NSW400 | Avianation

My mission for 2025 was to record 300 bird species in NSW & the ACT, a friend suggested 400 so I’ve settled on 365, one for every day of the year. You can follow my progress here as I upload photos of my latest ‘new’ bird.

#300 Ground Cuckooshrike – Wilcannia

No. 300 was a hard one to get, but even better to find a family group by the roadside as we headed home from two weeks of exhaustive but enjoyable surveying in the Paroo-Darling NP

Uncommon and thinly-dispersed over a wide range, good to see successful breeding of GCSs

#298 White-browed Woodswallow – Paroo-Darling

With so many Masked Woodswallows, I knew a closer look at the flocks would give me my 4th Woodswallow species of the Paroo-Darling Bird surveys, usually I’ve seen flocks of WBWSs with an occasional Masked, but it was vice versa on this occasion.

Great to pick out these WBWSs who were outnumbered by 50:1 by the Masked Woodswallows

#296 Purple-backed Fairywren – Paroo-Darling

Although seen before I haven’t amended my records, based on location, since the split so they’re still down as Variegated FWs.

It was nice to ‘lock in’ this male PBFW (calling to a nearby female)

#295 White-backed Swallow – White Cliffs

We were rewarded when we took a little R’n’R from the surveys, heading along to White Cliffs for a Sunday lunch and a few beers.

Although a ‘composite’ this photo gives a good impression of the many White-backed Swallows that were zipping around our heads with some calling loudly, a great WBS experience

#291 Bourke’s Parrot – Paroo-Darling NP

This ‘lifer’ was quite a special inland parrot species for me, it’s small size and understated pastel tones giving it a very unique look.

I was so pleased when this Bourke’s Parrot landed close by during one of my surveys

#290 Masked Woodswallow – Paroo-Darling NP

Large flocks of Masked Woodswallows were seen at several locations during the Paroo-Darling Bird surveys. I sometimes call these Black-faced by mistake, well it has got a black face!

Our 3rd Woodswallow species encountered during the Paroo-Darling Bird surveys

#289 White-browed Treecreeper – Paroo-Darling NP

This ‘lifer’ was a great addition to my list and my fourth Treecreeper species (White-throated, Red-browed & Brown already been recorded this year)

Not only a new bird, but we also located a nesting pair at one of the Paroo-Darling survey sites

#288 Chestnut-crowned Babbler – Paroo-Darling NP

Another ‘lifer’ and my fourth Babbler spp. to complete the list. CCBs were the ‘default’ Babbler and an interesting addition for my Babbler ID, the Grey-crowned & White browed more familiar.

Apart from the chestnut crown, the wing-bars are the best diagnostic for this Babbler species

#287 Red-backed Kingfisher – Paroo-Darling NP

There were plenty of RBKFs seen on the Paroo-Darling surveys, often single birds or pairs. Their distinctive call heard at several sutes with nesting activity observed

The Red-backed Kingfishers were a familiar site at most locations in the Paroo-Darling

#286 Diamond Dove – Paroo-Darling NP

I always like seeing these tiny little Doves, it was great to find a small group of them near a creek, displaying courtship activity.

The beautiful and exquisitely-marked Diamond Dove, Australia’s smallest

#285 Chestnut-rumped Thornbill – Paroo-Darling NP

It was interesting to take a closer look at the Inland & Chestnut-rumped Thornbills, both found west of the divide. There were other Thornbill spp. but these were the ‘Brown’ ones.

I was lucky enough to find a pair of Chestnut-rumped Thornbills with a active nest on one of the ‘quieter’ sites in the Paroo-Darling surveys

#284 Hall’s Babbler – Paroo-Darling NP

Usually a hard one to find due to its restricted distribution, we were lucky enough to have a small group of these rare Babblers close to our accommodation and were able to track them down on several occasions (although they remained elusive).

Another ‘lifer’ and my third Babbler spp. the Hall’s Babbler

#283 Crested Bellbird – Paroo-Darling NP

This ‘lifer’ was a great addition to the list, not least for its wonderful resonating call. Although not seen in large numbers, most survey sites had a single bird calling from a suitable vantage point.

Not to be confused with the Bell Miner (AKA Bellbird) the Crested Bellbird is a unique species

#281 Black Honeyeater – Paroo-Darling NP

Another ‘lifer’ that was very common among the flowering Eremophila in the Paroo-Darling National Park. Smaller than the Pied Honeyeater, the BHs reminded me of the more familiar Eastern Spinebills back home.

Male Black Honeyeater, a lovely little bird

#280 White-fronted Honeyeater – Paroo-Darling NP

Another honeyeater that was seen (and heard) throughout most of our surveys in the Paroo-Darling National Park thanks to the abundant flowering Eremophila.

The ‘twangy’ call of the White-fronted Honeyeater was recorded on most surveys conducted

#279 Pied Honeyeater – Paroo-Darling NP

This was a ‘lifer’ for me as there were large numbers of these feeding on the flowering Eremophila, their incessant calls reminded me of the Little Grassbird. A constant for most of the surveys conducted in the Paroo-Darling NP

Male Pied Honeyeater, ‘brown’ females were also seen, note the pale blue eye ring

#278 Black-faced Woodswallow – Paroo-Darling NP

Another species picked up as we entered the Paroo-Darling National Park prior to starting our two weeks of surveying.

We saw several encounters between nesting Woodswallows and Red-backed Kingfishers

#277 Crimson Chat – Paroo-Darling NP

It was great to see thes bright red ‘jewels’ among the low scrub as we entered the Paroo-Darling National Park. This was the 2nd time I’d seen this species, my first was at Sydney Park many years ago.

Male Crimson Chat, mainly single birds seen and several pairs rather than flocks

#275 White-winged Triller – White Cliffs

Large numbers of WWTs were seen and heard everywhere during the Paroo-Darling Bird surveys, the first sighting at White Cliffs.

Male White-winged Triller, their lovely calls an integral part of the inland soundscape

#274 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo – Wilcannia

A large flock appear to be regulars in the Wilcannia township, we also met another birdo who showed us a huge tattoo he had of a RTBC on his back. On our way to the Paroo-Darling Bird surveys.

This was one of about 20 RTBCs hanging out at Wilcannia, their calls filling the air

#272 White-breasted Woodswallow – Nyngan

I’m used to seeing WBWSs in coastal habitats north of Sydney so it was nice to see them in inland environments for a change. On our way to the Paroo-Darling Bird surveys.

I didn’t see many large flocks, but found quite a few nesting pairs of WBWSs

#271 Little Friarbird – Nyngan

Not a regular visitor to inland NSW, it took a while to get my ear in, the call of the Little Friarbird grabbing my curiosity. Once seen and confirmed it was w welcome addition to my inland list. On our way to the Paroo-Darling Bird surveys.

I’m familiar with Noisy Friarbirds in western Sydney, and got to see plenty of Littles out west

#270 Black Kite – Nyngan

The first bird on my way to conduct the Paroo-Darling National Park Bird surveys was a Black Kite seen at Nyngan.

This curious Black Kite actively followed me, possibly waiting for me to flush a tasty snack

#269 Flame Robin – Lithgow

Another trip west of the mountains got me #269 the Flame Robin, well 8 of them actually, 5 males & 3 females. Blast Furnace Park is a well-known location and didn’t disappoint.

Male Flame Robin, it was nice to see plenty of these out in the open.

#267 Musk Duck – Lake Wallace

An frosty early morning visit out past Lithgow (it was -3°) bought its own rewards with good views of several Musk Duck.

A large diving duck (the largest freshwater species on the planet), only the male has this floppy pouch.

#266 Pilotbird – Evans Lookout

It was nice to find a ‘local’ bird, well the Blue Mountains, on an overcast mid-morning walk

This bird emerged from dense cover and crossed my path for a brief moment before disappearing, luckily it reappeared after I waited, giving me 2 or 3 seconds to take this picture

#264 Mangrove Gerygone – Hexham Swamp

I managed to find #264 by searching any significant stands of Mangroves on my last morning in Newcastle, then popped over to the Wetland Centre to pick up #265, a group of loafing Magpie-Geese.

A plain bird with a lovely call, nice to see this Mangrove specialist flitting around in its natural habitat.

#263 White-fronted Tern – Newcastle Baths

One good Tern deserves another, and while I was confident of seeing some Greater Crested Terns I was unsure that the White-fronted Terns would be there, I needn’t of worried, there quite a few.

A young White-fronted Tern, I visited the baths at high tide, which allowed for close views

#262 Australasian Bittern – Hexham Swamp

Two visits the previous day (early morning & late afternoon) didn’t get any results but an early morning visit on the second day was a mixed blessing as two photographers flushed the Bittern within 15 minutes of my arrival.

Not what I’d intended, but there was no mistaking the large brown bird that flew off and at least I was able to grab a series of flight shots.

#261 Swift Parrot – ‘Wombat’ CLC property

Not only one of the rarest birds, but 24 of them on a property belonging to Cumberland Land Conservancy (CLC), an organisation myself and others established 10 years ago to manage and protect critical Cumberland Plain habitat within the Cumberland Conservation Corridor. Our first Swift Parrot record a fitting reward for 10 years of environmental restoration work.

Although nectar feeders, Swift Parrots are often seen ‘lerping’ (gleaning high protein psyllids from leaves) in winter to fuel their flight back to Tasmania. The Bell Miner colony at ‘Wombat’ has become less dominant due to vegetation changes, allowing the Swift Parrots to take advantage.

#260 Red-browed Treecreeper – Woodford

Not as common as the White-throated Treecreeper, it was nice to find this bird among the canopy as I explored the gullies along the Transit of Venus track, a 5 minute drive from where I live.

Although there are several differences (call, behaviour, etc.) with the more frequently encountered White-throated TC it’s always nice to see the diagnostic red brow.

#258 Eastern Osprey – Toukley

It was great to find a pair of these raptors at a nest site in a busy sports oval on a trip to the Central Coast, they were completely unfazed by the activity below.

This photo was taken on the sidelines of a footy game where the locals were happy to have these magnificent birds looking down from above.

#256 Plumed Egret – McPherson Swamp

Formerly known as Intermediate Egret, not always easy to pick so it’s nice when you can see the plumes.

Not as big as the nearby Great Egret but larger than the Cattle Egrets on the other side of the dam, great to pick out this individual standing in the shallows.

#255 Regent Bowerbird – Ourimbah

Always worth checking out the rest stop at Ourimbah where fruiting Privet attracted large flocks of Regent Bowerbirds, at least 50 seen over a 20 minute period, probably more.

Just one elusive adult male Bowerbird was seen among the many female/juvenile ‘brown’ birds

#251 Grey Currawong – Blackheath

Not an easy one to find among the numerous Pied Currawong, a bit shyer and a lot rarer, but I was lucky to get good views of this bird along Hat Hill Road.

It was very satisfying not to have to settle for a call or distant glimpse of this elusive Currawong.

#249 Topknot Pigeon – North Arm Reserve

I’ve been leading walks for Willoughby Council since 2022 so it was nice to find a ‘new’ bird for 2025, and most unexpected.

Not the best photo but a great record, especially when seen while leading a well-attended walk.

#246 Glossy Black-Cockatoo – Ulladulla

A visit to the headland at Ulladulla was made complete when we found a group of three Glossy Black-Cockatoos quietly feeding on Casuarina seeds, as per the interpretive signs.

It was nice to spend time with these gentle birds as they munched their way through the Casuarina cones

#244 Pacific Reef Heron – Racecourse Beach

Distracted by a young White-bellied Sea Eagle flying over I then glanced toward the rock platform to see a Reef Heron eating a large fish.

Reef Egret/Heron, a nice way to end a visit to Racecourse Beach

#243 Hooded Plover – Racecourse Beach

A well-known location, it was good to spend some time (and read the tags) of these rare waders.

You can see the bad, but the tag is not visible (this is H9) it’s nice when you know the individual birds.

#240 Scarlet Robin – Linden Ridge

I noticed recent hazard control burning on this local walk and have seen Scarlet Robins in recently burnt areas before. Then just as I was returning to the car, a pair appeared right in front of me.

Lovely to see a pair of these ‘red’ robins on my local patch, unfortunately a sight that is less common these days.

#239 Little Lorikeet – Wianamatta RP

Good to pick up a new species while leading a well-attended walk (this time for the Cumberland Bird Observers Club)

This pair of Little Lorikeets had found a suitable hollow but had to hold their own against the relentless attacks by individuals from a dominant Bell Miner colony.

#234 Freckled Duck – Blaney Showground

Thanks to a tipoff at the Cowra Bird survey we stopped off to check out an unassuming dam at Blaney Showground where I added the rare Freckled Duck and #235 Australian Shelduck to my 2025 list

Not easy to get close to, but there’s no mistaking the unique profile of the Freckled Duck.

#232 Little Eagle – Cowra

A little R’nR on a warm afternoon at Elsie Vale Rd gave me my first Little Eagle for 2025 during the Cowra Woodland Bird surveys.

Nice to see the ‘M’ pattern on this light phase Little Eagle at Cowra.

#230 Black Falcon – Cowra

I was awestruck as a pair of Black Falcons hunting co-operatively, took out a Crested Pigeon with tremendous force at Morongla Cemetry, our survey site on the Cowra Woodland Birds Porgram.

I couldn’t believe my luck when we found the same pair of Black Falcons by the side of the road on our second day of surveying, a fantastic upgrade of the ‘record’ shot taken the day before.

#229 Gilbert’s Whistler – Round Hill NR

I originally thought this plain female whistler was a Red-lored, but small details, ie beak shape pointed toward Gilbert’s. I wasn’t too upset as either would’ve been a ‘lifer’ for me

Not an easy one, luckily this photo helped others confirm this was a female Gilbert’s Whistler.

#225 Blue-billed Duck – Lake Cargelligo

Affectionately known as the ‘Poo Ponds’ Lake Cargelligo Wastewater Treatment Plant is well worth a visit. I wasn’t impressed with the bird hide which looked like a bus stop, but it worked…

A male Blue-billed Duck seen from the spartan cement bird hide late afternoon

#224 Cockatiel – Curlew Waters

Nice to see these parrots zipping around the place, nicer still when they stop for a while and allow me to get a photo.

A popular pet, I’ve seen escaped Cockatiels in Sydney from time to time, so much better in their natural habitat.

#219 Yellow-plumed Honeyeater – Round Hill

It was pretty quiet in the middle of a warm day at Round Hill Nature Reserve, although there weren’t many birds nearly every one we saw was pretty special, with 10 species added to my 2025 list.

A lovely suprise when this gorgeous honeyeater popped up from the scrubby vegetation.

#217 Red-capped Robin – Round Hill

We managed to see several Red-capped Robins, both males and females, at various locations at Round Hill.

This male Red-capped Robin adds a splash of colour to a brown, dry and dusty landscape.

#211 White-fronted Chat – Chat Alley

Some nice, small birds at Chat Alley, the White-fronted being the only one of the Chats observed.

Finding a small flock of White-fronted Chats helped Chat Alley live up to its name.

#206 Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater – Bland

It was almost like adding species in alphabetical order when we added a Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater added to the list.

As well as being quite vocal, the Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater is a very impressive-looking bird.

#205 Spotted Harrier – Bland

A stop off at Bland on the way to West Wyalong was anything but with a Spotted Harrier added to the list.

One of my favourite raptors, it was a thrill to watch this Spotted Harrier quartering over the grasslands.

#202 Inland Thornbill – Bumbaldry

The good thing about going to inland NSW is seeing inland species, while I’m used to Brown Thornbills, this one was similar but different, the chestnut rump helping to confirm ID.

Similar to the Brown Thornbills of Sydney, you have to go west of the divide to find an Inland Thornbill

#200 Powerful Owl – Second Ponds Creek

Bulbul alarm calls alerted us to two large owls roosting high in the canopy at second Ponds Creek. We’d already heard a nocturnal bird, #199 an Owlet-nightjar but couldn’t locate it, so it was a real bonus to see these sleepy Powerful Owls looking down at us.

My first owl for 2025, the Powerful Owl, this was one of a pair.

#198 Rockwarbler – Evans Lookout

An early stopoff after a sleepover shift was a great way to start the day with a Rockwarbler, the only endemic species to New South Wales, seen in the car park at first light at this reliable location.

A nice orange glow at sunrise, the Rockwarbler can be suprisingly tame.

#186 Eastern Bristlebird – Beecroft Weapons Range

I don’t know if it was the conditions or the ongoing conservation efforts, but the Eastern Bristlebirds were everywhere in suitable habitat on the south coast, the first ones seen scampering around the Bristlebird sign.

Although rare, a common sight in the right place, we even saw Bristlebirds in the car park.

#183 Ground Parrot – Beecroft Weapons Range

Seeing this lifer was an amazing experience and had taken me 20 years of walking in cold, wet heathlands before finally getting my ‘bogey’ bird. Not only did I ‘get’ it, but there were quite a few, including cooperative individuals that fed on grass seed, oblivious to my presence. They gave me plenty of time to observe their amazing pattern on an almost luminous green body at close quarters, it was well worth the wait.

Up close and personal, a Ground Parrot feeding on seeds unfazed by my prescence.

#180 Spangled Drongo – Western Sydney Parklands (Glendenning)

It was great to find a Drongo on the first day of March, an Autumn visitor to Sydney from Queensland (that’s why they’re Drongos) their numbers fluctuate so can be difficult to find in some years. Luckily the bumper Cicada summer meant there was plenty of food to attract them.

The unique tail-shape is the best diagnostic, this Drongo is clutching a half-eaten Cicada.

#179 Eastern Shrike-tit – Western Sydney Parklands (Glendenning)

Formerly known as the Crested Shrike-tit, I had a great experience watching this handsome-looking bird feeding on a grub, pulled from exfoliated bark using its powerful beak.

The black ‘bib’ shows this to be a male bird, the female’s ‘green’ bib is actually yellow showing through fewer black feathers.

#176 Australian Hobby – Richmond Lowlands

I was pleased to find this small Falcon perched in a tree on a visit to Richmond Lowlands, it’s nice to have a Hobby!

Distant but smaller ‘hood’, size and slender shape ID this falcon from the Peregrine Falcon.

#173 Diamond Firetail – Clover Leigh GC

Despite the weather it was birds galore at Clover Leigh, with this sighting also helping to brighten up the afternoon.

Now extinct in western Sydney, nice to find these colourful finches doing better inland.

#169 Turquoise Parrot – Clover Leigh GC

It was overcast with showers when we headed out to Clover Leigh Golf Course for a bit of R’n’R between the Cowra Woodland Bird Surveys. A highlight was watching small flocks of ‘Turks’ zipping around roadside trees.

Overcast conditions darkened the colours of this pretty parrot

#158 Wedge-tailed Eagle – Flat Rock Reserve

I had distant but prolonged views (and a poor photo) of a bird soaring high in the sky at Flat Rock, so have decided to use a photograph of a perched bird seen at Cowra the following day, it just looks so magnificent!

Despite their size, perched Eagles can be skittish, taken from a distance

#151 Bar-shouldered Dove – Emu Green

A walk around Emu Green added another 3 species to my yearly list, including this Bar-shouldered Dove

I love the lilac and copper tones of this native dove

#140 Noisy Pitta – Palmdale Road

It was eciting to hear the call of the Noisy Pitta along Palmdale Road, with some brief glimpses as it flew from deep cover into more deep cover. I was able to get close, but getting the photo did prove difficult.

My first ‘record shot’ of the elusive Noisy Pitta

#138 Rufous Fantail – Ourimbah Rest Stop

Always fleeting (and usually in the shade) I didn’t get a chance to photograph the Rufous Fantail flitting around among the deep vegetation at the Ourimbah Rest Stop

My favourite Fantail, there were plenty of Rufous Fantails at Palmdale Road, allowing me to take this shot having seen my first one of the year an hour earlier.

#133 Little Bittern – Sydney Olympic Park

We conducted the annual Snipe Survey in pouring rain, managing to flush at least four individuals. As we finished I looked across the lake and their in full view was a male Black-backed (formerly Little) Bittern. Very distant but a nice ‘record shot’ of Australia’s smallest Bittern.

Although out in plain sight, a scope would be better to capture the detail than a camera

#116 Striated Heron – Penrith Weir

Despite getting 14 ‘new’ birds for the year and some great photos, there was only twice that I managed to get a photo of of new bird, the second one was this distant Striated Heron.

There’s always something good to see along the Nepean River

#113 Tawny Frogmouth – Penrith Weir

We managed to find three of these large owl-like nocturnal birds roosting in the morning sun.

The mottled plumage helps these birds blend in among the Paperbark in dappled sunlight.

#111 Hooded Robin – Scheyville NP

A very special bird in a very special place – Hooded Robins have practically been extinct from the Cumberland Plain for the last 40 years so when this male turned up, the ‘twitchers’ soon followed.

This bird stayed for a few weeks, giving great views, although conditions were overcast on the morning I turned up, great to watch it hunt and hawk for insects with the local Jacky Winters.

#110 Jacky Winter – Scheyville NP

A declining western Sydney species, always good to spot this bird on the Cumbarland Plain, sadly not such a common sight these days.

Plain or understated? the Jacky Winter used to be known as the Brown Flycatcher but is actually a member of the Robin family, it was doing plenty of that hanging with its rare relative.

#105 Superb Lyrebird – Evans Lookout

It was very relaxing to watch this male Lyrebird on an early morning visit to Evans Lookout. I was actually hoping to see a Rockwarbler but who could be disappointed with such a special bird.

Never mind their amazing mimicry, that tail, those feet which must’ve moved a fair few kilos of leaf litter and topsoil in the 10 minutes I spent watching it. A true eco-engineer.

#104 Leaden Flycatcher – ‘Wallaroo’, Mulgoa

A regular breeding summer migrant to ‘Wallaroo’, a single pair usually arrive around September and immediately begin courtship.

A female Leaden Flycatcher basks in the morning sun.

#97 Noisy Friarbird – ‘Wallaroo’, Mulgoa

Noisy Friarbirds are quite common at Wallaroo in the summer months, many breeding and raising young before heading north around April/May.

Noisy Cicadas can be a real problem in the summer months with many birds not calling due to the deafening chorus. At least this Friarbird is doing its bit to reduce the population.

#91 Nankeen Night Heron – ‘Wallaroo’, Mulgoa

Our first survey of the Cumberland Land Conservancy property for 2024 was bound to add a few ‘firsts’ to the list, most suprising was the Nankeen Night Heron.

Shy and secretive, the crepuscular Nankeen Night Heron seeks shelter in the shade.

#87 Bassian Thrush – Hazelbrook

A walk on my local patch brought great rewards when I recorded my first Bassian Thrush record. Even better when it froze motionless allowing me to get a nice photo.

Perfectly designed for skulking in leaf litter, this Bassian Thrush was a great record to have on my home patch.

#84 Brown Thornbill

The best thing about starting a year list is picking up ‘new’ birds on your back doorstep. A walk in my local patch adding almost 20 species to my list.

A classic LBJ (Little Brown Job) the Brown Thornbill.

#67 Zebra Finch – Pitt Town Lagoon

Off to a flying start with over 70 species on my first birdwatch of 2025 at Pitt Town Lagoon, not only wetland species, but plenty of grassland birds as well.

Zebra Finches are among the most colourful (and uncommon) finches to be found in Sydney.

#60/61 Fairy/Tree Martin – Pitt Town Lagoon

Swallows and Martins are not always easy to tell, but much easier when you have large numbers both in flight and perched.

Two Welcome Swallows (top left), a Fairy Martin (top right) and Tree Martin (bottom left).

#39/43 Galah/Red-rumped Parrot – Pitt Town Lagoon

It felt like there was lots of everything at Pitt Town, Waterbirds, Bushbirds and not least Parrots, with these two species seen as we came back to the car.

Nice to see loving couples, from the small Red-rumped Parrts to a pair of Galahs.

#34 Australian Pelican – Pitt Town Lagoon

There were plenty of Pelicans at Pitt Town, both out on the water or flying overhead like squadrons of aircraft.

A huge bird with a huge wingspan, the Australian Pelican.

#25 Caspian Tern – Pitt Town Lagoon

No mistaking this large tern with its bright red bill, it seemed happy to stand in the shallow edges of the lagoon.

Caspian Tern – in the background is #29 Royal Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Spoonbill was #30

#19 Pacific Golden Plover – Pitt Town Lagoon

These 5 Pacific Golden Plovers were among several species of Migratory shorebirds seen using the wetlands.

Nice to get a photo of all 5 Golden Plovers, even better when a Caspian Tern is in the foreground.

#15/16 Baillon’s/Spotless Crake – Pitt Town Lagoon

Shy, secretive and small, crakes are always a good find when leaving the protection of a reed-bed to feed on exposed mud. No photo of the Australian Crake or the rare Black-tailed Nativehen, but to get all 9 members of the Raillidae family made for a perfect start.

Baillon’s Crake (left) and Spotless Crake (right), the Willie Wagtail #53, in the centre gives a good indication of scale and how small these crakes actually are.

#8 Lewin’s Rail – Pitt Town Lagoon

A fantastic sighting to see a Lewin’s Rail feeding out in the open. Rare, shy and secretive, this bird is often only heard calling from deep within thick reed-beds. We also saw a Buff-banded Rail.

Lewin’s Rail (left) and #31 White-faced Heron. Overcast conditions and distant birds meant conditions were better for spotting scopes rather than cameras.

#1 Black Swan – Pitt Town Lagoon

My first bird was a very special one, Australia’s only native Swan and the only one in the world that is black. Although I didn’t get a photo on the day, I’ve decided to use one taken later in the year.