Birdlife Northern Rivers

19/09/2026

Our next outing is to Koala Beach, Pottsville. We'll be meeting at 8 AM in Lomandra Avenue on Sunday 11 October. Hope to see you there!

13/09/2026

Despite early rain, our survey on a private property near Clunes, in conjunction with Byron Bird Buddies and Wildbnb, resulted in observing 1,225 birds of 80 species.

A great day. Stay tuned for a lengthier notification of our October outing.

10/09/2026

Sorry: terribly short notice. Tomorrow we're heading for a private property near Clunes. It is a pretty amazing place practising regenerative farming with many different areas from flat riversides to steep hills. Meet us at 8 AM at 4 Stewarts Road.

11/08/2026

Exactly a month ago I reported the arrival in Australia of the dreaded H5 bird flu. Back then 12 cases had been reported, nearly all in Giant Petrels along with a Brown Skua unusually far north from Antarctica. At that stage only one resident native bird, a Crested Tern, had been affected. By State, the number of sites involved were WA 4, SA 10, Vic 1 and NSW 1.

Four weeks later and the situation has changed significantly. As of 11 August 2026 there are 231 cases, nearly 20 times more. In terms of cases in each State the numbers are: South Australia 163 (26 sites), Victoria 53 (6 sites), Western Australia 10 (7 sites), New South Wales 4 (3 sites) and Queensland 1.

The worst event was a mass mortality at a native Crested tern colony in South Australia, in which at least 49 dead and 35 sick birds were found: too many to sample, so the real number is likely to be much higher.

New species to be affected include an unspecified cormorant species from SA, 9 Silver Gulls in SA and Vic, an unspecified petrel species from Moreton Bay in Qld and our first land-based species, a magpie from coastal Victoria near Portland.

Worryingly, an affected Crested Tern was found near Wentworth in inland NSW.

The colours on tags here represent blue=oceanic birds, pink=native seabirds, orange=landbirds, purple=mass mortality

It is clear that cases are not always being reported and it is likely that scavenging and colony breeding have led to even greater spreading potential here.

Remember: AVOID, RECORD, REPORT.

Ring 1800 675 888 and report details, hopefully taking a video with your phone.

05/08/2026

Coming up this Sunday, at 8 AM, our outing to Vallances Road, Mullumbimby. It is a beautiful and often bird-rich place by the river. We meet at the dip in Vallances Road by a small lagoon, often parking on the hill above it. Please register by emailing [email protected]. See you there.

05/07/2026

Sunday 12 July. Meet us at 8AM at the car park near Pat Morton Lookout beside the Coast Road, just south of Lennox Head. Great views and and a good possibility of some nice seasonal birds, such as Noisy Pittas, Gannets and Pipits. Please register at [email protected]

07/06/2026

Coming up on Saturday 13 June: BLNR's outing to Rummery Park. Drive up Minyon Falls Road and meet at 8 AM at the Rummery Creek campground. There is always the chance here of seeing unusual and special birds like paradise riflebirds, Bassian thrush, bazas and peregrine falcons. Perhaps the massive flocks of topknot pigeons will still be flying overhead.

Make sure you register by emailing us at [email protected].

03/06/2026

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]