The BLSH flyer Volume 6 Number 4, November 2017 Silvereye by Erna Llenore Eastern Rosellas Photo by Linda Hoelle Contents From the President .................................................................................................. Page 2 Mt Annan Botanic Gardens Outing ............................................................................. Page 3 Coast of Central California; North-eastern Oregon ....................................................... Page 4-6 The Finches ............................................................................................................ Page 6 Liaison Officer’s Report ............................................................................................. Page 7-9 Conservation Officer’s Report .................................................................................... Page 9 Lake Alexandra Intrepid Birders Walk ......................................................................... Page 10 Bicentennial Park and Newington Armory ................................................................... Page 11 Cave Creek Outing ................................................................................................... Page 12 Moruya Field Trip Report .......................................................................................... Page 13-16 Bird Banding at the Guppy’s Property ......................................................................... Page 17-18 Worth Viewing......................................................................................................... Page 19 Members Photography.............................................................................................. Page 20-22 November 2017 From the President U nfortunately, our scheduled guest speaker night in September was cancelled at very short notice. However, we have been able to reschedule Carol Probets to talk at our November meeting. I encour- age all to attend. Special thanks for another highly successful “camp” organised by Jennie Wiles, our newsletter editor, to Moruya and environs recently. Thirteen different locations within the Moruya region were identified by Jennie and Ingrida as suitable and interesting spots to visit. These locations resulted in 119 spe- cies being identified by the 20 members of BLSH who joined in the camp. Special thanks to our friends, Sarah and Michael Guppy and members of the Eurobodalla Natural History Society, Julie, Mike and Peter for their support and assistance during our stay at Moruya. A recent article in the SMH (9 October 2017) dis- cussed the success of an intervention breeding programme for Australia’s Shy Albatross. These birds only breed on three islands off the coast of Tasmania. Climate and habitat changes have re- duced the availability of nesting material for these magnificent birds. However, a combination of National Parks personnel and volunteers have been able to provide concrete nests and deliver them to the islands where they have been ac- cepted by the breeding pairs. All involved are now waiting patiently to see if they are success- ful in raising their young. I recently read an article in the Australasian Poultry Magazine written by Tas Doornbusch about the wiliness of Australian Ravens. Tas had been hospitalised and had a friend caring for his property. While he was absent his friend report- Some of the participants on the Moruya camp focus on ed the loss of several bantams. These birds had an interesting bird? No, a breaching whale! been killed and left in the chook yard. They were Photo by Alan Burchill therefore able to discount dog, feral cat, ferret and even an eagle attack as they all either re- moved their kill or only left the carcass. The birds being killed were mutilated but the carcass was left, feathers missing but not really showing signs of being eaten. A short time later a commotion was heard in his chook yard and he went out to see what was causing the chooks to be so alarmed. He found a large Australian Raven with a bantam on the ground peck- ing it on the head and removing some of the feathers from its back. He had never thought that an Australian Raven would make such an attack. They have been known to steal small chickens and eggs but never been known to attack an animal almost the same size as themselves. Chicken owners be aware during the breeding season especially if your chickens are free range. Continuing on with interesting “bird facts”. Do we have the most creative and intelligent birds in the world? See http://ab.co/2uj7DoS. How clever are our Palm Cockatoos? Wishing you all best for the holiday season and the festivities that surround this time of year and a reminder to please join us at the Members end of year gathering at Morton National Park on Sunday 17th December at 11am. Happy Birding for 2018. November 2017 2 Mt Annan Botanic Gardens outing on 20.8.17 Walk organiser Jennie Wiles reports The day started cool but soon warmed up and the sunshine, 11 Southern Highlands BirdLife mem- bers and 47 species of birds recorded, all contributed to a great morning’s outing at Mt Annan Bo- tanic Gardens. The very windy, cold week was forgotten with the constant sightings of different bird species. I’m sure Fred Young was happy he came out of hibernation. The Red-rumped Parrots and Australian Swamphens were quietly grazing on the lawn as we started our wander along the path through remnant Cumberland Plains woodland. Striated pardalotes were calling and investigat- ing hollows. Tree Martins were hard to identify while flying but then they landed on a branch and the species of martin was established. Stan Jones was the first to spot many of the species and his depth of knowledge helped identify many of them too. We headed for the bird hide and on the way there was a good sighting of an Australian Reed Warbler. At the bird hide we were able to see a variety of water birds and a lone, gorgeous Az- Members of BLSH at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens Photo ure Kingfisher. A bit beyond the hide there were by Jennie Wiles casuarinas with mistletoe in them and also a Mistletoebird which was eagerly photographed by many of us. Two different birds of prey were sighted but identification was delayed while photos were considered. Thanks to Helen Erskine and Fred Young for the final identification of the two spe- cies– an Australian Hobby and a Brown Goshawk After morning tea the group walked along the track past the Stolen Generations Memorial. The Bell Miners dominated here and the variety of birds seen previously in the other area was absent. Some of the members then stayed to enjoy the environment of the gardens for lunch. Species list- Australasian Swamphen, Magpie-lark, Welcome Swallow, Australian Raven, Common Myna, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-rumped Parrot, Cattle Egret, Pied Currawong, Australian White Ibis, Red Wattlebird, Grey Butcherbird, Striated Pardalote, Superb Fairy-wren, Noisy Miner, Common Starling, Golden Whistler, Willie Wagtail, Tree Martin, Rainbow Lorikeet,, Masked Lapwing, Grey Fan- tail, Hardhead, Eurasian Coot, Australasian Grebe, Fantail Cuckoo, Hoary-headed Grebe, Australian Reed-Warbler, Little Pied Cormorant, Black Swan, Grey Teal, Azure Kingfisher, Yellow-faced Hon- eyeater, Yellow-rumped Thornbill and nest, Mistletoebird, White-plumed Honeyeater, Straw-necked Ibis, Galah, Red-browed Finch, European Goldfinch, Eastern Rosella, Australian Hobby, Brown Gos- hawk, Australian Wood Duck, Bell Miner, Grey Shrike-thrush, Crested Pigeon, Australian Magpie. Mistletoebird. Photo by Jennie Wiles Fantail Cuckoo Photo by Helen Erskine Red-browed Finch by Helen Erskine November 2017 3 Coast of Central California; North-eastern Oregon Linda Hoelle reports on her recent trip In August 2017, my husband and I travelled to the US to visit friends and family. Going north from Los Angeles on Amtrak (national passenger train), our first stop was in Central California to stay with friends. Their ranch, in the coastal hills, produces a variety of fruit and of course supports a va- riety of birds! Hummingbirds are always my favourite. Anna’s Hummingbirds are there year-round and one male frequently perched on a large agave just outside the kitchen window. The light was never quite right to show off his full brilliance but a few spots of colour showed. Early in the breeding season he would have had a bright pinkish red gorget and crown, but over the summer they had faded to a coppery colour. Bushtits (above right) are tiny birds (10 cm) that move about in small flocks. As we were preparing dinner on the patio, a chorus of chirps announced their brief visit to a nearby garden. A juvenile Black-headed Grosbeak (below left) had a taste for pears and apples. A large flock of wild turkeys put in the occasional appearance (below right). November 2017 4 The Western Bluebird (female below right) is a member of the thrush family and a common resident. The youngster is helping with insect control, but a small colony of Pallid Bats has the night shift! ! At a nearby beach Elegant Terns, in their non-breeding plumage, entertained us with their flying skills. They are a winter visitor to the area. November 2017 5 From California we continued on to North-eastern Oregon to spend time with my mother. The county is mountainous with ranches and towns in a long broad valley, where the obvious perches for birds are power poles and fence posts! Early one morning a male Northern Flicker preened at the top of a power pole in town. This woodpecker, with its reddish orange wing linings, is the red-shafted