We are grateful to help received from John & Doreen
Cooper, Richard Fairbank, Phil Maher, Lesley Flint, Ed Hagen, Jon King, Howard
and Thais Armstrong all who gave us useful advice and/or information.
Sat 7th
Dec: Left Heathrow at 15.15, being 45 minutes late, and after seeing a Kestrel
from the runway headed north, then west over the Outer Hebrides and Iceland in
the dark but arriving over Baffin Island to Edmonton in the light where admired
the Arctic snowfields before crossing the Rockies and into San Francisco
arriving 17.35 just in time for sunset. Leave San Francisco 23.00 crossing the
International Date Line so over the Solomon Islands at dawn on the 9th.
Sun 8th
Dec: ‘Lost’ crossing International Date Line.
Mon 9th
Dec: Arrived at a sunny Sydney at 09.00, collected our car and drove to the
nearby East Lakes Golf Course where asked permission to walk the greens. Spent
a few hours in the vicinity of a reedy pool where the weather became
progressively windy and cooler. Headed south and found a small Caravan Park at
Cronulla where hired a cabin for $66. Drove back towards Sydney visiting
Centennial Park where located Lewin’s Rail at the pool near the Children’s
Bicycle Track. Watched hundreds of fruit bats leave their daytime roost at dusk
at c.20.00 and found a MacDonald’s at Cronulla where enjoyed a meal for two for
$10. Started to rain.
Sydney Opera House from the air on arrival - useful to get the sightseeing over with!
Sunrise over Sydney Harbour from the air
Tues 10th
Dec: Set alarm at 04.30 but awake and up at 04.00. Very windy with heavy rain –
hardly as expected! It slowly got light at 05.00 but weather dissuaded us from
leaving the cabin until 06.00. We drove through the dismal conditions arriving
at Royal NP at 06.30, donned the waterproofs and set off down the Lady
Carrington Drive from near Audley. An excellent trail that runs alongside the
Hacking River. The weather again deteriorated around midday so after sheltering
in some caves along the trail we finally dashed back to the car getting soaked.
We drove to the Kookaburra Flat Car-Park but finally decided to return via
Waterfall to Cronulla at 14.00 where bought some provisions in Cole’s
Supermarket before returning to the Cabin where cooked steak. No respite in the
atrocious weather by dusk.
Weds 11th
Dec: Up at 04.00 and drove to the Waterfall end of the Lady Carrington Drive
arriving pre-dawn but no Owls calling and arrived just in time for it to again
start raining. Walked down to the Bola Creek hearing and seeing Green Catbird
at dawn despite the wind and heavy showers. Left a wet Royal NP at 09.00, returned
to Cronulla where quickly packed and drove through recently burnt landscapes to
a sunny and warm Dharug NP which had been spared the effects of the fires by
virtue of being the far side of a wide river. After a drive towards Spencer we
drove back to Wiseman’s Ferry and found the Del Rio Campsite situated on the
far side of another River requiring a second Ferry crossing. We pitched the
tent for $18.50 went for a walk along the road leading to the Golf Course and
eat a meal from our Cool Bag enjoying a pleasant evening.
Thur 12th
Dec: Up at 04.00 spotlighting around the Del Rio Campsite before driving to the
Old North Road. Walked the Old North Road and Finch’s Line until 10.15 by which
time sunny, calm and hot. Drove to Mill Creek and spent some time photographing
species around the deserted campsite for an hour. Eat a meal for $12 at Polly’s
Kiosk overlooking the river at Wiseman’s Ferry before returning to the Del Rio
Campsite. Returned to Mill Creek for the evening walking from the Picnic area
to the Camp Site and back. Spotlighted after dark seeing a total of 4 Tawny
Frogmouths before returning to the Del Rio Campsite where camped again for
$18.50.
Fri 13th
Dec: Up at 05.00 driving to Mill Creek walking the 1.5km Grass Tree Circuit and
then to the campsite. Returned to the Del Rio campsite where packed the tent
and drove to Windsor birding various lagoons and the Argyle reach Road. Drove
back to Sydney eventually finding a Motel at Bondi for $90 where eat Pizza
along the seafront. Made an evening visit to Centennial Park where the lake had
filled with water. It proved hot and sunny all day.
Sat 14th
Dec: Up at 05.30 and drove to Rose Bay Ferry Wharf for a pelagic trip aboard
the Halicat. An 8 hour pelagic trip produced far more than expected though could
have happily lived without being seasick! Brenda spent the day around the Rocks
area of Sydney. Made a late afternoon drive to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains
where stayed in a town Motel for $75. Overcast all day with a moderate swell.
Sydney Harbour Tour for BK
Sydney Opera House
Sun 15th
Dec: Up at 04.45 and out for dawn at Echo Point near Katoomba. Walked to the
Three Sisters Rock formation and then to the Katoomba Falls. Returned to the
Motel for 10.00 and left by 10.30 driving to Glen Davis and back to the
Capertee Roadhouse for dinner at 16.00 – a $3 Hamburger. Drove to Goollooinboin
Station where stayed in their Grove Cottage for $80.
Views from Echo Point near Katoomba in the Blue Mountains
Mon 16th
Dec: Up at 05.00 driving towards Capertee stopping c.10km short and walking the
road in both directions. Returned to Grove Cottage c.10.30 and sat out the heat
of a very hot day – >100F in the shade! Drove back to Capertee enjoying
another $3 Burger at the Roadhouse. Drove to Glen Alice Cemetery before
returning to Glen Davis and the Goollooinboin Station.
Tues 17th
Dec: Up at 05.00 were we walked various sections of the road towards Capertee
until 09.30. Made the long drive to Hay via Olympic and Sturt Highways with a
brief stop at Leeton Sewage Farm. Arrived at Hay at c.19.00 to a fierce
sandstorm and found a cabin in a Big 4 Caravan Park.
Weds 18th
Dec: Up at 05.00 and drove to the nearby Hay State Forest where walked through
almost bird-less riverine forest for an hour. Then drove a few km towards
Adelaide and walked into dry habitat. Returned to the Caravan Park at 10.00 and
then drove slowly across the plains towards Denilquin stopping at the Painted
Honeyeater Reserve some 30km short of Denilquin. Booked into the quiet Peppin
Motor Inn for $65. Drove to Avalon Swamp spending the evening there.
Thurs 19th
Dec: Philip Maher collected us from the Motel at 06.00 and drove us first to
the Gulpa State Forest where we soon located a male Gilbert’s Whistler. We then
birded roadside Eremophila bushes for various staked-out nomadic Honeyeaters
before another visit to Avalon Swamp where despite Phil wading chest-high we
again failed to see Australian Little Bittern. We returned to the Motor Inn at
11.00. Phil collected us again at 16.00 from where we drove north of Denilquin
to a freshwater marsh that immediately yielded several Australian Spotted
Crakes before driving out onto the paddocks on the plains east of the Highway
seeing Australian Owlet-Nightjar, Ground Cuckoo-shrikes and Inland Dotterels.
Spotlighted from dusk seeing several Plains-wanderers before returning to the
Motor Inn at midnight.
Fri 20th
Dec: Up at 05.00 driving to Avalon Swamp arriving c.06.00 where birded until
08.30 before returning to the Motor Inn. Drove to Hattah NP where extremely hot
with resident birds there clearly suffering as they loafed around the water
being provided at the Park Information Centre. Found the Hattah Stores cooked
Hamburgers so grabbed a quick meal. Warned that it was too hot and dry to camp
so rented a small caravan at Ouyen for $35. Returned to the Hattah Stores where
birded the track opposite and then the start of the Nowingi Track.
Sat 21st Dec: Up at
05.00 and drove to Hattah arriving just after 06.00. Walked the Nowingi Track
for 2.5hours by when already very hot. Spent to 11.00 watching birds attracted
to the water at the Information Centre. Drove west to Eremophila Park arriving
14.00 where we met the owner Stella Mack who told us that our best strategy was
to find a Motel and a meal in Waikerie and to return to Eremophila Park in the
evening. We found a Motel for $60 and were rewarded with an encounter with
Malleefowl in the evening.
Mallee at Eremophila Park
Sun 22nd Dec: An early
morning pre-dawn arrival at Eremophila Park where we spent a couple of hours
photographing the male Malleefowl which was tending its mound and also heard
‘booming’. We then returned to the Motel and drove back towards Hattah NP
finding a Motel at Red Cliffs for $81 eating in a local Pizza bar.
Mon 23rd Dec: Arrived
at the Nowingi Track at dawn and walked for 5 hours. Drove to the Information
Centre where the water supply had been stopped and the birds deserted. To avoid
the fires raging in Wyperfield NP we drove south to the Grampians where the
temperatures were far more to our liking and where we chanced upon an Echnida
on entering the NP. We booked into a cabin at Hall’s Gap for $63.
Echnida in the Grampians
Lizard in the Grampians
Tues 24 Dec: Out early
walking the Silverlands and Dairy Creek trails but failed to find Koala. We
then drove south to the Great Ocean Road and booked into a Motel at Port
Campbell for $85. We birded the Loch Ard Gorge and Twelve Apostles areas in the
evening enjoying the fine scenery and the Little Penguins coming ashore at
dusk.
Weds 25th
Dec: Visited the Loch Ard area from dawn before returning to the Motel to leave
at 10.00 driving east along the Great Ocean Road. Visited Cape Otway where we
were pleasantly surprised to find Koalas proving a Christmas treat. Continued
driving east to Addis Point where we quickly found Blue-winged Parrots before
continuing east through Melbourne to Fern Gully NP where we eventually found a
Motel room at a Casino complex for $80.
Lizard along the Great Ocean Road
Cape Otway
Koala with cub
Sleeping Koala
Thur 26th
Dec: Early morning visit to Fern Tree Gully which was a memorial to the Kokoda
Trail in PNG bringing back memories of DC’s visit to the Kokoda Trail Motel
near Varirata NP in PNG a few years previously. We concentrated on the
right-hand trail until 11.00 before driving to the Chiltern NP. Made an
afternoon visit to the dry Cyanide Dam and a quick look along the Lancashire
road before making an evening visit to the nearby Mt. Pilot areas including the
Aboriginal Rock Art site and the track through dry forest to the summit itself
where we watched the sunset. Hired a cabin at Chiltern for $68.
Snowy Mountains
Sat 28th
Dec: Arrived at Tidinbilla Reserve at 07.30 where allowed in early by the
Wardens making an early visit to the Koala Enclosure and then walking the start
of the Fishing Gap Trail. Left the Reserve at 12.15 and drove to Barren Grounds
where we spent the remainder of the day. Drove after dark and booked into a
Motel at Robertson for $62.
Sun 29th
Dec: Up at 04.30 to arrive at Barren Grounds for dawn. Spent until 10.30 there
before a quick look down the escarpment before returning to the Motel eating in
a local pie shop. Returned to Barren Grounds in the afternoon where again spent
until dark.
Mon 30th
Dec: Early morning drive to Sydney returning car at 10.00. Left Sydney 15.10
for San Francisco crossing International Date Line so arriving c.10.00.
Australia Systematic
List
Emu - Dromaius
novaehollandiae C
Seen daily from the 18th to the 23rd
with sites including the plains north of Denilquin, towards Gulpa state Forest,
Hattah and feeding in the fields alongside the Sturt Highway between Mildura
and Waikerie with a daily maximum of 50 seen at the latter on the 22nd.
Hoary-headed Grebe -
Poliocephalus poliocephalus C
We saw 6 at the Leeton Sewage pools on the 17th,
2 at the Avalon Swamp on the 18th and 1 there the next day.
Australasian Grebe -
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae C
We saw 2 at Eastlakes Golf Course on the 9th, 1
at Del Rio Campsite on the 11th, 2 along Argyle Reach road on the 13th,
2 at the Leeton Sewage pools on the 17th, 1 at avalon swamp on the
18th and 2 on a roadside pool on the 27th.
Little Penguin -
Eudyptula minor C
Around 350 were watched gathering in flocks on the sea in
the evening off the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean road with the first
few seen arriving ashore and walking to their burrows.
Wandering Albatross -
Diomedea exulans gibsoni C
A single 3rd year? immature was seen from the
Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
Black-browed
Albatross - Diomedea melanophrys C
At least 2 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
Yellow-nosed
Albatross - Diomedea chlororhynchos C
We saw 2 from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
White-capped Shy
Albatross - Diomedea cauta C
At least 3 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
Buller's Albatross - Diomedea bulleri
One photographed from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.Buller's Albatross - Diomedea bulleri
Buller's Albatross off Sydney
Great-winged Petrel -
Pterodroma macroptera C
Around 100 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th
being in view for most of the time whilst in offshore waters.
Providence Petrel - Pterodroma solandri C
Around 5 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th
with some lingering around the boat for some time.
Tahiti Petrel - Pterodroma rostrata C
A single individual approached the boat from the rear
passing close alongside and continuing on its way on the Sydney pelagic trip on
the 14th.
Gould’s Petrel - Pterodroma leucoptera C
What were presumably 3 different individuals were seen from
the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th proving the highlight of the
pelagic trip.
Cook’s Petrel -
Pterodroma cookii C
A single individual was seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on
the 14th.
Flesh-footed
Shearwater - Puffinus carneipes C
Around 6 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th
with several landing close to the boat.
Wedge-tailed
Shearwater - Puffinus pacificus C
Around 30 dark morph birds were seen from the Sydney pelagic
trip on the 14th.
Dark-morph Wedge-tailed Shearwaters off Sydney
Buller’s Shearwater -
Puffinus bulleri C
A single individual was seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on
the 14th.
Sooty Shearwater -
Puffinus griseus C
Around 25 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
Short-tailed
Shearwater - Puffinus tenuirostris C
Around 3 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th
and on the assumption that the dark Shearwaters seen off the Twelve Apostles
which breed nearby were this species c.200 were seen on the 24th.
Fluttering Shearwater
- Puffinus gavia C
Around 8 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
- Oceanites oceanicus C
Around 8 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
White-faced
Storm-Petrel - Pelagodroma marina C
At least 4 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
Superb.
Australian Pelican -
Pelecanus conspicillatus C
Seen on eleven dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of
35 seen at Avalon Swamp on the 19th.
Australasian Gannet -
Sula serrator C
A single individual was seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on
the 14th and c.20 were seen off the Twelve Apostles along the Great
Ocean road on the 24th.
Darter - Anhinga
melanogaster C
Small numbers were seen on six dates at sites including East
Lakes Golf Course, Del Rio Campsite near Dharug NP, Avalon Swamp and the Sturt
Highway between Waikerie and Mildura though we never saw more than 3 on a day.
Black-faced Shag -
Leucocarbo fuscescens C
We counted 18 on the cliffs at the Twelve Apostles along the
Great Ocean road on the 24th.
Pied Cormorant -
Phalacrocorax varius C
Just a single individual was identified whilst driving
between Waikerie ann Mildura on the 22nd.
Cormorant -
Phalacrocorax carbo C
Up to 10 were seen daily on our three dates at Wiseman’s
Ferry.
Little Black
Cormorant - Phalacrocorax sulcirostris C
Seen on five dates at sites including Centennial Park, Royal
NP and Avalon Swamp with a daily maximum of 12 noted at the latter site on the
20th.
White-necked Heron -
Ardea pacifica C
Singles were seen near Dharug NP on the 11th,
Avalon Swamp on the 18th and whilst driving towards Canberra on the
27th.
White-faced Heron -
Ardea novaehollandiae C
Seen in small numbers on ten dates with sites including East
Lakes Golf Course, Dharug NP, Glen Davis, Avalon Swamp and in the vicinity of
Canberra with a daily maximum of 6 seen on the 19th.
Cattle Egret - Ardea
ibis C
We saw 3 whilst driving between Glen Davis and Hay on the 17th.
Great Egret - Ardea
alba C
Identified on six dates but almost certainly overlooked.
Sites included East Lakes Golf Course and Avalon Swamp with a daily maximum of
just 2 noted on two dates.
Little Egret - Ardea
garzetta C
A single individual was seen at Leeton Sewage Farm on the 17th.
Rufous Night Heron -
Nycticorax caledonicus C
We saw up to 3 on all three dates at the pools at the Del
Rio Campsite.
Glossy Ibis -
Plegadis falcinellus C
We saw 2 near Griffith on the 13th.
Australian White Ibis
- Threskiornis molucca C
Seen on eight dates in fair numbers at sites including East
Lakes Golf Course, Centennial Park, Dharug NP, Griffith, Leeton Sewage Farm,
Avalon Swamp and the Great Ocean road with a daily maximim of 110 seen on the 9th.
Straw-necked Ibis -
Threskiornis spinicollis C
Seen on eleven dates in good numbers with a daily maximum of
200 seen whilst driving from the Grampians to the Great Ocean road on the 24th.
Royal Spoonbill -
Platalea regia C
We saw 3 at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th, 5
near Griffith on the 13th, 1 near Glen Davis on the 15th
and 2 at Avalon Swamp on the 19th and 20th.
Yellow-billed
Spoonbill - Platalea flavipes C
A total of nine individuals seen on eight dates including on
all three dates at Avalon Swamp.
Wandering
Whistling-Duck - Dendrocygna arcuata C
A party of 6 were seen at Leeton Sewage Farm on the 17th.
Black Swan - Cygnus atratus
C
Seen on nine dates often just in small numbers apart from
200 seen on an estuary along the Great Ocean road on the 24th.
Freckled Duck - Stictonetta naevosa C
We saw 4 along the Argyle Reach road on the 13th
and 4 at Avalon Swamp on both the 18th and 20th.
Australian Shelduck -
Tadorna tadornoides C
We saw 8 on a freshwater lake to the north-west of Denilquin
on the 19th and 12 along the Great Ocean road on the 25th.
Pacific Black Duck -
Anas superciliosa C
Seen on twelve dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of
25 seen on the drive to Canberra on the 27th.
Pacific Black Ducks at Chiltern Lake
Grey Teal - Anas
gibberifrons C
Seen on nine dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of
200 seen on a freshwater lake to the north-west of Denilquin on the 19th.
Chestnut Teal - Anas
castanea C
We saw a drake at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th,
6 near Griffith on the 13th and 1 between Melbourne and Chiltern on
the 26th.
Australasian
Shoveller - Anas rhynchotis C
We saw 2 at Leeton Sewage Farm on the 17th.
Pink-eared Duck -
Malacorhynchus membranaceus C
We saw 2 along the Argyle Reach road on the 13th.
Hardhead - Aythya
australis C
Seen on four dates at East Lakes Golf Course, Centennial
Park and at Glen Davis with a daily maximum of 30 seen on the 9th.
Maned Duck -
Chenonetta jubata C
This species proved common being seen on thirteen dates in
good numbers with a daily maximum of 60 noted on the 17th.
Black-shouldered Kite
- Elanus notatus C
Seen on eight dates in small numbers at sites including
Dharug NP, Denilquin and the Great Ocean Road with a daily maximum of 3 seen on
the 26th.
Black Kite - Milvus
migrans C
We saw 8 at Hay on the 18th, up to 3 daily at
Waikerie and 4 at Chiltern NP on the 26th.
Whistling Kite -
Milvus sphenurus C
Seen on eight dates in small numbers at sites including
Wiseman’s Ferry, Waikerie and Chiltern NP with a daily maximum of 3 seen on the
26th.
Square-tailed Kite -
Lophoictinia isura C
A single individual was seen just souh of Chiltern on the
26th.
Brown Goshawk -
Accipiter fasciatus C
A single adult and juvenile were seen perched in the trees
outside Grove Cottage at glen Davis on the 15th.
White-bellied
Sea-Eagle - Haliaeetus leucogaster C
We saw 3 at Wiseman’s Ferry on the 11th but
somewhat surprisingly none thereafter.
Wedge-tailed Eagle -
Aquila audax C
Seen on eight dates in small numbers at sites including the
plains north of Denilquin, Hattah, the Great Ocean road and the drive over the
Snowy Mountains near Canberra with a daily maximum of 4 noted on three dates.
Wedge-tailed Eagle at Hattah
Little Eagle -
Hieraaetus morphnoides C
We saw 1 or 2 over fields just south of Chiltern NP on the
26th.
Swamp Harrier -
Circus approximans C
Up to 4 were seen daily at Avalon Swamp on three dates and
up to 2 were seen along the Great Ocean road on two dates.
Black Falcon - Falco
subniger C
A single individual was seen over fields adjacent to Avalon
Swamp on the 19th.
Peregrine - Falco
peregrinus C
A single individual was seen at the summit of Mt. Pilot on
the 27th.
Australian Hobby -
Falco longipennis C
Singles were seen on the plains north of Denilquin on the 19th
and whilst driving between Chiltern and Canberra on the 27th.
Brown Falcon - Falco
berigora C
Seen on eleven dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of
10 seen on the plains north of Denilquin on the 19th.
Australian Kestrel -
Falco cenchroides C
Seen on ten dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of 12
seen around Denlquin on the 19th.
Malleefowl - Leipoa ocellata C
A superb male was seen including tending its mound and heard
booming at dawn at Eremophila Park just east of Waikerie on the 21st
and 22nd.
Male Malleefowl at Eremophila Park
Australian
Brush-turkey - Alectura lathami C
Up to 3 were seen daily on three dates at Dharug with all
sightings in and around the campground there.
Australian Brush-Turkey at Dharug Campground
Stubble Quail - Coturnix pectoralis C
A single male was seen whilst spotlighting on the plains
north of Denilquin on the 19th.
Brown Quail -
Coturnix ypsilophora C
A pair were flushed at Avalon Swamp on both the 19th
and 20th.
Plains-wanderer - Pedionomus torquatus C
We saw 2 females, 2 males and a single juvenile whilst
spotlighting c.55km north of Denilquin on the 19th. Superb.
Plainswanderers at Denilquin
Buff-banded Rail -
Gallirallus philippensis C
A single individual was seen on the pool behind the
children’s cycle-way in Centennial Park on the 13th.
Lewin’s Rail - Dryolimnas pectoralis C
A single adult was seen on the pool behind the children’s
cycle-way in Centennial Park on the 9th.
Baillon’s Crake -
Porzana pusilla C
We saw 1-2 at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th,
2 at the del Rio campsite on the 11th and 4 at Avalon Swamp on the
20th. Superb.
Baillon's Crake at East Lakes Golf Course
Australian Spotted Crake - Porzana fluminea C
At least 3 were seen on a freshwater lake to the north-west
of Denilquin on the 19th. Superb.
Spotless Crake -
Porzana tabuensis C
We saw 2 at Avalon Swamp on the 19th. Superb.
Black-tailed Native-hen - Gallinula ventralis C
An amazing 120 were seen on the Hay Golf Course on the 18th
and 6 were seen at the freshwater lake to the north-west of Denilquin on the 19th.
Dusky Moorhen -
Gallinula tenebrosa C
Seen on eight dates in fair numbers at sites including East
Lakes Golf Course, Centennial Park, Royal NP, the Del Rio campsite and Chiltern
with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 27th.
Purple Swamphen -
Porphyrio porphyrio C
Seen on nine dates in fair numbers at sites including East
Lakes Golf Course, Centennial Park, Del Rio Campsite, Avalon Swamp and Chiltern
with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 9th.
Coot - Fulica atra C
Seen on thirteen dates in good numbers at sites including
East Lakes Golf Course, Del Rio campsite, Glen Davis, Avalon Swamp and Chiltern
with a daily maximum of 50 seen on the 13th.
Masked Lapwing -
Vanellus miles C
Seen on twelve dates in fair numbers at sites including East
Lakes Golf Course, Del Rio campsite, Glen Davis Denilquin and the Great Ocean
road with a daily maximum of 20 seen on the 9th.
Banded Lapwing -
Vanellus tricolor C
A total of 40 were seen on the plains north of Denilquin on
the 19th.
Red-kneed Dotterel -
Erythrogonys cinctus C
A single individual was seen along Argyle Reach road on the
13th, 1 was seen at Glen Davis on the 15th, 3 were seen
at the Leeton Sewage Farm on the 17th and up to 30 were seen on all
three dates at Avalon Swamp.
Black-fronted Plover
- Charadrius melanops C
Singles were seen at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th,
along the Argyle Reach road on the 13th and at Glen Davis on the 16th.
Inland Dotterel - Peltohyas australis C
A party of 12 were seen on the plains north of Denilquin on
the 19th. Superb.
Black-winged Stilt -
Himantopus himantopus C
We saw 3 at East Lakes Golf
Course on the 9th, 5 near Griffith on the 13th, 2
at Leeton Sewage Farm on the 17th and up to 20 on all three dates at
Avalon Swamp.
Greenshank - Tringa
nebularia C
We saw 2 at Avalon Swamp on both the 19th and 20th.
Marsh Sandpiper -
Tringa stagnatilis C
A single individual was seen on a pool near Avalon Swamp and
at least 7 were seen on the freshwater lake to the north-west of Denilquin all
on the 19th.
Latham’s Snipe - Gallinago hardwickii C
We saw 10 at Centennial Park on the 9th and 13th,
1 at Chiltern on the 26th and 2 there on the next day.
Sharp-tailed
Sandpiper - Calidris accuminata C
We saw 10 at East Lakes Golf Course and 10 at Centennial
Park on the 9th, and 10 at Centennial Park on the 13th
and 15 at a freshwater lake to the north-west of Denilquin on the 19th.
Arctic Skua -
Stercorarius parasiticus C
Just 2 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
Pomarine Skua -
Stercorarius pomarinus C
Around 5 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.
Silver Gull - Larus
novaehollandiae C
Seen on seven dates at all coastal locations.
Whiskered Tern -
Chlidonias hybrida C
A single adult was seen at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th,
8 adults were seen over rice fields east of Hay on the 17th and 2
were seen at Avalon Swamp on the 18th and 20th.
Caspian Tern - Sterna
caspia C
A single individual was seen roosting on a sandbar along the
Great Ocean road on the 24th.
Common Tern - Sterna
hirundo C
Around 6 were seen in Sydney harbour from the pelagic trip
on the 14th.
Crested Tern - Sterna
bergii C
Only seen along the Great Ocean road where 40 were seen on
the 24th and 30 the following day.
White-headed Pigeon - Columba leucomela C
A group of 6 were seen feeding on seed put out for them at a
Motel at the bottom of the Barren Grounds Escarpment on the 28th.
White-headed Pigeons near Barren Grounds
Spotted Turtle-Dove -
Streptopelia chinensis C
Seen on three dates near Sydney with a daily maximum of 6
were noted at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th and 6 were seen in
the vicinity of Melbourne on the 25th.
Brown Cuckoo-Dove - Macropygia phasianella (amboinensis) C
At Dharug Camp Ground we saw 1 on the 11th and 2
the following day.
Peaceful Dove -
Geopelia placida C
Up to 2 were seen daily on all three dates at Glen Davis and
6 were seen around Denilquin on the 19th.
Common Bronzewing -
Phaps chalcoptera C
Seen on seven dates at sites including Dharug, Glen Davis
and Eremophila Park with a daily maximum of 10 seen at the latter site on the
21st.
Crested Pigeon -
Geophaops lophotes C
Seen on ten dates at sites including Centennial Park, Glen
Davis, Denilquin and Eremophila Park with a daily maximum of 15 seen on the 18th.
Wonga Pigeon - Leucosarcia melanoleuca C
A pair were seen in the Camp Ground at Dharug NP on the 12th
and 1 was seen at Tidinbilla on the 28th. Superb.
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo – Calyptorhynchus funereus C
A party of 10 were seen in flight near Bathurst on the 17th,
4 were seen along the Great Ocean Road on the 24th with 10 seen
along there the following day, 20 were seen on the drive to Canberra on the 27th,
and 8 were seen at Barren Grounds on the 28th with 3 seen there the
following day.
Gang-Gang Cockatoo – Callocephalon fimbriatum C
A single male was seen at Katoomba on the 15th, a female was seen near athirst on the 17th,
6 were seen in the Grampians on the 23rd with 12 there the following
day, a female was seen at Tidinbilla on the 28th and another was
seen at Barren Grounds on the 29th. Superb.
Gang-Gang Cockatoos in the Grampians
Galah – Cacatua roseicapilla C
Seen on fourteen dates whilst at inland sites with a daily
maximum of 400 being seen around Denilquin on the 19th.
Galahs at Eremophila Park
Long-billed Corella – Cacatua tenuirostris C
We saw c.350 at Denilquin on both the 19th and 20th
and up to c.500 in the Grampians on the 23rd and 24th.
Long-billed Corellas at Denilquin
Little Corella – Cacatua pastinator C
We saw 4 in farmland near Avalon Swamp on the 18th
and 2 at Hattah on the 21st.
Little Corella and Yellow Rosellas at Hattah NP
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo – Cacatua galerita C
Seen on sixteen dates proving very common with a daily
maximum of 250 seen on the 21st.
Rainbow Lorikeet – Trichoglossus haematodus C
Up to 20 were seen daily on four dates in the Sydney suburbs
and 5 were seen in the Grampians on the 23rd.
Australian King Parrot – Alisterus scapularis C
We saw 4 on two dates at Dharug NP, up to 4 daily on three
dates at Glen Davis, 12 at a Nursery near Mt. Pilot on the 27th and
4 at Tidinbilla on the 28th.
Superb Parrot – Polytelis swainsonii C
We saw a total of 25 with good numbers of birds seen at the
plains north of Denilquin and along the Avalon Swamp road on the 18th.
Surprisingly not seen the following day.
Superb Parrot at Avalon Swamp
Regent Parrot – Polytelis anthopeplus C
A flock of 20 were seen to the south of Ouyen whilst driving
south on the 23rd.
Cockatiel – Leptolophus hollandicus C
A party of 8 were seen at Avalon Road Swamp near Denilquin
on the 19th and 4 were seen whilst driving the following day.
Ground Parrot – Pezoporus wallicus
Heard at dusk on two evenings at Barren Grounds along the
trail just beyond the small weather station.
Crimson Rosella – Platycercus elegans C
We saw 3 along the Old North Road at Dharug NP on the 12th,
up to 6 on two dates at Glen Davis, and up to 30 seen daily from the 24th
to the 29th.
Yellow Rosella – Platycercus flaveolus C
Up to 8 were seen in the Hay Big Four Caravan Park on the 17th
and 18th, up to 40 were seen on two dates whilst at Hattah NP and 4
were seen at Chiltern on the 27th.
Yellow Rosellas at Hattah NP
Eastern Rosella – Platycercus eximius C
Up to 8 were seen on two dates in the Royal NP, 2 were seen
at Dharug NP on the 12th, up to 6 were seen on two dates at Glen
Davis, up to 6 were seen on two dates at Chiltern NP and 8 were seen at
Tidinbilla on the 28th.
Mallee Ringneck – Barnardius barnardi C
We saw 2 just south of Hattah NP and 6 at Eremophila Park on
the 21st and 4 at Eremophila Park the following day.
Red-rumped Parrot – Psephotus haematonotus C
Seen on nine dates whilst at inland locations at sites
including Glen Davis, Denilquin and Chiltern with a daily maximum of 50 seen at
Glen Davis on two dates.
Mulga Parrot – Psephotus varius C
We saw 8 opposite the Hattah Stores on the 20th
and 15 at Eremophila Park on the 21st.
Blue Bonnet – Northiella haematogaster C
We saw 6 at the Painted Honeyeater site described by Thomas
& Thomas on the plains north of Denilquin on the 18th.
Blue-winged Parrot – Neophema chrysostoma C
Around 14 were seen in the vicinity of the toilet block at
Pt. Addis along the Great Ocean road on the 25th.
Turquoise Parrot – Neophema pulchella C
After much searching a single male was seen at the Nursery
just below Mt. Pilot on the 27th.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo – Cuculus flabelliformis C
A single individual was seen along the entrance track at
Dharug NP on the 13th.
Common Koel – Eudynamys scolopacea C
A male was seen at Dharug NP on the 11th and the
species was heard at this site the following two days.
Channel-billed Cuckoo – Scythrops novaehollandiae C
We saw up to 12 daily on three dates at Dharug NP including
several roving parties.
Southern Boobook – Ninox novaeseelandiae C
Heard overnight at the Del Rio campsite on the 12th
and 1 seen whilst driving at night between Mt. Pilot and Chiltern on the 26th.
Tawny Frogmouth – Podargus strigoides C
We spotlighted and adult feeding a juvenile at Dharug NP,
saw an adult at the lights of the Wiseman’s Ferry and saw another adult at the
Del Rio campsite on the 12th and saw an adult on the outskirts of
Denilquin whilst returning from Avalon Swamp on the 18th. Superb.
Tawny Frogmouth at Dharug NP
Tawny Frogmouth at Del Rio Campsite
Australian Owlet-Nightjar – Aegotheles cristatus C
Phil Maher found us a single individual in dry woodland on
the plains to the north of Denilquin on the 19th. Superb.
Australian Owlet-Nightjar at Denilquin
White-throated Nightjar – Eurostopodus mystacalis mystacalis C
Singles were seen over the lake at the Del Rio campsite at
dusk on the 11th and at Grove Cottage at Glen Davis again at dusk on
the 15th.
White-throated Needletail – Hirundapus caudacutus C
An impressive flock of 30 were seen at the summit of Mt.
Pilot on the 27th. Stunning.
White-throated Needletails over Mt. Pilot
Azure Kingfisher – Alcedo azurea C
We saw 2 at the lake at the Del Rio campsite on the 11th.
Laughing Kookaburra – Dacelo novaeguineae C
Seen on fifteen dates at widespread locations with a daily
maximum of 8 seen on the 11th.
Laughing Kookaburra at Wiseman's Ferry
Laughing Kookaburra along the Great Ocean Road
Sacred Kingfisher – Todirhampus sancta C
Up to 2 were seen on two dates at Dharug NP and 1 was seen
whilst driving on the 27th.
Rainbow Bee-eater – Merops ornatus C
Up to 8 were seen on two dates at Glen Davis, 4 were seen
opposite the Hattah Stores on the 20th and 2 were seen at Hattah on
the 23rd.
Dollarbird – Eurystomus orientalis C
Up to 3 were seen on two dates at Dharug NP.
Superb Lyrebird – Menura novaehollandiae C
We saw 6 on both days
in the Royal NP, up to 8 on two dates at Dharug NP and 1 whilst descending the
escarpment near Barren Grounds on our final morning whilst driving to the
airport on the 30th.
Superb Lyrebird in the Royal NP
Australian Singing Bushlark – Mirafra javanica C
Up to 2 were seen on two dates at Glen Davis and up to 6
were seen on two dates on the plains north of Denilquin.
Skylark – Alauda arvensis C
We saw 3 along the Great Ocean road on the 24th
and 2 whilst driving to Canberra on the 27th.
White-backed Swallow – Cheramoeca leucosternum C
A single individual was seen over the Hattah HQ on the 21st.
Superb.
Welcome Swallow – Hirundo neoxena C
Seen on seventeen dates proving common and widespread with a
daily maximum of 50 seen around Denilquin on the 19th.
Fairy Martin – Hirundo ariel C
We saw 15 at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th, 2
on the 13th, 6 on the 15th and 10 between Waikerie and
Ouyen on the 22nd.
Australian Pipit – Anthus novaeseelandiae C
We saw up to 8 on two dates at Glen Davis, 10 on the plains
north of Denilquin on the 18th and 2 at Tidinbilla on the 28th.
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike – Coracina novaehollandiae C
Seen on twelve dates in small numbers with a daily maximum
of 4 seen at Glen Davis on the 16th.
Cicadabird – Coracina tenuirostris C
Single males were seen in a fruiting tree near Dharug NP
campsite on the 12th and 13th.
Ground Cuckoo-shrike – Coracina maxima C
A spectacular species with a group of 4 being seen on the
plains north of Denilquin on the 19th.
White-winged Triller – Lalage tricolor C
A pair were seen at Glen Davis on the 16th.
Red-whiskered Bulbul – Pycnonotus jocosus C
We saw 4 near Windsor on the 13th.
Bassian Thrush – Zoothera lunulata C
Singles were seen in the Royal NP along the Lady Carrington
Drive on the 10th and at the Waterfall end on the 11th.
Superb.
Blackbird – Turdus merula C
Seen on seven dates with a daily maximum of 10 seen along
the Great Ocean road on the 25th.
Rose Robin – Petroica rosea C
A superb male was tape-lured into view at Tidinbilla on the
28th. Superb.
Male Rose Robin at Tidinbilla
Scarlet Robin – Petroica multicolour C
A pair were seen at Mt. Pilot on the 27th.
Hooded Robin – Melanodryas cucullata C
Pairs were seen in the Gulpa State Forest on the 19th
and in the Grampians on the 23rd.
Eastern Yellow Robin – Eopsaltria australis C
Seen on ten dates in good numbers often proving very
confiding with a daily maximum of 12 seen in the Royal NP on the 10th.
Jacky Winter – Microeca leucophaea C
We saw up to 10 daily on two dates at Glen Davis, 4 around
Denilquin on the 19th and 2 daily in the Grampians.
Crested Shrike-tit – Falcunculus frontatus C
Singles were seen at Dharug NP on the 13th and at
Glen Davis on the 15th and 17th, and pairs were seen in
the Gulpa State Forest on the 19th and in the Grampians on the 24th.
Olive Whistler – Pachycephala olivacea C
A single male was seen at Fern Tree Gully on the 26th.
Gilbert’s Whistler – Pachycephala inornata C
A single male was seen in the Gulpa State Forest on the 19th.
Golden Whistler – Pachycephala pectoralis C
We saw 2 females in the Royal NP on the 10th and
a pair in Fern Tree Gully on the 26th.
Rufous Whistler – Pachycephala rufiventris C
We saw up to 6 daily on two dates at Glen Davis, 2 at Mt.
Pilot on the 27th and up to 2 on two dates at Barren Grounds.
Grey Shrike-thrush – Colluricincla harmonica C
Seen on eight dates in fair numbers with a daily maximum of
6 seen at Dharug NP on the 12th.
Crested Bellbird – Oreoica gutturalis C
A pair were seen along the Nowingi Track in Hattah NP on the
23rd.
Black-faced Monarch – Monarcha melanopsis C
We saw 8 along Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal NP on the
10th.
Leaden Flycatcher – Myiagra rubecula C
A pair were seen in the Dharug NP campground on the 11th.
Restless Flycatcher – Myiagra inquieta C
Only seen at Glen Davis where we saw 1 on the 15th
and 2 the following day.
Rufous Fantail – Rhipidura rufifrons C
We saw 1 along Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal NP on the
10th, 1 at Glen Davis on the 15th, 2 in the Grampians on
the 24th and 3 at Tidinbilla on the 28th.
Grey Fantail – Rhipidura fuliginosa C
Seen on eleven days in fair numbers with a daily maximum of
10 seen at Tidinbilla on the 28th.
Willie Wagtail – Rhipidura leucophrys C
Seen on seventeen dates with a daily maximum of 15 seen at
Glen Davis on the 16th.
Eastern Whipbird – Psophodes olivaceus C
We saw 2 and heard another 2 along the Lady Carrington Drive
in the Royal NP on the 10th, saw 1 at the Waterfall end of the Drive
on the 11th and heard them at Dharug NP and Gen Davis.
Spotted Quail-thrush – Cinclosoma punctatum C
After much searching a single female performed well along
the Old North Road at Dharug NP on the 12th.
Chestnut Quail-thrush – Cinclosoma castaneothorax
A fine pair were seen along the Nowingi Track in Hattah NP
on the 23rd.
Grey-crowned Babbler – Pomatostomus temporalis C
Only seen in the vicinity of Denilquin where 15 were seen on
the 18th and 6 the following day.
White-browed Babbler – Pomatostomus superciliosus C
Up to 20 were seen on all three dates at Glen Davis, 6 were
seen along the Nowingi Track in Hattah on the 23rd and 2 were seen
in Chiltern NP on the 26th.
Chestnut-crowned Babbler – Pomatostomus ruficeps C
A single individual was seen at Eremophila Park on the 21st.
Australian Clamorous Reed-Warbler – Acrocephalus stentoreus C
We saw 4 at East Lakes Golf Course and 2 at Centennial Park
on the 9th, up to 15 on all three dates at the lake at the Del Rio
campground and up to 6 on all three visits to Avalon Swamp.
Little Grassbird – Megalurus gramineus C
We saw 2 at the lake at the Del Rio Campground on the 11th
and 1 at the Avalon Swamp on the 20th.
Golden-headed Cisticola – Cisticola exilis C
We saw 2 on a freshwater lake northwest of Denilquin on the
19th and 1 on the 28th.
Rufous Songlark – Cinclorhamphus mathewsi C
We saw 2 at Glen Davis on the 16th.
Brown Songlark – Cinclorhamphus cruralis C
We saw 3 males on the plains north of Denilquin on the 18th
and 2 females there the following day.
Superb Fairy-wren – Malurus cyaneus C
Seen on sixteen dates only being not encountered around Denilquin,
Hattah NP and Waikerie. A daily maximum of 15 were recorded on the 9th
and 11th with a high percentage of fine-plumaged males being seen.
Superb Fairy-wrens at Sydney
Variegated Fairy-wren – Malurus lamberti C
We saw several parties totalling c.12 birds along the higher
parts of the Old North Road at Dharug NP on the 12th and a party of
6 along the Nowingi Track at Hattah NP on the 23rd. Full-plumaged
males were seen with every party encountered.
White-winged Fairy-wren – Malurus leucopterus C
We saw two pairs on the plains between Hay and enilquin on
the 18th.
Southern Emu-wren – Stipturus malachurus C
We saw two parties comprising 7 birds near the small weather
station at Barren Grounds on the 28th and a male there the following
day. Superb.
Eastern Bristlebird – Dasyornis brachypterus C
We saw 3 all in the vicinity of the accommodation at Barren
Grounds on the 29th.
Rufous Bristlebird – Dasyornis broadbenti C
We saw 3 along the Great Ocean Road in the vicinity of Pt.
Campbell on both the 24th and 25th.
Pilotbird – Pycnoptilus floccosus C
We saw 2 along the trail leading north from Echo Point
towards the Camp Ground at Katoomba on the 15th.
Origma – Origma solitaria C
A pair were watched feeding a single juvenile along the Lady
Carrington Drive in the Royal NP on the 10th and 1 was seen along
the Old North Road at Dharug NP on the 12th.
Large-billed Scrubwren – Sericornis magnirostris C
We saw 2 at both ends of the Lady Carrington Drive in the
Royal NP on the 10th and 11th.
Yellow-throated Scrubwren – Sericornis citreogularis C
We encountered 3 along the Lady Carrington Drive accessed
from Waterfall in the Royal NP on the 11th. Superb.
White-browed Scrubwren – Sericornis frontalis C
We saw them in the Royal NP, Dharug NP, Katoomba, Fern Tree
Gully, Mt. Pilot, Tidinbilla and Barren Grounds where they often proved common.
A daily maximum of 15 were noted on the 28th.
Chestnut-rumped Hylacola – Sericornis pyrrhopygius C
A single individual was seen in the dry woodland bordering
the road at Glen Davis on the 17th.
Striated Calamanthus – Sericornis fuliginosus C
A single male in song was watched along the track leading to
the Twelve Apostles on the 24th.
Speckled Warbler – Sericornis sagittatus C
At Glen Davis we saw 4 on the 15th and 3 on the
17th.
Weebill – Smicrornis brevirostris C
Only seen in the west where we saw 8 at Hattah NP on the 21st,
2 near Waikerie on the 22nd and 6 at Hattah NP on the 23rd.
Brown Gerygone – Gerygone mouki C
We saw 6 along the Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal NP on
the 10th and 1 at Barren Grounds on the 29th.
Brown Thornbill – Acanthiza pusilla C
This species proved quite common at Royal NP, Dharug NP
Katoomba and Glen Davis with a daily maximum of 8 seen on the 10th.
Inland Thornbill – Acanthiza apicalis C
We saw 4 along the Nowingi Track at Hattah NP on the 21st.
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill – Acanthiza uropygialis C
We saw 2 in the Grampians on the 23rd and 4 at
Mt. Pilot on the 27th.
Buff-rumped Thornbill – Acanthiza reguloides C
We saw 4 at Glen Davis on the 16th.
Yellow-rumped Thornbill – Acanthiza chrysorrhoa C
We saw 3 at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th, up
to 8 daily on three dates at Glen Davis, 6 near Denilquin on the 18th
and 6 in the Grampians on the 23rd.
Yellow Thornbill – Acanthiza nana C
We saw 1 at Gen Davis on the 16th and 4 there the
next day and 4 at Hay State Forest on the 18th.
Striated Thornbill – Acanthiza lineata C
Small numbers were seen at Royal NP, Dharug NP, Glen Davis,
Fern Tree Gully, Mt. Pilot, Tidinbilla and Barren Grounds with a daily maximum
of 4 seen on the 13th.
Southern Whiteface – Aphelocephala leucopsis C
Only seen at Glen Davis where we saw 5 on the 15th
and 2 the following day.
Varied Sitella – Daphoenositta chrysoptera C
Only seen at Glen Davis where we saw 3 on the 15th
and 2 the following day.
White-throated Treecreeper – Cormobates leucophaea C
Seen in small numbers at Royal NP, Dharug NP, Tidinbilla and
Barren Grounds with a number of juveniles encountered.
Red-browed Treecreeper – Climacteris erythrops C
A pair were seen in the Kaola Enclosure at Tidinbilla on the
28th.
Brown Treecreeper – Climacteris picumnus C
Up to 4 were seen daily on three dates at Glen Davis and 4
were seen along the Nowingi Track in Hattah NP on the 23rd.
Red Wattlebird – Anthochaera carunculata C
A single individual was seen at Corunalla on the 9th,
up to 8 were seen on two dates at Glen Davis, 1 was seen on the 20th,
6 were seen at Fern Tree Gully on the 26th and up to 4 were seen on
two dates at Barren Grounds.Brush Wattlebird – Anthochaera chrysoptera C
We saw 5 in Waterfall on the 11th and 2 on both
dates at Barren Grounds.
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater – Acanthagenys rufogularis C
We saw up to 3 daily on our three days at Denilquin and 6 at
Eremophila Park on the 21st.
Striped Honeyeater – Plectorhyncha lanceolata C
We saw 3 between Denilquin and Avalon Swamp on the 19th.
Smart.
Noisy Friarbird – Philemon corniculatus C
Scarcer than expected with just 10 seen at Dharug on the 12th
with 2 seen there the next day and 2 seen at Glen Davis on the 16th.
Little Friarbird –
Philemon citreogularis C
We saw 3 in Hay State Forest on the 18th.
Blue-faced Honeyeater – Entomyzon cyanotis C
We saw 4 at a birdtable in Wiseman’s Ferry on the 12th
and 2 at the Hattah HQ on both the 20th and 21st.
Bell Miner – Manorina melanophrys C
A vocal party of 10 were seen on the Grass Tree Circuit at
Dharug NP on the 13th.
Noisy Miner – Manorina melanocephala C
Seen on twelve dates only proving absent from Denilquin and
South Australia. A daily maximum of 15 was recorded at the Del Rio Campsite on
the 11th.
Yellow-throated Miner – Manorina flavigula C
Around 12 were seen at Eremophila Park on the 21st.
Yellow-throated Miner at Eremophila Park
Lewin’s Honeyeater – Meliphaga lewinii C
We saw 2 along the Lady Carrington Drive in the Royal NP on
the 10th and up to 8 seen daily on three dates at Dharug NP.
Yellow-faced Honeyeater – Lichenostomus chrysops C
This species proved commoner than expected with up to 6 seen
daily on three dates at Dharug NP 2 seen at Glen Davis on the 16th,
3 in the Grampians on the 24th, 6 at Mt. Pilot on the 27th
and 20 at Tidinbilla on the 28th.
Singing Honeyeater – Lichenostomus virescens C
We saw 2 on two dates around Denilquin, 4 at Eremophila Park
on the 21st and up to 6 daily on two dates along the Great Ocean
Road.
Singing Honeyeater at Eremophila Park
White-eared Honeyeater – Lichenostomus leucotis C
We saw 8 along the Old North Road at Dharug NP on the 12th,
4 at Glen Davis on the 16th and 2 at Tidinbilla on the 28th.
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater – Lichenostomus melanops C
We saw up to 6 daily on three dates at Dharug NP, up to 5 on
two dates at Glen Davis and up to 10 on two dates at Mt. Pilot.
Yellow-plumed Honeyeater – Lichenostomus ornatus C
Only seen at Hattah NP where it proved common with up to 20
seen daily on all three dates there.
Fuscous Honeyeater – Lichenostomus fuscus C
A single individual was seen at Glen Davis on the 17th
and 2 were seen at Fern Tree Gully on the 17th.
White-plumed Honeyeater – Lichenostomus penicillatus C
Up to 10 were seen daily on three dates at Glen Davis, up to
4 were seen daily on two dates around Denilquin and up to 4 were seen daily on
three dates at Hattah NP.
Black-chinned Honeyeater – Melithreptus gularis C
A single individual performed well for us at Glen Davis on
the 15th.
Brown-headed Honeyeater – Melithreptus brevirostris C
We saw 4 at Eremophila Park on the 21st.
White-naped Honeyeater – Melithreptes lunatus C
We saw 3 in the Grampians on the 24th.
Crescent Honeyeater – Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera C
A single female was seen at Katoomba on the 15th
and a pair were seen at Fern Tree Gully on the 26th.
New Holland Honeyeater – Phylidonyris novaehollandiae C
We saw 2 at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th, 4
Katoomba on the 15th, 3 in the Grampians on the 23rd, up
to 15 daily along the Great Ocean Road and up to 6 daily at Barren Grounds.
Painted Honeyeater – Grantiella picta C
A single male holding territory was seen near Denilquin on
the 19th.
Eastern Spinebill – Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris C
We saw 3 in the Royal NP on the 10th, 2 daily on
three dates at Dharug NP, up to 2 on two dates at Glen Davis, up to 4 daily on
two dates in the Grampians and 2 at Barren Grounds on the 29th.
Black Honeyeater – Certhionyx niger C
A single male was seen at a flowering Eremophila tree near
Avalon Swamp on the 19th. Superb.
Pied Honeyeater – Certhionyx variegatus C
We saw 9 males and a single female at two Eremophila bushes
near Avalon Swamp on the 19th. Superb.
Orange Chat – Ephthianura aurifrons C
An estimated 50 comprising mainly males were seen at a
freshwater lake and on the plains north of Denilquin on the 19th.
Superb.
White-fronted Chat – Ephthianura albifrons C
We saw 2 at a freshwater lake north of Denilquin on the 19th.
Mistletoebird – Dicaeum hirundinaceum C
We saw 3 at Glen Davis on the 15th and 1 there on
the 17th and 2 near Denilquin on the 19th.
Striated Pardalote – Pardalotus striatus C
We saw 1 at Denilquin on the 18th and 2 there the
next day.
Silvereye – Zosterops lateralis C
We saw 4 at Dharug NP on the 12th, and singles on
the 15th, and along the Great Ocean Road on the 24th and
25th.
Goldfinch – Carduelis carduelis C
We saw 1 near Windsor on the 13th and up to 5
along the Great Ocean Road on both the 24th and 25th.
Greenfinch – Carduelis chloris C
We saw 2 at East Lakes Golf Course on the 9th.
House Sparrow – Passer domesticus C
Noted on ten dates with a daily maximum of 25 seen on the 18th.
Diamond Firetail – Stagonopleura guttata C
We saw 8 at Goollooinboin Station on the 15th.
Red-browed Firetail – Neochmia temporalis C
We saw 2 in the Royal NP on the 10th, 2 at Dharug
NP on the 12th, 4 at Goollooinboin Station on the 15th
and 2 there on the 17th, 1 on the 24th and 10 at a
Nursery near Mt. Pilot on the 27th.
Zebra Finch – Taeniopygia guttata C
We saw up to 10 on all three dates at Glen Davis and up to 5
on two dates at Denilquin.
Double-barred Finch – Taeniopygia bichenovii
We saw up to 10 on all three dates at Glen Davis.
Starling – Sturnus vulgaris C
Seen on ten dates with a daily maximum of 1,000 seen flying
into roost at Avalon Swamp on the 18th.
Common Myna – Acridotheres tristis C
Seen on eleven dates with a daily maximum of 15 noted on the
11th.
Olive-backed Oriole – Oriolus sagittatus C
We saw 4 in a fruiting tree at the Dharug NP campground on
the 12th and 6 there the following day.
Satin Bowerbird – Ptilonorhynchus violaceus C
We saw 2 males along the Lady Carrington Drive on the 10th,
6 there on the 11th, 10 at the Del Rio campground on the 12th
and 6 there the next day, 3 at Katomba on the 15th and 2 at Barren
Grounds on both the 28th and 29th.
Green Catbird – Ailuroedus crassirostris C
A single male was seen calling along the Waterfall section
of the Lady Carrington Drive at dawn on the 11th.
White-winged Chough – Corcorax melanorhamphos C
Up to 50 were seen daily at Glen Davis, up to 15 were seen
daily around Denilquin, up to 12 were seen daily at Hattah, up to 45 were seen
daily at Eremophila Park and 10 were seen at the Chiltern NP on the 26th.
Apostlebird – Struthidea cinerea C
We saw 6 at Hay on the 18th and 10 at Hattah NP
on the 20th.
Australian Magpie-lark – Grallina cyanoleuca C
Seen on nineteen dates with a daily maximum of 12 seen on
the 16th.
Masked Woodswallow – Artamus personatus C
We saw 4 on the plains between Hay and Denilquin on the 18th
accompanying a large flock of White-browed Woodswallows.
White-browed Woodswallow – Artamus superciliosus C
We saw a pair at Glen Davis on the 17th and a
flock of 50 on the plains between Hay and Denilquin on the 18th.
Black-faced Woodswallow – Artamus cinereus C
We saw 2 near Denilquin on the 19th.
Dusky Woodswallow – Artamus cyanopterus C
We saw up to 15 on all three dates at Glen Davis, 2 roadside
on the 20th, 3 on two dates in the Grampians and 4 at Mt. Pilot on
the 26th.
Grey Butcherbird – Cracticus torquatus C
We saw 2 on the drive to Dharug NP on the 11th
and 4 near Waikerie on the 21st.
Pied Butcherbird – Cracticus nigrogularis C
We saw 1 at Katoomba on the 15th, 1 near
Denilquin on the 19th and up to 6 on two dates at Hattah NP.
Australian Magpie – Gymnorhina tibicen C
Seen daily with a daily maximum of 50 seen at Eremophila
Park on the 21st.
Pied Currawong – Strepera graculina C
Seen in small numbers at Cronulla, Centennial Park, Dharug
NP, Katoomba, Glen Davis and Barren Grounds with a daily maximum of 6 seen on
two dates.
Grey Currawong – Strepera versicolor melanoptera C
We saw 8 in the Mallee at Eremophila Park on the 21st.
Australian Raven – Corvus coronoides C
Seen in fair numbers around Sydney, Dharug NP, Glen Davis
and Denilquin with a daily maximum of 15 noted on the 9th.
Forest Raven – Corvus tasmanicus C
We saw 150 along the Great Ocean Road especially at Cape
Otway on the 25th.
