Category: New South Wales

Big Zigzag Birding

week 074 | Chasing Aurora Australis failed | trip list 607 – 607

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Parramatta - Burralow - Robertson - Cooma - Marlo - Sale

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 607 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 91 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 157 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 211 (+0 this week), AU list now 640.
eBird AU year list: 487
eBird days of checklist streak: 516
Week’s special milestones: travelled 70000 km

Bird(s) of the Week

Eastern Shriketit (Falcunculus frontatus), member of the 3 members endmic family Falcunculidae (Shriketits). Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve.

Non-bird image(s)

Starlink satellite train.

Waragrambe old cars meeting at the free camping area.

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 70300 km (this week 1400 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2164. 13 Dec 2025 3:22 PM Cann River Bushland Reserve–Rainforest Walk
2163. 13 Dec 2025 12:00 PM Forest Park, East Gippsland
2162. 12 Dec 2025 10:52 AM Sale Common Nature Conservation Reserve
2161. 11 Dec 2025 10:21 AM  Metung
2160. 10 Dec 2025 1:50 PM Metung Rd at Sardine Flat Rd, Tambo River
2159. 10 Dec 2025 12:33 PM Cunningham Arm Foot Bridge (Lakes Entrance)
2158. 10 Dec 2025 10:18 AM Snowy Flats at Brodribb River Bridge
2157. 09 Dec 2025 5:45 PM Mots Beach
2156. 09 Dec 2025 8:43 AM Robertson
2155. 08 Dec 2025 9:18 AM Blue Mountains National Park–Burralow Creek Campground
2154. 07 Dec 2025 9:12 AM Warragamba Dam Wall
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 073 | Southern Highlands, Blue Mountains | trip list 604 – 607

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Superb, Topknot, Rockwarbler (and intruduced)

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 607 (+3 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 91 (+1 this week: Bulbuls (introduced))
Big Zigzag Lifers: 157 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 211 (+0 this week), AU list now 640.
eBird AU year list: 484
eBird days of checklist streak: 509
Week’s special milestones: none

Bird(s) of the Week

Rockwarbler (Origma solitaria) the only New South Wales endemic bird. Member of Acanthizidae (Gerygones, Thornbills, Scrubwrens, and Allies), monotype genus, Evans Lookout. Last week twice never seen there. This week after more than hour, just came to the lookout bench…

Topknot Pigeon (Lopholaimus antarcticus) – monotype genus. Wollongong Botanic Gardens

Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Park.

Non-bird image(s)

Beaumomt Lookpit

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 68900 km (this week 1075 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2153. 06 Dec 2025 1:15 PM Glenbrook Lagoon
2152. 06 Dec 2025 9:31 AM Blue Mountains Lavener Farm
2151. 05 Dec 2025 1:48 PM Blue Mountains National Park–Evans Lookout
2150. 05 Dec 2025 11:41 AM Kubya Street, Blackheath at -33.63778, 150.28354
2149. 04 Dec 2025 8:03 AM Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Park
2148. 03 Dec 2025 2:46 PM Ramage Park (Cowra)
2147. 03 Dec 2025 12:38 PM Boorowa
2146. 02 Dec 2025 9:21 AM Morton National Park–Belmore Falls
2145. 01 Dec 2025 3:43 PM Cambewarra Mountain Lookout
2144. 01 Dec 2025 1:32 PM Kangaroo Valley
2143. 01 Dec 2025 12:41 PM Fitzroy Falls Reservoir Water Activity Area
2142. 01 Dec 2025 11:47 AM Fitzroy Falls
2141. 01 Dec 2025 10:08 AM Wingecarribee Reservoir
2140. 30 Nov 2025 11:05 AM Wollongong Botanic Garden
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 072 | Blue Mountains, Barren Grounds | trip list 603 – 604

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Slow down week with many lookouts

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 604 (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 157 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 211 (+0 this week), AU list now 640.
eBird AU year list: 478
eBird days of checklist streak: 502
Week’s special milestones: Big Zigzag Day #500!

Bird(s) of the Week

Eastern Bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus) was my first seen from Bristlebirds (Dasyornithidae) endemic bird family  in 2018, and the last of the 3 members in Big Zigzag. Also, Big Zigzag bird #604, which is the number of our Explorer Motorhome!

Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), seen only for the second time. This time by surprise at Blue Mountains National Park–Evans Lookout

Non-bird image(s)

View from Evans Lookout, Blue Mountains

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 67825 km (this week 525 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2139. 29 Nov 2025 1:22 PM Mount Gibraltar–Bowral Lookout
2138. 28 Nov 2025 10:53 AM Barren Grounds Picnic Area
2137. 27 Nov 2025 4:49 PM Robertson Nature Reserve
2136. 26 Nov 2025 5:59 PM Warragamba Dam Wall
2135. 25 Nov 2025 10:49 AM Warragamba Dam Wall
2134. 24 Nov 2025 3:00 PM Blue Mountains National Park–Evans Lookout
2133. 24 Nov 2025 10:13 AM Hassans Walls, Lithgow
2132. 24 Nov 2025 9:37 AM Lake Wallace–Foreshore on western side
2131. 23 Nov 2025 8:03 AM Capertee Village
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 071 | out to NSW Outback and back | trip list 600 – 603

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Capertee - Dubbo - Nyngan Weir - Cobar (and back)

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 603 (+3 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 157 (+2 this week: Regent Honeyeater, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 211 (+2 this week), AU list now 640.
eBird AU year list: 476
eBird days of checklist streak: 495
Week’s special milestones: Cleanup all Aussie’s Quail-thrushes; Cleanup genus Anthochaera (Wattlebirds) with Regent Honeyeaters.

Bird(s) of the Week

Critically endangered Regent Honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) is actually a Wattlebird (sharing the genus Anthochaera with Little, Western, Red & Yellow Wattlebirds). Luckily I got permit to access a confidential protected area where one individual (the banded one) released back to nature on recovery program, and second individual joined him from the wild (the un-banded).

Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum), member of Dicaeidae (Flowerpeckers), demonstrates a threesome symbiosis: The relationships with Mistletoe can be descried as mutualism, as both parties benefit: The bird easts the fruits, and spared the plant seeds. But the remains of these fruits are sticky, so the bird scratches its bot on a tree trunk, where the other part of symbiosis take place. Mistletoe bush grew on this tree as parasitic who consume the tree resources until they both die. (an example below). 

Although dipped the Black-backed Bittern, Dubbo Sewage Treatment Plant and Bird Hide got some nature cruelty footage of Great Egret hunting duckling  

Non-bird image(s)

Capertee toilets with RHE calls

Capertee toilets on the rest area not only painted with Regent Honeyeater: speaker ongoing playbacking the bird calls. 

Rounded mistletoe bush parasite other tree near Cobar.

Dubbo Sewage Treatment Plant Bird Hide

Sand Goanna (Varanus gouldiiform) NSW outback near Cobar.

Week's Key location(s)

Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush site near Cobar

Although dipped the Black-backed Bittern, Dubbo Sewage Treatment Plant and Bird Hide is great birding spot! 

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 67300 km (this week 1375 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2130. 22 Nov 2025 6:34 AM Dubbo Sewage Treatment Plant and Bird Hide
2129. 21 Nov 2025 5:51 PM Dubbo Sewage Treatment Plant and Bird Hide
2128. 21 Nov 2025 9:33 AM Nyngan Weir, Bogan
2127. 20 Nov 2025 1:00 PM Mulya Road, Cobar at -31.44416, 145.78083
2126. 20 Nov 2025 6:57 AM Mulya Road, Cobar at -31.44416, 145.78083
2125. 19 Nov 2025 6:34 PM Mulya Road, Cobar at -31.44416, 145.78083
2124. 19 Nov 2025 6:53 AM Mulya Road, Cobar at -31.44416, 145.78083
2123. 18 Nov 2025 5:35 PM Mulya Road, Cobar at -31.44416, 145.78083
2122. 18 Nov 2025 10:45 AM Mulya Road, Cobar at -31.44416, 145.78083
2121. 18 Nov 2025 8:19 AM Nyngan Weir, Bogan
2120. 17 Nov 2025 4:17 PM Nyngan Weir, Bogan
2119. 17 Nov 2025 12:53 PM Dubbo Sewage Treatment Plant and Bird Hide
2118. 16 Nov 2025 4:06 PM Ponto Falls, Macquarie River, Wellington
2117. 16 Nov 2025 9:40 AM Capertee Valley
Big Zigzag Index
Australian Capital Territory

week 070 | around Sydney | trip list 599 – 600

Posted on

ACT - Sydney - Blue Mountains

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 600 (+1 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 155 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 209 (+0 this week), AU list now 638.
eBird AU year list: 468
eBird days of checklist streak: 488
Week’s special milestones: Big Zigzag bird 600!

Bird(s) of the Week

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua), Royal Botanic Gardens (Sydney) – Big Zigzag 600 bird! (photo from 2018, Centennial Park, Sydney)

Phone photo from the garden this week.

Non-bird image(s)

Sydney from South Head

Week's Key location(s)

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 65925 km (this week 900 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2116. 15 Nov 2025 4:25 PM Capertee Village, Lithgow
2115. 15 Nov 2025 12:30 PM Blue Mountains National Park–Echo Point
2114. 14 Nov 2025 4:57 PM Warragamba Dam Wall
2113. 13 Nov 2025 2:05 PM McDougall Street, Kirribilli, North Sydney
2112. 13 Nov 2025 11:43 AM Sydney Harbour National Park–South Head
2111. 12 Nov 2025 9:28 AM Royal Botanic Gardens (Sydney)
2110. 11 Nov 2025 9:47 AM Robertson, Wingecarribee
2109. 10 Nov 2025 2:41 PM Boat Harbour Reserve (Gerringong), Kiama
2108. 10 Nov 2025 12:18 PM Fitzroy Falls, Wingecarribee, NSW
2107. 09 Nov 2025 12:38 PM Kings Park, ACT
Big Zigzag Index
Australian Capital Territory

week 069 | SE NSW & ACT | trip list 599 – 599

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Southern part of NSW coast line and Canberra area

In an Eggshell:

Big Zigzag bird species count: 599 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag bird families count: 90 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag Lifers: 155 (+0 this week)
Campsite Lifers 30 (+0 this week)
Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 209 (+0 this week), AU list now 638.
eBird AU year list: 466
eBird days of checklist streak: 481
Week’s special milestones: None

Bird(s) of the Week

As expected, Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum) seen well around ACT (male & female).

Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula), member of Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers, Paradise Flycatchers, and Shrikebills).

White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) photographed for the first time (Big Zigzag lifer from 2024)

Sahul Cicadabird (Edolisoma tenuirostre) photographed for the first time. Member of  Campephagidae (Cuckooshrikes).

Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) at Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve (with Magpie-larks).

Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis)

Non-bird image(s)

Some marine mammals

Big Rock Road, Bodalla, NSW.

Canberra from Mount Ainslie

Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve

Week's Key location(s)

Big Rock Road, Bodalla, New South Wales. Free campsite in the wood contributed 2 first time photographed birds: White-throated Needletail & Sahul Cicadabird.

Gang-gang and Leaden Flycatcher site.

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 65025 km (this week 1000 km)

eBird Checklists this week

2106. 08 Nov 2025 12:43 PM Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve
2105. 08 Nov 2025 11:25 AM Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve
2104. 08 Nov 2025 9:30 AM National Arboretum
2103. 07 Nov 2025 3:12 PM Commonwealth Park
2102. 07 Nov 2025 9:09 AM Australian National Botanic Gardens, Australian Capital Territory
2101. 06 Nov 2025 10:37 AM Batehaven, Eurobodalla, New South Wales
2100. 06 Nov 2025 8:48 AM Big Rock Road, Bodalla, New South Wales, AU (-36.126, 150.048)
2099. 05 Nov 2025 4:21 PM Big Rock Road, Bodalla, New South Wales, AU (-36.126, 150.048)
2098. 05 Nov 2025 3:36 PM Dalmeny
2097. 05 Nov 2025 12:24 PM Wallaga Lake entrance, Bega Valley
2096. 05 Nov 2025 10:35 AM Bermagui Town Centre
2095. 04 Nov 2025 6:49 AM 2529 Princes Highway, Millingandi, New South Wales, AU (-36.887, 149.872)
2094. 03 Nov 2025 6:24 AM Beowa National Park–Pulpit Rock Track at Lighthouse Road
2093. 02 Nov 2025 2:07 PM Beowa National Park–Pulpit Rock Track at Lighthouse Road
Big Zigzag Index
Big Zigzag Birding

week 027 | North to Melbourne | trip list 449 – 457

Posted on

Approaching and quick crossing of Murray River

In an Eggshell:

  • Big Zigzag bird species count: 457 (+8 this week)
  • Big Zigzag bird families count: 85 (+1 this week: Rollers) 
  • Big Zigzag Lifers: 94 (+3 this week: Turquoise Parrot, White-throated Needletail, Little Buttonquail)
  • Campsite Lifers 23 (+0 this week)
  • Big Zigzag New for Australia list: 136 (+3 this week)
  • eBird days of checklist streak: 187
  • Week’s special milestones: Big Zigzag bird #450

Bird(s) of the Week

Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella), not just a beautiful lifer – also the 450th Big Zigzag bird, which happens to be seen after 6 months of zigzagging… Encouraging to see many property owners around Warby-Ovens National Park participating in Practical Parrot Action Project which helps this threatened bird.

This week new bird family for the trip – Rollers with Dollarbird – from a quicky visit to New South Wales.

Noman land Long-billed Corellas, on the bridge over Murray River, between the sister towns of Echuca (Victoria) and Moama (New South Wales).

Azure Kingfisher

Non-bird image(s)

Moama Wetlands and Horseshoe Lagoon, Murray, New South Wales

Pink Rocks

Week's Key location(s)

Warby-Ovens National Park – Turquoise Parrot stronghold.

Not the best place for White-throated Needletail as they fly high above – but this is where I ticked them…

Big Zigzag Travelled so far: 21950 km (this week 945 km)

eBird Checklists this week

1605. 18 Jan 2025 11:56 PM Possums Track, Terrick Terrick
1604. 18 Jan 2025 12:10 PM Campaspe River Walk, Rochester
1603. 17 Jan 2025 7:14 PM Moama Wetlands and Horseshoe Lagoon, Murray, New South Wales
1602. 17 Jan 2025 9:20 AM Moama Wetlands and Horseshoe Lagoon, Murray, New South Wales
1601. 16 Jan 2025 7:39 PM Rotary Park (Echuca)
1600. 16 Jan 2025 11:00 AM Port of Echuca
1599. 15 Jan 2025 10:41 AM Pink Cliffs Natural Features Reserve, Greater Bendigo
1598. 15 Jan 2025 9:39 AM Meadow Valley Road, Mia Mia, Victoria, AU (-36.939, 144.602)

1597. 14 Jan 2025 6:46 AM Greater Bendigo National Park–Diamond Dove Dam

1596. 13 Jan 2025 4:56 PM Greater Bendigo National Park–Camp Road Dam
1595. 13 Jan 2025 9:02 AM Warby-Ovens National Park–Nason Springs
1594. 12 Jan 2025 11:46 AM Warby-Ovens National Park–Nason Springs
Big Zigzag Index