BIRDWATCHING at Belmont wetlands state park
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Spring is calling at Belmont Wetlands State Park. April and May bring the wetlands to life with resident shorebirds, waders, and waterfowl plus waves of migratory species passing through on their northward journey.
Grab your binoculars and catch them while they're here. Bird Watch Report April 2026 - By Grahame Feletti I’ve been monitoring the Wetlands and Gilbey Loop this past month for increasing woodland birds activity. The annual ‘south-eastern honeyeater migration’ is starting. Many citizen scientists1 will count many small birds moving as flocks through key locations in the southern highlands and the Hunter. Their destinations may be northern NSW and southern QLD. Waterbird numbers and species have also steadily increased, despite ongoing disruption and noise from pipeworks at the Lagoon. Their increase is due to abundant natural food. woodland birds seen Around the park April to May is an exciting time for birdwatchers. The expected migration of thousands of honeyeaters2 follow known pathways - the majority arrive from Victoria and southern NSW; some even from snowy Tasmania. The recent cold snap is but one natural hazard some faced, but many will make it through the Blue Mountains. Coastal woodlands in the Hunter3 (including this 549 ha Park) allow them to ‘rest and refuel’ before going further4 . Among the first species to be noted (mid-autumn) are Noisy Friarbird and Yellow-faced Honeyeater (see image). The latter is detected by its flight pattern, described as: following tree-lines, ridge-tops, and vegetation corridors in nervous, cover-to cover bounds. They move in small to large flocks (<1000 birds) in follow-the-leader fashion, in quick succession, and stopping only briefly. Their in-flight call is shorter than the normal. These are daytime migrants, travelling steadily in the morning, under clear, sunny conditions. They move along coastal ‘flyways’ (flight paths) to escape cold inland conditions. Other species that join them include Silvereye, Red-browed Finch. Why do birds migrate? Some scientists5 tell us this migratory process has been prompted by world climate change over millions of years. Small ancestors of birds and mammals migrated to Australasia as it separated from Gwandana when it started to freeze over6 . See https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/support/gondwana.jsp. nnual bird migration is one of the greatest natural behaviour legacies remaining. How can you find out more? Check BWSP’s bird webpage or Eventbrite for details of guided bird-watching walk May 9 8am-10,30am. Bookings are essential. Or get a BWSP pamphlet and walk the Gilbey Loop. Grahame Feletti [email protected] 
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