Griffith area

I am soon going to Griffith, NSW, and I’d like to know of good birding spots in the area. I’m especially interested in parrots. I’ll be grateful for any tips. Stephen


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5 comments to Griffith area

  • carlsclifford

    A lot of those dirt roads around Griffith and Leeton can become very interesting to drive on, with very little rain. Carl Clifford


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  • martinflab

    One thought would be to check the RTA website for road closures. I’ve been watching this as we are going West soon, and several of the roads NW of Griffith we were planning to use have been closed due to flooding. Martin Martin Butterfield http://franmart.blogspot.com.au/


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  • Tim.Dolby

    Hi Stephen, Just noticed Peter message, he basically says the same thing as me. I wrote my post while he posted his – so here’s some more details. You might find my trip report quite useful on Cocoparra, Binya and Pulletop to the north east of Griffith, and Leeton and Fivebough Wetland to the south-east of Griffith – they are basically a country stone’s throw away, see http://tim-dolby.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/birding-riverina-cocoparra-fivebough.html/. Immediately around Griffith, there are also a few good spots. North-west of Griffith there are a series of lakes and swamps: Campbells Swamp (-34.227554, 146.031274) has some interesting birds, with Australian Little Bittern, Australasian Bittern, Magpie Goose, Pink-eared and Freckled Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Baillon’s, Australian Spotted and Spotless Crake, Black-tailed Native-hen, Red-kneed Dotterel all regularly recorded, and even a chance of White-bellied Sea-Eagle. Lake Wyangan (-34.235396, 146.019558) – best at the south end – can be good, with chance of Plumed Whistling-Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Australian Darter and all the cormorants, Spotted Harrier, and a range of others raptors i.e. Osprey was recorded their in 2011and it’s also good for thornbill, such as Inland, Chestnut-rumped, and Yellow. In terms of parrots, Major Mitchell, Blue Bonnet, and Australian Ringneck are all on the list. Depending on water levels, Nericon Swamp (-34.217121, 146.040757) can be good, and it is a good spot for White-fronted Chat, Zebra Finch, honeyeater such as Singing, Spiny-cheeked and Striped Honeyeater, Just north-east of town, the Griffith Golf Course (-34.264558, 146.061938) is also quite good for Blue Bonnet, Yellow-throated Miner, Spiny-cheeked and Striped Honeyeater, Southern Whiteface and Apostlebird.Major Mitchell has been recorded there – although I’m not sure how recently, and Ground Cuckoo-shrike has also been recorded. South of Griffith, the Murrinbidgee River at Darlington Point (-34.564538, 146.003448) is interesting and is another spot – I’ve seen Superb Parrot here, and in the adjacent Willbriggie State Forest. Note that there are also two brochures on the ‘Bird Routes of Griffith’ and ‘Bird Trails of the Riverina and South West Slopes of NSW’. These may be available the tourist Information office in Griffith – you could give them a call. There is also a brochure on ‘Bird trails of the Riverina and South West Slopes of NSW’ see http://www.cootamundra.nsw.gov.au/f.ashx/RSWSNT-BirdTrailsBooklet.pdf Interested to know how you go. Cheers, Tim ________________________________________ Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2015 11:21 AM Stephen, Depends how far you want to go and if you any species in particular (I will concentrate on parrots but these areas are generally good bird watching spots): The closest point to town is scenic hill – likely to see Ringnecks, Red-rumps and Galahs – if you head down to the golf/course airport likely to add a few extra species and probably the best spot in the district to see Pink Cockatoos Out at Lake Wyangan there are a number of wetlands (probably limited water) – Campbells Swamp, Nericon Swamp and the Lake itself. There are a number of options theer and a good mix of birds – Cockatiels are a possibility The best spot locally is Binya SF and Cocoparra NP and NR east of Yenda – many options here, have a look at some of the birding websites/books for details. Good chance for Mulga Parrots and Turquoise and (at this time of year) Blue-winged Parrots are a possibility. Good sites are the ‘Painted Honeyeater site’ south of Burley Griffin Way, Spring Hill, Store Creek and Mailman’s Gap area in the north (the local NP in Griffith can give you more details on this). To the south there are a number of reserves along the Murrumbidgee River (former SFs) – at the right time of year Superbs are relatevely easy to find (though a bit late now) and Yellow Rosellas are common. There are many options further afield – Pulletop NR, the various sites around Rankins Springs, Loughnan NR (and few other smaller reserves near Hillston). The main thing is that the MIA is a higly cleared landsacpe so usually any remnant patch of bush (if big enough) is worth a look. Also just walking around town, particularly near the hill there are quite a few common birds around. Hope that helps. Cheers, Peter


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  • pedionomus

    Stephen, Peter’s email sums it up nicely. Adding to it, a number of Superb Parrots have been seen in just the last week in the Red Gum forests, particularly around the Yanco area and also across at Yarradda, west of Darlington Point, both areas being about a 40 minute drive from Griffith. Campbell’s and Nericon Swamps are dry at present, but Lake Wyangan is full. Down on the Murrumbidgee Turkey’s Flat and McCaughy’s Lagoon (just south of Yanco) continue to hold water from last season’s environmental water event, and Yarradda Lagoon also holds water and is worth a visit with the bonus chance of picking up a Superb Parrot or a few, and possibly Cockatiel’s along the way. Cheers David —–Original Message—– Peter Ewin Sent: Sunday, 19 April 2015 11:22 AM Stephen, Depends how far you want to go and if you any species in particular (I will concentrate on parrots but these areas are generally good bird watching spots): The closest point to town is scenic hill – likely to see Ringnecks, Red-rumps and Galahs – if you head down to the golf/course airport likely to add a few extra species and probably the best spot in the district to see Pink Cockatoos Out at Lake Wyangan there are a number of wetlands (probably limited water) – Campbells Swamp, Nericon Swamp and the Lake itself. There are a number of options theer and a good mix of birds – Cockatiels are a possibility The best spot locally is Binya SF and Cocoparra NP and NR east of Yenda – many options here, have a look at some of the birding websites/books for details. Good chance for Mulga Parrots and Turquoise and (at this time of year) Blue-winged Parrots are a possibility. Good sites are the ‘Painted Honeyeater site’ south of Burley Griffin Way, Spring Hill, Store Creek and Mailman’s Gap area in the north (the local NP in Griffith can give you more details on this). To the south there are a number of reserves along the Murrumbidgee River (former SFs) – at the right time of year Superbs are relatevely easy to find (though a bit late now) and Yellow Rosellas are common. There are many options further afield – Pulletop NR, the various sites around Rankins Springs, Loughnan NR (and few other smaller reserves near Hillston). The main thing is that the MIA is a higly cleared landsacpe so usually any remnant patch of bush (if big enough) is worth a look. Also just walking around town, particularly near the hill there are quite a few common birds around. Hope that helps. Cheers, Peter


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  • sittella

    Stephen, Depends how far you want to go and if you any species in particular (I will concentrate on parrots but these areas are generally good bird watching spots): The closest point to town is scenic hill – likely to see Ringnecks, Red-rumps and Galahs – if you head down to the golf/course airport likely to add a few extra species and probably the best spot in the district to see Pink Cockatoos Out at Lake Wyangan there are a number of wetlands (probably limited water) – Campbells Swamp, Nericon Swamp and the Lake itself. There are a number of options theer and a good mix of birds – Cockatiels are a possibility The best spot locally is Binya SF and Cocoparra NP and NR east of Yenda – many options here, have a look at some of the birding websites/books for details. Good chance for Mulga Parrots and Turquoise and (at this time of year) Blue-winged Parrots are a possibility. Good sites are the ‘Painted Honeyeater site’ south of Burley Griffin Way, Spring Hill, Store Creek and Mailman’s Gap area in the north (the local NP in Griffith can give you more details on this). To the south there are a number of reserves along the Murrumbidgee River (former SFs) – at the right time of year Superbs are relatevely easy to find (though a bit late now) and Yellow Rosellas are common. There are many options further afield – Pulletop NR, the various sites around Rankins Springs, Loughnan NR (and few other smaller reserves near Hillston). The main thing is that the MIA is a higly cleared landsacpe so usually any remnant patch of bush (if big enough) is worth a look. Also just walking around town, particularly near the hill there are quite a few common birds around. Hope that helps. Cheers, Peter


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