Birdline New South Wales Weekly Update

Birdline New South Wales

Published sightings for the week ending 13 Oct 2013.

Sun 13 Oct	Latham's Snipe Sydney Park, Newtown Latham's Snipe (2) middle pond close to the viewing platform Robert Hynson
Sun 13 Oct	Black-necked Storks Moree area Because its a rare species in NSW (but now becoming rather common), I thought I'd better report that at least 10 Black-necked Storks (probably, obviously has to be more) are present in the area at the moment. 2 Black-necked Storks (adult female and near-adult male) were observed yesterday on an irrigation dam (photo attached). 3 fully adult Black-necked Storks are present on Whittaker's Lagoon. Several Black-necked Storks are present in various wetlands throughout the Gwydir/Gingham Watercourse Wetlands. They have also been observed on irrigation dams and lagoons near Ashley. They are being regularly spotted by roadsides near Bullarah-Rowena, Gurley and Pallamallawa. Farmers all over the area are also ever reporting these Black-necked Storks, on their farms. Not yet this season observed in the township. Curtis Hayne
	Cicadabird, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Turquoise Parrot Mount Kaputar National Park, Upper Bullawa Creek One Cicadabird (call ID by Bas Hensen) and two Shining Bronze-Cuckoos were found in the Upper Bullawa Creek section of Mt. Kaputar NP this afternoon (no photos). To my knowledge this is the farthest west a Cicadabird has been found in the Narrabri region (Upper Bullawa Creek is ca. 40 km east of Narrabri). Also present, amongst other species, were Scarlet Honeyeater, Leaden Flycatcher, Fuscous Honeyeater (a pair feeding a fledgling; photo) and Turquoise Parrot (at least 6; marginal photo taken). Michael Dahlem, Bas Hensen
	Australasian Figbird Eulah Creek 4 Australasian Figbirds, possibly a family (one adult male and one immature bird [photo] visually identified), were seen this morning at Eulah Creek, 20 km east of Narrabri. They were sitting in a lemon-scented gum tree in windy conditions ahead of a weather change. This is the farthest west I have ever seen an Australasian Figbird; to my knowledge it is the first sighting for this location, right at the western base of the Great Dividing Range. Michael Dahlem, Bas Hensen
	White-winged Black Tern, Spotless Crake, Baillon's Crake. Pitt Town Lagoon. Highlights from Pitt Town Lagoon this morning was a White- winged Black Tern in with 2 Whiskered Terns. Also present were 3 Baillon's Crakes & 2 Spotless Crakes also 6 Glossy Ibis. Mchael Ronan.
	Rainbow Bee-eater Cassola Place, Nepean River Walk, Penrith AT 7am today we were excited to see a pair of Rainbow Bee-eaters at close range, flying, perching, and landing on excavated soil heaps at the adjacent construction site. Bob and Pauline Sinclair
Sat 12 Oct	beach-cast Short-tailed Shearwaters Long Reef Aquatic Reserve On the reef we saw about 10 Pacific Golden Plovers, 6 Grey-tailed Tattlers, 16 Ruddy Turnstones, c60 Red-necked Stints and a lone Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. Quite a number of very close in Short-tailed Shearwaters and a few dead ones on the beach were seen. Edwin Vella and Tony Dawe
	Oriental Plover (Subject to submission to NSW ORAC), Black-tailed Native-hen Long Reef Golf Course We saw both the Black-tailed Native-hen and an Oriental Plover within the first half hour there on the southern side of the golf course. The Oriental Plover was quite confiding allowing us a very close approach to within a few metres. Best to get there as early as possible (say before 7:30 am) before the golfers arrive! [Moderator's note (NH): Thanks for the update. Sightings of Oriental Plovers in NSW should be submitted to NSW ORAC] Edwin Vella and Tony Dawe
	Black Honeyeater Cobar A male Black Honeyeater and a few females were at the start of a track c. 7 km NW of Cobar along the road to Louth. The track is along a series of low electrity poles, West of the road. There were flowering shrubs and trees and the track was full of birds, like White-fronted Honeyeater, White-winged Triller, Spotted Bowerbird, Little Friarbird, White-browed Woodswallow. John van der Woude (The Netherlands)
	Beach Stone-Curlew Picnic Point Reserve, The Entrance A single Beach Stone-Curlew was 200-300m sth of the Picnic Point boat ramp. It's hanging back from the water, in the sand areas amongst the casuarinas. (Moderator's Note: This is the 2nd Central Coast record, the first was at Norah Head Dec 1959. AKM) Liz and Tim Faulkner
	Superb Parrot, Painted Honeyeater, Red-kneed Dotterel Yarrie Lake A pair of Superb Parrots was seen flying over the swamp at Yarrie Lake. About 10 Painted Honeyeaters are still present in mistletoe in casuarinas in the swamp, which are now partly flowering, partly bearing fruit. Red-kneed Dotterels were a first for this location for us too. Michael Dahlem, Bas Hensen
	Little Curlew (1), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Fivebough Wetlands Leeton Fivebough at the moment is excellent for migratory waders with expanses of mudflats. Yesterday Keith Hutton reported over 1,000 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers so I visited this morning to find that the majority had already departed - there are still well over 400 present. The surprise was to find a sole Little Curlew feeding there as well and Keith came down to see it and confirm my ID. This is only the second time this species has been seen at Fivebough with over 30 years of records. Since 1 August this year 17 wader species have been recorded - most only staying a day or two to fuel up before heading further south. Max O'Sullivan
	Little Grassbird Bundanoon One bird heard on a farm dam by Shangri La Rd. Species #158 for town. This is only the second place I've heard Little Grassbirds in the Southern Highlands. Lorne Johnson
	Bar-tailed Godwit Canada Bay, Wareemba Counted 147 (probably more like 155) Bar-tailed Godwit in a single flock at the bottom of Reginald St, Wareemba (near the boat ramp) at 12:45pm. Many juveniles and two birds with single orange leg flags. Usually good numbers at this site during Summer, but 150 seems pretty extraordinary - probably due to passage birds mixing with resident birds. Max Breckenridge
Fri 11 Oct	Australian Owlet-nightjar Bundanoon township One bird heard calling at 10:20pm. I've heard owlet-nightjars around town a bit over the last two weeks. Oddly, I haven't heard them in Bundanoon since 2012. Lorne Johnson
	White-headed Petrel north head manly Highlight from a sea watch this afternoon was a White-headed Petrel also about 60 Shy Albatross & 60 + Black-browed Albatross, also seen 1 Wandering-type Albatross. michael ronan.
	Superb Lyrebird Parkland near Greenwich Point Wharf, Mitchell Street, Greenwich 2065 Probably a female because her tail had no lyre shaped feathers visible. She was foraging under fig trees that overhang the harbour. First sighting was around 11am on the path to Shell Park. We saw her again at 3pm at the top of the stairs to the wharf. Dinah McNamara
	Little Eagle Eulah Creek As usual, came just a tad late to get a photo of the bird on the ground (when it was still close), but did manage to capture this more distant shot of a Little Eagle at Eulah Creek, 20 km east of Narrabri, at 12:30. It was being mobbed by up to 30 corvids - probably Australian Ravens, but there may have been some Torresian Crows in the mob too. Michael Dahlem
	Short-tailed Shearwater, Little Terns Boat Harbour, Kurnell A windy day at Boat Harbour with around 20 Little Terns in breeding and non-breeding plumage feeding and roosting with a flock of Crested Terns. Also present were Pacific Golden Plovers, Ruddy Turnstones and Red-necked Stints. One Short-tailed Shearwater seen bobbing in the bay coming in close to shore before flying back out again. Aaron Payne
Thu 10 Oct	White-winged Triller Picnic Point Reserve, The Entrance Thursday morning 10th Oct A single male White-winged Triller was photographed just south of Picnic Point Reserve, The Entrance. It was not present a few hours later. (Moderator's Note: This is the 1st record for the Central Coast this season, most years there is only one record or none, here is hoping we get more this year AKM) Steve Merrett
	Oriental Plover (Subject to submission to NSW ORAC), Black-tailed Native-hen Long Reef Golf Course 1 juv Oriental Plover seen at the same site as previous reports. Black-tailed Native-hen also seen in the usual spot. [Moderator's note (NH): Thanks for the update. Sightings of Oriental Plovers in NSW should be submitted to NSW ORAC] Robert Hynson & Alastair Stewart
	Australian Pelican Snake Island (Wallis Lake) 50-60 chicks of varying age were present in a breeding colony on Snake Island (Wallis Lake, Forster area) Alan Stuart
Wed 9 Oct	Australasian Bittern (possible - heard only) Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve (Lagoon) On the afternoon of Wednesday 9th Oct, my husband & I walked all the way around Little Llangothlin Lagoon, near Guyra (RAMSAR site 47) & on 6 to 8 occasions, over a period of about an hour & a half, as the light began to fade, we heard a soft booming call - only 3 to 4, single,booms each time - coming from the lagoon. As there are extensive reed beds there we thought it could be an Australasian Bittern, but not having a spotting scope were unable to search for the bird. We feel, as there were only 2 of us, & that as this bird is Endangered, we should report this so it can be checked by much more experienced birders than ourselves. We would appreciate any feedback or confirmation. Anne Jones
	Curlew Sandpiper, Whiskered Tern Earthcare Park, Metford Rd, Tenambit A quick late afternoon visit. Two new species for the site...12 Curlew Sandpiper and 10 Whiskered Tern. Grant Brosie
	Cicadabird Lower Pappinbarra 7am this morning was the first one I have heard this season. [Moderator's note (NH): This is about the time when they arrive. I heard my first one this season for the Brisbane area 23rd September] Ian Kerr
	Short-tailed Shearwater South Ballina Beach 601 beach-cast Short-tailed Shearwater were counted along 2.2km of beach (south from the southern wall at the river mouth). The majority were found along the northern 1km of the beach. The number of beach-cast birds declining south of this section. Very large numbers were also observed passing out to sea. Live birds were also observed in the estuary. David Charley
Tue 8 Oct	White-backed Magpie Lake Illwarra, Reddall Parade, across street from Lake Illawarra South Public School Feeding on lawn in reserve in company of a few other birds. Appeared to be an adult male. [Moderator's note (NH): This is a far north record for C. (G.) tibicen tyrannica, which occurs from NSW's far south coast into VIC] Walter Boles
	Oriental Plover (Subject to submission to NSW ORAC), Black-tailed Native-hen, Variegated Fairywren Long Reef Golf Course The two Oriental Plovers were still there today, in the same spot as initially reported. They allowed quite a close approach (attached photo, entitled "Keen birder observed with pair of Oriental Plovers on golf course rough and fairway from 2pm to 3pm" by Bruce Roubin). The Black-tailed Native-hen was also in the same place as reported. At least three Variegated Fairywren (two males seen) in the scrub at the north-eastern corner is a good new record for the site. [Moderator's note (NH): Thanks for the update. Sightings of Oriental Plovers in NSW should be submitted to NSW ORAC] Ashwin Rudder, Bruce Roubin and Ken Gilmour
	Short-tailed Shearwater Richmond River, opposite Ballina town centre 13 Short-tailed Shearwaters observed loafing and drifting with the incoming tide well upstream in estuary. Approximately 2 km from river mouth. David Charley
	Spangled Drongo, Rufous Whistler, Australian Koel, Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Baillon's Crake Eastlakes Golf Course This morning one Spangled Drongo and a pair (possibly 2) of Rufous Whistlers (near the tool shed), Australian Koel and a Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo calling. 1 Baillon's Crake. Bas Hensen
Mon 7 Oct	Plum-headed Finch, Hooded Robin Capertee Valley (Crown Station Road) In the gully with the windmill half a km along Crown Station Rd there were two Diamond Firetails plus several Hooded Robins, and after about 40 minutes I was rewarded with the arrival of two Plum-headed Finches. White-browed, Masked and Dusky Woodswallows, plus two White-browed Babblers were other birds of interest on this stretch of road. Cameron Ward
	Regent Honeyeater Capertee Valley (Genowlan Bridge) I briefly saw another Regent Honeyeater at the Genowlan Rd bridge, but a few Noisy Friarbirds and White-plumed Honeyeaters conspired to move it on. Cameron Ward
	Painted Honeyeater, Blue Bonnets Terry Hie Hie to Biniguy, west of Warialda Single Painted Honeyeater seen in roadside vegetation (mostly Myall with fair amounts of mistletoe) after stopping to look at a pair of Blue Bonnets. Previous night three Eastern Barn Owls seen on outskirts of Terry Hie Hie and Australian Owlet-Nightjar and Southern Boobook in former Mission State Forest at Terry Hie Hie. (Observations part of BirdLife Northern NSW's Spring Campout centred on Bingara.) Michael Cheers and Peter Higgins
	Red-necked Avocet, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Lake Goran There are at least about 1000 Red-necked Avocets, in two flocks of about 500, at Goran Lake, 30 km south of Gunnedah (the photo is a cut-out from a much larger one, showing one flock). There were also about 45 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Michael Dahlem
	Regent Honeyeater Capertee Valley (Glen Alice Road) I was fortunate to see two Regent Honeyeaters near the intersection of Glen Alice Rd and Tambo Rd feeding on gum blossom, but they were quickly chased off by the three Red Wattlebirds. Cameron Ward
	Red Knot, Oriental Plovers Long Reef Aquatic Reserve 9 Red Knot, some with traces of red plumage remaining, seen on reef flat approx 4-4:45pm. Thousands of shearwaters just offshore, plus a couple of Back-browed Albatross close in. 2 Oriental Plovers still on golf course to 4pm Tom Wilson, Greg McLachlan, Dave Stowe, Simon Gorta & 1 other
	Red-capped Plover, Red Knot, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Earthcare Park, Metford Rd, Tenambit Great morning spent wandering around Earthcare Park Tenambit, Maitland. Water levels are dropping fast exposing plenty of mud. Red Knot (1) and Red-necked Stint (1) were both Maitland LGA lifers for me. Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (3), Latham's Snipe (1) and Red-capped Plover (5) finished off a nice wader list. The waders and ducks were constantly harrassed by one each of Black Falcon, Peregrine Falcon and White-bellied Sea-eagle. Brown Quail, Black Kite, Rufous Songlark and Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo were also seen/heard. Grant Brosie
	Oriental Plover (Subject to submission to NSW ORAC), Black-tailed Native-hen Long Reef Aquatic Reserve 2 Oriental Plovers and 1 Pacific Golden Plover on the southern side of the golf course next to the path running west/east down the hill. Also a Black-tailed Native-hen. [Moderator's note (NH): Update of yesterday's find. Sightings of Oriental Plovers in NSW should be submitted to NSW ORAC] Joshua Bergmark, Max Breckenridge & Mark Young
Sun 6 Oct	Painted Honeyeater, Crimson Chats Cobar Airport Both species present beside the road to Cobar airport Edwin Vella
	Pied and Black Honeyeaters Louth Rd, Cobar Good numbers of both Pied and Black Honeyeaters present about 2km down the Louth Rd from the town. Lots of White-fronted Honeyeaters, some Chestnut-crowned Babblers, Diamond Doves and "very numerous" White-browed and Masked Woodswallows, White-winged Trillers and Rufous Songlarks. Edwin Vella
	Pale-headed Rosella Warialda A number of hybrid rosellas were observed over the weekend with most resembling Pale-headed Rosellas with varying amounts of red on the head and chest. One bird was more like an Eastern Rosella with a red head and chest but with splashes of cream and yellow. One Pale-headed Rosella with no obvious red was photographed. One hybrid is shown in the attached photo. A second photo of this bird, a second hybrid and an apparent pure Pale-headed are shown in taxonomic order in the 'birds' gallery of my website. Greg & Val Clancy
	Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Australian (Mallee) Ringneck Reedy (Warialda) Creek, Warialda One Little Bronze-Cuckoo heard calling, first with the 5 notes 'quail' call then followed by the drawn out trill. One Rainbow Bee-eater over caravan park and one Australian (Mallee) Ringneck feeding on grass seeds near hybrid Pale-headed Rosella. [Moderator's note (NH): In addition to this report, this far west record of a Little Bronze-Cuckoo was independently reported in the same area that weekend by Richard Jordan, Faye Hill and Peter Higgins (see #200168 & see Birding-Aus).] Greg & Val Clancy, Kim, Ken McKeown
	Budgerigar 5km North of Bingara on Fossickers Way A flock of 12 Budgerigars feeding at the roadside. Seen by a group taking part in the Campout of BirdLife Northern NSW Richard Jordan
	Nankeen Night-Heron, Azure Kingfisher Fisheries Creek, West Ballina 7 Nankeen Night-Herons observed roosting in mangroves above creek. 4 pairs of Azure Kingfisher recorded along creek with a pair every 300m or so. One pair had two fledglings with them. David Charley
	Superb Parrots East of Cowra More than 200 Superb Parrots feeding on a crop of oats. Incredible spectacle. Ann Millard
	Beautiful Firetail Blue Mountains National Park (Pierces Pass) 2 Beautiful Firetails observed foraging in undergrowth in vicinity of picnic area. Allan Richardson
	Superb Parrot Mid-Western Highway approach to Cowra 19 Superb Parrots observed across three groups. Birds seen feeding on fruiting grasses and a male observed courtship feeding a female. Birds using roadside woodland remnants. Allan Richardson
	Eurasian Tree Sparrow Cowra, Logan St, between Redfern and Kite Streets Half a dozen Eurasian Tree Sparrows, foraging on lawns and vacant lot. Six confirmed, but calls in area suggested a larger population, no wider spread surveys conducted. Allan Richardson
	Square-tailed Kite Woronora 1 by the Boatshed, on Forbes Creek, Paul Freeman (2404)
Sat 5 Oct	Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Black-eared cuckoo Cobar waste tip (approx. 5km down the louth Rd from Cobar) A pair of Quail-thrush seen as previous reported on the northern side of the rubbish tip (a little past the CAS mining site) where a Black-eared Cuckoo and Spotted Bowerbirds were also present. Edwin Vella
	White-winged Black Tern, Black Honeyeater, Crimson Chat Lake Cargelligo Sewage Treatment Works A great place at the moment with a White-winged Black Tern (see photo) amongst c120 breeding plumaged Whiskered Terns, 4 Marsh Sandpiper, c50 Black-tailed Native-hens, 12 Red-necked Avocets, several Banded Lapwings, 10 Major Mitchell's Cockatoos (all together in a dead tree), Budgerigars, good numbers of 3 species of Crakes, a few Black Honeyeaters, several Crimson Chats and numerous White-browed and Masked Woodswallows (thousands around Lake Cargelligo) and White-winged Trillers. Edwin Vella
	Little Bronze-Cuckoo Approx 8km west of Warialda One Little Bronze-Cuckoo was heard calling approximately 8 km west of Warialda along the Mosquito Creek Bird Route by members of a group taking part in the Campout of BirdLife Northern NSW. This is somewhat west of the recognised range of this species. [Moderator's note (NH): In addition to this report, this far west record of a Little Bronze-Cuckoo was independently reported in the same area that weekend by Greg Clancy (see #200411 & Birding-Aus).] Richard Jordan, Faye Hill and Peter Higgins
	Leaden Flycatcher, Torresian Crow, Olive-tailed Thrush Glenworth Valley Birds seen over two days and 1 night spent camping in Glenworth Valley. Torresian Crow (1) heard calling and seen flying high over the valley early on Sunday morning. A flock of 8 Australian Ravens flew over at the same height 20 minutes later. Leaden Flycatcher (3) A male heard and seen in riparian Casuarinas on Popran Creek on Saturday afternoon and a pair heard calling and seen in tall forest on Sunday morning. Bassian Thrush (1) Foraging on the ground 50 metres uphill from the valley floor on Saturday. Nick Carson
Fri 4 Oct	Painted Honeyeater Back Creek State Forest, Wyalong 4 Painted Honeyeaters present at this fairly regular location for this species as well as a number of Speckled Warblers foraging on the ground, Western Gerygones, Red-capped Robins, Diamond Firetails, Chestnut-rumped Thornbills and Variegated (Purple-backed) Fairy-wrens. Edwin Vella
	Painted Honeyeater Caragabal (near West Wyalong) At Caragabal (20 or so km before Wyalong) when checking out a Shingleback Lizard on the road I noticed a number of Painted Honeyeaters feeding on flowering mistletoe as well as a number of Singing Honeyeaters, Blue Bonnets and a Spotted Harrier. Edwin Vella

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