Birds in Backyards Spring Survey Results

Spring is a season of new life – and heralds not only the breeding season for many of birds, but also migratory movements of some of our most beloved, (and some of our most controversial) species. We had 1327 surveys come in from 523 gardens across Australia for the Birds in Backyards spring survey period – with 323 different bird species seen.

Here’s a closer look at some fascinating migratory species that spring survey participants saw in their backyards this spring (September and October).

1. Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)

• Where to Spot: Across Australia, from Perth to Sydney
• Why They’re Special: The Rainbow Bee-eater is a real show-stopper, with vibrant turquoise, green, and golden plumage that glints in the sunlight. These agile hunters are often seen darting after bees and other flying insects, adding a splash of colour to gardens and parks.
• Their Journey: In spring, Rainbow Bee-eaters migrate south from northern Australia and Southeast Asia to find ideal breeding spots. They dig burrows in sandy soils and can sometimes be seen in colonies, especially where there is plenty of soft ground to nest in. 
• This Spring: There were 40 records of Rainbow Bee-eaters from Perth, through to Port Hedland, Darwin and then sightings from Cairns down to Brisbane.

2. Eastern Koel (Eudynamys orientalis)

• Where to Spot: Eastern Australia, especially in Sydney and Brisbane. They have shown a distinct expansion south too and are increasingly common in Melbourne, where even 10 years ago they were a rarity.
• Why They’re Special: Known for its distinctive “coo-eel” call that echoes through suburban areas (both day and night)  the Eastern Koel’s call signals the arrival of spring for many east coast Australians. Males are glossy black, while females and young have beautiful brown-spotted feathers.
• Their Journey: Eastern Koels migrate from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines each spring, making their way to eastern Australia to breed. These cuckoos are also brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of unsuspecting host birds, like the Red Wattlebird and Magpie-lark, leaving the care of their young to another species. The koel’s loud calls are unmistakable and often spark curiosity (and sometimes frustration).
• This Spring: The first Eastern Koels actually showed up in the Birds in Backyards data in Trinity Beach in mid August and since then have popped up as far south as Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast. However in other Birdata surveys we can see that they were recorded in October in the outer suburbs of Melbourne and through to Castlemaine.

3. Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae)

• Where to Spot: Coastal regions in Queensland and New South Wales
• Why They’re Special: The Channel-billed Cuckoo is an impressive bird, the largest parasitic cuckoo in the world, with a distinctive, loud, and often eerie call. This bird’s powerful, curved bill and striking appearance make it a memorable sight screeching across the skyline. Unlike the Eastern Koels, their hosts can sometimes raise more than one Channel-billed Cuckoo chick!
• Their Journey: Each spring, these cuckoos migrate from Indonesia and New Guinea to Australia’s eastern coast to breed. They lay their eggs in the nests of larger urban birds like crows, ravens and currawongs.
• This Spring: They don’t usually travel as far south as the Eastern Koels but they are just as noisy! In the Birds in Backyards data they have been recorded this spring also just south of Batemans Bay. A big shout out to Mike – who’s garden has been alive this spring with migrants including both the Eastern Koels, Channel-bills, Dollarbirds and Olive-backed Orioles (and a total of 21 species in a single survey!).

4. Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)

• Where to Spot: Across Australia, from Hobart to Perth
• Why They’re Special: Sacred Kingfishers are an enchanting sight, with turquoise and white feathers that stand out against garden greenery. Their calm, perched stance is suddenly broken by swift darts after insects or small reptiles.
• Their Journey: These beautiful kingfishers migrate from northern Australia to the south in spring, ready to nest in tree hollows or even termite mounds. They thrive in a variety of habitats, making appearances in city parks, bushland, and suburban gardens. Their adaptability and striking colours make the Sacred Kingfisher a favourite among backyard birdwatchers.
• This Spring: October has been peak Sacred Kingfisher spotting in our Birds in Backyards surveys for 2024, with 38 out of the 60 sightings coming just within that month. They have been all across many urban spots along the coast of mainland Australia but sadly no sightings from Tasmania.

5. Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis)

• Where to Spot: Northern and eastern Australia, especially Brisbane and northern New South Wales
• Why They’re Special: The Dollarbird is a member of the roller family, known for its unique round, white wing patches that resemble silver dollars when in flight. With a vibrant blue-green plumage and orange beak, it’s a spectacular addition to any backyard.
• Their Journey: Dollarbirds migrate from New Guinea and Indonesia to northern and eastern Australia to breed, typically seen in urban parks and woodlands. They nest in tree hollows and can often be seen performing acrobatic flight displays while catching insects mid-air.
• This Spring: We have seen them in Darwin (where a pair in Ray’s yard were doing a lovely acrobatic display in one survey and in another, aggressively chasing the Red-collared Lorikeets before being seen off by the Blue-faced Honeyeaters) and right across the coastal regions of Queensland and NSW.

Spring is also of course peak breeding season for many bird species and it is a delight to see a whopping 685 observations of breeding activity (which could run the full range from nest building through to adults with fledglings) were recorded in September and October. Noisy Miners (61 records) and Australian Magpies (84 records) were the most common reported species on nests or with fledged young (note these can be records of the same birds at the same site), but other exciting observations from gardens included:

Jade Drew wood ducks spring newsletter.jpg

• Rufous-banded Honeyeater young out of their nest. Seen by Tony in the NT
• Fledgling Bush-stone curlews with their parents, and Olive-backed Sunbirds on a nest at Mareeba (west of Cairns). Seen by Barbara
• An active Tree Martin nest on the cross beam of a powerline, observed by Colin in Byford, WA
• A pair of Buff-banded Rails shepherding 5 young in Narelle’s garden in Goolmangar (near Lismore NSW)
• Leaden Flycatchers on a nest in Honey’s yard at Yardina Creek on the Sunshine Coast
• Australian Wood Ducks with 6 ducklings visiting Jade’s garden in Paxton on the Central Coast of NSW (shown in the photo)
• Two Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo fledglings out of the hollow and visiting Pathika’s garden with their parents in South West Perth on more than one occasion 

Some of these sightings were from early November, but just too delightful not to mention.

Join Us for the Summer Survey!

As we look forward to the warmer months, we would love to see you participate in the Summer Survey! This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature right in your own backyard and give you some downtime in the upcoming silly season. So, grab your binoculars, set aside 20 mins, and prepare to enjoy the beauty of your garden. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting out, your contributions are invaluable. You might also discover new species or behaviours that you hadn’t noticed before – right outside your door!