The Rainbow Bird

Volume 5 Number 3 August 2016 (Issue 87)

MALLEE, MARLEE OR MAWLEY

It might be interesting to club members to know that the word "mallee" is derived from the aboriginal word for the

Eucalyptus Dumosa, perhaps the main species of mallee in this area. I guess that the aboriginals also used the term to cover all the various species now known by that name.

European surveyors originally spelt the word in various ways. "Mallee", "Mar-lie" and then "Marlee" were variants. Later still the spelling "Mallay" was also used and in 1849 the spelling "Mawley" was sometimes used.

However, in the late 1870’s South Australian wheat growers moved in to settle the mallee country, between SA Murray and southern Victorian Mallee area, and the present spelling of the word became standardised.

I gleaned this information from an old book of my father’s on the Murray Valley that was written by J MacDonald Holmes and published by Angus and Robertson in 1948.

Allan Taylor

Contents

1. Mallee, Marlee or Mawley

2. Yarrara & Mallanbool Flora & Fauna Reserves outing

3. Nurnurnemal Nature Conservation Reserve & Castles Crossing outing 4. Ned’s Corner outing and survey

5. Is this plover mystery solved? 6. Katarapko National Park

7. Waikerie Bird Watchers Trail

8. Endangered Aussie bird bouncing back

9. A yellow Blue Bonnet 10. Club calendar 11. Farewell 12. Interesting sightings 13. Lindsay Cupper's photos

Eucalyptus Dumosa

The Rainbow Bird

YARRARA & MALLANBOOL FLORA & FAUNA RESERVES OUTING – MAY 7TH, 2016

The clouds threatened with rain and the sun shone half- heartedly as a group of birders met at the Bike Hub. Among us were Alec and Sharon, the leaders of the day, and Brendan, a travelling birder who had come up to Mildura for a few ticks. We drove directly to Mallanbool Flora and Fauna Reserve, a small reserve of Belah amongst fields of wheat and roads. The reserve is a perfect spot for White-browed Treecreepers, so we all set out hoping to find one, listening for the distinctive ‘peep-peep’ call. Suddenly, we heard it, and our pace quickened. We glimpsed an individual a few times before it flew to another patch. As well as this two male Red-capped Robins were fighting: perhaps over territory or a female? For lunch, we stopped at a roadside dam. Though there was nothing on the water, there were a few birds in the adjoining scrub, like Chestnut-crowned Babblers and Chestnut- rumped Thornbills. A lapwing flew over, and Alec later told me it was a Banded Lapwing. White-browed Treecreeper

Gilbert's Whistler Yarrara was very, very quiet. In the 20 minutes that we birded for, we could hardly be bothered to stray from the car. Seeing as we had more time, we went the little extra distance to the Meringur Pioneer Museum, which I had not been to before.

Banded Lapwing I didn’t think about it when I saw the bird. Oh well, there is always a next time!

We then continued to Yarrara Flora and Fauna Reserve. The bird book, (Finding Australian Birds, by Dolby and Clarke) It was very informative and well set out, but also, I hear, says it’s a refuge for White-browed Treecreeper, Little can be good for the birds (though not on the day of the Button-Quail, Gilbert’s Whistler and Black-eared Cuckoo, outing). We had afternoon tea, and as the rain finally though I have only seen Gilbert’s Whistler at the reserve. began, drove home, after a day that was not a frenzy of What have others seen at this reserve? Any of the above birds, but a good experience anyway. listed? Photos: Allan Taylor Finley Japp

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NURNURNEMAL NATURE CONSERVATION RESERVE & CASTLE'S CROSSING OUTING – JUNE 12TH, 2016

Sunday the 19th of June was cold. As a dozen or so other things more plentiful than the avian creatures: moss members met at the Bike Hub, clouds covered over what was all around and painted a beautiful mosaic of greens had started off (from the view of my bedroom window a few upon the ground, the mallee trees were very old and left us hours earlier) as a beautiful morning. Soon it was heavily pondering on the things those trees had seen. overcast, the sun faintly shining from no particular direction. Thankfully some other groups had been slightly more Not great weather for birding. successful, and after hearing there was a Red-capped Robin The leader’s car, comprising of Bill, Ev and Col, led us down at the entrance track, we decided to have a look. Meridian Road, weaving and winding south towards a small dam on the almond processing property where Bill and Ev had previously seen oodles of ducks and waterfowl. The drive revealed a Wedge-tailed Eagle that came surprisingly close. Allan, Luca and I discussed this as we drove down the otherwise bird-empty track: it’s interesting how these huge, powerful creatures are usually very shy and scatty, and why, if the previous statement is indeed true, why did this individual decide to come closer?

We turned onto the main road and passed the dam: alas! The location did hold an Australasian Grebe and a pair Pacific Black Ducks, but certainly not the large numbers of waterfowl it might have provided had the weather been sunny. "Oh well, on to Nurnurnemal", we said.

Unfortunately, the bird had decided to hunker down when we went searching (not a bad idea either, because it was about as cold as it had been at the Bike Hub, and I was glad for my jacket). We convinced ourselves that Castle’s Crossing might be a bit better, and drove off.

Castle’s Crossing was indeed better. The various shrubs and thicker trees provided a wind break for, if not the birds, the birders! But yes, the birds were better. A Little Eagle flew over and provided a good view and an opportunity to see defining characteristics like the "W" wing pattern and the short tail. A Restless Flycatcher called and darted about the car, and a few people explored the "rubbish" underneath mallee and belah, finding bottles, cans and an old bug- spraying device that I had never come across before. Perhaps not an exceptional day, but a nice opportunity to At Nurnurnemal Nature Conservation Reserve (try saying get out and about. that three times fast) we had lunch before walking out into the mallee for a little. Birds were incredible scarce. Our Finley Japp group stopped to look at a magpie. However, there were

Sightings: 29 Species Australian Shelduck Galah Red Wattlebird Little Raven Pacific Black Duck Australian Ringneck Rufous Whistler Magpie-lark Australasian Grebe Blue Bonnet Grey Shrike-thrush White-winged Chough Common Bronzewing Brown Treecreeper Grey Butcherbird Red-capped Robin Crested Pigeon Weebill Australian Magpie Common Starling Black Kite Yellow-rumped Thornbill Grey Fantail Wedge-tailed Eagle Singing Honeyeater Willie Wagtail Little Eagle Yellow-throated Miner Australian Raven

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NED’S CORNER OUTING AND SURVEY – JULY 9TH, 2016

The early morning was crisp, clear and sunny as several reason that there were no waterbirds there. However two members met at the Bike Hub. The sunshine didn't last long kangaroos were seen jumping through the creek however. On our way to meet up with the others at the weighbridge we were enveloped in thick fog which remained all the way to Ned's Corner. Just as the first two groups began their surveys the fog lifted and we were blessed with sunshine most of the day. In total 13 took part in the outing and we worked in 4 groups to complete the surveys, meeting up for morning tea then again for lunch.

There may have been plenty of sunshine but the birds were few. The area is just starting to green up after recent rains but there was nothing in the way of flowers or seeds, apart from the saltbush flowering that the Blue Bonnets like to feed on. We witnessed some doing just that. The recent rains have also had an impact on the shrubs that have been planted as part of the regeneration process. The drive from the creek to the final survey spots proved more challenging as previously mentioned. Alasdair was advised not to tackle this section in his car as some holes were deep.

Even in the mallee tree sites there were not many birds but Luca had the delight of seeing a Rufous Whistler for the first time. It was a good, close, and long look We were impressed by the growth on the native pine, that he had, not far eremophilas and other native shrubs especially in the sandy from the old grave areas. site (for those familiar with that The recent rain caused some excitement at times as the survey point). group had to detour around stretches of water across the road, as well as negotiating some deep holes. All the surveys were completed by 3.00 After nine of the surveys had been completed we decided to pm so we had a final go to Mulcra for lunch. gathering, said farewells, then returned home, some via the We looked at the regulator on Potterwallkagee Creek then Old Mail Road, others via Lake Cullulleraine. found a pleasant spot along the creek instead of going in to Rae Jeffers the Murray River. Water was flowing very rapidly along the creek and through the regulator which I think was the

Sightings: 40 species Emu Red-rumped Parrot White-plumed Honeyeater Australian Magpie Australian Shelduck Brown Treecreeper Yellow-throated Miner Willie Wagtail Common Bronzewing White-winged Fairy-wren Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Australian Raven Crested Pigeon Variegated Fairy-wren White-fronted Chat Little Raven Whistling Kite Weebill White-browed Babbler Restless Flycatcher Wedge-tailed Eagle Yellow-rumped Thornbill Chestnut-crowned Babbler Red-capped Robin Galah Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Rufous Whistler Rufous Songlark Crimson Rosella Southern Whiteface Grey Shrike-thrush Brown Songlark Australian Ringneck Striated Pardalote Grey Butcherbird Welcome Swallow Blue Bonnet Singing Honeyeater Pied Butcherbird Australasian Pipit

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IS THIS PLOVER MYSTERY SOLVED?

In the previous edition of the "Rainbow Bird" newsletter I Pauline has since had a further look at the photo, as well as mentioned that one of my photos was an unusual one of a two other photos of the same bird in flight and has come to Marsh Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper. I had presumed the conclusion that the bird, in fact, was a Grey Plover. The that the right-hand bird was a Wood Sandpiper because of identification feature that prompted this decision was the its spotted upper-parts and its size relative to the Marsh white, barred tail that is similar to that of the Wood Sandpiper. Sandpiper. Pacific Golden Plovers don’t have this. The flight photos further highlighted the fact that the bird had dark "arm pits" and a white wing strip. Further, it has a white strip between its eyes and neck and its bill appears to be thicker than that of a Pacific Golden Plover.

Marsh Sandpiper (left) Grey Plover (right)

After seeing the photo in the newsletter, Finley asked me whether the bird could have been a Pacific Golden Plover. I said "no" because I didn’t think that that species would come to the Mourquong Swamps (where the photo was taken). However, he had planted the seeds of doubt in my mind and a few days later I looked again at the photo and consulted my field guide. I came to the conclusion that he was right. Grey Plover The photo was taken on the 10th December 2011 so this is all old news but it brings to light several factors. Firstly, if we have correctly identified the bird, a Grey Plover has been seen at Mourquong. Secondly, it highlights the difficulty in identifying a bird that you have only seen from a distance and in the air, and then only for a couple of minutes. Thirdly, that a possibility of seeing a rare bird for the area is always possible, if very unlikely. Fourthly, much enjoyment can be had from trying to identify a bird that is out of its area, or is out of breeding plumage or is an immature bird. This applies, particularly, to waders.

So, well done Finley, and thanks to Pauline for her expert advice.

Allan Taylor Wood Sandpiper

I emailed the photo to Pauline Follett and we discussed the matter over the phone. We came to the conclusion that the bird was, indeed, a Pacific Golden Plover on the basis of its large eyes and stubby bill.

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KATARAPKO NATIONAL PARK

On the 11th April, 2016 Doug, Chris and I did a day driving around this delightful park on a big elbow bend of the Murray River at Loxton. The river has a wide range of habitats from red sand dunes to grey, clay river flats and white loamy soils on which a huge diversity of plants and trees grow. We could not identify some having never seen them before. Because of this it was a birdo's gift seeing so many species. Our drive started out with a juvenile Wedge-tailed Eagle sitting on a dead tree. He was so pale-headed we thought at first it was a Square-tailed Kite but when it took off it was obviously a wedge-tail even though the tail looked square cut on the limb. Next, on the bank of a thickly vegetated area of logs and river coobas, a song erupted which had Chris reaching for his iPad. We both agreed it was definitely a Red-lored Whistler which was totally unexpected. On sighting his red face looking at us we noticed another one The Katarapko Creek winds its way all through the park. At further down the bank. Later we saw another darker bird, times it's a narrow log-strewn rivulet with the accompanying with less red on his throat, eating a berry. waterbirds to large, wide areas. One such wide area was at the outlet to the Murray River which made us wonder which was the Murray. Australian Pelicans were everywhere.

We wondered if it was a Gilbert Whistler despite it not producing any song, as both Gilbert and Red-lored Whistler are found here. We took our boat up the creek the next day and could see why so many campsites were marked on it as each was a We saw a total of 63 species ranging from the Regent little piece of heaven with huge red gums and river coobas Parrots, which lit up the sky, to the whistlers. for shade and some even had a beach of their own. All had campfire rings. Betty, Doug and Chris Woods Sightings: Emu Whistling Kite Brown Treecreeper White-breasted Woodswallow Australian Shelduck Black Kite Superb Fairy-wren Dusky Woodswallow Australian Wood Duck Purple Swamphen Variegated Fairy-wren Grey Butcherbird Grey Teal Dusky Moorhen Weebill Pied Butcherbird Pacific Black Duck Eurasian Coot Yellow-rumped Thornbill Grey Fantail Common Bronzewing Black-fronted Dotterel Striated Pardalote Willie Wagtail Crested Pigeon Galah Singing Honeyeater Australian Raven Peaceful Dove Little Corella White-plumed Honeyeater Little Crow Australasian Darter Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Noisy Miner Restless Flycatcher Little Pied Cormorant Regent Parrot Yellow-throated Miner Magpie-lark Great Cormorant Crimson Rosella Little Friarbird White-winged Chough Little Black Cormorant Australian Ringneck Striped Honeyeater Jacky Winter Australian Pelican Blue Bonnet Chestnut-crowned Babbler Welcome Swallow Eastern Great Egret Red-rumped Parrot Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Tree Martin White-faced Heron Mulga Parrot Red-lored Whistler Common Starling Australian White Ibis Laughing Kookaburra Gilbert's Whistler House Sparrow Yellow-billed Spoonbill Forest Kingfisher Grey Shrike-thrush

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WAIKERIE BIRD WATCHERS TRAIL

After bidding farewell to our mates going back home from the club campout at Barmera, Chris, Doug and I still had some time so we decided to take the Waikerie Bird Watchers Trail that the tourist centre had informed us about. The trail encompasses the Murray wetlands from Morgan to Renmark on a road called Waikerie Norwest Scenic Drive. It was wonderful seeing what the wetting and drying of these wetlands by the Murray-Darling Catchment S.A. was accomplishing.

Male & Female Australian Shelduck They had generated in the last flood and now needed a drink to carry on. It was lovely, after so many years of deterioration, to see the efforts being made to make the river healthy again and with the support of the locals.

Result of wetting and drying regime Birds and frogs could be heard before being seen. The areas which had been dry were filling.

Grey Teal They were happy as they could see the benefits for the ducks. As one shop owner said to us, "The ducks know where to go during duck season!"

Hogwash Bend At Hogwash Bend water flowing around saltbush and lignum had Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Grey Teal, Hardhead and Australian Shelduck busy feeding with Black-fronted Dotterel and who knows what else, if we had had the time to look, on the fringe.

At another site a sign explained why they were watering young box trees. Caspian Tern Doug, Betty and Chris Woods

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ENDANGERED AUSSIE BIRD BOUNCING BACK

Researchers have spotted the largest number of one of Based on its evolutionary uniqueness and rarity, the Plains- Australia's most critically endangered birds to be detected wanderer has been listed as the world's fourth most during a single survey in several years. A total of seven important endangered bird species by the Zoological Society Plains-wanderers – a small, quail-like bird, listed as critically of London, and is Australia's number one bird species on the endangered – were spotted in Terrick Terrick National Park, list. north of Bendigo in Victoria. Parks Victoria has been working with a group of volunteers surveying and monitoring Plains-wanderer populations. "After not seeing any Plains-wanderers for a few years, we started detecting two or three birds in our surveys in the second half of last year," said Mark. "We were delighted and hopeful on discovering a nest with four eggs in the park last December. This latest finding including a very young female bird is the best result we’ve had in five years. There is still a long way to go before we can be confident of a broader recovery and it's critical that we carefully manage their habitat."

The Plains-wanderer is a distant relative to coastal shorebirds, but lives in dry inland native grasslands. Unlike

many birds, the females of the species are more brightly "This is an incredibly exciting find and gives us some hope coloured than the males. After mating, males are left to do that the birds might be coming back. Bird watchers from most of the child-rearing. around the globe come here to see this bird because it is so unique," said Dr Mark Antos, a scientist at Parks Victoria. Article courtesy Australian Geographic - June 2016

A YELLOW BLUE BONNET?

At the end of May/early June Len and I reported seeing a pale yellow Blue Bonnet flying with a group of Blue Bonnets. The first time we saw it it was in a group of 4, in an even larger group the next time, then in a foursome and finally a pair. It was a very pale yellow, was the same size, had the same flight pattern and seemed to be accepted by the other Blue Bonnets. Each time the groups travelled between clumps of black box trees that are along Dalmura Avenue, just west of Merbein. We were unable to get a photo because we were cycling and didn't have a camera with us. We reported our sightings at our club meeting and, lo and behold, the intrepid photographer, Allan Taylor, sent a photo of the bird a day or so later. From this photo it is possible to determine whether the bird is an albino or whether it is leucistic. Wikipedia informs us that true albino birds lack colouring in all feathers and soft parts. The feathers are white, bill, legs Looking at Allan's photo can we determine it is leucistic and eyes are pink. Albinos lack the pigment melanin, hence because the eyes, are not pink and the feathers have a pale the white feathers and the eyes are pink because the blood wash of colour? flows through the irises. Albinism is rare and these birds generally have difficulty in surviving. Rae Jeffers Leucistic birds produce melanin but can't deposit it into their feathers.

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OLIVE-BACKED ORIOLE SIGHTING

Over the last few days (today is the 19th July) there have east coast of Australia and the areas to the south of us here been sightings of Olive-backed Orioles in the Dareton at Mildura. township, Dareton Research Station area, and Thegoa No sightings occurred here in the warmer months (Oct to Lagoon. This species appears to visit the Mildura District February) although I don’t know what years the surveys most years but the timing of each visit seems to vary. On cover. 2nd April 2012 Ken Job photographed one in a Dareton park. On the 22nd April 2015 I saw one at Kings Billabong and There is a sighting in the Ouyen area in April; sightings at Jayna had various other sightings in Mildura and Trentham Renmark in May, August and September; one in Balranald in Cliffs around that time. On 1st June this year Pauline Follett July; and one in the Mungo area in September. saw one at Gol Gol. None of the above appears to suggest any migratory pattern, except to suggest that the birds might move to different areas in the cooler months to find suitable places to breed away from other breeding pairs of orioles. However, this seems a little unlikely because the birds appear to remain only a week or so each year - if, in fact, they do come each year. We did notice that the oriole at Dareton seemed to be feeding from the contents of both Kurrajong and Jacaranda pods so it is possible that they visit this area in search of a variation to their diet. There again, this seems most unlikely because they are seen in Box and Gum woodlands as well as town parks, so they eat varied diets when they come here.

Allan Taylor

Photo: Ken Job

I have checked the Bird Atlas to determine the areas where the species have been seen. Most sightings occur along the

FAREWELL

Saying "Goodbye" is not always easy however in this edition We will leave of the Rainbow Bird that is exactly what we are doing, knowing that the saying goodbye, but with great memories of our time in the club is strong. bird club. Already two people have offered to take Alec Hawtin persuaded us to join what was then known as over producing the Sunboca 20 years ago and for that we're very grateful Rainbow Bird. Allan because we've met so many delightful, knowledgable and Finley will work people. We learnt so much, not only about birds but about together and I know the mallee, it's history and flora. The camaraderie on they will be looking outings, surveys and camps was great - plenty of laughs and for contributions and support and will do an excellent job. gentle ribbing as well as the competitive aspect of the Challenge Counts. Wonderful memories! Our thoughts are with the club members dealing with illness. We hope you will soon be able to return to the enjoyment of In November 2008 we produced our first issue of the bird watching. Rainbow Bird, following on from Laurie Jones. We are so appreciative of the many regular contributors and also the Our move is to beautiful Benalla so if you're ever over that occasional contributor. All contributions are valuable and we way we may be able to show you some different bird species would encourage everyone to have a go and write an article, and enjoy a catch-up. poem or even a joke or cartoon. Farewell. Len and Rae Jeffers

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CLUB CALENDAR

Tues 2nd Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm Aug Outing - Wandown Nature Reserve & Margooya Lagoon (May be altered at Aug meeting) Sun 7th Meet at Bike Hub Pine Ave. at 8:30am

Tues 6th Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm Sept Thurs 8th / Sun 11th Campout at Nelson. Leader: Peter Dunstan (details issued)

Tues 4th Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm Outing - Hattah-Kulkyne National Park Sun 9th Meet at Bike Hub Pine Ave. at 8:30am - Leader: George Kerridge Oct Tues 11th Ned’s Corner survey

Thurs 27th Committee Meeting

Tues 1st Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm Nov Outing - Australian Inland Botanic Gardens Sat 5th Meet at Bike Hub Pine Ave. at 8:30am - Leader: Pauline Follett

Sat 3rd/ Sun 4th Challenge Bird Count

Dec Tues 6th Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm

Sun 11th Outing - Christmas Get-together

INTERESTING SIGHTINGS

18/04/2016 Black-shouldered Kite (1) Wedderburn. Sitting on pole A & S Hawtin 18/04/2016 Eastern Rosella (1) Wedderburn. A & S Hawtin 18/04/2016 Grey Fantail (1) Merbein Cemetery. Calling L & R Jeffers 19/04/2016 Southern Boobook (1) At home, Yelta. Calling L & R Jeffers 28/04/2016 Southern Boobook (2) At home, Wentworth. Calling C & D Stewart 04/05/2016 Blue Bonnet - leucistic (1) Dalmura Ave. Merbein. Have seen it 4 times since L & R Jeffers 06/05/2016 Collared Sparrowhawk (1) Rosemont Avenue, Mildura. Chasing small birds B Palmer 06/05/2016 Yellow-billed Spoonbill (3) Cowanna Billabong - Merbein Common. Perched in dead tree L & R Jeffers 17/05/2016 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (2) Yallourn Power Station. Flitting and calling through trees C. McGillivray 29/05/2016 Chestnut Quail-thrush (1) Hattah Kulkyne west of Calder Hwy. Almost walked on it I Benning 29/05/2016 Malleefowl (1) Hattah Kulkyne west of Calder Hwy. Moving through mallee I Benning 01/06/2016 New Holland Honeyeater (1) Backyard Nichols Pt. Being bullied by White-plumed Honeyeater C & B Woods 01/06/2016 Grey Butcherbird immature (1) Jubilee Drive, Mildura. Singing in variegated maple R Lonsdale 03/06/2016 Black-shouldered Kite (1) Home, Irymple. Sitting in tree eating bird A & S Hawtin 05/06/2016 Golden Whistler (1) Kings Billabong near car park. A Taylor 05/06/2016 Collared Sparrowhawk (1) Mansell Dve, Mildura. Sitting in bird bath G Kerridge 06/06/2016 Blue-faced Honeyeater (6) Thirteenth Street, Mildura. In kurrajong trees B Palmer 07/06/2016 Variegated Fairy-wren (3) At home, Irymple. In back yard A & S Hawtin 15/06/2016 Little Eagle (1) At home, Irymple. Flying over A & S Hawtin 15/06/2016 Major Mitchell's Cockatoo (7) Irymple Ave.,Nichols Point. Flying overhead C & D Stewart 15/06/2016 Eastern Osprey (1) Iraak. P & C Dunstan 16/06/2016 Rufous Whistler (1) At home, Mildura. J Petschel 17/06/2016 Australian Hobby (1) At home, Irymple. Sitting in tree A & S Hawtin 18/06/2016 Australasian Grebe (40) Cowanna Billabong - Merbein Common. One large group L & R Jeffers 30/06/2016 Yellow-billed Spoonbill (1) Monash Wetlands. I Benning 30/06/2016 Australian Hobby (1) Game St. Merbein. Being chased by 3 Silver Gulls M Mack

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Lindsay Cupper is up north again chasing photos:

"Although I have managed to get some fairly nice pics of common birds, I have, so far, not had much success with raptors. These are the best so far."

BirdLife Mildura contact details: BirdLife Mildura meets on the first Tuesday of each month, Convenor: Col Stewart 03 5027 2078 7:30pm at the Carnegie Centre, Mildura. Visitors are welcome [email protected]

Secretary: Evelyn Williams 03 5025 1378 [email protected]

Website: birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-mildura

Newsletter: Four issues per year. Feb, May, Aug, Nov.

Members enjoy bird watching and conservation projects in the Submit newsletter articles to editors: Mildura Region. Club activities include monthly outings, Allan Taylor [email protected] surveys and camps. Finley Japp [email protected] Postal Address: P.O. Box 1722, MILDURA, VIC. 3502

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