Birds SA Newsletter No 227 August 2013

Birds SA is the operating name of The South Australian Ornithological Association Inc. c/- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000

The Aims of the Association are: To promote the conservation of Australian birds and their habitats. To encourage interest in, and develop knowledge of the birds of South Australia. To record the results of research in regard to all aspects of bird life. To maintain a public fund called the “Birds SA Conservation Fund” for the specific purpose of supporting the Association’s environmental objectives. PRINT POST APPROVED PP532699/00009 A Pair of Raptors Details of these photographs will be found on p17

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2 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 CONTENTS SAOA COMMITTEE 2013 – 2014 President’s Letter ……..….……..………..….…4 President David Paton 8344 8891 Birds SA Notes & News ……………………….5 Vice President John Hatch 8362 2820 Miscellaneous Items ………………….….…….6 Vice President John Gitsham 0438900393 Permits to Destroy Wildlife …………………....8 Secretary Brian Blaylock 0448822374 Treasurer Brian Walker 8263 3433 Past General Meetings ...……….……..…..……9 Assistant Secretary Kate Buckley 8261 7197 Future General Meetings ……………..………11 Journal Editor Merilyn Browne 8339 6839 Past Excursions ...…………….…...... …....11 Newsletter Editor Cynthia Pyle 8264 5778 Future Excursions …………………...….....….12 Field Program Co-ordinator Lynton Huxley 7009 5038 Bird Records …………..……….….…...... ….14 Bird Record Secretary Graham Carpenter 8297 5463 From the Library ………………….……….…16 Membership Officer Vacant Members’ Photographs……….……….……...18 Member John Spiers 8333 0272 CENTRE INSERT Member Lou Bartley-Clements 0418858037 SAOA HISTORICAL SERIES NUMBER 45, Member Robert Rowland 83881790 Member Jody Gates 83916342 JOHN SUTTON, Part 2 Member Rebecca Zanker 0413426355

DIARY Following is a list of Birds SA activities for the next few FURTHER USEFUL CONTACTS months. Further details of all these activities are given later in Librarian Karen Donkin 0402123960 the newsletter. Image Librarian John Spiers 8333 0272 email [email protected] Sept 1 Sunday Excursion to Narrinyeri Hills Campout Organiser Graham Bate 8270 3041 Sept 14 Saturday Excursion to Laratinga Wetlands Sept 19 Thursday Excursion to Manning Flora & Fauna Reserve Sept 27 Friday General Meeting RELATED ASSOCIATIONS BirdLife Southeast SA Sept 29 Sunday Excursion to Black Hill CP Convenor, — Bob Green [email protected] 8725 0549  IBA Coordinator/Newsletter Editor — Bryan Haywood [email protected] 8726 8112 Thurs Oct 3 to Mon 7 Campout at Bimbowrie Fleurieu Birdwatchers Oct 12 Saturday Excursion to Brookfield CP Contact Person Judith Dyer 8555 2736 Email [email protected] Oct 17 Thursday Excursion to Talisker CP and area Oct 25 Friday General Meeting WEBSITE birdssa.asn.au

Oct 27 Sunday Excursion to Clements Gap CP 2013 SAOA SUBSCRIPTIONS  Single membership $50 Family/household membership $60 Nov 9 Saturday Excursion to Reedy Creek Single concession* $45 Nov 21 Thursday Excursion to Kaiser Stuhl CP Family/household concession* $55 Student members (full-time students under 25 years) $10 Nov 29 Friday General Meeting — Members’ Night *Pensioners and people experiencing financial hardship can obtain  concessions. Apply in writing to the Treasurer, Birds SA.

Dec 1 Sunday Excursion to Scott Creek CP ABN 76 339 976 789

Cover photo: Mistletoebird photographed by Kay Parkin ADVERTISING IN THE Birds SA between Kununurra and Mitchell Falls in WA during July NEWSLETTER 2013. SAOA relies on the integrity of advertisers for the quality and nature of their products and services. We cannot guarantee them. Advertising General meetings are held in the Hawker Centre at the Waite is charged as follows: $1.00 per line, up to $20.00 per quarter page and Institute, Waite Road, Urrbrae at 7.45pm. Doors open at 10c per inserted leaflet (single sheet). The committee reserves the right 7.00pm. to lower or waive these fees.

Committee meetings are held at the above venue on the second COPY DEADLINE Monday of each month, starting at 7.30pm. Copy for the November Newsletter is due by the October General Meeting (October 25). Contributions, ‘Word’ format preferred, can be

recorded on a CD, emailed to either of my email addresses, or Donations to the Birds SA Conservation Fund are tax- typed/handwritten neatly. deductible • [email protected] New Members • [email protected] We welcome 21 new members who have recently joined the Association. Their names are listed on p13. Printed by Abbott Printers and Stationer

Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 3 President’s Letter

LIFESTYLES, ECOLOGICAL For the Mt Lofty region the losses globe, which is estimated to be 2.1ha FOOTPRINTS AND SHOWING are likely to amount to the with the current global human SOME LEADERSHIP disappearance of about 50 species. population. About 50% of the If you drive to the north, south or Most of us would expect ecological footprint is the carbon east of Adelaide, the one striking governments to lead the way in footprint. image you see as you traverse the addressing large-scale regional What contributes to your ecological landscape is the extent to which the problems, such as inadequate footprint? Just about everything you original vegetation has been cleared. amounts of habitat. However, if we do, but let me put this into some As a reasonable approximation look at recent form, although there broad categories: something around 80% of the arable may be recovery plans and action • Your house – its size, the land has been cleared across south- plans for some species, the plans are materials used for its eastern Australia. In South Australia, not implemented or the few that are construction, the extent of it is probably closer to 90%. The rate implemented are not given sufficient insulation, and how you heat and of change as well as the extent of funding to succeed. In South cool your living space. change is staggering — it has Australia the state government • Your vehicle(s) – not just the size happened in less than the generation continues to slash the environment or capacity, but the extent of use time for a large river red gum. Even budget, down from 3% of the state and the numbers of them. during some years in the last • Your diet, in terms of the decade of the 20th century food that you eat, the the amount of habitat cleared Those of us who care beverages that you drink, and in a year was equivalent to the food kilometres used in clearing an 8km wide strip about the environment getting those foods and of native vegetation from beverages to you. Yes one Adelaide to Melbourne! should take the lead. should consider the resources Although broadscale We all have a duty of used to produce a steak, a vegetation clearance has bottle of wine and so forth. now largely ceased at least care to look after our • Your pets – a pet dog for in South Australia (with a biodiversity. example has a substantial few exceptions), this loss of ecological footprint. habitat has left an extinction • How you dispose of debt in many areas. An budget 6-7 years ago to 1.7% in the unwanted materials as well extinction debt is an area in which recent budget. The prospect of as the types of materials you use the quantity of habitat that remains is governments leading the way seems in the first place and whether they ultimately inadequate to support the improbable and in the current climate are recycled. full range of species that originally we should not expect any changes. It • Lastly, the frequency with which occurred within a district or region. is staggering to see how quickly you fly adds substantially to your The species do not disappear concerns for the environment have ecological footprint. immediately but sometime after the slipped down the list of priorities. If Now everybody will have a slightly clearing. The forerunner for these governments are not likely to lead different mix of these, and so losses is the on-going declines in the way, the community needs to be everyone’s footprint is slightly species. Even once widespread and the champion. How many of you, for different. common species have started to example are offsetting your So what about offsetting your decline. The majority of you will ecological footprints? ecological footprint and how much have heard about a suite of woodland You might ask. “What is an might this cost? Some of us might birds that are declining across ecological footprint?” reduce our footprints by installing southern Australia. In the Mt Lofty An ecological footprint is the solar panels or sourcing green energy region, which is an isolated quantity of natural resources (energy, and some people will opt to pay a woodland system near Adelaide, the water, land) needed to support our little extra to offset their carbon declines have resulted in some life-styles or businesses. Ecological footprint when they fly, but these are species already becoming regionally footprints are often expressed as an just components of the footprint. As extinct. Species such as the Regent area measured in global hectares, and indicated earlier about 50% of an Honeyeater, Azure Kingfisher, the average Australian has an ecological footprint is the carbon Spotted Quail-thrush and Little ecological footprint equivalent to footprint, and this can be used as a Lorikeet are just some examples. We 6.6-7.8 global hectares per person. basis for calculating the costs of have been aware of this for some This is up to 2.8 times the global offsetting the ecological footprint. time but we are doing very little to average of 2.7ha per capita and well For most of us, our individual carbon reverse the likely losses of species. above the sustainable level for the footprints are probably in the range

4 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 President’s Letter (cont)/Birds SA Notes & News of 5-20 tonnes per annum. The long- deductibility is through a non-profit drive at a General Meeting. The term carbon price will probably be in entity known as BioR larger the file size the better. Some the range of $10-20 per tonne, (www.bior.org.au). BioR builds images are used to make posters or although it might be lower or higher habitat for wildlife and operates in appear in magazines where a good than this at times. Thus offsetting an South Australia. BioR currently quality image is important. individual’s carbon footprint would works with DEWNR supporting John Spiers cost about $200 per annum and so habitat reconstruction on farming offsetting an ecological footprint will properties on Kangaroo Island. The YOUR BIRD RECORDS cost around $400 per annum – just $1 web site provides methods for I am sure that many of you keep a day. This is equivalent to a about a establishing regular automatic records of the birds you see but what quarter of one cup of coffee a day, or payments for offsetting ecological do you do with them? They are a a few sips of wine per day, so most footprints, as well as other ways of valuable source of information and it of us can afford to do this. So where contributing. Do it for the birds! is a pity if they are not put to good should the $1-a-day go. There are David Paton use. ALL your records can be added to the Birds SA database and many organisations that offer tree subsequently the Biological Data planting as a way of sequestering ______Base of South Australia (BDBSA). carbon to offset carbon emissions, In particular I am looking for the but simply planting trees does not BIRDS SA NOTES & NEWS South Australian Birds - Field Cards eliminate or really address the area of i.e. "the little blue book" which many land that is being used to support YOUR CONTACT DETAILS of you used to record sightings. You your way of life. Such plantings tend Please advise the Association of any can bring them along to the general to consist of planting a few species in changes to your name, address, email meetings or just post them to Brian agroforestry-style plantings that are address or telephone number by Blaylock, Birds SA, c/- SA Museum, not overly valuable to wildlife. In emailing North Terrace, Adelaide, 5000. these plantings one is simply locking [email protected] If you have other records on a up land to grow carbon and some Brian Walker spreadsheet, database or just would argue that this is still part of handwritten we would be happy to your footprint. A far better way IMAGE LIBRARY REQUEST get them before they are lost. would be to use the $1-a-day offset In the past six months the Image Electronic records can be sent to to build habitat for wildlife. Habitats Library has provided images to be [email protected] for wildlife are diverse plantings, used by Seacliff Primary School and Your hard copy records will be returned to you after the data has diverse in both the numbers of plant the Department of Environment, been added to the database. species included, but also in how the Water and Natural Resources. Many Brian Blaylock, Secretary plants are arranged into varying of our images are to be used in a new

densities and dispersions. These phone App being developed by the diverse plantings still capture carbon, EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE South Australian Museum. It has also The Education Sub Committee but the carbon is not the focus, the provided the images to be used in the would like to invite any members focus is on building habitats that Schools Education programme being that are interested in participating in address the shortage of habitat for developed by Merinda Hyland and a practice lesson, as part of the wildlife such as the declining Lou Bartley-Clements. The Image development stage of our School woodland birds. Library is playing its part in getting Education Program. Prior to the A single person offsetting their our birds known but we need more September General Meeting, at 7- ecological footprint in this way will images. If you have any good bird 7.30pm sharp, Merinda, Terri and not make a difference but if many photographs regardless of the Lou will run through a lesson about people did, then this approach would species, will you please consider birds aimed at school children aged make a difference. Those of us who donating them to the library? There 5-7. You only need to be part of our have lived most of our lifespan are gaps in our coverage of the less "classroom" and think like a student; probably have some catching up to common birds and it is always useful children, grandchildren etc also very do to offset our lifetime ecological to have several copies of commoner welcome. We will appreciate footprint and that should really be bird species. One does not want to be feedback, questions and assistance our goal, but at the very least we handing out the same photo of a with our professional development. should be willing to live out our lives Rainbow Lorikeet, for example, each We hope you can support us! in an ecologically neutral way. time there is a request. The images Lou Bartley-Clements

Instead of complaining about the lack are provided free to appropriate

of government investment in the organisations but we ask that the

environment, become part of the photographers be acknowledged.

solution by offsetting your ecological You can either e-mail your images to

footprint at $1 a day. One place me at [email protected] or

where you can do this and claim tax hand them to me on a CD or USB

Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 5 Birds SA Notes & News (cont)/Miscellaneous Items CONSERVATION SUB- GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO Sat: Bitterns. Commencing with COMMITTEE CENSUS ON KANGAROO afternoon tea at 2pm. The past three months have been a ISLAND Sun: Waders and Wetland Birds and busy period for the sub-committee. 27-29 September 2013 Optics. All day. The chief items that captured our South Australian glossies form an Register your interest with Golo from endangered cockatoo sub-species the Shorebirds 2020 team. attention were found only on Kangaroo Island. A [email protected] • Permits from DEWNR to Recovery Program was started in destroy wildlife. 1995 to reduce threats to their Fri 1Nov – 6Nov. Retrieval of The sub-committee met with survival and increase the population Geolocators From Turnstones. Mike Greig and Fiona Fuhlbohm size. Every year Natural Resources We put 20 geolocators on turnstones of the Department of Kangaroo Island staff co-ordinate a at Nene Valley in April. In Environment, Water and Natural census to monitor the size and November we hope to retrieve them! Resources (DEWNR). A report of structure of the population. Based at Carpenter Rocks. this meeting is included Volunteers are invited to take part in Tues 12Nov – 19Nov. Eyre elsewhere in this newsletter. the census, which this year will be Peninsula. Targets: turnstone, • Places You Love Campaign. conducted between 27 and 29 sanderling and oystercatchers. 12th As part of the campaign members September (Friday – Sunday). This is & 13th Nov travel to Streaky Bay, were asked to e-mail or write to a fun event and no prior birding catching 14th – 18th inclusive, and Mark Butler, the new experience is required, as staff will travelling to Thompsons Beach on Commonwealth Environment provide all training. Volunteers are 19Nov. Minister and to Prime Minister positioned in strategic locations Sun 17Nov – 25Nov Thompsons Rudd to remind them of their across known glossy flocking sites in Beach. Target Red Knot. Roger environmental responsibilities the mid-late afternoon and all the Standen (plus the Vic team) leave birds seen leading up to dusk are home on Sunday 17th Nov, arriving and the fact that there are recorded. Thompsons Beach that evening. thousands of voters out there who Volunteers are welcome to take part Reccie’s Monday and Tuesday. The are concerned about the actions of in any or all of the census days! Eyre Peninsula team arrives Tuesday Liberal State Governments and Travel to the island is by either ferry evening. We catch Wednesday. the push by business to cut back via Cape Jervis (both passenger and Through to Sunday. We all go home on environmental assessments. A car; www.sealink.com.au) or plane on Monday 25th November. strategy for the election and via Adelaide Airport FLAG SIGHTINGS — PLEASE afterwards is awaited from the (www.rex.com.au). There are a NOTE CHANGED REPORTING executive of the Alliance number of accommodation options DETAILS Oystercatcher • Threats to the Saltfields. on the island, ranging from 5-star flag/coloured band sightings to be The fact that salt production in lodges to backpackers (check out made to David Trudgen — South Australia had ceased as at http://www.tourkangarooisland.com. [email protected]. Turnstone 30th June 2013 was noted. au/accommodation/p85.aspx for engraved flag sightings and Hooded Letters to the respective State some hints). Unfortunately the Plover colour flagged sightings made and Federal Ministers for the Glossy Recovery Program has Vic coast through to Kingston – Environment have been sent. limited funding and cannot assist [email protected]. All These letters point to the high volunteers with travel or other flag sightings – whenever risk of habitat destruction in the accommodation costs. possible – via the AWSG website - To register your interest, or obtain http://www.awsg.org.au/reportform.p short term if no action is taken more information, please contact Dai hp. If required, email contact - and underlines the Morgan [email protected]; 08 [email protected]. Roger responsibilities of both the SA 85534406 [wk]; 0427291457 [mob]). Standen has taken on the huge task of and Federal Governments to David Paton managing the AWSG flag data base. maintain the habitat provided by this important wetland. SHOREBIRD ACTIVITIES DON’T FORGET OUR • Cox Scrub fire. Sat 21/Sun 22 Sept — Shorebirds WEEKLY SHOREBIRD A letter has been sent to the 2020 I.D. Workshop/Bittern OUTINGS South Australian Minister for Survey We usually go out each Tuesday. Sustainability, Environment and Venue: The Bool (if there is water Ring on my landline (8738 0014) on Conservation Ian Hunter with a there!) – Based at Killanoola Monday evening, so that I can tell copy to the Federal Minister. Our Shearers Quarters. you where and when the activity will President, David Paton, will be Alternative Venue: Pick Swamp – take place. meeting Allan Holmes, Chief Based at the Shearing Shed. Maureen Christie, Friends of Executive of DEWNR to discuss Final decision on venue to be made Shorebirds, SE. the matter further. in August. 08 87380014, mobile 0427380014, John Spiers Planning is still in early stages, but [email protected] the tentative format at the moment is:

6 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 Miscellaneous Items (cont) e DATA ON WINGS But eBird is not just all fun and research, but also control of More than 300 bird species in the games. Citizen science comes with predators. United States have their own serious challenges, the biggest of Already Reece has managed some migration maps generated with bird which is to ensure that the data is wonderful flag sightings — perhaps data in a 10 year old citizen science trustworthy. So regional experts are the most exciting being of two project. Citizen science involves co-opted to vet the data. individuals sporting plain orange public participation in research, There are many other areas of citizen marshalling lay people’s science including astronomy, flags — one positively identified as observations, often by way of high- computer science and public health, being a juvenile from a wonderful tech consumer devices and machines. but few are as exciting and rewarding catch at Werribee in December 2000 Bird migration is an example. as eBird. of 151 Banded Stilt (89 Juvs), 40 In one month in the United States in Bill Matheson. Avocets (13 juvs) and some stints! I 2012, 11 000 birdwatchers uploaded Reference: “Data on Wings” am sure anyone involved with more than three sightings to the Scientific American, February, 2013. Banded Stilts will remember the eBird data base, which then trauma of the 2000 breeding event at contained more than 110 million BANDED STILTS BREEDING Lake Eyre! Predation by Silver Gulls records. Some 90 000 people have My flash new ‘bluetooth’ phone rang caused the failure of two breeding participated and the number is whilst I was on my way to the attempts, after human intervention a increasing by 40% each year. Hooded Plover Workshop at third attempt successfully produced Birdos are already renowned for their Queenscliff. It was Reece Pedler. He about 50,000 young, and a fourth compulsive commitment to and had just flown over Lake Torrens and attempt failed when the water ran meticulous habits in out. Now, 13 years later, at recording their least one of these chicks is observations, but mostly sitting on 3 eggs at Lake they are shared Torrens, only a couple of haphazardly and are hundred kilometres from largely independent of where it was hatched. research workers. A But for those of us involved notable example is the with the banding in 2010, current project co- ordinated by David Paton. nothing compares with this In the United States the spreadsheet entry: eBird project is a co- 1.7.2013. Lake Torrens operative effort co- breeding colony, left leg – ordinated by the Cornell plain square orange/plain University Ornithology square yellow, full breast Laboratory and the band 100% – incubating 3 National Audubon eggs. Society. We only flagged 54 chicks. It An example of the was at the very end of the Baby Red-tailed Tropic Bird held under supervision of information generated by breeding event and all present banding expert. Photographed by Michelle Foster on eBirds is the migration of Christmas Island in August 2011 were concerned whether or not the Western Tanager, a noticed some Banded Stilt on a small these ‘tail-enders’ would make brightly coloured Starling sized bird. island. An excited conversation it through to adulthood. On a laptop screen a burst of orange One of the highlights of the 2010 suddenly appears in southern ensued – surely they can’t be nesting, there is hardly any water anywhere! banding expedition had been the California in April and then spreads magnificent photos Clare managed to like flames to the north and east until None-the-less, we were both well aware of just how canny Banded Stilt get of an adult, banded as a chick in the western one third of the United the Coorong in 2006, escorting States is ablaze with colour. Then the are – and so Reece cancelled all his chicks to the water. The challenge is colour recedes slowly and finally other plans and headed for Lake to see if we can get a photo of the disappears by November. Torrens. He arrived to discover that Lake Torrens 2010 adult leading its Today eBird is almost like Facebook we too are improving – in 2011 we for birdos, a social network they can arrived the day the first eggs were chicks to the water! And the big use to track and broadcast their laid, this year he appears to have question is: what of the chicks birding lives. Bird watching is arrived the day before! banded in 2011, are they ultimately a form of list keeping, And so Reece embarked on an breeding?????? leading to friendly competition intense period of fieldwork, which Roz Jessop among birdos. has resulted in the colony being From AWSG NEWSLETTER No closely monitored not only for 99, July, 2013 – Banded Stilt

Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 7 Permits to Destroy Wildlife This article describes a meeting discuss the issue more broadly with detrimental effect on the between members of the Mr Mike Greig, Senior Ecologist conservation of the species or the Conservation sub-committee of birds Abundant Species and Sustainable environment. SA and officials of the Department Use. Mike is responsible for A summary of animals destroyed of Environment, Water and Natural overseeing the issue of such permits. under permit must be completed Resources (DEWNR) on 28 June Discussion. within 14 days of a permit expiring. 2013. The discussion centred on the In the meeting Mike explained that A new permit is not issued until this issue of permits issued by the authority for issuing permits to information is provided. department to destroy wildlife. destroy native animals is derived Permits are not simply renewed. The Background from the National Parks and Wildlife person requesting a permit must re- On 8th January 2013 The Advertiser Act 1972 where the Minister is apply and the application will be published a sensational article that empowered to grant a permit assessed anew. claimed that the DEWNR was allowing the destruction or removal Until now the department has not allowing 50,000 native animals to be of animals that are causing, or are issued a report at the end of each year killed each year. This was based on likely to cause, damage to the stating how many animals had information obtained by Greens environment or to crops, stock or actually been killed during the MLC Mark Parnell from a Freedom other property (Section 53 (1)(c)). A period. We suggested that it would of Information Application. Birds SA permit may also be granted for other be of benefit to the department if obtained a copy of this report that reasons, for example where wildlife they were upfront with this confirmed that permits had been presents a threat to human safety. information, which could be issued to destroy 56,499 native Such a permit is in force for a published on their website. animals for the period 1 July 2011 to maximum of 12 months (Section 2). Two related issues were then 30 June 2012. Of this number 38,681 Authority is delegated within the discussed: were mammals, mainly kangaroos department depending upon the • We questioned the fact that Cape and wallabies, with the remainder conservation status of the species in Barren Geese were on the list to be being birds. Of these about 13,000 question. Wardens may issue permits destroyed. It was explained that the comprised species such as corellas for destroying common species, birds are significantly destructive and other parrots that are generally while Mike and his team at DEWNR to crops chiefly within the recognised as pest species in certain Head Office deal with permits for Langhorne Creek area. Numbers of circumstances. However the reason rare or threatened species. Each birds killed had reduced in recent for issuing a Destroy notice for other application is assessed taking into years as farmers had learnt that species was not clear. Birds SA account the following considerations: crops were only vulnerable at a accordingly wrote to Mr. Alan • the extent of damage (either particular stage in their Holmes, chief executive of DEWNR environmental or economic) being development and it was only at this expressing our concerns and caused, or likely to be caused stage that lethal control measures specifically asking for an explanation • the underlying cause of the were necessary. for the destruction of a number of problem • The question of how DEWNR and birds classified as rare — Cape • the level of threat that native Birds SA could improve their Barren Goose, Little Egret — and animals present to human safety relationship was discussed. It was Vulnerable — Yellow-tailed Black • which non-lethal management felt that the maintenance of Cockatoo; as well as for a number of methods are available, whether personal contact where issues other birds that are normally these methods have been carried could be discussed in an informal regarded as harmless or beneficial — out and their level of success manner was an important 30 Little Egrets, 30 Barn Owls and 5 • whether destruction is the most component. Offers to address Birds White-faced Herons. effective method of reducing the SA meetings (committee or In a detailed reply from the damage general) on relevant topics would Department it was explained that: • whether an integrated approach be welcomed by DEWNR. In The permits to destroy Yellow-tailed (using non-lethal and lethal addition issues arise from time to Black Cockatoo, White-faced Heron, methods) will provide the best time where DEWNR would Little Egret and Barn Owls were all outcome welcome input from experts within issued to airports where they are • whether the technique used to take our association. regarded as a risk to public safety. native animals is humane and Conclusion. The numbers on the permits are the complies with the Animal Welfare All participants thought the meeting maximum that may be killed. The Act 1985, appropriate codes of had been well worthwhile. Much was number actually killed was very practice or animal welfare learned and the foundation laid for often much lower. standards fruitful collaboration in the future. The meeting described here was the • whether destroying or removing John Spiers result of an invitation to Birds SA to native animals would have a

8 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 Past General Meetings

FRIDAY MARCH 22 been recovered from Australian comes down the Gawler River. The John Hatch introduced the speaker coastal areas. Most of the recoveries feeder streams into the Gawler are for the evening Dr Greg Johnston, of the birds banded at Outer Harbor diverted into reservoirs and the Conservation Ecologist for have been from the south east of viticultural and horticultural uses. Nature Foundation SA who would Australia. Buckland Lake has had a historical talk on Pelicans. Greg introduced his In 2010 around 60000 birds were interest for ornithology for over 100 talk by providing the areas he would found at Lake Machattie in southwest years with 144 species identified in talk about: background, breeding, Queensland. These birds flew 250- 1935. The birds are now depending movements and conservation. 300km daily to feed at the northern on us to protect Buckland Lake. Background end of Coongie Lakes in South There are eight species of pelicans Australia. FRIDAY MAY 31 throughout the world – American Conservation John Hatch said that the speaker and White, Australian, Brown, The Outer Harbour colony is past President of the Association Dalmatian, Great White, Peruvian, growing due to the removal of foxes, Jeremy Robertson grew up in India Pink-backed and Spot-billed. Three whereas the numbers of pelicans in and is a Senior Lecturer at Flinders species are on the IUCN Red List – the Murray Darling Basin appear to University. Dalmatian Pelican (Vulnerable), be declining. Volunteers are In introducing his talk on Peruvian Pelican and Spot-billed continuing monitoring of the colony “Technology and Ornithological Pelican (Near Threatened). Brown at Outer Harbour. Research” Jeremy said that it would Pelicans dive to get food whereas the All reports of tagged pelicans should not be about applications. others rely on co-operative feeding. be made to: Charles Darwin said “The sight of a Pelican fossils have been found in http://zoossa.com.au/conservation- feather in a peacock’s tail, whenever France dating back to 30 million ark/research/report-a-pelican-sighting I gaze at it, makes me sick!” What is years ago. this about? The real test of Darwin’s Pelicans have totipalmate feet i.e. all FRIDAY APRIL 23 ideas on why the peacock has such four toes are connected by webbing. Rodney was born in Britain and an excessive tail had to wait about They are most closely related to the started birding at about the age of 8 100 years for a key invention – super Shoebill, Hamerkop, ibises and years. He was inspired by a little glue. herons. book by Sanders. Rodney joined To test Darwin's hypothesis that male Breeding Birds SA in 1966 and has filled the secondary sexual ornaments evolve Over 600 breeding pairs of role of Vice President of this through female preferences is Australian Pelicans occur right on Association as well as giving very theoretically plausible. Malte our doorstep at the mouth of the Port interesting and humorous talks. The Andersson used super glue to change River. In the breeding season the iris topic of the evening’s talk was the tail length of male Long-tailed becomes bright yellow and the colour Buckland Lake Widowbirds. Males in which the tail of the gular pouch changes to pink. Buckland Lake is 9km west of was experimentally elongated The American White Pelican Virginia and 30 km north of the showed higher mating success than develops a keratinous knob on the tip Adelaide CBD, adjacent to the Port males having normal or reduced tails of the upper bill that disappears after Gawler Conservation Park. It is but males with shortened tails held the eggs are laid. about 80ha in area and 0.9m deep, their territories as long as did other In Australia the birds in a colony is however in 1935 it could have been males. These results suggest that the synchronous in laying within 10 days 1.8m deep. The Lake is fed by fresh extreme tail length in male Long- of each other. Each pair lays two water from the Gawler River and tailed Widowbirds is maintained by eggs and the first laid egg is usually saline seepage from the salt fields female mating preferences. larger. The second egg is laid two and the Gawler River delta. Jeremy said that his first PhD days later and hatches two days after Buckland Lake is an artificial lake student, Jacob Höglund and himself the first one. The first hatched chick made possible by the damming of the studied leks of the Great Snipe in is larger by the time the second egg Gawler River in approximately 1910. Swedish Lapland. After a couple of hatches and it will usually kill the When it is full it is the largest seasons they realised older males had younger chick (siblingcide). freshwater lake on the Adelaide more white on their tails. This led to Movements Plains. This lake is very attractive to the hypothesis that females may Over 1800 Australian Pelicans have bird life, in particular ducks and was preferentially select males with been wing tagged with large identified as a bird sanctuary by Mr whiter tails because they were proven survivors. numbered yellow tags. Over 15000 E A Brooks of Buckland Park Estate. birds have also been banded (11000 Now the lake only fills occasionally locally and 4000 at Lake Eyre). Less in winter and is dry during the than 300 of the Lake Eyre birds have summer because not enough water

Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 9 Past General Meetings (cont) This led to the hypothesis that Kleindorfer, Dr Jody O’Connor, Dr stopovers to fuel long-distance females may preferentially select Diane Colombelli-Négrel, Dr Valeria flights across inhospitable areas. males with whiter tails because they Zanollo, Christine Evans and Red-necked Stints move short were proven survivors. To test this Katherina Peters. distances in the Coorong for feeding, Funding agencies such as hypothesis they added more white thus increasing their weight until Earthwatch, Australian Research they depart in the autumn. Adults (TipEx) to the tails of half the Council, Mohammed bin Zayed weigh around 40g when they depart captured males and monitored the Foundation, Ruffords Small Grants, but first year birds less than 30g and effect on their reproductive success. Violet Scott Foundation. they generally remain in Australia. It worked! The TipEx fooled the Galápagos National Parks, Charles Stints stopover in northwest females but not the males. Later Darwin Research Station, Galápagos Australia and southeast Asia on their attempts to repeat this experiment way to Siberia for breeding. failed. Friday June 28 Short-tailed Shearwaters with Current research on Diamond John Hatch commented that more trackers attached have been found to Firetails suggests why the than 100 members were present, the make only short foraging trips from experiments could not be repeated. most for a few months. He added their breeding grounds on Althorpe The number and colouration of the that the speaker for tonight, David Island but travel as far south as white flank spots on females predicts Paton, needed no introduction. Antarctica on long distance foraging their fitness. Adding TipEx patches David said that he was standing in trips. did not work because reflectance is for Reece Pedler who had been Tagged Australian Bustards in the not the same as the white feathers. planning to talk about his research northern part of Australia stay in the Experimental manipulation of the into Banded Stilts. However, the same areas for most of the year, number of spots required the glueing stilts had started to breed again on whereas the birds in the southern of extra white feathers in place using Lake Torrens and Reece was taking parts stay only for short periods. SuperGlue. the opportunity to observe them. Within a species the type of The Superb Fairy-wren is the most David’s topic for the meeting was movement varies geographically and studied bird in Australia. Current “Movements of Australian Birds.” movements differ between David described various types of research at Flinders University using individuals. movement and where Australian Honeyeaters like the Eastern an elaborate audio-visual system has birds fit in. They are Spinebill, Red Wattlebird and New found that female Superb Fairy- Palaearctic migrant, transequatorial Holland Honeyeater are all nectar wrens produce an incubation call migrant, seasonal migrant, altitudinal feeders. Birds reach their maximum while sitting in the nest with eggs for migrant, partial migrant, nomadic – numbers when the number of flowers the last 4-5 days of incubation. blossom nomads, irruptive, natal available for feeding is at its highest There is a significant difference of dispersal and foraging sojourns. level particularly during the winter incubation calls between females. Other terms he introduced were months. The female signature element is the sedentary, resident, transient and Within New Holland Honeyeaters basis of the nestling begging call. vagrant. the populations consist of residents, This enables the female to tell the David then discussed the how, when, short-term residents and transients. difference between young fairy- where and why birds move and the Males are less likely to move than wrens and young cuckoos in the nest. management implications. females, and adults are less likely to Use of audio-visual equipment has Why move? move than juveniles. enabled us to uncover rapid evolution Advantages — avoid inbreeding, Captured White-plumed Honeyeaters of novel behaviours that Darwin’s escape a deteriorating environment, showed that there is a greater Tree Finches use to mitigate the avoid competition for resources, movement of first year birds during devastating effects of an introduced exploit a better environment. summer (89%) and autumn (79%) fly. Disadvantages – costly, risky. than in winter (54%) and spring Conclusions The avian dilemma is that flying is (45%). Even seemingly trivial technologies costly; birds need extra energy to Silvereyes move from the woodlands if imaginatively applied can offer migrate; costs to fly increase with a and heaths of the Mount Lofty bird’s weight; accumulating fat to opportunities to answer questions Ranges in winter to the coastal fuel migration adds to the costs. scrubs along the Coorong during the that may have been unanswerable for Movement strategies summer. a long time. If food resources are available along In summary there are many types of Future technologies and inventions the route, the birds move movement. Movements are related to are likely to help us solve theoretical continuously and forage while changing environmental conditions; problems we are only just beginning moving. individuals within a population differ to comprehend. If food resources are not available in their movement schedules; there Acknowledgements along the route, the birds move in are diurnal and seasonal patterns and Everyone in the BirdLab at Flinders bursts with stopovers along the way. a variety of strategies are used when University especially Dr Sonia They accumulate fat during migrating.

10 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 SAOA Historical Series No 45 John Sutton – a biography by Philippa Horton Part Two

John Sutton on Eyre Peninsula in 1925 during a field trip with A. M. Morgan, J. N. McGilp and F. E. Parsons; pictured with John is the Hudson Six motor car they used. Photo: SAMA Bird Section.

In Part One we explored John Sutton’s family background “On the beach between Henley and Glenelg saw a dottrell and his career in banking, finishing with his early with one leg” (probably a Red-capped Plover). Reading retirement from the bank and his final move to South through the entries it is clear that he started as a novice, Australia in 1918. Now we continue the story with John’s slowly identifying species and their calls, working out retirement activities and his development as an that magpies with grey backs are females or young, ornithologist. gradually learning to separate wattlebird species, and so on. He went on extensive walks in the area by himself or The move to Adelaide seems to have restored John with his wife Harriet or Russell King (his step-daughter Sutton’s health as he soon resumed his sporting interests Ida’s step-son) and on each occasion made a list of birds and joined the Parkside Bowling Club. He became observed. He also recorded birds wherever he travelled honorary treasurer in September 1918, then honorary for other purposes, such as to the Parkside Bowling Club; secretary in September 1919, resigning the latter position his first record for the club was of Noisy Miners on 11 in September 1921. Oct. 1918. By July 1919 he was able to separate the lorikeet species and was recording Musk and Purple- In addition to bowling John took up bird watching and crowned Lorikeets around Netherby. In that month he among his notebooks now held at the South Australian also recorded Little Lorikeets, including one that he found Museum (SAMA) is his first, covering July 1918 to dead under a blue gum in a paddock behind his home February 1920. The first entry, dated 28 July 1918, reads: ii

(unfortunately this didn’t find its way into the SAMA the chest and killing him instantly. William was 43 years collection). old, an age of considerable significance for Sutton family births, marriages and deaths (see Part One). Only four John’s thirst for ornithological knowledge grew and he days later, on 18 February, John and William’s sole joined the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union surviving sister Mary died at their mother’s home in (RAOU) in 1919. At the meeting of the South Australian Perth, following an operation. Neither William nor Mary Ornithological Association (SAOA) held at the Royal was married and neither had any children; in his will Society of SA’s rooms on 27 June 1919 “Mr. J. Sutton, of William bequeathed a yearly sum of £200 to John and a Netherby, Mitcham, was nominated for membership.” At yearly sum of £100 to their mother Hannah, with the the same meeting, at which Captain S. A. White presided, balance of the income from his considerable estate going John detailed his observations of a Brown Treecreeper at to Harvey. After Mary’s death Hannah left Perth and Mitcham that was in the habit of roosting in a vent pipe. moved to Sydney to be close to Harvey and his young His notebook reveals that the treecreeper would disappear family. At the SAOA meeting of 28 February 1920 the into “the top of the tin air shaft of Aitchison’s septic Secretary reported “that Mr. J. Sutton had suffered a tank”, the Aitchison family being next-door neighbours. double bereavement by the death of a brother and sister, There was no meeting of the SAOA in July owing to a and it was resolved that a letter of sympathy be sent to restricted tram service because of the nationwide Mr. Sutton.” Seamen’s Strike, so John had to wait until the meeting of 1 September 1919 to be elected a member of the Some relief for the family came with the safe return of association. He made immediate use of his membership John’s step-son Leonard after he was discharged from war by publishing his first ornithological paper in the South duty on 24 February 1920. During the war Leonard’s wife Australian Ornithologist (SAO), on morning bird calls of Alice had lived with her family in Meadows but on 27 species at Netherby from 29 July to 1 September 1919 Leonard’s return they lived with John and Harriet at 12 (Sutton 1919). These 27 species included Bush Stone- Fullarton Road, Netherby. Leonard returned to his job at curlew, Jacky Winter, Black-chinned Honeyeater and the National Bank of Australasia but resigned a little over Scarlet Robin, as well as the Brown Treecreeper, all of five years later, joining the many men who left their bank which have long vanished from Netherby. Now under the jobs soon after returning from active service (H. Cadzow, influence of SA’s ornithological elite, including Captain NAB Group Archives, pers. comm.). Leonard’s White, Edwin Ashby, Robert Zietz, J. W. Mellor, A. M. resignation was in unfortunate circumstances but the bank Morgan, Frank Parsons and J. Neil McGilp, Sutton looked after him generously. We can only guess that learned quickly. After the SAOA meeting of 26 Leonard had unresolved issues arising from his horrific September 1919 he wrote in his notebook: “Learned from experiences in the trenches and that these may have Mr Ashby tonight that the bird heard for the first time on affected him for the rest of his life. 16th Aug. 1919 and several times since was a Greenfinch and that the new bird yesterday was the Rufous After missing the February 1920 meeting of the SAOA, Songlark.” John returned for the March meeting and probably rarely missed a meeting thereafter. Although we do not have any September 1919 saw the welcome return of John’s brother of his Netherby notebooks for 1920 to 1927 at SAMA, Harvey from the war. In the same month John accepted a John was definitely keeping home bird records as shown position at the University of Adelaide as Lecturer in by his frequent contributions to “Bird Notes” in the SAO Banking and Exchange, as part of the University’s during those years. The RAOU Congress and campout for Diploma in Commerce course. In this capacity he also 1921 were held in October in Sydney and at Wallis Lake gave a public lecture on 30 October 1924 on “The New (between Newcastle and Port Macquarie) and John Commonwealth Banking Act”, given under the auspices attended along with Captain S. A. White. After the of the Workers’ Educational Association. John’s campout John returned to Sydney and stayed for several university appointment was for six years, commencing in days with his brother Harvey at his home “Lynton” in 1920, with a year’s extension, but he did not re-apply Rose Bay; we can assume he also visited their mother thereafter and he retired at the end of 1927, aged 62. In who lived nearby. John gave an account of both the his reply to Sutton’s letter of resignation, the Registrar Congress and campout at the SAOA meeting of 26 noted that the University Council expressed “their hearty November 1921. The trip to Wallis Lake seems to have appreciation of the services you have rendered in the whetted John’s appetite for field work as shortly Commercial Course during the period you have acted as afterwards he began day trips around SA in earnest, lecturer in Banking and Exchange.” starting with the Belair National Park in December 1921.

The start of John’s lectureship in early 1920 must have Including an earlier visit to Belair National Park in been particularly difficult however, because of a double August 1919, John made 66 day trips to the park up to tragedy that struck the Sutton family. On 14 February August 1930, with one more in each of 1931 and 1933. 1920 William Sutton junior was on a hunting trip with a The first few visits he made by walking there and back friend when a wheel of their buggy jolted in a rut and from his home in Netherby, but thereafter he walked to William’s loaded gun slipped and fired, shooting him in the Mitcham railway station and caught the train. He

SAOA Historical Series, No 45 iii made a tabulated summary of most of these visits, now Pelican Point and nearby areas and “took off my boots & held in the SAMA Bird Section, and he published some of socks” so he could walk across the mud flats. All his his observations in the South Australian Naturalist Outer Harbor observations are written on individual (Sutton 1928, 1936). Despite his many visits there, John quarto sheets (he had by now run out of exam papers to saw only one Spotted Quailthrush in the National Park, on re-use) and he pinned each year’s worth of sheets 11 May 1929; unfortunately he didn’t write a description together. These, together with his tabulated summary of so its gender is unknown. He had seen another nearby on birds recorded on each visit, are also in the SAMA Bird 5 Sept. 1922 during a trip to Upper Sturt and the Sturt Section; unfortunately he never published any of the River. This one was on the steep side of a valley and from observations. Among the most notable of species he the description was a male. On the same day John recorded at Outer Harbor was the Eastern Curlew (now “Slipped into the Sturt, off a stone, onto my back when Far Eastern Curlew), which he regularly recorded in the crossing & got fairly wet from waist down.” This was not hundreds over spring and summer, numbers never the only occasion when he suffered for his hobby, at other recorded today in SA. On 20th September 1930 John times getting soaked with rain or broiling in the heat; the counted 251 curlews at 10.40 am, seen from the end of weather didn’t deter him. the wharf. Meanwhile the Governor (Sir Alexander Hore- Ruthven) was inspecting the “Java”, flagship of the On Thursday 23 December 1926 John visited Belair visiting Netherlands East Indies fleet, and at 10.53 “a National Park in company with a 22-year old Dominic L. salute of guns was fired and every curlew flushed at the Serventy, by then already a keen birdwatcher and Western first gun.” John’s tally rose to 572 and, together with Australian state secretary for the RAOU (Erickson 2012). others seen further along the shore, he eventually counted Mid-week trips such as this were relatively infrequent 900 curlews for the day, the most he ever recorded. however, as Saturday was John’s usual day for visiting Belair National Park. Saturday was likewise his usual day In addition to Saturday train trips, on Sundays, long for trips to Kinchina, a now abandoned railway siding weekends or occasionally mid-week from 1922 to the between Monarto South and Murray Bridge. John’s first early 1930s John was often picked up by other visit to Kinchina was on 5 June 1922 with the Field ornithologists in their motor cars, mostly Dr A. M. Naturalists’ Section of the Royal Society of South Morgan, F. E. Parsons, J. N. McGilp and H. Brewster Australia which he joined around that time, and he Jones. Together they made birding trips to locations published the results in the South Australian Naturalist including Woods Point (between Murray Bridge and (Sutton 1922). He must have felt this was a good site for Tailem Bend), Sellicks Beach, Happy Valley, Camden long-term observation as he made186 more visits until Swamp (presumably now obliterated by the suburb of mid-December 1928, with a peak of 54 visits in 1924. He Camden Park), Bridgewater, and various others. Given made five more visits from 1929-1934 and again made a that John always walked, caught the train or was driven tabulated summary of birds recorded on all visits, now by others, it is likely that he himself did not drive. held in SAMA. On most trips he walked to Mitcham railway station and caught an early train to Kinchina, Only two and a half years after joining the SAOA John returning in the evening. On a few occasions he caught a became Honorary Secretary in March 1922, replacing J. late night goods train so that he could be dropped off at N. McGilp. At the same meeting Prof. J. B. Cleland was Kinchina in time for the dawn chorus. Taking this a step elected President and F. E. Parsons Vice President. As further, on Friday 2 February 1923 he caught a 5 pm train noted by Paton (2002) the position of secretary at the time at Mitcham, arriving at Kinchina at about 8 pm, and included the duties of treasurer so it involved a lot of “stayed up all night in the signal box” so that he could work, although the membership was still relatively small record overnight and morning bird calls. He did the same (51 members in October 1922). By April 1927 John was in June 1923 but on a later visit had the luxury of held in sufficient regard by his fellow ornithologists as to spending the night in the signalmen’s residence. For his be elected to the editorial committee of the SAO, joining Belair and Kinchina trips John wrote his observations on J. B. Cleland and F. M. Angel, and these three remained individual sheets of paper, not in notebooks. Many of as the editorial committee until John’s death. these sheets were his former University banking students’ exam papers, usefully blank on one side. John always Early last century SAOA members were of course without wrote in pencil and with incredibly neat writing, so neat the benefits of fully illustrated field guides and colour as to suggest that he wrote them afterwards from field photography. Talks at SAOA meetings were therefore notes made during the day. often illustrated with study skins from the private collections of members and from SAMA. The latter were By 1930 John had found a new group of birds to study brought along by the SAMA Ornithologist F. Robert and a new location: sea and shore birds at Outer Harbor. Zietz. Tragically however, Robert Zietz died in April He was able to reach Outer Harbor by train and he visited 1922 of cancer, at the age of 47. The Board of Governors on most Saturdays from April 1930 to April 1935 (not of the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of SA 1926-1935 as stated by Condon 1939), with a total of 249 invited Dr A. M. Morgan to replace Zietz but in an trips. From the Outer Harbor station John walked around honorary capacity. At their meeting of June 1922 the Fisherman’s Bay (a place name no longer in use) to President of the Board reported that Dr Morgan had

SAOA Historical Series, No 45 iv agreed to become Honorary Ornithologist. He joined four Erickson, R. 2012. Serventy, Dominic Louis (1904-1988). other honorary curators (and two more the following Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of year), with only the entomologist being a salaried curator Biography, Australian National University, at that time; the financial saving to the Museum would http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/serventy-dominic-louis- have been considerable. In his annual report for 1922- 15496/text26711 (accessed 5 May 2013). 1923 the Museum Director (Edgar Waite) noted that the Paton, P. 2002. SAOA Historical Series Number 1. John Honorary Ornithologist “is being ably assisted by Mr J. Sutton (1866-1938). Birds SA Newsletter No. 182 June Sutton, a voluntary worker.” John’s work was recognised 2002: i-iv. formally when he was offered the position of Honorary Sutton, J. 1919. Morning bird calls. South Australian Assistant Curator of Ornithology; his acceptance was Ornithologist 4: 96-99. reported by the President of the Board at its meeting on Sutton, J. 1922. Bird life at Kinchina. South Australian 16 November 1923. Naturalist 3: 77-78. Sutton, J. 1928. Birds of the National Park. South Morgan and Sutton continued Robert Zietz’s Australian Naturalist 9: 38-39. contributions of Museum study skins to SAOA meetings Sutton, J. 1936. List of birds of the National Park. South for many years. Their appointments also began a Australian Naturalist 17: 61-62. remarkable period in the history of ornithology at the Museum. Together they completed the transition, begun Sources by Zietz, from an uncatalogued collection with a primary Emu: vol. 21 (1922): 210; vol. 34 (1934): 76. focus on display, to a fully catalogued collection with an Genealogy SA Library: microfiche copies of SA births, emphasis on scientific research. Apart from occasions deaths and marriages. when he was away interstate or on field trips, John went John Sutton’s personal notebooks and field notes, held in in to the Museum every Monday to Friday from the time SAMA Bird Section archives. he was appointed until, according to Condon (1939), a Mitcham Heritage Research Centre. 2010. Tramlines month before he died. Around lunch time he would walk around Mitcham – chronology. Available at to the Highgate terminus of the electric tram at Cross http://www.mitchamcouncil.sa.gov.au/webdata/resources/ Road and catch the tram along Fullarton Road and into files/Tram_Lines_around_Mitcham_-_Chronology.pdf town. His hours at the Museum were 2-4 pm (Bradley National Archives of Australia war service records: 2004) and he would return home around 5 pm, often http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/explore/defence/service adding observations to his notebook of birds seen on the -records/index.aspx walk between the terminus and his house. In those two National Australia Bank Archives: Leonard Roake’s highly productive hours at the Museum he registered and employment history with the National Bank of labelled the entire “Old Collection” of birds both Australasia. Australian and foreign (acquired before Robert Zietz Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery of South began registration in 1911), and set up a card index by Australia, Report of the Board of Governors: 1921-22, species, with a code for the cabinet each specimen was 1922-23, 1923-24. housed in. John’s printing on labels, cards and registers Public Record Office of Victoria: wills was beautifully precise, honed from his many years as a http://prov.vic.gov.au/wills-and-probate bank clerk. Even though the bird collection is now fully South Australian Ornithologist: vol. 4 (1919): 87, 88; vol. databased, John’s registers and card index are a lasting 5 (1920): 5, 38, 63; vol. 6 (1922): 98, 149, 167, 184; vol. legacy and are still in frequent use today. 9 (1927): 83. University of Adelaide Archives: John Sutton’s To be continued in Part Three. employment records.

Acknowledgements Trove: scanned newspapers available on the Trove website: http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/search?adv=y Thanks to Helen Cadzow (NAB Group Archives) and Camperdown Chronicle 17 Feb. 1920: 2; 24 Feb. 1920: 2; Helen Bruce (University of Adelaide Archives) for 13 April 1920: 2. providing Roake and Sutton records, and to Penny Paton The Advertiser (Adelaide) 13 Sept. 1918: 12; 20 Sept. for comments on the manuscript. 1919: 12. The Register (Adelaide) 10 Sept. 1921: 7; 17 June 1922: 10; 17 Nov. 1923: 7; 30 Oct. 1924: 8. References The Register News-Pictorial 20 Sept. 1930: 3. Bradley, S. 2004. SAOA Historical Series Number 11. The West Australian 30 July 1920: 2. Walter Cain (Cont.). Birds SA Newsletter No. 192 Western Mail 26 Feb. 1920: 27. November 2005: i-iv. Condon, H. T. 1939. Obituary and bibliography of John Sutton (1866-1938). South Australian Ornithologist 15: 3- 7.

SAOA Historical Series, No 45 Future General Meetings/Past Excursions General meetings are held in the (30) followed by Chestnut-rumped Pardalotes were calling everywhere Charles Hawker building of the Thornbill, White-winged Chough, and there were some quite large Waite Institute on Waite Road Weebill and White-browed Babbler groups moving through the canopy. Urrbrae on the last Friday of every all with 20. A single Spotted Pardalote was seen. month except December, public Brian Walker Honeyeaters included Red holidays or prior to a long weekend. (The total number of sightings for Wattlebird, Yellow-faced, White- The doors are opened at 7pm and this conservation park from 7 plumed, Brown-headed, White-naped meetings start at 7.45pm.. previous visits since 1995 is 70 and Eastern Spinebill. Buff-rumped species) Thornbill were observed at close FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27 range as they darted through the low John Fennell will give a talk entitled, Porter Scrub CP shrubs and foraged on the ground. ‘Getting all hot and steamy in 15 June Yellow and Striated Thornbills were Borneo’. Nineteen members and visitors also moving through in small participated on this excursion near numbers. Several Red-browed FRIDAY OCTOBER 25 Gumeracha in the Adelaide Hills. Finches were observed in the usual It is hoped, but not confirmed as yet, The weather was cool with only a spot in the north-east corner of the that Reece Pedler will give his little cloud cover after lunch. A park and a noisy group of White- postponed talk from June entitled, modest total of 26 species was winged Choughs moved ahead of us ‘Investigating Banded Stilt observed with the predominant as we came back along the northern movements and ecology using species being 20 Crimson Rosellas, track near the road. Other highlights satellite telemetry’. 20 Striated Thornbills 12 Yellow- included Australian Wood Duck, faced Honeyeaters and 10 each of perched in the trees, Purple-crowned FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29 Galah, Striated Pardalote, Scarlet Lorikeet flying through, Golden Christmas Members’ Night. Ten to Robin, Grey Fantail and Australian Whistler and Grey Shrike-thrush. fifteen minute talks and slide shows Magpie. Other interesting species Tree Martins were observed flying etc. I am open to all offers for one of included Musk Lorikeet, White- over the park late in the morning. A these popular evenings. Please don't throated Treecreeper, Silvereye, pleasant lunch was enjoyed at the be shy and you have plenty of time to Little Raven, Grey Currawong, Grey park entrance although it was still prepare and think about it! Shrike-thrush, White-browed quite chilly. In all 33 species were The talks will be preceded and Scrubwren, Golden Whistler and counted for the morning. followed by drinks and nibbles, so White-naped Honeyeater. Martyn Price please bring a plate of food to share. Lynton Huxley (A total of 75 species has been (A total of 50 species has been sighted in this conservation park sighted in this conservation park from 12 previous visits since 1994.) PAST EXCURSIONS from 7 previous visits since 2004.) Lowan Conservation Park Swan Reach Conservation Park Charleston CP 30 June 2 June 20 June A fine day saw 17 members and Following record rains in Adelaide The day started off very cold, with guests arrive for the trip. Conditions just prior to this trip, it was pleasing most members wearing gloves, were varied within the park, with to see that 16 members and guests although it did warm up a little as the flowering of shrubs and trees largely trusted that there would be fine day progressed. Rain threatened but confined to one area. Fortunately the weather for the day. Whilst the day did not eventuate, but the rains from observers spread out widely within was overcast there was no rain, a few days earlier did mean that the park and covered most of the although it was evident that there has several areas were quite wet and habitats resulting in 41 species being been a reasonable amount of rain in pools of water were across the recorded for the day. the past few days. The rain had perimeter track in several spots. The list for the day included eight already resulted in a green coating of During the drive to the park, we species of honeyeater, although none lichens and mosses, but there was passed through areas of thick fog, were in particularly large numbers. very little blossom anywhere. especially near the reservoir. The 19 Coverage of a large area of low A pleasant morning’s survey members walked the park as a group vegetation resulted in one person covering two areas of the park in a counter-clockwise fashion seeing two Banded Lapwings. resulted in 41 species being recorded around the perimeter track. At the Thanks to the diligent search for for the day, although there were not main gate Sulphur-crested Cockatoos these birds by Lyn Gould, later in the large numbers of any species and were noisy and were also seen in the day, a joey was located in the pouch only 5 species of honeyeater were fields to the south of the park, along of its dead mother, an Eastern Grey recorded. The most common species with numerous Little Corellas, some Kangaroo. It appeared that the for the day were Southern Whiteface of which flew into the park. Striated mother may have been shot the

Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 11 Past Excursions (cont)/Future Excursions previous evening. Lyn and Terry Honeyeaters. Several groups of than this. This species of Whistler Gould were kind enough to transport Eastern Spinebill were seen chasing has been recorded on all the three the joey to Fauna Rescue. each other and often approached most recent field trips to mallee The most common species for the quite close. A large group of Dusky areas. day was Galah (50), although only Woodswallows was seen high up the Brian Walker two other species of parrot were gully. Two male Golden Whistlers recorded. The second most common were both seen and heard calling, a FUTURE EXCURSIONS species were White-winged Chough female remaining silent. Other (30), followed by 20 each of Weebill species included Wedge-tailed Eagle Sunday September 1: Narrinyeri and White-browed Babbler. It was (soaring high above the gully), Hills (MLR) (72km) also nice that Gilbert’s, Golden and Striated Pardalote, Striated and This site is part of the Monarto Rufous Whistler were recorded. Brown Thornbills, White-throated Forest old growth area. Birds SA has Brian Walker Treecreeper, Silvereye, and even a been given access to record sightings couple of Mistletoebirds. In all 29 on the owners’ behalf as well as for Browns Road Reserve species were observed. A group ourselves. We will meet at 8.30am 13 July lunch in the shelter of one of the pulling off as much as possible along With dire forecasts for heavy rain, barns near the car park off Horsnell the road side, as no actual car park during the night and morning, those Gully Road finished off the morning exists. To get there starting from the who attended were pleased not to and helped to keep us warm, as the South Monarto cross roads on the have to endure any rain. A total of temperature began to drop quite (old) Princes Highway, travel fifteen people attended, including suddenly. towards Murray Bridge for approx two visitors from Queensland. Martyn Price 5km. Turn left into Maurice Rd. Less Although the clouds were dark and than 2km along this road you will low there was plenty of bird activity, Ridley Conservation Park note that you are beside a railway particularly honeyeaters because 28 July line. Approximately 2km further many eucalypts were flowering. 21 members and guests arrived at from there, on the right, is where this White-fronted, Tawny-crowned, and Ridley Conservation Park, site starts. If you miss the entry point Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were the undeterred by the foreboding cloud you will see a lot of commercial highlights of the nine species seen. A cover. They were rewarded later in buildings on your left. The entrance very large number of Purple-crowned the morning by clear skies, some is not obvious unless you are on foot. Lorikeets were also feasting on the sunshine and a gentle breeze. The blossom. A total of forty-three outing covered both the northern and Saturday September 14: species were seen. southern ends of the Park and 48 Laratinga Wetlands (Mt. Barker) Peter Gower species were recorded for the day. (MLR) (34km) (A total of 89 species has been Fourteen species recorded were Meet at 8.30am in the dirt car park sighted in this conservation park either only heard or one or two on Bald Hills Rd, a little to the West from 12 previous visits since 2004.) individuals sighted. The most of the original parking area. commonly recorded species was Horsnell Gully Chestnut-crowned Babbler (30) with Thursday September 19: Manning 18 July smaller numbers of White-browed Flora & Fauna Res (MLR) (32km) The morning began quite cool, but Babbler also recorded. There was Meet at the square/reserve in Old sunny, in stark contrast to the some discussion as to whether the Noarlunga. We move on to Manning previous day. The heavy rains of the Crimson Rosellas recorded were the Res in convoy. (The contact number prior evening no doubt kept most “yellow” sub-species or some variant for Joan Beer, President, FNS is people away. The ten members that between the “yellow” and “Adelaide” 83446287.) They like to be advised showed up enjoyed a pleasant sub-species. Five other species of of our presence. morning. A walk up the gully parrot were recorded. eventually became a climb with only The most commonly recorded Sunday September 29: Black Hill two of the group venturing above the Thornbill was Chestnut-rumped, with CP (MLR) (12km) waterfall. A few turned back very a small number of Yellow-rumped We start with quite a climb but it is early on to pursue their luck along being the only other Thornbill. Eight worthwhile. We take it at a gentle the easier tracks. Large numbers of species of honeyeater were recorded, pace. Meet at 9am at the Addison Rainbow Lorikeets were busy with Singing Honeyeater being the Ave, Athelstone Entrance. Parking checking out hollows. For the most most common. Eight Gilbert’s space near the start is limited. part birds were scarce but New Whistler were recorded, although Holland Honeyeaters were in they were calling throughout the abundance, as were Crimson northern area of the park and so (Adelaide) Rosellas and Crescent numbers may be somewhat higher

12 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 Future Excursions (cont) October Long Weekend Campout Meet at the General store in Thursday November 21: Kaiser Thursday, October 3 to Monday, Delamere at 8.15am. From there we Stuhl CP (BV) (60km) October 7 will drive onto Talisker, a small park Meet at 8.30am at the Tanunda Creek The campout will be held around the based on the old silver-lead mine Road CP gate. The Park is located Antro Woolshed, Bimbowrie area. A side trip to another area for 12Km south east of Tanunda in the Conservation Park from Thursday, 3 lunch and birdwatching will fill the Barossa Valley. From Tanunda take October to Monday, 7 October 2013. day. the main Tanunda to Angaston Road Limited accommodation (single (Mengler Hill Road) for 8km to the beds) is available at Antro along with Sunday October 27: Clements Gap southerly turn off onto Tanunda showers, toilets, laundry and kitchen. CP (YP) (185km) Creek Road. The Park is There will be a nominal charge of Meet at 8.30am. Head north through approximately 4km along this road. $5.00 per head to help maintain these Port Wakefield to Redhill. Make a facilities. left hand turn onto a dirt road about Sunday December 1: Scott Creek Antro Woolshed is about 13.5km 3km north of Redhill. Drive about CP (MLR) (28km): west of Bimbowrie Homestead, 8km turn left onto Bitumen for 3km. Meet at 8.30am at the Almanda Mine which is about 32km northwest of The park camping area is on the right Site car park area on Dorset Vale Olary. Olary is 400km from Adelaide and opposite a Church. Camping is Road. Use the SE Freeway leaving it along the Barrier Highway. See map permissible in the open area behind for Stirling. Turn right at the on p18. The road from Olary to the pine fence. A toilet is available, roundabout to Longwood. After Antro is dirt but is passable to a two- but no water. You can arrive at any approx. 2.5 to 3 km turn right wheel drive car with reasonably high time on the Saturday. towards Cherry Gardens, turning left clearance. If you are unwilling to into Dorset Vale Road approx. 2km drive your car all the way it can be Saturday November 9: Reedy before reaching Cherry Gardens. left at the Bimbowrie HS and Creek (Waterfall Reserve) (MM) arrangements can be made to (85km) transport you to Antro. Meet at 8.15am in the reserve’s car More information about Bimbowrie park. The entrance road is on the Station can be seen found on the Mannum side of the bridge over Birds SA website. Reedy Creek, approx. 7km south of For further information contact me Mannum or 22km north of Murray on 83703349 or 0448822374. Bridge. Brian Blaylock NEW MEMBERS

Saturday We welcome the following new members, who have joined the Association in the past few months: October 12: Margaret Bemes & Ian Steven MEDINDIE GARDENS Brookfield Debbie, Sam & Ashley Dunn & John Mausolf HACKHAM WEST CP (MM) Elizabeth Barry FLAGSTAFF HILL (123km) Meet at Merle Clarke CAMBRAI 8.30am just Ian Milverton COROMANDEL VALLEY inside the gate, Jeanne Lesley Sayers ONE TREE HILL approx 35km Daniel James Rogers ADELAIDE east of Truro. The entrance is Amy Lee Slender GLENELG NORTH 2km past “8 Lisa Girdham GAWLER mile corner” at Ben McHenry SOUTH BRIGHTON a gentle left Diego & Iballa Garcia-Bellido ROSE PARK bend on an otherwise Dai Morgan KINGSCOTE straight road. Terry John & Raelene Ann Easton FULLARTON Mark Betros ADELAIDE Thursday Robin Lucinda Woods MAGILL October 17: Talisker CP If your name has inadvertently been omitted from this list, please contact our treasurer. and area His telephone number is on p2. (MLR) (95km)

Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 13 Bird Records Collated by Graham Carpenter Haywood, B. Spotted Harrier Records included here are of species Several reports from Goolwa Sewage 1, 17/7/2013. Wright Island, listed as rarely observed or Works, MM. Encounter Bay, MLR. Hassling unrecorded in the regions listed in 25, 24/7/2013. Cutten, D. roosting Rock Doves. the Field List of the Birds of South 45, 27/7/2013. Sothman, B. Crocker, J. Australia. Also included are 100+, 14/7/2013. Dare, G. 1 imm, 16/7/2013. Port Noarlunga interesting breeding or ecological Also reported widely in coastal cliffs, MLR. notes, new records for a well-known eastern Australia in autumn-winter Crocker, J. locality or first of the season reports 2013. of migratory species. Letter-winged Kite Please send all reports to the Bird Cape Barren Goose 20, 31/5/2013. Moomba, Big Lake, Records Secretary at 2, 29/1/2013. Erudinna Woolshed, NE. [email protected] or LN. Adams, J. & Jervois, M. phone 8297 5463. McEntee, J. 45, 1/5/2013. Moomba area, NE. Note that the list includes reports of Harvey, M. rare or vagrant species to South Flock Bronzewing 13, 8/5/2013. Gidgealpa Oil Field, Australia that may yet to have been 3, 15/7/2013. 5km W Andamooka, NE. submitted or formally accepted by NW. Drogemuller, Z. the Birds SA Rarities Committee Pedler, R. 1, 3/6/2013. Moomba, Della Rd, NE. (SARC). Members are encouraged to Adams, J. & Jervois, M. submit records of rare and vagrant Grey Petrel species in SA to the Committee (refer 1, 16/6/2013. Off Port MacDonnell, White-bellied Sea-eagle to list of species and information on MO. Adult, 25/6 – 1/7/2013. Port Augusta the website). Rogers, C. et al. Power Station, LN. First report of a live bird from South Langdon, P. Brown Quail Australia, with few previous beach- Adult, 10/6/2013. Middleton Beach, 1, 16/6/2013. 2 km S Wilmington, washed specimens (Vivonne Bay KI MM. FR. 1971, Middleton Beach MM 1977, Price, M. Langdon, P. Sleaford Bay EP 1978). Adult, 1/7/2013. Wellington, MM. 1 gp of 14, 29/6/2013. 4.5km SE Doecke, N. Eden Valley, MLR. Feeding among Australasian Darter 2 imms, 26/5/2013. Point Sturt Rd, Perennial Veldt-grass in revegetation 1, 5/7/2013. Hindmarsh River mouth, MM. area. MLR. Doecke, N. Carpenter, G. Carpenter, G. 1 imm, 7/5/2013. Wellington, Low 7, 1/7/2013. Shoal Bay Winery, Bay 1, 3/6/2013. River Torrens, Morphett Point, MM. of Shoals, KI. St., AP. Doecke, N. Baxter, C. Allen, J. These records suggest possible nesting in the Lake Alexandrina Musk Duck Black-faced Cormorant area. 9, 24/7/2013. Port Augusta Power 600 nests, 26/6/2013. Busby Islet, Station, LN. In sea. KI. Black Kite Langdon, P. Baxter, C. 20+, 12/5/2013. Big Swamp, EP. Frequently reported from sheltered Christian, C. coasts in winter. Pied Cormorant Sev, 14/5/2013. Tumby Bay to 200 nests, 26/6/2013. Busby Islet, Cowell, EP. Pink-eared Duck KI. Bebbington, L. 1 bird at reported at Rymill Park Baxter, C. lake, AP on 30/5/2013. An unusual accumulation in the Davies, M. & McHenry, B. Nankeen Night Heron region from which there are few 21/62013. Reid, I. 15, 14/6/2013. River Torrens, previous reports. 22/6/2013. Sparks, K. Adelaide Zoo, AP. Rarely reported from the city area. McHenry, B. Grey Falcon Largest group reported from this 2, 4/6/2013. Moomba, NE. Blue-billed Duck locality. Adams, J. 105, 9/5/2013. Lake Edward, 2, 3/5/2013. Whyalla, EP. Glencoe, SE. Straw-necked Ibis Smith, E. Haywood, B. 1 nest, 26/6/2013. Busby Islet, KI. Several reports in the Whyalla – With 100 nests of Australian White Middleback Ranges area over the Freckled Duck Ibis. past few years. 9, 23/5/2013. Lake Leake, SE. Baxter, C.

14 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 Bird Records (cont) Spotless Crake The status of this species on northern Male, 23/5/2013. North Plympton, 1, 10/5/2013. Amata Sewage Works, YP is poorly known. AP. NW. with 13 Australian Spotted Bates-Brownsword, C. Crakes. Little Lorikeet Olive-backed Oriole Hartland, D. 2, 26/5/2013. North Adelaide, 1, 12/5/2013. Banrock Station 1, 21/7/2013. Woorabinda Reserve, Kermode St, AP. boardwalk, MM. Stirling, MLR. Stracey, K. Allen, J. Collard, S. Also possibly heard on 19/4/2013. Grey Fantail Fullarton, Cremorne St, AP. 1, 26/7/2013. Rose Park, AP. Banded Stilt Horton, P. Hansman, D. 10,000 nests, June 2013. W side Few recent reports from the Adelaide Lake Torrens, NW. area. See Horton, P. & Black, A. B. Apostlebird Pedler, R. (2006). The Little Lorikeet in South 50, 19/6/2013. 2km E Melrose,FR. Australia, with notes on the Pedler, L. Black-winged Stilt historical status of other lorikeets. 12, 16/5/2013. Brinkworth, LN. 350, 3/7/2013. St Kilda foreshore, South Australian Ornithologist 34, Pedler, L. AP. 229-243. Continues to extend range in this Syson, W. region. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Australian Painted Snipe 9, 18/7/2013. Mount Damper, EP. Southern Scrub-robin 1, 10/8/2013. 8 km NE Eudunda, LN. Feeding in Aleppo Pines. 1, 14/7/2013. Monarto, Browns Rd, At farm dam. Jericho, M. MM. Taylor, P.W. The EP population breeds in Sugar Tiller, M. et al. Gums in the Koppio Hills near Port Double-banded Plover Lincoln and migrates to western EP Hooded Robin 15, 25/6/2013. Bald Hill Beach, AP. each winter. It now comprises only 9 Male, 28/7/2013. Manning Reserve, Taylor, P.W. birds. McLaren Vale, MLR. 37, 3/7/2013. Cygnet River, KI. Page, A. & Voits, S. Baxter, C. Superb Fairy-wren A woodland species now rarely 42, 20/7/2013. Black Point, YP. 2, 21/7/2013. O'Halloran Hill, reported from the MLR. Tiller, M. Glenthorne Farm, MLR. First report from this locality. Flame Robin Royal Spoonbill Burns, A. 1, 5/5/2013. Greenwith, AP. In 160, 3/7/2013. St Kilda foreshore, suburban garden. AP. Blue-faced Honeyeater Kernot, G. Syson, W. 2, 13/7/2013. Nairne, MLR. 2 prs, 30/6/2013. Strathalbyn, per B. Snell Langhorne Creek Rd, MM. Hooded Plover See note in Feb 2013 NL. Fennell, J. 5, 29/6/2013. Moonta Bay, YP. 3, 10/5/2013. Stipiturus CP, MLR. Langdon, P. Brown Honeyeater van Weenan, J. 10, 6/5/2013. S of Moonta Bay, YP. 1, 18/5/2013. Amata, NW. Collier, R. Hartland, D. Bassian Thrush Close to its northern limit in Spencer 2, 30/4/2013. Glencoe, Lake Edward, Gulf. Crescent Honeyeater SE. 1+, 16/6/2013. Murray Bridge, Haywood, B. ?Arctic Tern Rocky Gully, MM. 1, 28/4/2013. Wittlebee CP, EP. Tiller, M. et al. Adult, 29/6/2013. Chowilla Klau, W. 4, 14/7/2013. Monarto, Browns Rd, Floodplain, MM. Photographed in Description submitted to Birds SA MM. Black Box woodland. Rarities Committee. Tiller, M. et al. Kieskamp, H. Rarely reported away from the 1, 18/7/2013. Second Valley Forest, White-fronted Tern stringybark forests of the Mount near Waitpinga CP, MLR. 45, 11/6/2013. Port MacDonnell Lofty Ranges. Carpenter, G. breakwater, SE. Rogers, C. et al. Striped Honeyeater First report from the MM region. 1, 11/7/2013. This species is normally confined to Musk Lorikeet Monarto, Browns Rd, MM. the wetter forests of the MLR, KI 2, 29/6/2013. Moonta Bay, YP. Snell, B. & M. and SE, with a small population in Langdon, P. the southern FR. It is generally Golden Whistler considered sedentary, but with some dispersal into more open areas in autumn-winter

Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 15 From the Library 598.07234 STI Stiteler, Sharon. 1001 secrets every birder should know: tips and trivia for the backyard and beyond/ Sharon "Birdchick" Stiteler; foreword by Bill Oddie. Philadelphia, PA: Running Press, c2013. ISBN 9780762447343

This accessible guide includes fun facts, such as where certain birds got their names, how birds eat, how they find a life partner, and how they build a home for the chicks. Other useful information includes identification tips, migration patterns, and where the best birding vacation spots are. It is a fun, informative read for every bird watcher.

598.42 SAF Safina, Carl Eye of the albatross: visions of hope and survival/ Carl Safina New York: Henry Holt, 2002. ISBN 0805062289

"At the lonely centre of the largest ocean lies a group of islands brimming with wildlife. And there, like a feathered nation, half a million goose-size albatross chicks await foraging parents who may be gone for weeks in search of food. Our narrator is Carl Safina. His guide and inspiration is Amelia, a hardworking parent albatross wearing a state-of-the-art satellite tracking transmitter."--BOOK JACKET

DVD 48 John Young & The Search For The Goshawk [Eagle Mile Plains, Qld.] Marcom Projects [distributor], 2004.

This is the story of one man's passion for the magnificent Red Goshawk. For wildlife cinematographer John Young, getting up close and filming the great bird became an obsession that drove him for over thirty years in a search that saw him travel for thousands of kilometres from one end of the state of Queensland to the other. Many times over the years he got very close, only to walk away empty handed and disappointed. Then on a September afternoon in 2002 his quest became a reality.

DVD 49 The Kingfishers Loganholm, Qld. John Young Wildlife Enterprises, 2004.

In this DVD, John Young presents footage on Forest Kingfisher, Yellow-Billed Kingfisher, Buff-Breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Little Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Blue-Winged Kingfisher, Red-Backed Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, and Rainbow Bee-Eater.

Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 16 From the Library (cont)/Members’ Photographs

DVD 50 Pelicans Of The Ghost Lakes Eight Mile Plains, Qld. Marcom Projects [distributor], 2005.

Pelicans of the Ghost Lakes is a photographed chronicle of a teeming pelican colony at South Australia's Lake Eyre. The birds face great challenges as they fly thousands of kilometres to the ghost lakes of the arid centre. Here, in a race against time, they attempt to raise their young before the water evaporates in the sweltering heat. The film's narration offers a wide range of interesting facts and insights into Australia's largest seabird and the landscape of Lake Eyre.

Details of Members’ Photographs

No: Species Photographer Location Date 1 Red Goshawk Robert Rowland Cape York, Qld 17/08/2013 2 Brown Falcon Peter McKenzie Alice Springs October, 2012 3 Brown Quail Burt May Black Heath Easter, 2oi3 4 Elegant Parrot John Spiers Burnside 10/06/2013 5 Rainbow Lorikeet John Spiers Cox Scrub (unburnt) 10/05/2013 6 Western Bowerbird Kay Parkin Alice Springs May 2013 7 Yellow Chat Kay Parkin Kimberley region July 2013 8 Brush Turkey Barbara Bansemer Byron Bay, NSW June 2013 9 Barn Swallow Barbara Bansemer Kathmandu, Nepal 13/5/2013 10 Kestrel Chris Thomas Back Point 21/07/2013 11 Black Grasswren Kay Parkin Kimberley region July2013 12 Fan-tailed Cuckoo Peter McKenzie Cheynes Beach, WA August 2012 13 Grey-crowned Babbler Michelle Foster Broome Bird Observatory July 2013 14 Brush Bronzewing Peter McKenzie Cheynes Beach, WA April 2013 15 White-throated Laughingthrush Barbara Bansemer Near Thimpu, Bhutan 24/4/2013 16 Dusky Gerygone Michelle Foster Broome Bird Observatory July 2013

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Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 18 A Page of Colour 4 5

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19 Birds SA Newsletter, August 2013 All Shapes, Sizes & Locations!

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