CUMBERLAND BIRD OBSERVERS CLUB
Birdwatching in Sydney since 1979
Affiliated with BirdLife Australia
Contact
Birdlife rep | southernnsw@birdlife.org.au
Dates for 2026: Weekend of 1-3 May and 14-16 August
REGENT HONEYEATER TREE PLANTING
CBOC members have been participating for over 25 years in the Regent Honeyeater tree planting project in the Capertee Valley near Lithgow. The project has carried out tree-plantings twice a year on properties in the valley. Tree and shrub seedlings are planted to create or enhance habitat for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and other woodland species. In that time the project has planted a total area of 226 hectares, on 52 properties, with 133,000 trees and shrubs.
This tree planting project is part of the the Capertee Valley Regent Honeyeater Recovery Project which is run by BirdLife Southern NSW. For more information, refer to our our Conservation actions.
Register for the May tree planting at this link.
Dates for 2026: 13-15 February, 10-12 April, 24-26 July, 16-18 October
COWRA WOODLAND BIRD SURVEYS
The Cowra Woodland Birds Program seeks to address concerns that woodland birds appear to be declining in rural landscapes in the Cowra district. Its activities involve bird surveys and monitoring of the gathered data, as well as habitat restoration and conservation. The program runs quarterly bird surveys on 94 sites in the district to provide data which can assist the conservation of the local birds and their habitat. For more information, refer to our our Conservation actions.
CBOC members have been participating in these surveys for many years. The surveys are done on both the Saturday and Sunday mornings, with social functions on the Friday and Saturday nights.
Contact
Jenny Nicholls | jennifer.nicholls@dunelm.org.uk
16 and 17 May, 2026
GREAT GLOSSY COUNT
Glossy Black-Cockatoos need you! The Great Glossy Count is now open for registration.
The count is a nationwide event where everyday people help protect one of Australia’s most charismatic and threatened birds—the South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoo. Held across Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria, this weekend of action brings citizen scientists together to spot Glossies, track their feed trees, and collect data that helps scientists understand how these birds are surviving—and where they need our help most.
This data is critical in supporting recovery planning and conservation action for the species. This event relies on participation from our citizen scientist community who gain free Glossy ID training at one of the scheduled workshops or the online webinar on 5 May 2026 at 6:30pm.
Dates for 2026: Weekends of 20-22 March and 25-27 September
GRENFELL KBA BIRD SURVEYS
Elisabeth Karplus from Birding NSW organises twice-yearly surveys of 30 sites within the Grenfell KBA. CBOC members are welcome to participate in these surveys.
The survey itself will take place on Saturday morning. The weekend also generally includes a meal together on Friday evening, a barbecue on the Saturday evening and then a walk at Company Dam on Sunday morning.
Contact
Elisabeth Hodson | emhodson@exemail.com.au
Contact
Roger Griffiths | roger.n.griffiths@gmail.com
Dates for 2026: Fridays 7am - 27 March, 30 October, 27 November; Friday 8am - 24 April, 29 May, 26 June, 31 July, 28 August, 25 September
RICHMOND WOODLANDS KBA SURVEYS
The Richmond Woodlands Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) is a significant area for woodland birds in western Sydney. It includes Scheyville National Park, Windsor Downs Nature Reserve, Castlereagh Nature Reserve and Agnes Banks Nature Reserve.
Each of these areas, and some other nearby areas are surveyed on the last Friday of each month from January to November. CBOC members are welcome to join these surveys and/or request to be included on the Richmond Woodlands KBA newsletter.
Dates for 2026: Tuesdays - Tuesdays for 9 weeks from 8 Sept
SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK SPRING SURVEYS
Every year Cumberland Bird Observers Club partners with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority to carry out the Spring Bird Census. CBOC members survey over 45 sites around Sydney Olympic Park and Bicentennial Park. An information and training session will be held on the Tuesday morning 8 September. Surveys are on Tuesday mornings from 15 September and continue for eight weeks. Even if you are unable to commit to the full 8 weeks, your help on some survey days will be useful and appreciated.
For more information, refer to our Conservation actions.
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Contact
19-21 September 2026
AUSTRALASIAN SHOREBIRD CONFERENCE - NEWCASTLE, NSW
The Hunter Bird Observers Club, the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Conservation Science, and the Australasian Wader Studies Group are pleased to announce that the 2026 Australasian Shorebird Conference (ASC) will be held in Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 19-21 September 2026.
The ASC is the largest gathering of amateur and professional shorebird enthusiasts from the region. It’s a great mix of science, conservation, and birding—bringing together researchers, conservationists, and birders who share a passion for shorebirds. Expect interesting talks, plenty of discussion, and the chance to connect with others working (and birding!) across the flyway. This will be the first in-person event in eight years.
Abstract submission closes 12 April 2026. Early bird registration closes 15 June 2026.
15-22 November 2026
TRIP TO CAPERTEE VALLEY
Nathan Bligh is planning a week of birdwatching in the Capertee Valley in November following on from Cathy Goswell's outing on 14/15 November. Please let Nathan know if you plan on coming for part or all of the time because the trip is limited to 15 members.
If you're interested in attending, please arrange your own accommodation at the Kandos Motel or any other options in Kandos or Rylstone.
Contact
Nathan Bligh | 0412 787 150
Contact
17 - 19 February 2027
AUSTRALASIAN ORNITHOLOGICAL CONFERENCE - AUCKLAND, NZ
BirdLife Australia and Birds New Zealand have announced that the 14th Australasian Ornithological Conference (AOC) will be held in Tāmaki Makaurau | Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand, 17-19 February 2027.
The AOC is BirdLife Australia’s primary conference and is the largest biennial gathering of enthusiastic amateur and professional ornithologists from the region. You’ll have the chance to hear from experts in the field of ornithology, as well as mingle with like-minded bird lovers and enthusiasts.