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Birdline New South Wales Weekly Update

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Subject: Birdline New South Wales Weekly Update
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Date: 3 Jun 2013 07:39:57 +1000

Birdline New South Wales

Published sightings for the week ending 2 Jun 2013.

Sun 2 Jun Great-winged Petrel Mistral Point, Maroubra
In excess of 200 Great-winged Petrels today, many really close-in. Large numbers of Australasian Gannets and Black-browed Albatross were seen plus a few Prions (sp), Shy Albatross and Giant Petrels (sp). (Moderator's note (NH): Early June is the time when birds come through NSW waters that phenotypically look like nominate macroptera - the time window seems to be quite narrow. Great stuff!)
David Mitford & Ray Gobbe

Pacific Gull Nobby's Rock Platform and Beach (Newcastle)
Single immature Pacific Gull (first year non-breeding?) found by Ian Benson around midday today off Fort Drive, then seen subsequently by a few more observers. The bird flew north and was not seen again until about 1530 when Steve Roderick found it loafing on Nobby's Beach. It flew south past the baths and out of sight at about 1600. Plenty of gannets and the occasional albatross (Black-browed the only ID'd species) and one or two Fluttering-types. Many 'brown' birds flying out wide - the interesting thing was that the few that came closer in looked like Pterodromas, almost certainly Great-winged. (Moderator's notes (NH): (1) Pacific Gull: Looks like a mini influx well north of their normal range (up to Bribie Island, QLD); (2) Great-winged Petrel: Coincidentally, there were 200 off Maroubra today, see my comment there)
Ian Benson, Steve and Mick Roderick et al

White-necked Heron Scarborough Park, Monterey
my previous sightings of this species at this site have followed heavy rains like today
Oliver Williams

White-bellied Sea-eagle; Peregrine Falcon Greenwich [Gore Cove]
Nice sight out my window just as the wind died down and the lashing rain stopped [1.30 p.m.]: a Peregrine chasing a Sea-eagle away; neither seemed to have a real sense of urgency, though!
Ted Nixon

Reporting Issues Eremaea/Birdline NSW NSW
Dear Eremaea/Birdline NSW posters. Thank you very much for your continuous contribution to the bird atlas. I’d like to ask (some of you) a favour: It happens more and more that whole observation lists are posted to Birdline NSW. It would be way more useful for the atlas project (i.e. for the birds themselves) if these observers create their lists for Eremaea: You can enter all your observations into Eremaea Birds. These will appear on Latest Lists and become part of the Eremaea Birds Atlas. To do this you need to register with Eremaea Birds and then login. If unusual species are included in that day’s/site’s list, you should link it to Birdline NSW – this way your unusual sighting will appear on Birdline NSW with a link to the whole list (‘Full list’ link): If you want to post a Birdline Report from a list you can do this from the List Report page. You tick the species to send to Birdline and then click the Post to Birdline button. This then takes you to a Report a Sighting page where you can update the notes and add a photo. The 'Full List' link will then happen automatically. Please do not try to enter the full list link as a Further Information link.
Nikolas Haass (moderator)

Sat 1 Jun Freckled DUck Eastlakes Golf Course
Was half-way to the pond where the lone Freckled Duck has been seen over the last few weeks, but instead found four right next to the bank (-33.932116,151.219725). Extremely approachable. Photo by Ben Jobson.
Joshua Bergmark, Henry Coleman, Ben Jobson, Nathan Ruser

Musk Duck, Freckled Duck Tallawarra Ponds
One female Musk Duck was also seen by some on the Illawarra Birders Club walk (refer to Paul Nesbitt's report for same day). The number of Freckled Ducks seen were 10-12. An overcast morning of 21' C.
Carla Jackett

Wedge-tailed Eagle Irvines Road, Bellawongarah, Berry Mountain
2 adult birds were seen soaring in Bellawongarah/Kangaroo Valley area at 8:20am.
Carla Jackett

Topknot Pigeon Orara Valley (Glenreagh, Nana Glen and Coramba)
In excess of 280 birds in flight, 130+ at Glenreagh, 100+ at Nana Glen and 50+ at Coramba sportsfield. Attracted annually to the fruiting Camphor Laurels.
Greg Clancy

Spotted Harrier (2), Swamp Harrier (1) Castlereagh
This afternoon two adult Spotted Harriers were present along Castlereagh Road in a usual paddock. I was able to safely pull over and photograph one of them that was sitting a little closer. Also saw a female Swamp Harrier in the same area, several Black-shouldered Kites and a pair of Nankeen Kestrels.
Ákos Lumnitzer

Eastern Osprey, Pacific Gull and Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Munmorah State Conseravtion Area, Fraser Bch and Flat Island
Highlights today from the CCGBNSW outing were Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters at two sites, an Eastern Osprey seen feeding and flying between Wybung Head and Snapper Point, and an immature (brown) Pacific Gull on the rocks of Flat Island off Moonee Beach seen from the Norhern Firetrail. Australasian Gannets and White-bellied Sea-Eagles were seen over the sea where a Humpback Whale repeatedly breached! 4 White-winged Choughs were seen on Blue Wren Drive, these are the 1st record for the Park since my association began in 1988.
Alan Morris & 21 members CCGBNSW

Freckled Duck, Northern Mallard, Australasian Shoveler, Pink-eared Duck, Grey Goshawk Tallawarra Ash Pond 3, Yallah
5 Freckled Ducks, 1 Northern Mallard, 1 Australasian Shoveler, 10 Pink-eared Duck, 1 Grey Goshawk
Paul Nesbitt with Illawarra Birders

Grey Goshawk, Jacky-winter Culburra Road, Pyree
Drove the farm roads around Pyree, heavily overcast. Grey Goshawk (1) white morph perched on power pole. Jacky-winter (2) Two birds observed in mangroves next to small creek. First sighting so close to coast.
Duade Paton

Musk Duck Lake Wollumboula
Walked into the Southern end of the Lake off Currarong Road, also visited the Sand Bar south of Culburra. Very overcast skies, little wind. Musk Duck (2) Male and female observed at Southern End of Lake. Grey Goshawk and Rose Robin other highlights.
Duade Paton

Black Kite Armidale Rd., South Grafton
10.45am At least 50 Black Kites circling over the Waste Depot and surrounding trees (45 counted and more were visible in distance and others moving through trees surrounding the waste depot).
Warren Thompson

Australian King-Parrot, Golden Whistler Mehi River, Moree West
A single female Australian King-Parrot was seen checking out a nest hole near the banks of the Mehi River to the west of town. Although they might sound common (because they are in eastern areas) here, they are quite rare. Also seen was a female Golden Whistler, yet another visitor that is not usually found here.
Curtis Hayne

Sooty Owl, Powerful Owl, Glossy Black-Cockatoo Blue Mountains National Park (Glenbrook)
A pre-dawn spotlighting expedition (started at 03:00) yielded some good birds. I heard two Powerful Owls up towards the Euroka turn off (approx. 2km on foot from park entrance). Then as I walked back to the park entrance a Sooty Owl called (bomb whistle) near the causeway (05:54). I had at one time a Brown Antechinus within arm's reach as it scurried up a tree and at dawn (approx. 06:20) a number of Glossy Black-Cockatoos called near the park entrance gates.
Ákos Lumnitzer

Fri 31 May White-bellied Sea-eagle Douglas Park
One bird flying over the Hume Hwy near Morton Park Rd fly-over. I've never seen one at this location before.
Lorne Johnson

Dusky Woodswallow, Crested Shrike-tit, Fuscous Honeyeater, White-plumed Honeyeater Riverside Creek junction with Apsley River, Oxley Wild Rivers NP
40+ Dusky Woodswallows in flock high over valley. Adult male Crested Shrike-tit in trees with a variety of honeyeater species including one Fuscous (? unusual habitat), one White-plumed, numerous Yellow-faced & White-naped Honeyeaters, Eastern Spinebills and Red Wattlebirds.
Greg Clancy & Gary Eggins

Freckled Duck, Blue-billed Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Musk Duck, Swamp Harrier Dangars Lagoon, Uralla
9 Freckled Ducks, 33+ Blue-billed Ducks, 44 Pink-eared Ducks, 18+ Australasian Shovelers, 1 female Musk Duck, 1 adult male Mallard, 6 Red kneed Dotterels, 8 Black-fronted Dotterels, 2 Swamp Harriers, 2 Black-winged Stilts, Eurasian Coot, Purple Swamphen, Hardhead, Dusky Moorhen, On Wednesday May 29 there were 2 Freckled Ducks, 17 Blue-billed Ducks, 5+ Pink-eared Ducks, 15+ Australasian Shovelers, 1 female Musk Duck, 1 adult male Mallard, 4 Red kneed Dotterels, 8 Black-fronted Dotterels, 2 Swamp Harriers, Eurasian Coot
Greg Clancy and Gary Eggins

Budgerigar, Spotted Bowerbird, Swift Parrot Bushland south of Kurri Kurri
An amazing experience in the Hunter Economic Zone (HEZ; proposed industrial estate) bushland today. Steve initially found 4 Swift Parrots at a site along Hebburn Rd (public road) where he also had several honeyeater spp. and Little Lorikeets in Spotted Gum / Stringybark blossom. He was very surprised to see a flock of about 50 Budgies fly over (in forested habitat). Later today I met him out there and at a different site we found about 100 Budgies in an area along Hebburn Road about 2km south of Abermain (the birds initially flushed off the dirt road). There were also a few Swift Parrots flying around and some Little Lorikeets. As we were marvelling at the Budgies, an unusual bird flew in, perched briefly, then flew off again. I decided to point the camera instead of the bins and when I looked at the viewfinder I was shocked to see a Spotted Bowerbird! There has been some birds present for a few years at North Rothbury, about 20km to the NW which is unusual enough but this was in tall open forest with a dense understorey (there were Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens calling the whole time). Also many Dusky Woodswallows (30+), Spotted Quail-thrush and several heathwrens in the broader area calling.
Mick and Steve Roderick

Black Bittern Vale of Ah Reserve, Milperra
An adult female flushed from the side of a stream (tributary of the Georges River) and clambered up a she-oak at about 9:15 am.
David James

Thu 30 May Flame Robin, Forest Raven Private Property along Kangaroo Flat Road, 1.5kms SW of Mooraback Rest Area turnoff, Werrikimbe NP
Four adult male Flame Robins on fence posts. Forest Ravens heard calling
Greg Clancy & Gary Eggins

Eastern Barn Owl Regatta Center, Penrith
At around 19:30 while walking my dogs I heard a distinct long screach of the owl. I proceeded to imitate a screeching sound around five times. Approximately one minute after making the imitations I saw the owl actually come out and do a lap around me - ID confirmed with the aid of my flash light and a red filter. There was another screeching owl (most likely the same one) at 20:10.
Ákos Lumnitzer

White-necked Heron Exeter & Bundanoon.
One White-necked Heron at Exeter, in paddock by train station car park, another WNH near 'Bundanoon' sign as you come into Bundanoon and a final WNH outside Montrose Berry Farm, Sutton Forest. All birds seen between 6:50 - 7:00am this morning. The birds at Exeter and Bundanoon have been there every day for the last two weeks!
Lorne Johnson

Wed 29 May Pacific Gull Flat Rock, Skennars Head
An immature Pacific Gull on Flat Rock late this afternoon. A fisherman said the gull had been hanging around for a few days. Also a single Wandering Tattler. (Moderator's note (NH): Interestingly, there was a juv. Pacific Gull at Maroubra, 24th May, one at North Head Manly, 25th May, and two on Bribie Island SE-QLD, 28th May, with one still present today.)
Steven McBride

Wed 29 May Australasian Bittern Tallawarra Ash Pond 3, Yallah
Bittern flushed from reed bed at one of the ash ponds. Good views as it flew across to the opposite banks reed beds. First record of this species at this site. Note this is private land and access is severely restricted
Martin Cocker Illawarra Birders

Pink-eared Duck, Black-tailed Native-Hen, Blue-billed Duck, Black-necked Stork,Australasian Shoveler Casino Swamps, and STW's
A big duck day a Casino! 700+ Pink-eared Ducks, 1 Black-tailed Native-Hen, 14 Hoary-headed Grebes at the STW's. Llewellyns road lagoon produced over 100 Australasian Shovelers, and 10 Blue-billed Ducks, plus 1 adult male Black-necked Stork. At McMahon's Lagoon another 110 Pink-eared Ducks were actively foraging, and an immature Black-necked Stork was sighted. At Richardson's Lane the estimated 1000 Plumed Whistling ducks are still at the site.
June Harris and members of Brunswick Valley Birdwatchers.

Swift Parrot Jindabyne
Swift Parrot. Small flock, 6-8, flew through this morning.Good views as they flew over the roadway about 30m away. Red undertail especially noticeable.
Roger Giller

White-backed Swallow Living Desert Reserve, Broken Hill
Three birds circling over us on the road access track to the sculptures.
Ivor Preston & Karen Doyle

White-winged Chough Sutton Forest
One bird seen flying low over Golden Vale Rd in foggy conditions. The first time I've seen one in this location in 3 years of driving along the stretch!
Lorne Johnson

Tue 28 May Pink-eared & Blue-billed Duck, Australian Shoveler Lithgow STW
At the Lithgow STW today there were 40 Australasian Shovelers, 30 Pink-eared Ducks and and a Blue-billed Duck.
Janene Luff per Alan Morris

Swift Parrot, Forest Raven, Regent Bowerbird, Brahminy Kite, Green Catbird Tuckers Rock Road, Repton, Bongil Bongil NP, N of Urunga
c.12 Swift Parrots foraging actively in flowering Forest Red Gums with Yellow-faced, Scarlet, White-cheeked and Lewin's Honeyeaters as well as Little Wattlebirds and Eastern Spinebills. Forest Ravens heard calling and adult male Regent Bowerbird and Green Catbird in trees. Adult Brahminy Kite and immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle overhead. Swift Parrots were very active and were concealed by foliage making photography difficult. One poor photo attached as a record.
Greg Clancy

Powerful Owl Royal National Park (Wattle Flat)
Weather: Cloudy, some rain. Powerful Owl (1) roosting about 12-15m high, about halfway along the track near the river. Appeared to be vocally harassed by some Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, which originally drew my attention to the bird.
Rob Child

Australian Brush-turkey, Turquoise Parrot, Speckled Warbler Deriah Aboriginal Area, 30 km east of Narrabri 2390
This morning from 7-12 visited this western fringe of the Nandewar Range, bordering on Mt. Kaputar NP. Spotted one Australian Brush-turkey in flight (considered endangered in this area), at least 10 Turquoise Parrots (somewhat ordinary photo...) and at least 10 Speckled Warblers. Some eucalypts and some low shrubs are flowering, providing various species of honeyeaters and (hundreds of) Silvereyes with nectar. Many Little Lorikeets heard overhead. Note: Although not sign-posted, access is 4WD only.
Michael Dahlem, Ros Druce

120 Little Black Cormorants Dolls Point, Botany Bay, Sydney
Thick fog brought them on to beach and shallows
Oliver Williams

Spotted Harrier Oakhurst, Western Sydney
Masked Lapwing and Australian Raven alarm calls alerted me to a Spotted Harrier flying over my house.(poor ID shot attached)
Mark Fuller

Mon 27 May Black-browed Albatross, Australasian Gannets, Giant-petrel spec., Red-whiskered Bulbul Magic Point, Maroubra
Two hours of seawatching: 1 Black-browed Albatross, 1 un-identified Giant-petrel, many immature Australasian Gannets and 4 Crested Terns. Also many Silvereyes, New Holland Honeyeaters, Red-browed Finches, a few Red-whiskered Bulbuls and 1 Australasian Pipit.
Gian Luca Calia,Suzzi Priscilla

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Hoyle Avenue, Castle Hill, NW Sydney
Surprised to see 2 Scaly-breasted Lorikeets amongst 12+ Rainbow Lorikeets at a birdfeeding station outside a business on Hoyle Avenue, Castle Hill. Employees of the business tell me the two turned up about the middle of last week. (I visit the business regularly and plan to take a photo within the next few days if they stay around)
Cameron Ward

White phase Southern Giant-petrel, Arctic Jaeger, Buller's Albatross north head manly.
My first sighting of a white phase Southern Giant-petrel this year being harassed by an Arctic Jaeger also my usual 1 a day Buller's Albatross.
michael ronan.

White-winged Chough Beechwood
3 seen beside the road at Beechwood Cemetery at 9am. Uncommon in this area of the Hastings Valley
Ian Kerr

Sun 26 May Australasian Grebe, Eurasian Coot Jindabyne 10' Cell
Australasian Grebe, Eurasian Coot. Every year since 1996 I have fished on Lake Jindabyne at this time of year. The numbers of Eurasian Coots I would conservatively at 10 times greater than I have previously seen. Several hundred were observed compared to a few dozen in equivalent time period and locations in previous years. Similarly where just a few Australasian Grebes were seen previously this year several dozen a would be seen along a kilometre of shallow shoreline.
Roger Giller

Yellow-tufted & Brown-headed Honeyeaters, Bar-shouldered Dove Chiltern Track Ingleside
Along first km or so of Chiltern Track from Chiltern Rd 14.30 to 16.15, Sunday: thetre were 13 species of honeyeaters including both species of Wattlebird, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin's, New Holland, Scarlet, White-cheeked, White-naped, White-plumed, White-eared, Yellow-faced, Yellow-Tufted and Brown-headed Honeyeaters. Also Bar-shouldered Doves, Spotted Pardalote, masses of Silvereyes and small flocks and groups of Rainbow Lorikeets.
Jill Rossiter & Sue Casson

Pink-eared Duck Pretty Plain near Millthorpe
50+ Pink-eared Ducks on a large dam.
Neville Schrader

Powerful Owl Bilgola Plateau
One male bird sitting right outside my house at dusk. Very good views :) . I haven't heard them for a while so it's nice to know they're around again.
Henry Coleman

Sat 25 May Plumed Whistling-Duck Deniliquin Sewage Treatment Works
Plumed Whistling-Duck (1500) an estimate but a very high number flying overhead and roosting on the pond banks.
Michael Ramsey

Purple-crowned Lorikeet (pending NSW ORAC decision), Superb Parrot Island Sanctuary, Deniliquin
Purple-crowned Lorikeet (1) overhead, a rare bird in NSW but there have been records from this site before. Superb Parrot (4) good views of two pairs foraging in red gums. (Moderator's note (NH): Purple-crowned Lorikeet is on the Review List of NSW ORAC and will be subject to their confirmation.)
Michael Ramsey

Buff-banded Rail Lavender Bay.
One bird seen foraging in Wendy's Secret garden.
Beth Hall

Peregrine Falcon Chowder Bay
Two adults, one feeding on a platform on a communications tower at the Guardhouse, Middle Head. The other was circling overhead. there was a nest lower down within the structure, but not apparently in current use.
Beth Hall

Musk Lorikeet west of Mullion Creek
two birds feeding on lerps in White box
Neville Schrader

Wed 22 May Australian Painted Snipe Boyters Lane, Jerseyville
A group of three birds, a female and two immature males, were located on a small wetland, on private property along Boyters Lane. The birds were only present 21-22/5/13
Ken Shingleton per Alan Morris

Black Kite Lismore Waste Facility, Lismore
Around 200 Black Kites at the Waste Facility dominating a usually placid group of White Ibis and Masked Lapwing. Great sight!
Steve Brooking

Fri 10 May Black Falcon 2 km along Forbes road, ca 8 km WNW Cowra
one seen soaring near road while driving
Julian Reid

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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The University of NSW School of Computer and Engineering takes no responsibility for the contents of this archive. It is purely a compilation of material sent by many people to the birding-aus mailing list. It has not been checked for accuracy nor its content verified in any way. If you wish to get material removed from the archive or have other queries about the archive e-mail Andrew Taylor at this address: andrewt@cse.unsw.EDU.AU