best birds: Signs of Spring in Sydney

After Josh's successful Noisy Pitta twitch in the morning, I was keen to get out birding myself and it turned out Josh was able to come along too. We decided upon an afternoon session at Sydney Olympic Park and nearby Mason Park, Homebush.

We were following up reports of a variety of species seen in the general area and although missing out on some, it turned out to be a very worthwhile visit.

Our first stop was Mason Park and it didn't take us long to happen across a decent-sized flock of Nutmeg Mannikin. A feral species that is seemingly becoming harder and harder to find in Sydney - a year tick for both of us and a 'Sydney tick' for Josh.

A slow circuit of Lake Belvedere in the vain hope of spotting the Black Falcon seen the day before, was unsuccessful, as was the quick check for Glossy Ibis at the Badu Wetlands. Brown Honeyeater was a minor consolation.

Triangle Pond was next, but we didn't spot Lewin's Rail or Spotless Crake once while making our way through to the Waterbird Refuge. Calling Reed-Warblers were of note and on our final try a pair of Glossy Ibis were observed overhead.

At the Waterbird Refuge we counted 45 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 Red-necked Avocet, Little Egret and all the usual species. At Shipwreck Point we found 9 Black-fronted Dotterel on the wooden platform which we thought was a bit odd.

Haslam's Pier was excellent - we spotted a Glossy Ibis as soon as we arrived, Little Grassbirds were calling (later seen) and we soon got onto a male (coming into breeding plumage) White-winged Triller - more evidence that Spring is on its way!

As an additional note, I, alone, spent much of the day at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday and ended up with a site list of 68 species - a new 'best day list' for Eremaea. Highlights included: Spotless Crake, Buff-banded Rail (both at Wentworth Common), Glossy Ibis, Red-necked Avocet, 50 Bar-tailed Godwits, Little Egret, Brown Goshawk and Rufous Whistler.