Five best places for bird photography in Sydney

Hasmukh Chand

Oct 29

The weather is warming up and the flowers are blooming which means it's a great time to dust off the camera and head out to do some wildlife photography. Below are five of the best locations for bird photography in Sydney (where I have had the most success with my camera). Many of these spots are also close to train stations which make them easily accessible.

Badangi Reserve

A hidden gem located on the Harbour that is only a short walk away from Wollstonecraft train station. This reserve serves as a green corridor that connects Berry Island with Balls Head and Waverton Park. This reserve is great if you want to photograph Tawny Frogmouths (Podargus strigoides). In fact, the last time I was here, I saw four of them. As Tawny Frogmouths sit still during the day, they make pretty great subjects to photograph. Depending on the time of year, you will also see lots of Brush Turkeys (Alectura lathami) as well.

Oatley Reserve

Oatley Reserve juts out into the Georges River and is easily accessible from Oatley train station. This reserve has abundant birdlife and the last time I was here, I photographed Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglosus molucannus) and Kookaburras (Dacelo novaeguineae). If you decide to head to Oatley Reserve, remember to keep an eye out for tree hollows where you can find birds and fledgelings nesting.

Cooks River

Don't let the title of the most polluted urban river in Australia put you off. This is my local catchment and it is abundant in both birdlife and wildlife. I've been practicing my photography along the banks of the Cooks River for almost three years now and in that time i've seen Sacred Kingfishers (Todirampus sanctus), Tawny Frogmouths (Podargus strigoides), Pelicans (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Rainbow Lorikeets (Trichoglosus molucannus), Rosellas (Platycercus eximius), Kookaburras (Dacelo novaeguineae), Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), Pied cormorants (Phalacrocorax varius) and Little-black cormorants (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris). This green oasis in the heart of the Inner West is easily accessible via a number of train stations, many of which also have amazing cafes in close proximity. If you are really lucky, you may run into one of the elusive echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) that call the catchment home.

Echo Point

One of the most beautiful national parks accessible by train from Sydney. Here, you will find more than just beautiful birds to photograph as it is hard to walk past the Three Sisters and the warm, honeycomb coloured cliffs without raising your camera. My tip is that you should head into the Jamison Valley and see if you can photograph a Superb Lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae). I often try and make a weekend of my trips to Katoomba to make the most of it.

Berrima River

Another river catchment that is abundant with birdlife. I was here not so long ago and during a morning walk, I managed to photograph some beautiful juvenile Crimson rosellas (Platucercus elegans). Aside from rosellas, I saw lots of Superb Fairy Wrens (Malurus cyaneus), Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), and a Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus).