Gerard Satherley Photography

Lake Cargelligo is a small town in western NSW, approximately 600km west of Sydney. The lake itself is worth exploring for waders and waterbirds. However for me the main focus for any visit to this town is the local sewage treatment works. The STW is on the southern side of the town. Access is easy along a dirt road that turns off  the Condobolin Road. You can gain access through a gate on the south western side of the treatment ponds (near the railway crossing). There is easy access to the various settling ponds along the embankments. The ponds nearest the gate have a fair amount of macrophytes (reeds) present which is where you are most likely to encounter any rails and crakes. The list of birds found here goes beyond waterbirds to include many dry area birds that find the surrounding habitat ideal. Birds that are regularly recorded at the STW include:

 There are also a number of locations around the town that are worth a visit, including the area around the airport for chats. The Condobolin and West Wyalong road sides are worth investigating for parrots, wrens and chats. 

Chat Alley is an area of lignum bush on the Mt Hope/Round Hill road that has proved over time to be a good spot to see chats and White-winged fairy-wrens.