The North of Sydney Tour

Nankeen Kestrel

We will either drive the 1.5 hours south of Newcastle or can meet you at this site which lies 30 Kms from the centre of Sydney. This tour is held in a large area of heathland and open Eucalypt woodland interspersed between wet gullies & deep waterways. There is a myriad of walking tracks and picnic areas that open up the area. The enigmatic and local Origma (or Rock Warbler) occurs in the area and we will look for this species on the sandstone outcrops. Other special birds of this area are Superb Lyrebird, the stunning Spotted Quail-Thrush, the weird Southern Emu-Wren and the elusive Chestnut-rumped Hylacola. Walking around the tracks we will see an excellent selection of the species typically found in these habitats: Brown Goshawk, Collared Sparrowhawk, the magnificent White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Brown Quail, Painted Button-Quail, Common Bronzewing, Rainbow Lorikeet, Eastern Rosella, Horsfield's & Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, White-throated Nightjar (if we stay til dusk), Variegated Fairy-wren and White-throated Gerygone.

Crested Pigeon

After lunch we will move to another area further from Sydney with different birds. This area has a wide range of vegetation types including casuarina stands and pockets of rainforest in the dry sclerophyll. The special birds here are shy and elusive and include Lewin’s Rail, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Origma & Spotted Quail-Thrush. Glossy Black Cockatoos are nomadic, quiet & don’t fly around much. However, our chances of seeing them are increased by knowing their habits and calls. The forest in this area is also good for Superb Lyrebird, Gang Gang & Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Brush Cuckoo, Bassian Thrush, the handsome Yellow-tufted Honeyeater & Large-billed Scrubwren. There is also a sandstone scree area here which is a regular site for Origma. The whole area has patches of dry woodland which are good for the handsome Spotted Quail-Thrush. Lewin’s Rails feed on the mud at the side of the creek and the best time to look for them is just before dusk.