While coastal weather conditions were hot, humid and rainy, the Tablelands began summer with quite mild conditions. A couple of nasty storms caused some vegetation damage, but the heavy rain that came with the patchy storms was welcome after a very dry spring.

What a beautiful morning and great birding we had for the November 2025 survey. Late spring is by far the most agreeable time to be birding at Hasties. There was clear, warm weather and with water levels continuing to recede there were waders aplenty.

A bright spring morning brought record numbers of birders to Hasties Swamp for October’s survey, with lively sightings despite receding water levels. Highlights included Wandering Whistling-Duck, Australasian Grebe, and returning migrants like the Channel-billed Cuckoo and Sacred Kingfisher. Sixty species were tallied amid nesting activity and cheerful camaraderie.