“We were blown away by the number of species here,” said bird watching president Dave Whitfield.

“We thought we’d get around 40 but then the numbers kept climbing.”

When the group sat for a chat with the Camden Haven Courier, they’d found 62 species. A short time later, as a photo was being shot, fellow bird watcher - or twitcher as they are affectionately known - Maureen McGrath exclaimed, “There’s a Needle-tailed Swift! That’s 63!”

Treehouse owners Kerry McFadyen and Peter Johnson said they invited the group to stay at their new accommodation out of interest in the wildlife their guests frequently ask about.

“We often have our guests come up to the nursery café of a morning and flick through our bird book to find the name of a species they’ve spotted from the balcony,” Kerry said.

“The Dave, Maureen, Maureen and Monica have been out early in the morning to document the species they’ve seen and heard around the property. It’s wonderful to know the place is such a haven for so many species. It’s good to be able to advance the awareness of bird watching in the area.”

The twitchers stayed for two nights bringing their notes, binoculars and field scopes. They are a passionate bunch who, on club camping trips, can even be found at 3am spotting owls and other night bird species. While they slept soundly last week, the chorus each morning saw them eagerly up at “sparrow’s”? so to speak.

“It’s quite infectious, sitting with the crew and hearing about their passion for bird watching,” said Peter.

Dave agreed, “It’s addictive. Once you see a good bird, you’re hooked.”

While chatting about their findings Maureen McGrath tapped away at her iphone, complete with bird app, to show pictures of the species found and playing their calls.

Some of the beautiful species found included an Emu Wren, Collared Sparrowhawk, Sacred Kingfisher, Tawny Frogmouth and Bar-tailed Godwit. The last is known to make the longest, non-stop flight of any bird travelling from the Camden Haven to Russia to breed, then returning for our summer. In 2007 birds were tagged in New Zealand and tracked via satellite to the Yellow Sea in China. The journey took nine days and covered a distance of more than 11,000kms. They didn’t even stop to feed.

Dave said pelicans were also an interesting bird for their breeding habits. Ever wondered why there are no baby pelicans seen here? No nests? They travel to the inland of the country to breed and return to the coast.

And the black swans seen infrequently on the Camden Haven River? They travel wherever the season is good.

While the group found 63 species last week, as we move into summer, more species are expected to pay the region a visit.