Birds South East

Number 85 March 2019

Roseate Tern. Bob Green

Recent visit to WA Last month I made a week-long visit to WA for a Contents family wedding but had time to do some exploring 1. Recent visit to WA and of course some birding. 3. Birding while at a Bug Conference Highlights for me were two lifers, I managed to get 6. Shorebird Notes 7. Birdlife South East (SA) 2018 Quiz Answers a single Roseate Tern on Rottnest Island where the 8. Unusual overnight visitor at Bryton Wood, Moorak day before researchers had let me know there were 9. Wanted-Australasian Bittern sightings and locations ten, so I was lucky. The other was a cracker, over 10.New Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Project Officer/ Leucism in Australian Magpie-now a regular gene the last few years up to three Oriental Honey 11.Eastern Yellow Wagtail at Balibirooroo Wetlands Buzzards have been frequenting the northern Perth 12.Vale John Berrgy (1944-2018) suburbs, and as they were mainly seen in the 13.Program/Contacts/Newsletter deadlines 14.Recent Sightings adjacent suburb to where I was staying the opportunity was too great to pass up. A local picked me up and along with three others we spent all morning sitting in “the big paddock” on Lake Joondalup where we ended up seeing ten raptor

Birds South East

species, including Square-tailed Kite and three

White-bellied Sea-Eagles. Later in the morning, predicted by one of the observers as it started to warm up and after having checked every raptor closely with binoculars and scope a very distant bird was spotted showing all the right Bob speaking at the characteristics, but it was just too far away to be AGM . Tegan Douglas 100% certain. Just as we had packed up and started to leave I pointed to two raptors that had come up in the distance circling on thermals near a distant tower, quickly setting up again and getting the birds in the scope we had much better views and then one started its characteristic display flight (bingo- and tick), as luck has it that afternoon while at my sister’s house, outside while the BBQ was cooking a single Oriental Honey Buzzard cruised by not that far to the north, even closer than our morning sighting. My regular morning walk location while in Perth is a short stroll away from my sister’s house, it’s a part of the Yellagonga Regional Reserve and has some great birds, highlights this time were Red- capped Parrots, Western Gerygone, Blue-billed Duck, Pink-eared Duck. In the past I’ve had Red- tailed Black-Cockatoos flying over there as well. After four fantastic days in Margaret River for the wedding, a return to Perth on the Monday was in time to attend the BirdLife WA monthly meeting which I had organised previously to attend, as it happened it was also the AGM and a friend in Perth had asked me if I would be interested in being the guest speaker. I decided to give a talk on Pick Swamp, giving it the title “Pick” Swamp: From cow Paddock to Ramsar site”. It went down really well with lots of questions About the site, the onground works etc, it’s always good to spread the message about what has been a major success story. The WA birdos were very welcoming, we had dinner at a coastal pub prior to the meeting, picked me up for the Honey Buzzard twitch, and kept me posted on Rottnest Island sightings the day before my visit.

Bob Green Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo. Bob Green

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Birds South East

Birding while at a Bug Conference

The following report is from a trip I made to the Grey-headed Honeyeater was a tick and they were all Australian Entomological Society Conference, which very friendly with the White-plumed Honeyeaters and was held from 23-26th September in Alice Springs. I Peaceful Doves, at a popular watering point. was fortunate enough to be accepted as a speaker Interestingly, I spotted a Mistletoebird and managed within the Conservation Symposium and prepared a a close up view but then wondered whether they presentation about the Silver Xenica translocation might have mistaken a parking bay fence wire for a NGT and NRSE commenced here in the South East good possie to deposit mistletoe seeds – lots of them. (of SA) March-April 2018. Not sure they’ll do much good there.

I arrived on the Saturday (22nd Sept) in readiness for a pre-conference tour with Sand Drifter Tours. Mark, our guide, picked up a bus full of delegates from our respective motels and took us out into the East MacDonnell Ranges. What a treat this tour was! The weather was perfect and Mark gave us a fabulous look around. My favourite spot was Trephina Gorge where we heard Western Gerygone and Black- chinned Honeyeater, where eventually I managed a sneak peek.

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pour the region received (some 186 days previously). We also spotted Black-footed Rock Wallabies on the mountain slopes – binoculars essential, as they were well camouflaged.

On the Monday, the conference began with a welcome to country in Arrernte language, followed by a presentation about the Alice Springs area and the relevance of the invertebrates especially caterpillars (or Hawk moths) to the local Indigenous people by Veronica Dobson and Fiona Walsh. Caterpillars of

several species are an integral part of local Dreaming, and information features on numerous signs throughout the district, raising awareness of the significance of insects to Arrernte culture and well-being. The caterpillars are both creator ancestors that formed the mountain ranges that surround Mparntwe (or Alice Springs) and important food source (in the life stage when they are feeding on the vine bush). Yeperenye is the most important caterpillar ancestral being for the Arrernte people of Mparntwe.

Later that day, the entire conference delegation was taken out to Simpson’s Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges for a drumming welcome by the Drum Atweme group which involved some delegate participation.

Photo taken of caterpillar dreaming sign in Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs

For me personally, this trip to Alice Springs was difficult, as throughout most of my stay I felt like an ‘intruder’ - perhaps a good intruder as I live and breathe nature but nonetheless, two different worlds colliding was my greatest concern. Let’s hope the Indigenous ways can continue to flourish.

The conference program continued with one presentation about ‘improving the conservation Photo courtesy of Phil Weinstein management of insects and allied invertebrates in Australia’, where Gary Taylor detailed how each After an amazing finger food dinner, we were treated region should aim to choose its own flagship species. It is intended that each flagship species will be an to a pair of Peregrine Falcons flying overhead and invertebrate that could engender public attention and landing up near the top of the cliffs. While we advocacy; they could be a threatened or iconic watched a lone Dusky Moorhen in the small (scientifically or socially important) species, and will waterhole that remained from the last major down- ultimately act as ambassadors to raise broader

4 Birds South East Birds South East awareness of the need for conservation action for invertebrates. Interestingly, all Australian states deal with invertebrate conservation and protection differently in the respective legislations. Unfortunately, South Australia doesn’t even acknowledge insects as being an animal, and therefore, insects are not part of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, or its threatened species schedules. So, there appears to be a major imbalance in SA needing urgent rectification to commence the long road of acceptance and acknowledgment of protection laws and/or conservation effort for invertebrates in our state.

Several other speakers addressed the conference on lepidopteran conservation matters, from the Silver Xenica after translocation at Honan Native significance of roadside vegetation and butterfly Forest populations in southern Queensland; to a predation Reserve, April 2018 of Xenica butterflies by European wasps project in Tasmania; to the promotion of the ‘Butterflies Throughout the 6 day stay, the Pied Butcherbirds Australia Project’ addressing data deficiency in woke me every morning before dawn (uurrgh) with insects using citizen science; to conserving a their mournful but beautiful harmonic singing; the biodiversity hotspot in the monsoon tropics of Yellow-throated Miners were in abundance – so to Northern Australia. Black Kites in 3’s and 4’s wherever you went; and

I then gave my presentation on the Silver Xenica then just down the road at the local Botanic Garden butterfly translocation project which outlined why we (which for the botanists is a must) were nesting needed to translocate adults and eggs from western Grey-crowned Babblers and Western Bowerbirds – Victoria to South Australia. Current State and what a treat. Commonwealth legislation does not list this butterfly as ‘at risk’ under any Act. However, based on available literature for the South East (SE) region of SA and local field data of no individuals recorded since 2007, the Silver Xenica is unofficially ‘critically endangered’, and nearing extinction in SA. Nature Glenelg Trust are aiming to prevent this from occurring by increasing the population through translocation, a priority action from the Swamp Gum Woodland Regional Action Plan. Interestingly, during and after my presentation the main question I received was not about the conservation of the butterfly but about the logistics and permits required to undertake a cross-border translocation. Maybe there might be a few more in the future!!

If only we could add water to the whole situation and the red centre would be an outstanding birding destination – I didn’t have wheels so couldn’t trip out to the sewage ponds. I’ll just have to go back up sometime after summer rains, as my trip was at the end of a ‘no rain for 180+ days’ period.

Bryan Haywood

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breeding pairs, was found on an unnamed island of Little Dip Conservation Park and over four visits 553 Shorebird Notes chicks were banded. We have carried out the annual summer Shorebirds Friends of Shorebirds SE members have once again 2020 counts at our usual coastal sites (for the been extremely busy with many and varied eighteenth year now) and at Lake George, Lake activities over the last few months. The annual Bonney SE and Lake Hawdon South. The highlights spring Victorian Wader Study Group expedition to of the counts were the high number of Sharp-tailed the south east took place in November 2018 and we Sandpiper at most sites, including a remarkable were at least successful in catching 25 Ruddy 16430 at Lake Hawdon South along with 131 Glossy Turnstone, retrieving three previously deployed Ibis and 1830 Whiskered Tern. In addition, we saw geolocators and replacing them with new ones. We around 8000 Banded Stilt at Lake George (we have once again took part in the Latham’s Snipe Project since far exceeded that with an estimated 26000 to counts in November and January. The counts at Fox 30000 in late February), 51 Common Greenshank in Lake produced 147 birds in November and 12 in the southern lagoon at Lake Bonney, plus January; at Pub Lake 70 in November, some of thousands of waterfowl at all the three lakes. We these may have been counted at Fox Lake, and were also lucky enough to be able to include the seven in January. This would appear to be a regular Ruff that was present at Danger Point in the coastal pattern, with far more birds present in November count. compared to January. We were able to cover all of In addition to the field work there have of course our regular sites for the annual Hooded Plover been a number of meetings and workshops around counts thanks to the wonderful and dedicated the region and in Adelaide which Maureen and I volunteer counters. Total numbers were down in have attended. The Friends of Shorebirds SE is a 2018 compared to 2017; 51 as against 66; but it is partner in the South East NRM Board project believed that this may not be a true indication of Restoring the Coorong and Limestone Coast, also numbers as at least several birds were simply not known as Our Coorong – Our Coast. The FoSSE seen on the day. AGM was held at our house on 17 February with a It would appear that the beach nesting species had marvellous attendance of 26 people. mixed success in the season just gone. Jeff Campbell, Chairman, Friends of Shorebirds SE. Unfortunately, the success rate of Hooded Plovers was very low, Red-capped Plovers seem to have a moderately successful season, and Australian Pied A section of the Oystercatchers a particularly prolific season with Banded Stilt flock. many young birds being seen throughout the region. Although Fairy Terns once again nested on Sarah Campbell Cowrie Island near Beachport the success or otherwise of the colony is unclear. On the first visit in early January there was around 28 birds present, with a total of 16 eggs in 12 nests. By mid-January there was around 40 birds present, 58 eggs in 38 nests. By the end of January most of these were still evident and four chicks were located and banded.

We were unfortunately unable to access the island on our next visit in mid-February as the swell made it too dangerous to cross the channel. On our next visit one week later just a few birds were in the area and there was no sign of any eggs or chicks. What happened to the colony is a mystery, there was no sign of any eggshells or dead chicks on the island although predation would seem to be the most likely cause of the abandonment. A large colony of nesting Crested Terns, estimated at 700 6 Birds South East Birds South East

9. Are Flame Robins found in Western BirdLife South East (SA) Australia? No Quiz 2018 Answers 10. Which bird of the Dandenong Ranges is the Pilot Bird said to accompany? Superb

Lyrebird Section 1. Look it Up.

Section 3. Literature 1. In the Twelve Days of Christmas how many

turtle doves are given? Two 1. In A Cast of Falcons, Steve Burrows, what 2. Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has activity is “the most wonderful form of a tattoo of which bird? Raven insanity you’ll 3. What is the Portuguese name of the film by ever come across? Bird watching Joao Pedro Rodrigues The Ornithologist? O 2. In “The Second Sky” what is Gilbert’s Ornitologo ambition? To fly 4. Which 4 volume work was auctioned in New 3. Which Michael Leunig book is “an antidote to York on June 14, 2018? The Birds of the prevailing madness”? Ducks for Dark America Times 5. 2017 was the Chinese year of what bird? 4. In “The Room on Rue Amelie” Kristen Harmel Rooster (Ch 7) what did the woman outside 6. What project protects “chooks in dinner Charlotte’s suits” at Warrnambool? The Middle Island Door say to M. Benoit? The bird flies at Maremma night 7. What was the Macquarie Dictionary 2017 5. In “Tinkering” John Clarke – Letters from word(s) of the year? Milkshake Duck the School – what colour has Laurie Kent dyed his 8. What was the name of Aaron Pederson’s hair? Blue character in the ABC series Mystery Road? 6. Which song by Tennyson has the line Jay Swan “When cats run home and light is come? The Owl 9. The rare New Zealand Stitchbird has what 7. Complete this line from “Old Ships” by Maori name? Hi Hi James Elroy Flecker. “I have seen old ships sail like 10. In Operation Columba during WWII, which – swans asleep British Intelligence workers brought 8. Who wrote “City of Crows”? Chris information from Womersley occupied Europe to the UK? Homing 9. Match the book to the author. “The pigeons Falcons of Sparta” Conn Iggulden “The Birdman’s

Wife” Mellissa Ashley Section 2. Field Guide Stuff “Swan Song” Kelleigh Greenburg-

Jephcott “Birds of Prey” Wilbur Smith 1. Which kingfishers occur in Tasmania? 10. Provide the next line from the “Rime of the Sacred, Azure, Laughing Kookaburra Ancient Mariner” Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 2. What tail colours would you find in “And a good wing sprung up behind;” tropicbirds? Red, white The Albatross did follow 3. Which is the smallest prion? Fairy Prion

4. In which Australian state would you find a

Yellow Honeyeater? Queensland

5. Which Shrike-thrush is found in all

Australian states? Grey Shrike-thrush

6. Which local bird is one of two Australian

species in the genus Zoothera? Bassian

Thrush

7. Which duck is a “diver” or “steamer”? Musk

Duck

8. What bird is this: “sturdy, conspicuous

wader – straight scarlet bill, red legs”?

Australian Pied Oystercatcher

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Section 4. Hidden Birds Find the birds in the clues Unusual overnight visitor at

1. Sings in the evening in a strong wind. Bryton Wood, Moorak Nightingale The bird list for our place is growing very slowly 2. At last interest grew in the project. Stint 3. Insert the consonants: a-o---e -i—Apostle these days, about 1.3 new birds per year ☺. We hit Bird the tonne a few years back, which I never expected. 4. Arriving late was confusing. Teal Straw-necked Ibis are not an unusual sighting out 5. Which bird’s Atlas number indicates that it our way, especially in summer after the crops have flies in a straight line? Straw-necked Ibis. gone and the crickets come out, but one calm 180 degrees morning recently one Ibis decided to roost outside 6. Re-arrange the letters: stepdot thrangij. our bedroom window. It was a nice surprise as I Spotted Nightjar wondered out for the monthly count and it stayed 7. Use the symbols of the chemical elements to for a short while in the early hours perched up nice make two birds. Some elements are and comfy in the top of a 20 year old Manna gum. repeated: boron carbon copper holmium oxygen potassium Other interesting observations have included an yttrium Hobby Cuckoo Eastern Yellow Robin piped up at dusk for a night 8. The ogre began eating his meal. Grebe (Feb), a Spotted Harrier swirled around low over our 9. Re-arrange the alphabet so it does not trees on two occasions (Jan & Mar), and an Eastern start with a or end with z to find this bird. Spinebill ‘pricked my ears up’ while giving the mtwkq yofei Zebra Finch (keyboard ‘giddie-up’ mid-morning in early March. Other fauna alphabet – qwerty) observations have included five cicada species were 10. Add a letter to make a bird. Inch finch heard calling in the one day on January 17th, and row crow hook chook rake crake our two Swamp Wallabies are a real treat as we Sue Black drive out at the moment – if only they will stay. Bryan and Toni Haywood

Straw-necked Ibis. Bryton Wood

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I would happily receive a phone call or email with WANTED information about sites that you know about or Australasian Bittern consider as a possibility as a bittern location, (maybe it just looks right but you’ve never seen a sightings and locations. bittern there). The Glenelg Hopkins CMA is managing a project to If you would like to assist with surveys for this better understand bittern distribution, population species please get in touch, or if you would like to and habitat requirements, including habitat be kept in touch on developments from the project, improvements over the next few years. let me know and I will keep you all posted. We are seeking information on Australasian Bittern I’m happy to come and talk to local groups as well sightings and locations in the Glenelg Hopkins CMA so if you think that might be beneficial get in touch region, we have been accessing various databases with me. and searching social media platforms but feel that there are still locations and records that we are This project is supported by Glenelg Hopkins CMA likely missing during those searches. through funding from the Australian Government’s We need your help to build a more complete National Landcare Program. inventory for this species, Nationally it is listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act (1999), and in Bob Green Victoria it is listed as Threatened under the Flora Australasian Bittern Project Officer and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). BirdLife Australia To be able to manage habitat for the species we Mobile: 0407 649 909 really need a detailed understanding of the variety Email: [email protected] of wetlands and habitats they are using at all times of the year, therefore any sightings - including one off chance observations are important. The now famous “Robbie” (Bittern in Rice Project – radio- tracked bittern) who moved from Coleambally in the NSW Riverina to Pick Swamp and Long Swamp near the SA/Vic border, back to NSW and again returned to Pick Swamp, showed along his journey that a number of wetlands are used as temporary stopovers, and so all of these are considered important habitat. Even if you feel that a certain wetland may be known to us, we would be grateful for information on any sites and dates of sightings, even more historical information will be helpful. We may not know about them! As I said we are sure many have been overlooked or not reported. Also, we will be holding more information sessions, and asking for volunteers to assist with surveys for this species, particularly during the breeding season when booming males are easily detected, but for surveys conducted at any time while in suitable habitat we would love for you to let us know, even if you don’t record bitterns. Negative reports are also important to us and give us a measure of the number of areas that have been covered.

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Leucism in Australian Magpie New Red-tailed Black – now a regular gene Cockatoo Project Officer For some years now, probably more than 15, I and

many other bird watchers have seen white magpies

Kelsey Bennett started with BirdLife Australia in out near the racecourse, east of Mt Gambier. On the February as the South-eastern Red-tailed Black- occasions I have seen one I’ve always said to Cockatoo Recovery Project Officer. Prior to that she myself, “one day I’ll get a photo of one of them, you has worked as a Bush Action Team Field Officer with don’t see this very often”. Trees for Life in Adelaide and also a seasonal firefighter with DEW in the Mt Lofty Ranges. During Anyway, during a recent trip out that way - chasing her time with Trees for Life, Kelsey has worked something- guess what was sitting nicely on a fence extensively with volunteers and private landholders to post. Probably the most white I’ve seen, but a nice undertake bush regeneration techniques and establish one none the less. and monitor paddock trees as part of the Trees for Life Paddock Tree Program. She developed her passion I wonder though, if this genetic disorder known as for birdwatching during university and has become a ‘Leucism’ is now part of the breeding stock in this keen birdwatcher since. population, as for this genetic defect to live on for many years in the same area surely it must mean Kelsey has greatly enjoyed the role so far and looks that they have successfully bred young also with the forward to working hard to deliver this fantastic project to create a brighter future for our Cockies! Kelsey will same genetic malfunction. Or maybe climate change be based in Mount Gambier working 4 days per week. is contributing to a gradual change in their colour ☺ or perhaps it’s the same individual living on and on and on. Perhaps someone can clarify.

Bryan Haywood

Leucistic Australian Magpie. Glenburnie

Kelsey Bennett

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Eastern Yellow Wagtail at

Balbirooroo Wetlands

(Originally published in the Mornington Peninsula Birdlife magazine March 2019)

While visiting my mother-in-law Liz Sarrailhe over the Christmas period, my wife Sarah and I visited Balbirooroo Wetlands at Balnarring on 23 December and noted an odd bird on the private dam next to the reserve. My initial thought was that it may be an Eastern Yellow Wagtail, a species which I had previously observed in north-west Australia, however I was unsure at the time. We returned to the site on the following day, together with my son Michael, and with a telescope and a 150-600 mm lens on the camera. We very quickly sighted the bird again and I was able to confirm my initial identification. My diagnosis was based on a number of points. The overall impression of the bird was of Eastern Yellow Wagtail. slender build with a longish tail, long-legged with Michael Campbell feathered tarsi, mainly grey upperparts and whitish underparts. It had a prominent white supercilium, pale ear patch and narrow white-edged wing coverts. The bird spent most of its time patrolling the edge of the dam, often darting after prey and pecking at the ground, often wagging its tail up and down. On viewing closer with the telescope and from photographs scattered yellowish patches could be seen on the belly and breast. It was surmised that the bird was probably an immature of the subspecies tschutschensis, moulting into adult plumage.

I understand that many people have visited the site since our observation, and that most have been successful in seeing and photographing the bird. Unfortunately, I have since been informed that some have left the track to be closer to the fence and have trampled much of the vegetation Eastern Yellow Wagtail. in the process. This is most unfortunate and David Stabb unnecessary. In my view one can obtain better views of the dam edge by using the elevated situation of the walking track.

Jeff Campbell, Mount Gambier SA

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John (in hat) at Chiltern. Bob Green

John’s year long trip around Australia with his dog Vale John Berggy (1944- Bill was summarised in his communications with us 2018) via the newsletter, and he even wrote his story up Many of our group will remember John Berggy from as if I remember correctly “Tojobillanme”, in the early days of our group and/or from his reference to his Toyota, his dog and himself. contributions to our newsletter (in particular his John’s last Rainbow Report appeared in newsletter regular Rainbow Reports). #75 in Jan 2016, John had slowed down his field John was one of the birdos who attended “that” trips by this time as his health deteriorated, Bill his meeting back in 2001 at Millicent, when the dog had passed away the previous year, he could formation of a bird group for the South East was no longer attend pelagic trips as his heart condition discussed, it came from a suggestion from Chris was considered too large a risk for the boat crew, Wilson (an Irish exchange Ranger – who had and he was struggling to walk any distance and swapped roles with Tim Collins), sadly Chris also could no longer hitch his caravan to his vehicle. passed away a few years ago now. His son Barrie told me that his two biggest passions John was a regular attendee at our camps and were birds and trains, and that in his final year John outings while living in Mt Gambier, and after he had managed to tick off two bucket list items and moved to live in Rainbow, he led our camp there in had taken both The Ghan and Indian-Pacific 2006, and attended our Chiltern campout in 2009 journeys in their entirety, not a bad way to still see (picture 1). John also participated in many pelagic the countryside he loved so much in a more relaxed trips from Port MacDonnell so was regularly manner. returning to Mt Gambier for these. I guess for those of us who had been able to spend John was a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic time with John on outings, we will all hold certain birder, often spending New Year’s Day attempting to memories of those days, and the many things John start his year with 100 birds on the first day, a few was able to discuss in particular detail. of these he spent in company with Peter Penney. John passed away on 4th December 2018 having Some of his published papers on the South East suffered kidney failure. included a record of Yellow Wagtail at Port Rest in Peace John! MacDonnell, and Pied Currawongs: Confirmation of Bob Green a new species for SA. John was an avid atlasser Convenor – BirdLife South East SA contributing 1221 surveys to Birdata, his last survey Thanks to Sue Black and Angela Jones for their was 24/10/2009. contributions to this tribute.

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Program May: 4th – Red-tailed Black Cockatoo March: 23rd – Nelson (private property) AGM and count (BirdLife Aust.) Kelsey Bennett outing (Bob Green mobile 0407 649 909) mobile 0401 604 129)

April: 12-14th – Campout at Eaglehawk 18/19th – Orange-bellied Parrot Waterhole, Frances (NGT property) count (DEW) (Bob Green 0407 649 909) (Cassie Hlava mobile 0422 402 703) Please register with Cassie ASAP. June: (Date TBC) – Comaum & Boolara NFR with dusk Powerful Owl survey 18-23rd – Easter Birds SA campout, Mary Seymour (Bob Green 0407 649 909) CP (Lynton Huxley – Birds SA)

• Please ensure to register with the leader prior to an outing in case of change/cancellation • For campouts please register potential interest ASAP so that the leader can follow up and knows that some people may be going. We have had campout cancellations due to no expressed interest in time to organise a camp

CONTACTS Convenor, Sightings Coordinator, Conservation Contact Bob Green [email protected] (08) 8725 0549 Secretary Angela Jones [email protected] (08) 8733 4840 Deputy Convenor/OH&S Wayne Bigg [email protected] Treasurer Bryan Haywood [email protected] (08) 8726 8112 Newsletter Editor Jeff Campbell [email protected] (08) 8725 9493 Committee Members Sue Black, Jeff Campbell, Abigail Goodman, Cassie Hlava Deadline for next Newsletters 1 May 2019 1 August 2019 1 November

March 2019 13 Birds South East

Date Common Number Location Observer/s Name

14-Dec-18 Australasian 3 Bool Lagoon Bob Green Bittern 14-Dec-18 Australasian 1 Bool Lagoon Andrew & Diana Vine Bittern 19-Dec-18 Australasian 3 Pick Swamp, Piccaninnie Ponds area BTHaywood & S Black Bittern 21-Dec-18 Australasian 1 Lake Leake, Glencoe Matt Burdon Bittern 06-Jan-19 Australasian 4 Pick Swamp Bob Green & John Gitsham Bittern 03-Feb-19 Australasian 1 Lake Edward, Glencoe Kieran Gosden & Annie Bittern Rademeyer 26-Feb-19 Australasian 1 Lake Bonney (eastern shore halfway M Christie & Aidan Laslett Bittern between log ramp and picnic point) 23-Dec-18 Australasian 11 Darlots Creek, Ettrick Road Bob Green & Euge Coscarelli Shoveler 14-Dec-18 Australian 4 Bool Lagoon Bob Green Little Bittern 14-Dec-18 Australian 2 (h) Bool Lagoon J & S Campbell Little Bittern 24-Dec-18 Australian 2 Bool Lagoon Rob Farnes Little Bittern 31-Dec-18 Australian 1 Bool Lagoon Rob Farnes Little Bittern 03-Jan-19 Australian 4 Bool Lagoon John Gitsham Little Bittern 12-Jan-19 Australian 1 Valley Lakes Conservation Area Bob Green & Wayne Bigg Spotted Crake 18-Jan-19 Australian 1 TFN Swamp, Portland Bob Green & Wayne Bigg Spotted Crake 28-Feb-19 Australian 3 Blackford Drain J Campbell & T Hunt Spotted Crake 10-Jan-19 Banded Stilt 8000 Lake George J Campbell & I Stewart 27-Feb-19 Banded Stilt 26- Lake George J Campbell,T Hunt, M Christie 30000 16-Feb-19 Black Falcon 1 ACI Rd. Wye J&S Campbell 17-Feb-19 Black Falcon 2 Kingston Road, 5km Nth of Millicent Bob & Tracey Green 14-Dec-18 Black-tailed 1 Bool Lagoon Bob Green Godwit 20-Jan-19 Black-winged 446 Lake Hawdon South J Campbell & M Christie Stilt 3-Jan-19 Blue-billed 15 Robe Sewage Ponds BTHaywood & I McInnes Duck

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18-Jan-19 Blue-billed 15 KCA settling ponds B, H & N Haywood, K Duck Johnson & 15-Dec-18 Blue-faced 3 Tarpeena, Riddoch Highway Bob Green Honeyeater 19-Dec-18 Brolga 2 Pick Swamp, Piccaninnie Ponds area BTHaywood & S Black 23-Dec-18 Brolga 4 (B) Holloways Swamp, Nelson Bob Green & Euge Coscarelli

Brolga family Holloways Swamp Bob Green

23- Brolga 60 Little Bool Andrew & Diana Vine Dec- 18 06- Brolga 2 Pick Swamp Bob Green & John Jan- Gitsham 19 19- Brown Quail A Pick Swamp, Piccaninnie Ponds area BTHaywood & S Black Dec- 18 10- Brown Quail 8(b) Mia Mia Crossing, Lake Bonney B, P, D & J Haywood Jan- 19 06- Brown Songlark 1 Pick Swamp Bob Green & John Jan- Gitsham 19 27- Caspian Tern 69 Fosters Point. L George J Campbell,T Hunt, Feb- M Christie 19

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