I was having a picnic next to Sugarloaf Range Dam (a very small body of water) in the Sugarloaf State Conservation Area, when I spotted a bird moving around on the other side of the water:

This is my first sighting of a Bassian Thrush. The video isn’t great, but it does show the characteristic movement pattern of this shy bird: darting forward in a short burst, then freezing to blend in with the vegetation.

Here’s a photo, which also isn’t great. The bird was very far away and the lighting was harsh: bright and dark with nothing in between:

I’m excited about this first sighting! It’s also the first thrush of any type that I’ve posted to this blog (aside from Grey Shrike-thrushes, which aren’t actually thrushes).

Common name: Bassian Thrush
Scientific name: Zoothera lunulata
Length: 27-29 cm
Date spotted: 18 February 2026 (summer)
Location: Sugarloaf Dam Access Road, New South Wales, Australia: 32°56’36.6″S 151°30’39.5″E