Birdwatching in Griffith
Griffith is at the confluence of the hills and the plains in NSW. It is within 35 kms of the Murrumbidgee River, it is 20 Kms from Cocoparra National Park (the last range of hills going west until you get to the Flinders Ranges). The dry plains of the west meet the rolling hills of the tablelands and so do the habitats of the birds.
Several rare and endangered species can be found in the area, including Painted Honeyeaters, Black Honeyeaters, Turquoise Parrots and Grey Crowned Babblers.
Recommended birding sites include:
- Campbell's Swamp - Follow Boorga Rd for 300m further north than the Lakes turnoff. Parking is on the left hand side of the road
- Nericon Swamp - From Campbell's Swamp, head north for another kilometre. The 'driveway' for the parking area is on your right and can be easily missed. In spring and early summer may see Painted Honeyeaters in the mistletoe along here.
- Binya State Forest - Find a dam to sit beside in the early morning or late afternoon, or trawl along the firetrail on the western boundary parallel with the Stock Route.
- Cocoparra National Park - Visit the NSW National Parks office in Yambil Street for maps and information.
- Remembrance Driveway - In the gully on the eastern side of the Remembrance Drive (the airport road) are waterholes that take a long time to dry up. Here, you can find Little Grassbirds, Blue Bonnets, Red Rumps, Eastern Yellow Robins, Common Bronzewings and Baillon's Crake. Park your car opposite Firetrail 12 and walk the 50 metres through to the creek. At the southern end of the main waterhole is a seat under a large Bimble Box and provides a perfect viewing place (so long as there is water, of course).
- Griffith Golf Course - You have to be a member or with players to get out on to the fairways, but you can also trawl along the fence lines. Grey Crowned Babblers are a common sight near the airport end as are Major Mitchell Cockatoos.
- Gum Creek Road - Seasonal and occasional. Take Walla Avenue out of town and turn left into Gum Creek Road. The line of Black Box indicates where the creek crosses the road and can be a hotspot at the right time of year.
- Check rice paddies for water birds such as Herons, Spoonbills and Egrets.
- Any bush backing on to an orchard is a good spot for Honey Eaters and small birds such as Thornbills and Silver Eyes.
Further afield:
- Fivebough and Tuckerbill Wetlands - Also see the Leeton Visitor's Centre for more information
- Murrumbidgee River - There are a number of public access areas through the Forest Reserves. You can get maps from the Department of Lands Office in Griffith.
- Rankins Springs - See the Progress Association and its Bird Watch sites map in the main street.
- Barren Box Swamp - Not yet open to the public. A recently completed engineering project has seen the creation of more effective water storage areas and an area of wetland to be rehabilitated. You can check out Murrumbidgee Irrigation for any information about planned, escorted trips to the site.
The Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists keep records of sightings and details of club excursions on their site and you will also find reference to good sites on the walking, cycling and driving maps that you will find elsewhere at GriffithGateway.com.
Add Me to your email list.
© 2006. If you wish to use any part of the material from this site please Ask me.
