Birds SA Newsletter No 221 May 2012

Birds SA is the operating name of The South Australian Ornithological Association Inc. c/- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000

The Aims of the Association are: To promote the conservation of Australian birds and their habitats. To encourage interest in, and develop knowledge of the birds of South Australia. To record the results of research in regard to all aspects of bird life. To maintain a public fund called the “Birds SA Conservation Fund” for the specific purpose of supporting the Association’s environmental objects.

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A Very Strange Bird!

Wally Klau photographed this very odd New Holland Honeyeater in his yard at Wilmington, early in May. It had been visiting his yard for about a week when he took the photograph.

2 Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 CONTENTS SAOA COMMITTEE 2012 – 2013 President’s Report ……………………………..4 President Jeremy Robertson 7183 2674 Birds SA Notes & News ………..……….….…5 Vice President John Hatch 8362 2820 Past and Future Meetings ...…….………...... 8 Vice President Greg Kerr 7007 3922 Past Excursions ...…………….…...... …...9 Secretary Brian Blaylock 8370 3349 Treasurer Brian Walker 8263 3433 Future Excursions …………………...…....….10 Assistant Secretary Bird Records …………..……….….…...... ….11 Journal Editor Merilyn Browne 8339 6839 Members’ Photographs……………….……...14 Newsletter Editor Cynthia Pyle 8264 5778 CENTRE INSERT Field Program Coordinator Trevor Cowie 8263 2531 SAOA HISTORICAL SERIES NUMBER 40, Bird Record Secretary Graham Carpenter 8297 5463 F. W. ANDREWS Member Lou Bartley-Clements 0418858037 Member John Spiers 8333 0272

Member Merinda Hyland 8337 3616 DIARY Member Lynton Huxley 8278 4313 Following is a list of Birds SA activities for the next few Member Robert Rowland 83881790 months. Further details of all these activities are given later in the newsletter.

May 27 Sunday Excursion to Milang and Nurragi CP FURTHER USEFUL CONTACTS  Librarian Karen Donkin 0402123960 June 9 Saturday Excursion to Talbot/Rockleigh Reserves Image Librarian John Spiers 8333 0272 June 21 Thursday Excursion to Charleston CP email [email protected] Ongoing Atlas Pat Bowie 8278 6048 June 29 Friday General Meeting  July 1 Sunday Excursion to Muntiri Scrub & Milang RELATED ASSOCIATIONS July 14 Saturday Excursion to Sandy Creek CP Birdlife Australia — SE of SA branch July 19 Thursday Excursion to Jenkins Scrub Convener, Bryan Haywood [email protected] 8726 8112 July 27 Friday General Meeting Deputy Convener, Bob Green [email protected] 8725 0549 Fleurieu Birdwatchers July 29 Sunday Excursion to White’s Rd. Wetlands Contact Person Judith Dyer 8555 2736  Email [email protected] Aug 11 Saturday Excursion to Monarto CP Aug 16 Thursday Excursion to Hardy’s Scrub CP WEBSITE birdsssa.asn.au Aug 31 Friday General Meeting 2012 SAOA SUBSCRIPTIONS  Single membership $50 Sep 2 Sunday Excursion to Morgan CP Family/household membership $60 Single concession* $45 15 Sept Saturday Excursion to Scott CP Family/household concession* $55 20 Sept Thursday Excursion to Altona Reserve Student members (full-time students under 25 years) $10 *Pensioners and people experiencing financial hardship can obtain Cover photo: Common Bronzewing. Photographed by Helga concessions. Apply in writing to the Treasurer, Birds SA. Kieskamp at Calperum on 8th April 2012. ABN 76 339 976 789

General meetings are held in the Hawker Centre at the Waite ADVERTISING IN THE Birds SA Institute, Waite Road, Urrbrae at 7.45pm. Doors open at 7.00pm. NEWSLETTER SAOA relies on the integrity of advertisers for the quality and nature Committee meetings are held at the above venue on the second of their products and services. We cannot guarantee them. Advertising is charged as follows: $1.00 per line, up to $20.00 per quarter page and Monday of each month, starting at 7.30pm. 10c per inserted leaflet (single sheet). The committee reserves the right to lower or waive these fees. Donations to the Birds SA Conservation Fund are tax- deductible COPY DEADLINE Copy for the August Newsletter is due by the July General Meeting (July 27). Contributions, ‘Word’ format preferred, can be made on CD, New Members emailed to either of my email addresses, or typed/handwritten neatly. We welcome 10 new members who have recently joined the Association. Their names are listed on p13. • [email protected] • [email protected]

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Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 3 President’s Report, 2011

Achievements for 2011

• We have researched and produced a quail and duck hunting policy. • We supported the research of Lawrence Berry at ANU on the effect of fire mosaics on bird communities. He gave us a talk on his interesting findings. • We have joined the University of Queensland led project Understanding and reversing the rapid declines in Australia’s shorebirds. • We have made a submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Draft Basin Plan. • We have lobbied politicians and ambassadors about the problems on the migratory shorebird flyway through S.E. Asia. • We have reviewed the Constitution of the Association and will be presenting it to the membership very soon. • We are working towards an effective relationship with Birdlife Australia now that they have completed their amalgamation of Birds Australia and BOCA. Thanks for 2011

Bird Records Vetting sub-Committee Bird Record Database A Black, G Carpenter, L Pedler S Winwood Rare Bird sub-Committee Supper A Black, G Carpenter, L Pedler, J Fennell, K, L & M Huxley, H Cowie J Hatch, C Rogers Newsletter and Journal Distribution Conservation Fund Management H Monterola, M Priede, B Wheaton, Committee B & M Snell A Black, D Bright, J Russell Conservation sub-Committee Field Trips G Kerr, R Attwood, D Hansman, T Cowie, M Price, P Gower, T Jack, K Rowland, J Spiers, N Gammon, B Alcock W Brooker e-Newsletter Image Library & Scanning of Journals R Collier, B Walker J Spiers Newsletter Web Site Design & Maintenance C Pyle, S Winwood, P Paton B Blaylock Library Subscribers K Donkin, J Donkin, T Randle P Horton Auditor Campouts Rod Tetlow D Robertson, T Cowie

JEREMY ROBERTSON

4 Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 Birds SA Notes & News PROPOSED CHANGE TO VALIDATION OF RESEARCH GRANT ASSOCIATION'S RULES ASSOCIATION RECORDS APPLICATIONS FROM THE As noted at the Annual General It is the responsibility of the Vetting CONSERVATION FUND Meeting, the Committee is proposing Subcommittee to ensure, where The aim of Birds SA Conservation to replace the current rules with a possible, that all reports of Fund is to provide research grants to new set (now titled "constitution"). unexpected bird sightings be checked encourage and promote research into The proposed changes take into for validity or potential error before birds and their habitats in South account several anomalies and the Association publishes them in Australia. shortfalls of the current rules. any form. This is not always possible You do not need to be a University In order to allow members to have and occasional doubtful or incorrect student or be associated with any sufficient time to review and claims do bypass the system. In research institution to apply for a comment on the proposed addition genuine observations of grant. Birds SA welcomes Constitution the draft and a set of uncommon birds or birds seen in applications from any interested explanatory notes will be made unexpected places may be regarded person for a grant of up to $3000 available and comment received until as unvalidated (and therefore towards original research into the end of July. Any changes arising overlooked) unless supportive matters affecting conservation or from the consultative process will be evidence is provided at the time. ecology of birds in South Australia. advised in the August Newsletter and One such example was drawn to my The research can be either fieldwork a motion to adopt the new attention recently concerning birds or laboratory work, and all research Constitution will be put to the listed from the October 2011 activities should be completed within September General Meeting. Campout in Ngarkat Conservation a 12-month period. At the conclusion Copies of the proposed Constitution Park (Newsletter 220, November of the work a written report of 2,000 and explanatory notes can be 2011, page 10). words is required, as well as a short obtained from the members' area of Three species, Yellow-tufted presentation to a monthly meeting of the Birds SA web site, or by phoning Honeyeater, Diamond Firetail and Birds SA on the findings of the Brian Walker on (08) 8263 3433 to Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, have research. have a copy posted. not otherwise been reported in or The funds are primarily to cover field Brian Walker near Ngarkat CP and, in the absence expenses for researchers to pursue of supportive evidence, they cannot their studies. Items of equipment AUDITOR WANTED be accepted as valid records. In may be funded at the discretion of Some of you may be aware that the addition, researchers with extensive the Committee. regulation of charities and not-for- knowledge of Ngarkat have The following are general guidelines profit associations is due to change questioned the record of the Mallee to provide applicants with later in the year, with the Emu-wren (now vanishingly rare in information on projects that the Birds establishment of the Australian SA) since the claimed sighting was SA Conservation Fund is likely to Charities and Not-for-profit made at a locality where the species support: Commission. As a result of the new had not been recorded previously and 1. that increase knowledge and legislative framework, Birds SA's in atypical habitat. understanding of birds and their previous auditor (Rod Tetlow) will We strongly recommend that all bird habitats. no longer be eligible to undertake the sightings of an unusual or 2. relating to management and audit. unanticipated nature be corroborated conservation of South Australian The new regime will require an audit by relevant field notes and/or photos bird species and their habitats. review of the Association's financial made at the time; and that reports be 3. that investigate factors relating to report by a person who is a member accompanied by a completed Birdlife declining or threatened species of of an accounting body and who also Aus URRF or Birds SA Rare Bird birds. holds a practising certificate. Record Report Form (on web-site). Further information about these Would any member who holds the Only with such documentation can grants is available on the Birds SA requisite qualifications and would be we make progress with our website or by contacting Greg Kerr prepared to act as auditor please knowledge of the extent of bird at [email protected] contact Brian Walker by email distribution in SA. Cynthia Pyle ([email protected]) or phone Andrew Black, Chair Vetting and (08) 8263 3433. Rare Birds Subcommittees Brian Walker

Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 5 Birds SA Notes & News (cont)

A THIRD BIRD ATLAS OF THE poorly surveyed regions. Updates on out excess salts the river will become ADELAIDE REGION progress will be provided via Birds unusable for irrigation and other In 1974-75 and 1984-5, Birds SA SA Newsletter. human purposes, as well as documented the distributions of birds To be involved you will need a becoming degraded from an in the Adelaide region. Since 1985, a survey kit. environmental point of view. period of nearly 30 years, there has Survey kits will be available at the 16th April was the deadline for been no concerted attempt to re- June 29 general meeting of Birds SA, making submissions to the Murray- assess the distributions of birds but you can also request kits by Darling Basin Authority. within this region. In that time the contacting David Paton via email on Subsequent to closure of submissions distributions of some species are [email protected], giving the MDBA will produce a final likely to have changed. The Adelaide a suitable postal address. Proposed Basin Plan for region covers an area of about David Paton consideration by Minister Burke. 27,000km2 and runs from a little Proformas are available on the north of Pt Wakefield to near CONSERVATION SUB- website for letters to be written to Morgan to Cape Jervis to south-east COMMITTEE • Tony Burke. Minister for of Meningie. The third bird atlas will Members: SEWPaC commence on 1 July 2012 and run Rodney Attwood, William Brooker, • Greg Hunt Shadow Minister for for two years until 30 June 2014. Nigel Gammon, David Hansman, Climate Action, Environment and This time, Kangaroo Island will be Greg Kerr, Krystyna Rowland, John Heritage added to the area surveyed. Spiers. • Local federal and state members Knowledge of the distributions of Meetings are held on the first of parliament species and shifts in their Tuesday of each month • Leaders of the Labor, Liberal and distributions over time are important Green Parties for managing species in the future. Murray-Darling Basin Plan Of particular concern are a number of Letter to the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Birds SA Recreational Hunting woodland bird species that are Minister for Sustainability, Policy regarded as declining, and further Environment, Water, Population and Birds SA opposes the recreational reductions in the distribution of those Communities from the President, hunting of all birds and would prefer species will highlight the need for expressing our concern that the it to be disallowed. However, the greater action if those declines are to proposed Basin Plan published by the organisation recognises that be halted. Equally though, some Murray-Darling Authority fails to sometimes there may be some species are likely to be increasing in provide adequate protection to sites conservation benefits associated with range and expanding into new areas. important to water birds and in well-managed recreational hunting Repeating the atlas of birds of the particular to the lower lakes and the and, while hunting remains legal, Adelaide region will help to identify Coorong. will co-operate with others to the species that are contracting, those Our specific concerns are: maximise such benefits. that are expanding and those that are 1. The proposed reduction to 2,750 Reasons why we are opposed to the maintaining their distributions. GL/year in the long-term is recreational hunting of all birds: In the previous two sampling inadequate to restore the river to a • The non-fatal wounding of a periods, members of Birds SA healthy position significant proportion of birds collected the majority of the data. 2. An unjustified and significant results in pain and suffering to Collecting the data involves ticking increase in groundwater these animals. off the species that are seen at a extraction was inserted into the • Many members of Birds SA are location. A data sheet (or card) is new proposal opposed to recreational hunting. provided to make this an easy task to 3. Failure to address climate change • Surveys indicate a change in the do while in the field. The cards are scenarios attitude of the general populace, then submitted and the data 4. Failure to assess the feasibility with support for recreational processed. Experienced and in- and cost of overcoming physical hunting now confined to a experienced observers can be constraints to the flow of water. minority. In this context a involved, but for the next two years 5. Lack of adequate peer review of conservation message becomes keen bird watchers are encouraged the Basin Plan difficult to justify. go to a wide range of areas and 6. Failure of the proposed plan to • There are many unwanted by- record the birds they see. In the meet our obligations under the products of hunting such as second year (2013-14) we will target Environment Protection and killing of non-target species, areas that are rarely visited, to Biodiversity Conservation Act damage to wetland habitat, and improve the coverage, and hopefully (1999) disturbance to birds. some Birds SA field trips and The core issue is that if insufficient • Basin-wide decline in wetland campouts will be used to target water is available to flow and flush extent, diversity and productivity

6 Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 Birds SA Notes & News (cont)

means the environment is less plants, animals and ecological Footwear can also be disinfected capable of supporting historical communities. It is important for our using a footbath containing waterfowl population levels. natural heritage to contain and disinfectant. This, together with poorly minimise the spread of Phytophthora. Disinfect heavy equipment and understood waterfowl population Any movement of soil and/or plant vehicles, paying particular attention dynamics in Australia, gives material has the potential to spread to wheels, mudflaps, undercarriage concern about the impact of Phytophthora to new areas. and areas that are difficult to access, hunting. Prior to visiting a site each group using a pressurised spray unit Circumstances allowing leader should confirm the risk of containing a disinfectant/fungicide recreational hunting to have net movement through Phytophthora such as: Phytoclean® (add one part conservation benefit: infected soils. For field trips on of Phytoclean® to 50 parts of water) • Implementation of an open which the risk is considered low, or alternatively use sodium process for recreational hunting minimal Phytophthora management hypochlorite (pool chlorine). Add quotas. procedures are required. Equipment one part of pool chlorine to 1500 • Effective protection of non-target for cleaning footwear should be parts of water. species, non-game and threatened taken on the field trip and footwear Disinfectant should be allowed to species. cleaned prior to departure. penetrate for at least one minute, and • Adequate monitoring and Prior to leaving a known or likely preferably 10 minutes before the car modelling of population Phytophthora infected area, visual departs. dynamics to underpin decisions inspections should confirm that Greg Kerr on annual catches. footwear, equipment and vehicles are • Implementation of policies and free of clods of soil, slurry (water RARE BIRD COMMITTEE procedures to minimise suffering and soil mixture) and plant material. REPORT of target animals. Dust and grime need not be removed. A sighting of a suspected light morph • Improved habitat protection. The clean down procedure consists Masked Owl near the Head of the • Implementation of effective of dry brushing and disinfection. If Bight Visitor Centre, Nullabor Plains monitoring and reporting available, use facilities specifically on 10 April was reviewed by the programs. designed for cleaning vehicles or Rare Bird Committee. Two • Effective law enforcement. footwear. photographs were provided. The • Implementation of a vigorous When cleaning footwear, small photos were carefully considered, conservation program to increase equipment and hand tools: and based upon the shape of the the area of biologically remove all mud and soil with a hard facial disk (which was heart shaped) productive wetlands in Australia. brush or other tool, then disinfect the and the plumage patterning on the • Significantly increase the funding entire sole of your footwear using a back the Committee considered that for, and diversity of, research. spray bottle with disinfectant (70- the bird was most likely a Barn Owl. The types of activities Birds SA 100% methylated spirits) or All Tyto owl records from this area may become involved in: household bleach (one part bleach to are worth scrutiny. • Annual counts of waterbirds and four parts water). Allow the sole to John Fennell any other properly conducted, dry for approximately one minute. scientific studies which will further our understanding of the dynamics of waterbird populations, or our understanding of wetland conservation. • Any activities that increase the area of wetlands under protection, or improve the ability of wetlands to sustain waterbird populations, whether hunting is allowed on such wetlands or not.

Phytophthora Management Guidelines Dieback of native Australian flora species caused by a variety of species of root-rot fungus, particularly Phytophthora cinnamomi, is a major threat to some of Australia's native Malleefowl on Mound, photographed by Burt May at Brookfield CP in April 2011

Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 7 Past & Future Meetings

PAST GENERAL MEETINGS Frogmouth, Black Kite, Brown Jeremy Robertson asked John Hatch Falcon, Australian Hobby, Black- to introduce the speaker for the Friday January 27 shouldered Kite and Wedge-tailed evening. John Hatch said that Merilyn Brown asked John Hatch to Eagle. Merilyn Browne who is well known introduce the speaker for the evening Along the Tanami track in July 2011 to members came to bird watching Michael Huxley. John said that the following birds were through bushwalking and has visited Michael needed no introduction but photographed: Black Swan, Black- many countries. spoke about all the great videos that chinned (Golden-backed) Merilyn’s talk was about “Owls, Michael had shown previously. Honeyeater, Grey-headed nightjars and other night birds”. She Tonight’s video was on “Desert birds Honeyeater, Chiming Wedgebill, said that nocturnal birds make up in a good year”. Rufous-crowned Emuwren, Painted about 4% (400) of all birds. There Michael began by telling members of Finch, Zebra Finch, Diamond Dove, are about 230 owls, 93 nightjars and the three trips with his family Little Corella, Common Bronzewing, 50 frogmouths, potoos and also the covered in the video: Spinifex Pigeon, Budgerigar, nocturnal Swallow-tailed Gull • Marree to Birdsville (January Crimson Chat and Banded depending on the classification 2011) Whiteface. followed. The “owl” family contains • Lyndhurst to Innamincka (April Michael also showed a few Tyto (barn owls), Otus (scops owls), 2011) photographs taken in October 2011 at Megascops (screech owls), Bubo • Part of Tanami Track (July 2011). Gluepot – Weebill, Inland Thornbill, (eagle-owls and fish owls), Strix Michael narrated as the video was White-browed Woodswallow and (wood owls), Glaucidium (pygmy shown. Near Marree, where Inland Scarlet-chested Parrot. owls, owlets), Ninox (hawk-owls), Dotterel and Little Button-quail were and Asio (eared- owls). photographed, the temperature was Friday February 24 Merilyn showed photographs of the over 40°C. About 130km N of John Hatch introduced the speaker following owls: Australian Barn Marree where the last good season for the evening Phillip Northeast a Owl, Lesser Sooty Owl, White-faced was in 1990 a comparison shot taken PhD student under the supervision of Scops Owl, Indian Scops Owl, in April 2008 was shown. The David Paton and Daniel Rogers. Serendib Scops Owl, African Scops following birds were photographed: Phillip’s topic was “Defining habitat Owl, Torotoroka Scops Owl, Black-winged Stilt, Banded needs of declining woodland birds to Tropical Screech Owl, Northern Whiteface, Diamond Dove, Nankeen inform restoration programs.” The White-faced Owl, Greyish Eagle- Kestrel, Spotted Harrier, Musk Duck, project involved nine declining Owl, Dusky Eagle-Owl, Brown Fish Freckled Duck, Hardhead, Pink- species: White-browed Babbler, Owl, Tawny Fish Owl, Buffy Fish eared Duck and Flock Pigeon. On the White-winged Chough, Hooded Owl, Brown Wood Owl, Mottled gibber plains were Australian Robin, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Wood Owl, Black-banded Owl, Pratincole, Gibberbird and Banded Yellow Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Pearl-spotted Owlet, Collared Owlet, Lapwing. Along Cooper Creek there Thornbill, Brown Treecreeper, Willie Austral Pygmy Owl, Ferruginous was White-winged Triller. On the Wagtail and Rufous Whistler. Each Pygmy Owl, Jungle Owlet, Chestnut- way back to Marree Michael showed species was tracked separately backed Owlet, Asian Barred Owlet, shots taken of Zebra Finch, Brown recording behavior, time and GPS Burrowing Owl, Spotted Owlet, Songlark, Orange Chat, Australian location. A habitat survey compared Rufous Owl, Powerful Owl, Barking Pipit and Cinnamon Quailthrush. hot-spots and cold-spots on a 30m x Owl, Southern Boobook, Brown In April 2011 on the trip to 30m scale. The surveys were carried Hawk-Owl, White- browed Hawk- Innamincka Michael also showed out in various sites at Altona, Sandy Owl and Short-eared Owl. comparison photographs. Birds seen Creek and Para Wirra. He found that were Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Little each species used a different habitat The nightjars and nighthawks are Black Cormorant, Royal Spoonbill, within each area at different times of insectivorous and feed around dawn Grey Teal, White-necked Heron, the day and in different weather and dusk. Photographs were shown Australasian Darter, Budgerigar conditions. Overall he found that of: Sand-colored Nighthawk, (which were using Fairy Martin’s each species uses the same coarse- Common Nighthawk, Common nests), Cockatiel, Galah, and Letter- scale habitat but they need different Poorwill, Ocellated Poorwill, Little winged Kite. There were also lots of fine-scale habitats. Habitat Nightjar, Blackish Nightjar, Pygmy House Mice and hopping mice. On restoration needs to integrate Nightjar, Savanna Nightjar, Large- the floodplains: Southern Boobook, different habitat features on a large tailed Nightjar, Grey Nightjar, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Little scale. Phillip showed photographs of Collared Nightjar, Pennant-winged Crow, Collared Sparrowhawk, Inland the birds discussed as well as several Nightjar, Ladder-tailed Nightjar, Dotterel, Little Buttonquail, Gull- graphs and ground plans to illustrate Scissor-tailed Nightjar and billed Tern, Pink-eared Duck, Fairy his results. Australian Owlet-nightjar. There are Martin, Red-backed Kingfisher, about 16 species of frogmouths and Chirruping Wedgebill, Tawny Friday March 30 Tawny Frogmouth, Papuan

8 Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 Past & Future Meetings (cont)/Past Excursions

Frogmouth and Sri Lankan species were seen. The people did were common in the coastal tea tree Frogmouth were shown. Photographs outnumber the Galahs who only and Silver Gulls on the beach lagoon. of other nocturnal birds including mustered up two for the day, while 3 Walking back upriver produced the Common Potoo, Great Potoo, Rufous Crimson Rosellas made an more common species and a Potoo, Nankeen Night Heron, Black- appearance to show us their colours. Nankeen Night Heron flying along crowned Night Heron, Yellow- Two Sacred Kingfishers graced the the river. Passengers continued crowned Night Heron, Rufescent electricity lines, 6 White-winged walking and drivers took their cars to Tiger Heron, Bat Hawk, Letter- Fairy-wrens showed themselves to the end of Wattle Drive. A short winged Kite, Swallow-tailed Gull some watchers, and the single distance along the path provided a and Oilbird were also shown. Common Sandpiper was patrolling sighting of three Crested Shrike-tits, while another three were sighted a the bank. Waders were in extremely short distance away. Cameras were FUTURE GENERAL MEETINGS low numbers but we did find 6 kept busy for some time. These are Eastern Curlews along a beach area. most difficult birds to photograph, General meetings are held in the To finalise this report I need to say because they keep moving amongst Charles Hawker building of the that there were 10 Fairy Terns, which the foliage so that a clear view is not Waite Institute on Waite Road is always a good record and the often seen. During the half hour of Urrbrae on the last Friday of every Banded Stilts had dropped from Crested Shrike-tit viewing, some month except December, public 15,000 recorded at the recent 20.20 observers managed to look for other holidays or prior to a long weekend. count to 3,000. birds, with the final tally for the The doors are opened at 7pm Trevor Cowie morning being 52 species. Peter Gower Friday June 29 Barker Inlet & Magazine Road Les Peters ‘Photographing Birds’ (A Wetlands: February 26 Reedy Creek: April 1 provisional title) The two locations combined to Sixteen birders arrived to climb up provide a good walk for the 16 the valley to the waterfall. The bird Friday July 27 members who attended. The two song was sparse, and only 37 species James Smith will talk about ‘Hollow sites are quite different from each were found to be using the area. Red- Habitats’. other, even though they are very rumped Parrots kept moving around close. We recorded 50 species at and Australian Ringnecks, Crimson Friday August 31 Barker Inlet and 54 at Magazine Rosellas and Galahs passed through. TBA Road. The total of 71 species for the Hardly any water was moving along morning proved the locations to be the creek, although 2 Black-fronted Dotterels represented the waders. PAST EXCURSIONS worthwhile, partly because they Five raptor species, 12 Peaceful include areas of mangroves. Some Doves and 8 Varied Sittellas were Laratinga Wetlands: February 11 birders ticked off Barbary Doves, also seen. It was a pleasant day out on which which were foraging around the car Trevor Cowie our sightings represented practically park. They were not seen again that all the species that are common at day. At Barker Inlet, we saw Superb Dry Creek Salt Fields: April 5 this wonderful site. However, most and White-winged Fairy-wrens, From our sightings, it could be said people saw some gems, such as Australian Shovelers and Red-necked that most of the waders had left Latham’s Snipe, Intermediate Egret Avocets. A few birders, not including early. Although no Sharp-tailed (a few are around Adelaide this year) me saw about 50 White-throated Sandpipers were seen, birders a Greenfinch and at least 20 Needletail Swifts, which came in managed to find a number of Curlew European Goldfinch. Personally I from the northwest. Banded Stilts Sandpipers to identify. Amongst only thought the pair of Yellow-tailed and Royal Spoonbills were seen at 52 species recorded we did manage Black Cockatoo took the prize for both locations. Yellow-billed to see one each of: Chestnut Teal, checking out hollows in the trees. Spoonbills, Spotless and Spotted Great-crested Grebe, Great Four raptor species were also seen. Crakes were seen at Magazine Road. Cormorant, Black-shouldered Kite, These were Black-shouldered Kite, Trevor Cowie Kestrel, Terek Sandpiper, Red-kneed Collared Sparrowhawk, Brown Dotterel, Caspian Tern and Rock Falcon and Peregrine Falcon. It was a Dry Creek Salt Fields: March 17 Dove, all of which help make a pleasant days birding attended by 26 This excursion was cancelled, due to wonderful day for 15 birders. Other members and on which 69 Species rain and mud. sightings included two Fairy Terns, were recorded. 40 Royal Spoonbills, 300 Red- necked Avocets, 8 Sacred Trevor Cowie Hindmarsh River Victor Harbor: Kingfishers, 6 White-winged Fairy- March 22. wrens, and 1000 Welcome Swallows. Nineteen members met at Wattle Dry Creek Salt Fields: February The Banded Stilts have remained at Drive in Victor Harbor on a fine 23. about 3000, as seen on February 23. morning. A walk south to the beach Only 16 members arrived for this Trevor Cowie trip, on which 66 species were and river mouth produced only a recorded. Six raptors, representing 4 small number of species. Silvereyes

Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 9 Past Excursions (cont)/Future Excursions Montacute CP: April 14 FUTURE EXCURSIONS Sunday 29 Jul: Whites Road The aim of this trip was to have Wetlands (AP) (16km) another look at this location after a Convener: Trevor Cowie Take the Port Wakefield Road. At long absence. It is up-hill all the way, Email: [email protected] 1.5Km after passing under the and some of it is quite steep. Hence Tel: 08 8263 2531 Salisbury Highway Bridge you need to turn left into Globe Derby Drive. the reason for not going there too Follow this road to the end, turn right often. Only 2 or 3 of the 14 starters Note: Lists of species recorded at the went to the very top. They were into Whites Road and continue to the locations visited can be reviewed at end. The park entrance is on the left. rewarded by a tally of 34 species, www.birdpedia.com which exceeded expectations. The Meet at 8.15am. birds recorded included 2 Emus, an Sunday 27 May: Milang & Saturday 11 Aug: Monarto CP. Australian Hobby, 16 Yellow-tailed Nurragi CP (MM) (80km). Meet (MLR) (65km) Black-Cockatoos, a Fan-tailed 8.30am at the western end of the Meet at 8.15am in the car park. Take Cuckoo, 5 species of honeyeater, a water front park in Milang. We will the SE Freeway from Adelaide. Scarlet Robin, Varied Sittellas, bird at Milang until 9am move onto Leave the Freeway at Monarto Golden Whistlers and Red-browed Nurragi, returning to look for South/Zoo ramp. Turn right across Finches. Lunch was enjoyed under additional birds around Milang and the bridge and proceed a few trees (at the bottom of course) where have lunch. kilometres south. The car park is on we rested and then slowly began our the right at the beginning of the park. journeys home. Saturday 9 Jun: Talbot/Rockleigh Trevor Cowie Reserves (MM) (84km) Thursday 16 Aug: Hardy's Scrub Meet at Talbot Reserve between 8am CP. Onkaparinga River NP Rocky Gully (Forestry SA): 29 and 9am. We will spend the first (MLR) (42km) April: hour at Talbot then move west to Meet at 8.30 am by the CFS Station No surprises were expected here at Rockleigh Bushland Conservation in Blewitt Springs. this time of the year. However 14 of Area. Use the Murray Bridge to Palmer Road turning west into Tepko us tried and failed to add to the Sunday 2 Sep: Morgan CP (MM) Road. The reserve is approx 2km on existing list of species. Varied (162km) the right. Meet at 8.45am on the northwest Sittellas were seen here and have been reported in most wooded areas (town) side of the Morgan ferry Thursday 21 Jun: Charleston CP crossing. this year. Perhaps a breeding (MLR) (38km) recovery has occurred. Golden and Meet at 8.15am by the tennis courts Saturday 15 Sep: Scott CP (MLR) Rufous Whistlers made an in Newman Road, Charleston. Lunch (79km) appearance as did Variegated Fairy- area depends upon weather. Meet at 8.15am at the right-hand wrens, Red-capped Robins, Hooded turn-off into Gould Road (not Deep Robins, Southern Scrub-robins, Sunday 1 Jul: Muntiri Scrub. PP Creek Road). This is off the Mistletoebirds and Diamond & Milang (MM) (76km) Strathalbyn/Ashbourne Road to Firetails.. The only raptor observed Meet at Milang Caravan Park, from Goolwa. If you reach the Canoe Tree was a Brown Falcon. We counted 24 which we will leave at 8.30am. We railway crossing, you would have Australian Ringnecks and a fly-over will proceed in convoy to the Blacks’ missed the turn–off by about 1.5km. of 15 Purple-crowned Lorikeets. property a few km west. After lunch Forty-three species were recorded for those who wish to can return to Thursday 20 Sep: Altona CSR the day whilst birders enjoyed the Milang to record any additional Landcare Reserve (MLR) (55km) gentle walk around the site. Lunch species. Travel through Lyndoch towards was taken and the birders vanished. Tanunda. As you leave Lyndoch Trevor Cowie Saturday 14 Jul: Sandy Creek CP town centre take the first left into (MLR) (52km) Altona Road, just past the 100km Meet at 8.15am at the northern car speed limit sign. Meet at 8.30am at park. This is at the end of the Reserve entrance at the top of this Conservation Road, which is on the road. right off the Gawler to Lyndoch road about 10km east of Gawler.

Thursday 19 Jul: Jenkins Scrub – Mt Crawford Forest (MLR) (61km) Meet at 8.30am. Travel about 10km from Williamstown towards Springton, turn right onto Mount Road, which is opposite Wirra Wirra Rd. Meet at the entrance to the scrub opposite Murray Vale Road.

10 Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 Bird Records Collated by Graham Carpenter 2, 9/2/2012. McLaren Flat, Hardy's 30, 16/4/2012. Lake Harry, NE. Records included here are of species Scrub, MLR. Recorded widely along Birdsville listed as rarely observed or Schmidt, L. Track. unrecorded in the regions listed in Several, 21/1/2012. Port Black, A. et al. the Field List of the Birds of South MacDonnell, Picks Swamp, SE. Australia. Also included are Jones, K. & Haywood, B. Tawny Frogmouth interesting breeding or ecological 5, 11/4/2012. Wilkatanna Woolshed, 2, 22/2/2012. Happy Valley notes, new records for a well-known FR. Reservoir, MLR. locality or first of the season reports Langdon, P. Paton, P. of migratory species. Several, 3/2012. Eyre Highway, Lake Please send all reports to the Bird Gilles HS, EP. Fork-tailed Swift Records Secretary at Carpenter, G. After several years of few records, [email protected] or several reports in Feb-March, phone 8297 5463. Musk Duck although in low numbers compared Note that the list includes reports of 11, 4/3/2012. Port Arthur, YP. to the ‘millions’ reported during the rare or vagrant species to South Zanker, R. 1970s. Australia that may yet to have been Occasionally observed in sheltered 100s, 25/2/2012. Waitpinga Cliffs, submitted or formally accepted by coastal waters during autumn. MLR. the Birds SA Rarities Committee 1, 19/10/2011. Belair NP, Playford Steele-Collins, E. (SARC). Members are encouraged to Lake, MLR. 200, 26/2/2012. Victor Harbor, submit records of rare and vagrant Williams, D. MLR. species in SA to the Committee (refer 2, 24/11/2011. Whyalla Wetlands, Carpenter, G. to list of species and information on EP. 50, 26/2/2012. Ballast Head, KI the website). Smith, E. Renwick, J. 90, 26/2/2012. Point Sturt, MM. Ostrich Cape Barren Goose Doecke, N. 2, 29/3/2012. 10 km W Wilkatanna 1, 28/3/2012. Adelaide Airport, AP. 200, 14/3/2012. Kingscote, KI. HS, FR. Blaylock, K. Baxter, C. Langdon, P. 200, 14/3/2012. Whyalla, EP. These are evidently remnants of a Black Swan Smith, E. population that was established in 1000, 9/2/2012. Bay of Shoals, KI. 20, 20/3/2012. Port Lincoln, EP. the 1880s for the feather industry, Baxter, C. Carpenter, G. which collapsed in the early 1900s. 1, 18/4/2012. Belair NP, Playford 100, 20/3/2012. 17km W Cummins, Lake, MLR. EP. Brown Quail Williams, D. Carpenter, G. Still more reports from widespread 150, 20/3/2012. 1km N Nildottie, localities: Blue-billed Duck MM. 1, 17/2/2012. Goolwa Sewage 179, 21/2/2012. Sheringa Lagoon, Winwood, S. Works, MM. EP. Wood, M. Cooper, J. Australasian Darter 3, 13/6/2011. Gluepot Stn, Quinn's 3, 3/3 and 1, 25/3/2012. Middle Dam, MM. Great Crested Grebe River estuary, KI. Klau, W. 1, 4/2/2012. Port MacDonnell Baxter, C. 2, 8/2/2012. Goolwa Barrage, MM. breakwater, SE. 1, 12/2/2012. Mount Barker, Thompson, H. Campbell, J. Laratinga Wetlands, MLR. 4, 8/2/2012. Sir Richard Peninsula, Rarely reported from coastal waters. Tiller, M. MM. 1, 5 and 31/1/2012. Nelshaby 1, 10/11/2011. Streaky Bay, near Thompson, H. Reservoir, FR. jetty, EP. 2, 26/4/2012. 1km NE Clayton Bay, Klau, W. Maurer, G. MM. 1, 21/2/2012. Sheringa Lagoon, EP. Doecke, N. Cooper, J. Pair, 4/2/2012. Venus Bay, Island B, 5, Feb/2012. Mount Barker, EP. Laratinga Wetlands, MLR. Hoary-headed Grebe Cooper, J. & Amey, L. Williams, K. & L. 1, 1/10/2011. Belair NP, Playford 1, 13/12/2011. Yalata Beach, EP. 4, 18/3/2012. Kapunda, Light River, Lake, MLR. Gregory, P. & Brooks, A. MLR. Williams, D. Few previous reports from Eyre Steeles, C. Peninsula. c12, 22/2/2012. Victor Harbor, West Flock Bronzewing Island, MLR. 100s, 18/10/2011. Mungerannie Iwao, S. Wetland, NE. Berggy, J.

Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 11 Bird Records (cont) Intermediate Egret hoped that the new bird will form a Fairy Tern 1, 13/3/2012. Mount Barker, new breeding pair. 165+ juveniles, 3/3/2012. Price Laratinga Wetlands, MLR. Saltfields, YP. Waanders, P. Square-tailed Kite Wood, M. Hartland, D. & Mantle, D. 3, Feb/2012. Clayton Bay, MM. 1, 1/3 and 2, 16/3/2012. Altona 82, 19/3/2012. Thompson Beach, Doecke, N. Scrub, MLR. AP. 1, 6/2/2012. Murray Bridge, Zanker, R. Philcox, J. Riverglades, MM. 1, 31/1/2012. Hale CP, west side, These are large concentrations of Schmidt, L. MLR. this declining species, highlighting

Pearce, A. the importance of the gulf waters and White-necked Heron salt-fields for nesting. 1, 7/2/2012. Tea Tree Gully, Yatala Black Kite Vale Rd, MLR. Pearce, A. 1, 20/3/2012. Caroline Forest, HQ Red-tailed Black Cockatoo 1, 3/11/2011. Belair NP, Playford road, SE. 25, 17/4/2012. Pandie Pandie Stn, Lake, MLR. Haywood, B. Diamantina River, NE. Williams, D. Feeding on ground, apparently on 3, 10/1/2012. Big Swamp, EP. Grey Falcon seed of wild portulaca. Southern Eyre Birds 1, 18/9 and 14/10/2011. Mullaquana, Black, A. et al. EP. Regularly reported from this region Royal Spoonbill Smith, E. in the 1930s but not recently. 1, 2/3/2012. Belair NP, Playford Lake, MLR. Buff-banded Rail Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Williams, D. 1, 11/2011. Streaky Bay High 28, 17/2/2012. Scott CP, MLR. One of a number of unusual School, EP. Wood, M. waterbird records from the lake in Cooper, J. & Needle, P. 2011/12. 200, 29/4/2012. Vista, MLR. Australian Spotted Crake Russel, T. Glossy Ibis 30, 18/2/2012. Busby Islet, KI. More reports from southern and Baxter, C. Pair at nest, 2/2012. Mount Barker, western regions. Laratinga Wetlands, MLR. 30, 19/2/2012. Mannum, Bolto Baillon's Crake Williams, K. & L. Reserve, MM. Several, 6/11/2011. Port Pirie, The breeding distribution of this Jones, K. Senate Rd, LN. species in the MLR is poorly known, 1, 16/1/2012. Nelshaby Reservoir, Klau, W. FR. with many former nesting trees Klau, W. destroyed in the 1983 Ash 1, 16/11/2011. Whyalla, Lincoln 2, 11/2011. Streaky Bay High Wednesday fires. It nests relatively Highway, EP. School, EP. late, with eggs usually in December. Smith, E. Cooper, J. & Needle, P. 20, 10/1/2012. Big Swamp, EP. Cockatiel Southern Eyre Birds Australian Painted Snipe 84, 13/12/2011. Port Lincoln Airport, 6, 2/12/2011. Eight Mile Creek, EP. Straw-necked Ibis Boronga Estate, SE. Cooper, J. 3, 10/1/2012. Big Swamp, EP. Young, J. Southern Eyre Birds 5, 20/12/2011. Wandillo, Earl's Lane, Elegant Parrot 20, 11/9 and 100, 12/9/2011. SE. 16, 9/2/2012. Pooginook CP, MM. Mullaquana, EP. Jones, K. Jacob, P. Smith, E. 34, 31/3/2012. Lake Newland, Eastern Curlew Sheridan Lane, EP. White-bellied Sea-eagle 13, 12/2/2012. Acraman Creek CP, Cooper, J. & Needle, P. 1+2 immatures, 31/3/2012. Coorong, EP. The distribution and nesting of this Pelican Point, MM. Cooper, J. species outside the Flinders Ranges Gower, P. Kelp Gull is poorly known. Nesting on Eyre 1 immature, 6/4/2012. Big Swamp, 1, 7/4/2012. Murray Mouth, Peninsula was only reported EP. Hindmarsh Island, MM. relatively recently (see Chapple 1991 Jack, T. Stracey, K. SA Ornithologist 31:73). 1 + subadult, 21/3/2012. Victor Harbor, West Island, MLR. Steele-Collins, E. The female of this well documented pair was lost late last year so it is

12 Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 Bird Records (cont) Rock Parrot Several, 22/2/2012. Victor Harbor, West Island, MLR. NEW MEMBERS Iwao, S. We welcome the following new members, who have joined the Association in Rainbow Lorikeet the past few months: 7, 29/4/2012. Quorn, FR. Langdon, P. Philip Evans CRAFERS WEST Judith Meacham HACKHAM WEST Pied Honeyeater Ashley Colin & Glenys Muriel Grivell OAKBANK Pair, 7/2/2012. Mannum Waterfall Reserve, MM. Evelyn Phlox BALHANNAH Peters, L. Andrew David Buckle & Belinda Creighton NORTH ADELAIDE Bob Littlejohns SEACLIFF New Holland Honeyeater Graeme & Beth Shields ROSTREVOR 2, 22/3/2012. Kimba township, EP. Carpenter, G. If your name has inadvertently been omitted from this list, please contact our Widespread further south on Eyre treasurer. His ‘phone number is on p2. Peninsula, but apparently only recently established in Kimba gardens.

Crested Shrike-tit 1, 26/2/2012. Clayton Bay, MM. Doecke, N. Details of Photos on pp14 to 16 1, 19/2/2012. Mannum, Bolto Reserve, MM. No: Species Photographer Location Date Jones, K. Birdsville 1 Australian Bustard Kay Parkin April 2012 1, 25/3 and 2, 9/5/2012. Mount Track Barker, Laratinga Wetlands, MLR. Birdsville 2 Black Kite Kay Parkin April 2012 Williams, L. Track

Grey Fantail 3 Southern Boobook Kay Parkin Nr. Freeling April 2012 1, 25/4/2012. Felixstow, River Western Yellow Lake Gilles 4 Kay Parkin 28/04/12 Torrens, AP. Robin CP Hyland, M. 5 Silvereye Burt May Highbury May 2012 Apostlebird Lake Gilles 6 Striated Pardalote Kay Parkin 28/04/12 2, 25/3/2012. Eudunda, MLR. CP Hartland, D. 7 Eastern Spinebill Burt May HIghbury May 2012 Australian Reed-warbler Lake Gilles 8 Crested Bellbird Kay Parkin 28/04/12 Several, 6/11/2011. Port Pirie, CP Senate Rd, LN. Chestnut Quail- Helga Klau, W. 9 Calperum 8/04/2012 thrush Kieshamp White-backed Swallow 10 Striated Grasswren Burt May Calperum April 2012 1, 25/2/2012. Robe, The Obelisk, SE. White-browed Helga Haywood, B. 11 Calperum 8/4/2012 Treecreeper Kieshamp Double-barred Finch Helga 12 Southern Scrub-robin Calperum 7/4/2012 1, 24/2/2012. Waitpinga Cliffs, Kieshamp MLR. Helga With a flock of Red-browed Finches. 13 Shy Heathwren Billiat 1/04/2012 Steele-Collins, E. Kieshamp Although most probably an aviary Purple-gaped 14 Burt May Calperum April 2012 escapee, given the recent finding of Honeyeater the Plum-headed Finch in the North East this species could also colonise from the eastern States.

Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 13 Members’ Photographs See p13 for details Birds in Flight

14 Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012 Birds of Bush and Gardens

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16 Birds SA Newsletter, May 2012