Birdline New South Wales Weekly Update

Birdline New South Wales

Published sightings for the week ending 19 May 2013.

Sun 19 May	Spotted Harrier Bomaderry Adult Spotted Harrier seen in paddock on Bolong Road opposite the Shoalhaven Paper Mill. Martin & Penny Potter
	Swift Parrots, Spotted Harrier North Richmond National Swift Parrot Survey 1 pair swift parrots Terrace Road Spotted harrier in paddocks end of Brahma Road David Potter
Sat 18 May	Freckled Duck Edgells Lane Wetland, Bathurst 6 Freckled Ducks on largest pond. Also saw an Australian Hobby have a go at a Black-fronted Dottrel out in the open...the Hobby hovered & harassed the crouching Dotterel until it flew off..the chase was on...but the Dotterel made it to the safety of the bushy bank. Very exciting. John French
Sat 18 May	Eastern Osprey Greenwich [Sydney] Sailing over Greenwich on Sat. p.m. [18th] and Sun.a.m./p.m.[19th] No doubt one of the family reported at intervals further W on the Lane Cove River from Mar. 13th to May 5th. Ted Nixon
	White-necked Heron and Mistletoe Bird Nanny Goat Hill, Earlwood A great start to the morning's survey with a good look at a male Mistletoe Bird on top of Nanny Goat Hill and then an equally good finale with a White-necked Heron doing a fly by of Wolli Creek Fish Ladder. Other highlights were a Great Egret, a Brown Goshawk and a Nankeen Night-heron. Melissa Mason, Fiona Vaughan
	Little Lorikeet Near Whittakers Lagoon, Moree Did not visit the lagoon today, lots of cattle around. Spotted Pardalotes are back and calling. Grey-crowned Babblers were heard (not seen in recent months at site), Large flocks of Tree Martin, a Spotted Harrier was seen perched in the middle of closed woodland which is unusual and the n took off. Budgerigars were heard. Large flocks of Double-barred, Plum-headed Finches & Yellow rumped Thornbills were seen as usual. The highlight of the day were Little Lorikeets which were heard (am certain but not seen - but my guess of number, about 10 birds?). Curtis Hayne
Fri 17 May	Eastern Reef Egret (white morph) Broken Head, headland walk The white morph Eastern Reef Egret reported on Wed at Broken Head, was seen again, same location late on Friday afternoon, foraging on the rocks below the headland walk. Steven McBride
	Australasian Shoveler, Red-necked Stint, Double-banded Plover, Red-capped Plover, Black-necked Stork Farm Property, 20km North West of Moree, NSW Birdwatched on one of the main cotton farms, last visit was in March when 8 Freckled Ducks were present. Today only possibly 2 distant Freckled Ducks were seen. White-bellied Sea-Eagles (lots of adult and immature were still present). At least 300 Black-tailed Native-Hens were seen throughout the day being present at every part of water. A few Glossy Ibises were seen which weren't around in recent months. A Brown Goshawk was being chased by 2 Nankeen Kestrels and an Australian Hobby. 19 Emus were seen as well as 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles. The only adult Black-necked Stork ever seen in the area was seen. Black-winged Stilts were also present which haven't been around in recent months. 4 Australasian Shovelers (3 males, 1 female) were seen which haven't been seen since March 2012. The only Common Greenshank seen this year was present (surprising still around in May). 6 Red-necked Stints, at least 25 Red-capped Plovers and about 4 Double-banded Plovers were seen wading on mudflats away from the rest on a large dam, these shorebirds have never been recorded in the area before! (Apart from Red capped Plover which were common in September 2009-January 2010). Curtis Hayne
	Ground Cuckooshrike Cudal-Canowindra Road After an inconclusive sighting last week I returned today and found 6 birds foraging in an open ploughed paddock 10kms from Cudal on the Canowindra Road. I note that there was a sighting near Cudal in the past year so I presume this group may be resident. Very pleasing to see these birds in this area. Stephen Gibbs
	Swift Parrot Werakata State Conservation Area (Pelton) A dozen Swift Parrots seen near the 'car park' at Pelton this morning, feeding in the foliage of Forest Red Gum and Grey Gum. Also, one bird was seen stripping bark and gnawing on dead wood, which is not something I've seen Swift Parrots do before. A handful of Little Lorikeets heard flying over, but there is no blossom in the vicinity. Black-chinned Honeyeaters were the first birds I heard as I arrived at the spot. Mick Roderick
Thu 16 May	Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Varied Sittella, Forest Raven Mooraback Rest Area, Werrikimbe National Park Adult pair of Glossy Black-Cockatoos in trees along access road into rest area. 7 Varied Sittellas flew from tree to tree at rest area. Forest Raven heard calling. Greg Clancy, Emily Laurie
	Whistling Kite, Red-kneed Dotterel, Rufous Whistler, Double-barred Finch Sydney Olympic Park Gorgeous day for birdwatching at Sydney Olympic Park. Almost certain I saw a female Scarlet Robin along the Louisa Savage walkway hanging out with the finches but before I could photograph it naturally a cyclist raced past & scattered them all. I could see the white above its beak & in the edges of its wings. Whistling Kite (1) Hunting in the Newington Nature Reserve. Have photos. Red-kneed Dotterel (6) 3 Saltmarsh, 1 Waterbird Refuge & 1 Haslam's Pier. Have photos. Rufous Whistler (5) 1 male & 2 females in the she-oaks at the bridge just past the archery & 2 more along the Louise Savage pathway. Have poor photos. Double-barred Finch (4) Observed 4 but could hear more calling. Along the Louise Savage Pathway. Jenny Stiles
	Australasian Bittern, Buff-banded Rail, Grey Goshawk Pambalong Nature Reserve A great morning birding in the reserve. Buff-banded Rail crossed in front of my car near carpark, Australasian Bittern was slowly flying over swamp (northern part) allowing me very good view, two Spotless Crakes came out from cubungi and were feeding under casuarina trees, Grey Goshawk landed in the big tree near the farm gate. I also observed a strange feeding behavior of Hoary-headed grebes. They were following dabbling and diving ducks and stealing prey from them (or cathing prey disturbed by ducks dabbling in shallow water). Moderator's note (NH): The latter explanation is the more likely one. Ted Wnorowski
Wed 15 May	Little Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet Mt Tingha, Indwarra National Park, NE of Bundarra 1+Little Lorikeets heard calling, 6+ Musk Lorikeets observed. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Eastern Reef Egret (white morph) Broken Head Nature Reserve. (Suffolk Park) 1 white morph Eastern Reef Egret foraging around rocks near viewing platform at end of the headland walk. June Harris and members of Brunswick Valley Birdwatchers.
	Spotted Harrier Teven Road Swamp Spotted Harrier (1) Hans Wohlmuth
	Pilotbird, Red-browed Treecreepers Blue Mountains National Park (Evans Lookout) At the begining of Grand Canyon walk had good views of at least 3 Pilotbirds, which were around with no fear of us for about 20 - 30 minutes. Also seen in the same spot were Rockwarblers, Red-browed Treecreepers, Yellow-throated Scrubwrens, Superb Lyrebird (heard). Michael Rutkowski and Bob Sinclair
	Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Beautiful Firetail Kings Tableland Several encounters of Glossy Black-Cockatoos and Beautiful Firetails on Kings Tableland on tracks at end of Hordern St and around the Air Towers. The GBC were eating Isopogon "fruit" which was a bit of a suprise to us. Gang-gang Cockatoos and Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos also seen in the area. Lots of honeyeater activity with Banksia in flower in the heath. Michael Rutkowski and Bob Sinclair
	Little Eagle Middle Dural One Little Eagle observed soaring above farmland/bushland mosaic near the Old Northern Rd/Cranstons Rd intersection at about 1pm. Paul Burcher
Tue 14 May	Black-necked Stork Central Coast Wetlands (Old Pioneer Dairy) We had to pleasure of seeing a Black-necked Stork (Adult Male) fly into the Swamp. It was amazing to watch and made our Day. Pamela Mundey & Diana Hogan
	Common Blackbird Inverell Road, Guyra Adult male Blackbird in flight. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Black Kite Inverell Tip (Waste Management Facility) 150-200 Black Kites flying over tip and perched in surrounding trees. View was partly obscured by topography and trees so that only a maximum of 100 birds could be seen at any one time but the observers are confident that the actual number was closer to 200 as the site was viewed from a couple of vantage points with about 100 birds viewed from each point. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Red-winged Parrot W of Goanna Gully, W of Weean Crk, W of Kings Plains NP (no public access) Adult male Red-winged Parrot. Other birds present were Australian Magpie, Noisy Miner, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eastern Rosella. 29o 38.374 151o18.554 Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Diamond Firetail, Brown Treecreeper, Little Lorikeet, Hooded Robin Goanna Gully, W of Weean Creek, W of Kings Plains NP (no public access) Same location as reported on 30.04.13 (28o38.425 151o18.975) 3 Diamond Firetails, 1 Brown Treecreeper, 3 Little Lorikeets, pair of Hooded Robins (see photo). Also present White-eared Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Pied Currawong, Red Wattlebird, Fuscous Honeyeater, Mistletoebird, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Wedge-tailed Eagle (1), Straw-necked Ibis (1), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (4), Striped Honeyeater, Peaceful Dove, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Masked Lapwing (2). Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Yellow-billed Spoonbill Tingha Two Spoonbills in creek in village. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Yellow-billed Spoonbill Inverell Road, just north-west of Guyra Two Yellow-billed Spoonbills at dam. Greg Clancy, Warren Martin
	Black-tailed Native-Hens West Byron Sewage Treatment Plant. Far North Coast The most Easterly Black-tailed Native-Hens in the country. The second birds seen after getting out of the car at the information centre turning circle shallow pond. Seemed like there was a young one in tow. Duncan Fowler
	Australian Brush-turkey Kooringal Avenue, Thornleigh Woke this morning, once again, to the sounds of Australian Brush-turkeys running across our roof. Took this photo of 4 along the back gutter. They regularly walk along the gutters looking for a feed amongst the leaf litter. Well established locally for at least three years now, with a nesting mound in our neighbours backyard and numbers up to 13 being observed in our unfenced backyard alone on many occasions. Cameron Ward, Janette Ward
	Eastern Barn Owl Vale of Ah Reserve, Milperra Flushed from low down in a vine-smothered tree after my attention was drawn by mobbing Noisy Miners and Grey Butcherbirds. David James
Mon 13 May	Freckled Duck and Lewin's Rail Eastlakes Golf Course Single Freckled Duck in exactly the same place as the last one here (February 2007), to the North of the track that links the two golf courses, hopefully more to follow. A Lewin's Rail was also calling nearby. David Mitford
	Rose Robin Deepwater Park, Milperra Single male in burnt woodland with mixed flock of migrant and resident passerines. David James
	Caspian Tern, Grey-tailed Tattler, Sooty Oystercatcher Long Reef Aquatic Reserve 2 Caspian Terns, 1 Grey-tailed Tattler, 2 Sooty Oystercatchers, 8-10 Pacific Golden Plovers, 4-6 Red-necked Stints and 3-4 Ruddy Turnstones Gian Luca Calia,Suzzi Priscilla
	Black-tailed Native-hen, Wandering Whistling-Ducks Intersection of Four Mile Lane and Lake Rd. Swan Creek nr Grafton Maureen O'Shea saw 3 Black-tailed Native-hens and 6 Wandering Whistling-Ducks on the bank of the lagoon and heard Plumed Whistling-Ducks calling. Maureen O'Shea per Warren Thompson
	Ground Cuckoo-shrike Private property 5 km south-east of Bellata 2397 Two Ground Cuckoo-shrikes were observed feeding in slashed grass and reeds in a dry creek bed on a broadacre farm. When disturbed they moved on to fallow fields. (No photo; ID confirmed by the local farmer.) Also seen was one Black-tailed Native-hen in tall reeds of a creek bed with some remaining water holes. The bird is using a fallen tree for cover. Michael Dahlem
	Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-eagle Glebe Black-shouldered Kite foraging over Harold Park construction site in Glebe, with White-bellied Sea-eagle flying overhead. Uncommon species in the inner city. Katie Oxenham
	Black Kite Armidale Rd. South Grafton 11.45am. At least seven Black Kites over the entrance to the Waste Depot. Warren Thompson
	Australian King-Parrot Marrickville (inner west Sydney) A female Australian King-Parrot stopping briefly in a tree at Ferncourt Public School then flying south. Alistair Poore
	Freckled Duck Eastlakes Golf Course Single Freckled Duck on the lake behind the maintenance shed, in the company of two Hardheads in-between the two islands of reeds, Nathan falla
Sun 12 May	Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Spotted Harrier Kurrajong Hills At least 16 birds seen in a 300 metre stretch of Douglas Farm Road. Resident here but never seen in these numbers before. An adult Spotted Harrier at nearby Kurmond is my first local record of this species. Eric Finley
Sat 11 May	Black-necked Stork 5 km East of Walgett on the Kamilaroi Highway The bird was standing at the edge of a small waterhole on the side of the road. 'It is a sub-adult retaining the immature dark wing tips and the legs are still rather brown. At that age it is probably safe to call it a male. The female’s yellow eye develops at a slightly earlier stage than that which this bird is at.' Dr Greg Clancy Pam Kenway
	Soft-plumaged Petrel (pending NSW ORAC decision), Black-bellied Storm-Petrel Sydney Pelagic Highlights of today's Sydney pelagic trip were a Soft-plumaged Petrel and a Black-bellied Storm-Petrel. The BBSP showed very well (photo by Mike Rutkowski) and was well seen close to the boat but the SPP was seen at some distance and will not warrant a submission to NSW ORAC unless a reasonable photograph shows up. A distant cookalaria which looked like a Cook's Petrel was frustratingly distant and did not stay around. Other interesting sightings were the first Fairy Prions of the winter and the very large numbers of Australasian Gannets - more than 500! A total of nineteen species were recorded. (Moderator's note (NH): Soft-plumaged Petrel is on the Review List of NSW ORAC and will be subject to their confirmation. I understand that no photos were taken, but a written description would be welcome) Roger McGovern and all on the Halicat
Fri 10 May	Powerful Owl Tuggerah State Conservation Area PowOw was accidentally flushed from a (roost ?) tree and observed in a Swamp Mahogony before flying off again. Amanda Lilleyman
Thu 9 May	Masked Owl, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove Cougal, NW of Kyogle on Lions Road Single owl just on dusk. Three Glossy Black-Cockatoos seen flying low to the SE. Single wompoo calling in rainforest, three Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves calling in rainforest patch. David Charley
Sun 5 May	Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Bassian Thrush Berowra Valley Regional Park (Crosslands Reserve) Heard and then sighted 2 Glossy Black-Cockatoos flying along Berowra Creek at the northern end of the reserve. Later we were surprised to see 2 Bassian Thrushes on the mown grass adjacent to the mangroves lining the creek. Cameron Ward, Janette Ward
Thu 2 May	Swift Parrot Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo NSW Five Swift Parrots observed feeding noisily in non-flowering eucalypt Andrew Bishop

Birdline New South Wales is sponsored by Birding NSW, Birds Australia - Southern NSW & ACT and Cumberland Bird Observers Club and hosted by Eremaea Birds.

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