Birding Around Sydney

Day 1, Royal National Park 04/02/25

After an early airport pick up, the Fishers and guide, Mike Barrow headed straight to Australia’s oldest national park, the Royal.

First stop was the delightful Wattle Forest, where we were greeted by dozens of Rainbow Lorikeet feeding in the flowering eucalyptus trees. In amongst them were Noisy Friarbirds and squawking Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. The noise was deafening. An interesting greeting for the newly arrived birders from the UK.

Working our way through the dense undergrowth of the rainforest, we stumbled across a pair of foraging Superb Lyrebirds which stayed with us for a number of minutes giving great views and photo opportunities.

Other rainforest species we found included the elusive Bassian Thrush, Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Thornbill, migratory Black-faced Monarch, Topknot pigeons, Eastern Whipbird and White-browed Scrubwren. Following the river course adjoining the rainforest we picked up a Dusky Moorhen, a pair of Pacific Black Ducks and down at Audley Weir, Great, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants as well as a Satin Bowerbird.

Wallamotta, a coastal sandstone heathland walk revealed a number of New Holland Honeyeaters flitting amongst the banksias as well as a few Little Wattlebirds. Superb Fairywrens skipped about the car park area, the bright blue males parading their beautiful uniforms.

After a light lunch at Bundeena we made a short drive to Bonnie Vale campground and the hidden wetlands. This was a good place to pick up Chestnut Teal, Eurasian Coot, Royal Spoonbill, Great Egret, a nesting Australasian Grebe and a lone Nankeen Night Heron. On the sea side of Bonnie Vale, a small flock of Bar-tailed Godwits were feeding just above the tide and a huge roaming Lace Monitor was not at all perturbed by our presence.

Our last stop of the day was Lady Carrington Drive (south end), a tall eucalyptus forest with adjoining rainforest next to the creek. Not much seen here other than White-throated Treecreeper and Eastern Yellow Robin. A better time to be in this location is first thing in the morning. Just like everywhere else!

By now the new arrivals from overseas were feeling the long, hot Sydney day. An uneventful drive to Narrabeen on Sydney’s northern beaches, a quiet dinner and a well deserved good night’s sleep.

Total species 43

Day 2 Northern Beaches 05/02/25

A refreshed couple of customers were taken early to Chiltern Track on the Ingleside escarpment. This 1.5km track is a typical sandstone heathland with dense understory and a variety of eucalyptus trees. The early bird honeyeaters were calling as soon as we stepped out of the car. Little Wattlebird, Eastern Spinebill, New Holland, White-cheeked and White-eared. Walking slowly along the trail we saw Brown-headed Honeyeaters, Spotted Pardalote, Olive-backed Oriole, a single Leaden Flycatcher, Mistletoebird, Sacred Kingfisher and heard a Glossy Black Cockatoo. By the time we returned to the car, the temperature had become quite intense so off to the coast we fled.

Long Reef Aquatic Reserve is an important migratory rock platform jutting out from the coastline at Collaroy. Unfortunately the tide was rising so we needed to scope the rock platform. As we checked out the waders on the rock platform we were treated to an Osprey flying past with a fish in its talons. The rock platform produced its usual suspects of Sooty Oystercatchers, Red-necked Stints, Grey-tailed Tattler, Pacific Golden Plover, Crested Tern, Ruddy Turnstone and Silver Gull. As we were leaving a pair of Pacific Swifts flew by just as the southerly wind kicked in. Then on cue a flock of 70 White-throated Needletails came through and rather than flying off they sat on the wind giving us great views for a number of minutes. The local Nankeen Kestrel also sat up in the wind looking for a feed in the coastal heath below.

A short ride to Dee Why lagoon gave us views of various cormorant species, ducks and the usual bush birds around the lagoon’s bushy edges and a short trip to Irrawong and the Warriewood Wetlands gave us some excellent views of Bell Miners and the Grey-headed Flying Fox colony. A long day indeed.

Total species 62

Total trip species 70

Day 3 Newcastle 06/02/25

Another early start and an hour’s drive north to Ourimbah Rest Stop, an excellent rainforest habitat next to the M1 motorway. Here we found female Regent Bowerbirds, Yellow-throated Scrubwren foraging in the dark understory, their typical calls giving away their presence. Rufous Fantails flitted about the canopy, fanning their tails to attract insects to prey upon.

Eastern Yellow Robins were abundant. A great first stop on our Newcastle day trip.

Near Newcastle lies the wetlands area known as Ash Island part of Hunter Wetlands National Park.

This is a jump in and out of the car birding location and in summer good for waders and raptors. We had over 500 Pied Stilt and 300 Red-necked Avocet on the main lagoon. Other notable species were Eastern Curlew, 200 Hardhead, Musk Duck, Pacific Baza and a Chestnut- breasted Mannikin.

At the Hunter Wetlands Centre, after lunch we strolled around the various ponds. Cattle Egret were nesting in the treetops, Magpie Geese lounged on the island and Wandering Whistling Ducks preened themselves.

An Azure Kingfisher flashed past and a Swamp Harrier cruised by overhead looking for an easy meal.

Our last stop at the Pipeline Track, Hexham Swamp gave us lovely views of a White-fronted Chat but unfortunately we dipped on the Eastern Yellow Wagtail.

Total species 102

Total trip species 110

Day 4 Western Suburbs 07/02/25

An hour west of Sydney is one of the few bird hides in the region at Pitt Town lagoon. As we arrived we were greeted by a blanket of fog which didn’t lift for an hour. In the hide, as the fog started lifting, it looked like an armada of ducks appeared on the horizon. And quite an armada it was!

Pink-eared Duck, Grey and Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Pacific Black and Australian Shovelor. On the shoreline both Royal and Yellow-billed Spoonbill were feeding, a White-bellied Sea Eagle sat majestically high up in the tallest tree. Over 50 different species were recorded in two hours.

Our next location, Scheyville National Park was awesome. Bird of the week was spotted, a Hooded Robin, the first ever Hawkesbury record. It had been hanging around in the same location for a few weeks. Scheyville is great for bush birds and with lots of flowering eucalyptus trees about, the birds were in full swing. Rainbow Bee-eaters were feasting on the abundant cicadas, honeyeaters hopped from tree to tree, thornbill and weebill twittered and finches played hide and seek with us. Another haul of 50+ species!

Bushell’s Lagoon, a 20 minute drive, gave us a few new species including the ever present Black-fronted Dotterel, White-plumed Honeyeater, Zebra Finches and a Black-shouldered Kite.

A quick visit to the Richmond Lowlands yielded a flock of White-winged Choughs, Zebra Finches and a pair of Red-rumped Parrots.

Total species 87

Total trip species 134

Day 5 Lithgow and Capertee Valley 08/02/25

Another early start and a 2 hour drive to Lithgow Wastewater Plant was rewarded with great views of Blue-billed Ducks, Hoary-headed Grebe and other water species. But the best part were the Gang-Gang Cockatoos feeding amongst the hawthorn bushes at perfect eye level. The cameras were in overdrive.

From Lithgow to the beautiful Capertee Valley, one of Australia’s best birding locations took only 40 minutes. Our first birds were Buff-rumped Thornbill and a soaring Little Eagle riding the thermals above us.

The Capertee has a guided bird chart available online and from the Tourist Information Centre in Lithgow. There are 20 stops in total, highlighting the birds which may be seen in each location. Although a bit out of date, it still serves as a useful tool to follow.

Following the bird trail we chalked up plenty of species including Little Lorikeets, Common Bronzewing and Eastern Shrike-tit. Another big day.

We stayed at Kandos just outside the valley to the north.

Total species 84

Total trip species 151

Day 6 Dunns Swamp and Capertee Valley 09/02/25

Up again before dawn and a 45 minute drive to Dunns Swamp, part of the Wollemi National Park.

A wonderful campground next to a reed lined natural fresh water swamp with towering sandstone escarpments, the area is a haven for water and bush birds. A displaying Musk Duck greeted us and an Australian Hobby swept through. Australian Reed Warblers serenaded us from the reed beds and the low, mournful call of a Little Grassbird could also be heard. The sunlight reflecting off the water was mesmerising as Welcome Swallows and a pair of Tree Martins darted above the swamp catching insects on the wing.

Driving back into the Capertee Valley past open paddocks we saw a lone White-necked Heron and a mixed flock of Australian White and Straw-necked Ibis. Following the rest of the valley’s bird trail we found three Wedge-tailed Eagles sitting in a dead tree. Red-rumped Parrots and Eastern Rosellas became a frequent sight as we drove steadily through the region. Our last stop was the From the Paddock cafe near Glen Alice, the only cafe in the whole valley. Great food and coffee and fine country hospitality.

A three hour car journey back to Sydney for the very satisfied Fisher couple from the UK and a good trip total of 153 bird species, a few mammals, reptiles and a snake.