Byron Bay Wetlands September 2025

Spring has officially arrived and the quiet of the winter replaced by a buzzing in the reed beds; cisticolas, grassbirds, reed-warblers and fairy-wren. Water flow into E Cell has been turned off and an area of mud-flat has returned, attracting small numbers of Pied Stilts, Black-fronted Dotterel, Royal Spoonbills, herons, egrets, ducks and ibis. And the Latham’s Snipes have arrived from north Asia for the Australian summer.

The Forest Kingfishers have been very active across all the wetland ponds.

An early arrival was the Fan-tailed Cuckoo; their calls were heard throughout the wetlands a couple of weeks ago.

Two or more Pheasant Coucals have been seen on and off. This one photographed on the track between I and J Cells.

Also very active, patrolling the banks of the large H Cell pond, was this Azure Kingfisher.

Up to thirty Welcome Swallows flitting across H Cell. Sometimes joined by a smaller number of Fairy Martins.

Only three Latham’s Snipes have arrived on the wetland so far, with five counted at the adjoining Byron TAFE pond and eight on Belongil pond.

Two or three Spangled Drongos are around at the moment.

By far the most common honeyeater of the last few weeks, the Brown Honeyeater. There are also some White-cheeked Honeyeaters, Scarlet and Blue-faced.

The Brown Cuckoo-Dove is an occasional visitor, when food is available.

White-necked Herons are often seen on D and E Cell ponds.

The Black-fronted Dotterels had not been seen since Autumn, but seem to have moved back in the past weeks.

A Figbird showing some spring colour

A Plumed Egret (old name Intermediate Egret) on E Cell.

Magpie-larks are also finding something to eat on the mudflats.

Lots of Australian Reed- Warblers across all the ponds this spring.

Last week it was dozens of Golden-headed Cisticola making their presence known.

And of course noisy Tawny Grass birds enjoying a beautiful spring morning.

The gang has arrived. Thirty five Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos descend on the eastern treeline of the wetland.

The always present call of the Bar-shouldered Dove, a very attractive bird if caught in the right light.

Another Bird Survey in the Byron Hinterland

Back to the area that was surveyed two weeks ago and there was more raptor action at the site, with six species of diurnal raptor seen. In addition there were nest boxes containing mating pairs of Barn Owls for the evening shift. Analysis of the owl scats (pellets) show that they are mainly eating Black Rats and mice.

Photographs of this Shining Bronze-Cuckoo taken by other surveyors showed it had a green crown, indicative of the New Zealand sub-species. Closer examination showed other features that also pointed to this bird being the New Zealand Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcites lucidis lucidis) which winters in the Solomon Islands and New Britain then migrates south to breed in the New Zealand summer. Some of these birds take a route down the Australian east coast during August to November and the bird photographed appears to be one of them. The Australian subspecies does not show this migratory behaviour.

Always an impressive sight, the Wedge-tailed Eagle.

The Grey Goshawk. It looks like this is a young bird although it could possibly be the white version of the Grey Goshawk (the White Morph)? Both Grey and White morphs of this bird are seen in this area. It is believed that the white version has developed so that the Goshawks can hunt undetected within a flock of white cockatoos.

Bush Regeneration in the Byron Hinterland

The Big Scrub of the Byron Hinterland was cleared in one of man’s more thoughtless agricultural developments. Sadly the land was not as suitable for dairy farming as first thought and many farms were abandoned, to be later overrun by the introduced Camphor Laurel tree. If only eighty or ninety percent of the Big Scrub had been cleared we would have a magnificent sub-tropical rainforest of immense scientific and tourist value. But on went the clearing, stopping after 99 per cent had gone, and then only because of strident protests. Now, dedicated owners are working to restore the original rainforest.

The regeneration site we survey last week was an amalgamation of several farms in an ambitious project to restore the bush, and use regenerative farming techniques, while researching novel pest control techniques.

The site includes several grassy hillsides with an active raptor population. Seven diurnal raptor species were sighted including the Collared Sparrowhawk seen here. The interaction of owls breeding on the property with these raptors to achieve rodent control is one of the areas under study.

The same Collared Sparrowhawk.

This nest box has been commandeered by a pair of Galahs. This bird was patiently “sweeping, disinfecting and making fragrant” inside the box with a sprig of eucalypt leaves.

A pretty bird in a rural scene, hopefully not the next pest to be dealt with.

Tallow Creek near Byron Bay

The Tallow Creek bridge and old sewerage ponds in Suffolk Park near Byron Bay is not only a fruitful place for birding but also good for bird photography. There is often favourable early morning and evening light for photography over the lagoon. The paths are wide and the trees quite low providing helpful perches at a manageable height. There is limited parking and access from Broken Head Road near the holiday park.

An unusual sight here, this female Regent Bowerbird was quite a surprise as I walked back to the car.

Inquisitive Lewin’s Honeyeater poses on a handy branch near the old sewage ponds.

The Australian Reed-Warbler. The reed beds are busy with reed-warblers, grassbirds and fairy-wren.

A Red-backed Fairy-wren photographed in the reeds near the sewerage ponds - in an exposed position with good lighting.

The female Red-backed Fairy-wren was nearby.

There were Superb Fairy-wrens feeding nearby.

Rainbow Bee-eater with fly.

Little Wattlebirds are regulars in this area.

Whales and Dolphins at Cape Byron

It is not just the birdlife that is special in Byron Bay. The broad sweep of ocean visible from the Cape Byron Lighthouse is often alive with sea life, whales, dolphins, sea turtles.

Thirty or forty whales were visible from the Byron Lighthouse last week, their presence confirmed by widespread spouts and breaches across the bay.

A pod of dolphins came in close to the cliffs below the lighthouse, a spectacular sight in the sunlight.

First Latham's Snipes of Spring

The first Latham’s Snipes heading to Byron Bay this spring have arrived and at an unexpected venue! Byron Bay TAFE has a small man made pond near their car-park, approximately 50 metres long and 20 metres wide. The pond has been planted with reeds and sedges with native shrubs along the edges. On Monday three Latham’s Snipes were seen and reported, the first in the Northern Rivers Region. On Friday there were five birds present. The TAFE is next door to the Byron Bay Wetlands - but no Snipes have been seen at the wetlands so far.

Latham’s Snipes arrive here in early spring after their long journey from Japan and northern Asia where they spend the northern summer feeding and breeding. This year their arrival is a few days later than average. The Byron Bird Buddies will be starting the annual “Snipe” count soon to monitor numbers of arrivals of these endangered birds.

A Latham’s Snipe circles the Byron Bay TAFE pond after being flushed from the grasses along the fenceline.

Two Purple Swamphens in the Byron bay TAFE pond.

Other birds using the pond include Egrets, Welcome Swallows, Ducks and the Royal Spoonbill and White Ibis seen here.

Afternoon Survey at Vallances Road

It was the afternoon survey at Vallances Road, near the Brunswick River at Mullimbimby, in New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region. Bird numbers were down in parts and busy in others; a warm and fine day after another week of heavy rain along the coast. It was gumboot weather. The day finished on a high, with the sighting of two Black-necked Storks across the valley.

Spotted on the other side of the valley just as it was getting dark, two Black-necked Storks at the top of adjacent trees. While we were watching this bird flew towards us, landing in a creek and dissapearing from view in the reed beds.

Along a heavily wooded fenceline in the eastern paddock, three species of Fairy-wren were feeding in a small area. This Variegated Fairy-wren and its family, Superb Fairy-wrens and Red-backed Fairy-wrens.

This Spectacled Monarch was calling close by the river.

The White-throated Gerygones were out in force, with their shrill descending trills.

Byron Bay Wetlands in August

Spring is in the air as August ends. We are still waiting for the first Latham’s Snipe but other birds are making their spring return. The White-breasted Woodswallows are lining up and the first Pheasant Coucal appeared last week.

On the wire at the wetland entrance were the White-breasted Woodswallows, some dozen in total back on patrol.

The Tawny Grassbirds seem to be more active, their clumsy buzzy flight and busy songs and trills a give away of their presence in the reeds.

This Fan-tailed Cuckoo had a lot to say but not to anyone in particular. The arrival of the Pheasant Coucal and a busy Shining Bronze-Cuckoo were adding to the spring flavour of the day.

This Restless Flycatcher was putting on a spectacular show.

Another spring arrival, this Black-faced Monarch was also making its presence known.

Sadly the largest pond in the wetland - H Cell - has been partly taken over by this invasive weed - Salvinia. This and other weeds are a major challenge for the wetland. The Dusky Moorhen does not seem to mind.

Happily a big positive on H Cell was the visit of a pair of Australasian Shovelers, the male seen here.

A busy Brown Thornbill.

Parrots of New South Wales

The parrot photos below were taken around Cowra and on the New South Wales south coast. A reminder of the colour these beautiful birds bring to our lives.

Crimson Rosella on the Cowra Common, Cowra New South Wales

Red-rumped Parrot photographed on the Cowra Common.

Also at the Cowra Common, this Eastern Rosella was inspecting hollows as suitable nest sites.

A Rainbow Lorikeet photographed on the New South Wales south coast near Ulladulla.

A King Parrot also on the south coast.

Clover Leigh Golf Club

The Clover Leigh Golf Club is located 45 kilometers south west of Cowra along the Olympic Highway towards Young. I visited on the Monday after the Cowra winter surveys, a wet and blustery day, after hearing positive reports about the birds to be seen. The golf course grounds include a large nature reserve and birdwatchers are invited. In the wet conditions the reserve was very quiet - Yellow Thornbills, magpies and White-eared Honeyeaters the only birds seen. But the golf course, right next to the clubhouse, was alive.

This Flame Robin was feeding around the 18th hole at the Clover Leigh Golf Club. As were Red-rumped Parrots, Superb Fairy-wrens, Yellow-rumped Thornbills and the Whiteface and Babbler below.

About half a dozen Southern Whiteface were feeding close the clubhouse.

A party of eight White-browed Babblers were very busy around the clubhouse and on the greens.

Morongla Cemetery

Morongla is a small village 15 km east of Cowra New South Wales, on the Lachlan Valley Way. Burials at Morongla cemetery began in the later nineteenth century and it is still in use today. The cemetery is surrounded by remnant bush and was a survey site for the Cowra Woodland Bird Program.

Grey-crowned Babblers are regularly seen at the Morongla Cemetery. The site is visited by a good variety of woodland and open country birds.

This "serpent” from the underworld looks to have made one of the oldest graves in the cemetery its home.

A close up. It looks like an Eastern Brown Snake to me?

There were lots of Kangaroos around Cowra, after successive years of good rains their numbers have grown.

Cowra Winter Survey 2025

Cowra was at its wintery best for this July’s winter survey of the Cowra Woodlands Bird Program. Only the diehards are keen to survey in winter and the blustery wind and rain fully met expectation. Bird numbers were low especially on the sites we were assigned to; predominantly small isolated remnant bush patches across the river plains. Nevertheless there were interesting birds to see and tales to tell.

The communal family groups of Apostlebirds, Choughs, and Babblers are always favorites in the woodlands travelling together and cooperating to build nests and look after the young. Apostlebirds form groups based around a breeding male, two or three breeding females plus their offspring (often making groups around 12 birds and hence Apostlebirds). This Apostlebird was in a small group of five, seen on Back Creek Road near the Seed Orchard, near Cowra.

Closeby was this Dusky Woodswallow. Later, during the survey, we saw eight Dusky Woodswallows in the same place. Very pleasing as I had not seen this species at Cowra for a number of years.

This Brown Treecreeper was sighted on a TSR (Travelling Stock Reserve) on the Lachlan Valley Highway. Other than a White-throated Treecreeper heard nearby, the rest of the birds were Noisy Miners and Magpies.

The dominant Honeyeater during the weekend was the White-plumed Honeyeater seen here. Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were quite common; others seen over the weekend included a Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, a White-eared Honeyeater and a White-naped Honeyeater.

Red Wattlebird photographed on the Cowra Common.

Pardalotes were present on a number of sites, both this Striated Pardalote and the Spotted Pardlote below.

Spotted Pardalote feeding on the Cowra Common.

This Brown Falcon was feeding on the roadside just out of Cowra and flew into the tree as we approached.

Lake Wallace en route to Cowra Woodlands Bird Program

On a cold winter’s day it seemed the birds had deserted Lake Wallace on this trip to take part in the Cowra Woodlands Bird Program. Only a few rugged individuals holding on; waiting for spring to arrive.

The Purple Swamphens I normally see are very scatty, rushing off the moment they see me coming, frightening all the other birds at the same time. But here at Lake Wallace instead the Purple Swamphens run towards you, no doubt hoping you will offer them some food.

A solitary Musk Duck was representing the Duck family, supported by a few Pacific Black Ducks in the distance.

A slightly different story for the Eurasian Coots, which have disappeared where I go birding close to the eastern coast. There were scores of Coots around, more than I have seen for quite a while.

Vallances Road near Mullimbimby

It was not possible to survey the whole site last week at Vallances Road, near Mullimbimby in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales, as a fox eradication program was in progress. So bushland and farm paddocks adjoining the Brunswick River could not be accessed. Nevertheless the one kilometer of Vallances Road leading to the waste treatment plant yielded 60 species including a Collared Sparrowhawk, White-throated Honeyeaters, and Red-backed, Variegated and Superb Fairy-wrens. That total didn’t include any water birds apart from some Australian Wood Ducks up in a tree.

On arrival we were greeted by a flock of six King Parrots feeding on the roadside. The numbers increased to about a dozen with a small flock of Eastern Rosellas feeding nearby.

A solitary Olive-backed Oriole.

As always the identification of this bird as a Collared Sparrowhawk as opposed to Brown Goshawk was the subject of spirited discussion. The verdict of Collared Sparrowhawk was based on the long tail, square at the end with slight indentation and the bulging secondary feathers. Also perhaps a rounded head but difficult to tell from this photo.

Winter in the Byron Bay Wetlands

Most days the wetlands seem quiet at this time of the year but every now and then there will be a buzz of birds that signals spring is not far away. Willie Wagtails and Grey Fantails are most obvious inhabitants but many of the small birds can be seen with some patience: Grassbirds, Fairy-wrens, Cisticolas, Whistlers, Silvereyes, Red-browed Finches, Brown and Lewin’s Honeyeaters, Kingfishers, Flycatchers are all there. Water birds are still thin but represented the last weeks by Herons, Egrets, Royal Spoonbills, Ibis, Comb-crested Jacana, a solitary Black-fronted Dotterel and a few Ducks. A White-bellied Sea-Eagle has been very attentive and was seen last week flying with an eel or snake dangling below it.

On cold, windless days the birds are moving slowly and make good targets for photographers. This Grey Shrike-thrush was unsually cooperative.

A single pair of Black Swans is seen most days at the Byron Bay Wetlands, checking out the various ponds; presumably the same two birds?

This Straw-necked Ibis was a flyover. The Straw-necked Ibis rarely use the wetlands but are often present in the surrounding farm lands.

The Comb-crested Jacanas are hiding in the Malaleuca tree swamp, over the last year not often seen.

The Plumed Egret, a less frequent visitor than the larger Great Egret normally in residence.

This White-necked Heron, the Egret above and a White-faced Heron were feeding in D cell.

Winter colours at Byron Bay

The average June day temperature in Byron Bay is about 20 C and in recent years it is often one or two degrees higher than that. So it is not surprising that even mid winter days can have a spring like feel. Lots of active birds, bright colours and song. Here are a few photographed over the last week.

At Arakwal National Park on the south side of Byron Bay the banksias are in full flower. Scaly-breasted Lorikeets, Rainbow Lorikeets , Brown Honeyeaters and Little Wattlebirds squabble over banksias dripping with nectar.

A Brown Honeyeater at Arakwal National Park in Byron Bay.

At nearby Tallow Creek, at the old waste treatment plant, this Azure Kingfisher was patrolling around the disused ponds.

On the north side of Byron Bay, at the Belongil Wetland, Grey Teals join the other ducks to be seen on this pond; Australian Wood Ducks and Pacific Black Ducks. The Wandering Whistling Ducks and the Radjah Shelduck have left.

This Rainbow Bee-eater has its back to the wind on Belongil Beach north of Byron Bay.

Close by this Sacred Kingfisher was feeding at the edge where the sandhills meet the beach, an area much changed by the recent cyclone.

Where are the Water Birds?

While the Byron Wetlands and other bodies of water have been very short on water birds, there are some unusual places where they can still be found. One such place is the Belongil Wetland behind the sand hills on the northern side of Belongil Creek mouth.

A ten minute count there this week included 30 Wandering Whistling-Ducks, one Radjah Shelduck, a number of Pacific Black Ducks, Australian Wood Ducks, several Royal Spoonbills, a Great Egret and a Cattle Egret.

Wandering Whistling-Ducks at nearby Byron Wetlands.

Honeyeaters at Little Forest Plateau

With my camera in the repair shop after 10 years of faithfull service I have rediscovered the joys of wandering through the bush listening to and watching birds. No pressure to get close or find the best lighting or waiting patiently for a subject to adopt a picturesque stance. I only have one camera, a Canon 7D ii and use a Canon 100 - 400 mm zoom lense for nearly all photos. It has proved a reliable and versatile combination, has good reach because the three quarter frame sensor results in an effective 600 mm range, and good quality photos.

I have also had time for reading and research. I am still on the mailing list for the Milton - Ullladulla bird group (MUD). Last week they surveyed the LIttle Forest Plateau in Morton National Park, a site that was badly burnt in the Currowan bushfire in 2020. It has taken time for this heathland and banksia forest recover but the count last week was a joy to see. Eleven species of honeyeaters, included 100 White-naped Honeyeaters, 200 Red Wattlebirds and 500 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters!

Yellow-faced Honeyeater photographed on New South Wales south coast in 2021.

Autumn in the Byron Bay Wetlands

Autumn brings changes in the wetlands. The Latham’s Snipes have gone to begin their journey north. The Nankeen Night Herons have left, perhaps heading north as well? Orioles, whipbirds and wattlebirds are scarcer than usual. The post cyclone rain and continuing falls are keeping the ponds topped up, with no exposed mud flat. And so there are very few water birds.

The Melaleuca is flowering and with it have come the honeyeaters; teams of Brown Honeyeaters, Scarlet Honeyeaters, Noisy Friarbirds, Blue-faced Honeyeaters plus large flocks of lorikeets, predominantly Rainbow but some Scaly-breasted as well. A Grey Goshawk has been particulary busy the last few days. Grey fantails and many Willie Wagtails to be seen.

A big positive is that the weevil treatment for the Salvinia weed overgrowing many ponds is starting to work. It was a treat to see three Forest Kingfishers feeding at a pond that had been previously choked with Salvinia.

The Forest Kingfisher is always a photogenic treat, here it was with two others feeding around a pond rejuvinated by the successful treatment of the Salvinia weed that had been choking it.

This Grey Goshwawk was particularly active this week in the Melaleuka woodlands of F Cell.

A young Superb Fairy-wren with adult colour just starting to appear forages for insects in the bark.

Many Scarlet and Brown Honeyeaters in the white flowers of the Melaleuka.

Lots of Willie Wagtails, all as busy as usual.

Numbers of Grey Fantails have increase dramatically as April draws to a close.

The Blue-faced Honeyeater is an occaisional visitor to the wetlands.

Three Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos make a timely visit to check out some tasty Swamp Banksia.

A Mistletoebird visits a Mistletoe plant growing on a Melaleuca in the F Cell ponds.

One of the few water birds present at the moment, the White-faced Heron.

Barred Cuckoo-shrikes

A flock of fifteen to twenty birds caught our attention at this week’s survey at Tyagarah, in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales. They were diving and weaving with flocks of Figbirds and hard to identify. After considerable discussion, barring seen in some of the photos indicated the birds were Barred Cuckoo-shrikes, unusual to see near the coast.

An immature Barred Cuckoo-shrike at Tyagarah, in Northern New South Wales. All but two of the other birds in the photos taken of the cuckoo-shrikes showed immature birds like this one, with several photos showing seven or eight cuckoo-shrikes in the same shot.

Bird in flight. These unfamiliar birds caused a lot of head scratching with their rapid movement through a stand of large eucalyptus trees.

The bird on the right looked different to the other, it could possibly be a Barred Cuckoo-shrike in juvenile plumage? The CSIRO Australian Bird Guide says that juvenile plumage is only worn briefly and not much is known about it.

This was the only adult seen in all the photos and unfortunately this was the best photo I had of it.