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Lyrebird Tales

Volume 28 Number 1 March 2019 Birdlife Yarra Valley Branch Newsletter

A TRIP TO ICELAND, (or how many waterfalls did we see today?) by Doug Pocock

In May this (2018) we had a trip to Iceland, we started on May 29th as that is still the low season and thus we got a substantial discount on the total cost. The trip was a 19-day self-drive circumnavigation around the island. All of our accommodation was pre-booked, knowing where we were staying meant we didn’t have to spend time searching for a bed for the night. Iceland is a very new landmass born of volcanic activity. The island of Surtsey, just off the coast is only about 40 old and access is forbidden so that scientists can study how plants and colonize the place. The main island is dense with volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, lava fields, geysers and unpronounceable place names. Geysir geyser sprouting photo © Doug Pocock

Travelling on, next was Geysir where we get the name geyser from. The main geyser was spurting well and the area had lots on boiling water pools and bubbling mud pools. A little further on was Gullfoss a very spectacular waterfall thundering down into its canyon. Sparrows were the only we got there. After a busy day it was good to get to our B&B for the night.

Contents

1-4. Trip to Iceland by Doug Pocock.

4. Birdlife Yarra Valley Committee. Notice of AGM 2019

Wimbrel photo © Doug Pocock 5-6. A Sorry Tale by Valerie Fowler.

The trip started and finished in Reykjavik, the capital. After a 6. Facts. Wooden Hummingbird. night in a hotel we picked up our hire car and headed off. The 7-9. Are you a birdwatcher, birder, lister or twitcher? sat-nav in the car made navigation easy so I could concentrate on driving on the RHS of the road. In light drizzle 9. Interesting Sightings we drove the Golden Circle to Thingvellar which is 10-13. Repots of Meetings and Outings dramatically sited on the /American fault line. Here we 13. Book review: Castlemaine Bird Walks by Damian Kelly went for a walk to the Oxenfoss, (foss is waterfall in Icelandic) and soon started seeing . First was a Starling, 13. What Bird is That? we had to remind ourselves that they belong here. Then 14. Calendar of Events came a White Wagtail landing close by quite unconcernedly, the Harlequin Duck was a bit shyer. In the open meadow was a couple of Whimbrels and some Greylag Geese. We began seeing Redwings, which we found were very common, and a couple of Golden Plovers. Lyrebird Tales

the undergrowth. At the glacier snout was a melt pool with Eider Ducks and Tufted Ducks swimming around the icebergs that had broken off the glacier. In the rocky surrounds were Snow Buntings and Wheatears.

Jan at Kerio Crater photo © Doug Pocock

Next day continuing on the Golden Circle, Kerio, and a delightful crater with a circular blue lake was our next stop. We climbed the short distance to the rim seeing many Redwings and as we walked around the rim we had a very Jokulsarlon glacier melt lake photo © Doug Pocock good view of a Whimbrel perched on a rock very unconcerned Further on was Jokulsarlon, another melt pool with large by us. Coming through low bushes back to our car we saw lumps of ice floating out to sea. Arctic Terns were nesting in some Common Snipe hoping that by freezing we would not a fenced off area and showed their displeasure if tourists got see them. Leaving the Golden Circle we travelled on the main too close! Plenty of Barnacle Geese, Eider Ducks with young Ring Road to Seljalandfoss, another spectacular waterfall in the pool and Arctic Jaegers were on the beach. with a track round behind the falls.

Male Eider Duck photo © Doug Pocock Skogafoss photo © Doug Pocock That night we stayed at Hofn and went for a walk along a Passing Eyjafjallajokull, the volcano that caused so much little creek which gave us Widgeon, Red-necked Phalarope, havoc to air travel in Europe a few years ago, we went to Ringed Plover, Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit. Continuing Skogafoss with Fulmars roosting on the cliffs, then onto next day we visited a small promontory which had many Kirkjubaejarklausive and our hotel for the next couple of Eider Ducks and Greylag Geese with young. Also saw a nights. Wandering around we saw Arctic Terns, Siskin, Whooper Swan. Leaving Hofn the road we started to head Meadow Pipit and Black headed Gulls. west and inland. The roads are quite narrow and along the Next morning we drove through some barren lava fields and coast there are sections where the road is cut into the cliff on to Vatnajokull National Park, this is a huge icecap with face with unguarded sections where there is a great drop glaciers tumbling down the sides. From the visitor centre we down to the ocean. It was quite a relief to drive up and down did a walk to Skaftasfelljokull (jokull means glacier). It was valleys. After booking in to our hotel we drove down a side interesting to see the vegetation claiming the bare ground as road and had good views of Red-throated Divers and the glacier is retreating and to see Winter Wrens darting in Slovakian Grebes. 2 Lyrebird Tales Lyrebird Tales

more Red-necked Phalaropes, Wigeons and a Barrow’s Goldeneye. Travelling on along the west side of the river on a very rough and narrow track we visited the west side of Dettifoss and Sellfoss. We were glad to get to our hotel that night. As we had two nights at that hotel, next day we took life easy with very little driving. We had been warned about the midges at Lake Myvatn and we found they were horrendous necessitating the use of hat nets. However the birding was good, more Slavonian Grebes, Long-tailed Ducks, Teal, Goldeneyes, Scaup, Tufted Ducks and Merganser. A little further we walked through a very rough lava field with fantastic rock formations and then a hot spring area with boiling pools and gushing fumaroles. Lots of variety!

Black-tailed Godwit photo © Doug Pocock

Slavonian Grebe photo © Doug Pocock

Jan at Dettifoss photo © Doug Pocock

Redshank photo © Doug Pocock

The road left the valleys and hugged the coastline again. As there was no pulling over to stop tourists tended to stop in Common Snipe photo © Doug Pocock the middle of the road to take photos. Add to this one-lane bridges and blind crests and it made for tiring driving. We Next day was fairly long as we made a detour to visit some found our guesthouse and close by we were lucky to see a waterfalls, not tired of them yet! Started at the east bank of Short-eared Owl hunting over the fields. The guest house Dettifoss, claimed to be the largest in Europe, certainly was close to a river so we wandered down for a look. No new spectacular. On to Asbyrgi and a walk in a box canyon, but it was still good to see Redshanks, Common surprisingly fairly heavily forested. At a small pool we saw Snipe, Arctic Terns and Redwings. Still following the coastline March 2019 3 Lyrebird Tales

the road frequently followed up a fjord to the head and then Our next day started with a tour to the Latrabjarg cliffs, back down the other side, we often saw Puffins in the water. supposedly the largest bird cliff in Europe, certainly the Our guesthouse was at Drangsnes, the gateway to the westernmost point of Europe. Whilst I could have driven it Western Fjords. was nice to sit back and look at the scenery. The cliffs were spectacular and we ticked Puffins, Razorbills, Black and Brunnich’s Guillemot, and lots of Gulls and Kittywakes. A lucky sighting was three Arctic Foxes. That evening we caught a ferry to Stykkisholmur staying in a converted convent. Next day we drove around the Snaefellsnes. Did some nice short walks and ticked off a Goosander. We started doing a dramatic coastal walk but cut it short due to rain. Our last day on the road brought us back to Reykjavik and we dropped off our car. We had a nice wander through the town and then early to bed as we had a 4.00am trip to the airport for our flight to Scotland. But that was the start of another adventure! Doug Pocock

BirdLife Yarra Valley Branch Arctic Tern photo © Doug Pocock P.O. Box 1172, Healesville Vic. 3777 Leaving next morning we took a rough road detour and found email: [email protected] some lovely small bays where we could pull off the road. We saw Red Knots and Dunlins as well as Common, Black-backed Committee and Lesser Black-backed Gulls. The road left the coast and climbed up over a plateau with lots of snow drifts where we Convener: Warren Cousins saw a Ptarmigan. Back down to sea level and then we were up and down fjords, stopping at one where we ticked off a Deputy-Convener: Manfred Hennig spectacular King Eider in a group of common Eider Ducks. Finally arrived at Isafjordour for the next two nights. That Secretary: Alma Mitchell night the weather broke and we woke to light rain, we were Treasurer: Michael Feller lucky as the weather had been dry after the first day’s drizzle. Time for a museum! A short damp walk in the Librarian: Linda Bullen afternoon and that night we had our cheapest meal, two hamburgers for A$50! Most of our meals were over A$100 Conservation Officer: Michael Feller just for main course only. In clear weather next day’s drive started with a 5km tunnel and then a visit to Dynjandifoss. Other Members: Jan Llewellyn Where the river ran into the fjord we saw more Harlequin Ducks and Red-necked Phalaropes.

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2019

The AGM of BirdLife Yarra Valley will be held on Tuesday 14th May at 7.45 p.m. in the Badger Creek Hall Meeting Room. Nominations will be received for all positions on the Committee before or at the meeting.

Agenda: To confirm the Minutes of the 2018 A.G.M.; Reports from the Convener and Treasurer; Election of Committee for 2019-2020. Any other business for which 14 days’ notice is required.

Red-necked Phalarope photo © Doug Pocock

4 Lyrebird Tales Lyrebird Tales

A Sorry Tale by Valerie Fowler fairly close range – trying to get his ultimate picture; perhaps bringing more attention to nest robbers of its position. We It seemed quite fitting, that in the weeks leading up to the also heard of a person who was so excited at finding the nest festive season, with thoughts of Christmas cards featuring who pointed it out to everyone who passed, who then used birds with red breasts and memories of kisses stolen under their phones close up to take a photograph of it whilst the sprigs of mistletoe in England, that it was appropriate we poor female sat tight in the nest, tolerating multiple should see two pairs of flitting about at disturbances whilst the photographer gave no thought to the Lillydale Lake. We had previously seen single birds in the consequences. It seemed that no-one was considering this weeks before so were pleased that they had paired up. They poor breeding pair. One lady spotting us with our binoculars were regularly seen along the Olinda Creek in the vicinity of whilst we were walking around the lake showed us her photo the weir. on her phone and asked us to identify the bird in the nest.

Male Mistletoebird photo © Valerie Fowler Female in nest photo © Valerie Fowler

We were delighted when one pair built a beautiful nest which On the 3rd of December on our weekly survey the female was unfortunately in a very exposed position alongside the appeared to be turning eggs and leaving the nest for a couple board walk. Knowing such a nest, with the male and female of minutes with the male nearby so we were hoping that regularly attending would be a magnet to bird photographers, soon we would see juveniles in the coming weeks. we decided to keep our sighting quiet to minimize Returning a week later to Lillydale Lake we met a lady with a disturbance. Bearing this in mind we observed and camera with a big lens and asked her what she hoped to photographed from a distance keeping an eye out for raptors, photograph. She told us she had heard about the Mistletoes’ Kookaburras and Ravens. We also lowered the camera and nest on the board walk and had come to photograph it. binoculars when other people entered the boardwalk Without acknowledging we knew of its presence, we pretending to observe ducks or Coot on the water. continued our survey with a sinking feeling – the word was definitely out. Later in the morning we approached the board walk and were dismayed to see the nest had been destroyed; it appeared to have been ripped apart. We felt so sorry for the pair of Mistletoebirds.

Female Mistletoebird on nest photo © Valerie Fowler

Unfortunately the male Mistletoebird with its bright red breast was most obvious and very vocal attracting attention to the area. We heard of a bird photographer who returned day after day capturing the building stages of the nest at Destroyed nest photo © Valerie Fowler March 2019 5 Lyrebird Tales

We met a regular walker who told us the nest was sodden on Wooden Hummingbird the Friday after the heavy rain and was still intact on the Saturday (8.12.18). There was no sign of the Mistletoebirds. We also heard of a boy who had been seen walking along the boardwalk waving a stick in the air. As the weeks continued the nest completely fell apart and then the bush flowered with fluffy cream flowers which would have made it less conspicuous. We don’t know what happened to the nest but perhaps the pair of Mistletoebirds will pick a less obvious place for future nests.

Arriving at the Hull Rd Wetlands on the 17.12.18 we were pleased by the presence of a male Mistletoebird. We thought it may have a nest nearby as it was carrying food. We hoped this Mistletoebird would have a successful brood.

Mistletoebird facts Mechanical motorised wooden Hummingbird Colibri # 2

This motorised wooden hummingbird was made by Swan Hill resident Newton Williams after watching a video of a hummingbird made by the US designer Derek Hugger. Newton Williams used to make clocks and after purchasing the drawings online he built his first hummingbird model from wood using the techniques he used in clock making. In to achieve his goal he had to redesign some of the parts and alter others. There were over 386 individual parts with each component individually made and nothing was interchangeable.

Mistletoebird at Hull Rd Wetlands photo © V. Fowler Following the success of his first model Colibri # 1, Newton Williams made the upgraded motorised version pictured. At The Mistletoebird nest is pear shaped with a side entrance the press of a button the numerous cogs start revolving and and is built by the female (and occasionally assisted by the the hummingbird moves forwards towards the flower with its male) on an outer thin horizontal branch. It is usually made wings rotating from the shoulder. The hummingbird slowly of plant down, wool, spider web and spider egg sacs. The moves back into the rest position before repeating the same outside is usually coated with dry plant material such as cycle. lichen, leaves. The female will lay a clutch of 3-4 oval white eggs which she then incubates for 10-12 days. Males have been recorded occasionally sitting on the eggs while the female is away. The young remain in the nest for approximately 15 days and the fledglings are mainly fed by the female but assisted by the male. The newly hatched chicks are fed arthropods initially then gradually mistletoe pulp is introduced to their diet. By the time the young are ready to fledge the pulp comprises of 80% of their diet. Both male and female adults remove the young bird’s fecal sacs from the nest.

Mistletoebirds have no gizzard unlike other birds. This is a specialised sac behind its stomach which is used to grind up its food. This means that berries can be digested without the seed being destroyed. In addition the Mistletoebird has a modified sphincter muscle located at the base of the stomach which prevents the seed being mixed with the harsh digested enzymes and pass through the gut and excreted still fit for Colibri # 2 won first prize in section 290 for woodwork, the germination. The excreted seeds are still sticky and become standard of excellence award and the medallion at the 2018 adhered to a branch due to the Mistletoebird’s habit of Royal Easter Show in Sydney. rubbing its poop along a branch to remove it. The seed eventually germinates providing more food for the Mistletoebirds. 6 Lyrebird Tales Lyrebird Tales

Are you a birdwatcher, birder, lister or In this era of instant gratification it seems that birdwatching is proving more popular as you never know what you will By anonymous twitcher? see, however the expression “A novice birdwatcher” is used Almost everybody watches birds at some time but they are as a slightly derogatory term to refer to someone who not necessarily what would be called birdwatchers, even my primarily seek out birds to photograph rather than study brother who said he is as interested in birds as he is in an them. empty box will point out a bird and name it when we are together. When I was asked what the difference was between Birder the two terms: birdwatcher and birder I decided to browse on Birders are slightly more obsessed versions of birdwatchers, the internet to see what I could come up with. Here are some Birders are more intense, more dedicated, more serious of the explanations. about the hobby and are sometimes offended by being called A review of antiquated dictionaries reveals that the term a birdwatcher, even though that’s what they really are. Every “birdwatcher” is older than “birder” by a couple of decades. birder needs a mentor, they often start with a parent or older Before 1918, birding was like fishing — the intent was to more experienced person from whom they begin their skills bring the quarry home for dinner. “Bird” has been a noun for and knowledge. Birders are continuously working to improve a long time. It has been a verb for less than a century. their skills. They go on walks, field trips and tours. They learn from experts. They read. They practise.

Birdwatcher Birders usually have every guidebook on their bookshelf; There is no clear definition of the term ‘Birdwatcher” coined even if one or more is obsolete they would never consider in 1901, but if you actually watch birds with some interest, parting with it. Birders tend to have several pairs of whether serious or casual, you are a birdwatcher. If you binoculars including a very expensive one. If you are spend a few minutes looking out the window at home or work concerned about binocular qualities such as close focus, eye observing common bird species or go for a stroll through the relief, field of view and image brightness, you’re a birder. If bush looking at birds on your own, go on weekly walks, or you even know what these things mean, you’re probably a with a group to seek out birds you are a birdwatcher. If you birder. Birders also have a spotting scope; someone go on an organised bird adventure or notice birds whilst commented on the internet who was obviously not a birder travelling you are a birdwatcher. “who else would spend a thousand dollars to identify a duck”? The birdwatcher usually has a reasonably cheap pair of binoculars and a beat up field guide and at home have an Birders get up early arising before dawn, bird all day, they identification guidebook on your bookshelf. The birdwatcher then look for owls etc at night. They are willing to travel long is generally passionate about birds (particularly those they distances to see a bird particularly if it is rare. They can see), and can usually successfully identify birds. They can recognise a bird such as the many species of warblers that recognise that a bird is a raptor or hawk (often identifying look identical by sound, behaviour or habitat. Birders can the species), or recognising a bird of a similar species (i.e. recognise different raptors even those almost identical and Warbler) by sight. Over time even the most casual of can recognise and name a wader that has minimal birdwatchers gets better at identifying birds. differences to another similar species. A birder should also be able to describe a bird in detail if their observation of the Birdwatchers may spend only a few hours in the field in a day species is challenged. watching birds and are more likely to linger to marvel over the of a particular bird, find themselves awestruck The birder will actively and sometimes even compulsively by the impressive sight of a miraculous bird, and even to pursue birds; they are in for the chase. It has been said that stop to watch a bird behaving in an unusual manner even if it birding is about the human impulse to hunt. Birders will veer is a common bird. If you go to see a rare bird interstate of the path into thick bush to chase an unusual bird. Birders because your friend drags you along to see it rather getting are competitive and will think nothing of driving for several in your vehicle or organising a lift, you’re a birdwatcher. hours or longer to go interstate just to see a vagrant bird. Numbers are critical for the birder, when a birder has seen Birdwatchers keep a list of the birds they have seen, but are 22 species of waterfowl in a day, they will likely continue to not very diligent about it. A birdwatcher will keep notes about another wetland to raise the count to a few more species or even common birds. A birdwatcher makes strenuous efforts more until time runs out. I have been told that it is not worth to minimise their impact on the bird whilst observing them, getting out of bed if you see less than 100 species in a day. showing birds great respect. The birdwatcher enjoys all the aspects of nature and lets the scene fold out in front of them Birders are obsessive about keeping a life list, and often rather than chasing species. maintain yearly lists, seasonal lists, state lists, and separate countries overseas lists of the birds they have seen. They If you are willing to share your bird sighting with a stranger keep track of everything they see but may be offended to be and take time to point it out and help them find and observe called a lister. Some people are reluctant to call themselves a it instead of moving on to find yourself more species you are ‘true birder’ unless they keep up with a particular group of a birdwatcher. Any serious birdwatcher will take great birders that they consider to be ‘elite birders’. The exception to being called a twitcher. competitive side of birding has for some birders become a March 2019 7 Lyrebird Tales

competitive sport entering competitions such as a ‘Big Year’ The term twitcher is sometimes misapplied as a for or “The Big Day’, the New Jersey ‘World Series of Birding” or birder, it is reserved for those who people who travel long the ‘Birding Rally Challenge’ in Peru with a quest to see and distances to see a rare bird that would then be ticked, or list as many bird species in the allotted time. These counted on a list. As a general rule ‘true twitchers’ are die- competitions are also used to raise funds for conservation. hard birders who, with their intelligence network, will travel half-way across the country to catch sight of the likes of a It has been said that competitive cross country birding didn’t Blue Rock Thrush when it touches down; they have even really take hold until the nineteen-seventies blaming the been known to charter planes or a helicopter to see a rare conquering zeal of the baby boomers and their affluence and bird particularly in the UK. Twitchers are ready to set out at ability to travel but there were many birders who were the drop of a hat at any time of day or night to travel long competitive before then even if it was not over such a wide distances with the prospect of seeing a migrant or a bird area. which has been caught up in a freak storm and arrived in a In England older birders are recognised by their adherence different country. Hard-core twitchers are only interested in to wearing the uniform of serious birders: Berber jacket, adding species to their list of rare birds and sometimes their green knee-high Wellington boots, green trousers, hat, obsessive behaviour, turning up in their hundreds sporting Swarovski or Leica binoculars and scope. Now in England highly powered scopes fighting for a better view cause the there are new groups of birders, particularly woman with already exhausted rare bird, finding itself unable to feed, names like Next Generation Birders so birding has entered consequently it dies. The extremely competitive spirit to see the hipster era. Young and some older birders come armed the rarest species and have the longest list and perhaps with identifier apps, PowerShot cameras and younger birders maintaining one’s position at the top, is extremely stressful are likely to post an Istagram snap of a Mistle Thrush or for twitchers because some of these missions are unusual bird rather than a ‘selfie’. Veteran Birders say unsuccessful when the target species has already nothing beats the experience to teach you what to look for. disappeared or died by the time the twitcher has arrived. However do not ask questions when they are staring through BIRDWATCHER OR BIRDER: The disparity in the two terms their binoculars at a species; do not dare cough, sneeze or is the difference between being passive or active. ? The two make a noise. terms are often used interchangeably but everyone engaged Lister in actively pursuing birds perceives a difference. There are gradations of enthusiasm (or obsession). Is it a matter of Do you regularly update the record of the number of bird where or how often or which birds they watch? Listers are species you have seen in Australia and get frustrated when generally birders and both birders (will defiantly), and most species are lumped together and rejoice when others are birdwatchers will probably be a twitcher at sometime in their split? Do you keep a year list of bird species for each year as life. So does it mean that the term ‘birdwatcher’ somehow well as a state list, an overseas country list? Do you make applies to people who are less interested or dedicated – the notes of time, date, weather and GPS location of each answer is no. recorded species? You are a lister but also a probably a birder. Birdwatchers have spent decades going on walks watching and recording data on the species they see or have Many Americans are obsessive ‘Big Listers’ (7,000 – 8,000 participated in bird counts and helped doing valuable survey world birds), listers, or commonly known as tickers who once work. Their observations have contributed to the knowledge they have seen the bird and ticked it off their list, have no of birds, their distribution and nesting habits. Such wish to see the bird species again. (I use the term ‘ticker’ information gathered can tell if populations are decreasing, lightly as it has many meanings, some not complimentary) stable or increasing. Birdwatchers have lots of experience If you have watched the movie “The Big Year” the characters and sharp identification skills. Even some professional aren’t watching birds, they’re scouring North America in a ornithologists who spend many continuous hours studying ruthless bid to tick off more species than anyone else. They birds in the field in the process of scientific research call don’t even have to see them, hearing their call is enough? themselves birdwatchers.

It has been said that listers also keep lists about all sorts of How would you describe yourself? Are you a birdwatcher, other things as well and perhaps it’s a sign of being on the birder, twitcher or lister or perhaps even a naturalist, bird spectrum, but I won’t go into that as I am not an expert on lover, nature enthusiast or environmentalist? the matter. Be careful what you call yourself

Twitcher A slip of the word or pen can mean something else The term originated in the 1950s, when it was used for the completely. nervous behaviour of Howard Medhurst, a British From the Webster's Dictionary: birdwatcher. If you recently went to the Western Treatment Plant specifically to see the Tufted Duck or travelled Bird (verb) to watch; catch; or shoot birds. interstate to see a rare or vagrant bird which has just Birder One who has a special or commercial interest in recently arrived, are you a twitcher? observing, hunting, or raising birds. Also bird watch-er 8 Lyrebird Tales Lyrebird Tales

Bird-men one who raises, hunts or studies birds; an Interesting Sightings ornithologist. colloquial - an aviator.

From the internet:

Bird Watchers are federal agents who are watching drug dealers that move keys of cocaine (also known as birds) So what am I?

Well I am somewhere in between, definitely a nature enthusiast, mainly a birdwatcher, occasionally a birder, I’ve even twitched a bird a few times. We even caused a twitch once, by finding a Common Redshank in Boort (1st record for Victoria). I’m not really a lister – we make a note of the species we see on a trip to remind ourselves, but I have no idea what the total of species I have seen in Australia is, as the enjoyment of observing birds and their behaviour is more important to me. I am - just a Birdo! (Australian slang from the 1950s, the: abbreviation of birdwatcher + -o) Goshawk parent photo © Delene van Dyk

Early Nov/18 Mistletoe bird, Restless Flycatcher, Shining Bronze Cuckoo, Sacred Kingfisher, Golden and Rufous Whistlers, Olive-backed Oriole. 3 Lots of Wood Duck babies. – St Andrews. Dace Fitton

31/10 & 7/11/18 Latham’s Snipe – Hull Rd Wetlands. Delene van Dyk

13/11/18 White-headed Pigeon – Mt Evelyn. Lin Bullen

13/11/18 Pied Currawong harassing a Grey Currawong – Badger Creek. Graeme George

13/11/18 Cicadabird – East Warburton. Heather Arnold

24/12/18 Brown Goshawk nest, young fledging – Wattle Creek. Delene van Dyk

24/12/18 Satin Flycatcher (pair), male constantly attacking the parent Goshawk – Wattle Creek. Delene van Dyk Goshawk fledgling photo © Delene van Dyk 24/12/18 Rufous Fantail (1st for season), Olive-backed Oriole – Wattle Creek. Delene van Dyk

Dec 2018 – Jan 2019 Bowerbird 1 male + 1 immature male building and practising building a bower – Toolangi. Manfred Hennig

Dec/Jan Lewin’s (2) – Toolangi. Manfred Hennig

2/1/19 Square-tailed Kite harassing Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos

8/1/19 Gang-Gang Cockatoos (pair) – Lillydale Lake. Warren Cousins

10/1/19 Satin Bowerbirds, 1 Male +1 green bird – Healesville. Alma Mitchell

Out of the Yarra Valley

Oct 2018 Painted – Newstead. Doug Pocock

Goshawk fledgling photo © Delene van Dyk

March 2019 9 Lyrebird Tales

Maroondah Reservoir photo © Michael Feller At Mareeba Wetlands they looked for Black-throated Finches and photographed them and a Jacana. Manfred was Meeting 13th November Manfred Hennig – Toolangi to disappointed to find Abattoir Swamp was dry; it had water on Cooktown their visit the previous year. On Mt Lewis they again It was a warm, humid night with thunderstorms threatening, unsuccessfully looked for the Golden Bowerbird but there thus setting the scene for Manfred and Margaret’s talk about were Chowchillas, Victoria’s Riflebird and a noisy Tooth-billed their trip to North Queensland. We welcomed two overseas Bowerbird that remained hidden. At Julatten, Manfred worked visitors Margo and Lucien from France, who were staying out the differences between the similarly looking Graceful, with Graeme George. Yellow Spotted and Lewin’s Honeyeaters and had trouble seeing the well camouflaged Marbled Frogmouth. Other birds Manfred explained how he became interested in bird were: Brown Cuckoo Dove, Rufous Fantail, Northern Fantail, photography as an inexperienced birdwatcher by using his Macleay’s Honeyeater and the less common Yellow photographs to identify the species he had seen. Now Honeyeater. Manfred also photographed the Dusky Manfred tries to get more unusual shots (such as birds diving Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Sunbird and Little in water) and talked of the frustration when it doesn’t turn Kingfisher. out as he planned or when the subject does not co-operate such as a particular Paradise Riflebird in Lamington National In the Daintree area were Metallic Starlings, Figbirds, Black Park. Butcherbird, Spangled Drongo, Eastern Osprey and a Pheasant Coucal in non-breeding plumage. Manfred said it On Manfred and Margaret’s trip to North Queensland they was a common sight to see groups of Cattle Egrets in the had originally planned to visit Bowra Station in Southern cane fields. In Port Douglas the Torresian Pigeons had arrived Queensland but problems with their vehicle caused several two weeks earlier, also present were: Sunbird, Varied Triller days’ delay, so they had to miss this section and continued to and Silver-crowned Friarbird. Carmarthen Gorge seeing some Apostlebirds on the way. At the gorge Manfred had difficulties photographing the many lorikeet species hiding in the high trees however he took a great photograph of a Willie Wagtail perched on the back of a Kangaroo where it had been stealing fur. Travelling again he photographed a Bustard, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-winged Parrot, Red-winged Fairy-wren and White-winged Choughs. They took a tour to the lava tubes at Undara Caves seeing nearby, Red-tailed Black Cockatoos and Pied Butcherbirds.

On the Atherton Tablelands Manfred photographed a Bush Stone Curlew in their campground and was excited to see approximately 300 Brolgas feeding in the cane fields and he tried to capture them in flight. At Mt Hypipamee they searched for the bower of the Golden Bowerbird following instructions from a 15 year old guide book but found the track very overgrown, Margaret heard the Bowerbird but they Silver-crowned Friarbird photo © Manfred Hennig did not see it. A bonus was seeing a Cassowary in the car park and Grey-headed Robins. At Hasties Swamp Manfred In Cairns Orange-footed Scrubfowl were common and in the estimated there were 5,000 ducks including Plumed and low trees on the busy esplanade, a Varied Honeyeater was Whistling Ducks. Also present were Green Pygmy Geese, making a nest. They added to their species list a Brown Australian Darter and many Kites. Honeyeater at Mission Beach.

10 Lyrebird Tales Lyrebird Tales

Heading to Cooktown they stopped at Keating’s Thank you Manfred, for your wonderful talk and photos, he seeing Magpie Geese, Grey Shrike-thrush and Gt Bowerbird. was accompanied by Margaret who put the show together Cooktown produced more species: Pacific Emerald Dove and and efficiently assisted him. You bought back memories for Bar-shouldered Dove. those of us who have travelled to North Queensland birdwatching and inspired others who will now want to visit Turning southwards Manfred and Margaret stopped at the that area to see new bird species. Valerie Fowler Tyto Swamp in Ingham – Satin and Leaden Flycatchers, Buff- banded Rail, Graceful Honeyeater and Crimson Finch; Wednesday November 28th - Outing to RACV Manfred pointed out the different plumage of this sub- Healesville Country Club species. Margaret and Manfred also encountered a 2.5 metre Our group of 15 people met in the carpark on a fine mild day brown . At Paluma were Victoria’s Riflebird, Pale Yellow of approx 20-22 degrees. It was nice to welcome back Marian Robin, Brown Gerygone and Spotted Catbird. Here Manfred Weaving who recently gave her most interesting talk on took a great photo of two White-cheeked Honeyeaters having Tawny Frogmouths. We also had a visitor, Karen Cooper, an altercation. from the Birdlife Bass Coast branch. Manfred as our Leader and member of the RACV golf club had already signed us all in.

We took the usual route skirting the perimeter of the golf course and then down to the various wetland areas adjacent to the Watts River. I think all present were surprised when at Bird Call we ended up with a very respectable total of 53 species with an estimated total number of birds seen, across all species, of 341.

Most prolific were the Wood Duck, Black Duck, Coot, Yellow- faced Honeyeaters, and Noisy Miners. It was nice to see a pair of Australasian Grebes with one small chick. The baby was at first swimming alongside mum, but then jumped onto her back under the protective span of her wings.

White-cheeked Honeyeaters photo © Manfred Hennig

There were Plumed Whistling Ducks at Airlie Beach and in a park in Bowen they saw ten bird species on a small island in the lake including White-headed Stilt, Little Black , Australian Darter, Australian , Ducks and Gulls. We saw photos of the Yellow-throated Miner and Black-necked . In Eungella which is popular for its Platypus Manfred looked unsuccessfully for the Eungella Honeyeater but had great views from the sky tower along the valley towards the coast. At Broken River, Manfred photographed a Saw Shelled and Forest Kingfisher. At Marani, large flocks of Rainbow Lorikeets were perched on the buildings of the sugar mill feeding on the sugary droplets formed by the emitted Australasian Grebe photo © Valerie Fowler steam. Still travelling, Manfred photographed Chestnut- breasted Manakins and remarked that he expected to see A lone Swamp Harrier was being severely chastised and more Blue-winged Kookaburras but saw many Laughing chased by some Masked Lapwings; perhaps they had some Kookaburras too. At Tin Can Bay they added the Cicadabird. young ones nearby. The low lying wetlands were almost bare At Noosa were White-throated Gerygone, Scaly-breasted of the usual with only one to be Lorikeets, Azure Kingfisher and a Wompoo Fruit Dove which seen. A groundsman did however confirm that they were was making its typical womp-poo call. usually there in good numbers. Regretfully no kingfishers were found, apart from a few Kookaburras. Staying at O’Reillys in Lamington National Park added Red- browed Finch, Regent Bowerbirds, Russet-tailed Thrush, Just at the conclusion of the walk we saw a lone Wedge- Paradise Riflebird and lots of Brush Turkeys. Stopping at Port tailed Eagle flying low, as usual being harassed by other Macquarie on the way home they spotted an albino Pelican birds. They must get so frustrated by this! Then at our lunch amongst the flock with Margaret noticing the different gathering the final two birds were seen, being a pair of Black- appearance between their eyes which Manfred illustrated. faced Cuckoo-shrikes and high flying White-necked . It The talk ended at Narrandera with a wall painting of outlines was a nice way to round off a very pleasant outing. of birds. Warren Cousins March 2019 11 Lyrebird Tales

December 8th - Outing to Healesville sporting complex a rainbow over the Dandenong Ranges which was taken at sunset. Fourteen birders met on a warm (28ish degrees centigrade) humid morning for our final activity for 2018. Despite quite a January 12 – Outing to Maroondah Reservoir Park, few friendly off-lead dogs, we still managed a good start at Healesville the small lake. On one dead tree adjacent to the water we had a White , Great Cormorant, White-faced and Common Myna. The usual array of water birds was also present.

We then skirted around the perimeter of the park, seeing and/or hearing Mistletoebirds, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, , Crimson Rosellas, King Parrots, etc. No raptors at all for the walk which was a bit disappointing.

The Watts River photo © Valerie Fowler

A group of 9 birders met at the rotunda at the very end of the reserve, past the main car park. Some arrived early to have breakfast with the birds, although one forlorn Kookaburra was disappointed after a long wait in a nearby low lying branch. The initial birding was good and I had counted about 20 bird species in the immediate vicinity of the rotunda, and this was before we even started the official Yellow-faced Honeyeater photo © Valerie Fowler walk.

As the park area is not so large, we gathered earlier than usual back at the carpark by the lake. After lunch, bird call revealed a total of 39 species so it was decreed that no-one could leave until we got to at least a 40 count. Sure enough we soon rustled a couple of more ticks with a Striated Thornbill, Yellow Thornbill and some low-flying Yellow-tailed Black Cockies. Revised total was thus a respectable 42. Warren Cousins

January 9 – Meeting, Video night.

Two videos were chosen for the night. The first was a short video clip from YouTube called ‘Birds of the night” showing footage of different owls, frogmouths etc. Whilst the photography was good the commentary was disappointingly basic. (Technical difficulties prevented us finishing the last Rufous Fantail photo © Valerie Fowler few minutes.) Our first really nice find was a pair of Rufous Fantails, both The second video was called Nomads of the air (in French on display quite close to us all. What a beautiful bird they with German subtitles), it was about with are. We all later agreed they were the find of the day. footage of birds flying in spectacular scenery. The film followed specially trained geese, ducks, swans and cranes. After following the almost dry Watts River (which was flowing We switched to the section on the making of the film seeing only as a trickle) around towards the dam wall, the group how the birds were raised and methods of filming their flight. then split off with one taking the path up to the top of the Of course it wasn’t long before some of us realised that this dam. We then walked across the top but disappointedly not movie was in fact the same as the award nominated film one bird was seen on the large expanse of water. Similarly ‘Travelling Birds’ (in English) which had been shown at a not one raptor was seen for the day. previous Birdlife Yarra Valley video night several years ago. The day was becoming quite warm and humid in the high Alma showed some photographs of birds and a Bowerbird’s 20s, so we all returned to our cars and found a shady spot on bower. Also was a dramatic photograph by her son Peter, of the grass for lunch.

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gave everyone a good appetite even though they hadn’t found any secret tunnels or buried treasure.

A bird call was held after lunch as Warren wanted to hurry back and leave the others to see if they could add to the count of forty. “There are a couple of Galahs” said Michael. “And a Crested Pigeon” said Ruth. The five wandered back to the cars getting a few more for the list. Doug saw an Eastern Spinebill and Michael and Manfred photographed a Grey Butcherbird who posed nicely on a gate. Suddenly “Raptor” shouted Manfred and sure enough it was seen circling overhead. Michael got some shots of it and after discussion the bird book was consulted and it was identified as a Square-tailed Kite. Back at the cars a final bird call gave a total for the day of forty eight. Tired but happy the group photo © Valerie Fowler made their way home. “I wonder what adventures we’ll have next time” said Jan. Bird tally came out at exactly 40 species including 8 species of parrots. It was also good to see a Satin Bowerbird close by. Warren Cousins What Bird is That? January 23 - Outing to Warburton Trail, Seville to Killara FIVE (actually six) GO BIRDWATCHING AGAIN By E. BLIGHTON

‘Well, here we are at Seville station again” said Manfred “I wonder what adventures we’ll have today”. “Have you all got your lunches?” asked Warren. “Yes” said Jan, ”And we’ve brought lashings of Ginger Pop as it is going to be warm”. A Kookaburra laughed loudly near by as if he thought this was a capital idea. A red car pulled up. “Hurrah” said Doug “Here is Ruth and we can start our adventure now” “Wait for another couple of minutes” said Manfred “I expect Michael to be here today.” Sure enough Michael arrived and everyone was ready for another grand adventure.

It was pleasant walking in the shade and soon birdcalls high Answer on page 14 in the trees had their attention. A flock of Brown Thornbills were identified with a and Grey Fantails with them. Magpies carrolled in the trees and a Pied Book review – Castlemaine Bird Walks Currawong was heard. Crimson Rosellas sang and flashed through the trees. Along the way were plenty of Bell Miners and Noisy Miners but they didn’t seem to be as aggressive as This new book is by a local usual and there were still small birds to be seen like Red- birdwatcher Damian Kelly. browed Finches and Superb Fairy-wrens. A short detour down It is a guide to walks and Chandler Road brought White-naped Honeyeaters and then a birds in the Castlemaine good sighting of a Sacred Kingfisher. district. It covers over 40 Moving on down the Rail Trail we saw Eastern Rosellas in the walks with detailed maps paddock. “Look up further to the shade of the larger tree” and information on length said Jan, “There are two Masked Lapwings.” On the other of walk, difficulty, side of the trail were a couple of dams. ”I can jolly well see vegetation and birds you Wood Ducks” said Warren. “Yes” said Manfred “I counted are likely to see. It is eight and there is also a Chestnut Teal”. “Well” said Ruth “I illustrated with photos of can see a Dusky Wood-swallow, always a good bird to see” birds and vegetation. We found this book excellent “Not far to go now till we get to Killara Station where we will and easy to use and a real have lunch” said Doug. Passing some Welcome Swallows in asset. the paddock Jan pointed out a couple of King Parrots in a tree. At the end of the platform the group claimed a picnic The book is available from www.castlemainebirds.com table and lunches were quickly eaten, a morning’s birding

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Birdlife Yarra Valley Wednesday 26 – Outing to Buxton Silver Gum Reserve, Maroondah Highway, Buxton at 9.30 a.m. Directions: email: [email protected] Melway Edn. 39 X910 S10. Outing may continue on to Postal address: Birdlife Australia, Yarra Valley Branch, P.O. Fernshaw Picnic Ground. Box 1172, Healesville, Vic. 3777. Calendar July to September 2019 Meetings are held in the Badger Creek Hall Meeting Room at Basic Dates only. Check June newsletter for further 7.45 p.m. Badger Creek Rd. Badger Creek details (next to CFA). Melway Edn 39 278 F8.

Meetings and Outings automatically cancelled on days July of Total Fire Ban in the Central and North-central Fire Tuesday 9 - No meeting - winter recess. Districts. (Central unless notified otherwise) Saturday 13 - Outing to Sherbrooke Forest Ridge Track - Calendar March to June 2019 Meet at Grants Picnic Ground, Monbulk Rd at 8.30 a.m. Directions: Melway Map 75 K4. Saturday 9 - Outing to Wild Dog Creek Rd, St. Andrews at 9.30 a.m. followed by Boomers Reserve. Directions: Drive Wednesday 24 - Outing to Baluk Willam Nature along Wild Dog Creek Rd (off Heidelberg – Kinglake Rd) for Conservation Reserve. Directions: Melway Map 84 D7. Meet 1.5km to parking loop on the left. Melway Edn.39 395 B5. at 9.30 a.m. corner of Courtney's and Orchid Roads, Nearest toilets at St Andrews. Belgrave South. (Nearest public toilets are at Belgrave South Recreational Reserve Melway Map 84 F4) Tuesday 12 – Meeting. Speaker and subject TBA

Wednesday 27 – Note change of venue. August Outing to Banyule Flats, Heidelberg at 9.30am. Directions: Saturday 10 - Outing to The Gums & Island Creek Picnic Enter from Somerset Drive. No toilets. Melway Edn.39 32 F2 Area Kinglake National Park and a private property Phillip April Lobley Winery Dam five minutes from The Gums. Directions: Melway X910 Q11. Meet at The Gums Camp Tuesday 9 – Meeting. Speaker and subject TBA Ground at 9.30 a.m.

Saturday 13 – Outing to Big Pats Creek & Upper Yarra Tuesday 13 - Meeting. Speaker and Subject TBA. Reserve. Meet at Big Pats Creek picnic ground at 9.30 a.m. Wednesday 28 - Healesville Parks & Oval. Directions: Meet Directions: from Warburton take the Woods Point Road. After at 9.30 a.m. at Coronation Park Car Park (opposite Coles Car about 4kms where it crosses the Yarra River turn right into Park) Melway Map 270 C12. Riverside Drive. Meet at the junction with Big Pats Creek Road. (This is halfway between Warburton and East September Warburton), where we will continue to the picnic ground. Melway 39 291 A12 Tuesday 10 - Meeting. Speaker and Subject TBA.

Wednesday 24 – Outing to Lillydale Lake, off Swansea Rd, Saturday 14 – Outing to Alexandra Area. Directions: Melway Lilydale at 9.30 a.m. Directions: Meet at car park near toilet Map X910 T8. Meet at 9.30 a.m. at Visitor Information block. Melway Edn 39 38 G7. Centre Car Park, cnr. Grant & Vickery Streets, Alexandra. Convoy to different locations. Check if there is car-pooling May from Healesville at 8.30 a.m. Meet in Library Car Park (next to Coles Car Park). Melway Map 270 C12. Tuesday 9 – Meeting. Speaker and subject TBA Wednesday 25 - Outing to Plenty Gorge Park. Saturday 11 – Survey at Coranderrk (Bushland) Nature Directions: Melway Map 183 H8. Meet at 9.30 a.m. at the Conservation Reserve at 9.30 a.m. Directions: meet at Gate Red Gum Picnic Area. From Plenty Road turn into Gordon's 1 Badger Ave, Badger Creek opposite Fleay Rd. Melway Edn Road. Park entrance on left. 39 278 F10 Gate will close at 9.30 sharp. Answer to what bird is that? Buff-banded Rail Wednesday 22 –Outing to RACV Healesville Country Club at

9.30 a.m. Directions: Healesville-Kinglake Road, Healesville

Melway Edn 39 269 J12. Meet at 1st car park just inside the entrance on the right. June

Saturday 8 – Outing to the Warburton Trail, Millgrove to Warburton and return. Directions: Meet at 9.30 a.m. at site of Millgrove railway station. Melway Edn. 39 289 D4.

Tuesday 11 – No meeting, winter break 14 Lyrebird Tales