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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: 21 Apr 2014 03:02:11 +1000

Birdline New South Wales

Published sightings for the week ending 20 Apr 2014.

Sun 20 Apr Sanderling, Grey-tailed Tattler, Double-banded Plover Soldiers Point, Norah Head
Returning from Pelican Point to Soldiers Point at 1600 hrs, the Sanderling was now to be found feeding on Soldiers Pt., along with 3 Red-necked Stints, 2 Double-banded Plovers, 1 Ruddy Turnstone, 1 Grey-tailed Tattler and 2 Sooty Oystercatchers, a Caspian Tern, and sundry Gulls and Crested Terns, Cormorants, c.12 Australasian Gannets passed by along with an adult and an immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle.
A;lan Morris & Allan Benson

Grey Currawong Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens
Seen between the main entry gate and the overflow car park.
Iain Blake

Sanderling, Double-banded Plover Pelican Point, near Norah Head
A visit to Pelican Point, part of Wyrrabalong NP (Nth), found 3 Sooty Oystercatchers, 6 Red-capped Plovers and 2 Double-banded Plovers, plus sundry Cormorants, Silver Gulls, an adult Sea-Eagle, Crested Terns, and 2 Australasian Gannets were seen offshore. A Sanderling was reported from here by Tim Faulkner on 19/4/14. As we approached Pelican Point along Soldiers Beach, a Sanderling flew close to us along the beach, coming from Pelican Pt.
Alan Morris & Allan Benson

Common Noddy, Caspian Tern, Eastern Osprey Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
Common Noddy still present near the reef today, fishing just behind the reef and Dee Why Beach on a falling tide. Also Caspian Tern, Eastern Osprey, 7 Double-banded Plover, 1 Pacific Golden Plover and an assortment of Red-necked Stints, Ruddy Turnstones, Sooty Oystercatchers and Grey-tailed Tattlers.
Jenny and Rod Stiles

Square-tailed Kite Glendenning
While driving along Richmond Road - near the M7 overpass - I was surprised to spot a Square-tailed Kite circling low above the car park of a Red Rooster. Photograph attached.
Greg McLachlan

Musk Lorikeet Bundanoon township
One bird early evening in huge gum on Church St outside the primary school. Another newie from Bundaoon and only the second Musk Lorikeet I've recorded in the Southern Highlands since moving here in 2009.
Lorne Johnson

Scarlet Robin Voyager Point Wetlands
I was pleasantly surprised to find a female Scarlet Robin foraging in Castlereagh Scribbly Gum woodland this morning, a local first for me. Also, my first Rose Robins (3) of the season locally and a single Brown-headed Honeyeater amongst loads of migrating Yellow-faced Honeyeaters.
David James

Brown Cuckoo-dove Bundanoon township
22 birds feeding only a few feet away from me on The Gullies Road. Splendid stuff. Never seen this many together before.
Lorne Johnson

Sat 19 Apr Turquoise Parrot, Musk Duck Lake Inverell
An unusual number of 50+ Eastern Rosellas were found in the picnic area. Also 4 Turquoise Parrots in the picnic area, which is special as they aren't found here around the lake but always in the woodland walk through the National Park. 3 male Musk Ducks were spotted on the lake. Bird numbers were very low compared to my 3 previous visits, eg. no Treecreepers, Thornbills, Doves, Herons or Egrets. Lots of Honeyeater species not present either.
Curtis Hayne

Little Eagle, Brown Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon East Kurrajong, Private Property
Watched a dark morph Little Eagle fly past property this morning to the north. Not long after an adult Brown Goshawk was seen stooping down into a large tree with talons thrust out (never seen this before) to catch a bird, but it failed. I also saw an adult Peregrine Falcon in the evening. Present were male Rose Robin, male/female Golden Whistler as well.
Ákos Lumnitzer

Grey Goshawk Old Port Rd Port Kembla
Flew low (tree height) over the road south of Christy Drive trailed by a Nankeen Kestrel.
Paul & Carol Lynch

Gang Gang Cockatoo Pennant Hills Park/ Upper Lane Cove National park
Single bird high in trees then flying north over bushland from Blackbutt Avenue Pennant Hills
Ian Francis

Fri 18 Apr Common Noddy, Sanderling Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
One Common Noddy still roosting with Cresteds on the reef at low tide this afternoon. It looked a little sick, so hopefully it gets better soon and finds its way back up north. Other than the usual suspects showing a bit of colour, there was at least 2 Sanderlings on the reef (not seen together, but different birds were separated by the breeding colours one was beginning to show). (Moderator's Note: Common Noddy photo provided by Greg McLachland and taken when Henry was present).
Henry Coleman

Scarlet Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Mistletoebird Irrawong Reserve
8 Scarlet Honeyeaters feeding on Mahogany flowers in Warriewood Wetlands whilst a male Mistletoebird and 2+ Yellow-faced Honeyeaters fed on Mahogany flower in Irrawong reserve. Also plenty of Musk and Rainbow Lorikeets.
Jayden Walsh

Hoary-headed Grebe Dee Why Lagoon
4 Hoary-headed Grebes near Pittwater Road in a creek that connects to form the lagoon.
Jayden Walsh

Black Falcon, Superb Parrot Condobolin STW
Good numbers of Pink-eared Ducks, Australian Shovelers and Hardheads present along with about 30 Hoary-headed Grebes. A sudden explosion of ducks was followed by a pair of Black Falcons hunting low over the ponds. 6 Superb Parrots were seen feeding close by in gums at the golf course.
Warren Chad

Thu 17 Apr Musk Lorikeet Taronga Western Plains Zoo
A few Musk Lorikeets in the zoo at the moment with a lot of the eucalypts in flower here. An uncommon visitor to the zoo. Also plenty of Little Lorikeets, Little and Noisy Friarbirds around.
Andrew O'Brien

Noisy Pitta Bus stop track Valla Beach
Lew saw the Noisy Pitta on the same date last year (first sighting for both years)
Lew Witten per Allen Hamilton.

Chestnut Teal, Australian King Parrot Whittaker's Lagoon
Whittaker's Lagoon has partly filled up after recent rainfall. Lovely to see the drought broken and lush green everywhere where grasses shot up everywhere after cattle went through during October 2013-February 2014 leaving no grass anywhere. A single male Chestnut Teal was distantly spotted in flight (photo) for a second near a flock of Grey Teals, possibly also female Chestnut Teal but not identified. Chestnut Teals were always found here throughout 2009-2010, which was very unusual. Today's sighting is the first since June 2011. Other birds included 10 Black-fronted Dotterels and a Sacred Kingfisher. Nearby in scrub on the Mehi River were Spotted Pardalotes which have just returned to the area and 6 Australian King Parrots which are very rare on the plains, especially out this far west!
Curtis Hayne

Dollarbird Moree Common
A single adult Dollarbird was still present, late in the season.
Curtis Hayne

Wed 16 Apr Ground Cuckooshrike, Great Crested Grebe, Freckled Duck, Silver Gull Cotton Farms, Ashley
A flock of 6 Ground Cuckooshrikes were found perched on dead trees in an empty, overgrown farm irrigation dam. A Great Crested Grebe was also found in a large irrigation farm dam. This species was always found here in numbers of up to 10 birds from 2008-June 2012. Since June 2012, this is only the second sighting. A total of 55 Silver Gulls were also found spread over several dams, the largest flock we've ever seen (usually only 1-10 birds). 2 Freckled Ducks were also found among other waterfowl. Also present were about 35 Black-winged Stilts, 24 Red-necked Avocets, 1 White-bellied Sea Eagle, 6 Caspian Terns, 8 Australasian Shovelers and 300 Pink-eared Ducks.
Curtis Hayne and Ainslee Lines

Fairy Prion and Shy Albatross Mistral Point, Maroubra
A Fairy Prion was seen today, early, but not that surprising, considering 5 days of gale-force southerlies. 20 or so Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, 2 Fluttering Shearwaters and a Shy Albatross also logged.
David Mitford

Azure Kingfisher, Rose Robin, Spangled Drongo Bonnievale Camping Ground, Bundeena
Just along from the pond at Bonnievale camping ground down from the end of Woodfield Ave., found Azure Kingfisher, Rose Robin, Spangled Drongo, Brown Gerygone and Golden Whistlers, around midday.
Bruce Roubin

Common Noddy Long Reef Aquatic Reserve
One Common Noddy roosting with Crested Terns at low tide this afternoon. A good number of waders still about, and two Caspian Terns also on the reef.
Max de Beer

White-winged Chough Tallong
7 White-winged Choughs flicking up and sorting through freshly cut grass by side of Highland Way.
Lorne Johnson

Wedge-tailed Eagle, Grey Currawong Badgerys Lookout (Morton National Park), Tallong
2 Wedge-tailed Eagles flying purposefully over Shoalhaven River in Morton National Park (viewed from Badgerys Lookout). Also present in area: Grey Currawong, 4 White-eared Honeyeaters, 2 Superb Lyrebird, Bell Miners, Wonga Pigeon, Striated Pardalote.
Lorne Johnson

Grey Ternlet, Wandering Tattler Flat Rock, Ballina
Pleased to report that the Grey Ternlet is still around. It was located amongst hundreds of terns at 12.30pm. Also, great views of a Wandering Tattler in full breeding plumage.
Bernie OKeefe

Tue 15 Apr Lewin's Honeyeater Lane Cove National Park (Blue Gum Creek)
A pair of feeding Lewin's Honeyeaters on backyard Sasanqua Camelia in the rain. Several years since I saw them in this area.
Chris Charles

Barking Owl, Osprey, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Striated Heron, Capsian Tern, Sooty Oystercatcher Narrabeen Lakes
A great day of birding today saw a White-bellied Sea-Eagle fly over the lake as well as an Eastern Osprey fishing at Jamieson Park, the Barking Owl was present at its usual spot, a Striated Heron was seen flying along a creek near the end of the Jamieson Reserve track (Cromers end), a Little Egret was also seen near the coastal environment centre and a Caspian Tern was fishing at the lake entrance to the sea. A Sooty Oystercatcher was also seen feeding near the lake entrance. Photos taken of all species and photos shall be uploaded here:
Jayden Walsh

Plum-headed Finch Wollar Road, Bylong/Wollar area
A flock of around 30+ Plum-headed Finchs was located on Wollar Rd feeding on seeding grasses. They were exactly 3.6 km from the T-intersection of Wollar Rd/the road to Bylong coming from Denman, around half way between Mudgee and Denman. Also on Wollar Rd about 30 km towards Mudgee, at the one small location, were 4 finch species including Zebra, Double-barred, Diamond Firetail and Red-browed. A big thanks to Bill Morecraft for giving me the tip as to where to find these finches.
Bernie OKeefe

Mon 14 Apr Grey Currawong Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens
Seen in gardens near cafe buildings.
Carol Abbott

Plumed Whistling-Duck Powells Lane Pond
Group of about 5 Plumed Whistling-Ducks seen late afternoon.
Carol Abbott

Grey Ternlet, Wandering Tattler Flat Rock, Ballina
Single Grey Ternlet found resting on Flat Rock at 5:20pm this afternoon. It was still there when we departed at about 6:15pm. Also count of 4 Wandering Tattler, highest count for me this season.
Steven McBride and Hans Wohlmuth

Straw-necked Ibis, Australasian Grebe, Eastern Osprey Mona Vale Golf Course
A single Straw-necked Ibis was feeding with a group of Australian White Ibis this morning. Other highlights included 2 Australasian Grebes in the large pond and an Eastern Osprey at Mona Vale beach
Jayden Walsh

Spectacled Monarch Caniaba, Lismore NSW
Single Spectacled Monarch active in understorey on eucalypt hillside. Probably on passage north.
paul griffin

Sun 13 Apr Spotted Quail-thrush Braidwood - Nerriga Road
A pair of Spotted Quail-thrush crossed the road ahead of us. We had excellent views of them foraging along the roadside vegetation
Peter West

Collared (Magnificent) Petrel, 'New Caledonian' type Storm-Petrels - now with link to photos Brittania Seamount off Ballina
Highlights of day 2 of Paul Walbridge's trip (for day 1 see #217306 in Birdline Central & Southern Queensland) were: A Collared Petrel (paler than the three at Queensland Seamount), 10+ 'New Caledonian' type Storm-Petrels, a Red-tailed Tropicbird, 3 White-tailed Tropicbirds, a Streaked Shearwater, two White-faced Storm-petrels, large numbers of Tahiti and Kermadec Petrels, good numbers of Gould's Petrels, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 White Terns, many Sooty Terns (plus the usual Grey-faced & Providence Petrels, Wedge-tailed & Flesh-footed Shearwaters). P.S. 'New Caledonian' type Storm-Petrel is an undescribed taxon similar to large NZ Storm-Petrels with darker underwings (previously seen off Ulladulla, NSW [March 2010]; SEQ and New Caledonia). This taxon may represent the mysterious 'Striped Storm-Petrel 'Pealea lineata' or 'Thalassidroma lineata' (see discussion in our submission of the Ulladulla bird in March 2010). More research needs to be done. Here is a link to Raja's photos:
The crowd on Paul Walbridge's Seamount pelagic

Grey Goshawk (white morph) Cantril Rd, Leeton
Mike Schultz phoned to say there was a white goshawk in his nursery beside Cantril Rd. I went to see it and agreed it was a Grey Goshawk. It was confirmed a half hour later by Keith Hutton. This is the first siting of a Grey Goshawk in the Leeton area for the past 30 years or more.
Mike Schultz, Max O'Sullivan and Keith Hutton

Pacific Gull Marine Parade, Maroubra
Pacific Gull, immature, flying back and forth along the cliff line.
Chris and Jane Gregory

Rose Robin Jerrara Dam, near Kiama
Observed a lone adult male Rose Robin back at the Dam again. Just where the dirt road intersects to go up the hill. Lots of other species about. [Moderator's note: Rose Robins are moderately common autumn and winter visitors to coastal woodlands and open forest areas, and to a lesser extent into the mid west of NSW. The latter reports are of more interest than the coastal records. Rose Robins are now being seen for instance at a number of Central Coast sites in the past week. For this season, we won't publish any more records, other than the tablelands and slopes reports, after today.]
John & Sue O'Malley

Sat 12 Apr Great-winged Petrel, Shy and Black-browed Albatross Mistral Point, Maroubra
5 Great-winged Petrels today, along with 1 Shy Albatross, 3 Black-browed Albatross, 2 Pomarine Jaegers, 1 Arctic Jaeger, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, a few Flesh-footed Shearwaters and about 200 Wedge-tailed Shearwater.
David Mitford

Mon 7 Apr Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Southern Emuwren, Red-browed Treecreeper Lake Cathie, Port Macquarie
About 40 bird species in just under two hours, great business here lately. 5 Glossy Black-Cockatoos seen on two mornings same time, Australian Owlet-Nightjar calling daytime, young Australian Koel fed by Little Wattlebirds, and much more
Duncan Fowler, Carmen Ludcke, Madeline Sanders

Birdline New South Wales is sponsored by Birding NSW, Birdlife Southern NSW and Cumberland Bird Observers Club and hosted by Eremaea Birdlines.

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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