Coastal N NSW and Grey-crowned Babblers

By Birding-Aus, on March 23rd, 2011

Hi All,

I spent last week around coastal NSW, not specifically birding, but of course taking in what was around. One sighting in particular surprised me.

Just below the lighthouse at Yamba I saw a party of 3 Grey-crowned Babblers. I have never seen these birds in coastal NSW before, and have not seen or heard of this group either. I have birded around northern NSW a fair bit, but can’t remember having ever come across babblers before. What is their status there? Can any of the locals (Greg Clancy et al) help me out?

Only other sighting of interest was a Bush Thick-knee at Angourie, both Large and Lesser Sand-Plovers at The Bluff (Iluka), and an enormous Carpet Python while spotlighting in the rainforest at Iluka.

Good Birding!

Nick Leseberg

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"Greg & Val Clancy"

March 23, 2011 at 7:31 pm

The north coast of New South Wales is a stronghold of the Grey-crowned Babbler but they are very rare within a kilometre of the coastline. The three birds at Yamba (Fred, Wilma and Barney – not their real names) are well known to the local birdos and I have seen them there myself. I have also seen them at Iluka some years ago and near Minnie Water a few years back. However, they are widespread and common throughout the floodplain areas of the Clarence and Richmond Valley, including the Bungawalbin catchment. Despite their abundance, group size has reduced in recent years and this is a concern to many locals. Are smaller group sizes viable?

Greg Clancy Ecologist and Birding Guide Coutts Crossing NSW