Birds of Northbridge Golf Course

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.

All photographs in this gallery were taken on and around the course by Mike Kilburn. Local birders have documented species found nowhere else in the Willoughby region, and there remains every indication that this exceptional record will continue to grow. We look forward to sharing more with you via the Northbridge Golf Club social media pages.

Meet the Birds

Hardhead

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

White - faced Heron

Often seen stalking the fairways and the edges of the pondsand, less often, fluffed uplike this one after a quick wash.

Australian Wood Duck

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

Laughing Kookaburra

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

Little Wattlebirds

noisily defend the banksias around the largest
pond andabove the 18th fair way against all
comers.

Sulphur - crested Cockatoos

Roost in large noisy groupsin the bush land 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 parrotlook 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 it
mum’s lipstick, can be found anywhere in the contiguous bush land 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 reed bed in the pond next to the 2nd tee

Little Grassbird

Another wet land-dependant 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 fly catching 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 touchof class when they appear over the courseor drop in to feed on the banksias.