Cumberland Bird Observers' Club
Birdwatching in Sydney since 1979

Birdwatching outings are heaps of fun. The Cumberland Bird Observers' Club holds at least 40 outings every year all over the greater Sydney area. Outings usually start at about 8.30am and go into the afternoon (if the birding is good and participants willing, sometimes very late). There is no compulsion to stay until the very end and some people choose to leave at lunch time. Transport to most outings is by car although occasionally there are bus trips. Field outings are informal, catering for birdwatchers of all capabilities, and helpful, friendly advice on all aspects of birding is always available. Typically, stops for birdwatching are made at a number of locations during the day, with breaks for morning tea and lunch. Due to COVID-19, BOOKINGS ARE NOW REQUIRED FOR OUTINGS. SEE DETAILS OF EACH OUTING BELOW. Things to bring: All you need to bring are binoculars, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, food, drink, a chair and comfortable shoes. Take the leader's phone number with you in case you need to contact them. Some outings are on rough dirt tracks so you may need walking boots. A small backpack can be handy, especially if lunch is to be eaten some distance from the cars. A field guide for identifying birds is also handy but not essential. Outings will proceed irrespective of the weather (leaders always turn up, even if no-one else does!), except for venues at risk during high fire danger warnings. If in doubt, phone the leader. It's not uncommon to see about 50 species of birds on an outing, even in winter when most of the migratory birds are still in the northern hemisphere. On very good days, 75 species can be seen or heard, and on really bonza birding days, over 100 species can be located. There are no guarantees. Anything could turn up! That's part of the fun of birdwatching. Outings are on Saturdays, Sundays and mid-week. Details of outings are published in the bi-monthly CBOC Newsletter and on this website. HEALTH AND SAFETY When attending field outings ensure that you are wearing appropriate clothing, including wet weather gear in inclement weather and suitable footwear. It is advisable to bring a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and to carry water. Please sign the attendance register at field outings and also at the meetings. If you leave the outings early please let the leader know before you go. Participants attend at their own risk and should refrain from any behaviour that might put themselves or others at risk. That includes assessing whether they have a level of fitness required for the advertised outings. If in doubt contact the outing leader beforehand. Click here to read the club’s Ethical Birding Guidelines which apply to all members and visitors on all outings. CBOC has introduced the following policies, which will apply to all outings, in respect to bushfires and days of extreme heat. BUSHFIRE POLICY The Club will not endanger the lives of our members by allowing outings to go ahead if the fire risk is too high. If the Rural Fire Service deem the area in which the outing will be conducted has a Fire Risk Rating of Severe, Extreme or Catastrophic, then the outing will be cancelled. If there is sufficient warning, a new location may be selected by the Leader if appropriate. If bookings are required for an outing, then the Activities Officer will advise those that have booked on the outing, otherwise an eMail will be sent to all members. The fire rating for an area is determined by referring to the RFS website as per: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans. HEAT POLICY The Club seeks to ensure that outings are conducted in such a matter that hot weather does not pose a serious health risk to its members. If the forecast temperature for the day is set to exceed 35 degrees, then the outing will be cancelled. If the forecast temperature for the day is set to exceed 30 degrees, the Leader may, at their discretion, choose an earlier start time for the outing or conclude the outing at an earlier time. The forecast will be determined based on the forecast available two days before the outing at 6pm. If bookings are required for the outing, then the Activities Officer will advise those that have booked on the outing of the change in plan, otherwise an eMail will be sent to all members. Attendees should also ensure that they have adequate water for the duration of the outing and apply common sense with regards to wearing a hat, using sunscreen and keeping out of the sun as much as possible. If you have any questions about any outing email outings@cboc.org.au

Upcoming outings are:
March 3, 2021 Wednesday 8.30am	Emu Plains and Penrith Meet at Emu Green Reserve, corner of Palomino Road and Russell Street, Emu Plains. A mix of parkland, riverside and bush reserve. Grade 2. Generally flat on gravel paths or bush tracks with up to 4km walking at Emu Green. Other sites we may visit would have similar track grading. Leaders - Carol and Peter Abbott - 0414 997 419 Map: Emu Green MEMBERS ONLY - FULLY BOOKED
March 6, 2021 Saturday 9.00am	Box Vale Walking Track and Charlston Dam (changed from previous location) Meet at corner of Old Hume Hwy / Wombeyan Caves Road (about 1hr 45 mins from Sydney). When approaching the meeting place from Sydney via the Freeway, take the first Mittagong turnoff, on to the Old Hume HWY – proceed up to and through Mittagong (there is an Information Centre in Mittagong for a comfort stop). Do not turn off to Bowral but proceed towards Berrima, cross the Freeway, proceed a little over 1km until you reach the turnoff to Wombeyan Caves on the right hand side, pull into car park area for a briefing! Box Vale: Easy grade with some steps. Charlston Dam: Easy grade, but can be grassy and wet/muddy Leader Pat Thorn - 0414 248 941 Map: Meeting Place MEMBERS ONLY - FULLY BOOKED
March 20, 2021 Saturday 8.30am	Cumberland State Forest Meet in the car park near the Cumberland State Forest information centre and nursery, off Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills. Grade 3. Approx 5km on tracks that are hilly in places and can be a bit slippery at times. Leader - Peter Abraham 0451 292 512 Map: Cumberland State Forest MEMBERS ONLY - FULLY BOOKED
March 21, 2021 Sunday 8.30am	Nestlings (5 to 12 year olds) - Bicentennial Park, Homebush Contact Judy on nestlings@cboc.org.au for bookings and further information. Habitat is river, parkland, and woodland. Grade 1 - easy, flat terrain. Leader Judy Harrington - 0403 026 660 MEMBERS ONLY - FULLY BOOKED
March 28, 2021 Sunday 8.30am	Lime Kiln Wetlands and Yeramba Lagoon Meet at the corner of Pamela Ave and Jinna Rd, Peakhurst. Wetlands. Lime Kiln Wetlands: Grade 2 formed track approx 3km return or a Grade 3 loop walk. Yeramba Lagoon: Grade 3 approx 3km loop walk on a formed bush track with some slopes. Leader - Gabrielle Rees 0414 947 138 Map: Lime Kiln Wetlands MEMBERS ONLY - FULLY BOOKED
April 7, 2021 Wednesday 8.30am	Bobbin Head Meet on the western side of the bridge at Bobbin Head picnic area in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. Entrance fee applies. Grade 3. Approx 3km on bush tracks with some slightly steeper sections including steps. Leader - Daniel McDonald 0404 374 362. Map: Bobbin Head MAXIMUM OF 20 MEMBERS ONLY - To book your place on this outing, send an eMail to outings@cboc.org.au
Members will be advised when the following outings are open for bookings. Further information can be obtained by eMailing outings@cboc.org.au
April 24, 2021 Saturday 8.30am	Nurragingy Reserve, Western Sydney Parklands. Meet at the Colebee Centre, Nurragingy Reserve, Knox Road, Doonside. Bushland, woodland. Grade 2. Approx 3kms on level bush tracks. Leader - Edwin Vella 0402 067 619 Map: Nurragingy Reserve
May 2, 2021 Sunday 8.30am	Castlereagh Nature Reserve
May 5, 2021 Wednesday	Mitchell Park, Cattai National Park, Pitt Town Lagoon
May 16, 2021 Sunday	Members BBQ
May 22, 2021 Saturday	Capertee Valley
May 30, 2021 Sunday	Royal National Park – Wattamolla Cliffs and Curra Moors
June 2, 2021 Wednesday	Mt Annan Botanic Gardens and Keith Longhurst Reserve, Kentlyn
June 19, 2021 Saturday	Mistral Point Seawatch, Maroubra and Centennial Park
June 27, 2021 Sunday	Air Services site, Shanes Park
July 7, 2021 Wednesday	Richmond Lowlands and surrounds
July 24, 2021 Saturday	Annual Raptor Count, Hawkesbury area
August 1, 2021 Sunday	Mulgoa Nature Reserve and Nepean Weir (Joint outing with BMBO)
August 4, 2021 Wednesday	Agnes Banks, Castlereagh and Wianamatta Nature Reserves
August 21, 2021 Saturday	Laughtongale Gully and Wisemans Ferry
August 27 to 29, 2021 Friday to Sunday	Weekend Away
September 1, 2021 Wednesday	Westleigh Park and Blue Gum forest
September 25, 2021 Saturday	West Head, Ku-ring-gai National Park
October 3, 2021 Sunday	Mitchell Park, Cattai National Park
October 6, 2021 Wednesday	Royal National Park - Wattle Forest and Lady Carrington Drive
October 23, 2021 Saturday	Beginners and New Members, Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights
October 31, 2021 Sunday	Chiltern Trail and Katandra Bushland Sanctuary
November 3, 2021 Wednesday	Narrabeen Lagoon and Long Reef, Collaroy
November 13, 2021 Saturday	Bus Trip
November 20, 2021 Saturday	Swallows Reach, Chain of Ponds and Bushells Lagoon
November 28, 2021 Sunday	Botany Bay and Bonna Point
December 1, 2021 Wednesday	Rookwood Cemetery and Sydney Olympic Park
December 12, 2021 Sunday	Second Ponds Creek, Scheyville and Pitt Town
More information: outings@cboc.org.au

Grade	Surface Type
1	Flat, even surface with no steps or steep sections. Suitable for wheelchair users who have someone to assist them. No more than 5kms.
2	The track is hardened or compact surface and may have a gentle hill section or sections and occasional steps. No more than 10kms.
3	Tracks may have short steep hill sections, a rough surface and many steps. No more than 20 kms.

Home   Outings   Nestlings   Meetings
Membership   Conservation   Links   Contact us
Newsletter   Sitemap   Bringing the birds to you