Sunday 8 December 2002

Southeast Australia 7/12/02 - 30/12/02

Southeast Australia 2002

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.

 
 Wiseman's Ferry
 

Trails at Dharug NP
Monitor Lizard at Dharug NP
 
Our tent at the not so busy Del Rio Campsite
 
Kangaroo and Joey at the Del Rio Campsite

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. 

 Wiseman's Ferry Crossing
 
 
 
 
 
 
Views along the Old Road North in Dharug NP

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.
 
DC departing on the Sydney Pelagic Trip

Sailing Ship seen from Pelagic Trip off Sydney

Sydney Harbour Tour for BK
 
Sydney Opera House
 
Sydney Harbour Bridge
 
 
Sydney - new and old
 
Sydney
 
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.


 


Glen Davis Views

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.

 Road to Denilquin Plains

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.

 Denilquin Plains

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. 

 Nowingi Track at Hattah

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.

 Vineyard View
 
View near Red Cliffs

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.

 
 
 
 Grampians
 
Trail in the Grampians
 
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.

 Departing the Grampians
 
 
Great Ocean Road

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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Great Ocean Road

 
Lizard along the Great Ocean Road
 
Cape Otway
 

Koala with cub

Sleeping Koala
 
 
 
 
 
 Koalas at Cape Otway

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.

 Chiltern Lake
 
 
 
 Chiltern Views from Mt. Pilot
 
Chiltern Sunset
 
Fri 27thDec: Out at dawn again walking the track to the summit of Mt. Pilot where dive-bombed by a group of White-vented Needletails. Returned towards Chiltern at 09.00 making a stop at a well-watered Nursery and Hanging Garden finally seeing a male Turquoise Parrot. Left Chiltern at 10.30 and drove across the Snowy Mountains to Canberra where eat in a small Pizza restaurant. Slept in the car at a small forestry free campsite near the Tidinbilla Reserve.  
 
 
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.

 
 
 
 
 Barren Grounds

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.

 
 
 Departing Sydney

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.

 
 
 Emu at the Del Rio Campsite

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.
 
 
 Wandering Albatross off Sydney

Black-browed Albatross - Diomedea melanophrys C
At least 2 were seen from the Sydney pelagic trip on the 14th.

 
 Immature Black-browed Albatross off Sydney

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 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.

 
 
 
 
 Great-winged Petrels off Sydney

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.

 
 Providence Petrels off Sydney

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.

 Gould's Petrel off Sydney

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.

 Australian Pelicans at Avalon Swamp

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.

 Black Swan at Chiltern Lake

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.

 Freckled Duck along the Argyle Reach road near Windsor

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.
 
 
 Maned Duck at Dharug NP

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.
 

 Little Eagle near Chiltern NP

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.
 
 
 
Malleefowl on its huge mound at Eremophila Park

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.
 
 
 Male Stubble Quail at Denilquin

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.

 Purple Swamphen at East Lakes Golf Course

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.

 Inland Dotterel at Denilquin

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.

 
 
 Pomarine Skua off Sydney

Silver Gull - Larus novaehollandiae C
Seen on seven dates at all coastal locations.

 Silver Gull along the Great Ocean Road

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.

 Whiskered Tern at East Lakes Golf Course

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.

 
 Brown Cuckoo-Dove at Dharug Camp Ground

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.

 Common Bronzewing at Eremophila Park

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.

 
 Crested Pigeons at Eremophila Park

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.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 Sulphur-crested Cockatoos at Hattah NP

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.

Male Australian King Parrot in the Chilterns
 
 
Male Australian King Parrot at Dharug NP

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.

 Regent Parrots at Eremophila Park

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.

 Crimson Rosella at Katoomba
 
Crimson Rosella in the Grampians

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.

 
 Red-rumped Parrots at Hattah NP

Mulga Parrot – Psephotus varius C

We saw 8 opposite the Hattah Stores on the 20th and 15 at Eremophila Park on the 21st.

 
 Female Mulga Parrot at Eremophila Park

 
Male Mulga Parrot at Eremophila Park

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.

 Blue-winged Parrot at Pt. Addis

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.

 
 
 Fan-tailed Cuckoo at Dharug NP

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.

 Australian Singing Bushlark at Glen Davis

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.

 Ground Cuckoo-Shrike at Denilquin

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.

 Crested Shrike-Tit in the Grampians

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.

 Willie Wagtail at Eremophila Park

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.

 
 
 Male Variegated Fairy-wren at Dharug NP

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.

 Rufous Bristlebird along the Great Ocean Road

Pilotbird – Pycnoptilus floccosus C

We saw 2 along the trail leading north from Echo Point towards the Camp Ground at Katoomba on the 15th.

 
 
 Pilotbird at Katoomba

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.

 
 Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater at Eremophila Park

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.

 Noisy Friarbird at Dharug NP

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.

 
Blue-faced Honeyeaters at Wiseman's Ferry

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.

 
 Noisy Miner at Hattah NP

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.

 Yellow-faced Honeyeater at Dharug NP

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.

 White-eared Honeyeater at Dharug NP

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.

 Yellow-plumed Honeyeater at Eremophila Park

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.

 Female Crescent Honeyeater at Katoomba

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.

 
Male Pied Honeyeater near Avalon Swamp

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.

 Mistletoebird near Denilquin

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.

 Satin Bowerbird bower

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.

 
 White-winged Chough at Eremophila Park

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.

 Grey Butcherbird at Eremophila Park

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.

 Australian Magpie at Eremophila Park

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.

 
 Grey Currawong at Eremophila Park

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.

 Forest Raven at Cape Otway

Little Raven – Corvus mellori C

We saw up to 60 on Goollooinboin Station on all three dates there, up to 6 on two dates around Denilquin and 2 on the 23rd.