Birds SA Newsletter No 235 August 2015
Birds SA is the operating name of The South Australian Ornithological Association Inc. c/- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000
The Aims of the Association are: To promote the conservation of Australian birds and their habitats. To encourage interest in, and develop knowledge of the birds of South Australia. To record the results of research in regard to all aspects of bird life. To maintain a public fund called the “Birds SA Conservation Fund” for the specific purpose of supporting the Association’s environmental objectives. PRINT POST APPROVED PP532699/00009 A Page of Parrots
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2 Birds SA Newsletter August 2015
CONTENTS SAOA COMMITTEE 2015 – 2016 President’s Letter/Tolderol News …….…..….…4 President David Paton 8344 8891 Birds SA Notes & News .…………….…...……5 Vice President John Gitsham 0438900393 Conservation Sub-Committee Report ………….6 Vice President Daniel Rogers 8222 9517 Giving them Wings ………………...…………..9 Secretary Brian Blaylock 0448822374 Treasurer Brian Walker 8263 3433 Past General Meetings …………………...... …10 Assistant Secretary Kate Buckley 8261 7197 Future General Meetings ...……..………...... 12 Journal Editor Merilyn Browne 8339 6839 Past Excursions …………………...…...... …12 Newsletter Editor Cynthia Pyle 8264 5778 Future Excursions ……..…………...……...….15 Field Program Co-ordinator Lynton Huxley 7009 5038 Gluepot maps…………………… …...……….17 Bird Record Secretary Graham Carpenter 8297 5463 Bird Records …………..……….….…...... ….19 Membership Officer Simon Brearly 8390 3666 News from the Library ………………...….…..21 Member William Brooker 8381 8730 Members’ Photographs et al.……….………....22 Member John Spiers 8333 0272 Member Jody Gates 8391 6342 Member John Hatch 8362 2820 CENTRE INSERT SAOA HISTORICAL SERIES NUMBER 53, JOHN SUTTON’S OUTER HARBOR NOTES, PART 2 FURTHER USEFUL CONTACTS DIARY Librarian Karen Donkin 0402123960 Image Librarian John Spiers 8333 0272 The following is a list of Birds SA activities for the next few email [email protected] months. Further details of all these activities are given later in Campout Organiser Lynton Huxley 7009 5038 this Newsletter. Rare Birds Secretary Colin Rogers 8336 3325 Aug 30 Sunday Excursion to Currency Creek Gorge Sept 12 Saturday Excursion Porter Scrub CP RELATED ASSOCIATIONS Sept 17 Thursday Excursion to Mt. Lofty Gdns. BirdLife Southeast SA Sept 25 Friday General Meeting Convener, — Bob Green [email protected] 8725 0549 IBA Coordinator/Newsletter Editor — Bryan Haywood Sept 27 Sunday Excursion to Altona Reserve [email protected] 8726 8112 Fleurieu Birdwatchers October 3-5 Campout at Gluepot Contact person: Neil Cheshire 8552 7904 Oct 10 Saturday Excursion to Wyndgate, Hindmarsh I Website: www.Fleurieubirdwatchers.org Port Augusta group Oct 15 Thursday Excursion to Sandy Creek Contact people: Peter Langdon 8642 5723, Greg Bannon 8648 6630, Oct 30 Friday General Meeting Bernie Haase 0419 863 834
Nov 1 Sunday Excursion to Sir Richard Pen. Etc. WEBSITE: birdssa.asn.au Nov 14 Saturday Excursion to Tolderol 2015 SAOA SUBSCRIPTIONS Nov 19 Thursday Excursion to Hardy’s Scrub Single membership $50 Nov 27 Friday General Meeting Family/household membership $60 Single concession* $45 Dec 6 Sunday Excursion to Riverglades etc. Family/household concession* $55 Student members (full-time students under 25 years) $10
*Pensioners and people experiencing financial hardship can obtain Cover photo: Brown Falcon, photographed by Peter McKenzie th concessions. Apply in writing to the Treasurer, Birds SA. at Robe, on 28 July 2015 ABN 76 339 976 789 General meetings are held in the Hawker Centre at the Waite Institute, Waite Road, Urrbrae at 7.45pm. Doors open at ADVERTISING IN THE Birds SA NEWSLETTER 7.00pm. SAOA relies on the integrity of advertisers for the quality and nature of their products and services. We cannot guarantee them. Advertising Committee meetings are held at the above venue on the second is charged as follows: $1.00 per line, up to $40.00 per half page and Monday of each month, starting at 7.30pm. 10c per inserted leaflet (single sheet). The committee reserves the right to lower or waive these fees.
Donations to the Birds SA Conservation Fund are tax- COPY DEADLINE deductible Copy for the November Newsletter is due by the October General Meeting (October 30). Contributions, ‘Word’ format preferred, can be New Members recorded on a CD, emailed to either of my email addresses, or We welcome 18 new members who have recently joined the typed/handwritten neatly.
Association. Their names are listed on p23. • [email protected]
• [email protected] Printed by Abbott Printers and Stationers
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 3 President’s Message/Tolderol News Spring 2015 will be busy for Birds Australasian Ornithological migratory shorebirds. These SA and its committee, since a series Conference (AOC) at Flinders shorebirds once regularly visited the of events will be taking place in University from the 25-27 November shores of Lake Alexandrina and addition to our regular meetings and (see separate advertisement). Friday Albert but are now restricted due to outings. the 27th of November is also the final the maintenance of higher and less John Gitsham, John Hatch and John general meeting for Birds SA for variable water levels. Tolderol Game Spiers have been busy planning a 2015. There is an advertisement for Reserve Wetlands, established in the short WEA course on birds aimed this conference on page 22. 1970’s, provide migratory sandpipers at people who have recently started As part of Birds SA’s contribution to and other waterbirds with suitable or want to start bird watching. Their the AOC we will be running a series habitat and help compensate for the course will run this spring. If you of field trips over the weekend of 28- lack of suitable lakeshore. would like to take the course please 29 November. There are three field Last year when 35 hectares were contact one of the Johns. Others on trip options planned: one to the flooded during a watering trial the committee have been busy wetlands around St Kilda conducted by Natural Resources SA guiding the design of a new look for (Greenfields, saltfields etc) another Murray-Darling Basin, nine the Birds SA website. The new to the Monarto woodlands that will nationally-listed migratory shorebird website should be launched this include a visit to Laratinga wetlands, species amongst a total of 45 water- spring. This new site will not only and a longer trip that will take in dependant species used the area. This facilitate the provision and Tolderol, and wetlands around included over 200 critically dissemination of information on Goolwa and the Murray Mouth. endangered Curlew sandpipers and birds and their conservation, but also Several people have already booked over 4000 Sharp-tailed sandpipers. encourage greater interaction on these trips and Birds SA will help Funding from Birds SA, the between members and the general by providing guides and drivers. We Australian Federal Government via public. This will also facilitate a shift already have a small list of Natural Resources SA Murray- to delivering newsletters digitally for volunteers to assist with these tours Darling Basin and the donation of those who wish to receive material in but we will need more. If you can materials from SA Water and this way. help, please contact me by email Wetland Habitats Trust and will Bird Week will occur in October ([email protected]). We allow the area of wetland to more and we are planning to run some intend to have a practice run in mid- than double and so more birds are short bird walks along the Torrens November for those helping run expected this year. Watering is for the general public as part of those these trips. expected to re-commence in early celebrations. If you would like to be David Paton October. involved and help with these please The next open day at Tolderol is contact me but we will put out a call FUNDING INJECTION TO Tuesday 2nd September where for volunteer guides closer to the TOLDEROL GAME RESERVE people can find out more about date. WETLANDS what’s happening at the site. To Around this time Tolderol Game Tolderol Game Reserve Wetlands, an register for the open day or find out Reserve should be filling with water internationally important managed more information please contact and again providing habitat for some wetland, is set to receive a $10,000 Regina Durbridge, Goolwa to of the migratory shorebirds and other funding boost by the oldest birding Wellington Local Action Planning waterbirds. Last year’s trial was a association in Australia, Birds SA. phone (08) 8537 0808 or email: great success and this year with The financial injection will help [email protected] financial help from Birds SA a much deliver environmental water to 67 Kate Mason (DEWNR) larger area will be watered. hectares of man-made wetland Spring will close with the providing rich feeding areas for
See p24 for more information about the open day at Tolderol.
Glossy Ibis and Black-winged Stilt observed during the environmental watering trial in 2014/15 (Photo: Helen Lewis).
4 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 Birds SA Notes & News YOUR CONTACT DETAILS suggested that we should also ‘show- care about what they have never Please advise me of any changes to off’ the people behind the birds, experienced”. your name, address, email address or because we are also about bird Jody Gates telephone number by emailing me at watching, which is about people. Of * ecocreative describes itself as a [email protected]. course – so obvious once pointed out creative consultancy devoted to Alternatively, ‘phone the Treasurer to us! inspiring positive change for a using the number on page 3. We have also been advised that we sustainable society. You will find Brian Walker need to make sure the language we more details on its website — use makes people feel comfortable ecocreative.com.au. WHAT'S IN AN IDENTITY, A — that they are in the ‘right place’ Cynthia Pyle BRAND, OR A LOGO? — a place that allows them to build Who are Birds SA? What do they the courage to make contact with us, PROSPECTIVE WEA COURSE do? It may not surprise you that whether by coming along to an event WHICH MIGHT INTEREST many organisations like ours are not or enquiring about a bird. We all YOU! well known within our community. know that birding is quite a technical In the next WEA Course Program, In our case, this is despite having one pursuit, and it takes a lot of time to due out in early September, look of the largest (if not the largest!) build knowledge of birds and their out for: memberships for any environmental identification. For beginners this INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS non-government organisation in SA. challenge can be part of the AND BIRD WATCHING The Birds SA Committee has been attraction. However, because It will be run on Wednesday discussing how to increase awareness members of organisations like ours evenings, 8.00-9.30 pm for six of our existence because we believe often have extensive expertise it can weeks, starting on October 14th we can use our large member base, feel very ‘cliquey’ to newcomers. We and finishing on November 18th. enormous amount of knowledge and certainly don’t want this. We want to expertise, and our great social be welcoming – after all we are nice It will be run at the WEA in the network to leverage better outcomes people! So we want to ensure that city in Angas Street, where there is for birds and bird conservation in our identity – including our logo and good parking and security. SA. Of course we also want to the language we use in promotional continue to provide great activities materials — is welcoming to The three tutors are all very for members; and to help sustain everyone in the first instance, experienced bird people with these activities we need to maintain especially to potential new birders! backgrounds in teaching. our membership by continually Finally, you may not know that the attracting new members. South Australian Ornithological It will cover a variety of topics The Birds SA Committee has been Association is the oldest organisation such as: discussing how we achieve increased of its type in Australasia, having • *identification and the awareness and recognition for who been established as in 1899, two diversity of the world’s birds Birds SA are, what we do, and what years ahead of the formation of the we have to offer. We agreed that a Royal Australasian Ornithologists • *books, binoculars, good first step would be to revisit Union (now Birdlife). Introduction of telescopes, cameras, etc. and discuss Birds SA’s identity. a ‘common name’ for the South • *behaviour, breeding, The Committee has engaged an Australian Ornithological organisation known as ecocreative* Association — Birds SA – occurred migration and other features to do this work for us. Ecocreative relatively recently in 2001. This was of birds’ lives. does a lot of work for the a significant change to the identity to • *vocalisation, songs and calls environmental sector in this state and the organisation. Now we are ready is widely acknowledged for the to take the next step in the evolution • *birdwatching as a fast quality of its work. of our identity. growing hobby and contacts st On the 1 of July most of the In the coming months we will reveal both here and abroad. Committee met with ecocreative staff a new brand, a new logo, a new look There will be two field trips. and discussed the above questions to newsletter and websites, which will If you don’t see the program then provide the information needed to provide a sound footing for us to WEA’s email address is refresh our identity and brand. The increase our efforts to link a lot more [email protected] or contact exercise was enjoyable and has people with birds in South Australia. me, John Hatch for further already provided the Committee with And why does that matter? I will information (8362 2820). some great insights. For example, our allow Sir David Attenborough to sum
branding has always put the focus on it up: “No-one will protect what they the birds, however, ecocreative don’t care about, and no-one will
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 5 Conservation Sub-Committee Report
A delegation from the Sub- operationally feasible. Other fuel reduce the impact of large committee attended a Prescribed reduction methods can be used such uncontrolled fires? Burn Information Session on the 23 as slashing, weed removal and We have considerable evidence to June 2015 conducted by the mechanical thinning and may be support the effectiveness of Department of Environment, Water more effective. prescribed burns. Basically and Natural Resources (DEWNR). Additional large areas have been prescribed burns have been shown to DEWNR committed considerable unintentionally burnt in recent times. reduce the Overall Fuel Hazard resources to this meeting with the Are these areas included in the (OFH). following people presenting the annual area total target for the [The Overall Fuel Hazard is the sum topics described below. Specific DEWNR burn program? of influences of three factors (Bark questions put by members of the sub- Yes, since 2003 DEWNR has Hazard, Elevated Fuel and Surface committee are given in italics and conducted approximately 300 burns Fine Fuel Hazard). These precisely our comments are placed within in the AMLR. About 6 burns (2%) defined factors, and details of how square brackets. have burnt beyond planned they are to be assessed in a containment lines but no burns have document, “Overall Fuel Hazard Tim Groves — Prescribed Burn escaped park boundaries. Guide” available from DEWNR. Objectives & Targets In future fuel reduction should be Fuel Hazard assessment includes an Fire management in the Adelaide and based on a ‘Whole of landscape’ fuel assessment of factors that determine Mount Lofty Ranges (AMLR) is very reduction strategy as about 65% of both the ease of ignition and challenging. There are about 50,000 native vegetation is privately owned difficulty of fire suppression. Such people living in the hills within a and often close to human assets. This factors may be fuel continuity, fuel mosaic of public and private areas. approach may reduce the burning height and proportion of dead There is a history of large and required on private land but would material. Weather conditions also devastating bushfires. People living present many challenges. influence fire risk. The McArthur in the hills have a range of values Forest Fire Danger Index (FFDI) was and so have a broad range of Ian Tanner — Effectiveness of developed in the 1960s by CSIRO opinions as to what fire management Prescribed Burning, Fire scientist A.G. McArthur to measure actions should be taken. The Management plans and how burn the degree of danger of fire in challenge is to find a balance which areas are chosen Australian forests. The formulation maximises benefits and minimises Since 2003 DEWNR has been of the FFDI is based on the impacts. DEWNR believes that developing Fire Management Plans temperature, wind speed, relative active management is required and across SA’s fire prone landscapes. humidity, and a component called the the ‘do nothing approach’ is not Risk assessments undertaken within Drought Factor.] acceptable. The department is these plans are significant drivers to The graph below shows the continually trying to learn from its where fuel reduction activities are to relationship between the FFDI, OFH experience to improve its operations be undertaken. The data underlying and the probability of slowing and and influence decision makers. planning (fuels, asset registers, fire hence controlling a fire. Where OFH What are the Government’s overall behaviour modelling) are continually is “Low” the chance of slowing and objectives for the burn program? updated. hence controlling a fire is high, as The SA State Government Target is What evidence is there that burns long as the FFDI is not extreme or to “Manage bushfire risks by reducing fuels across 5% of public land in high risk areas”. Recommendation 56 of the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission called for a blanket annual rolling target of 5 per cent minimum of public land. Since that time fire protection authorities across the nation have moved away from blanket targets towards risk reduction performance targets. The SA approach is risk based. It equates to the burning of 1,350 hectares each year across public land. Over the last 5 years around 800-950 ha have been burnt and it is believed that 1,200 ha are
6 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 Conservation Sub-Committee Report (cont) catastrophic. If OFH is “High” or Landscape Protection Burning in C- risk is taken based on these worse then the probability of slowing Zones is more controversial. assessments. a fire is small even at low FFDI Objectives include to: To what extent does the potential levels. • Provide suppression opportunities impact upon fauna influence the way The Sampson Flat Bushfire provided to enable fires to be contained in a burn is planned and conducted? a significant test for prescribed burn the early stages (small fire fronts) The plan may include various areas. before they reach people and mitigating actions to reduce the Fuel reduction thus serves to: property impact of the burn such as: • protect properties and lives • Prevent whole reserves, critical • Exclusion zones particularly when FFDI is not habitat patches from being burnt • Excluding surrounding areas extreme, in a single bushfire event from burning • allow the vast majority of fires to • Provide refuges for wildlife • Hygiene procedures be quickly controlled, during and following bushfires • Changing the timing of the burn • reduce spotting and ember attack • Minimise land/water degradation • Protecting trees and hollows on assets by reducing bark fuel, especially in catchments. • Conducting patchy burns • expand the range of conditions in Burning in this zone depends on the • Monitoring which suppression operations risk reduction required, the resources • Cancelling or delaying the (water bombing, retardant available and ecological impacts. burn. drops, back burning) can be Decisions are made according to The timing of any proposed burn is effectively and safely conducted. Ecological Fire Management important. In summer it is far too hot How are the prescribed burn areas Guidelines. and dry to contemplate a burn, in chosen? winter it is often too wet for an A prescribed burn must have a Kirstin Abley — Fire ecology, effective burn. Spring is often the specific management objective or environmental assessments and season chosen because: objectives. Broadly these are to ecological monitoring protect lives and property by fuel Ecological burns may be conducted • Soil moisture is high and burnt reduction or for ecological to manipulate habitat e.g. to remove areas can regenerate faster, management purposes, or both. old woody reeds and stimulate new • It is prior to the native growing Specific locations are chosen through growth for the benefit of the season and can reduce the development of Fire Management Southern Emu Wren. This was done competition by removing weeds, Plans. The risk assessment process along the Finniss River and in the • Burns tend to be of low intensity guides the designation of fire Stipiturus Conservation Park. involving patchy burns while management zones: Ecological burns may also be retaining stags [trees providing • Asset Zones (A Zones) valuable in ecological restoration, by hollows or other habitat features] and woody debris. • Buffer Zones (B Zones) assisting re-vegetation and [From the point of view of the birds • Conservation Zones (C Zones). stimulating germination of natives. it is bad time as it is the main The primary objective within A and Burning is a natural process in breeding period. Nests and nestlings B zones is fuel management. Within Australia but is now being done in an may be lost. Many plants also begin A-Zones the Fuel Hazard should not unnatural environment. to grow in winter and early spring.] exceed MODERATE, within B-Zones What assessments are made before Autumn is sometimes chosen as: it should not exceed HIGH. Burning and after a burn for both flora and within C-Zones should be within fauna? • There is lower seed mortality. ecological fire management Initial planning is done, based on • Some species may be stimulated guidelines. pooling staff knowledge, information to germinate and, Fuel Management Maps are from biodiversity experts and from • It opens up the canopy. accessible to the public at: Friends of Parks. An environmental However there is low soil moisture http://www.envapps.sa.gov.au/firema assessment follows which combines and a higher risk of spreading ps/ further information from the Phytophora. There they can see: Biological database of South [Autumn would seem to be a better • Fire Management Zoning across Australia, the fire history of the area, time from the birds’ point of view.] Reserves expert advice, an on-the-spot or Has the Commonwealth Government ramble survey and data collected by approved the Strategic Assessment of • Proposed Prescribed Burns DEWNR on plant and animal DEWNR fire Management? • Fire History responses to fire. The decision to Fire management activities • Flora/Fauna data proceed, to postpone or cancel a burn undertaken by the Department of or use other measures to reduce fire Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) require
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 7 Conservation Sub-Committee Report (cont) approval under the Commonwealth • a risk assessment is conducted, within burn sites – including how Environment Protection and • fire crews are briefed, long it takes before species start Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 • a test burn is conducted, using habitat for foraging, nesting (EPBC Act) if they are likely to have emergency agencies are etc. • a significant impact on a matter of informed, The Birds SA members who attended national environmental significance • ignition is commenced, came away with a much better (MNES). However, the strategic understanding of DEWNR • during the burn, fire behaviour assessment provisions of the EPBC and fire crews are managed objectives, operations and the Act can enable these actions to directives under which they operate the fire is monitored and proceed without requiring approval if • in regard to preventative burning undertaken under a policy, plan or conditions recorded. operations. In particular they had a program endorsed under the Act. After the burn weather conditions are fuller understanding of their Accordingly, this strategic continually monitored and crew approach to the balance between risk assessment seeks endorsement of the resources are committed to mopping reduction and ecological impact. A Environmental Assessment and up and patrol for several days after letter was sent expressing our thanks Management Procedure (DEWNR the burn until the area is declared to the Department. Their suggestions 2014) (the Policy). safe Action reviews and on ways in which Birds SA could be reassessments are formally involved to better meet the objectives Richard de Groot — Prescribed conducted and recorded to inform of both organisations should Burn Operations future actions. certainly be considered by our
Burns are planned and conducted by association. Kirstin Abley — Post burn nationally accredited staff within John Spiers DEWNR, Forestry SA and CFS. ecological monitoring These people are trained in planning Monitoring is carried out after each Convenor, BirdsSA and conducting prescribed burns. burn. The aim is to address key Conservation Subcommittee. DEWNR is supported on-ground by knowledge areas and assess the trained firefighters from CFS effectiveness of ecological burns. For (DEWNR is a brigade of the CFS) example we were asked whether and Forestry SA. The State unburnt habitat patches affect the Government conducts over 100 burns survival of Southern Brown every year. Local CFS brigades are Bandicoots (SBBs). A careful survey invited to attend all prescribed burns. confirmed that 9 out of 10 SBBs did A good deal of work is done before survive. The surviving animals used each burn. A PB Operations plan habitat patches, adjacent unburnt must be developed setting out burn habitat, and burrows. They colonised objectives, prescriptions, lighting the burn site 3-4 years after the burn. patterns, mitigation actions, crew Large unburnt habitat patches are tasking and escape contingencies. therefore beneficial and it is Some work may need to be done important to provide adjacent before the burn such as constructing unburnt habitat to enable populations control lines or taking mitigation to persist. Similarly Chesnut-rumped actions. Heathwrens will use unburnt habitat A week before the burn there is a patches and burnt habitats less than phone hook up with the Bureau of two years after a fire. They may even Meteorology, phone hook ups with prefer regenerating habitat. all parties involved ( CFS, DEWNR, In what ways may Birds SA add SA Water and FSA, a weekly value? MLRFC burn advice, a media release Birds SA can assist the preventative and letter drops in the vicinity. burning process by: Details are entered into CFS • assessing and providing comment websites. on burns proposed, On the day: • entering bird records into the • the latest 1 and 4 day weather Biological Database of SA, forecasts are obtained, • Becoming involved in monitoring • fuel moisture levels are projects. confirmed, • Providing the fire ecologist with • likely fire behaviour is calculated, interesting observations from
8 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 Five years on from the first series of comprehensive White-bellied Sea Eagle and Osprey population surveys, Birds SA are supporting a follow- up project to assess stability or trends within these populations across all regions of South Australia …
White-bellied Sea Eagle 'Port River' Osprey, photographed th Photo by Elizabeth Steele-Collins on 28 July 2015 by Sharon Sharp
Have you seen these awe-inspiring birds in recent years? The 2008-10 surveys confirmed that both species have small, isolated and declining populations in SA. The sea eagle breeding population was estimated at just 70-80 pairs (now found mainly on offshore islands) and the osprey with 55-65 pairs (SAO 37, p1-16). Both species are listed as Endangered in SA. Members are assured that surveys are conducted in accord with DEWNR Scientific Permit and Animal Ethics Approval conditions and endorsed minimum impact protocols. Accordingly, members are asked not to approach nesting sites during the breeding season, however, incidental observations of these species and of pairs in particular, from anywhere in SA will be a greatly appreciated contribution to the project, and can be forwarded to, or discussed with: Sharie Detmar - project coordinator or Terry Dennis ph 0417 892 607 or; 0428 113 096 ph 8524 5561 or; 0409 527 654 [email protected] [email protected]
Terry Dennis
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 9 Past General Meetings FRIDAY APRIL 24 involves trapping and carbon dioxide poor dispersal abilities it is John Hatch introduced the speaker narcosis. Non-lethal management vulnerable to anthropogenic factors Jason van Weenen from the methods include spotlights or lasers such as introduced predators and Department of Environment, Water to disrupt roosting birds; scare guns, grazing. Marina’s study was and Natural Resources (DEWNR). gas guns or bird fright; habitat undertaken on Witchelina Station, an Jason has been a Species Ecologist manipulation; falcons and decoy old sheep run of 421000 hectares for the past 18 years. feeding. There are a number of purchased by the Nature Foundation Jason’s topic was “Impact Causing Corella management challenges. of South Australia in 2010. Species of the Adelaide and Mount Mist nets were placed in suitable Lofty Ranges Regions”. He spoke FRIDAY MAY 29 habitats along creek lines. A total of about the Grey-headed Flying-fox, John Hatch (ex Vice-President) 164 individual birds were banded at which became established in introduced the speaker Marina Witchelina from 34 groups (40 Adelaide in 2010. The species is Louter, a PhD candidate from the chicks, 46 fledglings, 7 juveniles 29 highly social and listed as Vulnerable Bird Lab, Flinders University. adult females and 42 adult males). nationally (EPBC Act). Their diet Marina completed her Bachelor of The morphology of each bird was includes nectar, fruit and leaves. Science in Biology and a Master of taken as well as a DNA sample of its They forage to about 50km from the Science in Biology at the University blood. Each bird was banded with a roost site each night and can fly of Groningen, The Netherlands. She metal band and a unique combination around 350km/night when travelling has undertaken research work in the of three colour bands for individual to other campsites. The colonies get Seychelles and Brazil. identification. into trouble when the temperature is Marina’s topic was “Thick-billed Tests of nesting success was carried 38°C+ with juveniles most affected. Grasswren behavioural ecology in out by comparing areas with The colony size in SA at present is zones of human impact” which is the previously heavy grazing to areas around 3000. The population is not title of her PhD project. Before with less grazing, TBGW are highly ‘breeding up’. The adults are talking about grasswrens Marina specialized in selection of nest-site persisting with an exchange between gave an outline of the work being vegetation with 80% of all nests colonies interstate. There is no carried out by other PhD students located in Blackbush (Maireana observable winter decline in colony (Christine Evans, Petra Hanke, pyramidata). The nests are placed size. Katharina Peters and Amy Slender) from 0.10 to 0.40m above the The second group that Jason spoke at the Bird Lab. ground. Eggs hatch around 14 days about was corellas (Little Corella and An overview of her thesis after being laid. During 2013-2014, Long-billed Corella). Community • What habitat characteristics 37 active nests were found. Of these concerns about corellas include (including grazing impacts) nests 29 fledged (76%), 5 were noise, damage to trees, mess or predict presence/absence of abandoned (13%) and 4 were health concerns, damage to assets Thick-billed Grasswrens? predated (11%). and impacts on other native species. • Do habitat attributes predict In-nest video monitoring was DEWNR does not manage impact- nesting success? undertaken to find out who feeds the causing species unless there is a clear • Does parental nest attendance nestlings and the type of prey. Eight biodiversity conservation objective. predict egg predation? nests each were filmed during 2013 The management responsibility • Do parents work harder to feed and 2014. In 2013 a total of 1342 generally lies with the land manager chicks in poor environments? feeding events were recorded of or the person experiencing the • Does habitat use correlate with which 982 prey items were too small problem. DEWNR also promotes a habitat quality? to identify (73%) and 360 items were philosophy that, where possible, The Thick-billed Grasswren identified to the level of order (27%). communities should first look at the (TBGW) is restricted to the arid The majority of these were ways to ‘live with wildlife’ and regions of Australia and it is a very Orthoptera (grasshopper) (63%) and provides advice, strategies, shy and elusive bird. Their cryptic Lepidoptera (caterpillar/moths) methodologies and policies to assist plumage makes it very hard to see (27%). land managers to deal with impact them, especially on the brown-red To answer questions about habitat causing species. The Little Corella is coloured arid soil where this bird use radio telemetry was carried out in on the unprotected species list for SA spends most of its time. You will not 2014. Fourteen transmitters were and can only be taken by means of see this bird fly, as it spends most of attached to adult male birds to find shooting for which a Hunting Permit its life on the ground, running, rather out the home range size, the is required. You need a Specialised than flying. It is sedentary, meaning vegetation they use/need and their Destruction Permit for any that it occupies a territory year round, foraging behaviour. The average destruction of Little Corellas that and because of its small range and home range size was found to be
10 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 Past General Meetings (cont) 6.65 ± 4.10ha with almost no overlap Black-rumped Flameback, River the help of Graham Carpenter, Derek between home ranges. There were no Tern, Malabar Parakeet (endemic), Carter, Kent Treloar, Peter Gower, correlations between home range size Malabar Barbet (endemic), Plum- Les Peters, Colin Rogers and Kym and habitat parameters, such as headed Parakeet, Malabar Whistling Murphy with photographs and grazing, vegetation structure and Thrush, and Kerala Laughing Thrush information. Brown Thornbills cover, insect abundance, bird (endemic). occupy the Mount Lofty Ranges and densities and the number of Peter Gower showed a series of Adelaide Plains south of Gawler neighbouring territories. photographs feaqturing Whiskered, River and Inland Thornbills replace Of the three genera of Maluridae in Gull-billed, Great Crested and Fairy Brown Thornbills north of Gawler Australia, the grasswrens Terns. The longest movement of the River, extending in mangroves to (Amytornis) contain the highest Whiskered Tern is 327km from ICI Yorke Peninsula and the Mid North. proportion of threatened species as Salt Works, St Kilda (banded Schodde and Mason 1999 reported well as the only extinct infrataxa February 1980) and retrapped at Bool that “In the coastal shrublands off within the family. Tools we are using Lagoon (January 1985). The oldest east Gulf St Vincent north of to determine what factors are bird from 80 Mile Beach, WA was Adelaide (both species) are important to protect the Thick-billed banded in August 1982 and caught sympatric”, all 15 specimens being Grasswren include: genetics, again in August 1998. A Gull-billed of one or the other species” whilst J demography, breeding biology, Tern banded at Roebuck Bay, WA in Matthew in HANZAB 2002 said that habitat needs and long term November 2008 and found at Bohai “In coastal shrublands of east Gulf St population monitoring. Bay, Hebei Province, China in April Vincent the two taxa coexist”, but Marina’s project will be a valuable 2011 is the longest movement with one specimen of 15 showing assessment of how grazing pressure (6400km). The oldest bird was intermediate features”. Recent influences nesting success and banded at Roebuck Bay in April observations found Inland Thornbills vulnerability to nestling predation, 1994 and seen again in July 2012. A in mangroves at St Kilda, Port through observational comparisons Greater Crest Tern banded in January Gawler, Middle Beach, Port among sites with different grazing 1986 at Eagle Islet, Lizard Island, Wakefield; Brown Thornbills in impacts. This will be a useful data set QLD was found at D’Entrecasteaux Casuarinas at Buckland Park, in for the management of the Channel, Bruny Is, TAS in April planted shrubs near Dry Creek Witchelina property by the Nature 1995, a distance of 3000km. The Estuary, in Little Para wetlands at Foundation of SA, and should allow oldest one is 32 years old and was Whites Road. “In mangroves from them to monitor the progress of banded at Penguin Island, Beachport, Bolivar to Port Parham, unlike Inland recovery from grazing as well as SA in December 1975 and found at Thornbills, they don’t cock their tails optimisation of the land use for Point Ricardo, East Gippsland, VIC and there are no pale tips on their Thick-billed Grasswren preservation. in February 2008. The longest tails” (Anon). They compared The research will provide useful movement of the Fairy Tern was museum specimens (8 South lessons for other grasswren banded on West Cattle Island, Australian Museum and 7 Australian conservation programs elsewhere in Coorong, SA in February 2010 and National Wildlife Collection) from Australia. sited at North Spit, Werribee, VIC in east of Gulf St Vincent with skins of June 2013 (518km). The oldest aged Brown Thornbill (Mount Lofty FRIDAY JUNE 26 bird (17 years) was banded at Ranges) Acanthiza pusilla samueli, This was a Members’ Night and John Walungup Lake, WA in November Brown Thornbill (SE & Coorong) A. Hatch introduced each speaker before 1959 and recovered at North p. pusilla and Inland Thornbill their presentation. Fisherman Island, WA in February (Yorke Peninsula & Mid-north). Neil Cheshire described his trip to 1977. A Caspian Tern banded at From research carried out the Kerala in southwest India with Roly Lake Balun, Hu - Han, Russia in July following conclusions have been Lloyd and showed photos of the 1988 was recovered at Xuan Thuy made: many species seen including Reserve, Vietnam, a distance of • Contact between Brown and endemics. They spent eight days 3400km and the oldest age record Inland Thornbills in mangroves visiting Thattekad about 70km east was a bird banded off Mans Beach, and shrublands of the eastern of Kochi at the edge of the Western Corner Inlet, VIC in February 1982 Gulf St Vincent coast occurs Ghats and also Munnar in November and recovered at Lawrence, NSW 23 through a broad hybrid zone of 2014. Neil showed photographs of years later. undetermined northern extent White-cheeked Barbet (endemic), Andrew Black gave details of the • Three phenotypes but no parental Malabar Grey Hornbill (endemic), research he has been carrying out forms are identified within the Rufous Treepie, White-bellied with Philippa Horton on ‘Thornbills hybrid zone Treepie, Indian Pitta, Malabar of Adelaide’s coastal mangroves and • Mangrove Thornbills are Inland- Trogon, Fork-tailed Drongo-cuckoo, shrublands’. Andrew acknowledged resembling hybrids and Brown-
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 11 Past and Future General Meetings/Past Excursions
resembling hybrids may be • Brief incoming volunteers on PAST EXCURSIONS present only in non-mangrove current situation and talk with Anstey Hill Recreation Park & habitats other visitors about the OBP Angove Conservation Park — 16 Mike Ashton spoke about Orange- recovery programme, and explain May bellied Parrot monitoring at dos and don’ts as required. Twenty-one members met at the gate Melaleuca from 2-17 March 2015 of Anstey Hill Recreation Park on with his wife. The purpose of the a typically fresh autumn morning. It volunteer program is to obtain the FUTURE GENERAL MEETINGS was good to welcome a new club following information about these member Noel Christophersen, and birds: General meetings are held in the two visitors, Cary and Keith from • The minimum adult population Charles Hawker building of the Maine USA. size Waite Institute on Waite Road Two groups set off in different • Productivity for the year — i.e. Urrbrae on the last Friday of every directions and by the end of the walk, number of juveniles month except December, public they had splintered into four groups. • Survival of each year’s adults and holidays or prior to a long weekend. We also picked up two latecomers on juveniles the way back to lunch. In all 36 • Survival of captive bred birds and The doors are opened at 7pm and species were recorded with a total of their offspring meetings start at 7.45pm. 404 birds seen. Most common were • Measurement of the use of Red Wattlebird and New Holland supplementary food provided FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25 Honeyeater with good numbers of • Observations of predators and Amy Slender will be the speaker at Red-browed Finch, Superb Fairy- competitors this meeting. Her draft title is wren, Weebill, Silvereye and • Observation of bird behaviour at ‘Biodiversity Offset Strategy for Adelaide Rosella. We also counted feed tables impacts on the eastern subspecies of 10 Grey Currawongs during the • Confirm sex of banded birds the Thick-billed Grasswren, morning. • Use and occupancy of nest boxes Amytornis textilis modestus'. One group also visited the spot • Usage of feed tables at the hide where the Tawny Frogmouth and at Willson’s house. FRIDAY OCTOBER 30 normally roost and were not The major duties of volunteers are: The speaker will be Ian Falkenberg. disappointed as one was seen sitting • To perform and record daily bird His draft title is 'The biology of quietly enjoying the sun. We then observations – dawn and dusk South Australian birds of prey'. continued along Torture Hill Track, in15 minute time slots for 2 hours which is quite aptly named! At about • Provide weighed seed daily at FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27 midday we met at the gate, had lunch feed tables and remove and weigh Pre-Christmas Members' Night. and did the bird call by which time old seed Please submit offers to present short the weather had changed to • Maintain and clean feed tables, talks and other items to Daniel beautifully sunny. house, hide, etc. Rogers before mid-November so that After lunch, some members walked • Observe and report on the whole programme can be down to Angove Conservation Park competitors and predators arranged. — a small reserve. As most had not • Order dry and soaked seed as The talks will be preceded and visited this site before, Roger Collier required to ensure adequate followed by drinks and nibbles, so was kind enough to show us around. supplies. please bring a plate of food to share. About 10 quite common species were • Record daily image counts on seen on our short walk. We had a camera traps particularly good sighting of a female • Replace camera trap batteries and Mistletoebird feeding in a large memory cards and order mistletoe growth and surprisingly she replacements as required seemed to concentrate on eating the • Report daily to nominated contact green berries in the bush rather than person in PWS the much larger quantity of red and orange berries available. Rod Tetlow
Lowan Conservation Park — 21 May The turnout for this walk was disappointingly low. Only five members met at the Bowhill turnoff on a chilly 9° morning. We then
12 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 Past Excursions(cont) proceeded to the reserve and after main track from the car park at the things were already rather soggy one failed attempt, we did find the end of Cox Rd. Starlings were seen underfoot, decided to forgo exploring entry gate and parking area. The in moderate sized flocks near the the pond/wetland based on previous weather was changeable all morning edges of the park but at first there experience that it can be quite hard to and we had alternating periods of was a general scarcity of birds, get to after wet weather. sunshine and cloud, but no rain. which, even when present, were hard In the end, we were quite lucky with The birding was not good from both to see given the poor light. Further the rain. It wasn’t until we got back a species and a numbers point of along a flock of approximately 15 to the car park that it started to really view. We only managed to see 15 Australian White Ibis were seen belt down, and the birdcall was a species and hear two more. We flying overhead, while we frequently hasty affair with the scribe hunched counted only 62 individual birds. Our spotted Galahs (80) and Rainbow underneath an umbrella. We then highest numbers for any species were Lorikeets (12). Crested and feral jumped into our cars to eat our 12 Weebill and 8 Jacky Winter. pigeons were also quite abundant. lunches before fleeing back home to We had an excellent sighting of a We saw four Eastern Rosellas, which dry clothes and nice warm houses. A female Varied Sittella. She sat was encouraging, as they do not total of 33 species was seen for the quietly on a bare branch in close full seem to have put in much of an day, which was down on last year’s view for about 4 to 5 minutes. While appearance anywhere so far this year. total of 59, almost certainly because we were all speculating exactly what We took a meandering path through of the weather. she was doing, it became obvious the scrub partly because there was no Ali Ben Kahn that she was just waiting for the one present who knew the scrub family because just then another five really well and we had to follow our flew overhead. She immediately took noses, bolstered by hazy memories of Browns Road Monarto — 13 June off and joined them. the map. However, it made for a bit It was a typical cool June morning There was some “Trees for Life” of a change and we eventually but with no rain forecast a happy activity in the park and we spoke to arrived at the western edge by the group of 21 members met to wander two friendly employees who were in coral lichen enclosure. On the way, through the Browns Road scrub. We the process of seeding a bare 45- we saw or heard Weebill, Golden agreed to split into two groups to hectare block within the reserve. Whistler, Mistletoebird and Yellow explore the area but unfortunately, I When we returned to the parking area Thornbill. Honeyeaters included soon ‘lost’ all but one of the ten that for lunch and birdcall, it had become New Holland, Eastern Spinebill, came under my wing for guidance. Mike Ashton was too polite to let me quite cold and miserable. While we White-plumed, Singing and Red were having lunch, two beautiful Wattlebird. We also paused in get lost on my own! Young Enid Mulga Parrots caught our attention. several places to admire some early Pascoe enhanced her reputation by They were hanging around a hollow orchids, giving lie to the myth that finding an Australian Owlet-nightjar in a tree close by. ‘those birdos tread everywhere and perched on the edge of a hollow Rod Tetlow stomp down all the orchids’, a some distance from the walking comment once overheard from a track. Many struggled to pick up this Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park member of a Society not entirely bird until we were quite close. Those — 31 May unrelated to native orchids. with cameras were very happy with Eight people attended this excursion After this we went along the this cooperative bird and Enid’s keen on a not very promising day weather- northwestern edge of the park and eyes. wise; although, in typical fashion, we then along the northern boundary After a relaxed lunch break, we all hoped for the best. It seems to be adjacent to the new housing. Once conducted the birdcall, which a common trait amongst birders to again, there was some chagrin that revealed we had seen 48 species. hope the weather will improve even we could not include in our final Non-Passerines included: Wedge- in the face of evidence and forecasts count species spotted in the wetlands tailed Eagle (1), Brown Goshawk (1), to the contrary. Perhaps the most just over the fence. Magpies were Australian Owlet-nightjar (2), impressive thing is that we are so scattered about grazing on the grassy Southern Boobook (1), three lorikeet often right — to varying degrees. areas and Grey Fantails and Willie species: Purple–crowned (10), Musk Perhaps the pessimists stay at home Wagtails flitted in and out of the (15) and Rainbow (20), Common and only the hopeless optimists and bush and along the fence line. Bronzewing (3). Passerines seen bird tragics turn up on really dodgy About half way along the northern included seven Honeyeater species: days! fence we had to shelter from a New Holland (60), Brown-headed So in cool and overcast conditions moderately heavy shower and, as (15), White-naped (2), Spiny- we started off as usual along the cheeked (2), Singing (30), White-
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 13 Past Excursions(cont) plumed (16), together with White- did not present itself. However, Plover (4), Crested Pigeon (30), Red browed Babbler (26), White-winged highlights along the way included Wattlebird (1), Singing Honeyeater Chough (30), Purple-backed Fairy- numerous Eastern Spinebills, (2), Magpie Lark (4), Willie Wagtail wren (6), Diamond Firetail (10). Silvereyes and Rainbow Lorikeets. (20), Australian Magpie (40), Little Lynton Huxley Several Golden Whistlers were seen Raven (10), House Sparrow (40), and heard, including a glorious close Welcome Swallow (6), Common Laratinga Wetlands, Mount view of a strikingly coloured male Starling (40) and Galah (4). We saw Barker —18 June against the drab green foliage. Red no parrots or Cape Barren Geese. Early arrivals fortified themselves Wattlebirds, Crescent Honeyeaters, Unfortunately my hopes of seeing with a hot coffee and discussed the Spotted and Striated Pardalotes were Shy Albatross or even a Wilson’s gloomy conditions and light drizzle. calling from the tops of trees and Storm Petrel did not eventuate as the Fortunately, at the scheduled start Grey Currawongs were screaming clear blue sky and moderate wind in time, the sky stopped weeping and overhead. Just as we descended, we the sheltered water near the Murray with the number of members had a fantastic view of a soaring River Mouth only encouraged the reaching 23, it was agreed to Wedge-tailed Eagle, cruising at the expected numbers of Australian commence a lap of these fabulous same height as the group. Curiously, Pelican, Black Swan, Pied ponds. After the recent rain, all of the only a single Yellow-tailed Black- Oystercatcher, Caspian and Greater ponds now contained a reasonable Cockatoo was seen. As we returned Crested Terns, Great and Little Pied water holding. to the start several Laughing Cormorant species. Members made their way in small Kookaburras were seen and, Lynton Huxley groups at their own pace in overcast uncommon for this area, a single conditions. When completing the Dusky Woodswallow. Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park record of birds seen, a surprising Finally, a visit to the quarry itself for and Tanunda Sewerage Ponds — total of 56 species had been a final look for the heathwren again 16 July observed. Birds seen in good proved unfruitful. Lunch was taken Eleven enthusiastic members braved numbers included 60 Pink- eared on the old tables behind the a very crisp 5-degree morning and Ducks, 30 each for Australasian Wildflower garden. In all everyone arrived at Kaiser Stuhl Shovelers, Grey Teals, Purple enjoyed a pleasant morning, with a Conservation Park for this outing. Swamphens, Dusky Moorhens, final count of 32 species. The walk proceeded in bright Masked Lapwings and Superb Fairy- Martyn Price sunshine with very little cloud about. wrens. Ten Freckled Ducks and one It was good to welcome two of our each of Nankeen Night Heron, Wyndgate, Hindmarsh Island — new members, Greg and Sam White-browed Scrubwren and 11 July Kretschmer, to their first walk with Collared Sparrowhawk rounded off a With dire weather predicted for Birds SA. They live on a block not good day’s birding with some new Adelaide including hail, snow and far from Kaiser Stuhl CP and passed members getting their first sightings gale force winds Karen and I set off on some interesting information of several species. in darkness to arrive on time at the about the Park, which they visit Lynton Huxley arranged meeting spot on Hindmarsh regularly. Island. We had coffee and cake in the The Scrub was looking good after the Black Hill Conservation Park — company of small flocks of House recent rain, but as there was very 28 June Sparrows and Common Starlings and little blossom about the bird count, This walk is known for its steep waited. The sky was surprisingly both species and total numbers, was climb and almost as steep descent, clear and so was the road from the disappointing. In all 24 species were but 15 members came along for the mainland! Karen tactfully raised the seen and one other heard. Highest excursion. We began at the top of possibility that I must have upset too species numbers were 20 Superb Addison Ave and ascended the many people on the last field trips I Fairy-wren, 15 Eastern Spinebill, 12 Summit Trail to Black Hill itself. We had led. With that observation noted, Little Raven and Adelaide Rosella then proceeded along the Black Hill we left for Wyndgate Homestead to and 10 New Holland Honeyeater Track and descended via the Summit undertake our own personal bird with the remaining counts being in and Ghost Tree Trails on the other survey. Along the way and at the single figures. Many Crescent side of the ridge. Everyone Homestead we identified the Honeyeaters were calling, but only completed the arduous climb. following 17 species — Black Swan six came into view. We came upon a We stopped first to look over the old (3), Pacific Black Duck (30), Grey hyperactive group of six Eastern quarry area in search of the elusive Teal (50), Australian Pelican (1), Spinebills who spent a couple of Chestnut-rumped Heathwren but it Nankeen Kestrel (2), Spur-winged minutes in a frenetic chase in and out
14 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 Past Excursions (cont)/Future Excursions the foliage. We also saw three pairs Schubert Road, which comes up Sunday, 1 November: Sir Richard of beautiful Scarlet Robins. Total quickly at the top of the hill as the Peninsula, Goolwa Ponds (MLR) individual birds recorded for the main road bears to the left. Take the 90km. morning was 133. There seemed to first left into Lihou Road. This comes Meet at 8.30am at the car park west be more than the normal number of to a cross road with the left hand turn of the Goolwa Yacht Club. We plan kangaroos about and they were being the continuation of Lihou to cover the area up to and around the certainly enjoying lounging about Road. When the road reaches a sharp southern boat ramp from the Yacht and soaking up the sun. At about right turn the park is directly in front Club then travel onto Hindmarsh noon the temperature had risen to 12 of you. Meet at the gate in the corner Island to the Murray Mouth and later degrees and most of the group at 8.30am. in the day to visit the Goolwa Ponds. proceeded to the Bethany picnic spot. TRIP LEADER: Martyn Price TRIP LEADER: Winston Syson We also took advantage of the available sun and sat outside, Thursday, 17 September: Mount Saturday, 14 November: Tolderol avoiding the wind, to do the bird call. Lofty Botanic Gardens (MLR) Game Reserve, Lake Alexandrina As is our normal practice some (19km) (LA) 85km. members then moved on to the Meet at 8.30am in the lower car park Meet at 8.30am. Take the road from Tanunda Sewerage Ponds where off Lambert Road. Leave the SE Langhorne Creek to Wellington for the temperature seemed to have Freeway at the Crafers Interchange approximately 5km and turn right cooled and there was a biting breeze. and follow the Piccadilly Road for into Dog Lake Road. Continue over a Seventeen species were recorded about 3km. Then turn left into Trigg cross road, past a farm on the left here. They included more than 220 Road. hand side, pass through a gate, turn Pink-eared Ducks, 25 Blue-billed TRIP LEADER: Rod Tetlow left on reaching the T-junction. Ducks, 14 Eurasian Coots, 12 Leave gates as you find them please. Hardheads, 12 European Goldfinches Sunday, 27 September: Altona TRIP LEADER: L Huxley and 10 Hoary-headed Grebes. The CSR Landcare Reserve (MLR) Pink-eared Ducks were quite skittish 55km. Thursday, 19 November: Hardy’s and flew up and down from pond to Meet at 8.30am at the Reserve Scrub Onkaparinga River National pond. In all 327 individual birds were entrance at the top of Altona Road. Park (MLR) (42km). seen at this site. Travel through Lyndoch towards Meet at 8.30am by the CFS Station Rod Tetlow Tanunda. As you leave Lyndoch in Blewitt Springs. town centre take the first left into TRIP LEADER: Martyn Price Altona Road (just past the 100km FUTURE EXCURSIONS speed limit sign). Sunday, 6 December: Riverglades Contact: Lynton Huxley TRIP LEADER: Brian Walker and Rocky Gully Wetlands Field Trip and campout Co-ordinator Murray Bridge (MM) 80km. Phone: 0498 466 092 or 08 7009 Saturday, 10 October: ‘Wyndgate’ Meet at 8.30am in the boat ramp car 5038 Hindmarsh Island (MLR) 100km. park at Avoca Dell. Drive to Murray Email: [email protected] or Meet at 8.30am on the corner of Bridge. Cross the bridge to the [email protected] Randell and Semaschko Roads eastern side of the river and take the Information including Google Map, Hindmarsh Island. If planning to fifth turning left into Mitchell Ave. GPS location details and a bird arrive later that day, please proceed After 3.35km turn left into Murray species list for each excursion site is to the homestead off Denver Road. Drive. At the foot of hill turn right available from the Birds SA website This will be the third survey of the and you will see the carpark ahead. (see User Menu – Go Birding). birds in the area undertaken this year. TRIP LEADER: L Huxley
TRIP LEADER: Brian Blaylock A leader has been appointed for each excursion, but another person 3-5 October: Campout at Gluepot might like to write a report of the Reserve CAMPOUT 3-5 OCTOBER excursion. The report, submitted Details on next page to the FTC, must include the The October Long Weekend Campout this year will be at Gluepot number of attendees, birds seen or Thursday, 15 October: Sandy heard, the weather and any other Reserve in SA’s Riverland region Creek: (MLR) 52km. interesting events on the day. (approx. 230km from Adelaide). Meet at 8.30am at the northern Saturday, 12 September: Porter Located 64km north of Waikerie, this carpark located at the end of Scrub Conservation Park (MLR) property is managed by Birdlife Conservation Road, which is on the 44km. Australia. Members are welcome to right, off the Gawler to Lyndoch From Lobethal take the road to stay as long as they like, both before Road about 10km east of Gawler. Gumeracha. As you climb the hill and after the weekend. On arrival, TRIP LEADER: Ali Ben Kahn with the Brick kilns on the left look Members are requested to stop at the for and take a right hand turn into Visitor Centre to register and pay
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 15 Future Excursions (cont) appropriate fees: either $5 per 5. Camp ground facilities are vehicle for a day visit or $10 a night limited to two drop-toilets - No BIRD WATCHING FIELD TRIPS per vehicle to camp. Birds SA will holes are to be dug for personal OF THE BIRDLIFE not collect any money. The Visitor toilets. Porta-potties can be used, AUSTRALIA, PORT AUGUSTA Centre is very well set up with lots of but they must not be emptied into GROUP pamphlets and brochures full of the long-drops. th information. The map of the reserve 6. There are no showers or potable Sunday 13 .September is detailed and easy to follow, ditto water. Tania’s Block, Stirling Nth. Service for the maps concerning the 7. Planned camp activities include: station, 8:00 am numerous walks. • Nightly ‘Happy Hour’ — you Friday 3rd October, Saturday 4th We have secured the Bellbird may consider sharing your October, Sunday 5th October, Campsite for exclusive use as our favourite nibbles Monday 6th October base for members. The map on the • Nightly birdcall. Camp Out – No facilities available next page shows the Bellbird site Lake Gilles Conservation Park, layout details and the Minimum General Information, including Tanks/Iron Knob turn off, 8:30 am Impact Code for Camping at Gluepot how to get there Reserve. This is an excellent Gluepot Reserve is a large campground with 19 designated (54, 390ha) area of Mallee Scrub. Sunday 15th November campsites, some of which are quite Birds Australia purchased Gluepot Mt. Gullet Beach, Mambray Creek large, so with some sharing of sites, Station in 1997 and it is now a very Parking bay, 7:30 am 23 campsites should be available. popular bird watching spot. Wear beach-walking footwear Members are asked to choose the Upon arriving in Waikerie, cross the minimum area they require, so that river on the ferry and head north to we can accommodate as many people the Morgan to Renmark Road. There Sunday 6th December as possible, because we must stay is a place called Taylorville and, next Australian Arid Lands Botanic within the boundaries of the to the Kindergarten /Playgroup Garden, Car Park 7:30 am campground and the sites marked. /Primary School/ Community Christmas lunch in café Once the campground is full, people Centre/Church building, there is a will have to travel to one of the other dirt road heading north with a sign campgrounds (either Sitella or that says "Gluepot 50". Please bring Sturdy footwear, Hat, Babbler). Alternatively, you could travel to Sun protection, Morning tea, Lunch A map of Gluepot Reserve is given Morgan from Adelaide, through if staying longer and Binoculars. two pages after this one. Kapunda and Eudunda, then head For further information contact: Please be aware that: towards Renmark until you reach the Peter – 86425723,or Greg – 1. You will need to be self- dirt road turn off, which is about 86486630, or Bernie – sufficient with all food, drinking 30km east of Morgan. 0419863834.or [email protected] water, vehicle fuel, gas and Once on the dirt road, which is camping equipment and you are negotiable in conventional passenger responsible for taking your own vehicles, just keep following it north. rubbish out. Periodically, there are signs 2. Due to quarantine requirement, indicating the way to Gluepot. It is you are not allowed to take fruit necessary to travel through several into the Riverland Fruit Fly zone. gates, so make sure you close them Detailed information is available again. Please note that if there is any from PIRSA (Primary rain the roads may be closed. Information and Resources SA) Ali Ben Kahn by phone or on their website. Campout Leader 3. Heavy rain may require the [email protected] closure of property tracks. A Phone: 0427 603 329 handheld UHF radio or vehicle The next 2 pages show: mounted unit is recommended. Bellbird Campsite layout & Mobile phone reception does not Gluepot Reserve Code for exist! Camping 4. The meeting point will be at the Property Map Bellbird Campsite (whatever time you plan to arrive).
16 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 Campsite Layout & Regulations
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Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 17 Map of Gluepot Reserve
18 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 Bird Records Collated by Graham Carpenter Sooty Oystercatcher particularly broad. This is not Records included here are of species 1, 7/6/2015. Bald Hill Beach, AP. present in Buller’s or in this listed as rarely observed or Taylor, P.W. specimen. unrecorded in the regions listed in Rarely reported in the northern part 2. The culmicorn of the G-h is quite the Field List of the Birds of South of Gulf St Vincent. narrow; in Buller’s and this Australia. Also included are Light-mantled Sooty Albatross specimen it is noticeably broader. interesting breeding or ecological 1, 2/6/2015. 20km SW Port 3. The G-h has a relatively shorter notes, new records for a well-known MacDonnell, MO. Description and bill which therefore appears slightly locality or first of the season reports photos supplied. chunkier; in Buller’s and this one it of migratory species. Bell, T. is more elongate. Please send all reports to the Bird 4. The G-h has narrow Records Secretary at [email protected]. stripes of yellow on the au or phone 8297 5463. mandibles, and on the tip of Note that the list includes the upper mandible reports of rare or vagrant (maxillary unguis) the species to South Australia yellow is mostly restricted to that may yet to have been the ridge. In Buller’s, and submitted or formally this specimen, the yellow accepted by the Birds SA stripes are broader and the Rarities Committee (SARC). maxillary unguis is mostly Members are encouraged to yellow. submit records of rare and 5. This specimen appears to vagrant species in SA to the have the white forehead of a Committee (refer to list of typical Buller’s, instead of species and information on grey as in the G-h.” the website). Salvin's Prion Brown Quail 1, 12/7/2015. Hindmarsh Several groups, 3/6/2015. Island, Sugars Beach. MM. West Island, MLR. Flushed Resting on shore before from grass and under flying off. Coprosma bushes. Stokes, M. Carpenter, G. et al. See Rogers (SA 2 groups, 6/7/2015. Sturt Ornithologist 39: 45-57) for Gorge RP, east part, MLR. Buller's Albatross, photographed by R. Todd at information on prions in Close, D. Nene Valley Beach, SE on 21/4/2015 South Australian waters. Heard, 19/7/2015. Balaklava, Rocks Reserve, AP. Antarctic Petrel Taylor, P.W. Buller's Albatross 1 beach-washed, 1/6/2015. Vivonne 1 beachwashed, 21/4/2015. Nene Bay, KI. Barbary Dove Valley Beach, SE. Per Baxter, C. 2, 20/5/2015. Port Clinton, YP. Todd, R. One previous record in SA, of a Syson, W. This is the first report of a beach- beach-washed bird at Middleton First report for YP, presumably washed bird from South Australia. Beach on 7 September 1978 (see deliberately liberated. There have been several reports on Roberts, SA Ornithologist 28:84). pelagic trips in recent years, mostly This record corresponded with a Spotted Nightjar in summer. Dr Philippa Horton of large number of beach-washed 2, 14/7/2015. Point Sturt Peninsula, the South Australian Museum has Southern Fulmars, another species MM. Roosting in leaf litter in Acacia provided the following information associated with the Antarctic pack saligna plantation. that identifies it from the similar ice. Doecke, N. Grey-backed Albatross. This species appears to disperse in “1. On the bill of the Grey-headed Little Black Cormorant autumn-winter when it may appear in there is an obvious strip of black skin Up to 75, 7/2015. West Lakes, AP. areas near Adelaide. between the culmicorn and Hirst, P.
latericorn, and between the nostrils
and the feathers of the forehead it is
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 19
Bird Records (cont) Great Egret Rock Parrot Varied Sittella 200, 21/6/2015. Bald Hill Beach, AP. 2, 3/6/2015. West Island, MLR. Group, 7/5/2015. Mount Barker, Taylor, P.W. Iawo, S, et al. Laratinga Wetlands, MLR. Straw-necked Ibis Daw, P. 1, 6/2015. Felixstow, River Torrens, Musk Lorikeet First report from this locality. AP. 2+, 26/5/2015. Karoonda, MM. 6, 25/6/2015. Macclesfield, MLR. Hyland, M. Allan, J. & Carpenter, G. Gitsham, J. Also reported in the city in last NL. Appears to be colonising towns throughout the mallee, where Golden Whistler We usually receive reports of Grey Goshawk ornamental trees provide food. uncoloured birds from the AP during White phase, 1/5/2015. 3km E winter so the following are unusual: Pinnaroo, MM. Photographs Brown Treecreeper 1 male, 30/6/2015. Tusmore, AP. supplied. 3, 27/5/2015. Gawler, Dead Man's Gould, G. Burman, D. Pass, MLR. 2 males, 19/7/2015. Gilberton, AP. Hartland, D. Paton, P. Australian Bustard 4, 10/7/2015. Willochra Plain, FR. Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Olive-backed Oriole Langdon, P. 1, 3/6/2015. West Island, MLR. In 1 immature, 17 & 25/7/2015. Port coprosma bushes. Augusta West, NW. In garden, Double-banded Plover Carpenter, G. chased off by the local honeyeaters. 30, 5/6/2015. Black Point, YP. Few reports from the MLR region. Langdon, P. Tiller, M. 2 immatures, 18/7/2015. Altona 18, 7/6/2015. Bald Hill Beach, AP. Pied Honeyeater Scrub, MLR. Taylor, P.W. 2 males, 28/7/2015. Port Augusta Stracey, K. arid lands botanic garden, NW. Red Knot Langdon, P. Grey Currawong Overwintering waders reported First report from southern areas this More reports from suburban include: season. The dense plantings of Adelaide, including: 19, 7/6/2015. Bald Hill Beach, AP. flowering Eremophilas at this site 1, 19/5/2015. Adelaide, Pulteney Taylor, P.W. provide a good opportunity to see Grammar School, AP. 3, 12/7/2015. Hindmarsh Island, this species. Robertson, D. Sugars Beach, MM. 2, 8-13/8/2015. Black Forest, South Rd, AP. Stokes, M. Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Carpenter, G. A few reports of this mobile species
Eastern Curlew from near Adelaide. Jacky Winter 1, 7/6/2015. Bald Hill Beach, AP. 1, 23/5/2015. Bluff, Encounter Bay, 2 pairs, 23/7/2015. 9km NE Tarlee, Taylor, P.W. MLR. MLR. In Peppermint Box woodland. 13, 14/6/2015. Thompson Beach Carpenter, G. Carpenter, G. south, AP. 2, 3/6/2015. West Island, MLR. In Now rarely reported from the MLR Carpenter, L. flowering Tree Mallows. region. Carpenter, G. Fairy Tern 1, 9/8/2015. 10km S Port Wakefield, Rose Robin 22, 7/6/2015. Bald Hill Beach, AP. AP. Male, 15/6/2015. Blackwood, Cedar Taylor, P.W. Taylor, P.W. Ave Reserve, MLR. Photos taken. Gaughlin, C. Little Corella Grey-fronted Honeyeater Photographed at same locality on 1000, 24/7/2015. West Parklands, 1, 16/7/2015. Port Augusta arid lands 13/7/2015. AP. botanic garden, NW. Matthews, S. Carpenter, G. First report from this site. 1500, 8/8/2015. Waitpinga, MLR. Langdon, P. Rufous Songlark Syson, W. 2, 7/8/2015. St Kitts, MLR. Singing These reports indicate that large in Red Gum woodland along creek. numbers over-wintered in and Carpenter, G. around Adelaide this year. Members are encouraged to search for and Diamond Firetail report local breeding. 3, 2/8/2015. 3 km N Milang, MM. Doecke, N.
20 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 News From the Library 590.99414 ROG Rogers, Danny L. Life along land’s edge: wildlife on the shores of Roebuck Bay, Broome Kensington, WA: Dept. of Conservation & Land Management, 2003 ISBN 073075540 A beautifully illustrated book, which describes the life cycles of migratory birds that visit Roebuck Bay, in Western Australia, and the many other forms of wildlife on which they depend.
598.2994 COO Cooper, Richard An atlas of the birds of NSW & the ACT, volume 1 Woolgoola, NSW: NSW Bird Atlasses Inc., 2014 ISBN 9780957704732 This Atlas provides a comprehensive inventory and distributional analysis of the birds of NSW, the ACT and the waters of the western Tasman Sea. This publication is the first of three volumes. Volume 1 presents information on the 183 species resident and migrant birds from the Emu to the Plains-wanderer. Later volumes will cover all remaining species. Details for each bird include current distribution, breeding distribution, seasonal and historical range changes and current status.
598.299423 BAXb Baxter, Christopher Ian Birds of Kangaroo Island : a photographic field guide. Hindmarsh, S.Aust. : ATF Press, 2015 ISBN 9781921511189 This comprehensive account covers all 267 bird species recorded on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Full colour photographs illustrate each species is and information is provided on habits, habitats, breeding, status, abundance and distribution.
598.32099481 FRI Frith, Clifford B. The Woodhen : a flightless island bird defying extinction Collingwood, Vic. CSIRO, 2013. ISBN 9780643108707 This book tells the fascinating conservation story of the flightless Woodhen of Lord Howe Island. This unique large rail was at the very brink of extinction with just 15 individuals found in 1980, when bold and risky actions were taken to save it. The book begins with the discovery and ecology of Lord Howe Island. It then details the history of the Woodhen, its place among the rails and their evolution of flightlessness, the planning, implementation and trials, tribulations and successes of the captive breeding programme and the way in which the wild population recovered.
598.330994 HOL, Hollands, David, Waders : the shorebirds of Australia Melb.Vic : Blooming Books, 2012 ISBN 9781876473808 Waders! Few people can fail to be inspired and fascinated by them. Many make huge and hazardous migrations to and from distant parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Many take on colourful plumage for breeding, while others retain their full beauty throughout the year. This book provides a comprehensive account of all the 80 Australian species. The book is written in an engaging, personal style with over 300 wonderful photographs.
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 21
Australasian Ornithological Conference 2015
Dates: Scientific Program- Wed 25th to Fri 27th Nov 2015 Field Trips- Sat 28th and Sun 29th Nov 2015
Venue: Flinders University Campus, Adelaide, South Australia
Website: http://www.birdlife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/aoc
Conference registration and abstract submission are now open!
BirdLife Australia, in collaboration with Birds New Zealand, is committed to holding biennial conferences that provide a regular forum for the exchange of information and ideas between avian-based researchers and conservationists throughout the Australasian region. The conferences are held in a variety of venues to give attendees an opportunity to explore the diverse birdlife in the region. This year the AOC will be held in Adelaide, South Australia.
Confirmed plenary speakers: Kate Buchanan Martine Maron Leo Joseph Mike Webster Trevor Worthy
Field trip options: Lower Lakes & Murray River mouth region, Wetlands, Woodlands (Adelaide Hills)
Local organising committee: Dr. Todd McWhorter, Dr. Sonia Kleindorfer, Dr. David Paton
Sponsors:
22 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015
NEW MEMBERS We welcome the following new members, who have joined the Association in the past few months:
Sarah Marshall ALDINGA BEACH Cheryl Bawhey CLARENCE GARDENS Felicity Lyons-Reid & Andrew Harris MYRTLE BANK Elisha Brand REDWOOD PARK Paul Daw HAWTHORN Jenny Ball PORT ELLIOT Gregory, Carol, Sam & Ella Kretschmer TANUNDA Petra Ute Hanke & Christian Scholz BELAIR Jason van Weenen SKYE Rosemary McArthur KENT TOWN Michael Barth KINGSCOTE Peter Acland Hirst BLACK FOREST Bill & Evelyn Williams MERBEIN
If your name has inadvertently been omitted from this list, please contact our treasurer. His ‘phone number is on p3.
Details of Photographs on pp2, 26 and 28 No: Species Photographer Location Date 1 Gang-gang Cockatoo Peter McKenzie Cape Otway, Victoria 16/05/2015 2 Scaly-breasted Lorikeet Peter McKenzie Byron Bay, NSW 02/06/2015 3 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Peter McKenzie Cape Otway, Victoria 16/05/15 4 Eastern Rosella Peter McKenzie Adelaide Parklands 08/08/2015 5 Rainbow Lorikeet Ed Lowrie Black Hill 28/06/2015 6 Double-eyed Fig-parrot Peter McKenzie Lake Eacham, Queensland 23/11/2013 7 King Penguins Merilyn Browne Heard Island 11/2012 8 Pelican Barbara Bansemer Cleland Reserve 05/07/2015 9 Red-crowned Crane Merilyn Browne Japan 11/12/2013 10 Willie Wagtails Barbara Bansemer Birdsville 29/07/2015 11 Avocet Colin Conor Seagull Lake, nr Searcy Bay, 03/01/2015 12 Banded Stilt Colin Conor West coast O3/01/2015 13 Atlantic Puffins Brian Walker Staples Island, Northumberland 01/04/2015 14 Northern Gannets Merilyn Browne Quorn 22/04/2015
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 23
Tolderol Game Reserve Wetlands OPEN DAY
You are invited to atend a Bird Monitoring and Informaton Day with Natural Resources SA Murray-Darling Basin staf Come and fnd out about the excitng things that have happened at Tolderol Wednesday 2nd September 2015 Bird monitoring — 8:00am Informaton Session — 11:00am Free BBQ Lunch — 12:00pm Please RSVP by Thursday 27th August or if you have any specifc dietary requirements, Please contact Regina Durbridge on 0427 364 551 or email [email protected] And don’t forget to bring a chair!
24 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015
An Invitation to a Special Event Discover the life at Morialta! Morialta Conservation Park is celebrating its centenary in 2015. To mark the occasion, a BioBlitz is being held on the 18th and 19th of September. A BioBlitz is an event where scientists, naturalists and the public work together to record the biodiversity in a set location over a short period of time. Scientists and naturalists conduct biological surveys and take members of the public along to help collect, observe, record and learn. BioBlitz events are hands-on, scientific fun, designed around making discoveries, sharing talents, and igniting the interests of participants.
How will the Morialta BioBlitz run? The BioBlitz will run over two days. The first day is a Friday, with the daytime activities reserved for school classes. After the schools leave, survey activities with the public will begin. The events will run until about 10pm on the Friday nights to allow for nocturnal activities like frog searches, spotlighting for mammals, light-trapping of moths and acoustic recording of bats. On the Saturday, activities will commence around 9am and run until 4pm, with a variety of biological surveys, including birds, mammals, weeds, ants, orchids, soil fauna, and many more. All of the biodiversity we find will be recorded and shared through the Atlas of Living Australia.
Like to participate? There are a number of ways in which you can participate. First, you can come along as a member of the public and join a survey, to help find and record the life at Morialta. Second, if you are an experienced survey leader, you could conduct a survey, in your area of expertise, taking members of the public with you. We will provide everything you need and volunteers to help record your findings. To find out more, visit the Discovery Circle website (www.discoverycircle.org.au), email us at [email protected], or phone 8302 9999.
The Morialta BioBlitz is being run as a collaboration between UniSA (the Discovery Circle), the SA Museum, DEWNR, AMLRNRMB, and the Friends of Black Hill and Morialta. The event is supported by SGIC and the Campbelltown City Council.
More BioBlitz events? The Morialta BioBlitz will be followed by two coastal events in November:
• Hallett Cove Beach Coastal BioBlitz (13th – 14th November)
• St Kilda Mangroves BioBlitz (27th – 28th November) Join in and discover the life of Adelaide! To make sure you don’t miss out on opportunities to participate in BioBlitz events and other nature-focussed projects, register for the monthly Discovery Circle eNewsletter at: www.discoverycircle.org.au
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 25
Studies in (mostly) Black and White
7 8 8
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26 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015
Two Colourful Birds from the Adelaide Hills
Ed Lowrey took both these photographs on Birds SA Field Trips
Golden Whistler photographed at Black Hill on 28/6/1025
Scarlet Robin photographed at Kaiser Stuhl CP on 16/7/1025
Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015 27
.Birds from Near and Distant Oceans
Can you identify the petrel and distinguish the 4 different albatross species? The answers will be in the next eNewsletter and the November Newsletter. The photograph was taken by Paul Taylor on a pelagic trip from Port MacDonnell on 24/05/2015
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28 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2015