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Birds of Northbridge Golf Course

Birds of Northbridge Golf Course

Almost 100 species of birds call this special place home  from waterbirds and bushland specialists to Sydney rarities found nowhere else in Willoughby.

Explore the Birds

A Living Sanctuary Within the Course

Northbridge Golf Course, the surrounding bush and the adjoining waters are home to almost 100 species of birds. Some of these are the typical open country birds you’d expect to see in any park or garden. Others are bushland specialists and waterbirds that occur anywhere in the inner harbour.

The most special birds are those that depend on the four freshwater ponds the Club built to irrigate the fairways without using the public water supply. Many of these birds are easily found on the course or the surrounding trails, adding to the enjoyment of golfers and the public alike.

Local birders have also discovered birds found nowhere else in Willoughby, and there is plenty of scope for the list to keep growing. All the photos in this gallery were taken on or around the course.

Look out for more posts on the Northbridge Golf Club social media pages. More information about the birds can be found on the Northbridge Golf Course page of the eBird website, where you are encouraged to submit your own records and photos.

~100

Bird Species

4

Freshwater Ponds

15+

Willoughby Firsts

The Gallery

Meet the Birds

Hardhead

First found in 2023, the golf course ponds are the only place this handsome chestnut duck has been found in Willoughby.

White-faced Heron

Often seen stalking the fairways and the edges of the ponds and, less often, fluffed up like this one after a quick wash.

Australian Wood Duck

Every year several pairs raise between two and twelve youngsters in hollow trees in the bush around the course.

Laughing Kookaburra

Several pairs nest around the course and are regularly seen perched watchfully or diving into the grass to dig out worms and mole crickets with their powerful bills.

Little Wattlebird

Noisily defend the banksias around the largest pond and above the 18th fairway against all comers.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Roost in large noisy groups in the bushland above Wreck Bay, and feed on seed pods around the whole course.

 

Long-billed Corella

The dagger-like bill and blood-red chest markings make this gentle parrot look like Dracula’s bridesmaids as they forage for grass roots on the 13th and 14th fairways.

Powerful Owl

The scar across the face of this youngster was likely inflicted by the resident pair defending their territory.

 

Red - browed Fi retail

This beautiful finch, which looks like its nicked its mum’s lipstick, can be found anywhere in the contiguous bushland between the golf course and Flat Rock Gully.

Pacific Baza

This wonderfully heraldic raptor is a specialist predator of katydids and mantises, breeds nearby, and posed beautifully right next to the 7th tee.

Australian Reed Warbler

The first ever record for the Lower North Shore, spent two weeks in the small reedbed in the pond next to the 2nd tee.

 

Little Grassbird

Another wetland-dependent first record, this individual was found by a birder looking for the Australian Reed Warbler.

 

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

Rare throughout Sydney and never before recorded in Willoughby, this dark-phase individual spent ten days flycatching from the bush along the tenth fairway.

Baillon's Crake

This tiny sparrow-sized marsh bird — another Willoughby first — appeared on the largest pond before being re-found on the lower pond where it foraged on the floating vegetation.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

The haunting calls and lovely slow flight of this massive parrot never fail to add a touch of class when they appear over the course or drop in to feed on the banksias.