By Nick Baker, CEO of Reflections Holidays
With more than 700 bird species across Australia, birdwatching is a great excuse to get outdoors and explore somewhere new. Known as ‘twitching’ among keen birders, it’s an activity that people of all ages and experience levels can enjoy, without the need for expensive equipment or a detailed itinerary. All you really need is a little patience and a keen eye.
Nick Baker, CEO of Reflections Holidays says, “Birdwatching has continued to grow in popularity as more people look for ways to get outdoors, switch off from screens and reconnect with nature. It also encourages you to slow down and appreciate what’s right on our doorstep. You start paying attention to the sounds around you and looking a little closer at what’s in the trees or out on the water. You might spot something you’ve never noticed before, even somewhere you’ve visited plenty of times.”
It’s also a different way to approach a road trip. Rather than driving straight to your destination, you can take your time, explore a walking track or stop at a wetland along the way. These detours can lead to plenty of bird sightings, while giving you more reasons to explore regional towns and support local businesses.
With 40 holiday parks across NSW, Reflections Holidays is uniquely positioned for offering birdwatching focused getaways. Four highlights include:
Corindi Beach, Coffs Coast
At Reflections Corindi Beach, the surrounding coastal environment provides opportunities to look for native birds, including the Eastern Yellow Robin, Eastern Rosella, Silvereye and Brown Honeyeaters.
Head out early, when the area is quieter, and listen for calls coming from the trees. You might find yourself spending longer on a morning walk than planned, stopping to watch birds moving through the canopy or searching for food among the vegetation.
Lake Keepit, inland NSW
For a change of scenery, Reflections Lake Keepit offers a chance to explore the birdlife found inland. The combination of water and surrounding national parks creates different habitats to explore, with opportunities to spot waterbirds near the shoreline and parrots or cockatoos in nearby trees.
Early morning is a good time to head out, when the lake is quieter and birds are often more active. Take a walk along the water and bring a pair of binoculars. Keep a look out for Pied Butcher Birds, Pelicans, Black Swans, Whistling Kite and Sea-Eagles.
Pambula, NSW South Coast
Reflections Pambula is a base for exploring the nearby Panboola Wetlands, where wetland habitats support a variety of birdlife. Species often spotted in the area includes Egrets, Spoonbills, Cormorants, Scarlet Honeyeater and the Southern Emu-wren.
Move quietly, stay on marked paths and give wildlife plenty of space, particularly around sensitive wetland areas.
Urunga, NSW Mid North Coast
With waterways, estuary and coastal environments nearby, the area around Reflections Urunga offers a few different settings to look for birdlife.
If you take a walk beside the water or the nearby nature reserve, keep an eye out for Beach Stone-Curlews, Black-Cockatoos and Azure Kingfishers feeding along the shoreline and the surrounding vegetation. You don’t need to know the names of every species to enjoy the experience. Spotting something unfamiliar and looking it up afterwards can be part of the fun.
You don’t need to be an expert
Whether you are going on a coastal walk, picnic by the lake or an early morning stroll, there are plenty of opportunities to spot local birdlife while on holiday. A bird identification app can help beginners identify what they see, while keeping a list of sightings is a simple way to get the family involved. Next time you head away, leave a little room to explore. You might discover a new favourite spot, or even become a keen twitcher.
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