Sydney bird sites

It was a quick visit to two Sydney city bird sites; Centennial Park and the Landing Lights Wetlands, and a reaquaintance with some old friends and the local bird life. Centennial Park was quiet, as it often is over Christmas, and without help did not find its two famous inhabitants, Powerful Owls and Tawny Frogmouths. The Landing Lights Wetland was a surprise. The expensive board-walks and paths were overgrown and thee area was badly neglected. A council sign promising that this valuable wetland would be renovated (again?) in the near future only adds insult to injury.

The city Australian White Ibis shows a very different demeanour to its country cousins, here lording it over the parkland, master of the rubbish bins and trash.

Little Corellas are a constant presence in Centennial Park, often present in large flocks. I was surprised not to see any of the Long-billed Corellas that a usually found together with the Little Corellas.

A distant flock of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos made their presence known by their mournful calls.

At the Landing Lights Wetland, Red-whiskered Bulbuls were a new bird for me to see on this site. There were four Bulbuls in total.

Chestnut Teals, to be seen in the Landing Lights ponds and waterways.

Byron Wetlands in May

April’s high rainfall continued into the first two weeks of May and the wetland ponds are full, covering the mud-flats that would normally attract shore or water birds. This has left the wetland mainly in the hands of its forest and woodland inhabitants, still plenty to see.

White-headed Pigeon numbers are increasing in the Byron Shire, along with the Topknot pigeon, as their favourite food source, the introduced Camphor Laurel continues to thrive here.

One of many White-browed Scrubwrens in the wetlands. The northern Scrubwren has a more yellow belly than those further south.

A Yellow Thornbill, a less common visitor here. This bird has taken up residence close to the Wetland meeting rooms.

This young White-bellied Sea-eagle, still sporting its juvenile livery, has been seen several times on K Pond.

Grey Fantails were everywhere across the wetland park; some thirty plus counted.

A young Superb Fairy-wren showing a very fluffy mantle.

A Forest Kingfisher watching for insects in a section burnt out by the recent fire. These burnt trees are still surrounded by shallow black water ponds which have grown in the recent rain. In the fires they burnt despite having their feet in water.

Underneath, the presence of a Little Pied Cormorant shows there is life in these jet black waters.

Still lots of Golden-headed Cisticolas to be seen in the reed beds; with many opportunities for close up photos.

Two Black-shouldered Kites were patrolling the large pond, labelled K Pond.

This Shining Bronze-Cuckoo shows how the species got its name, shining brightly in the late Autumn light.

One of four Eastern Whip-birds, evidently involved in some sort of romantic tangle, had the air cracking with raucous calls and defiant displays.

Spangled Drongo, quietly watches the whipbirds go by.

A rainbow blesses the Byron Wetland, hopefully to be followed with some dry weather!

Byron Bay Wetlands in April

More photos from the wonderful Byron Bay Wetlands. More than 220 species of bird have been recorded since the Wetlands were created and counts at the Byron Bird Buddies surveys are regularly in the 70 - 100 species range.

A very vocal Tawny Grassbird in one of the extensive reed beds of the wetland.

Grey Teals add a calming touch to proceedings, photographed from the bird-hide.

The Eastern Great Egret is easily disturbed and takes off, identified by the crook in the neck while flying.

Two Superb Fairy-wrens, part of a large family moving through the undergrowth.

A Striped Honeyeater preening itself, singing its unusual call.

The Pheasant Coucal, looking like an ancient aircraft on take-off.

A Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, another Cuckoo still present in Byron Bay late in April, or perhaps and early arrival?

Rainbow Bee-eaters add a splash of colour.

This Restless Flycatcher is a regular near the carpark at the wetland.

Fan-tailed Cuckoo, the third cuckoo seen on the day’s survey.

Chestnut-breasted Mannikin

Chestnut-breasted Mannikins are found in the north and the east coast of Australia. They are often seen in the Northern Rivers New South Wales region; in the grasses around coastal wetlands as well as more inland grasslands or rushes near to water.

The adult Chestnut-breasted Mannikin sports a very distinctive plumage with a chestnut bib underlined in black.

Younger birds are plainer although the bird on the right is showing the black line that will underline its chestnut breast.