The Chat Sep 2, 2015

The
Chat
Newsletter of
BirdLife East Gippsland
Number 65 September 2015
The Bird, the Bush and the Birdwatcher
Contents
The East Gippsland Art Gallery in Bairnsdale recently hosted a multi-faceted
exhibition called ‘The Bird, the Bush and the Birdwatcher’. Considering the number of
artists, contributors and locations involved, it is hardly surprising that this intriguing
exhibition took the best part of eighteen months to organise, from its inception under
the leadership of former director Eileen Thurgood to its launch by current director Uli
Hasel.
2.
President’s Report
3.
Photography Exhibition
4.
A Couple of Favourites
5.
Winter Birding 2015
7.
Spring in England
The month-long program ran from 26 June to 28 July, and featured paintings,
photographs and ephemeral sculptures exploring the birds and bird habitats of East
Gippsland. Birdlife East Gippsland President Chris Healey spoke at the exhibition
opening, accompanied by local poet William Cotter who read from some of his works.
Featured artists included Gordon Bain, Helen Banks, Melinda Beacham, Sonia Grieve,
Robyn Hill, Josephine Jakobi, Tracey Johnson, Adelaide Macpherson and Tony Power.
8.
Norfolk Island Birds
The eastern room of the Gallery was devoted to a stunning photographic display by
members of Birdlife East Gippsland: this included 38 mounted prints of photographs
by 11 members as well as a digital slideshow with bird calls, prepared by Pam
Hutchison featuring over 80 photos by 22 members.
13. Heyfield Happennings
10. Paynesville students at Morass
11. Lake Bunga opens
11. Spring Camp 25 -29 October
12. Conservation News
14. Marlo Musings
15. Odd Birds
16. Review of Photo Exhibition
18. Newhaven Visit
19. Important events coming up
20. Schedule of Outings
Executive 2015
President
Chris Healey
5157 9036
Vice President
Ian Wright
The East wing of the gallery on opening night 26 June. Photo Jenny Carter
Secretary, Editor
Pam Hutchison
There was a great
response to the ‘People’s
Choice’ award, with
almost 300 votes lodged
in total. The images
shown evidently had
wide appeal for almost
every image was a first
choice of at least
someone. The stand-out
public choice was Ron
Mackenzie’s Spotted
Pardalote with its beak
full of nesting material
with 37 votes, followed
by Leah Beekman’s
‘Cattle Egret’. (Cont P 3)
5156 8108
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
Sue Welte
Len Axen
Jack Winterbottom
John Hutchison
People’s Choice winner, Spotted Pardalote. Photo Ron Mackenzie
On the web at: www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-east-gippsland
The
Chat
President’s Report - Chris Healey
There is a touch of spring in the air at last after a cold winter.
On our morning walks we have noted our local flock of choughs
building their big mud nest high in an old box tree, the Eastern
Rosellas are staking out their customary hollow tree stump in
the front paddock, and a pair of Scarlet Robins have built their
cleverly camouflaged nest in a stringybark that overhangs the
track.
While we can all look forward to the return of summer migrants
and breeding activity, the recent release by BirdLife Australia of
the latest report on the State of Australian Birds is sobering.
Some of our best-loved birds, like Laughing Kookaburra and
Magpie, have been found to be declining in parts of their range.
Because these are common birds, such declines are not readily
obvious to most casual observers. We don’t know yet how these
and similar common species may be faring in our area.
But we can all help by submitting observations to the ongoing
Atlas of Australian Birds project. One way is simply to join our
club’s regular birding outings on Mondays – all our observations
are entered into our electronic tablet in the field, then double
checked before being sent by our club Recorder, Ian Wright, to
the Atlas. BirdLife Australia is developing a Birdata mobile
phone application to make it easier for anyone to send atlas data
electronically from anywhere with access to the internet. The
developers of the app welcome volunteers to test the app and
provide feedback. I recently signed on, and found it a quick and
easy way to record bird surveys. Contact the club or National
Office if you want to test drive the app.
The recent exhibition at the East Gippsland Art Gallery on the
theme of ‘The Bird, the Birdwatcher and the Bush’ was a great
success, and gave the club some valuable exposure to the
general public. A report is included in this edition of the
newsletter.
Our club was approached by the Paynesville Primary School to
give a talk to their senior students on wetland birds and to
conduct guided bird walks at Macleod Morass. Member Jenny
Carter kindly agreed to make a classroom presentation on 28
July, which I also attended. Jenny’s session was superbly
delivered to a group of around 40 students -she managed to
hold their attention for an extended afternoon session with an
illustrated talk and some creative drawing activities.
The kids showed a high level of attention and enthusiasm, and
threw us some tricky questions! Over the following week BLEG
members accompanied smaller groups on field excursions to
Macleod Morass where the kids were able to see and hear a
variety of wetland birds and try out the club’s spotting scopes.
Thanks to Jenny Carter and Jack Winterbottom
for volunteering their time and expertise!
Our ongoing project to monitor wetland birds
of the Gippsland Lakes Important Bird and
Biodiversity Area continues. We are now
entering our fifth year of regular surveys. I
recently convened a working party to review all
aspects of the project with the aim of targeting
our efforts to make the most effective use of
volunteer input while delivering useful
outcomes of surveys.
I hope that over the long term we are able to
make a significant contribution to the
understanding and management of these
internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands.
Monday outings to Lonely Bay and Nowa Nowa
in early August doubled as our official club
contributions to BirdLife Australia’s winter
Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot surveys.
Both species have been recorded only
erratically over the years in our region, but
neither was recorded in the survey period.
Several events on our annual calendar draw
closer. The October camp will be based in
Pambula in southern NSW this year – see
elsewhere in the newsletter for details. And do
not forget the annual Challenge Count around
the first weekend in December, and our club
Christmas Party at Nyerimilang Park on the
following Monday.
In the meantime, happy birding.
Food Source - Sally Doyle
I had planted some agapanthus many years ago to help
keep a slope together and had been thinking of pulling
them out.
Then last summer the Eastern Spinebills discovered them,
visiting them with their young for all the flowering period.
Such a beautiful sight and so glad that they provide a food
source.
Eastern Spinebill on Agapanthus flowers. Photo Sally Doyle
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September 2015
The
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The Bird, the Bush and the Birdwatcher - continued
Artists, Landcare Groups and local gardening clubs extended the
program to sites such as Nyerimilang Heritage Park, Picnic Point
Reserve, the Port of Bairnsdale and Tulaba Track, Eastwood for a range
of activities, while Deane Howlett ran classes in Botanical Drawing for
children and adults, and Jochen Kruse led classes in Quill Calligraphy.
Three Monday birding outings were scheduled in July to include sites of
the ephemeral sculptures at Nyerimilang Heritage Park, the Port of
Bairnsdale and Eastwood. At the two latter sites, much hard work had
been put in by local Landcare groups to create and maintain walking
tracks and boardwalks, providing easy access to bird habitat and
creating a fitting backdrop for these artworks.
In all, there were more than 838 visitors to the Gallery alone for this
exhibition, their delight obvious in the comments they left in the visitors’
book: “fabulous photos and sculptures”; “absolutely stunning”; “loved
the variety in the paintings and photographs”; “fascinatingly beautiful”;
“loved the ‘package’”; “great work, beautifully displayed” and many
more. This wonderful exhibition was a credit to the skills and cooperative efforts of all involved. (See Review on Page 16)
June Soutter at Sonia Grieve’s artwork Forever Tied at the
Tulaba Walking Track, Eastwood. Photo Merryl Wright
Thanks to Jenny Carter, Merryl Wight and Chris Healey for this report.
Note from Uli Hasel, Director EG Art Gallery
The Bird, the Bush and the Birdwatcher turned out to be a very popular
and satisfying project for East Gippsland Art Gallery.
838 visitors came through the gallery doors during the month long
exhibition, including 36 to workshops activities, and approximately 50
to onsite artist talks and 120 to the exhibition opening. We estimate a
further 300 people visited and viewed the ephemeral art installations at
Picnic Point Reserve, Tulaba Track Eastwood, the Port of Bairnsdale and
Nyerimilang Heritage Park.
A project of this size has many people working in concert.
Our thanks go to retired Gallery Director Eileen Thurgood, who provided
the idea and initiated the project, to East Gippsland artists Gordon Bain,
Melinda Beacham, Robyn Hill, Adelaide Macpherson, Helen Banks, Tony
Power, Sonia Grieve and Josephine Jakobi , BirdLife East Gippsland
members, East Gippsland Landcare Network groups Friends of Picnic
Point, Bairnsdale Urban and Eastwood, Nyerimilang Heritage Park and
the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, and project
funders East Gippsland Shire Council and Gippsland Lakes Ministerial
Advisory Committee as well as the many local suppliers and businesses
who contributed to the success of the project.
Once again, thank you to BirdLife East Gippsland for your participation
and collaboration.
Pardalote man Ron Mackenzie is presented with the
People’s Choice Award by Chris Healey.
Photo Pam Hutchison
Turn to Page 13 for more on Pardalotes
from our Pardalote man Ron Mackenzie.
Gallery wall with poem by Bill Cotter and photos. Photo Pam Hutchison
September 2015
3
The
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A Couple of Favourites – Peter Ware
I’ll come clean. Not the showy or melodic for
me – although I do admit to being stopped
in my tracks at times by the glimpse of a
male Golden Whistler or the song of a Grey
Shrike-thrush. No indeed, my passion is for
the LBBBs – Little Brown Bush Birds.
A family of Brown Gerygones chattering
away while they forage through the outer
foliage as they glean tiny insects from the
leaves, or to-ing and fro-ing as they
construct their wonderful suspended nest
will cause me to watch for ages, often
returning to the site for several days in a
row.
The Brown Gerygone does appear to be
expanding its range. Many field guides
suggest that the distribution of this species
down the eastern seaboard ceases just
within the Victorian border. I and others
have ticked this bird at Morwell National
Park, Uralla Reserve at Trafalgar, Nangara
Reserve at Jindivick and Bunyip State Park
at Tynong North.
Brown Gerygone at Uralla Reserve. Photo Peter Ware
Another small bush bird whose distribution
barely reaches just east of Melbourne is the
Large-billed Scrubwren. This bird is
supposedly common but due to its preferred
habitat of rainforest gullies, (especially
where there is moss and lichen apparently),
and its fairly quiet nature, it is seldom seen.
My first encounter with this bird had me
ticking it as a Brown Thornbill for a moment
until it began working the bark on the trunk
of a tree rather like a Treecreeper.
I have a concern that such birds, because of
their secretive nature and perhaps dull
plumage and lack of melody, in some circles
are dismissed as irellevant in regards to
preservation. The focus seems to be on
more eye-catching species of parrots,
honeyeaters, etc. Both these birds can be
found in just a thin strip of eastern seaboard
forests. Wouldn’t it be a disaster to see
these little beauties disappear from our
Gippsland ranges due to logging,
agriculture, urbanization, etc?
Large-billed Scrubwren at Nangara. Photo Peter Ware
In the footsteps of the experts! - Denise McLarty
A couple of years ago a friend gave me a subscription to Birdlife
Australia as a birthday gift, little did I know that one day as a newbie
member I would be fortunate enough to walk, climb, stomp, tip toe
and bush bash with so many knowledgeable people who make up the
amazing group from BirdLife East Gippsland.
I was warmly welcomed on the first Monday excursion I attended on
June 15 this year, and I am slowly learning to identify more birds
with the help and encouragement of everyone. I would thoroughly
recommend a gift subscription to anyone who has a love for our
natural world and its amazing inhabitants.
“The Experts” – Robert Wright and John Hutchison. Photo Denise McLarty
4
September 2015
The
Chat
Winter Birding 2015 – Merryl Wright
It was pretty cold and miserable this winter for the
most part, but only one outing was cancelled due
to icy cold and high winds, and our hardy group of
birders ended up visiting 25 sites on Monday
outings, recording 132 species and 7,522
individual birds.
The two locations where most species were
recorded during Monday outings this winter were
Nyerimilang Heritage Park (59) and Lake Guyatt in
Sale (56), with between 40 and 50 species also
recorded at Nowa Nowa Reserve, Canni Creek,
Fairhope and the Mitchell River Walk and Port of
Bairnsdale.
The most interesting sightings were 300 Freckled
Duck at Lake Guyatt – a very conservative
estimate as the birds were hiding under low foliage
at the lake edge – and at the same site, over 250
Cattle Egret flying in to roost, and all trying to fit
into the same tree.
Morning Tea at Pettmans Beach. Photo Merryl Wright
At Nowa Nowa Reserve a Lewin’s Rail was heard calling briefly. On our last outing to Pettman’s Beach, Lake Tyers, it
was so cold, wet and windy that we almost gave up, but persistence was rewarded for a few lucky birders who were on
the ocean beach in time to see a flight of five Eastern Curlews along the water’s edge and further out two Shy Albatross.
A first for many of us was a Red-browed Treecreeper at Bullumwaal, in plain sight on the road’s edge and calling clearly.
With the cuckoos beginning to call, we are looking forward to Spring with warmer weather and more birds.
Sites visited on Monday outings
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Bruthen: Monkey Creek, Boys Town, Bruthen Rec. Reserve
Mount Taylor, Boggy Creek, and Bullumwaal
Old Paynesville Road, Eagle Point Reserve
Granite Rock-Fairhope area: Bellbird Road, Nicholson River
Canni Creek, Buchan South
Sarsfield: Old Man Hill Road, High Street
Port of Bairnsdale
Tulaba Walking Track, Eastwood
Nyerimilang Heritage Park, Kalimna
Sale: Herb Guyatt Reserve, Lake Guyatt, Sale Wetlands
Lake Tyers Forest Park: Lonely Bay, Fern Loop Walk
Nowa Nowa: Fairweather Track, Wairewa, Nowa Nowa Reserve
Lake Tyers Forest Park: Pettmans Beach, Glasshouse
Braving the cold wind at Pettmans Beach. Photo Merryl Wright
Eastern Curlew, Pettman’s Beach. Photo Jack Winterbottom
September 2015
5
The
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Species List for birds recorded for Winter 2015
Emu
Black-fronted Dotterel
Brown-headed Honeyeater
Freckled Duck
Masked Lapwing
White-naped Honeyeater
Black Swan
Eastern Curlew
Eastern Whipbird
Australian Shelduck
Little Tern
Varied Sitella
Australian Wood Duck
Caspian Tern
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Pink-eared Duck
Crested Tern
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike
Australasian Shoveler
Pacific Gull
Crested Shrike-tit
Grey Teal
Silver Gull
Golden Whistler
Chestnut Teal
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Grey Shrike-thrush
Pacific Black Duck
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Grey Butcherbird
Hardhead
Galah
Australian Magpie
Australasian Grebe
Little Corella
Pied Currawong
Hoary-headed Grebe
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Grey Currawong
Rock Dove
Rainbow Lorikeet
Grey Fantail
Spotted Dove
Musk Lorikeet
Willie Wagtail
Common Bronzewing
Australian King Parrot
Australian Raven
Wonga Pigeon
Crimson Rosella
Forest Raven
Shy Albatross
Eastern Rosella
Little Raven
Australasian Gannet
Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo
Magpie Lark
Australasian Darter
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
White-winged Chough
Little Pied Cormorant
Fan-tailed Cuckoo
Jacky Winter
Great Cormorant
Laughing Kookaburra
Scarlet Robin
Little Black Cormorant
Superb Lyrebird
Rose Robin
Pied Cormorant
White-throated Treecreeper
Eastern Yellow Robin
Black-faced Cormorant
Red-browed Treecreeper
Eurasian Skylark
Australian Pelican
Satin Bowerbird
Golden-headed Cisticola
Eastern Great Egret
Superb Fairy-wren
Silvereye
Cattle Egret
White-browed Scrubwren
Welcome Swallow
White-faced Heron
Brown Gerygone
Common Blackbird
Little Egret
Striated Thornbill
Common Starling
Nankeen Night Heron
Yellow Thornbill
Common Myna
Australian White Ibis
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Mistletoebird
Straw-necked Ibis
Brown Thornbill
Red-browed Finch
Black Shouldered Kite
Spotted Pardalote
House Sparrow
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
Striated Pardalote
European Goldfinch
Whistling Kite
Eastern Spinebill
Northern Mallard cross
Collared Sparrowhawk
Lewin's Honeyeater
Domestic (Greylag) Goose
Swamp Harrier
Yellow-faced Honeyeater
Domestic Duck
Wedge-tailed Eagle
White-eared Honeyeater
Little Eagle
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
Total Species 132
Total Birds 7,522
Peregrine Falcon
Bell Miner
Purple Swamphen
Noisy Miner
Lewin's Rail
Little Wattlebird
Buff-banded Rail
Red Wattlebird
Dusky Moorhen
White-fronted Chat
Eurasian Coot
Crescent Honeyeater
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
New Holland Honeyeater
6
Correction to photo caption in the
June edition of The Chat – Autumn
Birding 2015, page 13.
The caption named Chestnut Teal
should have read Mallard.
September 2015
The
Chat
Spring in England - Kathryn Gallagher
The RSPB (Royal Society for the protection of Birds) was formed in
England in 1889 by a group of women who were moved by the
emotional appeal of the plight of young birds left to starve after their
parents had been shot for their plumes.
In Victorian England tons of feathers were used to decorate hats, a
fashion responsible for the destruction of many thousands of Egrets,
Birds of Paradise and Great Crested Grebes.
These birds are now making a comeback, and on my recent trip to
England I was delighted to see a pair of Great Crested Grebes on a
reclaimed mill pond, now a nature reserve, in Lancashire, close to
where my mother lives.
Spring in England is delightful. Nature and birds are bursting with
life, young are hatching, trees are green with new leaves ….. and
there are long hours of daylight to go birding!
Chaffinch. Photo Kath Gallagher
Since joining Birdlife East Gippsland, I have become more observant
and the knowledge gained from fellow members as well as enjoying
their company on bird camps and Monday outings, is greatly
appreciated.
During my time in England I saw and identified over 40 different
species of birds. Some of these were regular visitors to my mother’s
garden. Blackbirds with their beautiful song, sparrows, bluetits, great
tits, jackdaws, magpies, (quite different to ours), starlings, wrens
and, of course, the friendly Robin Red Breast. Many were feeding
their young.
On the canals are White (Mute) Swans with recently hatched cygnets,
Canada Geese with goslings, Mallard Ducks with ducklings, and
Coots.
White Swam cygnets. Photo Kath Gallagher
On the moors I spotted Wheatears and Whinchats, both summer
visitors. On the rivers were Dippers; Chaffinch and Chiffchaff were in
the woods as well as Great Spotted Woodpeckers and a Nuthatch,
the only bird that can go up and down a tree trunk.
House Martins, Swallows, Pied and Grey Wagtails and Goldfinch were
in the hedgerows. The singing coming from high in a tree was the
beautiful sound of a Songthrush.
In the Lake District we saw Marsh Harriers, Kestrels, Peregrine
Falcons, and Pheasant and we heard the visiting cuckoo's distinct
call. Kuck kuck!
On the coast we saw Oystercatchers and Black-headed Gulls and
Grey Herons looking for fish.
My binoculars and a bird book go everywhere with me now!
Robin Red Breast. Photo Kath Gallagher
Medal of the Order of Australia for Dr David Hollands
Congratulations to BirdLife member Dr David Hollands for his Award of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the
General Division, 2015. This Queen’s Birthday Award was made for service to medicine in Orbost as well as his
contribution to ornithology. He is the author of many bird books including Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of Australia (1984)
Kingfishers and Kookaburras (1999), Owls – Journeys Around the World (2004), Owls Frogmouths and Nightjars of
Australia (2008), and is co-author of Waders – The Shorebirds of Australia (2012).
“It’s extraordinary, really,” Dr Hollands said in an interview for the Bairnsdale Advertiser.“I’ve been given an award for
ornithology (the study of birds), which has been the great love of my life. I’ve been a fanatical birder since about eight,
so I’m getting an award for something I really love doing.”
Dr Hollands will be speaking at the East Gippsland Library on Friday 18 Sept, 3pm – 5pm. Bookings essential.
Ring 5152 4225 to book in. See Page 19.
September 2015
7
The
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Norfolk Island Birds; the same but different – photos and article - Ian Wright
View over Kingston, Norfolk Island
June is probably not the best time to look for birds on
Norfolk Island, closer to spring is reputed to be better.
Even so, we managed to see 34 species out of the 42
local endemic species. Margaret Christian, who wrote the
Norfolk bird book, nominates 42 species as unique to the
island. The overall number of species that can be found
there is much more, as an island 400 or 500 kilometres
from anything else is quite an attractive proposition for
migrating birds. Our 34 sightings did include visitors and
migrating species.
There is a Norfolk Island Golden Whistler, which
sounds quite like the Aussie version, but is not really
very golden. Also unique to Norfolk is their Slender-billed
White-eye. The photo I managed is just good enough to
show the elongated bill. It is larger than similar
mainland species too. The male Pacific Robin managed
to elude me, but the female is apparently more
inquisitive, so there is photographic evidence of a very
pretty bird. Looks like a Scarlet Robin to me.
Norfolk Island Golden Whistler
I quite like the Norfolk Grey Fantail, the first fantail I
have managed to picture showing off the proper fanning
procedure.
The Norfolk Island Green Parrot was heard but not seen.
A conflict exists between the green parrots and the
Aussie Crimson Rosella, which escaped from aviaries in
the 1930’s. They use the same habitat, and the islanders
are slowly losing ground.
As it is a Pacific island, a Pacific Golden Plover seemed
appropriate. The one we saw and photographed was in
the company of a large group of Double Banded Plovers.
Each plover species was taking no notice of the other.
The Pacific Golden Plover was on its own but did show a
hint of the black breeding plumage. There were Double
Banded Plovers in both breeding and non-breeding
plumage so perhaps they were preparing for breeding
in New Zealand?
8
Pacific Golden Plover
September 2015
The
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Norfolk Island Birds - continued
We were shown the breeding preparations
the Masked Boobies were beginning when
visiting Margaret Christian’s property. Ms
Christian runs bird tours of the island and we
were able to join one. The only booby colony
on Norfolk is on this block of grassy pasture
above a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
They also have Red-tailed Tropicbirds,
which we were told are one of the few birds
in the world who fly backwards. This must be
difficult as they are characterised by long red
tail filaments that trail behind (just visible in
the photo). We saw some pretty amazing
aerobatics, but no flying backwards.
Masked Boobies
Norfolk Island is organised a little differently
compared with us. For the fee of $132, a
licence is issued for a cow to graze the island.
Cattle have right of way on the roads, (50
km/h speed limit) and there are quite a few
of them around. As there are no magpies or
kookaburras, the environmental gaps are
filled up by big healthy wandering chooks
(yes, the domestic hen) and the overhead
power lines have Sacred Kingfishers
searching for frogs and bugs.
There is also a healthy colony of feral geese
and ducks. These birds that live on the
ground have it easy on Norfolk as the fox has
not arrived.
As we were there for a week only, and for a
completely different adult pursuit, it was
noted that there is a Norfolk Island Bird Week
each year in the last week of November. This
would be an excellent time for a return visit.
Red-tailed Tropicbird
Ref: Norfolk Island …the birds, Margaret L.
Christian, Green Eye Publications, Norfolk
Island, 2005
Norfolk Island Bird List – Ian and Merryl Wright
Mallard
Australian Kestrel
N. Island Gerygone
Common Starling
Pacific Black Duck
Pacific Golden Plover
N. Island Golden Whistler
House Sparrow
Red-tailed Tropic Bird
Double-banded plover
Grey Fantail
European Goldfinch
Rock Dove
Ruddy Turnstone
Norfolk Island Scarlet Robin
European Greenfinch
Emerald Dove
Black Noddy
Silvereye
Feral Duck
Little Shearwater
White Tern
Slender-billed White-eye
Feral Fowl
Masked Booby
Crimson Rosella
Welcome Swallow
Feral Goose
Great Egret
N.Island Green Parrot
Common Blackbird
White-faced Heron
N. Island Sacred Kingfisher
Song Thrush
September 2015
34 species
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The
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Paynesville Students Outing to Macleod Morass – Jack Winterbottom
Paynesville students on the boardwalk at Macleod Morass. Photo Jenny Carter
Jenny Carter and I arrived early at Macleod Morass to make sure we were on time. The East Gippsland Water staff
arrived soon after and at the appointed time, …… a phone call. “We are sourcing a bus driver. Won’t be long” They duly
arrived, just a little bit late. The EGW staff gave their brief and informative talk then off we went into the Morass. About
6 of the 20 students had binoculars.
First bird was a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. It was not too far off the track and hung around while all the kids and
accompanying adults had a squizz through the scope. We heard some birds and saw plenty of others. Dale Kilby had
gone ahead to scrutinise the Ibises right down at the end and we were able to see many dozens take to the air. Royal
Spoonbills, White-bellied Sea-eagles, Swamp Harriers and Whistling Kites were the main raptors but we did have a
Black-shouldered Kite give a great display of aeronautical stability right in front of us.
After a short walk we turned right and went along to the hide at the end. Truth be told, it was a bit of a let down with
very little water visibility and soon enough, we headed back. Grassbirds were heard complimenting the lovely twitters of
Superb Fairy-wrens with background Striated Pardalotes [lovely] and Rainbow Lorikeets [lovely?]. Two students thanked
us, they hopped into their vehicles and were gone. The groundwork prepared by Chris H and delivered by Jenny C was
evident in the students interest and questions. It was an excellent morning for Paynesville PS and BLEG.
Powerful Owl Protection, Kuark Forest
Proposed logging in old-growth forest in the Mt
Kuark Forest has been the subject of ongoing
protests. Concerns were expressed on the
impact on forest owls.
On 18 July the Victorian government
announced that it would set aside 2 000
hectares of forest in East Gippsland to help
protect three threatened species of owl.
An agreement was reached with Environment
East Gippsland who were bringing an action
before the Supreme Court.
The matter was resolved before it came to
court.
Email to Environment East Gippsland from President Chris Healey:
“On behalf of BirdLife East Gippsland I offer congratulations to all at EEG (Environment East Gippsland) for the recent
great court case result for the benefit of forest owls! BirdLife East Gippsland has followed the struggle to protect owls
and other threatened species with much interest.
Our organisation has had little direct on-ground experience of this significant area of the state and has therefore not
been able to contribute useful independent data on threatened birds of the area that might have helped your cause.
However, it is pleasing to note that additional protections are in place for the benefit of forest owls.”
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Lake Bunga opens – text and photos, Henk van Leeuwen
Crested Terns & Silver Gulls made the most of the opportunity for a feast when Lake Bunga broke through in mid
July. Also there was a pair of Superb Fairy-wrens in the nearby dune shrubbery and a Whistling Kite appeared
soaring overhead, adding to all the activity.
Spring Camp at Pambula Beach 25 – 29 October 2015
Making a break with tradition, the Spring Camp this October will see us heading out of Victoria to Pambula Beach on the
New South Wales south coast.
The camp leaders Jacquie and Len Axen have been surveying likely birding sites and note that basing our camp at
Pambula gives us access to both Merimbula and Eden for a wider range of habitats. Pambula Beach Discovery Holiday
Park will be home base, and they have offered us a 20% group discount.
The Park has a wide range of accommodation styles to suit everyone, so check out the website at
www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au , or contact them at Discovery Holiday Parks Pambula Beach, 1 Pambula Beach Road,
Pambula Beach NSW 2549, 1800 677 808 or email pambula@discoveryparks.com.au.
Numbers may be limited to ensure a manageable group size for birding, with priority given to BirdLife East Gippsland
members, so please check with Merryl Wright 03 5156 8108 or merrylwright@bigpond.com to see if places are still
available before you make your accommodation bookings at the Park.
It is sure to be another great week!
September 2015
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Conservation News - Brian Martin
It's been fairly busy in the last few months including preparation
of a number of submissions to State and Local Government,
involvement with ongoing issues in the region and announcements
by BirdLife Australia.
Submissions
1.
The Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site draft management plan.
Ramsar is an international agreement on the conservation
of wetlands and migratory shorebirds and includes over
2000 sites worldwide. The plan will guide management of
the area for the next ten years.The draft plan has many
good policies and is the result of a systematic and
consultative process.
We recommended a more coherent approach to the
conservation of birds and their habitats and rehabilitation
of the surrounds of Macleod Morass to protect the
environmental values of the wetland.
2.
The Victorian Environment Assessment Council (VEAC)
Statewide Assessment of Public Land is looking at (1)
options for consolidating the current system of public land
use categories, e.g. National Park, State Forest, Coastal
Reserve etc.; (2) assessing the current status of public
land; and (3) making an inventory of the types of values
on public land.
We contributed to the comprehensive submission made by
the BirdLife Victoria Conservation Committee. The
submission dealt with key principles for the setting-aside
of public land and a wide range of issues relating to the
Terms-of-Reference 2 and 3.
3.
In 2010 the Federal Court determined that native title
exists over large areas of Gippsland and that it is held by
the Gunai/Kurnai people. This resulted in a range of
initiatives by the Victorian government including joint
management of ten parks and reserves - 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); Lake Tyers State Park; Buchan Caves
Reserve; Gippsland Lakes Reserve at Raymond Island; and
Corringle Foreshore Reserve. A Joint Management Plan for
those parks and reserves is being prepared for the State
government and the traditional owners to guide
management in future years.
We recommended that biodiversity conservation be given
priority in the plan and that there are opportunities for
collaboration with BirdLife East Gippsland and for
involvement of the Aboriginal community in conservation
management.
4.
East Gippsland Shire has released a draft Lake Tyers
Foreshore Management Plan. This covers the area adjoining
Lake Tyers Beach township, including Fishermans Landing
and Mill Point. The objective of the plan is to identify and
plan for recreational pursuits and opportunities whilst
maintaining important environmental and cultural values.
We recommended more detailed attention to nature
conservation, integration with the Gippsland Lakes Ramsar
Site management plan and enforcement of regulations
regarding activities which impact on wildlife.
Saleyards Road Bridge, Bairnsdale
Earlier in the year, East Gippsland Shire
announced that they would be upgrading
the (Bairnsdale) Bosworth/Saleyards
Road and bridge for heavy traffic. There
was some community concern on the
matter and we made representations to
the Council regarding the potential
effects on the birdlife of Macleod Morass.
Mr Chris Waites, Director Operations,
responded in May saying that '... Council
will no longer proceed with the proposed
Bosworth Road works at this point in
time.' He did not respond to our
proposals for rehabilitation of the
Macleod Morass surrounds.
It is unclear if Council has any other
plans for heavy traffic in the area.
Mt Kuark Forest, East Gippsland
Proposed logging in old-growth forest in
the Mt Kuark Forest has been the subject
of ongoing protests. Concerns were
expressed on the impact on forest owls.
On 18 July the Victorian government
announced that it would set aside 2 000
hectares of forest in East Gippsland to
help protect three threatened species of
owl. An agreement was reached with
Environment East Gippsland who were
bringing an action before the Supreme
Court. The matter was resolved before
it went to Court.
We have written to Environment East
Gippsland offering our congratulations
on the outcome. See Page 10.
Bird Conservation Portal
In May, BirdLife Australia announced the
development of a Bird Conservation
Portal. It is intended that it will draw
together structured bird monitoring
data; synthesis and analysis of that
data; and biological, ecological and
conservation reporting in one place.
It will have three major components:
Birdata; Birds as indicators; and an
Australian research portal.
This is likely to become a very valuable
resource in the future.
State of Australia's Birds 2015
In July, the Federal Environment
Minister, the Hon. Greg Hunt, launched
BirdLife Australia's State of Australia's
Birds 2015. The report is based on the
Australian Bird Indices for terrestrial
birds and introduces Australia's Red List
Index as a means of tracking trends in
the status of Australia's most threatened
bird groups.
It is a comprehensive report and
recommended reading regarding
changes in bird populations over the last
decade and a half.
The report can be found here:
http://birdlife.org.au/state-of-birds
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September 2015
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More news and photos from our Pardalote man, Ron Mackenzie
My little Spotted Pardalotes have dug their nesting burrow early this year; close to where they dug last year. A few
years ago, one pair dug in June.
I tried hard to get shots of them paddling their feet to remove soil, as they entered the burrow, without success; I was
too slow. The whole process is quite fast. I finally held my finger on the shutter button, as soon as a bird sat in front of
the hole and got one shot only of the soil spraying out.
Heyfield Happenings – Jack Winterbottom
July 2015 – Sale
The main outing in July was with BLEG. There was an excellent turnout on an absolutely beautiful winter’s day with
sunshine and very little breeze [and very little temperature too!]. We visited the Herb Guyatt Sanctuary at Wurruk first
and found more birds in the rundown farmland bordering the sanctuary – 35 species spotted including “only” 6 Eastern
Yellow Robins, 1 White-bellied Sea-eagle and a few [212] Sulphur-crested Cockatoos.
We adjourned to the carpark between Lakes Guyatt and Guthridge for morning tea after which the party, now swollen to
21, split into lots of lots to walk wherever they cared, counting birds of course. 300 Freckled Duck were counted, mostly
in the willows on the southern edge of Guthridge, and about 250 Cattle Egret were counted winging their way home in
fives and tens to their favourite roost in a tree on the little island in Lake Guyatt.
We had to sweep the Superb Fairy-wrens out of the way to see the usual collection of [now called] Australian
Swamphen, Coots, Gulls and a duck or two — Pacific Black, Woodies, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead and the
resident Mallard crosses and geese, 56 species in total.
Luncheon was taken then we drove a few kilometres south to the Swing Bridge and walked on the boardwalk for a few
hundred metres northwards to Sale. Only 18 species here but … swans, pink-ears, shovelers, 290 Grey Teal, Chestnut
Teal, 85 Swamphens and a pair of Swamp Harriers apparently sussing out a nest site with a bit of display and defence
— you don’t often observe a harrier "see off" a Whistling Kite. It was a great day.
August 2015 - Macalister Wetlands Reserve
In early August, two hardy Heyfielders turned out to walk through the Macalister Wetlands Reserve to morning tea at
Jo Jo’s. Mostly a dry day and a good number of species - 42. The swamp is pretty full so no mudflats. It took us 90
minutes to walk the kilometre to the café. Highlights were a Fan-tailed Cuckoo calling vigorously from a treetop, Satin
Bowerbirds, Australian King Parrots [they are just so approachable], a Pied Currawong chorus and a Swamp Harrier.
A great day.
Heyfield Birdwatchers - Program for remainder of 2015
Date
Organiser
Details
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
September 2015
Ph. 0408 411 079
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Marlo Musings - Winter 2015 - Len and Jacquie Axen
May
Interesting observations from the BNB Conference at Point Nepean included
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (15/5) and an obliging Southern Boobook at the
Coolart Homestead (16/5). An overnight stop in Sebastapol allowed Jacquie
to record 5 more Swift Parrot feeding in some nearby flowering peppermints
(18/5). Stawell and the nearby Grampians/Gariwerd remained extremely dry
but Peaceful Dove at “the Greenhole” (18/5), Restless Flycatcher at
“Germania” (19/5), Weebill at Three Jacks FR (20/5) and Red-capped Robin
at the Ian McCann dam site (20/5) were notable exceptions.
A long journey home and then off to Mallacoota to celebrate Bob Semmens
BirdLife Australia’s Distinguished Service Award. Highlights from Mallacoota
included, Large-billed Scrubwren in Mortimer’s Paddock (28/5), Brown
Gerygone in Shady Gully (28/5), Southern Emu-wren and Tawny-crowned
Honeyeater between Shipwreck and Seal Creek (29/5), Beautiful Firetail on
the upper reaches of the Betka River (29/5) and Double-banded Plover and 2
pairs of Hooded Plover at the Betka mouth later that same day.
An early morning excursion next day accounted for Black-faced Cormorant at
Quarry Beach and Mistletoebird on the Casuarina Walk. Access to the
Mallacoota Recycled Water Plant (31/5) allowed 5 keen “birdos” to record 55
species including Australasian Shoveler and more Pink-eared Ducks.
Red-capped Robin. Photo John Beekman
June
An extremely cold “cold-snap” heralded the arrival of winter in Marlo. Heavy
rainfall (82+mm) saw significant river level rises in the Snowy and Brodribb
Rivers. The Snowy “flats” became waterlogged with hundreds of Strawnecked and Australian White Ibis taking immediate advantage of the situation.
Within a week they were joined by large flocks of White-faced Heron and
Australian Shelduck. Black Swans began nest building around the Brodribb
River (7/6).
After the long weekend, large numbers of Cattle Egret also appeared on dairy
farms along the Marlo road. Flooded paddocks along the highway between
Orbost and Lakes Entrance accounted for an influx of White-necked Heron as
well. A break in the weather allowed us to record Turquoise Parrot in the
Waygara Forest (15/6). Closer to home Red Wattlebirds were observed
“flocking” while small groups of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo began appearing
almost on a daily basis. “Our” Collared Sparrowhawk is still present and
continues to “deter” Pied Currawongs and Satin Bowerbirds from completely
destroying what remains of our vegetable plot.
White-faced Heron. Photo John Hutchison
Further afield (21/6) Emu were noted at Lindenow and around The
Fingerboards White-fronted Chat, Yellow Thornbill and Flame Robin at the
Lindenow Sewage Ponds and Australasian Pipit at Lindenow South during a
Field Nats outing.
At Canni Creek (22/6) at least 5 pairs of Scarlet Robin were recorded during
Monday’s visit. A pair of Wonga Pigeon have taken up residence along Willis
Avenue and the Peaceful Dove that we noted in May, continues to call. Local
residents still report sightings of the Beach Stone-Curlew, some 17 months
since it was discovered on Australia Day 2014. A drive along the Marlo Plains
road in the afternoon (25/6) noted 16 Common Myna that continue to extend
their range east of Marlo.
GLIBA surveys at Lake Tyers, Lake Bunga and the Cunningham Arm, Lakes
Entrance (27/6) were notable for a lack of species and numbers due to high
water levels at the first two sites. 2020 Winter Shorebird counts around the
Snowy River estuary (29-30/6) provided an array of interesting sightings
including 204 Great Cormorant, 78 Double-banded Plover, 58 Red-capped
Plover AND 1 Beach Stone-curlew seen contentedly feeding along the
shoreline near Mots Beach.
A Beach Nesting Birds initiative to collect more information about Hooded
Plover “flocking sites” nationally resulted in 6 being located at discrete
locations between French’s Narrows and Corringle (28-9/6), however no large
congregations of HPs appear to have been recorded along the East Gippsland
coastline in recent years.
14
White-fronted Chat. Photo Ron Mackenzie
September 2015
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Marlo Musings - Winter 2015 - Len and Jacquie Axen
July
Further 2020 Shorebird counts at Lake Wat Wat (01/07) proved a complete
disappointment with very few ducks and other waterfowl present, the only
exception being 83 Black-wing Stilt seen feeding in the shallows and the mudflats.
The onset of an Antarctic blast and heavy rain put a dampener (pun intended) on
any worthwhile birding activity.
A trip to southern NSW in preparation for the Spring Camp provided a little relief
with 6 White-headed Pigeon observed on powerlines in Tathra (12/7) and large
flocks of New Holland and White-naped Honeyeater in a feeding frenzy amongst
flowering eucalypts in Ben Boyd NP (13/7).
Arriving home to another 56mm of rain in the gauge, the nesting Black Swan on
the Brodribb Wetlands had lost all their nests to rising floodwaters. Crested Shriketit in the Cape Conran CP (17/7), Australasian Darter and unidentified Albatross
sp. at West Cape Conran (19/7) were the only notable sightings during a wet, cold
and miserable week of weather.
Minor flooding on the Lower Snowy created a new and wider entrance and a pair of
Whistling Kite were seen feeding on carrion in floodwaters at the entrance (21/7).
It was around this time the Axens unilaterally decided that Victorian weather
conditions were not for us and we decamped for warmer climes along the Murray
River and into South Australia. So much for that decision, but we visited a number
of landmark birding sites along the way and Jacquie did approach “eremophila
heaven” in Port Augusta.
Australasian Darter. Photo Chris Healey
Odd Birds - Ian Wright
Reported by members of Birdlife East Gippsland, or sighted in the region.
Special Note:
For some time, actually since the beginning of the year, a leucistic
Bronzewing Pigeon has been seen around quite a large area of Metung,
see photo by Gary Smith - right
6 June: A White Headed Pigeon was seen at Forge Creek by Paul Tobin.
(See also 11 July below)
30 June: The Beach Stone Curlew is still being sighted at Marlo.
13 June: 300 Freckled Ducks on Lake Guyatt, most of them were still there for our visit on July 20.
5 July: Lucas Bluff saw from the Point Hicks lighthouse:
“Shy Albatross (dozens), Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (1 confirmed, probably more but needed good light to clinch the
bill stripe), at least three of either Buller's or Grey-headed Albatross, Fairy Prion (dozens), Northern Giant Petrel (approx
10), Brown Skua (3 - including an observation of kleptoparasitism from an Australasian Gannet)”
6 July: Varo Dharmarajah saw and photographed, a Buff-banded Rail in a road gutter as he left the Port of Bairnsdale
after the Monday outing.
11 July: Ross Scott reported: “a single white headed pigeon visited us on our veranda at Banksia Peninsula. We had
one here about 10 years ago, and this is the first one since. I am aware that there are some around Orbost and further
east.” (Maybe they are becoming common and won’t deserve a listing in the odd sightings if this keeps up?).
15 July: Rohan Bugg (on Birdline) sighted a Sacred Kingfisher at Port Franklin, adding it was the earliest he had seen
one in southern Victoria.
17 July: Another Birdline contributor, Stephan Grainger, reported a Sacred Kingfisher near Bemm River. He thought it
was an unusual record for winter. The kingfisher’s opinion was not mentioned in these cases, but they probably know
what they are up to.
22 July: Roger Bilney, and a group of Federation Training students, reported from the Snowy River flood plain, 4 Km
south of the Vic/NSW border near Tom Cat Creek about 20 Turquoise Parrots, as well as Flame and Scarlet Robins.
17 August: some of us on the Monday outing to Pettmans Beach saw 5 Eastern Curlews flying madly into a
South-westerly.
September 2015
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Review of photographic exhibition - Chris Healey
The recent month-long exhibition at Bairnsdale’s East Gippsland Art Gallery included a display of photographs by
members of BirdLife East Gippsland which attracted a good deal of interest from members and the wider community.
This essay is a personal response to the exhibition; I confine myself to the printed images. Two of my own prints were
included in the display, so I was obviously more than an innocent bystander to the exhibition. I will say nothing further
about my own photos beyond noting that it is a humbling experience to be a modest contributor to such a fabulous
selection of works.
The exhibition revealed that our group has some outstanding photographers, combining technical brilliance with artistic
instincts. Most of our photographers opted for larger format prints, and this choice was particularly effective. That
said, smaller format prints seemed particularly suited for intimate views of Superb Fairy-Wrens, as John Beekman
(next page, bottom left) and Leonie Daws demonstrated.
Many of the images took the form of what might best be described as portraiture – works with the subject in
characteristic pose dominating the page. Among examples that particularly caught my attention were Ron Mackenzie’s
glowing photo of the Spotted Pardalote sporting an untidy moustache of nesting material complemented by a rusty
barbed wire perch and John Saxton’s beautiful study of a Common Bronzewing preening. (Below left)
Varo Dharmarajah takes the portrait to an extreme, reminiscent of the giant heads that these days dominate the
Archibald Prize entrants. His Tawny Frogmouths are pressed together on their daytime perch. The photo challenges
the viewer to discern how many birds are present – the repeated verticals resolve themselves into two birds
dominating almost the entire page framed by a tree branch of the same colour and texture of the birds on one side
and the merest hint of a third bird on the other side of the central pair. (Above right)
John Hutchison’s portrait of an Eastern Great Egret is an absolute gem.
Technically brilliant, the photo is crisp in detail and beautifully exposed. The
bird has been captured in characteristic repose with a light breeze seeming
to ruffle the drooping breeding plumes against an uncluttered dark
background. What might otherwise have been a conventional view vaguely
reminiscent of traditional Japanese imagery is given an interesting twist –
the bird is perched on a white wooden rail, which occupies the entire lower
portion of the page, and acts as a frame within the mounted image. (Right)
Several prints caught birds in action. Ian Wright’s Shy
Albatross (left) is tilted diagonally across the frame flying
directly towards the camera on wings like knife blades, the
tip of one wing leaving a gash in the sea surface.
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September 2015
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Review of photographic exhibition - Chris Healey
John Hutchison’s White-faced Heron is caught at
the moment of striking at unseen prey, the
splash of water droplets frozen in perfect focus.
Then there are some quirky shots: Masked
Lapwings facing off against each other
(Varo Dharmarajah), (left) a bird’s eye view
of a quartet of cygnets (Ron Mackenzie) and
Whiskered Terns perching on a rubber snake
(John Hutchison).
I confess to being particularly drawn to those
photos where there is abundant space around
the bird.
Jack Winterbottom applies his minimalist eye,
with his Australasian Grebe floating on a still,
bronze-coloured pond, (left) and off-centred
Diamond Firetail and Scarlet Robin on fence
wires against muted, hazy backgrounds.
John Beekman’s Silver Gull and its multiple
reflections serenely ride gentle blue swells.
There is a similarly restful quality to Leah
Beekman’s Cattle Egret with its brilliantly
white and orange breeding plumage offset by
lush green grass and an almost black
background. (below)
Other photos have an intriguing almost abstract
quality: Varo Dharmarajah’s nesting Common
Bronzewing combines soft curves of bird and
tree fork offset by the twiggy nest. John
Hutchison’s Scarlet Robin is a splash of colour
in an otherwise grey image dominated by the
intersecting lines of an old wooden gate.
In just 38 printed images the exhibition
captured a surprising variety of birds, some
familiar, others unusual. Every one engaged
the viewer at some level beyond the
immediately obvious and harboured a story
to be told.
September 2015
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Newhaven visit – Jack Winterbottom
My first-time visit was for 5 days in mid-May. The
campsite is excellent for $10/day with gas-fired hot
showers, a great loo and firewood provided. I came in
from the Nyirripi [western] end finding a dead Australian
Owlet-nightjar, a dead Stimson’s Python and a dead car
all in the first 10 kms.
Breakfast pre-sunrise at the end of the Mt Gurner track
meant I was on the top by 8am [no surprises there; it is
an easy climb with great views], but I noticed that the
rainfall running from the southern side had created a
patch of acacia and grevillea about 50 metres wide along
the entire southern edge. I descended straight into it
and was surrounded by a cacophony of honeyeater
noise. Pied, White-fronted, Brown, Singing, Spinycheeked and Black-chinned [Golden-backed]. Magic!
An upside-down plant on the way out was a bonus [not
in flower yet but some were in flower on the road out to
Tilmouth]. The country is in pretty good shape with lots
of flowering. The Lakes Tour found Susie’s Lake with
about 30cm of water. The avocets appeared to be
walking alongside the Freckled Duck, Pink-eared Duck,
Hardhead, Grey Teal, Coot, Hoary-headed Grebes and a
pair of Black-fronted Dotterels.
The standout for me was at Swan Lake [dry] where a
Black-breasted Buzzard made two landings in the
middle of the lake about 50 metres away. It interrupted
my Orange Chat observations; but that was fine. I
checked out the country right down in the south where
the Princess Parrots were seen three years ago but
nothing there. Life ticks for me were Crested Bellbird,
White-fronted HE, Red-browed Pardalote, Orange Chat
and a Black Falcon at Kunoth on the way to Alice!
59 species for me. A magic place in tip-top order.
Photos by Jack Winterbottom: Clockwise from top right:
Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Black-breasted Buzzard, Inland Thornbill,
Grey-headed Honeyeater, Crested Bellbird
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September 2015
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Important events coming up – Merryl Wright
–
Merryl
Wright
World
Shorebirds
Day – 4-6 September 2015 (Global Shorebird Counting)
The main event of the 2nd World Shorebirds Day is the Global Shorebird Counting program which will be held on the
weekend 4–6 September 2015. Unlike last year, participants are asked to register their counting site by simply adding
a marker, or more, on a Google map, which is open for everyone to edit. Site name with nearest village or town and
country have to be added in the header, as well as the name of the participant in the comment field of the marker.
Registration deadline is 3 September 2015.
Direct link to the map is: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zqWymiAbzzII.kbC9emdidNTw&usp=sharing
or contact: https://worldshorebirdsday.wordpress.com/contact/
Threatened Species Day – 7 September 2015
National Threatened Species Day is fast approaching. Held on 7 September each year, Threatened Species Day
encourages the community to prevent further extinctions of Australia's fauna and flora and to secure threatened species
and ecological communities in the wild. To celebrate and raise awareness of the plight of many of our native birds,
BirdLife Australia will be profiling five endangered woodland birds during the week of September 7th. Carnaby’s BlackCockatoo, Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Black-throated Finch & Mallee Emu-wren. Stay tuned for further updates on
social media and help us raise awareness of these five iconic birds. http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/protectingaustralias-threatened-species
International Plover Appreciation Day - 16 September 2015
This special day is aimed at raising awareness of the plight of ground-nesting plovers around the world! There is also a
competition! You can find more details at http://www.birdlife.org.au/projects/beach-nesting-birds/plover-appreciation-day
Dr David Hollands will be speaking at the East Gippsland Library on Friday 18 September 2015 - 3pm – 5pm.
Bookings essential. Ring 5152 4225 to book in.
Bird Week and the Aussie Backyard Bird Count – 19-25 October 2015
Join thousands of people during Bird Week from 19-25 October 2015 for the
second annual AUSSIE BACKYARD BIRD COUNT — BirdLife Australia’s
nationwide bird survey. All it takes is 20 minutes in your backyard, local
park, or favourite outdoor space to be a part of this exciting event! Last year
we counted 800,000 birds, this year let’s make it one million!
For more information head to www.aussiebirdcount.org.au
BirdLife East Gippsland Spring Camp – 26-30 October 2015
See details of this camp at Pambula NSW elsewhere in this edition of The
Chat
BirdLife East Gippsland Challenge Count – 7 December 2015
The 2015 Challenge Count is scheduled for the weekend of 5-7 December
which includes the usual Monday outing period. The count has been centred
on Bairnsdale with teams recording birds over a consecutive 24 hour period
between midnight on 5 December and midnight on 7 December. Anyone
interested in joining in this event should contact Merryl Wright on 5156 8108
or merrylwright@bigpond.com
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 15 November 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.
September 2015
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Schedule of Outings Sept - Dec 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
Ian Wright
Cnr Princes Hwy & Sandfords Lane
14 Sep Point Fullarton/Sunset Cove
Robert Wright
Burden Place off Paynesville Rd
21 Sep Maffra/Heyfield - Full Day
Jack
Winterbottom
DWELP Offices, Maffra
28 Sep Metung/Nungurner
Dot Owen
Cnr Princes Hwy & Metung Rd Swan
Reach
J & P Hutchison
Follow Phillips Lane to Jones Bay
12 Oct Den of Nargun/Mitchell R NP
Chris Healey
General Store, Main Street, Lindenow
19 Oct Eagle Point/Macleod Morass South
Pat McPherson
Car Park end of Old Paynesville Rd
26 Oct Camp 26-30 October
Merryl Wright
Pambula
Ken Sherring
Main Carpark, Lake Tyers Beach
John Hutchison
Canni Ck Racecourse
16 Nov Hollands Landing
Ken Sherring
Cnr Princes Hwy & Bengworden Rd
23 Nov Eastern Beach
Sue Welte
Eastern Beach Car park, Lakes Entrance
30 Nov Fairy Dell & Lunch at Bruthen
J & P Hutchison
Cnr Great Alpine Rd & Deep Creek Rd
Merryl Wright
Bairnsdale area
Heather Cousens
12 noon - Nyerimilang Park Rotunda
7 Sep Nicholson Rail Trail
5 Oct Jones Bay, The Cut, Phillips Lane
# 2 Nov LakeTyers/Fisherman's Landing
9 Nov Canni Creek - Full Day
7 Dec Challenge Count, BirdLife Australia
14 Dec End of Year Party - Nyerimilang
20
September 2015