Birdlife Northern Rivers

13/05/2026

Tweed Osprey Group is looking for volunteers to monitor Osprey breeding sites in the Tweed Local Government Area. Our focus is primarily to determine the breeding success (or otherwise) at each site monitored. Volunteers regularly keep an eye on one or more sites, recording breeding activity from courtship through to fledging, and reporting any issues of concern. Time commitment is up to each volunteer, but of course the more time spent watching the better. You will need binoculars, and while a scope is ideal it isn’t mandatory.

If you have regular access to an Osprey nesting site in the Tweed LGA, and this opportunity interests you please contact Tweed Osprey Group co-ordinator by email or phone:
[email protected]
0427 867 626

To learn more about Ospreys please visit our website:

The Tweed Osprey Group is focused on monitoring and protecting Ospreys in the Tweed Valley, New South Wales...

21/04/2026

April's outing to Seapeace was a great success. Many birders - from novices to experienced - showed up and we scored 100 species. Possibly the most unexpected were two noisy pittas seen near the ridgetop.

Our next outing is to be held on 9th May we're heading for Crams Farm, Doon Doon. This gorgeous landscape can present quite a few bird surprises. See you there at 8 AM but don't forget to register ------> [email protected]

06/04/2026

Coming up this Sunday, our outing to a remarkable and bird rich private property near Byron in conjunction with Byron Bird Buddies. Meet at the Rudolf Steiner School at 8AM. Register first by emailing us at [email protected] for more information.

See you there!

08/03/2026

We sure had a good day at South Ballina. Well over 70 species including critically endangered birds such as the Eastern Curlew, beach stone-curlew and several other threatened species.

Our next outing is to a large private property in the Byron hinterland where we'll be joined by other birding groups, hopefully with enough people to survey what is arguably the best birding spot in the Northern Rivers. We'll meet near the Steiner School at Byron at 8 AM on Sunday 12 April. Stay in touch for more details and be sure to register! Email [email protected] to register.

02/03/2026

Coming up this our first Saturday outing on 7 May, a chance to see our migratory waders before they head back to Siberia and Alaska. Meet at 6:30 AM at the Burns Point Ferry car park to car pool and head across to South Ballina. If you don't want to share the $8 ferry fee each way, you could take the long way by going to Wardell and cross the river there, then head north along River Drive. We will ultimately park at the end of South Ballina Beach Road at 7:00 AM (so, yes, car pool!) before walking along the track to the southern entrance to the Richmond River. Hopefully we may see beach stone-curlews, bush stone-curlews, ospreys, kingfishers and a host of other birds along the way.

To register for the outing send an email to [email protected]

See you there!!

15/02/2026

A great morning at a private property in Nashua: 20 birders, wonderful hosts and 46 species of birds, including more rose-crowned fruit-doves (including the one pictured here) than I have seen in one morning in one site. Stay tuned for news of March's outing.

30/01/2026

*****REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS OUTING********

Our first outing for the year takes place on Sunday 8 February. As discussed with the group last year, we are trialling some earlier times and occasionally doing Saturdays at the request of some members who generally are unable to come on Sundays.

This particular outing takes place on private property. We will meet at 7 AM at 59 Tooheys Mill Road, Nashua. There is a long narrow driveway and it is best to park in the bays at or near the end of the drive. There is plenty of shade in the old planted forest and lychee plantation, so we should be well sheltered if it is a hot day.

Please register for this outing by emailing [email protected].

See you there!

19/01/2026

We thought you might be interested in supporting this initiative which has been instigated by the Cumbalum Residents Association (CRA) in Ballina. The CRA have a proposal to Ballina Shire Council to develop a pathway and wetland observatories besides the wetlands at the end of the Ballina Heights Estate off Tamarind Drive. We want the Council to know there is strong community support so they give it the go ahead. Please sign the petition so we can demonstrate that the community are passionate about seeing the Cumbalum Community Circle come to life!

Support the Cumbalum Community Circle project

29/12/2025

Happy New Year!! I hope 2026 is better for you (and the birds) than 2025 was and that you enjoy a good variety and number of bird observations.

This year, at the suggestion of several of our group, we are trialling some Saturdays as well as Sundays, and will have our first camp-out.

Our list of outings for the year is as follows:

1. 8 February private property, Nashua … Sunday, 7:30 AM
2. 7 March South Ballina … Saturday, 7:00 AM
3. 12 April private property, Byron Bay … Sunday. 8:00 AM
4. 9 May Crams Farm, Doon Doon … Saturday, 8:00 AM
5. 13 June Rummery Park, Whian Whian … Saturday, 8:00 AM
6. 12 July Pat Morton Lookout, Lennox Head Sunday, 8:00 AM
7. 9 August Vallances Road, Mullumbimby … Sunday, 8:00 AM
8. 12 September private property, Clunes … Saturday, 8:00 AM
9. 11 October Koala Beach, Pottsville … Sunday, 8:00 AM
10. 6–8 November Evans Head, campout … Friday to Sunday
11. 13 December Christmas Party – Booyong … Sunday, 7:30 AM

We'll get in touch closer to February with more details.

In the meantime, happy birding!!

08/12/2025

This Sunday 14 December, Byron Bird Buddies and Birdlife Northern Rivers are getting together for a joint Christmas Party at Byron Wetlands. See you there at 8 AM. Bring a plate.