YELLOW THROAT
The newsletter of BirdLife Tasmania a branch of BirdLife Australia Number 69, May 2013
Bob Brown at General Meeting Greg Irons to speak in July Life Sciences Building, University of Greg became the director of the Bonorong Wildlife Tasmania, Thursday, 9 May, 8.00 p.m. Sanctuary at just 25 years of age, and has so far enlisted more than 800 volunteers. The rescue service runs 24 Dr Bob Brown, founder and former leader of the Greens hours a day, seven days a week, and in the last 12 months Party, former senator for Tasmania, and current director of has taken over 5000 calls. As a private sanctuary that cares the Australian chapter of Sea Shepherd, will be the speaker for orphaned and injured wildlife, Bonorong depends on at the May General Meeting. Dr Brown will be speaking donations and visitor entries. about the impact that birds have had in his life. Greg is also a familiar face in the children’s ward of the Royal Hobart Hospital, visiting with baby wombats and Meeting venue: Life Sciences Lecture Theatre 1, Life blue-tongue lizards to brighten sick children’s days and Sciences Building, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay. help spread his conservation message. Greg’s deep under- Access and parking are from College Road or from the standing of Tasmania’s wildlife, and his passion for parking area outside the University Centre via the conservation values, is helping preserve the state’s pedestrian bridge over Churchill Avenue. precious environment.
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary BYO Barbecue for BirdLife Tasmania, 18 May Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary is hosting a BYO barbecue for BirdLife Tasmania members on Saturday 18 May at 5.00 p.m. The sanctuary closes at 5, so we will be the only people inside the sanctuary. Greg Irons, the Director, will provide members with a behind-the-scenes guided tour. This is a wonderful chance to see the remarkable efforts that are made to conserve and rehabilitate native Tasmanian wildlife — including many birds. BirdLife Tasmania recently made a donation to Bonorong to assist their efforts to rescue and rehabilitate native birds, so please come along to show your support. Bring your sausages, steak or veggie burgers, and something to drink, and enjoy a social evening with fellow members. BirdLife Tasmania will provide the bread and condiments. Don’t forget to bring warm clothes: it can get quite chilly in the sanctuary at night! Please RSVP to Sue Drake by Friday, 3 May, to help with catering and staff organisation at Bonorong.
Greg’s talk in July will focus on the work that Bonorong Remember this date. It will be a wonderful chance to get does, including its 24-hour wildlife rescue service, which to know more about one of our partners in preservation of is the only one in Tasmania. He will also talk about what Tasmania’s wildlife, and to learn more about how we can we can all do to help native birds and animals survive in help their cause. Tasmania.
1 The workshops and education surrounding the counts Shorebird conservation efforts highlight the simple but important message of how to in north-west Tasmania enjoy the beaches without affecting the shorebirds’ natural habitat and nesting behaviours. Dionna Newton, Cradle Coast NRM The main message we try to deliver is to always walk on Twice a year, around 100 volunteers take to their local the wet sand to protect beach-nesting birds, and we en- beaches to perform a shorebird count covering all 45 courage volunteers to share this message with friends and beaches and 130 kilometres of coastline between Stanley family so that they, too, can help these birds to survive. and Narawntapu National Park. The north-west coast is In addition to the twice-yearly monitoring, Cradle Coast dotted with towns and cities and the beautiful scenery NRM has been delivering shorebird education in primary attracts many people, often with dogs, horses, trail bikes schools across the region. This will train the next gener- and vehicles. ation of beach-goers to walk on the wet sand and protect The count focuses on four resident shorebirds — the beach-nesting birds. Red-capped Plover, Hooded Plover, Pied Oystercatcher and Sooty Oystercatcher — but it also notes the number of Masked Lapwings, Fairy Terns and Little Terns, plus keeping a casual eye out for other residents such as the White-bellied Sea Eagles. Pests such as feral cats and weeds are taking their toll, and erosion and king tides have also been known to remove shorebird nests. Since the first count in March 2010, the Cradle Coast NRM project has grown to involve close to 100 volunteers from diverse backgrounds and age-groups. These volun- teers have recently completed the seventh count. In its time of operation, the program has helped raise the community’s awareness of the resident shorebirds: the ultimate aims are to improve their protection, collect data on population numbers and promote conservation. Shorebird monitoring participants, Cradle Coast. The program is significant in achieving the long-term goals of counting numbers of resident shorebirds and set- Together with BirdLife Tasmania and BirdLife Australia, ting a benchmark to guide shorebird protection activities. we would like to extend a wholehearted thankyou to all All collated data is provided to BirdLife Tasmania and the our volunteers who have devoted their valuable time to Natural Values Atlas for inclusion in data sets. these counts. Hazel Britton, the Project Coordinator, deserves a special mention; she is integral to the success of this project. Stay tuned for updates on the program. Forthcoming information will include details of this year’s count and overall trend numbers of shorebirds across the 120 kilometres of coastline. All data collected can be viewed on Cradle Coast NRM’s website: www.cradlecoastnrm.com. Go to the ‘Our Work’ tab and then select ‘Community’. Northern view — from scarce to rare Ralph Cooper Banded Stilt have been arriving at the Cape Portland lagoons — presumably they form part of the large flock reported on Flinders Island. There were 54 on 28 February 2013, which number rose to 235 on 27 March. Dionna Newton (left) and Hazel Britton (right) on the Cradle Coast An Oriental Plover recorded on the coastal strip at Cape Portland on 8 February 2013 had moulted into spectacular Participants count at beaches close to where they live so breeding plumage by 26 March. that their involvement is not too time consuming. Tamar Wetlands has had its share of surprises with a To make sure that participants had all they needed to White-winged Black Tern in November 2012, and a contribute to the on-site counting, shorebird awareness and solitary Black-winged Stilt on 18 April 2012. A Freckled identification workshops were held in Devonport and Duck first recorded on 25 March 2013 was still present on Burnie in the lead-up to the first monitoring period. 8 April 2013. Two more vagrants turned up at the Tamar Continual ongoing mentoring has been delivered by our Wetlands on 16 April — a pair of Pink-eared Duck, which lead volunteers; these all have extensive knowledge and were easily visible from the boardwalk. experience in shorebird identification, and are assigned to [See Don Knowler’s Sunday Tasmanian column of 21 April for different count sites. A lead volunteer is present at every more about four Freckled Ducks that were spotted on Gould’s count to ensure accuracy and validity of results reported. Lagoon; also Alan Fletcher’s blog: tassiebirds.blogspot.com.au.] 2 Mavis Burgess Stung!: On Jellyfish Blooms and the Future of Liz Jones the Ocean Birding has lost a valued long-time supporter: Mrs Mavis By Lisa-ann Gershwin Burgess passed away on King Island, Bass Strait, on 16 Our oceans are becoming increasingly inhospitable to life: March 2013 after a two-year illness. A nursing sister, growing toxicity and rising temperatures coupled with originally from Victoria, Mavis settled on the Island and overfishing have led populations of many marine species worked tirelessly throughout her life in numerous official to the brink of collapse. And yet there is one creature that posts and community activities, dispensing optimism and is thriving in this seasick environment: the beautiful, wonderful humour, a long-term and respected member of dangerous, and now incredibly numerous jellyfish. As the King Island community. Her contributions to birding foremost jellyfish expert, Lisa-ann Gershwin, describes in were numerous and varied. Over many years Mavis Stung!, the jellyfish population bloom is highly indicative regularly sent detailed sightings and written reports south of the tragic state of the world’s ocean waters, while also to the Birds Tas (sic) database and to Yellow Throat, revealing these remarkable creatures’ incredible tenacity. proving to be a truly valuable pair of eyes in a remote, Lisa will speak at the Tasmanian Field Naturalists significant site. She played an active role in Dr Clive meeting on 4 July. Her seminar will draw from aspects of Minton’s regular birding visits to the island. And as an Stung! and Tasmanian ecosystems, and she will discuss avid and accomplished photographer, Mavis generously some of the dozens of new species being found in shared her appealing and often unique wader, bush bird Tasmanian waters. Lisa is a lively and colourful writer and and raptor images far and wide in personally produced speaker, and her seminar and book will appeal to general cards and calendars for friends, tourists and island audiences, particularly those of us interested in how we charities. Two of her images that particularly delighted her humans are impacting the oceans, and, in turn, how those were a magnificent pair of sea eagles that she photo- impacts are affecting us. graphed on a perch above dunes at Sea Elephant River, Stung! will be available for purchase from 1 May and a series of images of a lone corella that had joined a anywhere books are sold, and Lisa will be happy to sign Silver Gull colony and continued to live among it for some books at the Field Naturalists event. More information on years. Mavis leaves two daughters, grandchildren and a Stung! can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Stung- great-granddaughter. She was predeceased by her husband, Jellyfish-Blooms-Future-Ocean/dp/022602010X. Nigel, King Island’s past PWS Ranger. Vale, Mavis. Indeed, a life well-lived. Dr Clive Minton Mavis and Nigel Burgess were responsible for the Victorian Wader Study Group making biannual visits to King Island, starting in March 2007. Mavis had regularly been reporting sightings of colour-banded or flagged Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers for the previous year or more, but the interest level escalated when she started reporting Ruddy Turnstones carrying orange leg flags from Victoria. With the characteristic enthusiasm and encouragement of Mavis, we decided that a VWSG team should visit in March 2007. Mavis facilitated everything — accom- modation, transport, etc. plus large quantities of cheese! — and the visit was a great success. She was delighted that our studies showed that King Island was probably the most important area in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway for Ruddy Turnstone in the nonbreeding season. Mavis’s whole life was devoted to helping people. Nothing was too much trouble and she found a solution to every problem, large or small, which we encountered over the years. It was a great joy to her that our studies produced such astounding results on the migration capabilities of Ruddy Turnstones, and that these studies have also contributed to the conservation of this species, which is slowly decreasing in numbers throughout the flyway due to loss of feeding habitat at their key migratory stop-over locations in Asia (particularly on the Chinese coast of the Yellow Sea). Mavis was greatly missed on our most recent visit to King Island, from 27 March to 4 April 2013. But she would have been pleased to know that the studies in which she played a key role are still continuing into the future. 3 The Victorian Wader Study Group came to King Island King Island News for 8 days over Easter this year. The team was led by Dr Margaret Bennett Clive Minton and they enjoyed a very successful visit. Crested Tern at Grassy breakwater: on 10 November 2012, This year, 258 Ruddy Turnstones were caught on the west I logged on the data sheet that many Crested Terns were at coast of the island; cannon nets were used. Thirty-two of South Manuka near a Silver Gull colony. By 23 December the birds were deployed with geolocators and the rest that the Silver Gulls had fledged and the Crested Tern were weren’t re-traps were given a numbered metal band and sitting on eggs out on rocks surrounded by water. By mid the orange over blue engraved leg flags. There were only January they had all gone and the site was abandoned. three juvenile Ruddy Turnstones captured, which indicates an extremely poor breeding season in the northern hemi- sphere last year. We all hope for a better outcome this time. The birds were generally fat, with good breeding plumage, and almost ready to leave on their migration. The VWSG will return in November to retrieve as many geolocators as possible, which will help us to build our understanding of these birds. This year there were 8 locals who helped on various days, which made the task much easier because the birds were processed without delay. Deserted Crested Tern breeding site, King Island On 27 February, Penny Johns and friends told me that Two for the price of one they saw 3000 Crested Tern on the end of the Grassy breakwater flying about, and she thought they may have Sue and Warren Jones been a nesting colony. I went and had a look on 3 March, On Sunday, 24 March, we were driving to Conningham and a couple of locals also said there were about 3000 along the section of Old Station Road that passes directly Crested Tern living on the end of the breakwater. A small along the edge of North West Bay, when we spied a large colony nested on the breakwater several years ago, so it bird low over the water coming towards us. For a fraction isn’t really a new site for them. of a second we tried to make it into a Kelp Gull, but However, no Crested Tern were at Burgess Bay this year, quickly realised that it was a White-bellied Sea-Eagle with where there were successful breeding events the previous a large catch (we presumed a fish) and that the eagle was two years. struggling to gain altitude with slow, powerful wing beats. A successful nesting colony of approximately 62 pair of It passed about 5 m above the car, heading inland, and, as Fairy Terns were at Lavinia Point late in December. By the it did so, we had a clear view of the head, beak and body end of January the chicks were bundles of down and of a hapless Little Penguin dangling from its claws. running about everywhere as their parents were feeding close inshore with Crested Terns and Short-tailed Shear- Quicklinks waters. The sky was full of birds flying about and feeding — a sight not often seen here on King Island. We have quite a few interesting links that various A small colony of Black-faced Cormorants nested at members have forwarded to us in the last few months. Burgess Bay and were hatching in early December. Silver Liz Znidersic sent this link to an article written by Sue Gulls usually nest in this area too, but they chose a rock in Robinson from DPIPWE: Currie Harbour this year. Another small colony of Black- acap.aq/index.php/en/news/latest-news/1224-shearwaters- faced Cormorants nested immediately north of Devils and-prions-are-doing-well-since-australias-tasman-island- Gap, with the chicks still on the rocks at the end of was-cleared-of-its-feral-cats-in-2010 January. BirdLife International has sent this link to a collaborative effort from Cambridge that has produced a training toolkit to help early- to mid- career international conservationists to understand the intimate links between biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate change: New website gives conservationists tools to tackle climate change And here are two sites with some brilliant bird images: http://lightasfeathers.net http://blog.bird-rescue.org/index.php/category/ photographers-in-focus/ A more depressing article: http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/ 2013/04/15/3730941.htm But then something to give us all a lift… This Youtube video comes from Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology: Black-faced Cormorant breeding site, King Island https://www.youtube.com/embed/REP4S0uqEOc 4 • Greatly increased use of energy, as a result of emergency Domestic dogs and native flight from perceived danger. wildlife: Executive summary • Less efficient foraging, which makes it more difficult for disturbed wildlife to regain expended energy. This Holderness-Roddam, R. (Bob) 2011: ‘The Effects of reduces their reproductive efficiency and increases the Domestic Dogs (Canis familiaris) on the Natural risks for migratory species, due to low weight. Environment’. Unpublished Masters of Environmental • Birds are forced to leave nests, exposing eggs to high or Management thesis, School of Geography and low temperatures and predators, such as crows. If eggs Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania. are overheated, the chicks will die, whilst frequently chilled eggs will result in chicks in poor condition. Full thesis is available at: http://eprints.utas.edu.au/12310/ • Dogs transmit diseases such as hydatids and canine Further information: [email protected] distemper to native wildlife. Victims include wolves, lions, otters and seals. There is potential for infection of Introduction seals, dolphins and whales through infected dog faeces entering waterways. A significant factor in this situation This thesis was in response to the observed activities of is that dogs are present in such large numbers that they several of the author’s dogs over his lifetime; along with provide a reservoir for diseases. the discovery of several dead bandicoots and brushtail • Dogs interbreed with wild canids such as dingos, possums in a local suburban nature reserve. A veterinary wolves, jackals and coyotes. pathologist concluded that several of these deaths were • In some locations dogs have wiped out browsing likely to have been the result of dog attacks. animals, which has resulted in considerable change to The literature local vegetation. • About one percent of agricultural land in the USA is The literature review covered peer-reviewed papers in used for production of pet foods. academic journals, as well as material from the popular press and broadcasts. The study The literature clearly illustrated that domestic dogs were An analysis of native wildlife being presented for care a severe disturbance to native wildlife in various parts of through the Parks and Wildlife section of the Tasmanian the globe. The key disturbances and their consequences Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and are listed in the following discussion. Environment found that dogs (238) were second only to Death and mortal injury due to chasing and frequently motor vehicles (1256) in causing injuries to wildlife pre- catching: particularly catastrophic examples included the senting for care between 2006 and 2011. Dogs were German shepherd that killed 500 kiwis out of a population particularly likely to attack bandicoots, blue-tongue of 900 in New Zealand, the five dogs that killed every lizards, brushtail possums, echidnas and wallabies. Some flamingo in Italy’s largest flamingo colony (in Sardinia) in bird species were also attacked by dogs, with Little one day, and the regularly reported mass slaughter of Little Penguins being at particular risk. Penguins in south-east Australia. Cats were reported as being responsible for 152 attacks Not so likely to be reported are the less frequent attacks on wildlife presenting for care. They were more likely to by dogs on native wildlife, which may result in relatively kill bandicoots, ringtail possums, rosellas, honeyeaters and few deaths and injury, but which accumulate over time. other small bird species. (It should be noted that cats may For example, it has been estimated that a dog in an area well kill birds and small animals outright at a much higher where bandicoots live will kill seven or eight bandicoots in incidence than this.) its lifetime. In overseas studies, dogs have been observed chasing deer and other species. Even if they have not Conclusions killed their quarry, it has sometimes died as a result of Domestic dogs are a significant risk to native wildlife, drowning or had to be destroyed because of injuries particularly when it is present where dogs are off-leash or inflicted by the dogs or through falling as it tries to escape. straying without their owners. Urban natural area reserves Other studies have shown that dogs will chase and kill a and beaches are probably the places where native wildlife range of mammals, birds and reptiles, sometimes at is at particular risk from dog attack. unsustainable levels. This is exacerbated when vegetation has been cleared, forcing animals into the open — Recommendations include particularly tree-dependent species such as koalas, • Dogs should not be permitted off-leash in sensitive possums and tree kangaroos. A Queensland study showed wildlife areas such as suburban bushland reserves or on that land clearance had resulted in many Southern beaches, particularly during shorebird breeding and Cassowaries being killed by dogs. migration stopovers. However, chasing and killing native wildlife is only the • Local councils should actively monitor and enforce dog tip of a very large iceberg of deleterious effects resulting management regulations outside normal hours, including from domestic dogs in the environment. Dogs regularly evenings, weekends and public holidays. flush native wildlife when being walked off-leash or as an • Local councils need to provide specific off-leash dog unaccompanied stray from home. This has several con- exercise areas, equipped with doggy gym equipment, sequences for native wildlife: poo-bag dispensers and water. 5 diverse journals and magazines, from Tasmanian National Volunteer Week Naturalist to Australian Bird Watcher and Emu. His is being held this year between 13 and 19 May. The theme writings extended from the 1960s to the 1980s, and will be ‘Thanks A Million’. covered topics from ‘The birds of Mt Elephant’ to ‘Note NRM South are hosting a free BBQ lunch to thank the on the breeding of the White-fronted Tern in Franklin volunteers and organisations that work in natural resource Sound, Furneaux Group, Tasmania’. management. His best memorial comes from those who knew him and Monday, 13 May, 12.00 p.m.–3.00 p.m. benefited from his help and knowledge. Mike Newman: I was a BOAT member new to Tasmania and was editing The Lea Scouts Centre, the first Bird Report in the early 1970s. This was a 330 Proctors Road Kingston daunting undertaking, particularly as it had a statewide scope. The late David Thomas provided a list of New workplace health and safety laws came into effect on experienced birdwatchers and potentially useful sources: it 1 January 2013. Do you know what this means for your was a very short list. Jim Napier was the expert for the St group? Mary’s area. In the coming years I came to know Jim well Michelle Grubb, OH&S Advisor from Workcover and, although we met infrequently, it was always a Tasmania, will be talking about the new legislation and pleasure. His advice was always given freely, as was his Safe Work Australia’s Volunteers Resource Kit, as well as personal hospitality when you visited his patch. answering all your questions! One of Jim’s significant findings was Little Terns Please RSVP (for catering) by 8 May to 62216111 or breeding among Fairy Tern colonies on the east coast. I [email protected]. recollect standing by the lagoon at Scamander as Jim Ruth Osborne explained how to distinguish Little Terns from Fairy Terns Community Support Liaison in flight; then I was invited to his property where my young boys got to ride the family pony. Complete NatGeo video of a Spoon-billed Sandpiper If Jim did not personally know something, he knew breeding in Siberia: someone who did, which made it possible to tap into the http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/animals- fieldcraft of the era. One example is the breeding status of news/spoon-billed-sandpiper-vin/ the crakes and rails in Tasmania. Were there any recent records of breeding of Lewin’s Rails? Probably not. I knew Jim had them in his area, but was astonished when Duck season he responded with details of four current nests. During my years on the RAOU council, I often attended A letter to the editor in the Age, Wednesday, 27 March the AGM and associated meetings on the mainland, at 2013, caught my eye. Chris Shaw of Carisbrook wrote: which Jim was frequently present. He was well known and For millennia, only the most determined, patient and his opinion was respected on issues like the role of the observant human predators had the skill to catch and kill a amateur in ornithology. This I can easily understand when duck in its own environment. I look back at his written contributions to ornithology. In Now, thanks to 400 years of ballistics development, 300 his prime, Jim was the classical amateur ornithologist, one years of metallurgy and an industrial revolution, your of the breed that established the core knowledge on which average duck hunter can stand proudly in his designer the history of Australian ornithology is based. waders and announce to the world, ‘At last, I am the equal Nick Mooney adds: of a duck.’ Jim and Helen were extremely helpful and hospitable to Nigel Brothers and I when we were surveying Peregrine Falcons in the Fingal Valley in the late 1970s and early James Ross Napier 80s. Being a respected local farmer and wildly enthusiastic (and good) naturalist and bird photographer, Jim was able 24 January 1931 to 18 February 2013 to winkle out all manner of contacts (a notable example BirdLife Australia and BirdLife Tasmania, in particular, being ‘Pop’ Bean of Fingal, a past trapper of falcons for lost one of its heros when James (Jim) Napier died pigeon racers) that led us to rediscover a number of peacefully at Campbell Town. His life was commemorated Peregrine nests: the Dog Kennels, Tombstone Gully, Fitch by his extensive family and network of friends at a O’ Bacon, the Bare Rock (Fingal), Huntsman’s Cap and memorial service at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Fingal, on Bare Rock (St Marys), the latter accessed over Jim’s farm. Friday, February 22, 2013. We even found Peregrines nesting on the very top of a Jim was the third generation of his family to farm in the large cliff when all manner of ledges were available, and Fingal Valley, living and working there all his life. He was Jim used his remote camera to get a record of the hen always a keen amateur ornithologist, and was a life incubating there. member of the RAOU, then Birds Australia and finally Besides what I learnt from the incessant talk about birds BirdLife Australia. He was well-known for his bird and photography, I, then in my late twenties, was amazed photography, having shots published by Reader’s Digest, at how an ‘old guy’ (Jim must have been in his mid forties) among many. Some of his images are on the Australian could power up those ferocious hills of the Fingal Valley. Photographic Index. Jim’s articles were published in That’s how I’ll remember him.
6 Teal, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Eastern Rosella, Kelp Excursions Gull, Noisy Miner, Grey Fantail, Brown Thornbill, Gould’s Lagoon 19 January 2013 Welcome Swallow, Common Blackbird, Little Wattlebird, We arrived at the lagoon carpark to the sound of Musk Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Black-faced Cormorant, Sooty Oystercatcher. Lorikeets in the eucalypt trees. There were the usual Chestnut Teal and Pacific Black Duck on the water and we Burton’s Reserve, Cygnet 23 February 2013 walked out to the hide to take a closer look. An area of We arrived at the reserve to see Tasmanian Native-hens reeds had been flattened and a keen observer spotted crakes on the mud. We first saw a Baillon’s, then an and feral ducks foraging on the lawn. We walked along the Australian Spotted Crake was seen close by. They were bank of the small stream past trees in which were a Yellow very cooperative and we were able to watch them for some Wattlebird and a Yellow-throated Honeyeater. We spied time while our photographers happily snapped away. We several Hoary-headed Grebes on the water. When we walked around the lagoon clockwise and flushed an continued on through the saltmarsh area to the water’s Eastern Great Egret. The large eucalypt at the lagoon’s edge, we passed numerous Masked Lapwings. An Eastern north end had a number of cormorants (Great and Little Great Egret and a White-faced Heron were stalking the Black) sunning themselves in the branches. We crossed the edges, and two Caspian Terns were circling overhead. road and climbed up on the railway tracks for a better look About 20 Australian Pied Oystercatchers were out on the at the eastern side of the lagoon. There were swans on the mudflat. river and a lone White-faced Heron stalking the edges of We left the reserve and headed south along a dirt road the lagoon. Fairy-wrens, Silvereyes and Common Green- passing through farming country. The sight of small birds finches were in the bushes, and a Swamp Harrier was flying across the road caused us to stop beside it. Keen flying high overhead. When we crossed back over the road eyes spotted two Brown Quail running in and out of brush to complete the circuit, we were very excited to see three by a paddock fence. Close by were a few Yellow-rumped Black-fronted Dotterels on the mud flat. This was the first Thornbills and Superb Fairy-wrens. time I had seen them at the lagoon — a good end to the We moved on through Lymington until we were back at walk. the water’s edge, where a lone Black Swan was passing by. We heard a bird that we couldn’t identify in the tree Bird list: Musk Lorikeet, Forest Raven, Baillon’s Crake, tops — this kept us occupied for some time until we Kelp Gull, Chestnut Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Eurasian finally gave up and headed home. Coot, Australian Spotted Crake, Eastern Rosella, Tas- manian Native-hen, Noisy Miner, Welcome Swallow, Bird list: Burton’s reserve — Tasmanian Native-hen, feral Eastern Great Egret, Little Black Cormorant, Great duck, Muscovy Duck, feral geese, Common Starling, Cormorant, Masked Lapwing, feral duck, Purple Forest Raven, Australian Magpie, Masked Lapwing, Swamphen, Silver Gull, Australasian Shoveler, feral geese, Yellow Wattlebird, Silver Gull, Kelp Gull, Hoary-headed Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Black Swan, Superb Fairy- Grebe, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, wren, Common Starling, White-faced Heron, Silvereye, Chestnut Teal, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Eastern Great Swamp Harrier, Common Greenfinch, Black-fronted Egret, White-faced Heron, Caspian Tern, Pacific Gull, Dotterel, European Goldfinch, Australian Magpie. Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Common Blackbird, Great Cormorant. Cornelian Bay 3 February 2013 South — European Goldfinch, Brown Quail, Yellow- We arrived at Cornelian Bay to see it was low tide, and at rumped Thornbill, Superb Fairy-wren, Dusky Robin, least 50 Masked Lapwings and 30 Silver Gulls were at the Welcome Swallow, Grey Fantail, Spotted Turtledove, water’s edge with a single Australian Pied Oystercatcher. Black Swan, Black-faced Cormorant. We also spotted two adult and two juvenile Pacific Gulls among them. Magpies were in full song as we headed to Poimena Reserve 23 March 2013 the point, and a Caspian Tern was diving for food. There It was a cool, overcast day. We arrived at Roseneath Park were a few Eastern Rosellas foraging in the grass and a to the sound of a Grey Butcherbird. A small flock of Musk flock of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were screeching in the Lorikeets flew over as we set out across the grass. As we trees. entered the trees at the start of the reserve, we spotted a As we walked along the cliff track we saw Grey Fantails New Holland Honeyeater and Spotted Pardalotes flying and Brown Thornbills in the bushes, and a Sooty Oyster- through the branches. When we climbed the hill we saw catcher was spotted on the rocks below. I’ve never seen Brown Thornbills and Grey Fantails in the trees and we one this far up the river before. could hear the call of a Grey Currawong in the distance. We decided to head into the cemetery to see what we We spotted some Jewel Beetles on the path and found a could find. We heard a great racket of birds nearby and possum at head height in a tree hole. (Even though these followed the sound to a large Eucalypt tree smothered in might not be birds, they’re still interesting.) red blossom. A large flock of Musk Lorikeets and several Coming out into the open at the picnic area, we found Little Wattlebirds were enjoying the feast. All this made Australian Magpies and Masked Lapwings on the ground. another great photo opportunity to end the walk. We continued on to the top of the hill to be greeted by a Bird list: Australian Magpie, Masked Lapwing, Silver spectacular view. A Swamp Harrier flew over as it began Gull, Musk Lorikeet, Caspian Tern, Pacific Gull, White- to drizzle and we took the shortcut down the road to the faced Heron, Forest Raven, Pied Oystercatcher, Chestnut carpark. 7 Bird list: Silver Gull, Forest Raven, Common Starling, Grey Butcherbird, Musk Lorikeet, Yellow Wattlebird, New National Office news Holland Honeyeater, Spotted Pardalote, Common Black- BirdLife Tasmania’s Executive met with the new BirdLife bird, Grey Currawong, Tasmanian Native-hen, Grey Australia CEO, Paul Sullivan, in early April to discuss a Fantail, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, wide variety of issues of concern to all Branches and Australian Magpie, Masked Lapwing, Swamp Harrier. specifically to Tasmania. The meeting focused on financial support by the national organisation (presently $4000 per Plan for September year but likely to be decreased), the general relationship between National Office and BirdLife Tasmania and the Dr Jenn Lavers will speak at the BirdLife Tasmania lack of consultation in the development of national meeting on 12 September. The topic will be similar to the policies and programs, the near-absent state of seminar she gave last year on plastic pollution and communication between Melbourne and the Branches, and Australia’s seabirds, but will include new data from Lord the relevance of the national organisation for conservation Howe and Midway Islands, and Ashmore Reef. She may in Australia. It was very clear that our concerns and issues also be able to preview some of the film segments for the were shared with other Branches and that solutions were new Plastic Oceans documentary. urgently required. The next step in the consultation process It is possible that Jenn will also be running a field trip will be the Branches’ meeting in Melbourne in late May. for members at Howrah Beach on Saturday, 14 September. Mr Sullivan is trying hard to become familiar with all We will keep you posted… the facets of this complex and far-flung organisation as fast as is possible, and is acutely aware of the need for Bird behaviour good communication and cooperation throughout. We wish him well. George Cresswell, CSIRO Honorary Research Fellow Yesterday [17 March 2013] I was saddened when my vehicle hit a very small bird while I was driving to the CFOC applications ferry on Bruny Island. From the impact I knew that it had A range of NRMs and Councils have invited BirdLife no chance, but one always lives in hope. So I U-turned and Tasmania to contribute and collaborate in Caring For Our went back to the site. Country projects. In most cases, our contributions will be Its little mate (I would think it was) was variously in the form of surveys, reports and community education hovering over and perching on the dead bird, which turned and engagement. It is very encouraging to be approached out to be a robin with a small rusty patch on its breast. by these agencies, reinforcing our increasing profile as a The only thing to do was to remove the dead robin. This recognised research organisation in Tasmania. meant the mate then had no further reason to stay on the road and risk the traffic to and from the ferry. I suppose that there are many such bird strikes, but I was Macquarie Harbour gull count surprised that the dead bird’s mate appeared on the scene We are in discussions with Tassal regarding the initiation so quickly. It’s probably a forlorn wish that motorists of winter gull counts in Macquarie Harbour. Members will might return to, or even notice, birds that they have hit. be aware that we have been conducting winter gull counts Nonetheless I found the prompt arrival and behaviour of in south-east Tasmania since 1980, and, with the proposed the mate interesting. expansion of the aquaculture industry in Macquarie Harbour, the industry could contribute to an increase in the Dead duck local gull populations. BirdLife Tasmania is working with Tassal to undertake a regional survey this winter with a Andrew Darby alerted us to this truly bizarre way to raise view to establishing an annual winter gull count. If you are awareness of bird window strikes... (explicit language interested in participating in this first Macquarie Harbour warning): Gull Count (nominally in early July), please contact our http://www.ted.com/talks/ Secretary, Sue Drake, at [email protected]. kees_moeliker_how_a_dead_duck_changed_my_life.html? utm_campaign=&awesm=on.ted.com_DeadDuckDay&ut m_medium=on.ted.com- Winter Gull Count static&utm_source=t.co&utm_content=awesm-publisher BirdLife Tasmania will be conducting the annual Winter Gull Count in south-east Tasmania on Sunday, 9 June Winter Wader Count (Queen’s Birthday long weekend). Past counters will be The date for the WWC in the north-east is yet to be set. contacted shortly, but we need more counters because Please contact Liz Znidersic on 0409 123322 for details. some of our regulars have already indicated that they cannot come. The area to be surveyed extends from the In the north-west, the WWC will be held on Sunday, 23 southern end of the d’Entrecasteaux Channel to New June. Contact Hazel Britton, [email protected], for Norfolk to Marion Bay and on to the Tasman Peninsula. details. All counters are provided with identification guides and The southern WWC will be on Saturday, 29 June, with the data sheets. If you are interested in being involved, even if possibility of it being Sunday, 30 June, depending on the you have never counted gulls before, please contact Eric weather. Contact [email protected] for details. Woehler at [email protected] or on 0438 204 565. 8 Connie’s Cards Mark Webber Challenge 2013 Every time we attend a community event, we are We have had preliminary talks with the event organisers to astounded by the interest in the swap cards that we hand avoid a repeat of 2012 when a helicopter overflew an out. And so we are going to produce a set of swap cards of important Fairy and Little Tern colony at Scamander. The our endemic species that we can give away to children and discussions focused on the proposed route for the 2013 class groups. At present we are hunting up exceptional event, and we have provided advice and expertise on the images of the 12 species; then will come preparation of areas under consideration with the aim of minimising brief texts for each. We hope the cards will be available by potential impacts on nesting birds. the end of winter. Pitt Water Orielton Lagoon (1) A report by BirdLife Tasmania to NRM South and the Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) is now available on the NRM South web page. The report, ‘Resident Shorebirds and Seabirds of the Pitt Water Orielton Lagoon 2013’, summarises the findings of survey work undertaken in 2012–13 to fill the major data gap that existed on the presence of nesting sites of resident shorebirds in the PWOL Nature Reserve and Ramsar Site. The report also assesses and identifies values associated with these breeding populations and threats that are present; its recommendations are aimed at improving coastal habitats and bird values. The report is available at http://www.nrmsouth.org.au/uploaded/ 287/15131893_41residentshorebirdsandse.pdf and will shortly be available on the BirdLife Tasmania web page. Pitt Water Orielton Lagoon (2) The Management Plan for the Pitt Water Orielton Lagoon Nature Reserve Ramsar Site is about to be released by DPIPWE. BirdLife Tasmania was involved in formulating the plan, in particular, in provision of our extensive long- term (near 50 years extent) shorebird monitoring data. Dr Rosemary Sandford at the NRM South and BirdLife Tasmania stand Priscilla Park’s contributions on behalf of BirdLife are during the recent Treadlightly Festival held at the Botanic Gardens. particularly significant. Your executive committee wants YOU! State of the Channel report The Executive Committee for 2013–14 was elected at the Annual General Meeting. However, there are still gaps on The Kingborough Channel has released the ‘State of the it. Meetings are held monthly, usually on Monday evening, d’Entrecasteaux Channel 2012’ report, available from but this varies from time to time. The venue is a friendly http://www.kingborough.tas.gov.au/page.aspx?u=660. pub or café — somewhere that has reasonable food — so, BirdLife Tasmania provided bird records for the focal area, if you can help manage BirdLife Tasmania, please contact and has identified existing and future surveys that would Sue Drake: [email protected]. contribute directly to future reports. We will be meeting with council staff to identify other parts that BirdLife Festivals, community events Tasmania can play in the future. It’s been a hectic six months for a handful of BirdLife Penguins! Tasmania members who have been involved in community events and festivals during that time. Beginning with the Several projects involving Little Penguins were under- Bruny Bird Festival in October, and continuing through taken this summer; some will continue during winter 2013. until mid-April, we have been at the Blue Ocean Film A ground search and survey conducted between Verona Festival, the Wooden Boat Festival, SeaFest, Sustainable Sands and Woodbridge failed to locate any evidence of Living in Kingborough, TreadLightly and Bream Creek nesting penguins despite anecdotal reports of previous Show — a massive effort from our members, which is of breeding in the area. Planning for penguin colony surveys inestimable value in engaging with the broader community next season on Bruny Island and elsewhere in south-east to raise awareness of birds in Tasmania. We thank every- Tasmania is underway, and monitoring of colonies in the one who volunteered time on weekends or holidays to Derwent Estuary in conjunction with DPIPWE’s Derwent support these endeavours. Estuary Program will continue during 2013. 9 120 for Grey-headed Albatrosses. Some cockatoo records GPS mapping of shorebirds fall along grid lines, which dates from the 1979 Tasmanian and seabirds Atlas where records were mapped to 10′ grids. Surveys and GPS mapping of beach-nesting shorebirds and seabirds continued during the 2012–13 season, but were constrained by the reduced capacity of PWS Rangers to help with logistic support. PWS Rangers provide access to remoter beaches, eliminating the need to double back to vehicles and increasing the extents of beaches surveyed in a day. Despite the reduced survey effort, more than 400 nest sites were GPS mapped on beaches in the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area, Mt William and Maria Island National Parks and the Pitt Water Orielton Lagoon Ramsar Site. The following map shows the extent of surveys on more than 240 sandy beaches around Tasmania to the end of the 2012–13 survey.
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos
GPS Map showing extent of shorebird and beach-nesting seabird surveys for 2012–13. Sightings database Work continues on the BirdLife Tasmania database, with more than half a million records of more than 300 species now entered for the State. The data set includes a number of historical records, in some cases going back to the 1950s, all records from the Tasmanian Atlas (published by David Thomas in 1979 by the University of Tasmania), Grey-headed Albatrosses and those from Atlas 1 and Atlas 2, as well as individuals’ records. Our software lets us generate reports and graphs, as well as maps of areas or species. Please keep sending in Ramsar wetlands your records: they are all valuable, and, as the length of Ecological Character Descriptions (ECDs) are the basis of time for which we have data increases, so will our capacity management plans for Ramsar wetlands in Australia. to assess changes in species’ distributions and abundances. Tasmania has 10 Ramsar listed wetlands; ECDs for five of Two example maps follow: more than 3000 records for these sites are available from the Federal Government at Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, and a map of more than http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/ 10 environmental/wetlands/index.html. The Tasmanian sites recruit enough counters for the Summer and Winter Wader listed as wetlands of international significance are: Counts each year, then undertook the task of collating all • Moulting Lagoon of the count data from the small army of counters, assuring • Logan Lagoon Conservation Area the accuracy of the whole before sending it off to national • Lavinia Nature Reserve count coordinators in Melbourne. Denis will continue to • Pittwater–Orielton Lagoon be involved as a counter, and Sue Drake, Priscilla Park and • Apsley Marshes Eric Woehler have taken over as coordinators in Tasmania. • East-coast Cape Barren Island Lagoons • Flood Plain Lower Ringarooma River Silver Gulls • Jocks Lagoon • Interlaken SGAG, the Silver Gull Advisory Group of DPIPWE and • Little Waterhouse Lake the Derwent Estuary Program, continues its efforts to Further details of these sites are available from the PWS at address management issues surrounding Silver Gulls in the http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=3232 Derwent Estuary and south-east Tasmania. Birdlife Tasmania sits on SGAG and contributes its scientific data (Winter Counts, island surveys and related research) on Shorebirds 2020 update gulls in south-east Tasmania to regional land managers Denis Charlesworth, who has stepped down after more such as PWS, Nyrstar and TasPorts. Surveys of islands than 12 years of coordinating the Tasmanian component of used by Silver Gulls (and other species) during the 2013– the national Shorebirds 2020 counts, deserves the thanks 14 season will provide contemporary data for SGAG and of every member of BirdLife Tasmania. Denis managed to other interested stakeholders.
11 BirdLife Tasmania Directory 2013 GPO Box 68 Hobart 7001
www.birdlife.org.au/who-we-are/branches-and-locations/tasmania
Chair Dr Eric Woehler
Yellow Throat is produced every alternate month beginning in January. Contributions, including articles, sightings, bird- watching sites, letters and news, are welcome, and will be published subject to space and interest or relevance to BirdLife Tasmania members, at the Editor’s discretion. Views expressed in Yellow Throat are not necessarily those of BirdLife Tasmania, or of the Editor, unless explicitly stated. Please make use of our material, but we ask that you acknowledge BirdLife Tasmania as the source.
We thank the office of Mr Andrew Wilkie, MHR, for assisting in the production of Yellow Throat 69.
BirdLife Tasmania is a regional branch of BirdLife Australia.
TASMANIA
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What: Fundraising Dinner “Wine Dinner for Wildlife”
When: Saturday 11th May 2013
Where: Villa Howden Time: 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Dress: Ladies after 5 / Men Lounge Suit
Villa Howden is a gorgeous 5 star French provincial hotel located in Howden.
www.villahowden.com.au
Cost: Option 1: Dinner tickets @ $110 per person
Option 2: Dinner and accommodation packages exclusively for this event:
Villa Suite $565.00 (This includes two tickets) Water View Villa Suite $615.00 (This includes two tickets) Tower Suite (1 only) $815.00 (This includes two tickets)
All money generated from this event will go towards building new wombat enclosures at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and to help us run Tasmania's only 24 hour wildlife rescue service.
ONLY 50 TICKETS AVAILABLE
Contact: [email protected]
0437 434 109
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EMERGING INVASIVE SPECIES Rainbow lorikeets
Trichoglossus haematodus
Prompt action is vital NOT WANTED in Tasmania Rainbow lorikeets are very adaptable birds that have the ability to quickly establish in Although a very new areas. attractive looking bird, Feral rainbow lorikeets are rainbow lorikeets pose a believed to have established in Western Australia from fewer serious threat to than 10 birds that were either Tasmania’s native deliberately released or escaped biodiversity, environment from aviaries in the 1960s. and agriculture. By 2006, the population was 15 000 – 20 000 birds! Image: Chris Tzaros
Natural range: Who’s a pretty pest? Indonesia What can we do? Papua New Guinea Rainbow lorikeets are an Solomon Islands The Invasive Species Branch is emerging invasive threat to New Caledonia currently managing a control Tasmania. If they were to Australia (South Australia to program to reduce the establish here they would Queensland) numbers of feral rainbow compete for food and resources lorikeets in Tasmania. Risk to Tasmania: with native parrots, such as The Tasmanian public Extreme the musk lorikeet, swift parrot and green rosella. should be on high alert Main impacts: for this species and They also pose a potential report all sightings. Native wildlife (esp. parrots) disease risk as they are carriers Agriculture of Psittacine beak and feather Early detection to allow rapid Spread disease disease. response to incursions is vital. Status: Rainbow lorikeets are a serious Rainbow lorikeets are a threat to Tasmania’s agricultural controlled animal under the industries. They have the Nature Conservation Act 2002 potential to have high impact on cherry, apple, pear, stone fruit Importation is prohibited and grape crops. in Tasmania
Invasive Species Branch Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
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SUMMER 2013 The Wandering Wombat
Contents: Page
New Bonorong Logos 2 Bonorong Events 3 to 5 Bonorong Sponsors 6 Petra’s Message: Devils on Maria Island 6 to 7 Hi everyone and welcome to the summer edition of the Wandering Feature Species 7 to 8 Wombat! New Bonorong Residents 9 Summer has certainly been a very hectic time at the Sanctuary and all Tarkine Devil Project 10 the staff and I are certainly looking forward to when things quieten back down! Pest Species 11 Fundraiser/Employer Of Choice 12 In late November the Sanctuary welcomed the head seabird vet from Taronga Zoo (Dr Libby Hall) for a two day specialist course on Special Guests/Xmas Day 13 rehabilitating seabirds. Libby’s knowledge was invaluable and the staff FOC Rescue Stories 14 to 16 (and seabirds) have certainly benefitted from her coming down. We hope that this will improve our skills for this field of animal care that Meet the Polleys 17 only a few wildlife carers in the whole of Tasmania specialise in. (Cont)
Save the Dates!
Bonorong FOC Training Bat Info Night +Booty Sessions and Tasmanian Carnival Snake Talks 13th March and 14th 2nd March 2013 21st March, 5th April April & 6 thApril Wildlife rescue Details can be An innovative fund training, free of found on page 4. raising event. See the charge! see page 4 full details on page 3. for details.
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Wild Child Kids Club
December Newsletter
Summer Edition, 2012
Important Events: This issue:
25th December Yes Christmas Day but also 2012 Greg and Petra‛s special visit Bonorong babies Page 2 to the Royal Hobart Hospital Pest Watch Page 2 to visit the sick Children. Top Secret Tassie Native Page 3 5th January 2013 FOC wildlife rescue training (Saturday) 1:30pm sessions. Please contact A thank you to our sponsors Page 4 Bonorong to book. New Kid‛s Club Competition Page 4 And 9th January [email protected] or 2013 (Wed) Wild Child birthdays Page 5 6:30pm 03 6268 1184 Tasmanian Devils on Maria Island Page 5
27th January Kids Club Activity Day New residents at Bonorong Page 6 2013 (Sunday) 11:00am to 3:00pm Barrington Tops Devil ‘Ark‛ Page 6
The theme is ‘Animal FOC Wildlife Rescue Program Update Page 7 Communications‛ Please contact Bonorong to book. Merry Christmas! Page 8 [email protected] or 6268 1184
Top Secret Tassie Native
The Swift Parrot The swift parrot is listed as endangered under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. Find out more about this beautiful bird on page 3!
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