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 FROM JULY ONWARDS. DO NOT JUST TURN UP AT AN OUTING. OUTINGS MAY BE CANCELLED AT SHORT NOTICE. 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. If you have any questions about any outing email outings@cboc.org.au

Upcoming outings are:
August 2, 2020 Sunday 8.30am	Auburn Botanical Gardens and Duck River walk. Meet at the car park past the roundabout, near the end of Chiswick Rd, off Chisholm Rd, Auburn. Grade: Easy. Leader - Peter Abraham 0451 292 512 Map: Auburn Botanical Gardens MEMBERS ONLY - FULLY BOOKED
August 12, 2020 Wednesday 8.30am	West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park Meet at the lookout at the end of West Head Road. National Park entry fee of $12 applies unless you have a National Park pass. Leader - Heather Pearce 0412 051 951. Map: West Head MAXIMUM OF 20 MEMBERS ONLY - To book your place on this outing, send an eMail to outings@cboc.org.au
Outings after this date are not yet confirmed due to status of COVID-19. Check this website closer to the outing date for more details. Some outings may need to be cancelled at short notice.
August 22, 2020 Saturday 9.00am	Beginners and New Members - Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights Meet at Crosslands Picnic area at the very end of Somerville Road, Hornsby Heights. Grade: Easy. Mostly level bush tracks and open grassland. A few hours of walking. Leader - Cathy Goswell 0418 865 421. Map: Crossland Reserve
August 30, 2020 Sunday 8.30am	Richmond Lowlands and surrounds Meet at Pughs Lagoon, Smith Park, corner of Old Kurrajong Road and Francis Street, Richmond. Easy, bird watching never far from vehicles. Suitable for disabled members. Leader - Andrew Patrick 0467 971 648. Map: Pughs Lagoon
September 4 to 6, 2020 Weekend	Forbes - Members' Weekend Away See Newsletter for details.
September 9, 2020 Wednesday 8.30am	Sydney Park, St Peters Meet at the Kiosk next to the children's playground which is close to the carpark in Barwon Park Rd, which is next to the tall chimneys. The park includes small hills landscaped with grass and native trees. A series of storm-water harvesting ponds have been established to purify and recycle rain water runoff and provide wetland habitat for birds and other wildlife. Leader - Dana Murty 0411 134 528. Map: Sydney Park
September 19, 2020 Saturday 8.30am	Western Sydney Parklands Meet at the Colebee Centre, Nurragingy Reserve, Knox Road, Doonside. Grade: Easy. Level bush tracks. Leader - Edwin Vella 0402 067 619. Map: Western Sydney Parklands
September 27, 2020 Sunday 8.30am	Windsor Downs Nature Reserve At Windsor Downs, turn off Richmond Road into Sanctuary Drive and proceed slowly along this narrow roadway through the estate to the Meeting Point at the far end of the Drive. Morning tea and lunch at the cars. Grade: Easy. Level bush tracks. A few hours of walking. Leader - Gabrielle Rees 0414 947 138. Map: Windsor Down Nature Reserve
October 17, 2020 Saturday	Members' BBQ at Sydney Olympic Park See newsletter for details
October 21, 2020 Wednesday 8.30am	Bushells Lagoon and Ebenezer Meet at the junction of Blacktown Road and Brewers Lane, Freemans Reach. Leader - Adrian Dick 0451 825 403. Grade: Easy. Mostly wide level dirt roads. Map: Bushells Lagoon
October 24, 2020 Saturday 8.30am	Sydney Olympic Park Meet by the Cafe at the Waterview Convention Centre overlooking Lake Belvedere. Leader - Judy Harrington 0403 026 660. Map: Sydney Olympic Park
November 1, 2020 Sunday	Boat Harbour, Kurnell and Botany Bay
November 11, 2020 Wednesday 8.30am	Fred Caterson Reserve, Castle Hill Enter Fred Caterson Reserve via Gilbert Rd, Castle Hill. Continue along Caterson Drive until you reach a car park at Fields 2 and 3. Do not turn left at any time. Grade: Moderate with slightly undulating bush tracks. Leader - Daniel McDonald 0403 374 362. Map: Fred Caterson Reserve
November 21, 2020 Saturday	Bus Trip to Swansea For bookings phone Pattie McGee on 0407 272 268. Meet in the parking area behind the Pavilion Theatre, Showground Road, Castle Hill (part of the Castle Hill Showgrounds.) Travel down Showground Road away from Castle Towers, turn left into Doran Road (There is a sign Castle Hill Showground). Take the second turn right into the showgrounds continue all the way around to the parking area. Bus will leave promptly at 7.00am. THE BUS WILL NOT WAIT FOR LATECOMERS. Cost $30 for members, $40 for non-members. Morning tea and lunch at bus.
November 29, 2020 Sunday 4.30am and 7.30am	Dawn Chorus - Mitchell Park, Cattai Second picnic table in Mitchell Park. National Park entry fee of $8 applies unless you have a NP pass. Two options for start times for this event. Grade: Easy to Moderate. Mostly flat with a medium length walk around the southern part of Mitchell Park. Leader - Andrew Patrick 0467 971 648
December 9, 2020 Wednesday	Photographic Outing - Centennial Park, Randwick
More information: outings@cboc.org.au

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