The beautiful Byron Bay rural, rainforest and mountain hinterlands are known for providing refuge for the rich and famous as well as those seeking a more gentle and grounded lifestyle. Amongst the rural properties many seek to restore and regenerate the original rainforest cover (the Big Scrub), removed last century for farming. Some estates are large with several hundred hectares of replanted rainforest, some managed by teams of gardeners. Others are smaller, created from the labors of nature enthusiasts. The Byron Bird Buddies survey a number of these estates and monitor their progress to re ..read more

April’s high rainfall continued into the first two weeks of May and the wetland ponds are full, covering the mud-flats that attract shore or water birds. This has left the wetland mainly in the hands of its forest and woodland inhabitants, still plenty to see. White-headed Pigeon numbers are still increasing in the Byron Shire as its favourite food, the introduced Camphor Laurel continues to thrive here. One of many White-browed Scrubwrens in the wetlands. The Yellow Thornbill, a less common visitor here. Two Black-shouldered Kites were patrolling the large pond. Grey Fantails were everyw ..read more

Bush Stone-curlews are endangered in New South Wales. In the Northern Rivers region these birds are monitored and protected where necessary. After their elaborate courtship dance the Bush Stone-curlews nest on the bare ground laying one or two eggs. The eggs hatch after 30 days but the chicks take another nine weeks before the are able to fly. During this period the birds are especially vulnerable to disturbance and predation by foxes, cats and dogs. Fencing around nest sites and awareness programs are being organised during the spring to summer breeding season. This Bush Stone-curlew was pho ..read more

More photos from the wonderful Byron Bay Wetlands. More than 220 species of bird have been recorded since the Wetlands were created and counts at the regular Byron Bird Buddies surveys are often in the 70 - 90 species range. A very vocal Tawny Grassbird in one of the extensive reed beds of the wetland. Grey Teals add a calming touch to proceedings, photographed from the bird-hide. The Pheasant Coucal, looking like an vintage aircraft on take-off. Rainbow Bee-eaters are a regular presence in the wetland. LINK TO NORTHERN RIVERS NSW BIRDS ..read more

Chestnut-breasted Mannikins are found in the north and the east coast of Australia. They are often seen in the Northern Rivers New South Wales region; in the grasses around coastal wetlands as well as more inland grasslands or rushes near to water. The adult Chestnut-breasted Mannikin sports a very distinctive plumage with a chestnut bib underlined in black. Younger birds are plainer although the bird on the right is showing the black line that will underline its chestnut breast. LINK TO NORTHERN RIVERS NSW BIRDS ..read more

Flat Rock is a small headland shaped patch of horizontal rocks north of Ballina in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. It has a constant population of terns and cormorants and acts as a gathering place for shore birds. This adult Red-necked Stint has started to gain the red coloration of its breeding plumage. By June-July the red coloration will have extended across its neck and face and upper parts of its back. A group of Little Terns are dwarfed by the larger birds of the colony. There were a dozen Little Terns on the rocks at Flat Rock, mingling with a large number of Crested ..read more

Byron Bay Wetlands in the Northern Rivers region New South Wales is part of the Byron Integrated Management Reserve, an advanced sewage treatment system that has created a natural habitat for both flora and fauna. This week’s visit resulted in sightings of 49 bird species and the photos below. This Golden-headed Cisticola flew into a nearby bush then onto the reeds below for a close up photo session. A Restless Flycatcher was in a group of trees adjacent to the wetland’s “Interpretive Centre”. The centre consists of a meeting room with facilities and is used by the Byron Bird Buddies for com ..read more

Goonengerry National Park in New South Wales Northern Rivers district is another of the magic sub-tropical forests on the mountains that surround the ancient Mount Warning volcano. A survey count of 39 species included Logrunners, Varied Sittellas, Emerald Doves as well as eight threatened Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves and six Albert’s Lyrebirds. Surveyors deftly avoided contact with this local resident coiled in the middle of an overgrown bush track. This Brown-headed Emerald Dove, glowing in the early morning light on the road at the park entrance. Hiding in the foliage were two Eastern Creste ..read more

This week’s survey of bird species shows again that the planned Wallum Development is in the centre of an outstanding area for wildlife. A total of 44 species were recorded including the Glossy Black-Cockatoo, listed as vulnerable in New South Wales. Also of interest was the presence of “platelets” (see photo below) indicating that Painted Button-quail are using the area. During the week came the news that the Byron Shire Council has issued authority to proceed with this development of the Wallum Sand Heath and will not contest the decision of the Northern Region Planning Panel. While understa ..read more

Standing in the water near the rocks at the Broken Head end of Tallow Beach, Northern Rivers, New South Wales, I was watching a single Little Pied Cormorant quietly fishing in shallow water. It was presumably taking advantage of an onshore current feeding the northerly current that runs along the beach. And then the Little Black Cormorants arrived! LINK TO NORTHERN RIVERS NSW BIRDS ..read more