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Birdlife


Photo: Geoff Ross
Kurnell is a haven for a range of diverse species of birds both the local and migratory, and the terrestrial and marine. Towra Point is one of the most important breeding sites for the endangered Little Tern (above) on the Australian East Coast. National Parks and Wildlife Service and volunteers are involved in the management of habitat for the Little Tern at Towra's Spit Island (below).
This mangement includes banding (below) and site preparation.

Photo: Jens Albrecht
You can find out more details about the Little Tern at Towra here.

A variety of seabirds including Albatross, Shearwaters, Petrels and Prions frequent the cliffs of Cape Solander.


Glossy Ibis


Greenshank

Plover eggs
Photo: Geoff Ross

Little Turn Hatchlings
Photo: Geoff Ross
Areas of saltmarsh in Towra Point Nature Reserve are believed to be the last stronghold for White-fronted Chats in the Sydney area. Boat Harbour is an important site for plovers and terns and other seabirds but because of the disturbances from 4WDs, the birds tend not to breed there.

Below is a list of just some of the species that have been observed on the Kurnell Peninsula. For more details about some of the species click here.
  • Albatross
  • Australasian Bittern
  • Bar-tailed Godwit
  • Black Swan
  • Brown, Grey Goshawk
  • Chestnut Teal
  • Cormorants - Little Pied, Little Black, Pied
  • Curlew Sandpiper
  • Double-banded plover
  • Eastern Curlew
  • Great Knot
  • Greenshank
  • Grey Teal
  • Japanese Snipe
  • Little Egret
  • Mangrove Heron
  • Mongolian Plover
  • New Holland Honeyeater
  • Painted snipe
  • Pelican
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Pied Oyster Catcher
  • Red-necked stint
  • Richard's Pipit
  • Ruddy Turnstone
  • Sanderling
  • Sooty Oyster Catcher
  • Terek sandpiper
  • Terns - Little, Crested, Caspian, Common, White-fronted
  • Whimbrel
  • Whistling Kite
  • White-faced Heron
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