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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Bus trips to areas within a few hours drive of Sydney
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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.
Wednesday 7 June 2023 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (waiting list open)
AUSTRALIAN BOTANICAL GARDENS,
MT ANNAN
Meeting place
Meet near the Visitors Centre. Parking is in the P3 carpark on Cunningham Drive, Mt Annan.
Leader
Heather Cavanagh and David Cree | 0419 432 720
Habitat
Grassland, lakes and forest
Grade
Grade 1. Approx 3 kms flat walking.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. Toilets near carpark. No picnic tables near the carpark.
Saturday 24 June 2023 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (waiting list open)
MISTRAL POINT SEAWATCH, MAROUBRA and CENTENNIAL PARK
Meeting place
Meet at the northern end of Marine Parade, Maroubra
Leader
Trevor Waller | 0467 977 508
Habitat
Coastal, parklands
Grade
Mistral Point: Grade 2. Approx. 200m walk to rock platform with some easy rock passage.
Centennial Park: Grade 1. Approx 2 kms on flat paved paths.
Facilities
Street parking at Mistral Point, but it can be busy on the weekend. Short walk to toilets. No picnic tables.
Plenty of parking at Centennial Park but it can get busy. Toilets available. Some picnic tables but not usually used by the group.
Wednesday 5 July 2023 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
CENTENNIAL PARK
Meeting place
Near the crossroads of Parkes Drive and Dickens Drive, Centennial Park.
Leader
Corinne Tomkinson | 0488 001 802
Habitat
Parkland
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 3km on relatively flat, even parklands.
Facilities
Plenty of parking, which can get busy on weekends. Toilets at various locations. Some picnic tables.
Sunday 9 July 2023 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
BUSHELLS LAGOON and SWALLOWS REACH
Meeting place
Meet at the junction of Blacktown Road and Brewers Lane, Freemans Reach
Leader
Adrian Dick | 0451 825 403
Habitat
Wetlands and forest
Grade
Bushells Lagoon: Grade 2. Approx 2 km on wide bush track with gentle hill down to the lagoon.
Swallows Reach: Grade 2. Approx 2 km walking on a 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.
Location link
Saturday 22 July 2023 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start
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
Edwin Vella | 0402 067 619
Habitat
Wetland and forest
Grade
Grade 3. Approx 6kms of walking on a gentle slope.
Facilities
Plenty of roadside parking. Closest toilets are at the nearby Bunnings or Mitre 10. No picnic tables.
Sunday 30 July 2023 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start
ROYAL NP – WATTAMOLLA CLIFFS and BONNIE VALE (near Bundeena)
Meeting place
Meet at the P2 car park at Wattamolla. The turnoff to Wattamolla is on the left, 10kms from Audley when coming from the north. The car park is about 5km further on, accessed from a right hand turn as you go down the hill, before you get to the bottom carpark. Entry fee of $12 applies unless you have a NP pass. Note that there is no mobile reception at Wattamolla.
Second location is at Bonnie Vale picnic area, off Sea Breeze Lane, Bundeena.
Leader
Greg McLaclan | 0405 578 967
Habitat
Heath, forest
Grade
Wattamolla Cliffs: Grade 2. Mainly flat with a few steps and a gentle hill. Approx 2 kms.
Bonnie Vale: Grade 2. Level walking on easy bush tracks. Approx 3kms.
Location link
Location link
Wednesday 2 August 2023 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start
FRED CATERSON RESERVE, CASTLE HILL
Meeting place
Enter Fred Caterson Reserve via Gilbert Rd, Castle Hill. Continue along Caterson Drive until you reach a car park at Fields 2 and 3. Do not turn left at any time.
Leader
Heather Cavanagh and David Cree | 0419 432 720
Habitat
Bushland
Grade
Grade 3. Approx 3kms on bush paths, tracks and road with some uneven ground and gentle hills.
Facilities
Plenty of parking with toilets nearby. No picnic tables but some seating near the oval.
Saturday 19 August 2023 | 8.50am for a 9am start
BEGINNERS and NEW MEMBERS, CROSSLANDS RESERVE, HORNSBY HEIGHTS
Meeting place
Crosslands Picnic Area, 441 Somerville Road, Hornsby Heights
Leader
Trevor Waller | 0467 977 508
Habitat
Parkland and bushland
Grade
Grade 1. Approx. 2km. Mostly flat on paved paths.
Facilities
Plenty of parking with toilets a few minutes walk away. Some picnic tables.
Location link
Friday 8 to Sunday 10 September 2023 (bookings closed)
WEEKEND AWAY - CANBERRA AREA
Meeting place
We will use the Alivio Tourist Park in O'Connor in Canberra as our base for the weekend (although you can stay elsewhere in Canberra or surrounds if you prefer). Details to be provided closer to the event. Bookings can be made by emailing Heather on outings@cboc.org.au. Accommodation bookings can be made at any time.
Leader
Jeff Byron | 0408 869 228
Habitat
Bushland, wetlands
Grade
Grade 2 and 3
Facilities
TBC