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.
It is usual to see about 50 species of birds on an outing. On very good days, 75 species or more can be seen or heard, but there are no guarantees!
Visitors are welcome to attend two outings prior to joining CBOC.
For more information, click the links below, or email the Activities Officer on outings@cboc.org.au.
BOOKINGS REQUIRED for all outings
In 2022 we will continue to require members and visitors to book on 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.
8.30am | Wednesday 4 January 2023
SYDNEY PARK, ST PETERS AND TEMPE LANDS (morning only)
Meeting place
Meet at the carpark in Barwon Park Rd, which is next to the tall chimneys.
Leader
Gabrielle Rees | 0414 947 138
Habitat
Bush, parklands and wetlands
Grade
Sydney Park: Grade 1. Approx 3-5km easy walking along footpaths, grass and elevated wetland walkway.
Tempe Lands: Grade 2. Approx 2km loop on dirt track.
Facilities
Sydney Park: Plenty of parking. Toilets and coffee cart nearby. Need to bring chairs.
Tempe Lands: No toilets or facilities, but parks with toilets nearby.
Location link
Location link
8.30am | Saturday 21 January 2023
BOBBIN HEAD, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NP
Meeting place
Meet on the western side of the bridge at Bobbin Head picnic area, near the start of the Gibberagong boardwalk
Leader
Daniel McDonald | 0404 374 362
Habitat
Forest
Grade
Grade 3. Approx 3km on bush tracks with some slightly steeper sections including steps.
Facilities
Plenty of parking with toilets nearby. Some picnic tables, including some undercover.
8.30am | Sunday 29 January 2023
DEEP CREEK, NARRABEEN (morning only)
Meeting place
Meet at Deep Creek Reserve, off Wakehurst Parkway, Narrabeen. If coming from the south, the turnoff is immediately on the left after crossing the Deep Creek bridge.
Leader
Heather Pearce | 0412 051 951
Habitat
Bushland
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 3km walking on narrow, largely flat track, with steps to the bridge going over the creek.
Location link
Location link
7am and 9am | Wednesday 1 February 2023
ROOKWOOD CEMETERY and SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK (World Wetlands Day 2 Feb)
Meeting place
Meet towards the end of William Dr, Rookwood Cemetery. Enter via East St, Lidcombe. Second start location at 9am 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 2kms of flat walking.
Sydney Olympic Park: Grade 1. Approx. 2km 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.
7am | Sunday 19 February 2023 (open for expressions of interest by 4 Jan)
BUS TRIP: CENTRAL COAST WETLANDS (PIONEER DAIRY) and CANTON BEACH
Meeting place
Meeting Place TBC, but probably Castle Hill.
Cost: $40 for members, $50 for Visitors
Register your interest in attending this bus trip by 4 January.
It will be confirmed in the January members’ update if the bus trip will proceed. If so, payment will be required by EFT or cheque by 4 February.
If there are insufficient numbers to justify a bus trip, it will be converted to a self-drive.
Leader
Cathy Goswell | 0418 865 421
Habitat
Wetlands and coastal habitat
Grade
TBC
Facilities
TBC
Location link
9am | Saturday 25 February 2023 (Max 15 attendees)
BEGINNERS and NEW MEMBERS,
SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
Meeting place
Meet by the Cafe at the Waterview Convention Centre overlooking Lake Belvedere.
Leader
Trevor Waller | 0467 977 508
Habitat
Wetlands, parkland, and woodland
Grade
Grade 1. Approx. 2km walking mainly on flat paths.
Facilities
Plenty of parking at Bicentennial Park near the café, though it can get busy on the weekends. Be aware that is a one-way road. Toilets at the Waterview Café. Not many picnic tables.
8.30am | Wednesday 1 March 2023
WEST HEAD, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NP
Meeting place
Meet at the lookout at the end of West Head Road. National Park entry fee of $12 applies unless you have a NP pass
Leader
Lindsay Sherman | 0418 624 905
Habitat
Sandstone country
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 3km of mostly flat walking on tracks and fire trails.
Location link
Location link
8.30am | Sunday 5 March 2023
CUMBERLAND LAND CONSERVANCY: WALLAROO & WOMBAT SITES, MULGOA
Meeting place
Meet at the entrance to the property, which is accessed from the turnoff to the Penrith Landfill Depot. This is just south of the Nepean Christian School. Once you turn off Mulgoa Rd, parking is immediately on the left opposite the gate on the right. If the gate is open, drive in and park on the left near the shed.
Leader
Mark Fuller | 0424 440 140
Habitat
Open forest/woodland with clearings and small dams.
Grade
Wallaroo: Grade 2. Approx 3kms of relatively flat walking with some gentle hills.
Wombat: Grade 3. Approx 1 km with some steep hills.
Friday 10 to Sunday 12 March 2023 (open for booking)
WEEKEND AWAY - LAURIETON AREA
Meeting place
We will use the Reflections and Jacaranda caravan parks at North Haven (which are close to each other) as our base for the weekend. 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
Heather Pearce | 0412 051 951
Habitat
Various habitats
Grade
Various but mainly Grade 2.
Location link
8.30am | Saturday 25 March 2023
SCHEYVILLE NP
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
Heather Cavanagh and David Cree | 0419 432 720
Habitat
Bushland, woodland
Grade
Grade 2. Morning walk of approx. 2.7km loop on wide, mown tracks that are mostly flat with some gentle hills. Decide what else to do on the day.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. Toilets nearby at the back of the headquarters (follow the signs).
Only a few picnic tables with not much shade.
8.30am | Sunday 2 April 2023
CASTLEREAGH and WINDSOR DOWNS NRs
Meeting place
Meet opposite the Northern Auto Wreckers, 557 The Northern Rd, Londonderry. The closest toilets are at McDonalds at 1-21 Cranebrook Rd.
Leader
Daniel McDonald | 0404 374 362
Habitat
Woodland
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 2kms at each site on bush tracks and trails.
Location link
Location link
8.30am | Wednesday 5 April 2023
MITCHELL PARK
Meeting place
Meet at the second picnic table in Mitchell Park. National Park entry fee of $8 applies unless you have a NP pass.
Leader
Corinne Tomkinson | 0488 001 802
Habitat
Bushland, woodland
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 3.2km on bush tracks and fire trails with occasional gentle slopes.
8.30am | Saturday 22 April 2023
EMU GREEN
Meeting place
Meet at Emu Green Reserve, corner of Palomino Road and Russell Street, Emu Plains. Decide where else to go on the day based on the status of the floods and nearby tracks.
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 4km walking at Emu Green.
