Looking for a more relaxed approach to Valentine's Day? Then why not join your loved one in the beautiful outdoors to see native love birds right here on your doorstep.

Slow down and tune into some of our beautiful native singers such as magpies, currawongs and kookaburras.

Here’s our top pick for checking out native birdlife… where are yours?

Warriewood Wetlands - The wetlands are a ‘go to’ for passionate twitchers. Autumn is a particularly good time of year, when the Swamp Mahogany trees are in flower. Over 80 bird species have been recorded here, including an abundance of small birds including the Fairy-Wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red-browed Finch and Spotted Pardalote.

Bangalley Headland – This large coastal bushland reserve, located at North Avalon is a great place to spot native birds. Catch honeyeaters, spinebills, finches and wrens who feed, breed and shelter among the coastal scrub and pockets of rainforest plants. You might even spot a hungry kestrel soaring overhead looking for a lazy lizards sunning itself on the open rocky platforms!

Angophora Bushland Reserve - Located in Avalon this reserve consists of 18.5 hectares of urban bushland. Parrots, of which there are seven species, are quite prominent.  See if you can see Rainbow Lorikeets or Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. You might even get lucky and spot a Glossy Black Cockatoo.

Dee Why Lagoon Wildlife Refuge – This beautiful 77 hectare area, combining lagoon and remnant native bushland, is an important refuge for resident and migratory shorebirds including  Black Swans, Chestnut Teals, and Eastern Spoonbills.

If you are looking to really stretch your legs, head further north to Long Reef Bushland Reserve where you will find more migratory species including Dotterels, Sandpipers and Double-banded Plovers. You may even spot birds of prey, such as the Nankeen Kestrel or Osprey. Take a close look at the coastal bushland to see Fairy-Wrens darting in and out. In fact, an incredible 49 bird species have been recorded on Long Reef Headland. 

Manly Warringah War Memorial State Park - more commonly known as Manly Dam, is brimming with diverse flora and fauna and over 80 species of birds, including waterbirds and migratory species. It is also a refuge for wrens and thornbills and larger predatory birds such as Powerful Owls.

North Head – this beautiful natural refuge, bordered by dramatic cliffs, is home to over 100 species of bird including the New Holland Honeyeater, the Rainbow Lorikeet and the Little Wattlebird.

For more on our local native birds and animals.