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 Pat Thorn 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 2013 field outings leaflet is available here.

Outings for 2013
May 25, 2013 Saturday 8.30am	Scheyville National Park (IBA surveys) Meet at Maraylya Park corner of Boundary and Dunns Rds. Maraylya.We will be completing three IBA surveys so for those of you who want to be involved in this important project, this is your opportunity! Leader Janine Garlick - 9639 2702 or 0437 471 669
June 2, 2013 Sunday 9.00am	Blue Gum Swamp, Winmalee (Joint outing with BMBOC) Meet at the end of White Cross Road, Winmalee. Leader Chris Todd (BMBO) - 4751 3482 or 0424 521 680. CBOC liaison Colin Scouler - 4739 4294 or 0421 844 146
June 12, 2013 Wednesday 9.00am	Barren Grounds (car pooling) Meet at the Picnic Area in the Nature Reserve off the Jamberoo Mountain Roadbetween Robertson and Jamberoo. It is signposted. Members are reminded to car pool with friends wherever possible Leader Tony Dymond - 9639 7346 or 0401 235 446
June 22 2013 Saturday 8.30am	Blue Gum Creek/Couts Crossing, Annangrove/Maraylya Meet at the junction of Blue Gum and Annangrove Roads, Annangrove. Leader Gabrielle Rees - 9875 1571 or 0414 947 138
June 30, 2013 Sunday 8.30am	Annual Raptor Count Hawkesbury Area Meet at the car park at Scheyville National Park headquarters off Scheyville Rd, between Dormitory Hill Rd and Long Tan Place, Scheyville. This outing involves travelling by car to various lookouts where we look for raptors. Some of the locations we visit will be suitable for people with wheelchairs. If you have difficulty identifying raptors then this is the outing for you, as there will be an expert on hand to teach you the fi ner points. Leader Keith Brandwood - 4575 1514 or 0447 457 554
July 10, 2013 Wednesday 8.30am	Cobbitty and Bents Basin Meet at the car park at Wallacia Hotel, Wallacia. Leader Jim Dixon - 9602 9031 or 0415 169 186
July 20, 2013 Saturday 9.00am	Cape Solander Meet in the car park at the end of Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell. Leader Keith Brandwood - 4575 1514 or 0447 457 554
July 28, 2013 Sunday 9.00am	Agnes Banks Nature Reserve (Half day +IBA surveys) Meet at the corner of Rickards and Castlereagh Roads, Agnes Banks. Leader Colin Scouler - 4739 4294 or 0421 844 146
August 7, 2013 Wednesday 9.00am	Girrakool, Brisbane Water National Park Meeting place: Corner of Old Pacific Highway and Quarry Road, Somersby. Travel 47 Kms down F3 from Wahroonga, take Central Coast exit, turn left onto Wisemans Ferry Road, first left onto Old Pacific Highway, stop at Quarry Road on left just before Australian Reptile Park. NP entry fee of $7 may apply. Leader Carol Abbott - 9980 1201 or 0414-312-538
August 11, 2013 Sunday 9.00am	Beginners and New Members Outing, Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden Meet in the car park next to the Education Centre. Information will be given re identification of birds, different field guides used, how to use binoculars etc. Leader Renee Doyle - 9876 1404 or 0407 239 850
August 24, 2013 Saturday 8.30am	Wirrimbirra Sanctuary at Bargo and Thirlmere Meet in the Sanctuary, turn off Hume Hwy about 50km South of the cross roads at Liverpool, taking the Bargo exit. Turn right, follow the road over the railway line onto the old Hwy and turn right. The Sanctuary entrance gate is on the right hand side about 4km along the Hwy. Leader Jim Dixon - 9602 9031 or 0415 169 186
September 1, 2013 Sunday 8.30am	Castlereagh and Windsor Downs Nature Reserves (IBA surveys) Meet opposite the car wrecker’s yard which is on the west side of Northern Road, Berkshire Park. Leader Tony Dymond - 9639 7346 or 0401 235 446
September 11, 2013 Wednesday	East Kurrajong (Private property), Glossodia Park and Bushells Lagoon
September 21, 2013 Saturday	BUS TRIP – Cecil Hoskins Reserve and Morton National Park
September 22, 2013 Sunday	Nestlings Outing: Bicentennial and Sydney Olympic Parks
September 29, 2013 Sunday	Swallow Reach and Chain of Ponds Reserve, Ebenezer
October 9, 2013 Wednesday	Marramarra and Dharug National Parks
October 19, 2013 Saturday	Dawn Chorus at Blue Gum Creek, Annangrove
October 27, 2013 Sunday	Longneck Lagoon, Maraylya;
November 6, 2013 Wednesday	Six Foot Track, Blue Mountains
November 17, 2013 Sunday	Nestlings Outing: Buffalo Creek Reserve, Ryde
November 23, 2013 Saturday	Photographic Outing
December 1, 2013 Sunday	Botany Bay
December 11 , 2013 Wednesday	Katandra Reserve and Woy Woy
December 21, 2013 Saturday	Hawkesbury Hot Spots
December 29, 2013 Sunday	Sydney Olympic Park;
More information: Outings co-ordinator Pat Thorn 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

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