New amenities block for Spencer

Three winners have been announced from a high standard of 18 entries in the annual Central Coast Bird Group Photographic Competition 2022.

There were three categories – common birds, uncommon birds and vagrants – and all photographs were taken during 2022 in the Central Coast local government area.

Ken Janson of Umina Beach

Day following multiple delays caused by weather events and discussions between residents and Central Coast Council on the best location for the toilets.

“There is still a new carpark and pathway to be installed in March but at least we now have odour-free environmentally friendly public amenities,”

Downham said.

“At long last Spencer is now on the map and becoming a popular tourist destination, with people flocking to our shores either by boat or by road to enjoy our breathtaking views – and no more breathingtaking smells.

“On behalf of the Spencer and the surrounding Lower Hawkesbury River communities, River Cares would like to thank the Council for delivering these muchneeded public amenities.” Downham issued a special thank you to Sections Manager, Facilities Management and

Operations, Troy Burnham, who “worked tirelessly to make this project come to fruition”.

“It would be remiss not to mention and thank the Armidale contractors from the company Pureablue who toiled for days in the sweltering heat to make sure the public toilets were fully functional and in time for

Accolades for birdwatcher photography

Australia Day,” she said. A spokesperson said Council is pleased that the new facilities at Spencer are now operational and being appreciated by locals and visitors alike.

Source: Media release, Jan 31 River Cares took out the common bird category with a superb photo of an Eastern Whipbird.

The male bird “whip” call, followed by the “crack” of the answering female, is a constant feature of the Coast’s bushland, however, seeing this bird is more challenging as it skulks in the undergrowth.

“This makes Ken’s photo even more amazing as he has captured it calling,” the competition judge Dick Jenkin said.

Winner of the uncommon bird category was Daniel McKeon of Killarney Vale with a lovely shot of a Noisy Pitta.

The Noisy Pitta were only Autumn visitors in the not-sodistant past but now they are resident in several rainforest areas around the Coast where the “walk to work” call is frequently heard.

“Again, this is not an easy bird to photograph and Daniel has done a great job to capture it in its environment,” Jenkin said.

The winner of the vagrant bird category was Tricia Sweet of Tascott with a nice action shot of a Beach Stone-curlew which were present for a couple of weeks at Bateau Bay in April 2020.

This was only the fourth record for this bird on the Central Coast.

Birdwatchers say that Beach Stone-curlews become more common further north and they seem to be breeding more successfully lately.

This bird was most likely a juvenile bird exploring for a new territory.

The Central Coast Group of Birding NSW meets at 7.30pm on the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Progress Hall in Anzac Rd, Tuggerah.

On February 21 the topic will be Getting to know Rufous Scrubbirds with guest speaker Alan Stuart and at the March 21 meeting guest speaker Kay Pointer will talk about bushfires around Mangrove Mountain. For more information about the group email Allan Benson at aejsbenson@bigpond.com

Source: Central Coast Group of Birding NSW

Three Central Coast women are set to run as Independents in the March State election, calling themselves the Three Sisters of the Sacred Sites and Environment.

With the common goal of putting a stop to development at Kariong which they say threatens sacred sites and preserving the coastal area for all Australians, Lisa Bellamy will stand for the seat of Gosford, Gab McIntosh for Terrigal and Aunty Colleen Fuller for the Upper House. The three protested along Central Coast Hwy and outside Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch’s Woy Woy office on Australia Day, sporting Australiana costuming.

Spokesperson for the three, Gab McIntosh said none of our politicians are standing up for the environment.

“Perhaps they have never heard of climate change?” she said.

“In any case their job is to protect the Central Coast.

“We three ladies felt someone on the Coast had to stand up for the environment and the sacred sites that are about to be trashed.

“Will our politicians argue next that destroying koala