Birds of the

Tweed Valley

Please be aware that all walks are undertaken at own risk. Do not enter private property without permission.

NSW National Parks prohibit domestic pets and firearms.Vehicle entry may apply - please check www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

BirdLife Northern Rivers conduct monthly outings and extend a warm welcome to

all visitors wishing to join us.

For more information visit our websitebirdlife.org.au

Visitor Information Centres: (02) 6672 1340 or (07) 5536 6737

NORTHERN RIVERS

WELCOME to the TWEED CALDERA

The Tweed Caldera is one of the world’s largest and best examples of a caldera formed by the erosion of an extinct volcano. The volcano’s original plug, Wollumbin / Mount Warning, sits at the centre of the caldera, with a roughly circular outer rim formed by the escarpment walls of the McPherson and Border Ranges.

The Tweed Caldera has an exceptionally high biodiversity, supporting a huge number of plant and animal species. Fertile soils, the climate and latitude all contribute to this biodiversity, with the area able support temperate and sub-tropical species. Many species found in the Tweed Caldera are at the northern or southern extents of their range.

This brochure has been produced by BirdLife Northern Rivers and Tweed Shire Council, which has selected sites to provide bird enthusiasts with an opportunity to enjoy this unique area.

1. TWEED RIVER ENTRANCE(Wheelchair accessible)

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 2km south of Tweed Heads Post Office (PO - Tweed Mall Shopping Centre). Turn left from Wharf Street into Florence Street and continue to the riverbank. Looking across the river the site takes in rock walls, sandbars, mangroves, casuarinas and other coastal vegetation. To the keen eye, Pacific Golden Plovers and Grey-tailed Tattlers may be seen feeding along the rock walls and a wide range of shorebirds may also be seen at low tide.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Australasian Darter, Little Black and Pied Cormorants, Australian Pelican, White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Osprey, Whistling and Brahminy Kites, Beach Stone-curlew, Australian Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, Pacific Golden Plover, Masked Lapwing, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Grey-tailed Tattler, Caspian and Crested Terns.

2. UKEREBAGH NATURE RESERVE

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 3km south of Tweed Heads PO. Turn left at the lights from Minjungbal Drive into Water Street and continue to the end of the road. The walk commences at a boardwalk through mangroves and mud flats and provides good birdwatching opportunities for water and bush birds. From the boardwalk, follow the bitumen path bordered by marsh and sedge lands, paperbarks and swamp oaks. Veering right, stroll along the path through sclerophyll bushland and a grove of native ferns to the bora ring, then continue on behind the Minjungbal Aboriginal Museum to your starting point. It is possible for more adventurous birders to step off the boardwalk and wander through eucalyptus woodland to the river and into mature mangrove habitat. Contact one of our local birdwatchers for assistance. Before visiting please check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au) to ensure the reserve is open.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Tawny Frogmouth, Eastern Great Egret, Striated Heron, Buff-banded Rail, Rainbow Lorikeet, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Regent Bowerbird, Superb, Red-backed and Variegated Fairy-wrens, Large-billed Scrubwren, Mangrove Gerygone, Lewin’s, Scarlet, Brown, White-cheeked and Striped Honeyeaters, Golden Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, White-breasted Woodswallow and Spangled Drongo.

3. PHILP PARADEACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 5km south of Tweed Heads PO. Travel along Minjungbal Drive, turn right into Dry Dock Road then follow the river along Philp Parade to the boat ramp. The path starts just off to the left. This walk takes you along the river behind Tweed Broadwater Village to the boardwalk, then onto mangrove and seagrass areas. A variety of waders may be seen at low tide. On leaving the boardwalk, turn right to follow the river on a gravel road through wet sclerophyll forest where many species of bush birds are to be found.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Australian Brush-turkey, Emerald Dove, Nankeen Night-Heron, Royal Spoonbill, Brahminy Kite, Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Red-necked Avocet, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Eastern Rosella, Collared Kingfisher, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Mangrove and Scarlet

Honeyeaters, Little Friarbird, Striped Honeyeater, Eastern Whipbird, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Rufous Fantail, Restless Flycatcher and Red-browed Finch.

4. VINTAGE LAKES

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 6km south of Tweed Heads PO. Turn right from Minjungbal Drive into Dry Dock Road then onto Fraser Drive, turn right at the first roundabout into Vintage Lakes Drive and continue on to Port Drive on your left. A series of ponds is home to a varied range of water and bush birds. During the breeding season the trees provide ideal nesting grounds for Australasian Darter, Cattle Egret and Australian White Ibis. Black Swans also find the islands a perfect place to breed. Casuarinas and melaleucas form part of this diverse habitat, so follow the paths through the natural bushland and explore this unique area at your leisure. Picnic and BBQ facilities are available.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Magpie Goose, Wandering Whistling-Duck, Black Swan, Chestnut Teal, Crested Pigeon, Great Cormorant, Eastern Osprey, Brahminy Kite, Purple Swamphen, Buff-banded Rail, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Pheasant Coucal, Azure Kingfisher, Superb and Red-backed Fairy-wrens, Striated Pardalote, Striped Honeyeater, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Varied Triller, Golden Whistler, Olive-backed Oriole and Magpie-lark.

5. TERRANORA BROADWATER(Wheelchair accessible)

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 6km south of Tweed Heads PO. From Wharf Street take the Bilambil Heights turnoff under the bridge, travel along Kennedy Drive to Seagulls Club in Gollan Drive. Parking is available at the rear of the club in the far right-hand corner of the parking area. Follow the path behind the fenced-off compound and the walk commences just past the oyster sheds. Home to a superb range of bird life, it is not uncommon for 50 – 60 species to be seen on a day’s outing. Meander along the scenic banks of the Terranora Broadwater passing through sub-tropical rainforest, mangroves and grasslands. Of special interest is a spectacular old Moreton Bay Fig where Noisy Pittas have been sighted. This site is one of the top birdwatching walks in the district.

12. MEBBIN NATIONAL PARK

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 32km from Murwillumbah PO. Take Kyogle Road, right into Tyalgum Road, proceed through Tyalgum following Byrrill Creek Road south and then into Mebbin Forest Road. There is an enjoyable 45-minute walk down to Byrrill Creek. Keep your eyes peeled for Albert’s Lyrebird or maybe even a Regent Bowerbird. Check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au) to ensure the Park is open.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: White-headed Pigeon, Wompoo and Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves, Tawny Frogmouth, Australian King-Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Noisy Pitta, Green Catbird, Superb and Red-backed Fairy-wrens, White-browed Scrubwren, White-throated Gerygone, Lewin’s and Brown Honeyeaters, Australian Logrunner, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Golden and Rufous Whistlers, Grey and Pied Butcherbird, Grey Fantail and Eastern Yellow Robin.

13. CRAMS FARM

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 45km from Murwillumbah PO. Take Kyogle Road through Uki to the Doon Doon / Crams Farm turn-off. This delightful drive passes through bushland, grazing and tree-lined farming country. There is an undercover picnic area on well maintained grounds close to the water’s edge, a great vantage point for viewing so don’t forget your scope. Fresh water and toilet facilities are on site.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Black Swan, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Wonga Pigeon, Australasian Darter, Great Cormorant, Intermediate Egret, Black-shouldered Kite, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Purple Swamphen, Eurasian Coot, Black-fronted Dotterel, Comb-crested Jacana, Latham’s Snipe, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Eastern Rosella, Noisy Friarbird, Cicadabird, White-winged Triller, White-breasted Woodswallow, Willie Wagtail, Restless Flycatcher, Golden-headed Cisticola, Australian Reed-Warbler, Little Grassbird and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.

Prepared by BirdLife Northern Rivers and Tweed Shire Council

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Peaceful Dove, Wonga Pigeon, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Tawny Frogmouth, Little Black and Pied Cormorants, Australian Pelican, Eastern Great Egret, Striated Heron, Little Egret, Nankeen Night-Heron, Pacific Baza, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Brown Goshawk, Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Eastern Curlew, Gull-billed and Caspian Terns, Pale-headed Rosella, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Sacred Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Regent Bowerbird, White-browed and Large-billed Scrubwrens, White-eared and Black-faced Monarchs, Rose and Eastern Yellow Robins, Mistletoebird and Double-barred Finch.

6. THE GRANGEACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 7km south of Tweed Heads PO. Travel south to Fraser Drive, turn right into Vintage Lakes Drive and wend your way up to The Grange (street directory recommended). This glorious vantage point overlooks the Terranora Broadwater, taking in several large islands, mangroves and sandbars. Migratory waders can be seen on the mud flats and a spotting scope is beneficial. You can walk down the track to the right to gain access to the reserve where bush birds are to be found.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Pied Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Eastern Great Egret, Striated Heron, Australian White Ibis, Eastern Osprey, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-winged Stilt, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Gull-billed and Caspian Terns, Superb Fairy-wren, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Noisy Friarbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and Spangled Drongo.

7. LETITIA SPITACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 13km south of Tweed Heads PO. Follow the highway then take the Chinderah / Fingal Head / Kingscliff exit. Turn right at the roundabout and proceed along Fingal Road, left into Main Road, right into Prince Street then left into Letitia Road. Park at the end of the bitumen, walk along the dirt road for about 200m and there is a track off to the left. Proceed along to the river and turn right where there are several tracks to follow between the river and Kerosene Inlet; they pass through native grasslands, mangroves and sand flats. This area is owned by the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and is a haven for migratory shorebirds, estuarine and bush birds. Whilst you are there, drive to the end of the dirt road; you may spot some shorebirds on one of the beaches. Be sure to also visit the lighthouse, built of Sydney sandstone in 1879 and designed by the colonial architect James Barnet. The headland looks onto Cook Island, home to a variety of seabirds and, if lucky, you may even see an Australasian Gannet. The peninsula is one of the premier birdwatching sites in the Tweed district, with over 120 species recorded to date.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Eastern Osprey, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Australian Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, Pacific Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Grey-tailed Tattler, Common Tern, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Pheasant Coucal, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Sacred and Collared Kingfishers, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Mangrove and White-throated Gerygones, White-cheeked Honeyeater, White-winged and Varied Trillers, Golden and Rufous Whistlers, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey and Pied Butcherbirds, Leaden and Restless Flycatchers and Tawny Grassbird.

8. CUDGEN CREEK

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 14km south of Tweed Heads PO. Follow the highway, take the Chinderah / Fingal Head / Kingscliff exit, left at roundabout into Chinderah Bay Drive, turn left into Wommin Bay Road, right into Kingscliff Street, veer right into Pearl Street and continue on to Sutherland Street. Turn right into the Cudgen Foreshore Reserve (just before the bridge) and continue along the gravel road to the end. This walk is best done at low tide when you can follow the river upstream to sight Eastern Osprey and perhaps some shorebirds. On your return, locate a track off to your left which takes you through banksia woodland and paperbark forests. This area is popular with picnickers and facilities include a covered picnic table and toilets.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: White-headed Pigeon, Emerald Dove, Striated Heron and White-faced Herons, Eastern Reef Egret, Wonga Pigeon, Royal Spoonbill, Black-shouldered and Brahminy Kites, Australian Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Collared Kingfisher, Rainbow Bee-eater, Mangrove Gerygone, Little Wattlebird, White-cheeked and Striped Honeyeaters, Eastern Whipbird, Varied Triller, Little and Grey Shrike-thrushes, White-breasted Woodswallow, Spangled Drongo and Eastern Yellow Robin.

9.CUDGEN NATURE RESERVE – BOGANGAR - CABARITA BEACH

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 21km south of Tweed Heads PO. Follow Tweed Coast Road, turn right into Round Mountain Road and park opposite the Barry Sheppard Oval. Take your time to wander along the tracks throughout the reserve which take you through banksia forest, paperbarks, tea tree and coastal heath. Before visiting please check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au) to ensure the reserve is open.Outside the nature reserve, you can explore the area across the road around the oval and surrounding bushland. There are well defined tracks taking you to Murnanes Road Trail and, if you wish, a steady climb up Reservoir Road.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Brown Quail, Pacific Black Duck, Peaceful Dove, White-throated Needletail, Striated Heron, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Bush Stone-curlew, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets, Australian King-Parrot, Pheasant Coucal, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Azure Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Little Wattlebird, White-cheeked Honeyeater, Golden and Rufous Whistlers, Olive-backed Oriole, Rufous Fantail, Leaden Flycatcher, Rose Robin, Mistletoebird and Double-barred Finch.

10. POTTSVILLE ENVIRONMENT PARK(Wheelchair accessible)

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 26km south of Tweed Heads PO. Take Tweed Coast Road towards Pottsville, turn right at the bowling club and follow the signs. Set between the two arms of Cudgera Creek, the 54-hectare park contains fresh and saltwater wetlands, coastal eucalypt forest and remnants of heath and rainforest. When the trees are flowering the area provides excellent birdwatching opportunities. There are easy walking tracks that take you past a large flying fox colony and koalas have also been seen in the area. Facilities include free electric BBQ, picnic tables and drinking water.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: White-headed Pigeon, Bar-shouldered Dove, Eastern Great Egret, White-faced Heron, Royal Spoonbill, Eastern Rosella, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Dollarbird, Variegated Fairy-wren, Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Scarlet and White-cheeked Honeyeaters, Eastern Whipbird, Rufous Whistler, Rufous Fantail, Black-faced and Spectacled Monarchs and Eastern Yellow Robin.

11. LYREBIRD WALK (WOLLUMBIN NATIONAL PARK)

ACCESS AND POINTS OF INTEREST: 12km from Murwillumbah PO. Take Kyogle Road and follow the signs to Wollumbin / Mount Warning. The drive out to Wollumbin / Mount Warning provides excellent birdwatching opportunities as you cross over the river and creeks and wind your way through the valley. Wollumbin National Park is the centre of five local World Heritage-listed parks and features one of the Earth’s great ancient volcanos. There are two walks on offer; the Lyrebird Walk is an easy walking track that takes you across Breakfast Creek, then winds through palm forest to a scenic viewing platform, while an 8km return walk takes you to the top of Wollumbin / Mount Warning. You may be fortunate enough to hear the call of the elusive Albert’s Lyrebird or the Green Catbird. There are picnic facilities available in the area. Before visiting please check with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au) to ensure the National Park is open.

BIRDS SIGHTED INCLUDE: Australian Brush-turkey, White-headed Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Tawny Frogmouth, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, Pheasant Coucal, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Sacred Kingfisher, White-browed Scrubwren, White-throated Gerygone, Noisy Miner, Brown and Blue-faced Honeyeaters, Australian Logrunner, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Pied Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Willie Wagtail, Magpie-lark and Red-browed Finch.

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Golden Whistler Lewin’s Honeyeater Mistletoebird Black-fronted Dotterel Golden-headed Cisticola

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