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:
August 1, 2021 Sunday 8.30am	Mulgoa Nature Reserve and Nepean Weir (Joint outing with BMBO) Meet at 8.30am corner of Dillwynia Drive and Cormorant Cres, Glenmore Park. Grade 2: Mostly level walking on wide paths. Some small inclines at Mulgoa NR. Approx. 1.5-2km walk at Mulgoa, approx. 600m walk at Nepean Weir. Habitat is woodland and riverside vegetation. Leader Mark Ley – 0416 199 638 Map: Mulgoa Nature Reserve Fully Booked
August 4, 2021 Wednesday 8.30am	Agnes Banks, Castlereagh and Wianamatta Nature Reserves Meet at the corner of Rickards and Castlereagh Roads, Agnes Banks. Habitat is ironbark woodland. Agnes Banks: Grade 2. Approx 2kms walking on flat fire trails. Castlereagh NR: Grade 2. Approx 2km walk on bush tracks that are mainly flat with a few gentle hills. Wianamatta NR: Grade 2. Approx 2 kms on flat bush tracks. Leaders Carol and Peter Abbott - 0414 997 419. Map: Agnes Banks To book your place on this outing, send an eMail to outings@cboc.org.au
August 21, 2021 Saturday 8.30am	Laughtondale Gully and Wisemans Ferry Meet at the corner of Laughtondale Gully Rd and Old Northern Rd, Maroota. Habitat: Sandstone woodland, parkland and rainforest. Grade 2. Approx 3 kms walking on tracks with uneven surfaces and gentle uphill sections and some steps. Leader Cathy Goswell - 0418 865 421. Map: Laughtongale Gully To book your place on this outing, send an eMail to outings@cboc.org.au
August 22, 2021 Sunday	Nestlings (ages 5 to 12) - Field of Mars, Ryde Contact Judy on nestlings@cboc.org.au for booking and further information. Leader Judy Harrington - 0403 026 660
August 27 to 29, 2021 Friday to Sunday	Weekend Away - Gloucester Area If you wish to express your interest in attending this weekend, please contact Jeff Byron on Jeff_m_byron@yahoo.com.au
September 1, 2021 Wednesday 8.30am	Westleigh Park and Blue Gum forest Meet in Warrigal Drive, Westleigh near the Westleigh Rural Fire Brigade. Westleigh Park: Grade 2. A 1km flat walk on a fire trail and dirt track through grassland above the Blue Gum forest. Blue Gum Forest: Grade 2. A 1.5km walk on a fire trail and bush track through tall forest. Mostly flat with one gentle hill section. Leader: Liz Noble - 0433 035 551. Map: Westleigh Park To book your place on this outing, send an eMail to outings@cboc.org.au
September 12, 2021 Sunday	Nestlings (ages 5 to 12) - Warriewood Wetlands Contact Judy on nestlings@cboc.org.au for booking and further information. Leader Judy Harrington - 0403 026 660
September 12, 2021 Sunday 8.30am	Air Services site, Shanes Park Meet beside the canal in Resolution Ave, Willmot (about 100m from Captain Cook Drive). Habitat: Open forest/woodland with clearings. Grade 2. Approx 5km on level bush tracks. Leader: Edwin Vella - 0402 067 619. Map: Shanes Park To book your place on this outing, send an eMail to outings@cboc.org.au
September 22, 2021 Wednesday	Richmond Lowlands Meet at Pughs Lagoon, Smith Park, corner of Old Kurrajong Road and Francis Street, Richmond. Grade 1: Approx. 3km, mainly flat on paths or roadsides. Leader Cathy Goswell – 0418 865 421 Map: Pughs Lagoon 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
September 25, 2021 Saturday	West Head, Ku-ring-gai National Park
October 2, 2021 Saturday	Annual Raptor Count, Hawkesbury area
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 - Megalong Valley (or self-drive if COVID-19 prevents a bus trip)
November 14, 2021 Sunday	Nestlings (ages 5 to 12) - Merrylands Gardens Contact Judy on nestlings@cboc.org.au for booking and further information. Leader Judy Harrington - 0403 026 660
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.

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