The Golden Whistler

Volume 7 Number 5 May 2018

PRESIDENT'S REPORT NEXT OUTING Greetings everyone. Hope you are all coping with DATE: Saturday 23rd June the cold mornings and still getting out and about on MET: Cherrypool Hwy Park, Public Toilets some of the beautiful days that followed. We have been fortunate with the weather for our May outing TIME: 09:30am and were indebted to Elisabeth Cuming for showing VENUE: Zumsteins, Grampian National Park us around their beautiful property at the old village of Strathmore, which was new to me. Hard to BRING: morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, you will believe that there was once three hotels and flour also need a chair and wet weather footwear mill there along with the village homes. The bird of CONTACT: Sally Purnell M 0407 864 545 or the day was a pair of Australian Hobby seen among [email protected] the Red Gums which Elizabeth says is a feature there. ALL VISITORS WELCOME Then those of us who were lucky enough to be Outings will be cancelled on days of invited to the Land Care celebration with the folk at Total Fire Ban, Extreme Heat and Dunkeld enjoyed a fantastic night with Dave Nichol, other Hazardous Weather condition Greg Oliver and featuring Sean Dooley. This was followed by a very interesting outing next morning to the Upper Wannon Wetlands, with Greg Kerr from Nature Glenelg Trust. This is an area I was unfamiliar with and promises some interesting outings in the future. I hope you all enjoy a pleasant day in the Grampians with Sally for our June outing. Think of me luxuriating in the warmth of Cairns. Hopefully we will all have some good sightings to share on my return. In the meantime, travel safe. Charlotte Davis

View of Mt Abrupt from Brady Swamp © C. Davis

CONTENTS: 2. Outing Report 3. Local Bird Sightings 4. Quiz & Up Coming Events 5. Celebrating Partnerships 6. Birding Activities 7. BirdLife Australia Memberships Renewals

Australian Hobbys at Cuming's 25 May © J Humphries 8. Cross Border Camp Out with Nhill

The BirdLife Hamilton monthly newsletter, Editor Samantha Greiner 0428 395 773

Outing Report

STRATHMORE A quick visit to Elizabeth's home was followed by a short stop beside the railway line where we were Our group was blessed with a glorious late Autumn able to view the nesting site of Fairy Martins. These days weather. After a frosty early morning, a group birds were not at home but the bottle-shaped nests of 12 gathered at the appointed location, after a were still in good condition and a waiting the next drive through patches of fog rising in the early nesting period. sunshine. Warm coats were needed as the group assembled at Nine Mile Creek Hwy Park, but with A second plantation was explored by those who the sun warm on our backs the early chill was soon could still negotiate the fences. An interesting overcome and the prospect of a good mild sunny variety of native trees and grasses was interspersed day was ahead. by another stream, which was low in water at this time of year. Elizabeth explained that no fewer than Our guest for the day was Elizabeth Cuming, who 75 foxes had been caught in this area. Laughing met the group beside the Highway dam. Elizabeth Kookaburra, Magpie Lark, and a "Mountain Thrush" conducted a very interesting history lesson for the (Grey Shrike Thrush?) were spotted in this area. A group as she informed us all of the Strathmore Wedge-tail Eagle flew over and a Brown Goshawk township which occupied that site from 1879 to was harassed by Long-billed Corellas. The group 1932. It had been a busy township with three pubs, began to disperse at this stage to attend to other a general store, flour mill, school and the main activities, and those who remained returned to watering point for railway engines that travelled the Elizabeth and Bruce’s home. Hamilton-Melbourne railway line. This transects the Cuming property at Nine Mile Creek, just 3 km west It was nice to go to a new area and we extended of Glenthompson our special thanks to Elizabeth for her warm hospitality, and to her husband, Bruce, who set up After our history lesson, Elizabeth then led the a lovely table where we enjoyed lunch together in group along the Nine Mile Creek where, she and the garden. On the homeward journey two cars husband Bruce planted many trees some years ago. called in to Lake Repose where Sally Jackson led a We had a very pleasant walk after negotiating the tour of the property where a Grey Goshawk (not a fences and continuing through sheep paddocks and white morph!) and a White-necked Heron were grazing fields. We became experts at getting added to the list for the day. through and over fences as the day progressed. Thanks to all for a great day Galahs, Magpies, Crimson Rosellas and Red Wattlebirds were the most prolific species as we Jean & Peter Humphries proceeded. Some distance away Australian Shelduck were evident feeding on lovely green grass and a Striated Pardalote could be heard DAYS BIRD LIST calling from the tallest tree. In the shrubbery Willie Wagtails and Superb Fairy-wrens let it be known Black Swan White-browed Scrubwren that it was their territory. The group was engrossed Australian Shelduck Striated Thornbill for some time observing two Australian Hobbys Australian Wood Duck Brown Thornbill enjoying the warmth of the sun at the top of a dead Little Pied Cormorant Striated Pardalote tree. They would circling off and then return to their White-necked Heron Yellow-faced Honeyeater White-faced Heron White-eared Honeyeater high perches. Australian White Ibis White-plumed Honeyeater Continuing on some of the walkers did reach the Yellow-billed Spoonbill Red Wattlebird railway line before returning to a crossing over Nine Black-shouldered Kite New Holland Honeyeater Mile Creek. We moved to the other side of the Brown Goshawk Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Grey Goshawk Grey Shrike-thrush plantation, into an area known as Buckmaster. Here Wedge-tailed Eagle Australian Magpie Elizabeth conveyed the next history lesson about Australian Hobby Grey Fantail her children camping out for a week in this lovely Masked Lapwing Willie Wagtail paddock with large scattered trees and a view of Galah Forest Raven Mount Abrupt and the Grampians. Grey Fantails, Long-billed Corella Little Raven Brown Thornbills, Superb Fairy-wrens, and a Little Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Magpie-lark Pied Cormorant kept us interested along the return Crimson Rosella Brown Songlark to our cars at the picnic spot. We all enjoyed a Red-rumped Parrot Welcome Swallow lovely time resting and sharing morning tea whilst Laughing Kookaburra Common Blackbird White-throated Treecreeper Common Starling comparing the sounds between Little and Forest Superb Fairy-wren House Sparrow Ravens. Introduced species 44 Species for the day

2 May 2018 Sightings & Tour Oppertunity

Rod Bird Wendy Radley 1 Rose Robin, Nolans Creek Rd, Dergholm, Varied Sittella visiting garden Kenny St, Hamilton, 26.05.18 May 2018

Annie Carmichael Kevin Wood Brolgas on wetland 20 km south west from A Singing Honeyeater moved on to our farm at Casterton, 04.05.18 Moutajup in May and has stayed so far. First sighting for this species here. Lambing has brought a Wedge-tailed Eagle and Whistling Kites scavenging for carcasses, together with large numbers of Little Ravens

REPORTS FROM BIRDLINE VICTORIA www.eremaea.com/BirdlineRecentSightings.aspx?Birdline=1 Tristan Kennedy Rose Robin, Spotless Crake, Lake Hamilton Rowing Club area, 10.06.18

Indra Bone Charlotte Davis 3 Buff-banded Rails, 2 Spotted Crakes 5 Lewin's Rails (2 hours in late afternoon light) in Darter at a dam on Bundol Rd, behind Mt the open some even in rocks beside the path which Sturgeon, 26.05.18 goes to the island. They were unbelievably tame and were comfortable feeding in the open alongside many tourists and observers, Griffiths Island (Port Fairy) 9.06.18

Larry Storer 3 Brolgas flying over property Hensley Park Road, Hamilton 03.06.18

BIRDSWING BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS PORT FAIRY PELAGIC TOURS 2018 Tour Cost: $180.00 per person

Taking bookings now for: Samantha Greiner Sunday: White-eared Honeyeater heard in vicinity of 8th July Arborline Nursery, Lodge Rd, Hamilton, 28.05.18 9th September 28th October 4 Pied Currawong in garden Forster St, Hamilton, 02.06.18 Number of Passengers: 21 BYO Lunch, morning tea available on board & 1 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike preening on proper fitted toilet powerline, Crn Rippon Rd & Bailey St, Hamilton Contact Neil Macumber 06.06.18 Web: www.birdingwildlifetours.com.au Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0413 628 306

May 2018 3 Quiz & Up Coming Outings

BRAIN TEASER OF THE MONTH LOCAL CALENDERS THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: Here is the next BIRDLIFE HAMILTON picture in my second set of can you guess what July bird this is? One small hint this bird used to be Saturday 28th found on one of Australia's off shore Indoor at HIRL with guest speaker TBA Territories. August Saturday 25th BALMORAL WOODLANDS Samantha Greiner

BIRDLIFE WARRNAMBOOL July Saturday 7th TIMBOON Meet: Timboon Railway Shed Distillery at 10.00 am Judy Ballard 03 5561 6103 or 0437 957 281 Thursday 26 GREEN LINE SURVEY Meet at public toilets/picnic area Penshurst-Warrnambool Road, Hawkesdale 9.00 am Peter Barrand 03 5527 1712

August Saturday 4th DUNKELD

Meet outside Visitor Information Centre at 10.00 am THIS MONTH’S ANSWER: Emu of NSW 1789?, Graham & Helen Dixon 0457 434 692 John Hunter, sourced from A Brush with Birds Australian Bird Art from the National Library of BIRDLIFE HORSHAM Australia 2008 July Sunday 1st RUPANYUP, MINYIP, MURTOA

August

Sunday 5th WYPERFELD SOUTH Please contact Deidre Andrews on 0402 317 142 or meet at the Horsham Library, 28 McLachlan St, at 8:30am, bring morning tea and lunch, binoculars and wear appropriate outdoor gear. Please note subject to change due to seasonal variability

HAMILTON FIELD NATURALIST CLUB July Thursday 19th 7.30pm HIRL SPEAKER Lachlan Farrington NGT ‘Ecology of SW Vic wetlands’ Sat 21st 9.00 am Hamilton Visitor Centre Excursion Wetland excursion to Walkers Swamp with NGT

4 May 2018 Celebrating Partinerships

WALKER SWAMP After a short drive of 400mts we stopped for morning tea and some of Dot's lovely home After celebrating the fourth year of achievements cooking. Sean suggests a branch bake off at the with the Woodland Bird Monitoring Program, one next Network forum! Friday night, which Birdlife Hamilton members have participated in with Panyyabyr Landcare Group The edge of our clearing had mature Red Gums since 2015. The next day a small band of keen with an understory crowded wattle and gum birders gathered on a bright but cold morning at saplings. Making it a woodland bird haven, the Dunkeld for a half days outing. trees where full of Silvereyes, Striated, Brown, Buff-rumped and Yellow-rumped Thornbills as well BirdLife Hamilton members, Charlotte, Robyn, Dot as a couple of Eastern Yellow Robins and Spotted and I were joined by four members of the Upper Pardalotes. This kept the bird watchers and Hopkins Landcare Group along with Dave Nichols photographers happy and active. and Sean Dooley. Greg Kerr from Nature Glenelg Trust was our leader for the day, in a morning's tour of the wetlands of the upper Wannon River flood plain. Our first stop was Walker Swamp, on Lynches Crossing Rd, where a newly erected viewing tower gave us some spectacular panoramas of the swamp which is now cleared of a blue gum plantation and replaced with swamp vegetation. This swamp was recently purchased by NGT as a restoration project to see the Wannon flood plains managed for sustainable water management, threatened species recovery and large-scale habitat regeneration. Red Gum Woodland beside Brady Swamp © C Davis We finish the mornings bird watching with the sighting of the three Broglas we had heard earlier in the morning, as they flew overhead accompanied by a couple of Long-billed Corellas. Dot, Greg and I finished up at the Old Dunkeld Bakery for lunch. I would like to thank Dave for getting BirdLife Hamilton involved and partnered with Panyyabyr Landcare's Woodland Bird Monitoring program. It has been a lot of fun and we have made some great friendships. I would encourage more members to become involved as you will be helping the Walker Swamp look out © S Greiner Landcare group improve their skills as well as your own. There is also the bonus of some great As the swamp is mostly dry at the moment there opportunities to met and go birding with well were few birds to be seen close to the tower. We recognised 'birdy nerds'. did find a group of Australian Shelduck across on the far side and we could hear Grey Shrike-thrush Samantha Greiner and Yellow-rumped Thornbill in the remnant vegetation beside the swamp. Our next stop was Gooseneck Swamp, from the sand bar that separates it from Brady Swamp. Both are also dry but have well established native vegetated banks which are dominated by ancient River Red Gums. As we pulled up it was alive with the sounds of small woodland birds in the tops of the gums and the whooping trumpets of Brolgas somewhere north our location. Magical! As we left a couple of Emus ran for their live across the wetland with feathered skirts flapping, we all had a giggle at their comedic actions. Sean Dooley, Dave Nichols, Samantha Greiner & Greg Kerr © C Davis

May 2018 5 Birding Activities

BIRD IN BACK YARDS AUTUMN SURVEY - 2018 RESULTS! 11.06.18 Hurrah, you did it! Give yourselves a pat on the Surveying birds? There’s an app for that! back, your Autumn Surveys are complete and we The full version of the Birds in Backyards survey on have some of the results to share with you. the Birdata app is on its way. 62% of your surveys Rainbow Lorikeets still on top! were complete – that means that all of the site details were filled in. If you are already completing For our first Birds in Backyards seasonal survey, your surveys on the app, be sure to log into Birdata 175 people surveyed 210 sites around the country online and complete your surveys. You’ll only need and counted a total of 16,698 birds across 222 to do this once, but this information help us to track species. Not a bad effort, team! bird communities against habitat data, what other Rainbow Lorikeets topped the surveys, appearing in animals visit your space, and even whether you the top 10 lists for NSW, Queensland, Victoria and have any interesting interactions between birds. South Australia. These colourful, loud little parrots Your seasonal survey is more than just counting are the most frequently counted birds in both the birds. And with each seasonal survey result, we’ll Birds in Backyard surveys and the annual week-long dive into different details. Aussie Backyard Bird Count. Catch up on Holly’s Super Surveyor Stats blog post "Rainbow Lorikeets: Fun facts about a fun bird" to learn more about these playful birds. 68% of you submitted just one survey, but a handful of super surveyors (4%) submitted more Your top ten birds nationally (with percent of total than 10! This Winter Survey, why not try counting birds counted in brackets) were: Rainbow Lorikeet once or twice more? (9%), Noisy Miner (8%), Pied Currawong (7%), Australian Magpie (4%), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Around 30% of you identified as beginners – (4%), Common Starling (3%), Crested Pigeon welcome! It will be interesting to see how your (3%), House Sparrow (3%), Galah (2%) & Magpie backyard birding journey changes your experience Lark (2%) level and confidence in identifying birds. And thanks to all our more experienced surveyors for A keen eye will note that the percentage of each completing your Autumn surveys, it’s great to have species surveyed are quite small. This is probably you with us as well. because of the 222 species that were counted, each species only appears once or twice across a survey So stick with us for the Winter Survey this June & and so numbers are spread out. So the top ten July 2018 and let’s see what your next round of birds barely squeezed over the line. But the really birding reveals! excellent news is that you are observing a really good diversity of birds in your spaces! Monica Awasthy Birds in Backyards Program Co-Manager BIBY autumn survey results

6 May 2018 BirdLife Auatralia National Membership

BirdLife Australia members please accept an apology from myself and Jane for not informing you soon enough of the changes to BirdLife Australia membership renewals before the last AGM, 24th Feb 2018. As discussed at the time many members were concerned and dually upset about the changes they had encountered on the national renewal form, particularly the removal of concession memberships. I had this in mind when I recently attended the two day Network Forum in Melbourne, as did quite a few members from other branches! And we all got the same information: your historical membership category will stay the same - it has been 'Granfathered'. So with this in mind Jane and went back through all the correspondence and found the information present below. Why they couldn't send a renewal form with this information on it to already sign up members is something we did not find out. Samantha Greiner & Jane Hayes

GRANDFATHERED MEMBERSHIPS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR RENEWAL BY MEMBERS ALREADY SIGNED UP TO THE CATEGORY

INDIVIDUAL CONCESSION: $60  Constitutional Rights and Obligations – vote at AGMs, nominate for BirdLife Board and or branch/group executive committees  Australian Birdlife Magazine – print format for addresses in Aus, e-mag for addresses outside Aus  Online access to science journals – Australasian Field Ornithology & EMU  Access to student awards  Access to print subscriptions (Emu, Birdlife International magazine, WA Bird Notes)  Other offers and discounts from time to time e.g. Reserve and Observatories courses, accommodation etc

FAMILY FULL: $125  Constitutional Rights and Obligations –up to two votes at AGMs, nominate for BirdLife Board and or branch/group executive committees  Australian Birdlife Magazine – print format for addresses in Aus, e-mag for addresses outside Aus  Online access to science journals – Australasian Field Ornithology & EMU  Access to student awards  Access to print subscriptions (Emu, Birdlife International magazine, WA Bird Notes)  Other offers and discounts from time to time e.g. Reserve and Observatories courses, accommodation etc

Family Concession: $100  Constitutional Rights and Obligations –up to two votes at AGMs, nominate for BirdLife Board and or branch/group executive committees  Australian Birdlife Magazine – print format for addresses in Aus, e-mag for addresses outside Aus  Online access to science journals – Australasian Field Ornithology & EMU  Access to student awards  Access to print subscriptions (Emu, Birdlife International magazine, WA Bird Notes)  Other offers and discounts from time to time e.g. Reserve and Observatories courses, accommodation etc

Notes: (1) Concession members must produce proof of valid concession card (pension or health care card) on request. (2) Subscription categories have been simplified to one subscription rate per subscription:  Print subscriptions – EMU, BirdLife International Magazine, WA Bird Notes – available to members only  Special Interest Groups (SIG) subscriptions –Photography; ARA, ASG, AWSG (3) All Special Interest Group subscriptions are open to members and non member (4) Australian Birdlife Magazine is available to all members as an online e-magazine. General members and all grandfathered categories with an Australian address will receive printed copies. One off printed copies are available for purchase from the BirdLife Australia e-store for $15.95 plus postage.

May 2018 7 Cross Border Camp Out

2018 BIRDLIFE CROSS BORDER CAMPOUT REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Birdlife Nhill are pleased to invite you to now register for the fourth Birdlife Cross Border Campout

PLEASE RSVP BY 13TH JULY

The event is from Friday 28th September to Monday 1st October 2018. This is the middle weekend of the Victorian School Holidays.

Accommodation will be based at the Little Desert Lodge and all outings will depart from the Lodge. Please book your accommodation in good time directly with the Little Desert Lodge. There is a reduced rate for accommodation at the Little Desert Lodge, which also extends to early arrivals and later departures if you wish to stay and see more of the area. Nhill also has a range of accommodation options available if you choose to stay in town.

The programme for the 4 days will be sent to all registered participants as soon as it is finalised. (We are monitoring a lot of options to choose the best locations for the season closer to the date.) There will also be some self-guided options for people to visit at their leisure outside of the programme.

On Saturday night the Birdlife Nhill members will cater a Luv a Duck 2 course dinner in the lodge camp kitchen; this will cost $10 per person. Please note that this dinner needs to be paid for in advance directly to the Nhill group, payment options are provided on the registration form. There will also be a dinner at the lodge on the Sunday night and the details for this can be found on the accommodation booking form.

Please contact Cindy McDonald for you're: registration form, accommodation document, accommodation booking forms & map of Little Desert Lodge

If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact me:

Cindy McDonald

2018 Birdlife Cross Border Campout Coordinator 6 Webb St Kaniva Vic 3419 Phone: 0429 922 370 Email: [email protected]

8 May 2018