Big Zigzag Birding – Bird Families of the World

week 094 | Big Zigzag – THE END :-( | trip list 636 – 636

Posted on May, 2026May, 2026

Lockyer Valley - Moreton Bay - Brisbane

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 636 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 93 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 168 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 225 (+0 this week), AU list now 654.
eBird days of checklist streak: 654
Week’s special milestones: Big Zigzag – THE END

Bird(s) of the Week

Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis), seen from our RV window as last photographed bird in BigZZ, at Wescloude Lodge Fare Stay.

Non-bird image(s)

Wescloude Lodge Fare Stay

near Laidley

Last Big Zigzag zig…

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled TOTAL: 84468 km (this week 368 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2390. 01 May 2026 10:22 AM Brisbane Airport International Carpark

2389. 30 Apr 2026 11:49 AM Wyllie Park, Petrie, Moreton

2388. 29 Apr 2026 8:23 AM Wescloude Lodge Fare Stay

2387. 28 Apr 2026 6:00 AM Wescloude Lodge Fare Stay

2386. 27 Apr 2026 11:00 AM 76 Formation Street, Wacol, Queensland, AU (-27.603, 152.927)

2385. 26 Apr 2026 8:48 AM Narda Lagoon, Laidley

Big Zigzag Birding

week 093 | Almost Done, SE QLD | trip list 636 – 636

Posted on April, 2026April, 2026

Toowoomba - Western Downs - Lockyer Valley

In an Eggshell:

Bird(s) of the Week

Little Lorikeet (Parvipsitta pusilla) was the most common Australan bird that was missing on my list before the Big Zigzag. Ticked already in Victoria at the end of 2024, seen a few times sicne, and photographed for the first time this week at Redwood Park (near Toowoomba). Sharing the endemic genus Parvipsitta only with Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Parvipsitta porphyrocephala) which was also a lifer in SA, late 2024.

Non-bird image(s)

Redwood Park

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 84100 km (this week 400 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2384. 25 Apr 2026 9:15 AM Narda Lagoon, Laidley

2383. 24 Apr 2026 3:54 PM Lake Dyer, Bill Gunn Dam, Laidley

2382. 24 Apr 2026 9:32 AM Narda Lagoon, Laidley

2381. 23 Apr 2026 9:32 AM Narda Lagoon, Laidley

2380. 22 Apr 2026 10:44 AM Redwood Park (Redwood)

2379. 21 Apr 2026 2:47 PM 6 Kingsthorpe Haden Road, Kingsthorpe, Queensland, AU (-27.48, 151.815)

2378. 20 Apr 2026 11:48 AM Myall Creek, Dalby at Patrick St

2377. 20 Apr 2026 9:45 AM Bowenville Reserve (Wainui)

Big Zigzag Birding

week 092 | around Dalby, QLD | trip list 636 – 636

Posted on April, 2026April, 2026

Toowoomba - Western Downs

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 636 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 93 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 168 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 225 (+0 this week), AU list now 654.
eBird days of checklist streak: 642
Week’s special milestones: eBird days of checklist streak > Big Zigzag bird species count

Bird(s) of the Week

Black Kite (Milvus migrans). The bird(s) of the camp in Bowenville Reserve.

Australian Boobook (Ninox boobook), heard before sunrise at Bowenville Reserve free camping area. (Photo from 2013, NE QLD).

Non-bird image(s)

Bowenville Reserve free camping area

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 83700 km (this week 550 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2375. 18 Apr 2026 8:34 PM Bowenville Reserve (Wainui)

2374. 18 Apr 2026 11:57 AM Myall Creek, Dalby at Patrick St

2373. 17 Apr 2026 3:30 PM Myall Creek, Dalby at Patrick St

2372. 16 Apr 2026 8:11 AM Bowenville Reserve (Wainui)

2371. 15 Apr 2026 4:00 PM Bowenville Reserve (Wainui)

2370. 14 Apr 2026 12:13 PM Myall Creek, Dalby at Patrick St

2369. 13 Apr 2026 10:07 AM Bowenville Reserve (Wainui)

2368. 12 Apr 2026 8:56 AM Bowenville Reserve (Wainui)

Big Zigzag Birding

week 091 | SE QLD | trip list 636 – 636

Posted on April, 2026April, 2026

Balonne - Maranoa - Western Downs

In an Eggshell:

Bird(s) of the Week

Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), member of Cacatuidae (Cockatoos), Thallon, QLD.

Plum-headed Finch (Emblema modestum), member of Estrildidae (Munias, Parrotfinches, Waxbills, and Allies), Roma Bush Gardens.

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea), member of Aussie endmic family of Corcoracidae (White-winged Chough and Apostlebird), Roma Bush Gardens.

Non-bird image(s)

Thallon Silo Art

Roma Bush Gardens

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 83150 km (this week 800 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2367. 11 Apr 2026 9:17 AM Jandowae Dam–Old

2366. 10 Apr 2026 9:11 AM Chinchilla Weir Spillway

2365. 09 Apr 2026 11:07 AM Warrego Hwy at -26.67750, 150.35472 (Western Downs)

2364. 08 Apr 2026 7:53 AM Judds Lagoon (Yuleba)

2363. 07 Apr 2026 2:15 PM Roma Bush Gardens

2362. 07 Apr 2026 9:08 AM Yuleba Surat Road, Noorindoo, Queensland, AU (-27.072, 149.093)

2361. 07 Apr 2026 7:36 AM Surat Riverwalk

2360. 06 Apr 2026 1:05 PM Beardmore Dam

2359. 06 Apr 2026 11:48 AM Lions Park, St George

2357. 05 Apr 2026 10:38 AM Thallon Park

Big Zigzag Birding

week 090 | NE NSW | trip list 636 – 636

Posted on April, 2026April, 2026

Lithgow - Warrumbungle Shire - Liverpool Plains - Tamworth Regional - Moree Plains

In an Eggshell:

Bird(s) of the Week

Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella), from Tarpoly Creek Travelling Stock Reserve. Seen only twice berfore (12-13/1/2025, Warby-Ovens National Park–Nason Springs , VIC, where this photo was taken).

Speckled Warbler (Pyrrholaemus sagittatus), member of Acanthizidae (Gerygones, Thornbills, Scrubwrens, and Allies).

Eastern Shrike-tit (Falcunculus frontatus) member of one out of seven Aussie endemic bird families, Falcunculidae (Shriketits). As the Latin name and the standing in the first picture, it resembles a tiny falcon.

Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta) member of Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers, Paradise Flycatchers, and Shrikebills).

Non-bird image(s)

Tarpoly Creek Travelling Stock Reserve – a real Bird Hotspot! So close to hwy B95 with great specices as Turquoise Parrot, Spotted Bowerbird, Restless Flycatcher & Speckled Warbler.

Birding highlight from a quick stop at Barraba Silo Art was Peregrine Falcon who’s probably feeding on dozens of Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) living there. But the side painting on the 40 meter high silo, may be a bit more attractive… (Regent Honeyeater).

Week's Key location(s)

Tarpoly Creek Travelling Stock Reserve.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 82250 km (this week 950 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2356. 04 Apr 2026 4:29 PM Neeworra (Boomi River)

2355. 03 Apr 2026 3:20 PM Barraba Silo Art

2354. 03 Apr 2026 11:34 AM Tarpoly Creek Travelling Stock Reserve

2353. 02 Apr 2026 6:10 PM Manilla Bridge to Bridge

2352. 02 Apr 2026 10:00 AM Moonbi Lookout

2351. 01 Apr 2026 11:34 AM Endeavour Park (Tamworth)

2350. 31 Mar 2026 1:32 PM Quipolly Bird Hide

2349. 31 Mar 2026 12:44 PM Quirindi

2348. 31 Mar 2026 11:24 AM 6534 Purlewaugh Road, Premer, New South Wales, AU (-31.444, 150.005)

2347. 30 Mar 2026 1:20 PM Coolah

2346. 29 Mar 2026 8:04 AM Capertee Village

Big Zigzag Birding

week 089 | Back to Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains | trip list 635 – 636

Posted on March, 2026April, 2026

Shellharbour - Kiama - Wingecarribee - Wollondilly - Lithgow

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 636 (+1 this week: Chestnut-rumped Heathwren)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 93 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 168 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 225 (+0 this week), AU list now 654.
eBird days of checklist streak: 621
Week’s special milestones: eBird checklist #2345

Bird(s) of the Week

Chestnut-rumped Heathwren (Hylacola pyrrhopygia), new for the Big Zigzag, seen only once before in 2018. Photographed at The Lost City Walking Track in the Garden of Stones National Park. Member of Acanthizidae (Gerygones, Thornbills, Scrubwrens, and Allies).

Superb Lyrebird supprised us crosssing while climbing up the steep Illawarra Hwy (photographed in 2018)

Tawny Frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) supprised us at Barren Grounds while chasing (unsuccessfuly) auruea australis. (photograpged at 2024).

Non-bird image(s)

The Lost City Lookout, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren site.

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 81300 km (this week 600 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2345. 28 Mar 2026 12:02 PM Lost City Lookout

2344. 27 Mar 2026 1:00 PM Lost City Lookout

2343. 27 Mar 2026 9:33 AM Lake Wallace

2342. 26 Mar 2026 2:29 PM Lost City Lookout

2341. 26 Mar 2026 8:40 AM Lake Wallace

2340. 25 Mar 2026 9:59 PM Lake Wallace (Lithgow)

2339. 25 Mar 2026 11:32 AM Silverdale

2338. 25 Mar 202610:12 AM Warragamba

2337. 24 Mar 20261:09 PM Trails east of Nattai Creek Dam

2336. 24 Mar 2026 11:45 AM Nattai Creek Path, Woodlands

2335. 23 Mar 2026 11:47 AM Robertson

2334. 22 Mar 2026 10:22 PM Barren Grounds Nature Reserve

2333. 22 Mar 2026 3:15 PM Macquarie Pass National Park

Big Zigzag Birding

week 088 | Second earth’s circumference | trip list 635 – 635

Posted on March, 2026March, 2026

Singleton - Upper Hunter Shire - Liverpool Plains - Wingecarribee

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 635 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 93 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 168 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 225 (+0 this week), AU list now 654.
eBird days of checklist streak: 614.
Week’s special milestones: Second earth’s circumference travelled so far – over 80000 km!

Bird(s) of the Week

White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) appears to be rare in this week area. Seen in two different locations and both required additional eBird information on the checklist.

Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus) always sweet and more like “hairy headed” or “furry headed”. Shares the genu only with New Zealand Grebe (Poliocephalus rufopectus).

Good number of Yellow-billed Spoonbills (11) at Quipolly Dams required extra explnantions at eBird checklist as well.

Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) photographed for the 1st time!

Double-barred-Finch (Stizoptera bichenovii), nonotype genus. (looks like micro Barn Owl 🙂 )

Non-bird image(s)

Quipolly Dams bird hide

Jamberoo Lookout was the lifer site for White-headed Pigeon at 2013. Visited a few time during the Big Zigzag without spotting this pigeon, but this week while driving there 5 WHP seen near by at Robertson, one of our favorites free camps.

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 80700 km (this week 750 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2332. 21 Mar 2026 11:05 AM Robertson Nature Reserve

2331. 20 Mar 2026 5:15 PM Robertson

2330. 20 Mar 2026 9:00 AM Scone

2329. 19 Mar 2026 3:03 PM Quipolly Dams

2328. 19 Mar 2026 9:10 AM Scone

2327. 18 Mar 2026 8:08 AM Bulga Recreation Reserve

2326. 17 Mar 2026 10:37 AM Singleton

2325. 16 Mar 2026 12:03 PM Broke

2324. 15 Mar 2026 2:20 PM Bulga Recreation Reserve

Big Zigzag Birding

week 087 | mid east NSW | trip list 634 – 635

Posted on March, 2026March, 2026

Greater Taree - Great Lakes - Wyong - Cessnock - Singleton

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 635 (+; this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 93 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 168 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 225 (+0 this week), AU list now 654.
eBird days of checklist streak: 607.
Week’s special milestones: None

Bird(s) of the Week

Red-necked Stint

Non-bird image(s)

Blue Bay

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 79950 km (this week 650 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2323. 14 Mar 2026 11:46 AM Talits Estate Vineyard (restricted access), Singleton

2322. 14 Mar 2026 10:21 AM Broke

2321. 13 Mar 2026 11:15 AM Broke

2320. 12 Mar 2026 11:16 AM Broke

2319. 11 Mar 2026 8:00 AM Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre & Pokolbin Airstrip

2318. 10 Mar 2026 1:36 PM Toowoon Bay reefs

2317. 10 Mar 2026 12:52 PM Blue Bay

2316. 09 Mar 2026 9:59 AM Bulahdelah Rest & Camping Area

2315. 08 Mar 2026 12:56 PM Bulahdelah Rest & Camping Area

2314. 08 Mar 2026 10:43 AM Harrington, Greater Taree

2313. 08 Mar 2026 9:53 AM Coopernook Forest Camping Ground

Big Zigzag Birding

week 086 | Southern Tablelands & around Port Macquarie | trip list 634 – 634

Posted on March, 2026March, 2026

Armidale Dumaresq - Uralla - Port Macquarie-Hastings - Kempsey

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 634 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 93 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 168 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 225 (+0 this week), AU list now 654.
eBird days of checklist streak: 600.
Week’s special milestones: 600 eBird days of checklist streak!

Bird(s) of the Week

What does it mean when the bird of the week is Aussie Pipit?

Or Great Cormorant?

Non-bird image(s)

One of the Tramea Gliders

Crescent Head

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 79300 km (this week 600 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2312. 07 Mar 2026 10:10 AM 150 The Hatch Road, Blackmans Point, New South

2311. 06 Mar 2026 10:53 AM Crescent Head

2310. 05 Mar 2026 2:23 PM Limeburners Creek National Park–Saltwater Trail

2309. 05 Mar 2026 7:51 AM Wauchope Showgrounds

2308. 04 Mar 2026 10:11 AM Dangars Lagoon, Uralla

2307. 03 Mar 2026 2:49 PM Armidale

2306. 02 Mar 2026 9:37 AM Dumaresq Dam

2305. 01 Mar 2026 1:09 PM Dumaresq Dam

Big Zigzag Birding

week 085 | Yamba Pelagic & Southern Tablelands | trip list 632 – 634

Posted on February, 2026March, 2026

New Order for Australia!

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 634 (+2 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 93 (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 168 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 225 (+1 this week), AU list now 654.
eBird days of checklist streak: 593.
Week’s special milestones: new Order for Australia! (Phaethontiformes). All Australian

Bird(s) of the Week

New bird family for my Australian life list! (Naturealy new for Big Zigzag). Actually new order as
Phaethontidae is a monotype family in Phaethontiformes.
Red-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon rubricauda) photograped during Yamba (NSW) pelagic, and seen only once before, 10 years ago in Nosy Ve, Madagascar. The 2 other family (order) members, seen only once each: Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) from Eilat, Israel north beach 20 years ago (5/2006), and
White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus) in Dominican Republic, 4/2017.

Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) photographed for the first time during Yamba Pelagic. Seen in the past a few times in Tropical North Quuensland as a BZZ lifer on 8-9/2024.

Spotted Quail-thrush (Cinclosoma punctatum) added as last of the 7 Aussie Cinclosomatidae (Jewel-babblers and Quail-thrushes) this week to Big Zigzag count. Photo from 2018, Brisbane Ranges National Park, VIC.