AGM 2018

Annual Report

CONVENOR’S REPORT

Another year has passed! Time for me to reflect back to 2017 - to think about our achievements and our campaigns, and to thank our members, particularly those who contribute their time to BirdLife Southern . I cannot mention everyone by name, but sincere thanks to each and everyone of our wonderful volunteers – without you, BSQ could not exist!

Each year at our AGM we name the recipient(s) of our Distinguished Service Award. In 2017, Peter Crane, who has now been the editor of Warbler for more than 6 years, was surely one of our most deserving recipients. His commitment to this endeavour is more than appreciated. The second Ramsar : The in front of Cassim Island, Cleveland recipient was Bob Westerman. Bob is a member of our Gold (Chris Walker) Coast Branch. His single-minded determination to save the shorebirds of the Broadwater is an exemplar to all, and we We continue to work with local community groups, are proud to support him! particularly Chris Walker and Stephen McDonald, to oppose the development. For the record, we are We welcomed Callan Alexander to the committee and said not against the development of Toondah per se, but that a farewell to Laura Anderson and to Val Catchpoole, who ‘Priority Development Area’ was established in a Ramsar site, resigned so that she could focus all of her energies on the that is also a Key Biodiversity Area, home to hundreds of Bird Group (previously the Joint BSQ/BQ Education migratory shorebirds, including the critically endangered Subcommittee). Our thanks to Val, in particular for her Eastern Curlew. How can an area that ticks every dedication to educating young people about the importance conservation box be approved as a controlled action by the of our birds. Australian Government? Time will tell, but as I write, the Walker Group has released a third iteration of its plan. Whilst In 2017, Dr Monica Awasthy was appointed as the Co- this addresses issues associated with the Cassim Island Manager of BirdLife Australia’s Birds in Backyards Program. roost, the footprint onto the Ramsar site remains the same, Monica continues to attend our committee meetings as an ex so we will continue our opposition to this development. officio member, and we continue to benefit from her experience and advice. 2017 was a busy year for Dr Gary Fitt Leaving the challenging environmental landscape behind, and Dr Sam Price, but I am pleased to say that they and all three great BSQ projects highlight the importance of bar one of the remaining members of the 2017 committee conservation initiatives on private land. Our partnership with will be renominating. Sadly, Jessie Oliver, who joined the Unitywater to monitor Yandina Creek was cemented committee in 2014, will be leaving us. The good news is that in the middle of the year, with workshops and baseline we will still be able to draw on her considerable expertise in surveys commencing in November. Teams of enthusiastic citizen science when needed. We wish her well for the future volunteers braved an awful lot of mosquitoes to get collect and thank her for her contribution to BSQ. this baseline data - thanks to each and everyone of them. Special thanks to Greg Roberts, not only for putting the I wish Annual Reports could just focus on good news, but our plight of Yandina on the record and for tirelessly campaigning environment and our birds continue to be threatened on so for its preservation, but also for providing his expertise when many fronts! Broad scale land clearing continues. Unfettered the survey transects were established. And Russ Lamb did a developments, approved without reference to cumulative great job working with Kylie Crouch from Unitywater to get impacts make a nonsense of the laws that are supposed to the survey transects appropriately marked. Knowing that at protect threatened and vulnerable species. Shorebird least some of the floodgates have been opened recently has conservation remains a priority. The Turtle Cove been much celebrated! development in the Great Sandy Straits KBA will impact on an area that holds thousands of migratory shorebirds, and a Our 20 Million Trees Project with CO2 Australia and a planned mine at Aldershot will discharge contaminated water visionary landholder in Texas continues. Thousands of trees into the Mary and Susan Rivers, both of which feed into the were planted in September and on a recent survey it was Great Sandy Straits. Unless the precautionary principle is stunning to see how well many of these trees have fared! applied, and unless developments like these, and other kinds, The bird species richness on this property is wonderful and are assessed on the basis of cumulative impacts, bird can only get better in the future. Thanks to all those who populations will continue to decline. regularly commit to this project, particularly to Paul and Leanne Grimshaw and Neil Humphris who have been on every survey, to the landholder for her generosity in allowing

us unfettered access to her land the homestead, and to the Rochelle has now relocated to Western Australia, but prior to CO2 Australia ecologists who work with us on these great that, at the last AGM she stepped up to be Co-Convenor. You surveys! can imagine this was very much appreciated! Rochelle continues to contribute from WA – as our eNews editor and as the Co-Chair of the Queensland Ornithological Conference organising subcommittee.

Dr Rob Clemens is now our BSO. He has done a remarkable job! He has been instrumental in getting the Yandina and Brolga Lakes surveys off the ground. As a committed ‘Woodfordian’, he instigated our first foray into the Woodford Folk Festival scene in December last year. With his dedicated enthusiasm, and with the help of Sheena Gillman and Jessie Oliver and other volunteers, we reached thousands of people and have committed to this event in future years. He has also doggedly chased grant opportunities, and thanks to him and all the volunteers working with him, our Powerful Owl Project has provided us with much needed data and insights into the distribution of this enigmatic species in southeast Queensland. I am sure you will read more about this in his report.

Of course, having a paid employee brings with it One of our 20 Million Trees survey teams: L-R Neil Humphris, Sheena Gilman, responsibilities not previously known to our committee. The Deborah Metters, Christopher Ewing (Christopher Ewing) initial pilot was jointly funded by BirdLife Australia, but since In May last year, we were told about ‘Brolga Lakes’ near July 2017 BSQ has taken over sole responsibility for funding Deception Bay. It was hard to grasp that the Alzini family, in this position. Apart from grant funding, which occasionally partnership with the Sunrise Australia Group (SAG), wanted supports funding for staff, we have been able to do this to gift over 75 hectares of conservation land, including largely because of the income we receive from the sales of multiple wetland sites, to BirdLife Australia. Not only that, the our book ‘The Birds of Southeast Queensland’. Neil Humphris plans included planting over a million trees, shrubs and continues to devote considerable time to this great product. grasses in the conservation area AND gifting a purpose built The third edition was published last year and has almost sold Interpretive Centre to BirdLife Australia AND establishing an out – the fourth edition is on its way. We owe Neil a huge income stream to ensure sustainability into the future! debt! He is ably supported by Ivan Reynolds and Meg Gordon Whilst there are still a few legal items that are in the process who continue to be fantastic booksellers!! of being settled, BSQ commenced a monthly bird-monitoring project in November. A heartfelt thanks to the Alzini family Neil also chairs the Education Subcommittee. He and and to Michael Myer and Dan Raymond from SAG for giving committee member Ellen Thompson (the BSQ Birdata us early access to the site – you can expect to read a lot Coordinator) are members of the Bird Education Group more about Brolga Lakes in future editions of Warbler and (previously known as the Joint BSQ/BQ Education the BirdLife Magazine. Subcommittee). The BEG is a tour de force! With a few dedicated volunteers, its schools outreach program is more than admirable. You can read about it in Neil’s report. We thank Neil, and all members of the BEG for their dedication!

I hope you take time to read the reports from our Local Branch Convenors.

Beth Hall tells us that in 2017 the Gold Coast Branch counted 34093 birds and 233 species! That is impressive stuff and their brochure ‘Bird Places of the Gold Coast’ is so popular I have lost count of the reprints!

Kathy Clark and her Redland Branch, with help from members of our committee and members of South have produced ‘Bird Places of the Redlands’ using the same format used by the Gold Coast Branch. We commend Kathy, her deputy, Joy Graydon and other members of her branch for also taking the initiative in local conservation issues.

Brolga Lakes: A new conservation hub for southeast Queensland (Judith Hoyle) After many years at the helm of Brisbane South, Sandra Many of you will be aware that we appointed our first paid Gallienne has temporarily relocated to Toowoomba, and member of staff in late 2016. Dr Rochelle Steven stepped Rodney Appleby has gamely stepped into her shoes. down from the committee to be our first part-time Branch Thankfully, Sandra remains an active participant in our 20 Support Officer (BSO). An offer to work in the Fuller lab at Million Trees Survey project in Texas. the University of Queensland meant that her time in that position was short … but highly productive, which was just Finally, Ken Cross, our Sunshine Coast Convenor, with his what was needed as she clearly justified the need for this team of enthusiastic members, continues to do a fantastic position! job especially in relation to member engagement:

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Photo competitions, outings, blogs, and a prolific Facebook BRANCH SUPPORT OFFICER presence were but a few of the activities undertaken by this highly engaged group in 2017. Ken works full time, so it is no This year marked the second year where BSQ has employed small thing that he has also put up his hand to coordinate the a Branch Support Officer for two days a week. The objectives Yandina Creek Wetland surveys. We would also like to thank of this position have been to: Robyn Combes from the Sunshine Coast branch who has 1) assist with conservation issues, done a wonderful job of coordinating our presence at the 2) apply for grants that aligned with BirdLife priorities, Queensland () Garden Show, and for the team that 3) engage and grow regional members and so ably supports her. On a sad note, with the passing of Clive 4) strengthen the regional liaison between volunteers and the Allen, Ken’s predecessor, we lost an amazing man who was a wider organisation. prolific contributor to the Atlas of Australian Birds and who had devoted a decade to the Sunshine Coast Branch. You can After two years it is clear that this position has resulted in read Ken’s moving tribute to him in his Annual Report. some clear successes, but some challenges regarding funding and workload will need to be addressed in order for paid I have already mentioned Peter Crane, our wonderful editor. branch staff to be sustainable in the long-term. Gil Porter and Ross Smith continue to be his right hand men! He could not do the job without them, so a sincere thanks to First, to the successes. In the first year, Rochelle developed them! on-line and email communications which she continues to administer as a volunteer. These communications have Finally, this report would not be complete without a special increased member awareness of local and national activities mention and thanks to Sheena Gillman. Whenever I think while engaging members on a host of issues. She also my workload is getting a bit out of hand, I think of the hours secured an $8,000+ grant from Brisbane City Council that that Sheena devotes to conservation issues. As Chair of our allowed us to pilot Powerful Owl monitoring in southeast Conservation Subcommittee, and as the Project Manager for Queensland. She also assisted with conservation issues and Protect the Bush Alliance, she is a tenacious campaigner, engaged large numbers of members. operating across all domains of conservation. We continue to financially support the efforts of the Northern Eastern In the second year, I worked to complete the Brisbane City Bristlebird Recovery Team, but it is Sheena’s 19-year Council grant and secured its acquittal. Further, after commitment to this program and her ‘in kind’ contributions reviewing the kinds of projects which have proven successful that really make a difference. She may no longer tramp the for BirdLife in other areas we looked to build on the success ranges as she once did, but in 2017, on four separate of the Yandina waterbird grant that Judith secured with occasions, she led teams into remote difficult areas to assistance from Sussan the branch support officer at the harvest grasses urgently needed to create suitable habitat for time. an extension of the captive breeding program for this unique and critically endangered sub-species. We looked to grow the Powerful Owl monitoring project which has proven to be highly successful in Sydney, while also So many of the BSQ committee dedicate a huge number of looking to initiate a Painted Honeyeater monitoring program. hours - well above and beyond the call of duty. It is a While many grants were applied for, I only managed to privilege to work with each and every one of them! secure a $2,000 grant for waterbird monitoring in the Sunshine Coast, and a $7,500 grant for Powerful Owl monitoring from council. Judith Hoyle Convenor, June 2018 The waterbird grant will simply entail running two workshops to tell the Yandina wetlands story, and encourage monitoring of publically accessible wetlands in the . The Powerful Owl grant has allowed us to launch a Powerful Owl monitoring project throughout southeast Queensland. One of the outcomes of securing permissions to conduct these surveys is a growing network of council officers, land managers, land holders, state officials, ecologists and planners. We will be updating this network regularly with our findings and supplying them all with the same report which reports results and recommendations. We have registered with the state as a scientific user, secured ethics approval, as well as state scientific permits from both parks and non-parks areas as well as permits at the council level for the project. This is increasing our scientific and research credibility in the region with many stakeholders.

Powerful Owl Project outcomes so far (breeding season ends in late September)  225 people have attended seven workshops on owls  Jasmine Zeleny and Matt Wright, local owl experts, helped deliver workshops  152 people are signed up and have been assigned locations  50 Powerful Owl locations have been reported this year and last (enough data to produce a better map of which habitats in the region likely hold Powerful Owl) Pale-headed Rosella (Peter Crane)

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 Over 50 historic locations have been identified (3 to 10 Other activities by branch support officer: years old)  Delivered two workshops with Yandina staff to volunteers,  Active breeding has been confirmed at four sites so far this included BirdData protocols year, with three more suspected  Helped somewhat with Yandina surveys, but Ken Cross has  Volunteers are agreeing to survey random locations done excellent work at coordinating the local volunteer (stratified within suitable habitat) effort  Some early press coverage appeared in the Sydney Herald,  Assisted coordination of five of the Brolga Lakes surveys the Brisbane Times and three local papers and which are set to continue monthly  the project gets picked up in unexpected ways, eg The Gold  Organised BirdLife attendance at a week-long music festival Coast Hinterlander where we raised the profile of the organisation to thousands who attended.  Helped draft and submit 11 conservation submissions, got BSQ to join the campaign against land clearing, and attended six conservation related meetings  Helped coordinate the BirdLife Twitchathon for Queensland  Spoke at two gatherings at Toondah Harbour about shorebirds, and at one education event near the coast

The Challenges:

There is little doubt that the above work is helpful in raising the profile of the organisation, developing projects which intersect members interest in birds with their conservation and assists with the high volume of work this branch undertakes. It is, however, a small contribution compared to many volunteers who contribute more hours. It was hoped that this position would alleviate some of the workload of the committee and bring in a bit of extra income. While the amount of activity the branch is involved in has grown to impressive levels in large part due to efforts from the current committee and branch members, the burden on a volunteer committee has also grown. I feel optimistic that we will turn the corner in being able to generate local income through this position and may one day be able to direct more staff time to alleviating the growing administrative burden tackled by volunteers. I have recently applied to four more grants, and will apply for more, and I feel optimistic that we will turn the corner in being able to generate local income through this position and may one day be able to direct more staff time to alleviating the growing administrative burden tackled by volunteers.

Dr Rob Clemens Branch Support Officer, June 2018

Powerful Owl workshop in Kingston, Qld; Powerful Owl (Amanda Robertson, Powerful Owl (Peter Crane) project volunteer)

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CONSERVATION REPORT ‐ Participating in workshops for Biodiversity in the Lockyer, hosted by the Lockyer Uplands Catchment group This time last year, I was heading off overseas, hopeful to see many familiar birds in the British landscape. The I have supported The Australian Conservation Foundation and attachment to country is huge – to walk the glens and hills The Wilderness Society to connect with our broad band of where pheasant and grouse hide among the heather, was members to contribute to conservation strategies in various sheer joy. Attending the British Bird Fair at Rutland Water electorates. This is currently playing out in a newly formed was a fascinating experience and I even shook the hand of TWS group helping residents advocate against the the famous Bill Oddie. Australia was very poorly represented construction of the Zip Line on Mt Cootha where a pair of at this event; only one lone ranger from the Northern Powerful Owls may be adversely affected. We have worked in Territory could speak to the outstanding wealth of association with the Stop Adani and Lock the Gate groups, ornithology in this country. Lots of small nations like Costa campaigning on projects where the interests of birds are Rica provide support to their avian sector with stands most impacted. supporting impressive displays and copious take away information to entice bird watchers to visit. I thought at the Thankfully, we have a band of the brightest and best working time poor Australia, we are so far away. Really, in this day at The University of Queensland’s Threatened Species Recovery Hub. I commend the National Environmental and age this is no excuse but rather a reflection on how we Science Program Threatened Species Recovery Hub to fail to prioritise ‘spending’ on promoting our wonderful everyone interested in our threatened ecology. ‘Australia is natural assets. home to more species than any other developed country.

Most of our wildlife is found nowhere else in the world. But The development of the Galilee Basin remains controversial Australia’s track record in protecting its unique animals and and so it should. To construct the necessary rail plants is poor.’ As we head into another pre-election period, infrastructure for the Adani Carmichael mine would unleash please be a voice to be heard. an assault of nightmare proportions across the landscape of . It is hard to comprehend just how much Undoubtedly many great people in our government of the countryside will be affected by coal and gas extraction departments feel just as frustrated as we do with the lack of and how these fragmented landscapes will ultimately affect political will on the many issues presented to them as daily, all of nature. Undoubtedly our insect abundance is in decline they care for country. There is never ‘enough money’. and contributing to the paucity of small bush birds; a Environment is a poor relative when it should be the complaint we hear frequently when attending stalls and ‘billionaire’ – we cannot survive without healthy land, water engaging with a concerned population who simply record and air, any more than our birds and animals can. what they observe; ‘things are not what they were like when I was young or when I first lived here’. I acknowledge my wonderful colleagues on committee of BSQ

and PTBA and to our membership. Thank you to everyone Our advocacy over the year has centred on Yandina Wetlands volunteering in education, writing, surveying and collecting and Toondah Harbour, largely driven by Judith Hoyle. data and working away in any capacity. We are simply a sum Attending the Minister’s Environmental Round Table event on of our parts and BSQ conservation team, could achieve the 20th of June has provided a timely opportunity for me to submit a briefing on our failings to protect Ramsar sites on nothing without you all. Together we all ‘Act for Birds’. the eastern seaboard of Queensland. Toondah Harbour Wishing you all the best for the year ahead. development will encroach on the Moreton Marine Park and the offshore Ramsar site. New Hope’s Colton mine will impact

The Great Sandy Straits Ramsar Site and the Proposed Sheena Gillman Central Queensland Coal Project (Styx Coal Project) will impact the Broadsound Ramsar area. Clearly our federal laws Chair of Conservation June 2018 are failing our birds when we treat internationally significant agreements which such ambivalence. We must ‘Act for Birds’.

Again this year BSQ has contributed to the Eastern Bristlebird Northern Recovery Team project. Volunteers have undertaken the grassing of aviaries at Hidden Vale Captive Breeding facility near Gatton. We hope to survey all historical sites from late July, so if you fancy a decent walk up some truly wonderful hills; feel free to volunteer!

Through the ‘Protect the Bush Alliance’, we maintain advocacy for a range of issues, including: ‐ North-East Gas Interconnector the Jemena Pipe Line NT in to Mt Isa ‐ Black-throated Finch – Adani Mine ‐ Colton Mine at Aldershot for migratory shorebirds ‐ Central Qld Coal Project on the Styx River ‐ Moreton Resources Coal Mine at Kingaroy ‐ Creek crossing in the Redlands ‐ DEHP development of Special Wildlife Reserves ‐ Contributing to a joint statement with other NGO’s developing a strategy document to support the increase of the protected area estate. Variegated Fairywren (Peter Crane)

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BRISBANE SOUTH LOCAL BRANCH GOLD COAST LOCAL BRANCH

Sandra Gallienne has been the Local Branch Convenor for Gold Coast Local Branch activities are restricted in the main Brisbane South since Birds Australia and the Bird Observers to bird watching and recording outings conducted every Club of Australia merged in January 2012. During that time, Thursday weather and public holidays permitting. During as well as spending time on the BSQ committee after the 2017, there were 51 outings. Localities visited range from merger, Sandra ran countless outings, participated in dozens Ballina in the south to Boonah in the west and Carbrook in of surveys, worked with local councils for multiple local the north, so we cover all of the Gold Coast, and most of the educational initiatives, and undertook many other duties as Logan, , Tweed and Ballina Council areas. part of her role. While some areas visited are ‘old favourites’ where the group In 2017, Sandra and her husband, Graeme relocated to has been birding for in excess of 30 years we are sometimes Toowoomba for a 12-month contract. Rodney Appleby, a delighted to find new areas to explore, usually with the help Senior Research Fellow for Orica, gamely agreed to step into of local residents who are often eager to share their Sandra’s shoes (and what Big Shoes!) for as long as knowledge of the environment. required. Rodney is also the southern Queensland representative for BirdLife Australia’s Photography Special During 2017 we recorded 34093 birds and 233 species which Interest Group. compares with 2016 when we recorded 32087 and 233 species. Average number of species recorded per outing was This is a snapshot from his bio: 78 in 2017 compared with 77 in 2016. While variations in I am a newbie at the hobby. I don't know all the names, I counts for individual species are generally expected and spend hours trying to identify new birds and often get it explainable, over the last two and a half years there has wrong, and I can probably tell you the calls of a handful of been a troubling reduction in counts for Brown Falcon e.g. 24 birds. I learn through the help of many experienced birders in 2016 and only 7 in 2017 with the trend continuing. who are happy to share that information and knowledge they have gained over the years. Hopefully I will be in a We have 36 members on our regular mailing list for active position to be able to do so one day as well. I don't know members and 14 members who have become inactive but many people in the birding community or all the issues. remain interested in birding. As some members become inactive due to health reasons we seem to recruit new But if I do know that if we are to be able to continue to members so that our average attendance was 14 in 2017 a teach younger generations then our groups, including slight decline from 16 in 2016. In 2018 so far we have held Brisbane South and BirdLife Photography need to have 18 outings with an average of 15 members per outing. This active members and people who are willing to contribute year’s program has been disrupted by the Commonwealth their time to its success. Games when outings were cancelled for 2 weeks due to traffic difficulties. Since our membership is mainly retired Rodney’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn from others has people, there are always some members away travelling and meant that, in the short time that he has been Brisbane almost always birding where ever they are in Australia or South’s Local Branch Convenor, he has reached out to overseas. members in his region and expanded the number of people attending outings in the area. He also produces stunning Visitors are always welcome and in 2017 we welcomed 25 reports of these outings. birders from Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria as well as New Zealand, England and Thailand. We Rodney looks forward to meeting more of Brisbane South have 4 regular members who reside in NSW. members in the coming months. Our “Where to find birds on the Gold Coast” Brochure has Judith Hoyle & Rodney Appleby, June 2018 just been reprinted and is widely distributed to Visitors Centres etc and results in a steady stream of enquiries re birds, BirdLife and outings.

We cooperate with the Natural Areas Management section of the Gold Coast City Council by supplying statistics and information for bird identification signboards and generally trying to strengthen their hand in the uphill battle to protect bird habitat from development.

The statistics provided in this report have been compiled by our “Scribe” extraodinaire, Jim Lucas, who produces a very detailed weekly report of our outings as well as analysing the data on seasonal and species basis. Although formal surveys are not conducted, most localities are visited on a repeated basis over time so it is possible to observe trends over the last decade. This data is available to any who wish to make use of it. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to Jim for his reports and assistance. Thanks also to our exceptionally Shining Bronze Cuckoo (Rodney Appleby) talented photographers who so often are called on to provide

the evidence to settle contentious identificatons.

Beth Hall, 5 June 1918

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SUNSHINE COAST LOCAL BRANCH

Birdlife Australia’s Sub Branch on the Sunshine Coast in 2017 conducted a variety of outings and events with a high participation of members.

Each month we conducted a Saturday Outing plus a weekday outing on a nominated Wednesday. A large variety of places, National Parks, Botanical Gardens, Beaches and Golf courses in and around the Sunshine Coast were visited to ensure that members were offered experiences with a great variety of Birdlife!

In 2017 we had two weekend-aways: to Tin Can Bay [for waders in and along the Sandy Straits], and Esk [as a centre to explore the Lockyer Valley]. We also had a camp out to Charlie Moreland in the Conondales where we enjoyed both the forest birding and some spotlighting.

We continued our presence through social media with a Facebook page that finished the year with over 180 members. Many were silent, enjoying a huge variety of bird photos from all over the Sunny Coast and further afield via travelling members. But many were active; contributing pictures without ID; the identifications being provided and debated by other observers. Our Blog continues to limp along……as Facebook becomes a more regular way of advising our birding opportunities.

Excitingly 2017 was the year that Unity Water purchased Yandina Creek Wetlands, enacting Greg Robert’s dream and rewarding his actions, and thus protecting it and its birdlife from development. Sunshine Coast members have been actively involved in the first surveys of this property.

Many members remembered to talk birds at the Nambour Garden Expo – one of our outreach events for 2017. A big thank you to Robyn Combes for continuing to organise this weekend. Congratulation and thanks to all of the many members who led walks, manned displays and participated in surveys.

Vale Clive Allen Sadly though in May 2017 BirdLife Southern Queensland lost a great friend and a great fan of our birds with the passing of Clive Allen. Clive had been involved with birds and birding for a long time and had had a long involvement with the Sunshine Coast sub group; leading it for well over a decade, from approximately 2001 until 2014. Through this period the club evolved from a stand-alone bird club to a BOCA group and, finally, a sub branch of BirdLife Australia’s Southern Queensland’s regional group.

Clive was a well-liked and very well respected leader who was always keen to pass on his knowledge with good humour and enthusiasm. He organised monthly outings in addition to Bird counts and the like. Clive and his wife Leslie lived in Mapleton, following his retirement from the Queensland Education Department, and built a wonderful garden there; designed of course to attract many of the local bird species. Departing for Boonooroo; Birding for everyone; Inskip Point; Pink-eared Duck In addition to birding Clive was a keen sailor and punter, and Blue-billed Duck (Ken Cross) indeed after each Saturday bird outing he was quick to travel to ’s Corbould Park for the weekly racing meet! Clive’s funeral was attended by many BirdLife members in addition to other family and friends. He will be missed.

Ken Cross June 2018

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REDLANDS LOCAL BRANCH concerns about a proposed High Ropes Course for the Eprapah Environmental Reserve at Victoria Point. The Redlands branch of Birdlife Southern Queensland held a birdwalk on the 4th Wednesday of each month from January A major environmentally damaging proposal is that for to November in 2017. Locations in the Redlands ranged from Toondah Harbour at Cleveland. Birdlife Australia in Melbourne southern areas including Bayview Conservation Park and has been very involved with opposing this project for us. Venman National Park, Mt Cotton; the Redland Bay shoreline Birdlife Southern Queensland has been supporting and and Point Halloran Conservation Reserve; to areas further working with Redlands 2030 to try to prevent this project north such as Henry Ziegenfusz Park, Cleveland; Wallaby from going ahead as it will impact on migratory shorebirds, in Creek, Sheldon; and Beth Boyd Park and shoreline at particular the critically endangered Eastern Curlew. We Thorneside. Each month between 12 and 25 people attend supported Redlands 2030 events at GJ Walter Park (where these walks. part of the development will be built) in late July and in December (to welcome back the shorebirds). The plan for We also visited a number of great birding sites near the 2018 is to have the Welcome Back the Shorebirds earlier Redlands including Sandy Camp Wetlands, Wynnum; J.C. when they are actually returning from the north. The matter Trotter Park, Burbank; Minnippi Parklands, Tingalpa. As well has been referred to the EPBC Act and we have until June for the first time we decided to have an outing on a Sunday 20 to put in submissions. and to visit the Southern Moreton Bay Islands of Karragarra and Russell Islands followed by lunch at Redland Bay. In Finally we have assisted, publicised and had input into the December our Christmas break-up walk and lunch was also Council Raptor Nest ID Project. This project has on one of the islands - Couchiemudlo. been collecting important data in our area and could add to the overall knowledge of the breeding and behaviour of As we visit a range of quite different types of habitats the White-bellied Sea Eagles, Ospreys, and Brahminy Kites. birds observed are quite varied from shorebirds such as red- capped plovers, eastern curlews, godwits and pied Kathy Clark and Joy Graydon oystercatchers; to many different types of waterbirds such as ducks, egrets and spoonbills; raptors such as sea eagles, ospreys, bazas and kites; and many different types of bushbirds including 3 types of fairywrens. whistlers, orioles, and many other honeyeaters, gerygones, finches, fantails, bee-eaters and kingfishers. We usually list between 30 and about 70 different species each outing.

Our major project in 2017 was producing the brochure: Bird Places in the Redlands. In 2016 with the help of Rochelle Stevens and Judy Leitch, we had obtained a grant from Redland City Council to produce this brochure. Then Joy Graydon, Judy Leitch and I spent the first half of 2017 checking out the birding sites in the Redlands on the mainland as well as North Stradbroke, and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. We needed to determine the best parking locations for each site, as well as the facilities available at each site. With Rochelle's help with the Australian Bird Database as well as our own observations and eBird we were able to identify the likely birds for each site. The map of the sites was provided by Boyd Essex from Redland City Council, and Judy Leitch and I provided the photos for the cover.

We invited the deputy mayor, Wendy Boglary, who had supported our application for the grant, to launch the brochure in November 2017 at Redlands Indigiscapes Centre with an afternoon tea. The brochure has been spread throughout the birding communities of the Redlands, as well as Brisbane, and is a very popular item at Redlands Indigiscape Centre and tourism hub. This year we plan to try to make the brochure available in more areas.

Our group has also been involved with trying to protect bird habitats in the Redlands. Firstly we have objected to the unnecessary building of a pathway and bridge across . Unfortunately, Redland City Council recently voted in favour of this project despite the objections of many local residents, the Eprapah Creek Landcare Association and Birdlife.

With Rae Clarke and Frank Burch, I also met with a representative of the Qld Scouts Association to discuss our

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EDUCATION COMMITTEE received. These bursaries will continue to be an annual feature for BSQ.

In 2017 and early 2018, a great deal of effort has been devoted to the production of 3 curriculum-based ‘Young Birders Guides’, with many hours given to design and consulting with experts to ensure the final product meets the highest standards. These are now in the final stages of development. We expect to take delivery of the journals in the second half of 2018.

2018 has been equally as busy, with more schools visited. Thanks to enthusiastic volunteers Andy and Mary Sides, and teacher, Nashville School now has a ‘birding club’ which holds regular activities. This school also purchased 10 Birds of SEQ books for their students.

None of the above achievements would be possible without the hard work and dedication of members of our committee,

Buranda State School outing the BEG, and our volunteers who, knowing how vital it is to educate young people about birds and their conservation, In 2017 the Joint BSQ/BQ Education committee was renamed devote many hours to making our education program such a the Bird Education Group (BEG). We welcomed Ellen success. Sincere thanks to each one of you! Thompson from the BSQ Committee to the BEG. We meet regularly on the third Thursday of each month, and because Many schools contact us for assistance, but time and of this collaboration, 2017 was a busy and satisfying year. volunteer resources make it impossible for us offer our time Our education initiatives included: and expertise to every school. I hope after reading this, that more of our members may be inspired to join our education 1) Working with the staff of Corinda High School to deliver 4 program! sessions including ID sessions and the camp competition. Approximately ten students attended after school sessions Neil Humphris, May 2018 on bird subjects aligned with curriculum. This was followed by a Science Camp with thirty students from year 7 & 8’s participating in the camp. Finally, we took our KEY COMMUNICATIONS - SOCIAL MEDIA scopes and a group of students to Oxley Creek Common

wetlands to hone bird identification skills. Our social media footprint has seen promising growth. In 2) We continued our relationship with Buranda Primary 2018 alone, we have already seen an increase of over 300 school. The highlight was filming a session of ‘Totally Wild followers. We have improved significantly on our 2017 with a whole class of Year 4 students along the banks of growth and are currently gaining followers at double the rate Bulimba Creek. of 2017. Several successful advertising campaigns have been 3) Shorebird identification continued to be the focus of our conducted in the recent past, where relatively small budgets work with the Moreton Bay Environmental Education have produced extremely promising results. The advertising Centre. We delivered 10 sessions in local bird hides has been orchestrated to only target individuals who live in answering the questions of the eager Year 4 students. Southern Queensland and have an interest in our native 4) Ferny Grove High School’s Year 7 students were treated to birds. some amusing bird identification class room tests, with

the students having the opportunity to ask many For example: interesting questions. Twitchathon 5) We were invited to attend the Science Teachers Budget $50 Association of Queensland’s annual conference. This Reach 4500 provided the opportunity for a BEG education display. We Post engagement (link clicks, likes, shares) 303 held a workshop at the conference to discuss plans for our Powerful Owl Workshops: website, and the development of curriculum-based Budget $100 booklets for students. Reach 12694 6) The importance of developing other curriculum-based Post engagement 1696 resources for teachers remains a high priority. To this (Reach is the number of individuals in SQ who viewed the end, the BEG is also working towards developing a advertisement.) multimedia Bird Education Website for teachers and

students. The Powerful Owl workshop posts, in particular, were

extremely effective for a very small financial investment. For the second time, BirdLife Southern Queensland again Over 12 thousand locals were reached, and the post offered two bursaries to the Science Teachers Association of engagement was very high. This seems to be a very good Queensland’s science competition in October for bird themed way to advertise our branch activities. entries. After judging entries, Rob Clemens and I handed out the prizes and cheques to the winners at the awards night. Looking forward, I hope to continue to grow our Facebook The quality of the entrant’s submissions was high making page, and ideally start to develop a presence on other social choices in the primary and secondary levels hard. Winners media formats such as Instagram. were from Brisbane and Gold Coast schools. All winning entrants were girls and the prize monies were very gratefully Callan Alexander, June 2018

June 2015 9

KEY COMMUNICATIONS - E-NEWS WARBLER

Twelve editions of our BSQ e-News were sent to the general Warbler is our quarterly e-magazine and is available on the membership and supporters via the email marketing service BirdLife Southern Queensland publications page. MailChimp. The e-magazine has a number of discrete sections: The number of e-news subscribers sits at 1518, with an  From the Convenor – the Convenor’s report average opening rate of 49.8%, up from 47.8%, which  From the Branch Support Officer continues to be well above the industry standard of 22%. We  The Green Corner – a summary of current conservation try and send e-news out monthly with each e-news consisting issues of several items ranging in topic from conservation news,  Key Biodiversity Areas are about Life on Earth – a summary media, workshops, and project, programs and campaigns of the KBA program and a report on one KBA from BirdLife/BSQ, partnerships and others related to birds.  The Classroom – an update on the school education It also includes contact details for local branch convenors to program and other general education activities get involved in their local bird walks.  The Darkroom – photography matters  On Tour – members’ tour reports Date Opens Clicks Key content  Over the Border or Over the Water – regular reports from 30 795 91 World Wetlands Day (2/217) interstate or overseas birding friends Jan 52.4% 6% Jessie Oliver talk at B4C  The Book Corner – book reviews 24 778 94 Yandina announcement  The Back Page – news and forthcoming events Feb 51.6% 6.2% 30 740 52 Night parrot story – WA The e-magazine has been from 31 to 36 pages per edition. Mar 49.3% 3.5% sightings Critical Roundtable @ UQ - Thanks are extended to all contributors for past and more shorebirds importantly future articles. My particular thanks go to the 14 793 163 Mackay Conservation Group editorial team members – Gil Porter and Ross Smith – for Apr 51.8% 10.7% images of coal spoil spill their continued assistance and support. Gil deserves a second John Clarke tribute mention as our principal book reviewer. 3 753 43 Glossy Black Birding Day May 49.4% 2.8% World Migratory Bird Day In reviewing the past year I was reminded that the December (10/5/17) 2017 edition marked the start of my sixth year as editor and 30 744 93 Invite to join Carpentarian so I took the opportunity to review my first edition in May 48.7% 6.1% Grasswren Surveys December 2012. I am pleased to see the changes in Warbler Invite to join Texas Survey over this time. It has grown from a newsletter to an e- Warbler Promo magazine and we now have a significant emphasis on 26 765 47 Call for committee members for conservation issues. As the BirdLife Australia website states – Jun 50.2% 3.1% AGM ‘Conservation is at the heart of everything that we do’. AELA Conference invitation RSPCA Cat management Members generally, and Committee members in particular, consultation are encouraged to submit at least one article on their birding Conference promo – Biennial activities or trips each year. Great Sandy Conference 26 701 43 Invite to AGM – Promo for Nick’s Jul 46.2% 2.8% NP talk Peter Crane, May 2018 Owls of Brisbane workshops 6 754 140 Green Heart Fair – call for Sep 48.6% 9% volunteers Shorebirds in Great Sandy Strait – Colton coal mine 25 763 103 Toondah Rally 30/9/17 Sep 49.3% 6.7% ABBC promo Twitchathon promo COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mary Cairncross stand promo 17 801 122 ABBC promo Current Committee members renominating are: Oct 51.9% 7.9% Sean Dooley in the Botanic Gardens Judith Hoyle Twitchathon promo Sheena Gillman 5 740 47 Welcome back shorebirds Neil Humphris Dec 48.2% 3.1% 9/12/17 Dr Gary Fitt Glossy Black call for volunteers Ellen Thompson (Helidon and Ravensbourne) Callan Alexander Woodford Folk Festival promo – Dr Sam Price call for volunteers Intor – Painted Honeyeater New nomination from Dylan Jones FLAGSHIP Yandina update Dr Rob Clemens and Dr Monica Awasthy will continue to be ex officio members of the committee. Rochelle Steven

10 Warbler

FINANCE REPORT

BirdLife Australia Ltd. BirdLife Australia Ltd. BirdLife Parent : Birdlife Australia Ltd BirdLife Parent : Birdlife Australia Ltd Profit and Loss Balance Sheet From Jan 2017 to Dec 2017 End of Dec 2017

Financial Row Amount Financial Row Amount ASSETS Income Current Assets 42000 - Donations & Bequests Bank 42001 - Donations - Untied -$1,000.00 11058 - Bank SQLD 12656224521 CHQ $16,914.44 11059 - Bank SQLD 12656224526 Saver $44,592.35 Total - 42000 - Donations & Bequests -$1,000.00 11060 - Bank SQLD 759210 Term Dep $198.34 44000 - Sales Income 11061 - Bank SQLD 629651 Term Dep $35,042.71 44000 - Sales Income $10.91 Total Bank $96,747.84 44003 - Conference & Events -$643.25 Other Current Asset 44005 - Tours & Workshop Income $300.00 11209 - Payroll Branch Clearing -$10,948.10 44007 - Fundraising Revenue $18.18 21202 - GST Paid $786.01 44013 - Sales - Merchandise $9,833.40 Total Other Current Asset -$10,162.09 Total - 44000 - Sales Income $9,519.24 Total Current Assets $86,585.75 45000 - Finance Income Total ASSETS $86,585.75 45001 - Interest Received Bank Account $783.03 LIABILITIES Total - 45000 - Finance Income $783.03 Current Liabilities 46000 - Research Project Income Other Current Liability 46003 - Grants $7,753.77 21107 - Branch Clearing Account -$247.29 46004 - Revenue - Other -$1.00 21201 - GST Collected $921.61 Total - 46000 - Research Project Income $7,752.77 Total Other Current Liability $674.32 47000 - Other Income Total Current Liabilities $674.32 47009 - Other Revenue $4,827.20 Total LIABILITIES $674.32 Total - 47000 - Other Income $4,827.20 Net Assets $85,911.43 Total - Income $21,882.24 Equity Gross Profit $21,882.24 Retained Earnings $85,448.14 Expenses Net Income $463.36 Total Equity $85,911.50 51000 - Admin & Finance Expenses 51001 - Accounting & Bookkeeping $750.00 51008 - Legal Fees $167.90 51013 - Other Expenses $1,082.52 51016 - Disbursements Branches -$6,000.00 51018 - Cost of Sales $523.67 51019 - Vehicle Costs $575.09 51022 - Functions / Events $992.30 51025 - Gifts $45.45 52021 - Community Education / Engagement $837.82 Total - 51000 - Admin & Finance Expenses -$1,025.25 52000 - Employee Costs 52001 - Salary $8,629.60 52002 - Superanuation $809.97 52006 - Annual Leave Exp $377.46 52016 - OnCost Allocation $1,131.00 Total - 52000 - Employee Costs $10,948.03 53000 - Occupancy Expenses 53009 - Telephone , Internet $534.86 Total - 53000 - Occupancy Expenses $534.86 54000 - Project Expense 54004 - Field / On Ground Works $784.25 54008 - Website Costs $454.55 Total - 54000 - Project Expense $1,238.80 55000 - Postage / Printing 55002 - Printing & Stationery $849.97 55005 - Postage / Courier / Freight $409.47 Total - 55000 - Postage / Printing $1,259.44 Total - Expenses $12,955.88 Operating Profit $8,926.36 Net Profit/(Loss) $8,926.36

Oriental Dollarbird (Peter Crane)

June 2015 11

Weebill (Peter Crane)

12 Warbler