CUMBERLAND BIRD OBSERVERS CLUB
Birdwatching in Sydney since 1979
Affiliated with BirdLife Australia
OUR OUTINGS
Outings are a great way to enjoy birdwatching, to learn about the birds and to meet new friends. We have a range of outings including:
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Weekend outings on either Saturday or Sunday
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Mid-week outings on Wednesday
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Outings for young birdwatchers - click Nestlings for details
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Weekends away to prime birding locations
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Opportunities to participate in bird surveys and other events
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We have at least 3 outings per month. The outings are informal and cater for birdwatchers of all experience levels. Helpful, friendly advice is always available on all aspects of birding.
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Visitors are welcome to attend two outings prior to joining CBOC. If an outing is nearly full, priority will be given to members.
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For more information, click the links below, or email the Activities Officer on outings@cboc.org.au.
BOOKINGS REQUIRED for all outings
Outings will be limited to 25 people so that the group is not too large for effective birding, but may sometimes have a lower limit based on the outing location.
An email will be sent to members when outings are open for booking and a confirmation will be sent confirming your place on the outing.
Saturday 19 July 2025 | 8.50am for a 9am start (nearly full)
CENTRAL COAST WETLANDS (PIONEER DAIRY)
Meeting place
Pioneer Dairy parking area, 1897 South Tacoma Rd. Veer left off the Pacific Hwy near the Hyundai dealer before the Wyong River bridge, then follow this around to South Tacoma Rd. After passing under the railway line, the turnoff is on the right.
Leader
Prasad Ganesan | 0450 670 199
Habitat
Wetlands and coastal habitat
Grade
Grade 1 or 2 easy walks, depending on tracks chosen.
Facilities
Central Coast Wetlands has plenty of parking, toilets and undercover picnic tables. Canton Beach has street parking and amenities. Bring a scope if you have one.
Sunday 27 July 2025 | 6.45am start (fully booked - waiting list open)
PELAGIC BOAT TRIP with SYDNEY PELAGICS - $170 paid on board. Max: 13
Meeting place
The boat picks up at 6.45 from Mosman Bay Wharf, Avenue Rd Mosman. The wharf is located at the end of Avenue Road in Mosman. There is unrestricted public parking adjacent to the wharf.
It then picks up from approx 7am at Double Bay Wharf in Bay St, Double Bay. The wharf is situated in Steyne Park, Double Bay. Access is via New South Head Rd Double Bay. The public wharf is at the end of Bay Street.
All day free parking is available in designated areas near the wharf in Bay Street and Ocean Avenue.
If the boat is cancelled, Greg will lead an outing somewhere else.
Leader
Greg McLachlan | 0405 578 967
Habitat
Seabirds
Grade
Grade 1. Minimal walking but you need to be able-bodied. If you're prone to sea-sickness, this may not be the outing for you. Otherwise, talk to your GP and take the tablets as prescribed. Greg does not recommend Ginger tablets or Travacalm.
Facilities
Toilet on the boat.
Wednesday 6 August 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
FLOYD BAY and MIRRAMBEENA REGIONAL PARK
Meeting place
Meet at the end of Hollywood Drive, Lansvale.
Leader
Peter Abraham | 0451 292 512
Habitat
Parkland, wetlands
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 6 km on mainly flat easy concrete paths.
Facilities
Plenty of parking at Floyd Bay but no toilets or picnic tables. Mirrambeena has plenty of parking, toilets and picnic tables.
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Friday 15 August 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
LONGNECK LAGOON - SCHEYVILLE NP
Meeting place
Longneck Lagoon, Scheyville NP
Leader
Nathan Bligh | 0412 787 150
Habitat
Forest, grassland, lagoon
Grade
Grade 2. Max 4km on mostly flat walking tracks with a couple of hills..
Facilities
Toilets at Longneck Lagoon Environmental Centre. No picnic tables.
Saturday 23 August 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
CROSSLANDS RESERVE, HORNSBY HEIGHTS
Meeting place
Crosslands Picnic Area, 441 Somerville Road, Hornsby Heights. Please note that some GPSs try to take you to the western side of the creek so it is best to put Somerville Road into the GPS. It is a steep hill down to the reserve at the end of the road.
Leader
Prasad Ganesan | 0450 670 199
Habitat
Parkland and bushland
Grade
Grade 1. Approx. 2 km. Mostly flat on paved paths.
Facilities
Plenty of parking with toilets a few minutes walk away. Some picnic tables.
Sunday 31 August 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
BLUE GUM CREEK RESERVE, ANNANGROVE
Meeting place
End of O'Keefe Road, Annangrove
Leader
Paul Johnstone | 0434 350 409
Habitat
Forest
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 2 km on flat bush trail.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. No toilets or picnic tables at the reserve, but morning tea wil be 15 mins away at Maralya Park where there are toilets and picnic tables.
Wednesday 3 September 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
NARRABEEN LAGOON
Meeting place
Meet at 8.30am at James Wheeler Place, Wheeler Heights. Once you turn into James Wheeler Pde, go down the hill and around the corner and park anywhere on the left. It is likely that you will need to carry morning tea with you.
Leader
Lindsay Sherman | 0418 624 905
Habitat
Bushland
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 4kms of flat, easy walking on gravel path.
Facilities
There are no toilets at James Wheeler Parade; the closest are at nearby St Matthews Farm Reserve. There are toilets at Jamieson Park, which is usually where we have morning tea.
Only one picnic table at James Wheeler Pde but more tables at Jamieson Park.
Friday 12 to Sunday 14 September 2025 (waiting list open)
Friday 19 to Sunday 21 September 2025 (waiting list open)
WEEKENDS AWAY - NARRABRI AREA
Meeting place
These two Members' weekends will be based in Narrabri, travelling to nearby birding areas. They are now open for booking. Once the booking has been confirmed, more details will be sent to you. Do not book any accommodation until then as there will be a maximum of 30 people on this weekend.
Leader
Heather Pearce | 0412 051 951
Habitat
Various
Grade
Various
Facilities
TBC
Sunday 28 September 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
SECOND PONDS CREEK RESERVE, ROUSE HILL
Meeting place
Meet at Withers Rd at Second Ponds Creek, adjacent to the Rouse Hill Rural Fire brigade
Leader
Damian Turner | 0415 450 476
Habitat
Wetland and forest
Grade
Grade 3. Approx 6 km of walking on a gentle slope.
Facilities
Plenty of roadside parking. Closest toilets are at the nearby Bunnings or Mitre 10. No picnic tables.
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March 2026 (waiting list open)
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026 (one vacancy)
WEEKENDS AWAY - KIAMA AREA
Meeting place
These two Members' weekends will be based in Kiama, travelling to nearby birding areas. They are now open for booking. Once the booking has been confirmed, more details will be sent to you. Do not book any accommodation until then as there will be a maximum of 30 people on this weekend.
Leader
Heather Pearce | 0412 051 951
Habitat
Various
Grade
Various
Facilities
TBC
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Laughtondale Gully and Wisemans Ferry
Leader: Adrian Dick
Saturday 11 October 2025
Field of Mars, Sugar Loaf Point, Boronia Park
Leader: Cathy Goswell
Sunday 19 October 2025
TBC
Leader: TBC
Saturday 25 October 2025
Cumberland State Forest
Leader: Peter Abraham
Sunday 2 November 2025
Members' BBQ - Location TBC
Leader: Coralie Turner-Morris
Wednesday 5 November 2025
Wattle Forest and Lady Carrington Drive, Royal NP
Leader: Robyn Pedersen
Saturday 15 November 2025
Sunday 16 November 2025 (morning)
Capertee Valley
Leader: Cathy Goswell
Saturday 22 November 2025
Sydney Olympic Park - starting at the Waterbird Refuge
Leader: Prasad Ganesan
Wednesday 3 December 2025
TBC
Leader: TBC
Sunday 7 December 2025
Richmond Lowlands and surrounds
Leader: Paul Johnstone
11-13 September 2026
18-20 September 2026
Advance notice of Spring 2026 weekends away from Friday to Sunday inclusive - location TBC
Leader: Heather Pearce