The Great Cicada Blitz (NSW, Australia)'s Journal

The most common cicadas you'll find around the Sydney region are (with a link to their description and song):

1. Green Grocer - http://dr-pop.net/australasiae-048.htm
2. Black Prince - http://dr-pop.net/plaga-103.htm
3. Silver Princess - http://dr-pop.net/celis-481.htm
4. Double-Spotted - http://dr-pop.net/labeculata-184.htm
5. Floury Baker - http://dr-pop.net/curvicosta-525.htm
6. Zipping Ambertail - http://dr-pop.net/repetens-482.htm
7. Southern Red-eyed Squeaker - http://dr-pop.net/notialis-434.htm
8. Black Squeaker - http://dr-pop.net/encaustica-415.htm

Others in the greater west, Blue Mountains, and central coast include:

1. Redeye - http://dr-pop.net/moerens-089.htm
2. Razor Grinder - http://dr-pop.net/eydouxii-018.htm
3. Double Drummer - http://dr-pop.net/saccata-003.htm
4. Cherrynose - http://dr-pop.net/angularis-059.htm

Any other cicadas can be ID-ed by sending a sound sample or photo to me at nje.seed@gmail.com or through the web guide here: http://dr-pop.net/cicada-list.htm

If you hear a cicada and aren't able to take a photo of it, then try to describe how the song sounds in the "brief description" box in the observation, and tick "needs ID". I will do my best to try and ID it from the call description.

Alternatively, try to record the song using an audio/voice recorder app on your smartphone. You can then add the sound file to the observation later via a web browser making the ID a lot easier. You will need to create a free Soundcloud account, upload the audio file there and then link it with your iNaturalist account to add the song.

It's never easy to photograph cicadas, particularly when they are high up in the trees! So it's always best to concentrate on their song.