Winter Quiet Time

The Byron Bay Wetlands are quiet at the moment. Bird numbers are low and water birds have virtually deserted the ponds. But look carefully and many of the regulars are still around. Lots of Lewin’s Honeyeaters calling, Rainbow Bee-eaters still chirping, Brown Honeyeaters are still active, the Comb-crested Jacanas are on I Cell, the Pied Butcherbird is singing and Rainbow Lorikeets are barn-storming across the sky. Numbers of some species have grown, Grey Fantails abound and there is a Willie Wagtail on every corner. Today a Grey Goshawk made a surprise appearance and the Black Swan is still on the nest.

In the reed beds the grassbirds and Golden-headed Cisticolas (above) are getting active.

This Grey Fantail commandeered this perch above the pond on I Cell and was making repeated scoops across the water for flying insects.

A single Varied Triller counted on a survey on I Cell. Other interesting birds seen included a Black-shouldered Kite, a pair of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos, and a Grey Goshawk.

And a single Shining Bronze-Cuckoo.

And a single Eastern Yellow Robin.

This Grey Goshawk seen unexpectedly in a low bush.

This Black Swan is nesting in the wetlands, the first for several years to do so. Note that this photo was taken with a telescopic lens from over 50 metres away, on a public walkway. Every care taken to ensure that the swan was not disturbed.

A Forest Kingfisher finds a suitable perch.

While the Forest Kingfisher is feeding a Willie Wagtail moves in.

A Pacific Black Duck enjoying the winter sunshine.

Byron Bay Wetlands in March

The weed reduction in I Cell is still working with more water birds than before. Over one third of the area is now open water and Black-fronted Dotterels, Comb-crested Jacanas, and Pied Stilts are back. There was a single Latham’s Snipe on H Cell on the 5th March, the only one I have seen in the past two weeks and perhaps it may be the last to leave for its flight to Japan.

The were two White-bellied Sea-Eagles near the car park last week, and not surprisingly no sign of the Forest Kingfisher family that had been seen there the week before.

There were six Comb-crested Jacanas enjoying some open water on the newly cleared I Cell, the most seen together for a while.

This Dusky Moorhen ventured out on H pond; normally the Moorhens prefer well secluded spots in the melaleuca wetlands.

A happy Willie Wagtail eating breakfast.

Byron Bay Wetlands in February

The Wetland’s management are continuing to wrestle with massive infestations of water weeds. Spraying with weed killer in Cell I has made a significant improvement, with large patches of open water returning bordered by a growing ring of mudflats. The pond is now attracting numbers of waterbirds including Pacific Black Ducks, Grey Teal, Australian White Ibis, Royal Spoonbills, Black-fronted Dotterels, Red-kneed Dotterels, Pied Stilts, Comb-crested Jacanas, and good numbers of Latham’s Snipes.

A Grey Teal in Cell I, with a Masked Lapwing and Latham’s Snipe behind.

This Black-fronted Dotterel was on Cell H, which is still heavily infested with Salvinia weed. It looks as though the weevils introduced to control the weed are fighting a loosing battle at the moment.

Red-browed Finch feeding on the path between I Cell and J Cell.

This Pheasant Coucal was waiting in the car park when I arrived.

One of the Brush Cuckoos that has been calling in the melaleuca wetlands.

Three Latham’s Snipes and a Masked Lapwing enjoying the open water on Cell I.

Red-Kneed Dotterel at Byron Bay Wetlands

The water weed Salvinia invaded the waterways of the Byron Bay Wetlands, covering most of the free water areas, making them unusable for the waterbirds that normally visit. Salvinia is a very hard pest to get rid of and efforts to date have not been that successful.

A few weeks ago Cell I of the wetlands was sprayed with an approved weed killer. The results have been promising with the opening of a large area of free water. Even more encouraging has been the return of a limited number of water birds, including two Red-Kneed Dotterels, a bird that has not been seen in the wetlands for several years.

A pair of Red-kneed Dotterels return to the Byron Bay Wetlands after several years absence.

The view across Cell I after spraying to control the Savlinia weed that had totally covered it.

A Comb-crested Jacana comes out of the Melaleuca swamp to feed on top of the remaining Salvinia water week on Cell I.

Summer arrives at Byron Bay Wetlands

Summer arrives at Byron Bay Wetlands. Out in the bay the East Australian Current is running close to the coastline and because it is two to three degrees Celsius warmer than normal, this adds to the intensity of rain and persistent thunderstorms.

At the wetlands weeds have overgrown large areas of free water; this has happened at an incredible pace. Salvinia has covered H cell, normally the largest area of water, with a thick blanket of weed. Frogbit has taken over in parts of the melaleuca swamps. Bare mudflat has all but disappeared, reducing the desirability for water birds and shore birds, sightings are very low. However numbers of woodland and forest birds on the site are holding up, with last weeks survey counting 72 species in total on the morning. (A map of the wetlands can be seen at the Byron Bird Buddies website.)

This White-bellied Sea-Eagle regularly scows the wetlands creating havoc amongst the inhabitants. Here it is watching from a perch in the rainforest section adjacent to H cell.

We counted 12 Latham’s Snipe in the wetland during the national Snipe survey in November and at last week’s survey the count was still10 birds, 9 of them in the reedy end of E Cell and one in H Cell.

Seven Nankeen Night Herons graced the wetlands last year. So it was exciting to count seven again this week, including one immature bird. After flushing from the pond the Nankeen Night-Heron shown retreated to the line of trees behind E Cell.

Salvinia molesta is a Brazilian water fern introduced to enhance goldfish bowls and now a scourge for Australian waterways. The photo shows the brown weed completely covering what is normally the largest area of open water, H Cell, a feat it achieved in a few weeks. The infestation is being treated with a weevil but progress has been slow. Frogbit has covered areas within the Melaleuca swamps and these are currently being sprayed.

‍ ‍There have been a lot of Brush Cuckoos calling across the wetlands.

But they are not always welcome, as this Leaden Flycatcher sends the intruder on its way.

Laughing Kookaburras are getting the same treatment. There were at least three pairs of Leaden Flycatchers in breeding mode within the melaleuca swamps.

This Black-shouldered Kite was very possessive about its perch overlooking E Cell, seeing off a second Kite who tried to muscle in.

A young Australian Magpie making a lot of noise.

One of the many Lewin’s Honeyeaters that inhabit the wetlands, feeding in the carpark.

Black Bittern at Byron Bay Wetlands

A single Black Bittern was recorded at the Byron Bay Wetland many years ago. The Byron Bird Buddies regularly take part in the national Bittern Surveys, listening across the wetlands on the evening of the full moon in late spring, but for a long time without success. So the recording below was very closely examined, compared to others on birding apps and at the website Xeno Canto. The conclusion was Black Bittern; calling from around the car park area or from Cells I and J of the wetland.

The bird was heard on three successive nights at the end of October and then again in the early morning of the 10th of November.

Sound Recording taken at Byron Bay Wetlands boundary:

Black Bittern Byron Wetlands 2025-10-31 2146

Black Bittern photographed on the bank at Yellow Waters, Kakadu in the Northern Territory, August 2018.

Byron Bay Wetlands September 2025

Spring has officially arrived and the quiet of 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 over past weeks.

An early arrival was the Fan-tailed Cuckoo; their calls were heard throughout the wetlands at the start of September.

Two or more Pheasant Coucals have made the wetlands home. 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 were making their presence known.

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 a regular but occasional visitor.

White-necked Herons can be seen most days, on D and E Cell ponds or at the back of H Cell.

The Black-fronted Dotterels had not been seen since Autumn, but 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 exposed mudflats.

Many 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, here 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.

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.

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.

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.

Byron Bay Wetlands after the Cyclone

Cyclone Alfred brought 120 km per hour winds and hundreds of millimetres of rain to the Northern Rivers Region last week. Fortunately the damage overall has been minor compared to the 2022 floods but still many houses and farms were badly affected. At the wetlands the visual damage was limited to broken branches and debris. The effect on the birds is harder to discern.

These two Black-necked Storks seemed very happy with the extra water in I Cell at the Byron Bay Wetlands. Their colours sparkling in the newly arrived autumn sun.

The Little Shrike-thrush (now called the Arafura Shrikethrush), a less often seen bird in the wetlands but reasonably common in the Byron area.

Still some cukoos around the area as demonstrated by this Shining Bronze-Cuckoo seen in F Cell. But the Pheasant Coucals seem to have disappeared at this time.

More from Byron Wetlands in February

The majestic female Black-necked Stork made a visit to the Byron Bay Wetlands last week. A few hours earlier, a Wedge-tailed Eagle circled the large pond in Cell H. Breeding activity continues, as demonstrated by the presence of numerous cuckoos and lots of feeding activity. Silvereyes have joined the list of parents feeding their young; and a juvenile Black-faced Monarch indicates breeding in the area.

More information about this significant wetland at Byron Bay in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales can be seen at the Byron Bird Buddies website.

This female Black-necked Stork was directly in front of the birdhide and was startled by my arrival. It took off towards the south, slowly circling and gaining altitude before it finally headed off in a northerly direction.

The Black-necked Stork at the Byron Bay Wetlands, close to the H Cell birdhide.

A more common majestic sight in the wetlands, the elegant Black Swan.

This juvenile Black-faced Monarch has still to develop the distinctive black face of the adult bird.

Scores of Silvereyes were feeding on insects in the trees bordering I Cell. And there were numerous parents attending to the needs of their offspring.

This female Rufous Whistler and male companion below were also making the most of the insects feeding on the I Cell trees. Caterpillars seemed to be a popular snack.

The male Rufous Whistler was there too, keeping its distance in the background.

Later on, as the sun was setting, some fifteen White-breasted Woodswallows were gathering on the wires above the wetland carpark, using it as a base to pursue the flying insects.

Both Pied and Grey Butcherbirds are seen in the wetlands, with this Pied Butcherbird a less frequent visitor.

Byron Bay Wetlands in February

Summer moves on but the breeding activity at the wetlands is still in full swing. The number and variety of cuckoos in the wetlands indicate there are plenty of opportunities for their parasitic egg laying too. Breeding species noted so far this month include Rufous Whistlers, Purple Swamphens, Fairy Martins, Brush Cuckoos, and Lewin’s Honeyeaters. The presence of juvenile Cicadabirds, Little Bronze-cuckoos and others indicates they may be breeding in the wetland or nearby.

There are often Fairy Martins at the north end of D and E Cells. This is the first time I have observed young feeding here.

This young Brush Cuckoo was calling loudly waiting for its food. The juvenile colours are quite different to the adult grey and buff with black and white cuckoo markings on the tail.

I lined up my camera with the juvenile and waited. Soon the surrogate mother arrived, a tiny Superb Fairy-wren.

It appears this Superb Fairy-wren has some very strong feelings about its oversized charge.

Little Bronze-Cuckoos are one of the less frequently seen species in the wetland but the presence of this juvenile could mean they are breeding here or closeby?

The female Cicadabird, very different to her grey coloured male counterpart. Cicadabirds have been calling most days over the past month.

Good to see a Sacred Kingfisher, the first seen for several months.

There are still good numbers of Latham’s Snipes to be seen, now scattered around the wetland.

An early start resulting in photos of each of the three White-necked Herons in Cell E enjoying an early morning feed.

Byron Bay Wetlands in January

Byron Bay Wetlands in Byron Bay, Northern Rivers district of New South Wales, is an important haven for many birds species, including the migratory Latham’s Snipe. As the summer moves on the snipe have moved to the ditches and waterways through the wetland. While the wetlands seem quiet, there are still many birds making their way in the malaleuca woodlands and reedbeds.

A pretty picture in the greenery, the colourful White-cheeked Honeyeater.

This Latham’s Snipe was resting close to one of the drains that move water through the wetlands.

This male Cicadabird chose the highest branch of the highest tree to broadcast his cicada like song.

There were two Nankeen NIght Herons in the wetlands yesterdy, in the same area that a flock of six had been previously seen.

Another pretty setting for this Red-browed Finch.

An unusual display by a Bar-shouldered Dove, tail splayed to show its full colours.

Little Wattlebirds have moved into the woodlands during January, presumably in response to fruition of a new food source.

Byron Bay Wetlands at Christmas

Bird numbers are down in the hot weather over Christmas but still much to see in the wetlands. Yesterday’s visit highlights were a flock of six Nankeen Night-Herons, juvenile Leaden Flycatchers and a juvenile Restless Flycatcher, all seen on the second path through F Cell. The Latham’s Snipes have dispersed to the various drains, with five seen in total.

These Leaden Flycatchers have been calling at this spot in Cell F for several weeks, but this was the first time I saw them together. Here is the female Leaden Flycatcher.

The male Leaden Flycatcher was close by.

And not too far away this Restless Flycatcher near its nest directly above the track. One chick, transitioning from juvenile colours, was close to the nest.

Swamp Wallably, often be seen around the wetland entrance. Here keeping an eye on proceedings for some 60 seconds before turning and rushing away.

Eastern Yellow Robins keep to the “rainforest’" patch of the wetlands, preferring the heavier shade and coolness.

Yellow Thornbills are not that often seen here, they have been visiting the last two weeks.

Byron Bay Wetlands in December

Byron Bay Wetlands are on the north side of Byron Bay township in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales. As summer arrives there is a lot of breeding activity underway. We are watching nesting Restless Flycatchers, Lewin’s Honeyeaters, Red-browed Finches, Dusky Moorhen, and Silvereyes. The Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoos have arrived and the Shining Bronze-Cuckoos have left? Several Nankeen Night Herons have been active in the area. Rainbow Lorikeets have arrived in force on the park outskirts.

This Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo was busy in the E Cell reedbeds, first calling and then appearing on this small shrub for a photo.

White-cheeked Honeyeaters come and go but are here in numbers right now feeding on the Swamp Banksias in flower.

A large group of young Red-browed Finches were very enthusiatic at feeding time, at times getting in quite a tangle when the parents arrive with food.

A Varied Triller, responsible for a unique call often heard in the wetlands.

There are a least two Nankeen Night Herons in the area, this one is feeling exposed in a burnt patch of marshland bush.

Another regular but not always easy to see, this White-browed Scubwren happily exposed and posed, nicely lit in the early morning light.

Not sure if this material is only for the Silvereye’s nest, or there is a tasty treat wrapped up in this cocoon.

A cloud of Fairy Martins patrol the northern end of Cell E.

Two Wandering Whistling-Ducks have graced the Cell E pond for the last week.

Byron Bay Wetlands in November

Some rarer birds have been seen in the first days of November. A Pale-vented Bush-hen was seen during a nature walk and very unusually a Diamond Dove seen in Cell E. The Radjah Shelduck is still here, looking a bit lost at this stage. The Brush Cuckoo and the Pheasant Coucal are constantly calling. And there are a number of birds still on their nests, including the White-winged Trillers and the Mistletoe birds.

A lost Radjah Shelduck was walking in circles making a rather sad hoarse whistling sound.

Another wetland inhabitant busy making its nest, the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike.

This Buff-banded Rail seems to be getter bolder by the day and is regularly seen on the Cell E pond.

Finches tend to congregate where the wetlands adjoin a neighbouring large sports field. This Double-barred Finch was flying down to the sports ground’s grass.

A Black-shouldererd Kite surveys Cells D and E from this central tree.

A lot of Tawny Grassbirds flapping around and calling, presumably nesting?

Always present, often feeding in and around the wetland ponds, Magpie Larks make their presence known by their call, the famous “Peewee…”which became a common name for this bird.

The female Red-backed Fairy-wren is feeding just before dusk in grasses close to a pond.

Close by, the male Red-backed Fairy-wren is also feeding

Majestic Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos circle the outskirts of the wetland.

It is half and hour after sunset. These Royal Spoonbills and Black-winged Stilts seek a safe roost in the middle of the Cell E pond.

Byron Bay Wetlands in October

More birds are arriving in October as the weather warms. Water birds are increasing; one reason is better management of the wetland ponds to allow larger areas of mudflat for waders to feed. There are more cuckoos, with almost constant calls of Pheasant Coucals during the day. The highlight was the presence of over a dozen Latham’s Snipe in E Cell and more in other wetland ponds. Despite regular watches in the evenings of the full moon, no Bitterns have been heard to date this year.

My one pair of Mistletoe birds at the wetland gates has been increased by numerous Mistletoe birds across the wetlands.

This Brush Cuckoo made its haunting call a number of times, but was finally spotted in the later evening near the bird-hide. This picture was taken at ISO 5000 and its graininess cleaned up using Lightroom AI based Denoise.

Another regular songster the Shining Bronze-Cuckoo.

Over a dozen Latham’s Snipes were seen in the pool at Cell E in the wetlands. This picture was taken from the “mobile bird hide” , i.e. the driver’s window of the car, as opening the car door would have sent the Snipes into rapid flight.

White-throated Needletails flying high arrive with an incoming storm, the original storm birds.

The White-winged Triller is a rare visitor to the wetland. This bird is one of a pair nesting in a tree recovering from fire. This tree has its feet in water.

One of a pair of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, migrants arriving from the northern hemisphere after their long flight.

Spring in the Byron Bay Wetlands

As September moves on spring activity has increased, birds are active with nest building and courting. The Latham’s Snipes have arrived; the one photographed below was one of three flushed from the D and E Cells of the Byron Bay Wetlands. Despite lower water levels and more mudflat the Snipes are the only migrant birds seen on the wetlands so far this year. A number of Pied Stilts have moved in as well as up to a dozen Black-fronted Dotterel. A Black-necked Stork was seen visiting but so far has not turned up for a photo session with yours truly. And there is an increased presence of foxes as waterbird numbers increase.

For the last month at the wetland’s front gate a pair of Tawny Grassbirds have been busy while making a lot of buzzing and trilling sounds.

Lathams Snipes fly fast and low after they have been disturbed from the wetland reeds. Even a quiet approach some 50 metres distant is enough to set these birds on the move.

Three Latham's Snipes in D Cell of the wetland.

Another busy spring arrival, this Buff-banded Rail (or friend of) has been seen all over the place the last two weeks.

This Mistletoebird has been calling in the same area at the wetland gates almost every day for weeks.

Mr Fox, here splashing after ducks - who all departed rapidly.

Byron Bay Wetlands in September

It has been a busy start to September in the Wetlands. Plenty of nest building and family raising action to be seen. Azure Kingfishers in a courting dance, Superb Fairy-wrens building nests, Tawny Grassbirds chasing and buzzing through the reeds, Masked Lapwings protecting their three chicks, a Pheasant Coucal calling. Also an unexpected visitor, a Radjah Shelduck a long way from its northern tropics home.

A rare visit from a Radjah Shelduck, more commonly found in the tropical north of Australia or the coastal rivers of north Queensland.

This Super Fairy-wren looks to be building a nest in the car park!

Identification of the sub-species of Silvereye can be difficult, with many overlaps of territory. This specimen appears to be the eastern sub-species Zosterops lateralis cornwalli.

Bar-shouldered Doves are often to be seen and more often heard around the wetlands.