Sent from my iPad Begin forwarded message: From: “notifications@eremaea.comnotifications@eremaea.com>” <notifications@eremaea.comnotifications@eremaea.com>> Date: 30 December 2013 4:02:09 am AEDT To: “birding-aus@vicnet.net.aubirding-aus@vicnet.net.au>” <birding-aus@vicnet.net.aubirding-aus@vicnet.net.au>> Subject: Birdline New South Wales Weekly Update Birdline New South Wales Published sightings for the week ending 29 Dec 2013. Sun 29 Dec Black-browed Albatross, Shy Albatross. north head manly. About 50 albatross of north head today with 35 black browed albatross & 15 shy albatross. michael ronan. Common Tern Lake Belvedere, Sydney Olympic Park Single Common Tern photographed sitting on a post in the middle of Lake Belvedere late this afternoon. Certainly a rarity here-no. 172 on the local patch list! Dion Hobcroft Wedge-tailed Eagle, Peregrine Falcon Bundanoon township This morning, I watched 4 Wedge-tailed Eagles making the most of blowy conditions over the wooded range and paddocks by Blue Gum Rd. One bird was a juvenile. Pot hook displays from the birds and rolling and parrying from one bird when another dived at it, was tremendous to see. A Peregrine Falcon gliding and soaring over home for quite a while was also terrific. Lorne Johnson Sat 28 Dec Superb Parrot Start of Barryrennie Rd, Cowra Large (100+) flock of Superb Parrots seen at start of Barryrennie road early this morning feeding on roadside. Large number of juveniles present. Smaller flock (25) observed later near Fragar Rd. Jon & Alison Elliott Sat 28 Dec Whimbrel, Peregrine Falcon Long Reef Aquatic Reserve Whimbrel (1) Peregrine Falcon (2) Flew low over the small beach at the end of the track Mark.Young Sat 28 Dec Great Knot, Red Knot, Red-capped Plover, Grey-tailed Tattler Boat Harbour, Kurnell Visited the shelf on a lower than normal high tide. Apart from the usual suspects at this time of year the highlights were: Red-capped Plover (3) Grey-tailed Tattler (2) Great Knot (1) Red Knot (1) Photograph attached. Greg McLachlan Curlew Sandpiper, Whiskered Tern Breeza On two farm dams near the Kamilaroi Highway at Breeza (just across the rail track), 2 Curlew Sandpipers were spotted (photo). My first sighting of this species, which has not been seen inland recently. Together with many common aquatic birds, there were also about 10 Whiskered Terns (photos taken), which have been scarce in recent months. The farm dams may have had an influx of birds from nearby Goran Lake, which is now dry. Michael Dahlem Musk Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Little Grassbird Quipolly Dams At the NEW Quipolly Dam, amongst numerous other aquatic birds, one male Musk Duck (top panel; further information link) and 3 Great Crested Grebes (bottom panel) were spotted. A Little Grassbird was heard calling from reeds. Michael Dahlem Little Bittern Deniliquin A great few days birding around Deniliquin with the highlight being the Little Bittern in a pond in the township. Bernie OKeefe, Hedley and Irena Earl Freckled Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Rainbow Bee-eater Quipolly Dams At the OLD Quipolly Dam, next to a whole slew of more common aquatic species, 4 Freckled Ducks (photo; one bird at centre) were spotted today, a male Australasian Shoveler (photos obtained) and overhead a flock of about 40 Rainbow Bee-eaters (photo taken; not the season for them to be in a flock; usually observed in such numbers when it is time to migrate). The water level is low, ducks can feed almost everywhere; the water’s edge is about 15 m from the bird hide. Michael Dahlem Sooty Oystercatchers Warden Head, Ulladulla 20 Sooties were seen on the rocky platform below the lighthouse at Warden Head. These were probably driven there by the many holiday makers seen on all the local beaches. It should be noted that on the wader count 2 wks ago we seen around 4 on our section in the survey. Bob Rusk Pacific Baza, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Collared Sparrowhawk, Dollarbird 4 Goodhugh Street, East Maitland (Private home) Added 4 new species to my backyard list. Pacific Baza (1) Wedge-tailed Eagle (2) Collared Sparrowhawk (1) Dollarbird (1) Grant Brosie Fri 27 Dec Eastern Bristlebird Barren Grounds Nature Reserve Many Eastern Bristlebird’s heard along the main trail including a very confiding bird feeding out in the open for 15 minutes. Robert Hynson Fri 27 Dec Freckled Duck, Whistling Kite, Hoary-headed Grebe Tuggerah STW A check of the waterbirds late afternoon found 8 Freckled Ducks, the most that have been present here all year. They were mixed in with 400 Grey Teal and 350 Hardheads, 80+ Black Ducks and 12+ Hoary-headed Grebes. Other birds present included 20+ Fairy Martins, 3 Whist;ling Kite, a White-bellied Sea-Eagle, a Swamp Harrier, 16 Royal Spoonbills and Reed Warblers. Alan Morris Ruffs, Broad-billed Sandpiper, ‘unusual’ sandpipers, Yellow Wagtail Hexham Swamp We had four sightings of Ruffs yesterday afternoon, comprising at least 2 birds. Single Broad-billed Sandpiper amongst the hordes of Sharpies and others (best recent count of Red-necked Stints, at 35). Towards dusk we found a bird that appeared initially to be a Sharpie/Pectoral-type bird, with yellow legs, streaked chestnut crown, buffish tinge to feathers on the back and mottled colouring on the chest that was reasonably sharply demarcated to the white underparts (similar to a Pec). Then we saw the bill(!), which appeared very much like a Curlew Sands bill. It was marginally larger than a neighbouring Sharpie. The bill is too long for a Cox’s Sandpiper and the strong super speaks against a Cox’s as well(?), but I’m at a loss to work out what it was. Of course, as soon as we repositioned to get it in a better light it flushed. A poor image is attached at the bottom of the three images. A second ‘peep’ was seen soon after, about stint-sized, perhaps marginally bigger with a longish bill (longer than one would normally expect on a Red-necked Stint) with a pale base to the bill. It was nearly dark when we were watching it so plumage features were hard to judge. Legs were dark. A Yellow Wagtail was seen this morning (28/12) by Tony Bischoff and Ann Lindsey (who had 3 Broad-billeds this morning too). Mick and Steve Roderick, Tony Bischoff Grey Goshawk Irrawong Reserve A single white morph bird seen swooping, emerging with a small bird and bejng persued by a Dollarbird. The size of the prey was fitting with a Dollarbird as was the colour, locally the only other candidate would be a young Purple Swamphen from neighbouring Warriewood Wetlands. Nathan Ruser Pink-eared Duck, Intermediate Egret Castlereagh On a small, roadside pond, four Pink-eared Ducks have been stationed since Christmas Day among many Australian Wood and Pacific Black Ducks. An Intermediate Egret was also there this evening. Ákos Lumnitzer Thu 26 Dec Australasian Bittern (3), Banded Lapwing (15), Australian Pratincole (5) Rice Farm at Willbriggie south of Griffith The bitterns have been recorded on this rice farm since 17 November and today the three were seen flying from one rice bay to another. Also the Pratincoles had a chick – only one chick seen. The Banded Lapwings and Pratincoles were all in freshly ploughed paddocks. Max O’Sullivan White-throated Needletail Cambridge Gardens, Penrith area At least 100 in small groups hawking low over suburbia heading in an easterly direction. I saw more heading south towards Penrith. Ákos Lumnitzer Wed 25 Dec Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Mona Vale – private property Dark grey and white “piebald” cockatoo, crest mostly dark grey with some yellow through it, extremely tame. Has it been someone’s pet? How does it get this colouring? Totally accepted by other cockatoos and even appears to be the dominant one. [Moderator’s note (NH): It’s a melanistic Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Not necessarily an escapee. However, if you believe it is, you should post your sighting to http://www.parrotalert.com/; http://www.petsearch.com.au/showpets.asp?Type=13 or http://www.gumtree.com.au/ (lost & found pets). Hopefully the owner will find his/her lost pet.] Susan Newman Tue 24 Dec Collared Sparrowhawk Red Rock, Coffs Harbour Collared Sparrowhawk (1) Photographed with prey – probable Blue-faced Honeyeater Jean & Paul Newman Australian Koel Moree Golf Course, Moree West The Pheasant Coucal that was present (and heard calling only) from mid-November to early December (3 weeks total) is no longer present. Instead, now a single Australian Koel has suddenly made its presence which was heard callling only. The Koel (believed to be a calling male) was heard calling from gums near the riverbank whereas the Pheasant Coucal was heard calling from low dense vegetation on the riverbank. Koels, like the Pheasant Coucal are rare in the area, unlike the very common Channel-billed Cuckoo, of which young are around at the moment. Curtis Hayne Osprey, Little Egret, Nankeen Night Heron, White Bellied Seaeagle Merimbula Creek, Merimbula, NSW Pair of Ospreys, male and female judging by the size difference, seen around midday in a large eucalypt on Merimbula Creek, approx 300m upstream of footbridge, with a fresh kill (large Bream). Also excellent views of 2 Little Egrets in breeding plumage on Back Lake, a flushed Nankern Night Heron and lots of waterfowl on the creekline. Bush birds including Yellow Thornbill with young and a hunting White-bellied Sea-Eagle also seen. Helenna Mihailou and James Vincent Pink-eared Duck, King Quail, Royal Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Red-kneed Dotterel, Richmond Lowlands Quick stop along the Richmond Lowlands lanes with dropping water levels. Pink-eared Duck (1), King Quail heard between Triangle L and Cornwells Rd, Royal Spoonbill (1), Yellow-billed Spoonbill (6), Red-kneed Dotterel (8 including 6 on the stud dam near bend in Old Kurrajong Rd), Black-fronted Dotterel (6) Eric Finley (2906) Pied Oystercatcher Mill Stream, Sydney Airport 4 Pied Oystercatchers observed feeding at the entrance of the Mill Stream this morning. Over the years we’ve often seen one or two, but never 4. Possibly a successful breeding this year? Also an unusual observation 2 Eastern Osprey at the southern end of the main runway in the early afternoon. Nigel Coghlan Spotted Harrier Warden Head, Ulladulla This morning an adult Spotted Harrier glided leisurely passed 4 mtrs in front me, riding the thermals along the cliff face. These are rare in this area and this is the first SH I’ve seen down here for app 4yrs . At first I almost dismissed it as Squared-tailed Kite, which are now seen regularly down here over the last few years. Bob Rusk Sooty Owl, White-throated Nightjar, Southern Boobook, Owlet Nightjar Jenolan Caves 2 x Sooty Owls active and calling at dusk on the McKeown Valley trail. Also a White-throated Nightjar was seen hawking for insects and an Owlet Nightjar and Southern Boobok heard calling. Marc Anderson Mon 23 Dec Swamp Harrier Murwillumbah Adult and Juvenile. Juvenile under pattern looked like a Whistling Kite. Jed Knight Plumed Whistling Duck Dam on Dunns Boundary Road Corner, Maraylya 9 on far side of dam Barry Lancaster Grey Goshawk Cheltenham Station A Grey Goshawk flew over Cheltenham Station and landed in one if the gums at Cheltnam Girls High. It was being harassed by Cockatoos the whole way. Steve Edwards Banded Lapwing Cornwallis Road Windsor end Forty six Banded Lapwing feeding on turf farm. Keith Brandwood Fork-tailed Swift Bay Street, Botany 5 Fork-tailed Swifts flying East, at least 2 showing wing moult Observed just before Southerly change. David Mitford Sun 22 Dec Blue-faced Honeyeater 23 Ashgrove Place Bundanoon The bird was observed in a tall eucalypt (|E. Macarthurii) in my garden. It called several times, and was eventually chased away by a Noisy Miner. It was obviously a Blue-faced Honeyeater, which I have previously observed in North Queensland. Three of us heard the call, which we checked on Morcombe’s app to make sure we had identified it correctly. Jennifer Shepherd Ground Parrot, Spotted Quail-thrush, Sooty Owl Ben Boyd National Park Two night camping at Saltwater Creek camping grounds. Plenty of interesting birds around camping grounds particularly in the heath and coastal banksia forest including: Striated Fieldwren, Southern Emu-wren, Brush Bronzewing, Scarlet Honeyeater and heaps of very noisy Yellow-tailed Cockatoos. During the night we heard calls of Southern Boobook from the camp and Sooty Owl when driving Saltwater Creek track. There was resident Tawny Frogmouth at the camp. Other interesting birds: Spotted Quail-thrush and Rose Robin (near Disaster Bay Lookout), Ground Parrot (2), Tawny-crowned honeyeater ( track trough the heath to City Rock lookout, Ted Wnorowski Little Lorikeet Milperra Twice on Sunday afternoon a pair of Little lorikeets flew over the yard heading towards the former Riverlands Golf Course David James Eastern Yellow Wagtail Hexham Swamp Nature Reserve After seeing Mick Roderick there, I managed to spot 2 Yellow Wagtails which were very hard to approach. Like Mick, saw thousands of Sharpies, 45 Marsh Sandpiper, 50 or so Whiskered Terns and lots of Australian Crakes all over the place. Only 2 White-fronted Chats seen. though. Edwin Vella White-winged Black Tern Ash Island, Hexham 7 White-winged Black Terns were amongst 100 or so Whiskered Terns beside Wagtail Way. Also present were c300 Red-necked Avocets, 20 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, an Osprey with a White-bellied Sea-eagle beside the River and a young Spotted Harrier perched beside Bell Frog Way. Edwin Vella White-throated Needletail, Collared Saprrowhawk Near Howes Valley, Putty Rd At 10:50am WTNTs in two small groups of about 15 in each were hawking low at treetop level around one kilometer past halfway house truck stop. Further north, at Howes Valley Creek, a pair of Collared Sparrowhawks were soaring low. Ákos Lumnitzer Black Kite, Black Falcon Scone area At least 100 Black Kites hanging around the area near meat works at Scone. We also saw a Black Falcon (female) that buzzed in over the field making all the Starlings take flight. Ákos Lumnitzer and David Hollands Sat 21 Dec Masked Owl, Sooty Owl Murramarang National Park Spotlighting in the park starting from a picnic area near Princess Hwy (1.3 km north from the turn off to Durras North Dr) and following Dangerboard and Forest Rd. We could hear a begging calls of Masked Owl chick from their usual nesting hole near picnic site. We also got very good view of adult Masked owl coming back to the hollow with a small prey. Sooty Owl were calling along Forest Rd (at least 2). Southern Boobooks were constantly calling.. Also seen one Tawny Frogmouth ( just near Princess Hwy) Ted Wnorowski Black Bittern, Spottless Crake, Cicadabird Tomakin, nsw Surprisingly good place for birding – particularly near the Tomaga River bridge and on the grounds of the Moorings Resort. Black Bittern roosted on the trees near the resort lagoon. I’ve seen it several times walking around the lagoon. Other interesting birds: Striated Heron, Cicadabird, Leaden Flycatcher, Azure kingfisher, Royal Spoonbill, Tawny Frogmouth, Nankeen Night heron, Square-tailed Kite, White-throated Needle-tail. Another good birding spot in nearby are Bevian Rd Wetland. There was a large flock of Hoary-headed Grebes (200), Nankeen Night Heron (6), Spotless Crake (1), Grey Goshawk (1) and plenty of Brown Gerygones Ted Wnorowski Fri 20 Dec Mash Sandpiper, Spotted Harrier Wilfords Lane wetlands, Lake Burrill. A young Spotted Harrier was flying over pasture near wetland. Plenty of waders and ducks in the wetland ( I was lucky to get the access to the site). Over 200 Pink-eared ducks and a small group of A. Shovelers (at least 4). At the edge of wetland (mostly on the drying mud): Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (41), Curlew Sandpiper (5), Black-fronted Dotterel (2). In the little very shallow creek nearby a solitary Marsh Sandpiper was foraging. Lake Burrill (from the village): Musk Duck (1 – male), Buff-banded Rail (1), Azure Kingfisher. (Moderator’s Note: See posting for Spotted Harrier at Ulladulla on 24/12/13 same bird?AKM) Ted Wnorowski Osprey, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater Bawley Point Headland nsw Twelve Ruddy turnstones were feeding along the surf zone. A pair of Sooty Oystercatchers on the beach. Osprey appeared from nowhere flying above our heads. Two Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters calling from the old wattle tree at the entrance to the Bawley Pt. Ted Wnorowski Beach Stone Curlew, Little tern, Pacific Gull Burrill Lake Estuary Dolphin Pt A single Beach Stone Curlew on the beach. There were also: Little Tern (2), Red-capped Plover (2), Sooty Oystercatcher (2) and juvenile Pacific Gull among Silver Gulls and Crested Terns. Ted Wnorowski Sanderling, Hooded Plover, Little tern Lake Conjola Nature Reserve At the entrance to Lake Conjola approx. 40 Little Terns (some breeding) and good selection of waders: Hooded Plover (1), Ruddy Turnstone (4), Red-necked Stint (3). Bar-tailed Godwit (3), Australian Pied Oystercatcher (2), Red-capped Plover. There was also a single Sanderling running on the beach with turnstones Teed Wnorowski Black Bittern Fishermans Paradise, Lake Conjola Very good view of Black Bittern flushed out casuarina branches overhanging Conjola Creek (just past Fishermans Paradise when Conjola Creek is entering the lake) Ted Wnorowski Sat 14 Dec Chest-nut-rumped Heathwren, Square-tailed Kite, Rockwarbler, Pilotbird, Pacific Baza Morton National Park (12 Mile Rd) I was bird watching along 12 Mile Rd up to the plateau (beyond George Boyd lookout). At the dense heath on the plateau Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens were common singing from the top of hakea bushes. The rocky picnic area near the entrance to the Rainforest Walk was excellent for Rockwarblers. We also found there: Green Catbird, Wonga Pigeon, Rufous Fantail, Pilotbird (2). Granite Falls – Pacific Baza (1 in a tree) and Square-tailed Kite flying over the falls. Ted Wnorowski Mon 2 Dec Freckled Duck, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Intermediate Egret McPhersons Rd Swamp, Tuggerah A check of this wetland mid afternoon found 18 Freckled Duck still present. Other interesting species included 6 Chestnut-breasted Mannikins, Tawny Grassbirds, 1 Yellow-billed Spoonbill and 10 Royals, Torresian Crows and Cisticolas, 2 Intermediate Egrets. Alan Morris Birdline New South Wales is sponsored by Birding NSW, Birds Australia – Southern NSW & ACT and Cumberland Bird Observers Club and hosted by Eremaea Birds. _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
