreeper, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet NW of Strathbogie on the Ashford-Emmaville Road 30+ Budgerigars took flight from trees, 3+ Turquoise Parrots in flight, 6+ Little, 20+ Musk and 2+ Rainbow Lorikeets were feeding at eucalypt blossom, 2+ Brown Treecreepers in trees. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Diamond Firetail, Dusky Woodswallow Seven River Nature Reserve, SE of Ashford Three Diamond Firetails flew to trees from grass/ground. One Dusky Woodswallow in flight. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Black Kite, Whistling Kite Ashford Road, Inverell 6+ Black Kites and 1 Whistling Kite in flight over open country. As a number of our records of Black Kites have been in association with Whistling Kites I was wondering if they had migrated together from the inland. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Osprey Lane Cove National Park (Fairyland) A pair was fishing at Lane Cove River between Fairyland and River Ave. Fatih Sam
	Freckled Duck, Australasian Bittern, Rufous Whistler, Restless Flycatcher Pitt Town Lagoon Freckled Duck, Australasian Bittern (1), Rufous Whistler (1 male), Restless Flycatcher Mark Young
	Great Crested Grebe Lake Wyangan, Griffith 4 Great Crested Grebe, as well as Australasian Grebes and Hoary-headed Grebes. Among the many other birds there - Great, Little Black, Pied and Little Pied Cormorants. Many Australasian Darters, Australian Pelicans Sandra Henderson and Judy Leitch
Thu 25 Apr	Sooty Oystercatcher South Head Sydney A pair of Sooty Oystercatcher seen on the slimy green rocks at South Head 1.00pm on ANZAC Day. Plus about 30 New Holland Honeyeaters flying about in a "flock" around the Head and back and forth between the trees. Marie Lister
	Spotted Harrier Copeton Dam Road, 19 km from Inverell Adult Spotted Harrier in flight over paddock Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Cockatiel Copeton Dam Road, c.20 km SE of Bingara 8-10 Cockatiel in flight over road Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Black Kite Copeton Dam Road at edge of Inverell Three Black Kites in flight. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Little Lorikeet Fossickers Rest Carvan Park, Inverell One bird flying over. Greg Clancy
	Freckled Duck, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Pitt Town Lagoon (approx. 55 km NW of Sydney CBD) At Pitt Town Lagoon were at least 20 Freckled Ducks, c30 Pink-eared Ducks, 3 Australasian Shoveler, c40 Hoary-headed Grebes and a White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike Edwin Vella, Tony Dawe et al
	White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike, Spotted Harrier Castlereagh At Castlereagh was a nice adult Spotted Harrier soaring together with a Swamp Harrier over Castlereagh Rd. along Smith Rd was an adult White-bellied Sea-eagle, an Intermediate Egret and a dark morph White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike. Edwin Vella and Tony Dawe
	Black Kite, Black-tailed Native-hen, Pied Cormorant Bushells Lagoon, Freemans Reach (approx 60km NW of Sydney CBD) Seen from the causeway was a Black Kite, a Black-tailed Native-hen and 5 Pied Cormorants (4 species of Cormorant present) during our brief visit to Bushells Lagoon. Edwin Vella and Tony Dawe
	Whistling Kite Irrigation Way, approx 5km from Whitton towards Griffith Approx 30 Whistling Kites over paddock. Some burning off in adjacent paddocks, perhaps driving rodents out? Sandra Henderson and Judy Leitch
	Yellow-faced Honeyeater Ball's Head Waverton NSW Observed 500 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters in flocks of 30-60 migrating northwards. A few Noisy Miners in the trees below them made their presence known by some territorial calls forcing a few YFHEs to nervously alter course slightly but still continuing on their journey. Constant chattering sounds made as they flew. Great to see, this was my first YFHE sighting in Waverton and my first honeyeater migration sighting in Sydney. Rafael Wynn
	Spotted Harrier Long Reef Aquatic Reserve. Highlight from an early morning trip to Long Reef this morning was one Spotted Harrier being harassed by Australian Ravens low over the island. michael ronan.
	Wedge-tailed Eagle Bobbin Head Rd, Turramurra (southern end) Single bird cruised over my house in Turramurra approx 2pm headng east. Couldn't tell for sure but it looked like it may have had a small aerial on its back(?) - I was a bit slow to get the bins out as the cocky alarm service was a bit slow starting up. Anybody know of research being done in the area on Wedge-tailed Eagles? Moderator's note (NH): University of Canberra has a Wedge-tailed Eagle program. See following link: Tom Wilson
	Budgerigar Corner of Golden Highway and Putty Road, Mount Thorley Budgerigar 10-15 seen flying across the road. Very easterly record. Grant Brosie
	Superb Parrot Near Terry Hie Hie, NSW A single male Superb Parrot was seen flying over near Tycannah Creek just north of Terry Hie Hie. This is my first sighting of the species. First its call was mistaken, quite similar to a Cockatiel until the bird was seen. Also seen were many Jacky Winters, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Little Lorikeets, Eastern Yellow Robin, Pied Currawongs, Buff-rumped Thornbills, Red-browed Finches and White-throated Treecreepers which are found in this area but not just 20km to the west on the plains. Curtis Hayne
	Black Kite Armidale Rd South Grafton nr Kythera Place. 10.15am Three Black Kites seen crossing Armidale Rd. 11.30am. A single Black Kite seen circling west of road in same location. Warren Thompson
	Budgerigar Martindale village and Medhurst Bridge 100+ Budgies seen this morning between 0640 and 0920 (when we had to leave). Several flocks flying around so hard to estimate numbers but a couple of flocks of 30-odd birds so at least 100 would be a conservative estimate. At Medhurst Bridge the birds were mostly flying around, occasionally alighting in wattles (see image). At Martindale village birds were seen feeding on the ground, perhaps on grass seed. Mick Roderick, Dan Williams and Peter Alexander
	Spotted Harrier Plumpton Park, Plumpton While walking my dog at 9:54 this morning Noisy Miners alerted me to a large raptor gliding high overhead. Already on my backyard list, the Spotted Harrier makes a great addition for this suburban park. Mark Fuller
Wed 24 Apr	Black Kite Forest Hill Black Kite (13) Gliding slowly overhead fairly high. Heading west. Judy Leitch
Wed 24 Apr	Little Lorikeet Gullbraith Trail, Warialda NP, near Adams Scrub (no public access) 2+ observed in flowering eucalypts. Others heard along trail. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Hooded Plover Boat Harbour, Kurnell roosting at high tide at 06:30. first record for this site for many years Phil Straw
	Peregrine Falcon Sydney CBD Looked out of window of 42nd floor apartment at World Square (Pitt / Goulburn Sts) about 0730 this morning to see a Peregrine Falcon circle round a nearby apartment block at about the same height. Andrew Wood
	female Pink Robin (pending NSW ORAC decision) Morton NP, Bundanoon, Gambells Rest We saw the female Pink Robin twice at very close quarters at the edge of the track near to the wishing well site at 14:30 h. We stood absolutely still and it came right up to us. This robin had no white on its tail and its plumage matched the Pink Robin, not the Rose Robin. (Moderator's Note: Pink Robin in this area of NSW is on the Review List of NSW ORAC and wil be subject to their confirmation). John and Jenny Shepherd
	Freckled Duck, Spotless Crake, Australian Reed-Warbler Earthcare Park, Metford Rd, Tenambit 15 Freckled Duck, 1 Spotless Crake heard, Australian Reed-Warbler still singing Grant Brosie
Tue 23 Apr	Spangled Drongo Warriewood Wetlands Clear sky, bird busy. Waterfall walk only as wetland walk was barricaded off for repair & maintenance. Spangled Drongo Paddy de Klerk
Tue 23 Apr	Budgerigar Nundle, The Verdun homestead A flock of 13 Budgerigars seen at this property, first record in 10 years of occupancy by the current owners Ben Pointer per Alan Morris
	Varied Sittella, Little Lorikeet, White-throated Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Rose Robin, Purgatory Trail and Jackadgery Trig Trail, Nymboida National Park and adjacent private land. One Varied Sittella was observed on private land and five in the national park. 1+ Little Lorikeets were heard on the private land as was a Brown Treecreeper. White-throated and White-naped Honeyeaters were present at one site. These species rarely overlap in the Clarence and the White-naped Honeyeaters may have been southern migrants or the site may be within the overlap zone. White-throated Honeyeaters inhabit the lowlands while White-naped Honeyeaters are at higher altitudes. The Rose Robin is an autumn-winter migrant to the lowlands of the Clarence. This site was at around 300 m. Greg Clancy
	Black Kite Clarence Regional Waste Depot, Armidale Road, South Grafton One Kite being attacked on the wing by a smaller bird, probably a Pied Butcherbird but smaller bird disappeared before ID confirmed. The Kite moved off to the north. Greg Clancy
	Freckled Duck Werri Lagoon 1' Cell Freckled Duck (1) with the Teals and Black Ducks where they roost near Birrabungie Reserve (a small, one house-block sized reserve that give access to the lagoon) in the morning, at midday and after sunset. Bird was further south up the lagoon around mid morning with the Teals. Lachlan Hall
	Budgerigars Martindale, Hunter Valley On the back of Karen's very exciting record, I saw two flocks of Budgerigars in the same location this morning. One consisting of 10-12 birds the other 30-40 birds. Good views roadside of largest flock. Steve Roderick
	Spotted Harrier 107 Levenstrath Rd Levenstrath nr Grafton. 2.40pm. Working along a creek line on above property. This is the 5th sighting within 1 km radius since 1/4/2013. Warren Thompson
	Swift Parrot Gibraltar Reserve Wildlife Refuge, Gwydir Hwy, Cangai At least 1 bird flight-calling with Musk Lorikeets 0940hrs, heading east. Communication with the Swift Parrot recovery team suggests it's unsuprising following recent sightings in the Armidale area. Simon Clayton
Mon 22 Apr	Great Crested Grebe Fairy Hill Lagoon, north of Casino 4 Great Crested Grebe present on this large lagoon. David Charley
	Blue-billed Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Grey-crowned Babbler Llewellyn Road swamp, West Casino Six Blue-billed Duck, 14 Pink-eared Duck, 36 Australasian Shoveler present on this large swamp. Large numbers of other waterbirds including Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Straw-necked Ibis and Glossy Ibis also present. A small group of six Grey-crowned Babbler also present. David Charley
	Black Kite Casino rubbish dump Large flock of at least 40 birds foraging over and on the rubbish dump. Large numbers have recently irrupted on the Northern Rivers where this species is usually rare. David Charley
	Willie Wagtail vicinity of McMahon's Road Lagoon, Tatham While this is a common species it was noteworthy that in the vicinity of this lagoon there were at least 40 Willie Wagtails. mostly on the road verges but also in the paddocks. David Charley
	Freckled Duck, Black-necked Stork, Hoary-headed Grebe McMahon's Road, Lagoon, near Tatham, East of Casino 5 Freckled Duck, 2 Hoary-headed Grebe and 1 Black-necked Stork David Charley
	Freckled Duck. Australasian Shoveler, Glossy Ibis, Black-necked Stork, Comb-crested Jacana Queensland Road / Jabiru Wetlands, Casino Large number of waterbirds on these swamps with many 100's of ducks. Highlights were 27 Freckled Duck, 2 Black-necked Stork, 12 Australasian Shoveler, 6 Comb-crested Jacana, 111 Glossy Ibis, at least 4 Chestnut Teal, David Charley
	Freckled Duck Earthcare Park, Metford Rd, Tenambit 7 Freckled Ducks associating with Hardhead. Grant Brosie and Robert Kilkelly
	Pink-eared Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Freckled Duck Tallawarra Ash Pond 3, Yallah approximately 20 Pink-eared Ducks, 10 Australasian Shovelers and 7 Freckled Ducks in the large ash pond. Michael Crosland
	Southern Boobook Oakhurst Came back from the dentist the morning to hear Magpie-larks and White-plumed Honeyeaters going off at something in my Cocos Palm. Great to see this little fella is still hanging around, my second backyard owl species in a week. Mark Fuller
Sun 21 Apr	Budgerigar Opposite Martindale School, Martindale Road, Martindale NSW Flock of approx. 100. Karen Thumm and Andrew Stauber
	Black Kite, Whistling Kite, Sooty Owl, Lewin's Rail, King Quail Gibraltar Reserve, 6892 Gwydir Hwy, Cangai Ten Black Kites soaring with two Whistling Kites over home this morning, Masked Owl monitoring last night: Both Masked Owl and a distant Sooty Owl were heard. Lewin's Rail & King Quail calling and Australian Logrunners extablishing territory, all within 150 metres of home. Gibraltar Reserve is a Wildlife Refuge supported by visiting birders. Simon Clayton
Fri 19 Apr	Emerald Dove Bangalee Reserve, Shoalhaven River, west of Nowra Our first recording of Emerald Dove here. Ann Millard
Wed 17 Apr	Crested Bellbird Cocoparra National Park Seen on the Jacks Creek walk Crested Bellbird (1) Photographed Anthony & Vicki Katon

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