New Holland (above) & White Cheeked Honeyeaters
The Lower Manning Valley surrounding Taree and the Wallis Lake area around Forster / Tuncurry are each a paradise for birdwatchers. Numerous National Parks, State Forests and Nature Reserves contain a variety of natural vegetation types including rainforest, woodland, coastal heath and tidal estuaries hosting many species of birds.
The Lower Mid North Coast is fringed by endless kilometres of white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and rugged cliffs providing many opportunities to view seabirds as well as dolphins and whales. Visitors will enjoy easy access to most areas by conventional vehicles, with 4 wheel drive(s) tracks available for the more adventurous. Many species of waterbirds, bushbirds and raptors, including nests, can be viewed along the pristine waterways of The Manning River or Wallis Lake. Regular cruises are available and small self-skippered boats can be hired. Accommodation is available to cater for all needs.
*CLICK HERE for Birdlife Australia’s advice on feeding wild birds
* click here for a video of some of our local birds *
These two Monarchs can be seen on the Mid North Coast in summer
*click here for video of ‘ROBINS’
*click here for video of Australian Finches
Download the Brochure or the separate Checklist from the links below.The list includes the land and freshwater birds reliably recorded in the Manning Valley and Great Lakes area as well as the common seabirds to be seen from the coast. Some have been seen only once or a few times in recent years, or are known now only from a small area while others can be seen any day in appropriate habitat. Any unusual sightings or suggestions regarding this list or brochure may be forwarded to the address below and would be greatly appreciated.
DOWNLOAD LOCAL BROCHURE
DOWNLOAD LOCAL BIRD CHECKLIST
DOWNLOAD 2024/25 Membership application form
DOWNLOAD 2025 Outings & camps calendar
Manning Great Lakes Birdwatchers Inc
- Postal Address: PO Box 281, Forster NSW 2428
- Phone: 0431 878 395
- Email: mglb.07.1981@gmail.com
MANNING GREAT LAKES BIRDWATCHERS Inc:
OUTINGS AND CAMPS FOR YEAR 2025
Note – All outings commence at 8:00 am or 7:30 am during Eastern Daylight-Saving Times
Saturday 18th January: CATTAI WETLANDS: Meet at Wetlands Carpark. M/Tea & Lunch at Wetlands (Amenities)
Thursday 6th February: / SAND TRACK FIRETRAIL/CROWDY GAP WALKING TRACK, HARRINGTON FORESHORE: meet at Crowdy Gap Campground. M/Tea at Crowdy Gap Campground (Amenities), lunch at Harrington (Amenities)
Summer Midweek Camp: Tuesday 11thth to Thursday 13th February inclusive: Mid-week camp Gloucester. Suggested Arriving Monday 10th depart Friday 14th. Birdwatching starts Tuesday morning early
Thursday 6th March: MUDBISHOPS POINT RESERVE/SALTWATER: Meet opposite Old Bar Caravan Park near airstrip on left. M/Tea & Lunch at Saltwater NR (Amenities)
Saturday 15th March: BIGHT CEMETARY/ BIGHT ROAD /WINGHAM BRUSH NR: Meet at the Bight Cemetery off Tinonee Rd. M/tea & Lunch at Wingham Brush (Amenities)
Thursday 3rd April: MINIMBAH NATURE RESERVE: Meet at corner of McKinnon and Glen Ora Roads Sth of Nabiac. Lunch at Bullocky Wharf (Amenities at Nabiac)
Saturday 19th April: TON O FUN ROAD FIRETRAIL/DARAWANK RESERVE: Meet at the trail entrance (Corrigans Rd) off Ton O Fun Road Darawank. Lunch at Darawank War Memorial Park (Amenities)
Thursday 1st May: GHINNI GHINNI- BLACKS LANE/CROKI: Meet in Moto Rd just after turnoff. M/Tea & Lunch Croki (Amenities)
Saturday 17th May: SEAL ROCKS/LIGHTHOUSE WALK/FIRETRAILS: Meet in carpark at gate to Lighthouse Road. M/tea and Lunch at Seal Rocks (Amenities opposite Caravan Park near car parking area and at both camping areas)
Thursday 5th June: JOHN’S RIVER/REST STOP/FOREST TRAIL: Meet in Thomas St. behind Community Progress Association Building. M/tea & Lunch at rest stop (Amenities) (Takeaways at Fuel station)
Saturday 21st June: LOCKETTS CROSSING/BRUSHY CREEK. Morning Tea/lunch at Brushy Creek amenities Coolongolook Oval. Meet at oval parking in Midge St. behind Ampol Service Station Coolongolook
Thursday 3rd July: FIREFLY PRECINCT/GAY SARGENT’S PROPERTY – Meet corner Wallanbah Road & Mobbs Lane. Morning tea at suitable location and Lunch at Gay’s place (amenities)
Saturday 19th July: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Details TBA
Thursday 7th August: SANDBAR BUSH CAMP/ CELITO BEACH /SANDBAR CARAVAN PARK – meet at the Junction of Sandbar Road and The Lakes Way. M/Tea & Lunch at Sandbar Caravan Park Precinct (Amenities) (Takeaways at Kiosk)
Saturday 16th August: REDHEAD/BLACKHEAD R/FOREST WALKS – meet at car park at end of Red Head Road: Lunch at Blackhead Picnic Area (Amenities) (Takeaways)
Thursday 4th September: O’SULLIVANS GAP: MYALL LAKES NP. Meet in car park at the O’Sullivan’s Gap Picnic Area off Wootton Way. M/Tea & lunch in Picnic area.(Amenities)
Saturday 20th September: KILLABAKH: Meet at Judi Homewood’s property, 1378 Comboyne Road: M/Tea & Lunch at Judi’s property
Thursday 2nd October: MINIMBAH NATURE RESERVE/FIRETRAILS: Meet at corner of McKinnon and Glen Ora Roads Sth of Nabiac. Lunch at Bullocky Wharf (Amenities at Nabiac)
Monday 13th October to Sunday 19th October Inclusive – Arrive Sunday 12th depart Monday 20th: SPRING CAMP. Details TBA
Thursday 6th November: BRIMBIN NATURE RESERVE. Meet at the corner Cedar Party Rd/Old Port Macquarie Road: M/Tea & Lunch in picnic area (Amenities)
Saturday 15th November: CATTAI WETLANDS: Meet in Wetlands Carpark. M/tea & Lunch at wetlands (Amenities)
Saturday 6th December: CHRISTMAS LUNCH – Details TBA
* For Members only;-
Our club emblem can be embroidered on your own shirt/cap/other garment for only $10, from Daniel at 16 Hawaii Avenue, Forster, – phone number 6555 7029. He also has a choice of shirts available.
Manning Great Lakes Birdwatchers Club badges are also available. They can be pin or magnet and are obtained by contacting Taree Engraving Services at 7 Avon Place, Forster – Phone number 6555 2227.