The Chat - Birdlife Australia

The
Chat
Newsletter of
BirdLife East Gippsland
Number 64 June 2015
Distinguished Service Award for “Bushy Bob” Semmens
Contents
Congratulations to “Bushy Bob”
Semmens for his BirdLife
Australia Distinguished Service
Award. This prestigious award is
granted to those who have made
a significant contribution to
BirdLife Australia over a
significant period of time.
As Regional Convenor of the Atlas
program for East Gippsland for
over 10 years, Bob is renowned
for his seasonal surveys around
Mallacoota and meticulous vetting
of records before forwarding to
National Office.
2.
President’s Report
3.
Gippsland Lakes Boat Trip
3.
Spring Camp
4.
Marlo Musings
6.
Yarram Camp March 2015
8.
Yarram Camp Bird List
9.
New Sighting Raymond Island
His contribution to BirdLife
Australia also includes
membership of the Threatened
Bird Network and volunteer and
citizen science work around
Mallacoota over a number of
Chris Healey presents Bob with his Certificate. Photo J Hutchison
years for Little Terns and Hooded
Plover.
He was a guest presenter at the 2014 September Shorebird Seminar and has
organised and conducted 2020 Shorebird surveys on Big Beach, Mallacoota for years.
He always makes himself available and willing to help any genuine “birdo” who visits
Mallacoota from afar, and is recognised far and wide as the local “go to” person.
13. Look for Fungi
10. Conservation News
11. Unusual Sightings
12. Species List Autumn Birding
13. Autumn Birding Report
President Chris Healey and members of BirdLife East Gippsland were delighted to be
invited to the home of June and Michael Drake at Mallacoota for an afternoon tea on
Saturday 30 June to present Bob with his certificate and medal. The sun was shining,
about 50 friends of Bob’s had gathered and the view over the water and Howe range
was spectacular. A wonderful celebration for a very worthy recipient.
In responding to Chris Healy, Bob thanked everyone for coming and gave us some
background on his life as a conservationist and bird lover, saying that birds are what
gets him out each morning. The beauty, the colour and behaviour of birds continues
to enchant him, as Bob would say, “they are just magic”.
14. Invitation to Photographers
15. Exhibition Entry Form
16. Restless Flycatchers
17. Heyfield Birdwatchers
18. Schedule of Outings
Executive 2015
President
Chris Healey
5157 9036
Vice President
Ian Wright
5156 8108
Secretary, Editor
Pam Hutchison
5156 8226
Treasurer
Gary Cousens
5156 9306
Conservation Officer
Brian Martin
5156 2437
Recorder
Ian Wright
5156 8108
Publicity Officer
Merryl Wright
5156 8108
Members
Bob delighting the crowd with stories of his life in “the bush”. Photo Leonie Daws
Sue Welte
Len Axen
Jack Winterbottom
John Hutchison
On the web at: www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-east-gippsland
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President’s Report - Chris Healey
Recipients of the BirdLife Australia Distinguished Service Medal
were announced at the Annual General Meeting of BirdLife
Australia on 23 May.
Congratulations are due to Bob Semmens, who is among
recipients of this year’s awards. Bob is the first member of our
group to receive the award since the amalgamation of BOCA and
Birds Australia. He joins previous Distinguished Service
recipients of the club under the auspices of BOCA: Avril Yates
and Nancy Taylor. Bob was unavailable to attend the national
awards at the AGM in Melbourne, and I am looking forward to
joining Bob’s friends and birding colleagues in his home town of
Mallacoota where he will receive his award.
The camp at Yarram in March was a great success as indicated in
the report on Page 6. It was a pleasure to gather with birding
friends, including some of our members from the local area, in a
wonderful part of our club region.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind members of the
upcoming exhibition at the East Gippsland Art Gallery on the
theme of ‘The bird, the bush and the birdwatcher’. The
EGAG Director outlined the project in the last issue of The Chat,
and you will find details of a photographic component of the
project elsewhere in this edition. Note that photographic entries
are limited to members of BirdLife East Gippsland. This will be a
wonderful opportunity to show the public some of the fabulous
birds of our region and the artistic and technical skills of our club
photographers.
The book Birds of the Gippsland Lakes: Caring for their
Habitat, which our club prepared in collaboration with the East
Gippsland Landcare Network, was officially launched in March in
association with the Museum of Victoria Bioscan of the Gippsland
Lakes, hosted by the Gippsland Lakes Ministerial Advisory
Committee. The book has been well-received by Landcare
members and others who have seen it. This is another great
outcome from our ongoing collaborative work with EGLN.
Our regular surveys continue for the Forge Creek habitat
restoration project and the wetland bird monitoring of the
Gippsland Lakes Important Bird and Biodiversity Area.
The next GLIBA surveys are due in mid June,
and anyone is welcome to join the teams at one
of our 21 survey sites around the Lakes.
The other day I saw a Noisy Friarbird in our
garden, a highly unusual find at this time of
year. Maybe this was yet another sign of the
unpredictability of seasonal cycles that we tend
to take for granted.
With the approach of winter we can normally
expect more subdued birding activity, but this
bird, seemingly out of place, underscored the
importance of observations that can be
contributed to the ongoing Atlas of Australian
Birds project.
Thanks to the efforts of our Recorder, Ian
Wright, and Field Recorder, Merryl Wright, our
group continues to make significant inputs into
the growing data base on the presence and
abundance of birds in our area – data that help
build an understanding of how birds are
responding to long-term ecological cycles
and climate change.
Happy birding!
Coming up on the 7th of June: Outdoor Classroom session #2
“All about nest boxes" with Roger Bilney.
The session will cover the importance of nest boxes. There will be demonstrations
of nest box installation, maintenance and monitoring.
Various nest box types will be available for purchase on the day.
When: 7th June 2015
Where: Forge Creek Reserve – Romawi Road
(Just after the bridge – Look for the sign)
Time:
10 am till 1pm - RSVP to facilitator by 4th June
Cost:
Suggested donation of $10 to GPCMN Peregrine Falcon Project.
What to bring:
Sturdy shoes, mosquito repellant, chair and a cup (Tea /Coffee will be provided)
Further information from Andy Booth, Facilitator Gippsland Plains CMN
Mob: 0457914606
www.gippslandplainscmn.org.au
2
www.facebook.com/gpcmn
June 2015
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Gippsland Lakes Boat Trip: 4 May 2015 – Merryl Wright
In the middle of a period of seemingly endless days of
rain and wind, we scored a cracker of a day for our
autumn cruise of the Gippsland Lakes. There were 33
members and friends on board Motor Vessel ‘Lonsdale’
from Eco Tours when we departed Cunninghame Arm,
Lakes Entrance for our 3-hour trip to Metung and return.
The sun was shining, the sky was blue and there was
barely a breath of wind as Captain Tony took the boat
firstly into the mouth of the ocean entrance itself for us
to see the Australian Fur Seals basking on the rocks of
the sea wall.
Our trip then took us to Shaving Point, Metung and back
to Lakes Entrance via Barrier Landing, Fraser, Flanagan
and Rigby Islands, Nungurner, Chinaman’s Creek, Box’s
Creek, Boole Poole Peninsula, and Reeves Channel. The
upper and lower viewing decks were the places to be for
sightings of 66 different species of birds including all four
of the local cormorant species and an Australasian
Darter, both Australian Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers
and five raptor species.
There were also two sightings of Hooded Plovers with
one adult pair spotted on sandy Rigby Island, and a
second pair including an immature bird, seen on nearby
Flanagan Island. As the boat was able to get quite close
to shore, the species count also included many bush and
forest birds – honeyeaters, rosellas, cockatoos, wrens,
and pardalotes – even a Scarlet Robin and an Eastern
Whipbird.
View of Metung from the top deck. Photo Merryl Wright
It was a wonderful morning, and after disembarking at
Lakes Entrance, many of the group stayed on for a lunch
of fish and chips in the sunshine on the foreshore.
First Mate Luke serves hot scones with strawberries and cream to Ron
Mackenzie. Photo Merryl Wright
Spring Camp 2015
Mary and Varo Dharmarajah. Photo Merryl Wright
June 2015
This camp will be held in the Pambula area in
October. Plans for accommodation and birding
locations and outings will be finalised in due
course and will be published in the next edition
of The Chat in early September.
Len and Jacquie Axen will lead the birding
outings with support from John and Pam
Hutchison and Gary and Judith Smith, and
promotion and bookings will be organised by
Merryl Wright.
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Marlo Musings – Autumn 2015 - Len and Jacquie Axen
February
70+ White-throated Needletail were seen moving eastwards ahead of an approaching thunderstorm over Marlo last
night (14/2). A Sunday drive along the Marlo Plains road recorded observations of a Brush Bronzewing and yet another
Turquoise Parrot ( 15/2), while Greg McCarthy (DELWP Orbost) “trumped” everyone with his sighting and photograph
of a Powerful Owl on the outskirts of Marlo.
We counted another 250+ Needletails around Willis Avenue (18/2) prior to sunset. Not to be outdone, Jacquie
“gazumped” us all by locating a Regent Honeyeater in our birdbath (21/2). Subsequent information from Dean
Ingwersen (BirdLife Australia) suggests that it was “an ageing male”. As the Southern Mahogany gums began to
flower, large flocks of Rainbow and Musk Lorikeet appeared around Marlo, while a trip into the “high country” around
the Nunniong State Forest noted the presence of Rufous Songlark.
March
Journeying further west we recorded a Peregrine
Falcon near the Lucknow roundabout and a pair
of Wedge-tailed Eagle at Wiseleigh (1/3).
Unusual sightings continued around Willis
Avenue, where Jacquie observed an immature
Noisy Friarbird feeding in our neighbour’s front
garden (3/3) and a White-headed Pigeon in
“our” flowering Mahogany Gum later that same
afternoon. In the same tree (4/3) a pair of
Scarlet Honeyeater was recorded feeding
amongst the outer branches.
After receiving some accurate directions from
David McKenzie, visiting Queensland “birdo”,
John Houssenloge flushed another Ground Parrot
from the margins of the Marlo Aerodrome (4/3).
White-headed Pigeon, Genoa. Photo John Beekman
So called “autumn birds” began returning to Marlo; prominent among them include, Pied Currawong, Golden Whistler,
Grey Shrike-thrush, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo and the Australian King-Parrot. Sizeable numbers of Yellow-faced
Honeyeater still occur. Lewin’s Honeyeaters continue to feed amongst the blossom and the Regent Honeyeater returned
for a brief visit to the birdbath (7/3).
The BLEG autumn camp centred around Yarram accounted for a number of personal highlights including; Eastern Curlew
(Mann’s Beach 15/3), Striated Fieldwren (Jack Smith SGR 16/3), Common Sandpiper (Robertson’s Beach 16/3), Pacific
Golden Plover (McLoughlin’s Beach 17/3), Crested Shrike-tit (Agnes Falls 18/3), Pink Robin (Cyathea Falls 19/3) and
400-500 White-throated Needletails (Tarra-Bulga NP, Balook 19/3) depending on who was counting.
John Saxton recorded 5 Swift Parrots flying overhead at Nicholson during the week and Greg Mc Carthy (DELWP Orbost)
again located “The” Beach Stone-curlew near the mouth of the Snowy River (20/3). Mike Irvine (PV) and Tony Mitchell
(DELWP Orbost) noted 10 Hooded Plovers including 5 juveniles between West Cape Conran and the entrance while on
patrol.
A very long day’s trip into areas north of Buchan (22/3) recorded Brown Falcon at Murrindal, Rufous Whistler at
Gelantipy as well as Pink-eared Duck and Australasian Shoveler on a large dam at Wulgulmerang. John Saxton noted
a pair of Turquoise Parrots while negotiating the narrow section of road near the bottom of Ballantyne’s Gap and Suggan
Buggan displayed an array of “rainshadow” species including, Yellow-tufted and Fuscous Honeyeater, Diamond Firetail,
Peaceful Dove and Hooded Robin that same afternoon.
The BLEG outing to Lake Bunga (23/3) accounted for 9 species of ducks on the waste water treatment plant including
the threatened Blue-billed and Freckled Duck.
April
White-throated Needletail sightings ceased by the beginning of April, but unusual observations still occurred around “the
birdbath” in Willis Avenue. A Little Friarbird (2/4) was seen drinking there in the company of Red Wattlebirds around
midday. Spotlighting in the Tara Range, Lucas Bluff and Tony Mitchell (DELWP) recorded Powerful Owl, White-throated
and Owlet Nightjar. Travelling further east, we sighted a pair of Turquoise Parrots on the Cabbage Tree- Cape Conran
road and parties of Gang-gang Cockatoos at Noorinbee and Wingan River (4/4) plus a group of 5 adult Hooded Plover
on the ocean beach at the Betka River (5/4) but no sign of flagged bird MK.
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Marlo Musings – Autumn 2015 - Len and Jacquie Axen
The Peaceful Dove that Jacquie heard “doodle-dooing” on Monday finally
made an appearance on our television antenna this afternoon (9/4). A
Saturday sojourn in the Lake Tyers State Park (11/4) produced 9 Spotted
Quail-thrush from along the margins of the road leading into Lonely Bay with
further sightings of this species on Coulsen’s Track (13/4) and in the Mottle
Range Flora Reserve (14/4). Marlo’s Brown Goshawk continued to wage its
private war on Common Blackbirds with another successful strike (15/4)
while a conversation with local landowner Chas Priestley was noteworthy for
his continued observations of an Australasian Bittern in the Cabbage Tree
Lagoon which abuts his property.
A White-bellied Sea-Eagle was recorded along Holloway’s Road, Buchan
South (23/4) while surveying suitable sites for the BLEG outing on the
following Monday. Miserable weather conditions in Marlo (25/4) accompanied
by strong winds and torrential rain produced the unusual sight of a large
party of Dusky Woodswallows sheltering in the Southern Mahoganies along
Willis Avenue for most of the afternoon. Personal highlights from the BLEG
outing (27/4) included an Olive-backed Oriole at the Buchan Caves Reserve
and plenty of photo opportunities on Holloway’s Road courtesy of obliging
Scarlet Robins and Restless Flycatchers.
A day trip to Cape Conran and beyond (28/4) noted 5 Sooty
Oystercatchers feeding on the rocks at Sailor’s Grave, while the Bemm
River Recreation Reserve provided extended views of a Bassian Thrush.
While working in the garden today (29/4) our attention was drawn to a
Peaceful Dove heard calling from the top of our neighbour’s television aerial;
presumably the same bird that Jacquie initially heard earlier this month.
Accipiter 1 v Turdus 0
Brown Goshawk. Photo Len Axen
May
Heavy rainfall upstream on the Snowy and Brodribb Rivers created another
minor flood warning and extensive flooded pastures adjacent to the OrbostMarlo Road. Large flocks of Straw-necked Ibis, Australian White Ibis,
Australian Shelduck and Black Swan soon took advantage of these situations.
The number of Sooty Oystercatchers at Sailor’s Grave had increased to 7
(5/5) while a walk around the Yeerung Nature Trail (6/5) was highlighted by
observations of an adult pair of Hooded Plovers and extended views of 2
Bassian Thrush as they continued to feed as we walked along behind them.
Later that same day, a Black-faced Cormorant was observed on the rock
outcrops near the ocean access boat ramp at West Cape Conran. More wild
weather along the East Gippsland coastline didn’t deter “our” Beach-stone
Curlew though; Gail Wright (Parks Victoria, Orbost) photographed it among
the piles of kelp at Sailor’s Grave (8/5). It is now some 15+ months since it
was first encountered near Mots Beach, Jan 2014.
Bassian Thrush on Yerrung Nature Trail
Photo by Jacquie Axen
Sooty Oystercatchers feeding on the rocks at Sailor’s Grave. Photo Len Axen
June 2015
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Yarram Camp 16-20 March 2015 – Merryl Wright
BirdLife East Gippsland based its 2015 Autumn camp at
Yarram in late March. This was the group’s third visit to
this area over the past six years providing an
opportunity to compare species and bird numbers across
seasons. Yarram is central to a range of diverse habitats
from the wader and water bird mudflats of Corner Inlet,
to the temperate rainforest of the Tarra Valley.
Using Rosebank Tourist Park in Yarram as our base, we
visited 15 sites over four days, recording 134 species
and over 11,000 individual birds with some unusual
sightings such as Gull-billed Tern, Eastern Curlew,
Whimbrel and - a first for many - a group of 26 Pacific
Golden Plover on the mudflats at McLoughlins Beach.
There were initially 18 members from BirdLife East
Gippsland group at the camp – leaders John and Pam
Hutchison, Len and Jacquie Axen, Ian and Merryl Wright,
Varo and Mary Dharmarajah, Gary and Heather Cousens,
Pat McPherson, Kath Gallagher, Robert Wright, Rejane
Langlois, June Soutter, Joan Graves, Ron Mackenzie, and
Chris Healey. We were delighted when Yarram locals
and BLEG members Kaye and Roy Proudley met up with
us for Day 2 which began with a visit to Jack Smith
Lake, which they had been keen to explore.
Margaret Lo from BirdLife Melbourne also joined us for
the first three days of the camp, and Kath brought along
her friend Sara Irwin for a day.
The weather was fine, mild and clear for most of the
camp, although we experienced some strong, cold winds
at Port Albert on Monday afternoon. After lunch on
Thursday, the weather became hot and humid ahead of
an approaching cold front and the birds seemed to
disappear, so birders took the sensible path and headed
for shelter or home.
In the daily reports that follow, the number of species
recorded at each location follows the site name.
DAY 1: Monday 16 March
White Woman’s Waterhole (35), Port Albert (42),
Robertson’s Beach (38)
After lunch when everyone had arrived and settled in,
we drove to the dry eucalypt woodland of White
Woman’s Waterhole Reserve north of Yarram where we
encountered a range of bush birds including a Grey
Currawong, Rose Robin and Crested Shrike-tit. From
there, the group drove to the Port Albert Foreshore
armed with the Club’s scopes to check out the mudflats.
Hiawatha Falls. Photo Varo Dharmarajah
The wind had picked up to a brisk and very cold 25 knots, but the hardy team stuck it out and recorded 42 species of
waders and seabirds including 3 Eastern Curlews, 200 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2000 Black Swans, 55 White-faced Herons
and 50 Red-necked Stints. Many of these species were recorded again at nearby Robertson’s Beach with additional
sightings of a Gull-billed Tern, Common Sandpiper and around 1000 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. A great list to finish the
day before our first ‘happy hour’ of the camp.
DAY 2: Tuesday 17 March
Jack Smith Lake Game Reserve bush track (28), Jack Smith Lake wetland and coastal lagoon (31), Woodside Beach
(19), McLaughlin’s Beach (29)
Leaving Yarram after breakfast, we headed to the northern section of Jack Smith Lake Game Reserve to the east of
Yarram, where we first explored the bushland area before moving to the marshland tucked in behind the sandy coastal
dunes of Ninety Mile Beach. We were a week ahead of the opening of the duck hunting season, but the birds must
know a thing or two because we only saw about 200 ducks in total, mostly Chestnut Teal.
We had been lucky enough to have spotted a Blue-winged Parrot on our last visit in 2013, but disappointingly, not this
time. The most interesting records here were White-fronted Chat, a Lewin’s Rail (heard but not seen) and a good
number of raptors including Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-capped Plover, Double-banded Plover, and a Wedge-tailed
Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Nankeen Kestrel and a White-bellied Sea Eagle.
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Yarram Camp 16-20 March 2015
We moved on to Woodside Beach for lunch where there
was not much happening except a large group of 35
White-browed Scrubwrens in the coastal scrub. On to
nearby McLoughlin’s Beach at the eastern end of Corner
Inlet, where far and away the most exciting event of the
camp was a group of 26 Pacific Golden Plovers poking
around on the tidal mudflats. There was a queue to use
the club scopes for a look at these beautiful waders – a
first for most of the birders.
McLaughlin’s Beach also has a great boardwalk through
the heathland where once again the photographers could
not get enough of the Striated Fieldwrens (14 this year)
and White-fronted Chats. Everyone was reluctant to
return to base after such a good day.
DAY 3: Wednesday 18 March
Hiawatha Falls Reserve (42), Agnes Falls (20), Port
Franklin (26), Toora and Toora Bird Hide (22)
On our previous visit in 2013, weather had been against
us on the day planned for these sites, so the group was
really pleased to have a fine, mild and sunny day this
year. We began with a visit to Hiawatha Falls Reserve,
which was full of great birds. Some of our more intrepid
members pushed into the bush above the falls to find 5
Large-billed Scrubwrens.
Other highlights were an Olive Whistler, Fan-tailed
Cuckoo, three Rose Robins and a young Grey Currawong
calling to be fed.
Lunch at Agnes Falls was fairly quiet and some of us
were already in our cars ready to leave when a couple of
Crested Shrike-tits decided to swing about in the foliage
- an opportunity not to be missed by the photographers.
Southern Boobook Port Franklin. Photo Varo Dharmarajah
After that excitement, we travelled to Port Franklin
where there is a viewing platform looking out over the
mangroves and a boardwalk through coastal scrub and
heathland. From the boardwalk, Rejane spotted a
Southern Boobook sitting quietly only a metre from
the birders, providing another great photo opportunity.
We ended our birding with a visit to the bird hide at
Toora, but the breeze had picked up and turned a bit
chilly. We needed to use the scopes again but it was still
difficult with the birds often just a bit far away and our
eyes watering in the cold air. We were rewarded with
sightings of 10 Sooty Oystercatchers, more Red-necked
Stints, and a Swamp Harrier.
In the evening we went to the Yarram Club Hotel for the
Camp dinner, with lovely meals enjoyed in the
Glasshouse Bistro.
DAY 4: Thursday 19 March
Tarra River (27), Tarra Valley Cyathea Falls Picnic Area (16), Bulga - Tarra Bulga NP (10), Tarra Bulga NP Visitor
Centre (10)
Our goal for the day was Tarra-Bulga National Park, with a couple of planned stops on the way. There was a short stop
along the road beside the Tarra River, which we were reluctant to move on from, with several interesting records taken
– 8 Brown Gerygones, 7 Rose Robins, 4 Mistletoe Birds, just one Brown-headed Honeyeater and a very vocal Superb
Lyrebird. Morning tea was at the Tarra Valley Picnic Area where we saw a good range of bush birds, the standout being
a male Pink Robin.
The group moved on to Tarra-Bulga National Park, visiting various sections with short birding walks at each. As on
previous visits the park was pretty quiet as far as birds go with only 14 species recorded, but the rainforest walks were
beautiful. The lunch break at the Visitor Centre provided one of the most amazing events of our trip when around 400
(could have been more) White-throated Needletails circled above our heads for 15 minutes or more, hunting for insects
ahead of a front that was gathering strength. What an impressive sight!
The same front ended our day as the weather firstly turned hot and humid, then cold with rain. Luckily, we had just
about completed the program, and with some members already headed home, the rest of us returned to Port Albert for
fish and chips, only to be caught out again with cold wind and rain, leaving us huddled under shelter in a nearby park to
finish our last ‘happy hour’.
In addition to the 15 sites visited, birds seen at Yarram and en route to the birding locations were added to our count
including a White-necked Heron, one Latham’s Snipe and an Emu running along the roadside. The most numerous
species seen over the four days were Black Swans (over 5000), Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (around 1000) and of course
the White-throated Needletails.
Special thanks go to the Camp leaders John and Pam Hutchison for a thoroughly enjoyable Camp. Thanks also go to our
recorders Merryl and Ian Wright, with all bird records from this camp forwarded for inclusion in the Atlas of Australian
Birds database.
June 2015
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Emu
Red-capped Plover
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Black Swan
Masked Lapwing
White-eared Honeyeater
Australian Shelduck
Latham's Snipe
Noisy Miner
Australian Wood Duck
Bar-tailed Godwit
Little Wattlebird
Australasian Shoveler
Whimbrel
Red Wattlebird
Grey Teal
Eastern Curlew
White-fronted Chat
Chestnut Teal
Common Sandpiper
Crescent Honeyeater
Pacific Black Duck
Common Greenshank
New Holland Honeyeater
Australasian Grebe
Red-necked Stint
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Hoary-headed Grebe
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
White-naped Honeyeater
Rock Dove
Little Tern
Eastern Whipbird
Spotted Dove
Gull-billed Tern
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Common Bronzewing
Caspian Tern
Crested Shrike-tit
Wonga Pigeon
Whiskered Tern
Olive Whistler
White-throated Needletail
Crested Tern
Golden Whistler
Little Pied Cormorant
Pacific Gull
Grey Shrike-thrush
Great Cormorant
Silver Gull
Dusky Woodswallow
Little Black Cormorant
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Grey Butcherbird
Pied Cormorant
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Australian Magpie
Black-faced Cormorant
Galah
Pied Currawong
Australian Pelican
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Grey Currawong
White-necked Heron
Rainbow Lorikeet
Rufous Fantail
Eastern Great Egret
Musk Lorikeet
Grey Fantail
White-faced Heron
Australian King Parrot
Willie Wagtail
Little Egret
Crimson Rosella
Australian Raven
Australian White Ibis
Eastern Rosella
Forest Raven
Straw-necked Ibis
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Little Raven
Royal Spoonbill
Southern Boobook
Leaden Flycatcher
Black Shouldered Kite
Laughing Kookaburra
Magpie Lark
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Superb Lyrebird
Jacky Winter
Brown Goshawk
White-throated Treecreeper
Scarlet Robin
Collared Sparrowhawk
Superb Fairy-wren
Rose Robin
Swamp Harrier
Pilotbird
Pink Robin
Wedge-tailed Eagle
White-browed Scrubwren
Eastern Yellow Robin
Nankeen Kestrel
Large-billed Scrubwren
Silvereye
Brown Falcon
Striated Fieldwren
Welcome Swallow
Peregrine Falcon
Brown Gerygone
Common Blackbird
Purple Swamphen
Striated Thornbill
Common Starling
Lewin's Rail
Yellow Thornbill
Common Myna
Dusky Moorhen
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Mistletoebird
Eurasian Coot
Brown Thornbill
Red-browed Finch
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Spotted Pardalote
House Sparrow
Sooty Oystercatcher
Striated Pardalote
Australasian Pipit
Banded Stilt
Eastern Spinebill
European Goldfinch
Pacific Golden Plover
Lewin's Honeyeater
Total Species
Total Birds
8
134
11,321
June 2015
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A new sighting on Raymond Island – Article and photos Varo Dharmarajah
A sighting of a White-cheeked Honeyeater was
made on the morning of 7 March between
8.30am and 9.00am on Raymond Island near
Paynesville.
The White-cheeked Honeyeater is well beyond
its ‘normal’ historical range, which is south to
somewhat short of the NSW border. HANZAB
notes only a few records of vagrants for
Victoria, mainly in the Mallacoota area.
This is surely a Highly Significant Record!
The photos with two birds show a Whitecheeked and a New Holland together: note the
different pattern of black and white on the
face, and the white iris of the New Holland,
dark iris in the White-cheeked.
So far only one individual has been seen. It
was hanging around with 4-6 New Holland
Honeyeaters, but has not been seen since
then.
Great find!!!
Come and try birding at Macleod Morass - Queen’s Birthday Holiday
On Monday 8 June, the Queen’s Birthday public holiday, BirdLife East Gippsland will be exploring Macleod Morass at
Bairnsdale. Macleod Morass is an internationally significant wetland (as part of the Gippsland Lakes), playing host to
migratory waterbirds as well as local species. In March last year an exceptional 82 different bird species were recorded
at the Morass in one morning, but usually around 50 species can be seen there. These include several species of ducks,
cormorants, ibis, spoonbills and reed dwellers such as the purple swamphen and dusky moorhen, with frequent
sightings of both Spotted and Spotless Crakes. Wrens, robins, honeyeaters and rosellas can be found in the surrounding
bushland. The Morass is also good hunting ground for raptors and there are regular sightings of Swamp Harriers,
Whistling Kites, Wedge-tailed Eagles and Black-shouldered Kites among others.
Anyone who might be in this area on this day is invited to join in with visitors, local birders and bird photographers for
what is always a friendly and fun morning. Please arrive at 8.50 am as the walk will leave promptly at 9.00 am from the
main entrance to the Morass which can be accessed via Bosworth Road, Bairnsdale. There will be a break for morning
tea and we will finish at lunchtime. Of course you know to wear sensible clothing and closed shoes, hat, and bring your
own thermos and food for morning tea and lunch, and a folding chair if possible. If you plan to be there, please give
Merryl Wright a call or email so that we know not to leave without you. (Contact details below)
BirdLife East Gippsland is more than pleased with the success of its community ‘come and try’ guided birding walks on
public holidays. As well as locals, these days have attracted people holidaying in the Gippsland Lakes area and we have
signed up several new members who have enjoyed their birding experience. Contact: Merryl Wright.
June 2015
9
The
Chat
Conservation News– Brian Martin
RAMSAR management plan – Gippsland Lakes
A draft management plan was released for public
comment on Thursday 7 May. BLEG has been involved in
the preparation of the plan through the Technical
Advisory Group. The primary objective of the plan is 'To
maintain, and where necessary improve, the ecological
character of the Gippsland Lakes RAMSAR site and
promote wise use'. Briefings were held in Sale on
Wednesday 20 May and Bairnsdale on Thursday 21 May.
Submissions are due on 5 June 2015.
Bioscan
The Museum of Victoria conducted six field days in the
East Gippsland region in February and March 2015. The
project aimed to bring together community groups, the
public and Museum Victoria scientists in surveying,
documenting and showcasing the rich wildlife of the
Gippsland Lakes region. Surveys were undertaken at
Sale Common, Stratford, Nyerimilang and Log Crossing.
BirdLife East Gippsland was requested to contribute to
these surveys and was represented at the surveys.
Victorian duck season 2015
The duck season opened on 21 March for 12 weeks.
BirdLife National Office and BL Victoria Conservation
Network requested BLEG to undertake surveys prior to
the opening of the season. Surveys were done at Lakes
Guyatt/Guthridge, Hollands Landing, Macleod Morass
and Jones Bay.
Bosworth Road Bridge, Bairnsdale
In about September 2014 we were made aware that
East Gippsland Shire Council intended to upgrade
Saleyards Road and its bridge where it runs alongside
the Macleod Morass. The concerns from our point-ofview were that heavy truck traffic might adversely affect
wildlife in Macleod Morass and that access to the Morass
would be affected. We understand the project has been
suspended due to Public pressure.
EPA workshop on water quality – Gippsland Lakes
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria held a
forum in Bairnsdale on 15 April 2015 to discuss their
work on long-term trends in water quality in the
Gippsland Lakes. Water quality indicators, conceptual
models of the physical and biological characteristics of
the Lakes, and scenario modelling for issues such as
Blue-green algae (Nodularia) blooms will form part of
this work. The study will provide the basis for a revision
of water quality objectives for the Lakes as laid down in
the State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of
Victoria), schedule F3 and schedule F5 (SEPP).
The work will be in four stages:
• assessment of a community vision - in progress
• a review of monitoring literature - review completed
• data - in progress
• scenario modelling - in progress.
The Gippsland Lakes have been divided into six
segments for modelling purposes but this may be
modified after receiving public consultation.
10
It would appear that the biological and hydrological
characteristics of the Lakes are reasonably well known at
this time and that our understanding of, say, algal
blooms may not have changed significantly since the
CSIRO study of 1998.
The ten scenarios being used for modelling include a
base case, widening of the existing entrance,
construction of a second entrance, effects of climate
change and various nutrient management options.
The connection between bird populations and water
quality in the Lakes is complex and very hard to quantify
so it is unlikely that it will form part of the revised SEPP.
The EPA will rely on other government directives/policies
such as the forthcoming RAMSAR management plan.
BirdLife Victoria Conservation Committee
Meetings are held monthly, mainly by correspondence or
tele-conference. At the April meeting the issue of logging
at the Mt Kuark Forest, East Gippsland, was on the
agenda. Mt Kuark is about 30 km north of Cabbage Tree
Creek and 30 km west of Club Terrace.
There is a protest being organised by the Goongerah
Environment Centre and there is a Supreme Court case
being brought by Environment East Gippsland in the
Supreme Court against logging this area.
Coal seam gas
In March we were contacted by a group called Gasfield
Free Bairnsdale who offered the opportunity for BLEG to
participate in their mid-April protest event. After some
discussion we declined on the basis that we did not know
much about the promoters and that participation
was not appropriate at this time. Notwithstanding, coal
seam gas extraction in East Gippsland is an ongoing
concern.
Bridge St, Bairnsdale, rising sewer main
East Gippsland Water is constructing a sewer main from
Bridge St, Bairnsdale, to the wastewater treatment
plant. This matter has been examined in the past and
thought not to be threatening to Macleod Morass. The
works have Commonwealth and State approval.
Possible funding for East Gippsland
The Director, BirdLife Australia, is seeking discussion
with BLEG on involvement in funding for projects in the
region. We received the following information from
BirdLife National Office:
Hugh Williamson presently fund Beach Nesting Birds and
we have a funding application with them in the pipeline
for Fairy Terns for 2016.
Hugh Williamson Foundation focuses on multiple
projects, across arts, the environment, scholarships and
community leadership. Bug Blitz who are funded by the
Hugh Williamson Foundation are looking to run a Field
Day at Heart Morass during Bird Week, partly to launch
the Rotamah Bird Observatory (also funded by
Williamson), and they would like us to participate.
June 2015
The
Chat
Conservation News– Brian Martin
This could require a small amount of time to work
together with Birdlife Australia, Bug Blitz and
other conservation groups in the area to attend their
field day during Bird Week in October.
Gunaikurnai Joint Mangement Plan
Ten parks and reserves in East Gippsland will be jointly
managed by Parks Victoria and the
Gunaikurnai as part of the Gunaikurnai native title
settlement package. They are:
• The Knob Reserve, Stratford
• Tarra-Bulga National Park
• Mitchell River National Park
• The Lakes National Park
• Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park
• New Guinea Cave (within Snowy River National Park)
• Land within the Lake Tyers Catchment Area
• Buchan Caves Reserve
• Gippsland Lakes Reserve at Raymond Island
• Corringle Foreshore Reserve.
The form and priorities of joint management will be
documented in a Joint Management Plan.
BirdLife Australia has made a submission on issues and
opportunities that should be considered in the plan.
Capturing White-throated Needletails, Tarra-Bulga Park. Photo Pam Hutchison
Unusual sightings for East Gippsland – Ian Wright
April 9
Peaceful Dove from Marlo. As this report in
fact was written by Len and Jacquie Axen,
there is more detail elsewhere in this issue.
April 15
Swift Parrots sighted on Raymond Island.
BLEG member Robert Wright reported 20 or
so Swift Parrots which were still there the
next day. Robert’s photograph was about as
good as any of us managed as these little
birds are indeed quite swift.
They had moved on by the time Birdlife East
Gippsland visited the island on April 20.
May 8
Rose-crowned Fruit Dove reported at Marlo
Airport by R Cartland and C Mcrae. As this
bird flew into a building and expired, the
twitchers were spared a rushed trip to Marlo.
Birdline gave the sighting two stars.
Swift Parrot on Raymond Island. Photo Robert Wright
As I have not yet found how to look back more than 30 days on Birdline, I will be more observant in the future.
More than a couple of our members have commented on seeing Cattle Egrets recently in fairly small flocks (by Cattle
Egret standards). They have been sighted in the horse paddock on the Highway near the Rail Trail crossing, and near
Metung. They don’t appear to stay in one place for long.
All of the above suggests a quiet time in East Gippsland. Members should feel free to let me know of interesting
sightings, either point me to a Birdline report or let me know of what could be an interesting observation.
June 2015
11
The
Chat
Species List for birds recorded in Autumn 2015
Emu
Peregrine Falcon
Noisy Miner
Musk Duck
Purple Swamphen
Little Wattlebird
Freckled Duck
Dusky Moorhen
Red Wattlebird
Black Swan
Eurasian Coot
White-fronted Chat
Australian Shelduck
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Scarlet Honeyeater
Australian Wood Duck
Sooty Oystercatcher
Crescent Honeyeater
Pink-eared Duck
Red-capped Plover
New Holland Honeyeater
Australasian Shoveler
Black-fronted Dotterel
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Grey Teal
Hooded Plover
White-naped Honeyeater
Chestnut Teal
Masked Lapwing
Eastern Whipbird
Pacific Black Duck
Caspian Tern
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Blue-billed Duck
Crested Tern
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike
Australasian Grebe
Pacific Gull
Olive Whistler
Hoary-headed Grebe
Silver Gull
Golden Whistler
Great Crested Grebe
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Rufous Whistler
Rock Dove
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Grey Shrike-thrush
Spotted Dove
Galah
Olive-backed Oriole
Common Bronzewing
Little Corella
Dusky Woodswallow
Crested Pigeon
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Grey Butcherbird
Wonga Pigeon
Rainbow Lorikeet
Australian Magpie
Tawny Frogmouth
Musk Lorikeet
Pied Currawong
Short-tailed Shearwater
Australian King Parrot
Grey Currawong
Australasian Gannet
Crimson Rosella
Grey Fantail
Australasian Darter
Eastern Rosella
Willie Wagtail
Little Pied Cormorant
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
Australian Raven
Great Cormorant
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Forest Raven
Little Black Cormorant
Azure Kingfisher
Little Raven
Pied Cormorant
Laughing Kookaburra
Restless Flycatcher
Black-faced Cormorant
Sacred Kingfisher
Magpie Lark
Australian Pelican
Superb Lyrebird
White-winged Chough
White-necked Heron
White-throated Treecreeper
Jacky Winter
Eastern Great Egret
Satin Bowerbird
Scarlet Robin
Cattle Egret
Superb Fairy-wren
Flame Robin
White-faced Heron
White-browed Scrubwren
Rose Robin
Little Egret
Weebill
Eastern Yellow Robin
Nankeen Night Heron
Striated Thornbill
Golden-headed Cisticola
Australian White Ibis
Yellow Thornbill
Silvereye
Straw-necked Ibis
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Welcome Swallow
Royal Spoonbill
Buff-rumped Thornbill
Tree Martin
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Brown Thornbill
Common Blackbird
Black Shouldered Kite
Spotted Pardalote
Common Starling
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Striated Pardalote
Common Myna
Whistling Kite
Eastern Spinebill
Mistletoebird
Brown Goshawk
Lewin's Honeyeater
Red-browed Finch
Swamp Harrier
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
House Sparrow
Wedge-tailed Eagle
White-eared Honeyeater
European Goldfinch
Little Eagle
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
Speckled Warbler
Brown Falcon
Bell Miner
Total Species
Total Birds
12
143
5,163
June 2015
The
Chat
Autumn Birding 2015 – Merryl Wright
Goodness, we had a busy time this autumn visiting 24
sites on Monday outings, recording 143 species and
5163 individual birds.
If you add this together with our records for the Yarram
camp in March, the grand total is 170 species and 6,484
birds. (The Camp records are reported elsewhere in this
edition of The Chat).
Despite some wild Autumn weather, Mondays always
seemed to come through with just a couple of outings
cut short as rain closed in. The two locations where
most species were recorded during Monday outings this
autumn were during the Gippsland Lakes Boat Trip (66)
and Lake Bunga (63).
The WTP at Lake Bunga was full of waterbirds – Musk,
Freckled, Blue-billed, Pink-eared and Pacific Duck,
Hardhead and Shoveler as well as Chestnut and Grey
Teal. One of the most interesting sightings was of 6
Weebills on Raymond Island – not often seen these
days.
Above, Freckled Duck, Below Chestnut Teal. Photos Leah Beekman
Sites visited on our regular Monday outings
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The old Quarry
Colquhoun Forest
Log Crossing
Mt Elizabeth
Collins Road
Sandy Creek Rd
Picnic Point Reserve
Lake Bunga
Cherry Tree
Burnt Bridge
Bruthen Rail Trail
Snobs/Buntine Road
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Lindenow South
Lindenow
Raymond Island
Buchan Caves Reserve
Buchan South
Canni Creek Golf Course
Gippsland Lakes Boat Cruise
Nowa Nowa Trestle Bridge
Costicks Weir
Nowa Nowa Reserve
Centre Goon Nure Road
Wattle Point
When the birds are quiet – we can look for Fungi – Leah Beekman
During the months of April and May, and with plenty of rain falling, fungi started to appear. When the birds are not
calling and are hiding out because of the winds, it is time to start looking down along the roadside to see what is
growing there.
During our birding walk at Trestle Bridge, I discovered a beautiful collection of Cortinarius Archeri, amongst leaf
debris. This was my first sighting, so I was very excited, as were others in our group. Cameras appeared out of
nowhere and many clicks were heard.
Enjoy the small variety of fungi photos I have taken
on recent Monday outings!
Austropaxillus infundibuliformis
June 2015
Cortinarius archeri
13
The
Chat
Invitation to photographers
The East Gippsland Art Gallery in Bairnsdale is hosting a community arts event from 25 June to 29 July 2015
on the theme of ‘The Bird, the Bush and the Birdwatcher’
This is a collaborative project between East Gippsland Art Gallery (EGAG), BirdLife East Gippsland, the Picnic Point,
Bairnsdale Urban and Eastwood Landcare Groups and Nyerimilang Heritage Park.
The project aims to highlight the diverse habitats of the local East Gippsland environment, the rich birdlife of the region,
the skills of East Gippsland artists and photographers and the practical work of BirdLife East Gippsland and Landcare
groups in support of our local birds and their habitats.
As part of the gallery-based exhibition of creative works at the East Gippsland Art Gallery in Nicholson Street,
Bairnsdale, there will be a display of photographs of East Gippsland birds by members of BirdLife East Gippsland.
You are invited to submit photographs for inclusion in the display.
Exhibition space is limited so the organizing committee cannot guarantee that all submitted photos will be hung.
However, we plan to include a digital slide-show of additional images.
Guidelines for submissions:
1. Entries are limited to current members of BirdLife East Gippsland.
2. All photos should be consistent with the aims of the project outlined above and have been taken in the BirdLife
East Gippsland region.
3. Entrants may submit a maximum of FOUR images. There is no entry fee for submissions. Please note that
limitations of space make it unlikely that all images submitted will be hung.
4. Entries must be submitted as digital files in JPEG format by e-mail to Chris Healey (Convenor BLEG Exhibition
Working Party) at felkit@wideband.net.au (no huge files, please!)
5. Deadline for submission of entries is WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2015
6. Selection of images will be based on a combination of factors, including the number of photographers, subject
matter, available display space, image quality, artistic merit.
7. EGAG is responsible for the final decisions about which photos will be exhibited.
8. All images must be printable as A4 or A3 size. Please clearly indicate preferred size of print image.
9. BLEG will print images on behalf of photographers, on good quality glossy A4 or A3 photo paper at no cost to
entrants. If you prefer to print your own images please contact Chris Healey.
10.BLEG will provide standard black mounts for images chosen for display. Please note that if images are sold or
you wish to keep mounts after the exhibition you will be required to reimburse BLEG the cost of mounts ($16.50
for A4, $27.50 for A3)
11.Works may be for sale or not for sale (NFS). Sale price must be nominated by the photographer, and EGAG will
take a 15% commission of the nominated price on any sales.
12.Each exhibit must include this information which will be added to the back of each printed work: Name of
photographer; Title of work &/or ID of bird represented; Location of photograph; Sale price or ‘NFS’ (not for sale)
13.Exhibitors are responsible for insurance cover; EGAG does not provide such cover.
14.BLEG will return any unsold prints to entrants after the conclusion of the exhibition.
Survey at Forge Creek, Barkhill Site. Photo Chris Healey
14
June 2015
The
Chat
Entry form – please photocopy this page or apply for a new form by email
Exhibition Entry Form
Photographic section ‘the bird, the bush and the birdwatcher’, EGAG, 25 June to 29 July 2015
Please complete this form to accompany your submission of digital photographs.
Note: we are able to accept only digital images submitted by email.
Deadline for entries is 10 June 2015, but it would help our planning if you could indicate an expression of
interest to participate in the exhibition ASAP to the email address below.
NAME
Email address
Regular mail address
Phone number
I wish to submit the following images for printing and display by BLEG at the Exhibition. I understand that
a selection process may be necessary and that there is no guarantee that my image(s) will be selected for
printing and display. Note: limit of FOUR images will be mounted per entrant.
Title of image
Species depicted
Location of
photo
Print size
(A4 or A3)
Sale
price/NFS*
1
2
3
4
*NFS: not for sale; EGAG takes 15% commission on any works sold. Your nominated price should take this into account
as well as the cost of mount to be paid to BLEG ($16.50 for A4, $27.50 for A3)
In the event that any of images are not selected for printing and hanging I give permission for them to be
included in the digital slide show which forms part of the exhibition:
YES
NO
In addition, I submit the following images (limit of 5) to be part of the proposed digital slide show:
Species depicted
Location of photo
1
2
3
4
5
Submit your entries no later than Wednesday 10th June 2015, by email to:
Chris Healey (Convenor of BLEG exhibition Working Party) at felkit@wideband.net.au
June 2015
15
The
Chat
Restless Flycatchers – Article and photos - John Hutchison
On a BirdLife East Gippsland regular Monday
outing to Buchan and the surrounding area on
27 May we came across four or five Restless
Flycatchers hunting insect prey in an early
afternoon sunny break along a quiet rural road.
In East Gippsland we are lucky to have three of
Australia’s five flycatcher species in the Myiagra
genus, the Satin, Leaden and Restless. The other
two Myiagra species are the Shinning and Broadbilled Flycatchers found only in tropical northern
Australia. In northern Australia the Satin,
Leaden and Restless are sedentary or locally
nomadic and in the southeast, particularly in East
Gippsland, the Satin and Leaden are summer
migrants while the Restless is more or less
resident all year round though some what nomadic
outside of the breeding season.
After many days of cold, wet and
overcast weather the sun was out at
last and the birders and flycatchers
were making the most of the
conditions. No doubt hunger drove
the birds to catch up after a lean
period.
The flycatchers were using the farm
fences along the road as perches to
look for prey in the grass. At times
they hovered above the grass while
making their distinctive grinding,
churring sounds that are thought to
disturb insects into movement.
The grinding sound is the basis of an
old common name for the Restless
Flycatcher, “Scissors Grinder”, still
used with affection by some to name
this attractive bird. I think the name
restless is also a good name, which
well describes this very active and
seldom still species.
Some of the birds were so intent on
chasing prey that they tolerated
reasonably close approach by a
number of photographers in our
group.
16
June 2015
The
Chat
Heyfield Birdwatchers Outings Report – Jack Winterbottom
5.3.2015 – Edward Hunter Reserve Moe
Six attended. Lunch at Churchill Hotel. Eventually hot coffees. On to the falls at the top end of the lovely Morwell River
valley. Pretty breezy and the falls made hearing the birds hard. Twenty-three species seen over the day. Standout was
the Rose Robin. Deidre, Peter and Jack saw a flock of several hundred Little Ravens on the way home. Thanks Peter for
organising the day and showing us a great spot.
Photos - Rose robin & group
2.4.2015 – Corner Creek Newry
Six intrepid birders, including one guest from East Bentleigh [Deidre’s grand-daughter], turned up at Newry Hotel at
9 with the winds blowing from the west at 45 Kph with gusts to 60! How could we see any birds at all? Only those
choosing to walk!
We saw 43 species with the standout today being the Diamond Firetail as an individual but .. John and Marg led us up
Kentucky Road and we stopped at a set of cattle yards on the top of a north-south ridge. This meant the eastern side
was protected quite well from the wind and a birding bonanza it turned out to be.
We stopped again on the return and saw Diamond Firetail, Scarlet Robin, Red-browed Finch, Jacky Winter, Willie
Wagtail, Tree Martin, Welcome Swallow, Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Fantail [in Ross’ face and he was NOT happy!],
Yellow-rumped Thornbill. Our walk around Nicholson Rocks was excellent if not brimming with birds. It was windy!
Heyfield Birdwatchers - Program for remainder of 2015
Date
Organiser
Details
Jack Winterbottom
Swallow Lagoon/Highway Reserve/Bush Family Reserve
June 04
Thu
July 02
Thu
July 20
Mon
Peter/Jack
Sale with BLEG – full day
Aug 13
Thu
LVFNC
Energy Australia Wetlands survey, Morwell
Sept 02
Thu
Sept 21
Mon
Peter/Jack
Maffra/Heyfield with BLEG – full day
Oct 01
Thu
Ross Stothers
Beverleys Road, Glenaladale
Nov 05
Thu
Peter Ware
Nangara Reserve, Jindivick
Dec 03
Thu
Gwyther Family
Heyfield Wetlands, BBQ Northpoint and walk
Contact Jack Winterbottom at jack@wbm.id.au
Ph. 0408 411 079
The Chat is published quarterly by BirdLife East Gippsland
PO Box 825 Bairnsdale, Victoria 3875
Contact The Editor at the above address or email: eastgippsland@birdlife.org.au
The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of the
Editor or BirdLife East Gippsland
Members are encouraged to submit articles of interest to birders for the next issue of The Chat.
Please email text to eastgippsland@birdlife.org.au or mail to the above address.
Deadline for the next edition: All articles and photos required by 16 August 2015
Text can be sent either as an attached Word file or simply typed into an email with a minimum of formatting. Use single line spacing and only one
space after full stops. There is really no size limit but there is a possibility of articles being reduced or changed at the editors’ discretion subject to
space restrictions and relevance or interest to birders. Writing style should be anecdotal or semi-formal. Articles are enhanced by relevant photos.
Digital photos are preferred but please do not paste photos into word files with articles. Please send photos as high quality JPEG files attached to
an email or via DVD or memory stick and always advise who took each photo.
June 2015
17
The
Chat
Schedule of Outings June - September 2015
No cancellations will be made except in the case of Total Fire Bans.
Outings are generally for half a day with morning tea and lunch.
Outings marked as Full Day include a normal morning outing with lunch,
with an option for an afternoon of birding in surrounding areas.
Outings dates marked # will be promoted to the broader community.
Meet:
Meet at 9am or alternative place and time by arrangement with the leader of the day.
Do not assume the meeting place will be the same as in previous years.
Bring:
Morning tea, lunch, folding chair, sunscreen, insect repellent, water and binoculars.
Enquiries: Leader of the day or Chris Healey, 5157 9036; or John Hutchison, 5156 8226.
Email:
Monday
eastgippsland@birdlife.org.au
Location
Leader
Meeting Place
Gary Cousens
Mt Taylor Hall
John Hutchison
Main Entrance via Bosworth Rd Bairnsdale
15 Jun Fairhope - Healey's Property
Chris Healey
110 Bellbird Rd Granite Rock
22 Jun Canni Creek
Len Axen
Canni Creek Racecourse
29 Jun Sarsfield
J & P Hutchison
90 High St Sarsfield
Ian Wright
Car Park, Port of Bairnsdale
13 Jul Nyerimilang Park
Camilla Manvell
Nyerimilang Park Entrance
20 Jul Sale - Full Day
Jack Winterbottom
Car Park Lake Gutheridge
27 Jul Lonely Bay
Chris Healey
Cnr Princes Hwy & Burnt Bridge Rd West
3 Aug Tambo Bay and Wetlands
Sue Welte
Cnr Metung Rd & Sardine Flat Rd
10 Aug Nowa Nowa/Wairewa
Ian Wright
Nowa Nowa Store
17 Aug Glasshouse/Petmans Beach
Chris Healey
Cnr Princes Hwy & Burnt Bridge Rd West
24 Aug Discovery Trail
Ken Sherring
Cnr Princes Hwy and Bruce Road
31 Aug Tambo Upper
Chris Healey
Cnr Princes Hwy & Metung Rd Swan Reach
Ian Wright
Cnr Princes Hwy & Sandfords Lane
Robert Wright
Burden Place off Paynesville Rd
1 Jun Bullumwaal
# 8 Jun
Macleod Morass
6 Jul Mitchell R. Walk/Eastwood wetland
7 Sep Nicholson Rail Trail
14 Sep Point Fullarton/Sunset Cove
18
June 2015