A rare sight to behold Alison Bjork YELLOW THROAT On Thursday 13th July 2017, I was fortunate enough to spend time in the company of a flock of Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos that were feeding on the pines at the back of The newsletter of BirdLife Tasmania my property, near Takone, North-West Tasmania. I estimate that there were 70+ a branch of BirdLife Australia cockatoos and this stunning bird was amongst them. I noticed the flock at around 1pm Number 95, September 2017 leaving my trees and caught a glimpse of a yellow bird flying with them. I saw that some of the flock was circling back around and so rushed to get my camera. As they landed in some gums about 80m away, I realised that the yellow one was in fact a General Meeting for September cockatoo as well. They joined others in the pines where I could get within 10m of them and enjoy their antics. This beautiful bird appeared to behave and interact with other Life Sciences Building, UTas, flock members normally. A t around 1.40pm the flock flew off to feed elsewhere and left me feeling privileged to have witnessed such a rare sight. I hope I get that chance again.
Thursday, 14 September, 7.30 p.m. James Pay will talk about the role of the Wedge-tailed Eagle, as apex predator, in maintaining the health and structure of Tasmania's ecosystems. As usual, the discussion will continue over tea, coffee and biscuits after the meeting. Meeting venue: Life Sciences Lecture Theatre 1, Life Sciences Building, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay. Access and parking are from College Road or from the parking area outside the University Centre via the pedestrian bridge over Churchill Avenue.
Thanks to Wynne Webber On behalf of all members, the BirdLife Tasmania Executive Committee wishes to express its sincere thanks to Wynne Webber, past Editor of YellowThroat for her remarkable efforts over more than 6 years. Wynne took on the role in January 2011, following the sudden passing of Don Jones, and since then YellowThroat has grown in size and increased in quality due to Wynne’s professional editorial expertise. We are delighted that Wynne will continue to edit the Tasmanian Bird Report. The Committee welcomes Sharon Moore as our new YellowThroat Editor and greatly appreciates her willingness to take on the role. Please support Sharon as you have Wynne over the years. Sharon’s details are shown in the Committee Directory on page 12. From the new editor… I have very competent shoes to fill, indeed! I took up professional editing after (too) many years of government policy work, including for the Antarctic Division and PWS/DPIWE. A long-time member of BirdLife Aus/Tas, my main interest in birds is for their conservation. I look out for birds wherever I go and am getting better with identification! I’m keen to receive articles and photos from members. Sharon Moore Leucistic Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo: photo by Alison Bjork.
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Our special interest group is suitable for people with all types of photographic BirdLife Photography equipment. Advice is readily available to members or future members interested in bird Gary King or general wildlife photography and who are considering purchasing new or upgrading Do you enjoy taking photographs of birds? Are you interested in improving the quality of their photographic equipment. your bird photographs? If so, it is highly likely that joining Birdlife Photography can Our focus is to provide online educational resources and events to enhance your help you. bird photography and bird identification. We run regular themed photographic BirdLife Photography is a Special Interest Group of BirdLife Australia and competitions such as ‘black and white birds’, ’preening’ and ‘capturing the light’. These provides both a forum and resources for photographers, bird observers and the general competitions run at three levels, entry, intermediate and advanced, catering for all public to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of birds through the medium of photographic abilities. We run bird identification challenges which test our members’ eye photography. for detail and also publish a bi-monthly newsletter. Members can upload photographs to our online New Images Gallery. We have also recently established a critique gallery where members can submit images for review by fellow photographers; another avenue for improving your photographic skills. Every two years we run a 3–5 day event currently known as Digital Photography in the Bush. The last 3 events have been held at Ingham, Newcastle and Geelong. These events include local birding excursions and educational seminars focusing on ethical bird photography, post-processing of photographs, new equipment and how to get the best out of your equipment. This biennial event gives birdlife photographers from around Australia the chance to socialise and exchange experiences and technical knowledge. About 140 people attended the most recent meeting in Geelong. We have a separate website to Birdlife Australia which can be accessed through the following link: www.birdlifephotography.org.au
Crescent Honeyeater, New Town, Tas. Photo: Gary King
Even though we are one of four special interest groups sitting under the umbrella of Birdlife Australia and have about 700 members we are not that well known among the thousands of members of Birdlife Australia. While most members of Birdlife Photography are also members of Birdlife Australia, being a financial member of Birdlife Australia is no longer a prerequisite for joining Birdlife Photography, as from the first week of August 2017. The annual membership fee is currently $15 per annum and our membership subscriptions are processed by Supporter Services at Birdlife Australia. Scarlet Robin, Risdon Dam, Tas; Photo: Gary King 2
Whilst a non-member can view our various galleries, you must be a Birdlife Report 35, 2013). In addition, we are working with Sorell Council about weed Photography member to upload images, and access our website’s considerable array of management on the Sorell Causeway, as boxthorn, mallow and fennel are returning after resources and events. Our total membership exceeds 700 and yet only 14 are from several years following earlier control measures. It is expected that further weed Tasmania. As I live in Hobart I would love to see this number increase to a level so we management would occur following the current breeding season. could potentially hold Birdlife Photography events in our State. If any members of Birdlife Tasmania would like to find out more about Birdlife Photography I will be Community events – a call for assistance pleased to try and answer any questions. As I am likely to be photographing birds in north Queensland during the spring my best contact is either email or my mobile. Every year, and particularly in the Spring, Summer and Autumn months, BirdLife Tasmania is approached by councils and numerous community groups to attend a Gary King, Membership Coordinator, Birdlife Photography community events and engage with participants. The 2017/18 season is no different, and [email protected] 0414757924 the Executive Committee would welcome any offers of assistance by members to represent BirdLife Tasmania at the following events. Further events will be listed in the next YellowThroat. If you are interested, please contact our Secretary, Amanda Blakney. BirdLife Tas news and views… • Blooming Tasmania 15 – 17 Sep, statewide Silver Gulls at Sorell • HCC Dogs’ Breakfast 30 Sep, Sandy Bay Beach BirdLife Tasmania is examining the long-term data for the Silver Gull colony at • Tasmanian Wildlife Fair 14 Oct, Nubeena Sorell to provide analyses and advice to the Department of State Growth for its ongoing • Clarence Seafarers’ Festival 22 Oct, Bellerive management of the colony. The colony established in the late 1970s and has been present • Kingborough Extinction Matters Bioblitz 3-4 Nov [To be confirmed] annually since. BirdLife Tasmania has been monitoring the colony for some years to • Taroona Seaside Festival 11 Nov, Taroona High School assess breeding population size and colony phenology (see report in Tasmanian Bird • Tarkine Bioblitz 22 - 26 Nov [To be confirmed] Sorell subdivisions BirdLife Tasmania has made representation to Sorell Council about proposed rezoning of land adjacent to Pitt Water-Orielton Lagoon Ramsar Site that could see extensive subdivision and increase risks to the wetlands and the migratory shorebirds and waterbirds that use the site. We have been alerted to a proposed subdivision adjacent to Orielton Lagoon to which we will be making a submission. With the rapidly increasing human population at Sorell (and associated household pets), our concerns centre around disturbance, predation, light spill and water quality.
Robbins Island (1) windfarm With the increased interest in renewable energy, the proposed windfarm on Robbins Island in far northwest Tasmania has re-emerged. BirdLife Tasmania has been in preliminary discussions with the consultants working on the project, in which up to 200 turbines are proposed for the island. We have had serious concerns about the development since it was first proposed more than 10 years ago, as the Robbins Photo by Eric Woehler Passage/Boullanger Bay wetlands support up to 25,000 migratory and resident shorebirds, many of which are protected under the federal Environment Protection 3
(Biodiversity Conservation) (EPBC) Act. The wetlands are a nationally- and Little Penguins (2) Bruny Island internationally-significant site, recognised for the shorebird populations present. BirdLife Tasmania continued to liaise with the Department of State Growth and
their contractors in the lead-up to the road and car park construction at the Neck on Robbins Island (2) aquaculture proposal Bruny Island. Every burrow in the construction footprint was checked before The Tasmanian Government’s recent “Draft Sustainable Industry Growth Plan for construction commenced and just one pair of penguins was present; the birds were the Salmon Industry” proposes to allow for the expansion of the salmon aquaculture relocated by PWS to ensure their safety. A visit to the site in the last two weeks showed industry around Tasmania, including the far northwest around Robbins Island and the penguin activity at the colony, consistent with monitoring data at colonies elsewhere in Hunter Group. Other areas identified as potential salmon production zones are around southeast Tasmania undertaken by BirdLife Tasmania. We are presently in discussions Flinders and King Islands. BirdLife Tasmania will be making a submission on the Draft, with Kingborough Council regarding further surveys. highlighting the failure of current regulations and management of the industry regarding water quality, and the potential impacts of reduced water quality on the Robbins Passage/Boullanger Bay wetlands and their nationally- and internationally-significant populations of shorebirds and waterbirds. Copies of the Draft and associated map are at http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/sea-fishing-aquaculture/marine-farming-aquaculture/changes-to- salmon-industry-regulation/salmon-industry-growth-plan Submissions are due by COB 29 September 2017.
Biosecurity BirdLife Tasmania has been invited to a workshop organised by the federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. The workshop will be attended by state and federal agency staff, and will provide an opportunity for BirdLife Tasmania to learn about current efforts to maintain Tasmania’s biosecurity status – and the challenges associated with that. In parallel, we were invited by DPIPWE to discuss our concerns regarding proposals to allow for the importation of exotic bird species into Tasmania. There is an increasing interest in the introduction of exotic species, primarily parrots, into Tasmania. We have raised our concerns with DPIPWE over a number of years and these discussions are being held in conjunction with the Avicultural Society of Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association.
Little Penguin; photo by Eric Woehler. Little Penguins (1) Bicheno
BirdLife Tasmania recently submitted a report to Glamorgan Spring Bay Council from surveys of Little Penguins at Bicheno. The report provided Council with the results Beak and Feather Disease of foreshore penguin mapping efforts and recommendations regarding the rehabilitation We continue to receive reports from southeast Tasmania of Sulphur-crested of foreshore vegetation that Council is undertaking. Extensive areas of mirrorbush and Cockatoos exhibiting symptoms of Beak and Feather Disease (BFD). If you see a bird other foreshore weeds such as sea spurge are being removed and the coastal areas that you suspect may be infected with BFD, please try and get a photograph and send rehabilitated. The foreshore vegetation provides shelter for the penguins as they move details of the sighting (location, species, numbers) to the Secretary. between their nests and the sea, and Council efforts are focussed on improving these foreshore areas.
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Prosser River ‘stabilisation’ opportunity to see the site first-hand. Extensive discussions were held with council staff on site throughout the visit. Dredging of the mouth of the Prosser River at Orford has commenced. Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST) is responsible for the ‘stabilisation’ project that will see more than 20 sand-filled geotextile bags used to form a new river mouth. BirdLife Tasmania RFA ‘Death Sentence’ for Swift Parrot approached the federal Department of the Environment to become involved as there are BirdLife Tasmania recently joined other environmental groups in condemning the several species protected under the EPBC Act breeding on site. Our submission to the extension of the Regional Forests Agreement (RFA) between the Commonwealth and federal government drew on almost 70 years of data, highlighting the national Tasmanian Governments. significance of the site for resident shorebirds and small terns. The Tasmanian The RFA explicitly exempts forestry operations from assessment under the EPBC government’s plans were revised in light of our data and the advice of the federal Act. The past two decades under the RFA have been disastrous for species with government. woodland habitats, with some of Tasmania’s most threatened species, such as the Swift Parrot, Masked Owl and Wedge-tailed Eagle, now under threat from continued clearing of breeding and feeding habitats. BirdLife Tasmania Convenor, Dr Eric Woehler, described the signing of the RFA for another twenty years as the “death sentence” for Swift Parrots. “With probably fewer than 1000 Swift Parrots left in the wild, the RFA locks in further habitat destruction for this Critically Endangered species over the next twenty years” he said. Recent studies by scientists at the Australian National University (ANU) showed that on current population trends, the species faces extinction in as soon as sixteen years, with habitat loss the primary driver.
Dredging at Prosser River; photo by Eric Woehler.
Picnic Island BirdLife Tasmania undertook a site visit to Picnic Island at Coles Bay with Glamorgan Spring Bay Council staff to assess the potential impacts of the development on the island to the island’s breeding population of Little Penguins. The development has Photo: Eric Woehler. raised concerns with us over the last 12 to 18 months and the visit provided the
5 kunanyi/Mt Wellington cable car Tasmanian Native-hen Lucile Leveque The Tasmanian Government recently sought submissions on its draft Mount Wellington Everybody knows the popular Tasmanian Native-hen (Tribonyx mortierii), or commonly Cable Car Facilitation Bill, 2017. The main thrust of the legislation is to take over known as the ‘turbo chook’ by the locals! It’s an iconic bird of Tasmania that is well- ownership of the land required for the construction and operation of the proposed cable liked for its strong personality. But did you know that it is one of the very few flightless car, thus removing the hurdle of ‘landlord approval’ by Hobart City Council. birds thriving alongside predators in the world? It is part of the rail family (Rallidae), The BirdLife Tasmania submission pointed out that development that would be whose plethora of flightless species underwent a massive extinction from hunting and enabled by the proposed legislation would be likely to: introduced species over the last few thousand years, wiping out hundreds of island - further exacerbate the currently long-term decrease in bird species and diversity species, and leaving behind only about twenty flightless rail species today. Many are on kunanyi/Mount Wellington; unaware that the Tasmanian Native-hen also used to be widespread on the mainland of - pose a substantial and significant threat to birds’ flights, arising from the ‘aerial Australia, but it disappeared about 3,500 years ago, probably due to predation by easement’, which would introduce significant above-ground infrastructure that introduced dingoes and improvements in hunting technologies by indigenous people. would result in bird strikes; and Besides its atypical history, the Tasmanian Native-hen also exhibits exceptional - reduce, fragment and alienate the foraging and breeding habitats for four biological traits: Endangered species present on the mountain: the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Grey while most bird Goshawk, Masked Owl and Swift Parrot. species are The submission further pointed out that the state government is obliged under the EPBC monogamous, Act 1999 to protect nationally listed threatened species. It concluded that, in light of the Native-hens practise proposed legislation, BirdLife Tasmania has no confidence in the government’s interest monogamy, in or commitment to protecting these species on kunanyi/Mount Wellington. polygyny, polyandry and polygynandry simultaneously, Tas Networks: bird strikes on power lines which is very rare amongst birds! TasNetworks has been working to reduce the incidence of bird strikes on power Doing my lines, with a ‘small but significant number’ or threatened species – Wedge-tailed eagles, PhD at UTas, I am grey goshawks and white-bellied sea eagles killed by electrocution each year. BirdLife interested in the Tas representatives have been involved in a group (BT, TasNetworks and Raptor Refuge) factors leading to working to mitigate the incidence of such strikes. vulnerability in rails TasNetworks has installed various devices to make conductors more visible to worldwide, with a birds and to reduce the risk of electrocution to perching birds. More information can be focus on the found at the TasNetworks website, where you can also find the Wildlife Incident Tasmanian Native- Reporting Form. hen. Anthropogenic If you observe a bird strike on a power line, please either use the form or ring 132 activities are 004 as a matter of priority. increasing the www.tasnetworks.com.au/about-us/environment-and-sustainability/protecting- pressure on wildlife, birdlife especially with the intensification of
Photo: Eric Woehler 6 land-use and climate change, which are forecast to become overbearing threats in the This year, I have decided to retire as secretary after 10 years, and hand over the future. In Tasmania, the hypothetical colonisation by invasive predators like the red fox secretarial duties to Nat Pausin, whose computer skills are definitely superior to mine is also to be considered. Under these conditions, and given the vulnerability of flightless and who is willing to update the Refuge’s administration tasks in a far more efficient rails, I am interested in evaluating Tasmanian Native-hen’s sustainability in the long way. term. I am using techniques of species distribution modelling (SDM) and population Over the past 10 years, I have witnessed nearly every development at the Raptor viability analysis (PVA) to predict distribution, population dynamics and extinction risk Refuge, from the construction of the large flight aviaries, the slatted aviaries and the under these changes. As a rare and iconic representative of a thriving flightless rail, this flight tunnel; the building of the education centre from the foundations up; the clearing study will help anticipate threats to these distinctive species and also contribute to the of the car park area and the planting of native trees and shrubs around the aviaries. I have broad context of biodiversity sustainability and its responses to global change. also registered the increase in visitor numbers, including: school groups; local, interstate ([email protected]) and overseas tourists; special interest and special needs groups; as well as private family and friends’ Walks and Talks. Being the secretary for the Raptor Refuge has not just been preparing agendas and My ten years as Raptor Refuge secretary taking minutes at each Board meeting. I have coordinated business plans and Anthea Wallhead applications for funding; helped distribute fundraising calendars to outlets each year and Secretary of the Raptor Refuge (retiring) kept a tally of sales; organised Refuge displays in other venues; met the members and In 2007 I received a phone call from Craig Webb, owner of the Raptor and Wildlife donors who attend Open Days and helped find suppliers to set up raptor-related products Refuge of Tasmania, asking if I would like to be volunteer secretary for the Refuge. to sell at the shop. Previously, I had sent him my CV in the hope of securing a part-time job, but I have also accompanied Craig to other raptor rehabilitation centres in Tasmania; volunteering to help with paperwork at the Refuge seemed a good start. Little did I know visited the wind farm at Woolnorth after flying up by light plane and been one of a small the wide range of activities that I would be asked to contribute to, but any chance of group who attends bird releases, including a wedge-tailed eagle set free on Mt seeing wedge-tailed eagles and other raptors close-up was a bonus, and I had admired Wellington and a sea eagle near Bruny Island. Craig’s efforts to care for and rehabilitate injured raptors since he had built his first flight aviary.
Grey Goshawk; photo by Eric Woehler.
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None of these opportunities would have been possible without the energetic Georges Bay, the Moulting Bay Ramsar site waterbird counts and numerous volunteer leadership of Craig Webb, who has dedicated his life to caring for injured raptors while projects along the coast line. He knew the area like the back of his hand and was well volunteers like me take care of the paperwork. Until the end of 2017 I intend to assist the respected and known for his immense knowledge. new secretary with the range of work she may have to cover and look forward to viewing Liz Znidersic the future developments at the Raptor Refuge. St Helens Natural banding NE-Tas bird group loses long-time members Geoff Shannon Digital photography and affordable telephoto lenses have made bird photography easier. Recently the BirdLife Tas committee was presented with a photo of a Spotted Vale Denys Walter Pardalote with something on its leg. This looked like a thin band and the question was raised: was this some modern form of banding? Nobody knew of any tagging looking It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of Denys Walter. like this. I had a vague memory of having seen something like this during my banding Denys died peacefully at home on Friday 18th August 2017. career but had not taken much notice of it at the time. Denys was the initiator and co-founder of Bird Observers North East (BONE). I I have just caught an Eastern Spinebill with a “natural” band. This looked like fondly remember sitting with him and Joy, sipping a cup of tea discussing what a twisted vegetation, so I cut it off and it was surprisingly tough and felt “gritty”. I then wonderful community group it could be. Since that date almost eight years ago, the looked at it under x20 (+) magnification. The thickness of the band is maximal 0.04mm. group has gone from strength to strength. Denys attended many walks where we all The strands looked too fine for vegetation and suggested that it could be spider’s web. enjoyed his warmth, knowledge and wit (a memorable laugh). However, in the last few I have been in touch with David Drynan of the Australian Bird and Bat Banding years when unable to attend, he always kept in touch with the group’s discoveries and Scheme and this kind of band has been reported in other species, Superb Fairy-wren and keenly reflected on observations of the past, in particular with Nat and Syb. Thornbills. Examination of these have been shown to consist of spiders’ webs and leg His contribution to ornithology and community in Tasmania was noteworthy. In scales. No damage has been recorded in birds with these bands. The one photographed is addition to BONE walks, Denys contributed to the biannual shorebird counts in Georges Bay, firstly assisting Peter and Hazel Britton, then passing the baton on to me to coordinate the collecting of data. Denys was a true gentleman. He will be remembered as a kind, knowledgeable and thoughtful man. Rest in peace, Den.
Vale Des Wingfield Des Wingfield passed away peacefully on 3rd July 2017. Des was one of the original members of Bird Observers North East, attending nearly every monthly walk since the group’s formation. He contributed to BONE in many ways. First and foremost as a dear friend, famous for his morning tea contributions, his sharing of knowledge and his wit. Secondly, for his remarkable birding skills, with a keen eagle eye and acute hearing. His contribution to ornithology in Tasmania was significant. In addition to the listing of monthly BONE walks, Des contributed to the biannual shorebird counts in 8
The beautiful bird makes its approach…
The Silver Gull to the right of the picture decides discretion is the better part of valour and scarpers…
Photos by Geoff Shannon bigger than most of those reported. The question, now, is how often does this natural banding occur? Personal experience is probably 2–3 birds in about 10,000–20,000 birds banded over 50 years. Interestingly all reported birds are small, less than 12 grams weight, which would be less than half the weight of those birds I have banded.
Room for me John Reid These shots were taken once again at a favourite spot to find some of our sea birds, where Buttons Creek flows out into Bass Strait at Ulverstone. The shoreline runs across the top of the pictures and the flow of the creek can be seen at the bottom. Wavelets run up the creek and interact with the outward flow of creek water, creating a disturbance that rears up by as much as 35 to 40 cm. A Pacific Gull comes in to land at the creek mouth. As a design engineer (in another life) I remain forever in awe of those magnificent wings; would that I could, if you follow me. In these four frames:
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Landing gear extended, it makes initial (1 cm) contact with the water surface… There was no harm to anyone but I found it interesting watching the interplay. Some days are diamonds and this most certainly was. There are a lot of 'if onlys' in photography but I consider myself pretty lucky!
Time to leave home? Margaret Bennett Recently I was at Stokes Point, the southern-most tip of King Island on a typical bleak and windy King Island day. In the air were two White-bellied Sea-Eagles. At first I thought they might be mating or doing some sort of courting ritual, however after watching them for only a very short period, a matter of seconds, it appeared that they were fighting. After a few more seconds observation, I could see that one of them was an adult and the other a sub-adult. The adult appeared to be attacking the other as if driving it away from home. As can be seen in the photo the bird at the back has his talons out ready to attack and the bird in the front has his head right down watching the attacker.
Then, as the Pacific lands, a wavelet lifts it and carries it forward. Its landing becomes somewhat ragged, causing the Silver in the foreground to consider a discretionary move, too.
Photo: Margaret Bennett
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Links
Readers may have heard about the Australasian Waders Study Group’s program of Birdlife Tasmania 2017 — deploying tiny satellite transmitters on migratory birds that spend part of each year in north-west Australia. These two sites provide a fascinating insight into the progress of South, September to December the program (which moved from Little Curlew and then Grey Plover to Whimbrel and Grey-tailed Tattler in early 2017. There was great excitement when the first tagged Whimbrel returned to the coast near Broom on 11 August, though admittedly JX All walks are 2 to 3 hours unless otherwise stated. Please ring leaders forewent the breeding season in the far north for a holiday in the Philippines. Two of his to confirm details. more intrepid fellow participants made it as far as Siberia and are now on the way back south: Sunday, 10/09/17 Nierinna Creek Trail, Margate. Meet at the Burnaby Drive http://www.waderquest.org/2017/04/new-australian-wader-study-group.html end of the trail at 8.30 a.m. Ring Maureen on https://www.facebook.com/AWSG.sat.tag 0409 253 834 or 6275 0832.
From the Guardian, a story on the life-cycle of the Dodo: Saturday, 23/09/17 Peter Murrell Reserve. Meet at the Huntingfield Avenue https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/aug/24/life-cycle-of-the-mysterious-and- entrance at 8.30 a.m. Ring Denis on 6223 1221. long-dead-dodo-revealed-by-bone-study Sunday, 08/10/17 Conningham Nature Reserve. Meet at the Denison Street
From the British Ornithologists’ Union, on the migration of European Nightjars: car park, Kingston, at 8.30 a.m. to car pool. Ring Andrew https://www.bou.org.uk/blog-evens-nightjar-migration/ on 0408 219 599. Saturday, 21/10/17 Calverts Lagoon. Meet at the car park beside the canal Here, sadly, is a more depressing migratory bird story from Mongabay: corner of South Terrace and South Arm Road, https://news.mongabay.com/2017/08/canary-in-the-arctic-coal-mine-warming-harms- Lauderdale, to car pool at 8.30 a.m. Ring Maureen on migrating-red-knot/? 6275 0832 or 0409 253 834. From the International Wader Study Group, on the Spoon-billed Sandpiper: Sunday, 05/11/17 Kaoota Tramway. Meet at Denison Street car park, http://www.waderstudygroup.org/news/spotlight-not-a-spoon-but-maybe-a-hammer- Kingston, at 8.30 a.m. Ring Andrew on 0408 219 599. filter-or-microphone/ Saturday, 18/11/17 Marion Bay. Meet at the car park opposite the police Also on the Spoon-billed sandpiper, here is the Twitter feed of SBS_in_China, an NGO station, Sorell, at 8.30 a.m. to car pool. Ring Maureen on involved in conservation of this endangered species. 6275 0832 or 0409 253 834. https://twitter.com/SBS_in_China?t=1&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw==&refsrc=email&ii Sunday, 03/12/17 Peter Murrell Reserve. Meet at the Huntingfield Avenue d=15ecaebd4435431bb25cab5f0fba7105&uid=2689130642&nid=244+272764929 entrance car park at 8.30 a.m. Ring Maureen on ABC News reports on a community effort to save the vulnerable Marbled frogmouth: 6275 0832 or 0409 253 834. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-18/marbled-frogmouth-greg-roberts- photograph/8817098
And on another positive note, the Ventura County Star reports a pair of ‘wild-hatched’ Californian Condors raising a chick: http://www.vcstar.com/story/news/special-reports/outdoors/2017/08/10/wild-born- condors-nest-raise-chick-california/556472001/
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BirdLife Tasmania Directory 2017–18 Yellow Throat is produced every alternate month beginning in January. Contributions, GPO Box 68, Hobart 7001 including articles, sightings, birdwatching sites, letters and news, are welcome, and will www.birdlife.org.au/tasmania 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 Chair Dr Eric Woehler
‘State of Tasmania’s Birds’ report to be compiled annually by a committee. BirdLife Tasmania (@BirdLifeTas) | Twitter Chair Mike Newman.
Editors Sharon Moore (Yellow Throat)
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