Birdwatching in Sydney
with the Cumberland Bird Observers' Club

Birdwatching outings are heaps of fun. The Cumberland Bird Observers' Club holds at least 40 outings every year all over the greater Sydney area. Outings usually start at about 8.30am and go into the afternoon (if the birding is good and participants willing, sometimes very late). There is no compulsion to stay until the very end and some people choose to leave at lunch time. Transport to most outings is by car although occasionally there are bus trips. Field outings are informal, catering for birdwatchers of all capabilities, and helpful, friendly advice on all aspects of birding is always available. Typically, stops for birdwatching are made at a number of locations during the day, with breaks for morning tea and lunch. Things to bring: All you need to bring are binoculars, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, food, drink and comfortable shoes. Some outings are on rough dirt tracks so you may need walking boots. A small backpack can be handy, especially if lunch is to be eaten some distance from the cars. A field guide for identifying birds is also handy but not essential. Outings will proceed irrespective of the weather (leaders always turn up, even if no-one else does!), except for venues at risk during high fire danger warnings. If in doubt, phone the leader. It's not uncommon to see about 50 species of birds on an outing, even in winter when most of the migratory birds are still in the northern hemisphere. On very good days, 75 species can be seen or heard, and on really bonza birding days, over 100 species can be located. There are no guarantees. Anything could turn up! That's part of the fun of birdwatching. No bookings are required (except for bus trips and the special Cumberland State Forest outings where breakfast is supplied) - so just turn up. Outings are on Saturdays, Sundays and mid-week. Details of outings are published in the bi-monthly CBOC Newsletter and on this website. If you have any questions about any outing, contact Keith Brandwood email outings@cboc.org.au or the leader of the outing you are interested in.

White-breasted Woodswallow Photo:N Lazarus Rainbow Lorikeet Photo:T Quested Fairy Martin

The 2012 field outings leaflet is available here.

Outings for 2012
January 11, 2012 Wednesday 8.00am	JOHN CURTIN RESERVE & LAKE PARRAMATTA Meet in Dodson Crescent, Winston Hills. Gradient - Some steep climbs, good footwear and fitness essential. Leader Andrew Patrick – 9639 8549 or 0413 805 709
January 21, 2012 Saturday 8.00am	GARIGAL NATIONAL PARK Meet at end of Barrie Street, East Killara. Carry morning tea, lunch and water. Gradient - A couple of steep hills at the start, otherwise moderate. Leader Kurtis Lindsay - 0424 072 670
January 29, 2012 Sunday 6.30am & 8.30am	SWALLOW REACH / CHAIN OF PONDS RESERVE Meeting place for both start times in Argyle Bailey Memorial Park, (on Coromandel Road) Ebenezer. Gradient - Easy. Leader Keith Brandwood 4575 1514 or 0447 457 554
February 2, 2012 Thursday 8.00am	PITT TOWN LAGOON & LONGNECK LAGOON, WORLD WETLANDS DAY Come and celebrate World Wetlands Day. HNCMA & Wetland Care Australia will be providing a BBQ. We also hope to celebrate the opening of the Bird Hide at Pitt Town Lagoon. Meet at the top of Church Street, Pitt Town; park cars along Bathurst Street. Gradient - Easy. Leader Keith Brandwood – 4575 1514 or 0447 457 554
February 25, 2012 Saturday 9.00am	KANIMBLA VALLEY, BLUE MOUNTAINS Meet at Mount Victoria railway station. Gradient - Easy. Leader Carol Probets – 4782 1831
March 4, 2012 Sunday 8.00am	UPPER GEORGES RIVER (Joint outing with Illawarra Birders Inc) Meet at Chullora Wetlands in Muir Road, Chullora. Turn into Muir Road from Rookwood Road, at the traffic lights. RSPCA headquarters are on the corner. Proceed straight through the first roundabout and down the hill on the other side until just before the second roundabout. The entrance to the wetlands is on your left. Park in Muir Road until the gates are opened. If the gates are open then drive into the car park. Gradient - Easy. Leader Terrill Nordstrom – 0420 848 713
March 14, 2012 Wednesday	ASH ISLAND & WETLAND CENTRE
March 24, 2012 Saturday	CAMDEN AIRPORT, Bird banding
March 31, 2012 Saturday	ROYAL NATIONAL PARK - joint outing with IBOC
April 11, 2012 Wednesday	CAPERTEE VALLEY
April 21, 2012 Saturday	WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS
April 29, 2012 Sunday	BEGINNERS OUTING, SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
May 9, 2012 Wednesday	PALMDALE
May 19, 2012 Saturday	BENTS BASIN & COBBITTY
May 27, 2012 Sunday	BUS TRIP to MOUNT WILSON
June 13, 2012 Wednesday	LONG REEF & WARRIEWOOD WETLANDS
June 23, 2012 Saturday	CASTLEREAGH & WINDSOR DOWNS - IMPORTANT BIRD AREA SURVEY
July 1, 2012 Sunday	WEST HEAD, KU-RING-GAI NATIONAL PARK
July 11, 2012 Wednesday	MITCHELL PARK - half day plus Spotlighting
July 21, 2012 Saturday	WOLLI CREEK - joint outing with Wolli Creek bird group
July 29, 2012 Sunday	ANNUAL RAPTOR COUNT in the HAWKESBURY
August 8, 2012 Wednesday	AGNES BANKS - IMPORTANT BIRD AREA SURVEY PLUS PENRITH LAKES
August 25, 2012 Saturday	GOSFORD AREA to look for SWIFT PARROTS
September 2, 2012 Sunday	PROSPECT RESERVOIR
September 12, 2012 Wednesday	SCHEYVILLE NATIONAL PARK - IMPORTANT BIRD AREA SURVEY
September 22, 2012 Saturday	MAGIC POINT, MAROUBRA
September 30, 2012 Sunday	KENTLYN & MOUNT ANNAN
October 10, 2012 Wednesday	JACKSONS SWAMP, WISEMANS FERRY
October 20, 2012 Saturday	GREY GUM CAFE BUS TRIP
October 28, 2012 Sunday	BOTANY BAY
October 10, 2012 Wednesday	SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK & HOMEBUSH BAY
November 24, 2012 Saturday	PHOTOGRAPHIC OUTING, DURAL
December 2, 2012 Sunday	MITCHELL PARK - DAWN CHORUS PLUS FULL DAY
October 10, 2012 Wednesday	LAKE MACQUARIE & THE ENTRANCE
December 22, 2012 Saturday	HAWKESBURY HOT SPOTS
More information: Outings co-ordinator Keith Brandwood outings@cboc.org.au
Wandering Albatross Pelagic Outings Fancy seeing some seabirds? Regular outings depart from Wollongong conducted by the Southern Ocean Seabird Study Association. Costs vary but are about $100.00. Contact SOSSA for details 4271 6004 or sossa@tpg.com.au

Home   Outings   Nestlings   Warblers   Meetings
Membership   Conservation   Bird Database   Links   Contact us
Newsletter   Sitemap   Bringing the birds to you