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
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.
Visitors are welcome to attend two outings prior to joining CBOC. If an outing is nearly full, priority will be given to members.
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.
Friday 14 August 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
ANNUAL RAPTOR COUNT, SCHEYVILLE
Meeting place
Meet at Scheyville National Park Headquarters carpark. Vehicle access is from Scheyville Rd (not from Old Pitt Town Rd, despite what the GPS tries to tell you).
Leader
Greg McLachlan | 0405 578 967
Habitat
Open
Grade
Grade 1. Birding from around cars with possible short walks.
Facilities
Plenty of parking with toilets nearby. Only a couple of picnic tables.
Saturday 22 August 2026 | 8.20am for 8.30am start (open for booking)
ROOKWOOD CEMETERY and SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
Meeting place
Meet towards the end of William Dr, Rookwood Cemetery. Enter via East St, Lidcombe. Second start location near the Waterview Café at Lake Belvedere, Bicentennial Park, Homebush off Australia Ave.
Leader
Adrian Dick | 0451 825 403
Habitat
Woodland, parkland, wetlands
Grade
Rookwood Cemetery: Grade 1. Approx. 2 km of flat walking.
Sydney Olympic Park: Grade 1. Approx. 2 km walking mainly on flat paths.
Facilities
Rookwood: Plenty of parking beside road. No toilets in the area that we are going but there are toilets near St Michael's chapel.
Sydney Olympic Park: Plenty of parking. Toilets available. Some picnic tables depending on location.
Sunday 30 August 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
BUSHELLS LAGOON AND SWALLOWS REACH, EBENEZER
Meeting place
Meet at the junction of Blacktown Road and Brewers Lane, Freemans Reach
Leader
Adrian Dick | 0451 825 403
Habitat
Wetland and forest
Grade
Bushells Lagoon: Grade 2. Approx. 2 km on gravel track with short hill.
Swallows Reach: Grade 2. Approx 1.5 km on narrow, mainly flat, bush track.
Facilities
Plenty of street parking near Bushells Lagoon. No toilets or picnic tables. Plenty of parking at Swallows Reach with toilets and some picnic tables.
Wednesday 2 September 2026 | 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 4 km on mostly flat walking tracks with a couple of hills..
Facilities
Toilets at Longneck Lagoon Environmental Centre. No picnic tables.
Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026 (4 vacancies)
Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026 (waiting list open)
WEEKENDS AWAY - FORBES AREA
Meeting place
These two Members' weekends will be based in Forbes, 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 27 September 2026 | 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.
Sunday 4 October 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
NURRAGINGY RESERVE, WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS
Meeting place
Meet at the Colebee Centre, Nurragingy Reserve, Knox Road, Doonside.
Leader
Daniel McDonald | 0404 374 362
Habitat
Bushland, woodland
Grade
Grade 2. Approx. 3 km on level bush tracks.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. Toilets at the Colebee Centre. Some picnic tables near the centre, but these are often being used.
Wednesday 7 October 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
WATTLE FOREST & LADY CARRINGTON DRIVE, ROYAL NP
Meeting place
Meet at Wattle Forest picnic area at Audley. Enter park at Audley end. After crossing Audley Weir, turn right onto Lady Carrington Drive. Turn right to cross the white wooden bridge, then turn left and continue to the end of this road to Wattle Forest.
National Park entry fee of $12 applies unless you have a NP pass.
Leader
Robyn Pedersen | 0438 989 422
Habitat
Rainforest and woodland
Grade
Wattle Forest: Grade 3. Approx. 2 km walk with some uneven ground, including some scrambling under fallen trees and roots.
Lady Carrington Drive: Grade 2. Approx. 5 km walk on a gravel track with some gentle inclines.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. There is a set of toilets as you go across the bridge and also at Wattle Forest. Plenty of under-shelter picnic tables.
Lady Carrington Drive has plenty of parking and toilets are a short walk away and plenty of under-shelter picnic tables.
Saturday 10 October 2026 | 10am-2pm (bookings close Tuesday 6 Oct)
MEMBERS' BBQ - FIELD OF MARS, EAST RYDE
Details
Come along and join us for a BBQ lunch. Sausages, bread rolls, tea, coffee, biscuits and juice will be provided. Each person should bring their own cup, plate, thermos of hot water for their own tea/coffee. When booking, please include any details of dietary requirements. There will also be a short bird walk in the area. More details will be provided to attendees in due course.
Meeting place
Meet at Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Rd, East Ryde.
Leader
TBC | TBC
Habitat
Parkland and forest
Grade
Grade 1. A short walk to the picnic area.
Facilities
Toilets nearby. There are picnic tables, but bring a chair in case there is not enough seating for everyone.
Sunday 18 October 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
BLUE GUM CREEK RESERVE, ANNANGROVE, then SCHEYVILLE NP
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 will be 15 mins away at Scheyville NP where there are toilets and picnic tables.
Saturday 24 October 2026
Stockton Sandspit (near Newcastle)
Leader: Nathan Bligh
Sunday 1 November 2026
Beginners and New Members, Sydney Olympic Park
Leader: Cathy Goswell
Wednesday 4 November 2026
Wianamatta Regional Park (Ropes Crossing section)
Leader: Mark Fuller
Saturday 14 November 2026
(optional birding Sunday morning)
Capertee Valley
Leader: Cathy Goswell
Saturday 21 November 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Sunday 29 November 2026
CLC properties "Wallaroo" and "Wombat", Mulgoa
Leader: Steve Henshaw
Wednesday 2 December 2026
Field of Mars, Sugar Loaf Point, Boronia Park
Leader: Steve Henshaw
Sunday 6 December 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Friday to Sunday 11-14 March 2027
Friday to Sunday 18-21 March 2027
Advance notice of 2027 Autumn Weekends away - possibly to Urunga
Leader: Heather Pearce