Some describe the eastern koel as “demonic birds” for their constant mating calls. Others say the native cuckoos with beautiful plumage are “absolute magic”.

Early risers are used to the occasional late night straggler loitering on Sydney's Coogee Beach at sunrise. But they are never normally this wild.

Large and powerful surf conditions are expected to batter most of the NSW coast for most of the working week as a low-pressure system that delivered a weekend drenching continues to linger off the state's coast.

"It is altering the structure and function of natural ecosystems, and affecting heritage, economic activity and human wellbeing."

Australia has just experienced the hottest March on record, capping off the hottest first quarter of the year.