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 23 August 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (nearly full)
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. 4 km 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.
Wednesday 1 October 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
LAUGHTONDALE GULLY and WISEMANS FERRY
Meeting place
Meet at the corner of Laughtondale Gully Rd and Old Northern Rd, Maroota.
Leader
Daniel McDonald | 0404 374 362
Habitat
Sandstone woodland, parkland and rainforest
Grade
Grade 2. Approx. 3 km walking on tracks with uneven surfaces and gentle uphill sections and some steps.
Saturday 11 October 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
FIELD OF MARS, SUGARLOAF POINT and BORONIA PARK
Meeting place
Meet at Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Rd, East Ryde
Leader
Cathy Goswell | 0418 865 421
Habitat
Forest, mangrove
Grade
Field of Mars: Grade 1. Approx. 0.6 km Boardwalk loop.
Sugar Loaf Point: Grade 3. Approx. 3 km on bush tracks with short steep hill sections, some rough surfaces and a few steps.
Facilities
Plenty of parking with toilets nearby and some picnic tables.
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Sunday 19 October 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
EMU GREEN and PENRITH WEIR
Meeting place
Meet at Emu Green Reserve, corner of Palomino Road and Russell Street, Emu Plains. For Penrith Weir, meet at Weir Reserve, in the furthest car park, towards the north (far) end of Bruce Neale Dr (signposted to the Great River Walk and Rowing Club), Penrith
Leader
Robyn Pedersen | 0438 989 422
Habitat
A mix of parkland, riverside and bush reserves
Grade
Grade 2. Generally flat on gravel paths or bush tracks with up to 4 km walking at Emu Green.
Saturday 25 October 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
CUMBERLAND STATE FOREST
Meeting place
Meet in the car park near the Cumberland State Forest information centre, off Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills.
Leader
Peter Abraham | 0451 292 512
Habitat
Forest
Grade
Grade 3. Approx. 5 km on tracks that are hilly in places and can be a bit slippery at times.
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March 2026 (waiting list open)
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026 (waiting list open)
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
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