The best places to watch birds in the Park are:

• The Waterbird Refuge (refer Park Map O12), a 4 hectare estuarine wetland featuring a bird hide and other vantage points from which large numbers of ducks and waders can be readily seen, including migratory species such as the Bar-tailed Godwit and Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.
• The Northern Water Feature (refer Park Map F15), a freshwater wetland inhabited by resident waterbirds such as  the Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Black Swan, Australasian Grebe. A walkway that extends over the wetland provides good viewing opportunities of these and other species. Look out for nests and chicks, particularly in spring and summer.
• The Eastern Water Quality Control Pond (refer Park Map), another freshwater wetland frequented by ducks and other waterbirds. The reeds fringing the wetland provide habitat for the Australian Reed Warbler, Little Grassbird, and the secretive Baillon’s Crake and Buff-banded Rail. There is a hide and other good vantage points to view these birds.
• Throughout the Park shrubby areas provide habitat for small woodland birds. Look out for species such as the Superb Fairy Wren, Double-barred Finch, Spotted Pardalote, Grey Fantail and Brown Honeyeater. Birds of prey like the Black-shouldered Kite and Nankeen Kestrel can often be seen hunting over open, grassy areas, and the River Walk (refer Park Map A3-O2) is a good place to spot White-bellied Sea-eagles.

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Like all mangrove forests in Sydney, Badu Mangroves is dominated by the Grey Mangrove Avicennia marina. Look out for the abundant crabs and snails that occur in the mud. You may also see wading birds such as the White-faced Heron and the more secretive Mangrove Heron foraging or roosting amongst the mangroves. Small birds such as the Yellow Thornbill, Silvereye and Grey Fantail may also be seen and heard amongst the mangroves as they flit through the forest, and Golden Orb-weaving Spiders are abundant in the autumn months when they build their webs in the mangrove canopy.

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From the Ring Walk you can see both naturally-formed and constructed ponds that the Green and Golden Bell Frog uses for breeding, with surrounding reeds, rock piles, long grass and weedy vegetation that the frogs use for shelter and foraging.

Interpretive material around the Ring Walk explains the Brickpit’s industrial history and unique geology, the evolution of Green and Golden Bell Frog habitat, and the development and operation of the Park’s innovative water recycling scheme (WRAMS).

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The Park's extensive freshwater wetlands support seven frog species, including the Green and Golden Bell Frog. There are 70 constructed frog habitat ponds around the Park, and there are also 11 road underpasses that allow frogs to safely move between habitats while avoiding road traffic. Six kilometres of frog fencing, made of black shadecloth with an overhanging top, guide frogs through underpasses and prevent them from hopping onto the roads.

The Frog Walk takes in the Brickpit Ring Walk, where you have a bird’s eye view of frog habitats, and nearby underpasses and frog fencing at Wentworth Common and Kronos Hill. Find out more about the Green and Golden Bell Frog and the Frog Walk (PDF 726KB)

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