COWRA COMMENTS An occasional newsletter of the Woodland Program

ISSUE Fifteen– June 2013 Autumn Survey Weekend (19-21 April 2013) The Cowra Woodland Birds Program is a series of projects aimed at reversing the decline of While for many of us, first impressions of the weekend were woodland birds in the region. The ”pretty quiet for birds”, once I received all the survey sheets it projects are focused on scientific was clear that there had been lots of birds around & many of research and the management of birds in their woodland habitats. them were “unusual” or at least, not often seen. Probably, the They involve the local prize for the best of the weekend must go to Steven Cox landholders and managers, the (with Julie-Anne, Jenny & Bob) for spotting 5 Swift Parrots Cowra Shire Council as well as at.McInerneys! local birdwatchers and members Below is Steven’s “photo of one of the swift parrots ...feeding in of BirdLife Southern NSW ( and other birding clubs. a flowering ironbark. It’s not a great photo as they flew off shortly after we spotted them and they were high in the tree”. 2013 CWBP committee John Rankin - Chair Neale Coutanche Vice-chair Nick Nicholls Joy Pegler Sue Proust Madeleine Rankin Julian Reid Rosemary Stapleton Maret Vesk

Malcolm Fyfe – survey co-ordinator

Contact: John Rankin Phone: (02) 6342 9282 [email protected] or BirdLife Southern NSW Phone: (02) 9647 1033 [email protected]

Postal Address: CWBP, BirdLife Discovery Centre, Newington Armory 1 Jamieson St Olympic Park 2127 Other notable sightings included Superb Parrots in good numbers all around the shire, 4 Turquoise Parrots and Little Lorikeets on 2 sites, 5 Ground Cuckoo-shrikes, Inland Thornbills (see page 8) and 25 Australasian Pipits partying at Inglewood. Interestingly, Nature Reserve which has been disappointing over the last few years, really turned on the birds this time – 30 species at KNR - 1 and 27 on KNR - 2! Newsletter editor: Maret Vesk Allan Richards reports that “during a camp (at Spring Forest) [email protected] for Birding NSW over the Queen’s Birthday weekend, we had

numerous sightings of Swift Parrots each day. Generally in

small groups of 2 – 4 but maximum seen at any one time was

about 12”.

Survey dates for 2013 20 & 21 July Neville Schrader has compiled a 2012 Central-West Annual 19 & 20 October Bird Report from “observations that ... have been submitted online and in various birding newsletters, by members of the 2014 public and birding organizations for the year 2012. The Cowra 18/19 January Woodland Bird Survey and Grenfell Important Bird Area Group 12/13 April provided their survey results, thus adding greatly to the 19/20 July completeness of this report. 18/19 October All observations have been summarised, and although all care Contact Malcolm Fyfe on has been taken in the compiling of these records, they should be (02) 6253 0772 or individually verified with the observer. The object of this report [email protected] is to give the reader an overview of the birds which have been recorded within the area during the year 2012 and to also EVENTS attempt to identify the last recorded observation within the region of a particular species. The correctness or not of each Winter survey weekend species identified has not been assessed and should be referred 20 & 21 July to the observer or group. Of the 287 species listed for the region, 230 were sighted in Saturday 20 July 2012. There were no sightings of 52 of the listed species, 30 The Pridham Centre has sighted at only one location, 21 at two location and 17 at three been booked – there will be locations. The large number of species not sighted could be a talk (TBA) at 5pm traced to the general decline in wader numbers world wide and followed by a barbeque is expected to continue with loss of critical feeding and breeding (BYO everything). habitat overseas and locally.” It is interesting to note that 2 new species for the region - Bird Day Crescent Honeyeater and Wonga Pigeon - were both recorded in Cowra! While some of you may have seen the report, if you are has now been rescheduled interested, please contact Neville ( [email protected] ) for Sunday 23rd June. The directly. day is free and morning tea and lunch will be provided. I have been in contact with Neville about some of the CWBP For further details contact records & his comment on Variegated Fairy-wrens is [email protected] interesting. w.gov.au “As for the Variegated Fairy-wren, the inland race assimilis

(Purple-backed) West Wyalong - Jemalong Weir – Tottenham Elisabeth Karplus writes appears to be the eastern edge of its distribution, though there about the Birding NSW are three isolated records for the Weddin Mtns and the three you Grenfell IBA monitoring mention for the . For the coastal race lamberti the weekend – page 3 furthest west I’m aware of is Lithgow – then back

towards the coast, missing the higher Snowy Mtn country. John French reveals all There are three records for , but the species is not (about Speckled Warblers!) mentioned on the last list I have for the ACT. There appears to at his & Fiona’s Kooragindi be this gap where the two races don’t meet, so the observations and also passes on some you have are interesting”. detailed information about

Speckled Warblers in We don’t have very many records of Variegated Fairy-wrens general – page 3 over the 11 years of surveys but it is something to keep an eye out for – it can also be quite challenging to separate the From the Editor - A big Variegated from the Superbs when all you can see are “brown thank you to all the contributors to this issue – birds”! especially Frenchy! Good hunting!

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Important Bird Area survey around Grenfell in April 2013

Elisabeth Karplus

Twenty four members of Birding NSW took part in the fourth of our IBA surveys around Grenfell. This is the largest number of surveyors that have taken part in the Grenfell surveys to date. We welcomed several new surveyors including Mary Dodd, who lives in Grenfell. Divided into six groups, we surveyed 24 sites, including eight sites on private land. My thanks go to Penny Drake Brockman, Russell Beardmore, Ted Nixon, Jill Molan and Allan Richards, who led groups. Alas there were few birds around to be counted following a very dry summer. Fifty one species were seen during the surveys – considerably fewer than the 76 species seen in the spring of 2012. Superb Parrots, one of the four key species, were seen on one site (Dodds Lane) during the survey time and at two survey sites (including Dodds Lane) but outside the survey time. A flock of around 50 birds was seen at Dodds Lane and a similar sized flock was seen on one of the private properties. There were no sightings of the other key species (Diamond Firetail, Swift Parrot, Painted Honeyeater). The number of birds seen per site varied between one and 10. As well as the survey sites, we recorded any sightings of birds considered vulnerable in NSW and any other interesting sightings seen over the weekend. Despite the small number of birds seen, we added nine species including Varied Sittellas to the overall list of survey site birds, to reach a total of 103 species. Hooded Robins and Speckled Warblers were seen in Weddin State Forest outside the survey sites or outside the survey time. An additional surprise sighting was of a pair of Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens seen by Jill Molan on the Ben Halls Cave walk in Weddin National Park. As well as doing the surveys, we attended the second Weddin Bird Forum organised by Mikla Lewis of the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (CMA). The Forum was sponsored by the Lachlan CMA and by Weddin Landcare. The Forum was attended by about 70 people including local people and a group from the Cowra Woodland Project, who were surveying around Cowra on the same weekend. We were glad to see many Grenfell people attend the Forum despite competition from the Grenfell Races! We heard talks on BirdLife ’s Birds in Backyards Project (Holly Parsons), the Weddin Community Wild Plant Nursery project (Mikla Lewis), the Important Bird Areas project (Elisabeth Karplus) and a fascinating talk by James Maslin with lots of bird pictures about sustainable farming on his property on the Bland Floodplain about 50 kilometres west of Grenfell. As a result of fencing paddocks, moving stock to new paddocks every 3-4 days and considerable fox baiting, they have grass and income every year and a much higher rate of lamb survival. They have a pair of Bush Stone-curlews breeding on the property and have surrounded the nesting area with an electric fence. Our thanks go to Mikla Lewis, who organised the Forum and kept us all to time. On Sunday morning, surveyors and local people visited Warraderry State Forest. There were few birds to be seen but we had a tasty morning tea in the sun! The next IBA survey will take place on October 12, 2013. We hope that our existing volunteers and new volunteers will take part in the next survey. In particular we hope that more people from Grenfell will join us on the surveys. Please contact Allan Richards ( [email protected] ) or me ( [email protected] ) if you are not already on our contact list and would like details of the next survey.

“Kooragindi” Speckled Warblers. Frenchy

One of the “always seen” birds on Fiona & my visits to our property “Kooragindi”, out near Koorawatha, is the Speckled Warbler….or should I say…the Speckled Warblers. There are always at least 4 separate pairs (or small groups) of these delightful birds that we encounter each trip out to our bush haven.

3 The first indication of their presence on a visit is usually their chattering “scolding/alarm”call, when they consider we have encroached too close upon their territory or feeding area. They are an extremely well camouflaged bird: their creamy colour & dark / caramel “stripes & speckles” let them blend almost invisibly into the surrounding bush. For us, many mornings out in the shed begin with their melodious ascending & cascading whistles & chortles…and occasional views from the open bedroom door as a Speckled Warbler (or two) bounces about the floor of the eucalypt & cypress forest. It’s a terrific way to start the day. The last three spring seasons have been particularly exciting for us with our Speckled Warblers. Pairs have nested quite close to the shed (I wonder if it is the same pair each time?) which has enabled us to view these birds at close quarters in comfort. If you think the bird is well camouflaged…..wait till you try to find one of their nests. Our first nest site in 2010 was located just off the car track down from the shed. Even though we knew from the birds’ visits roughly the area where it was, it took us ages to locate the “grass clump nest” amongst the other “grass clump nest” lookalikes. The 2011 nest was a bit easier, being right in the middle of our “grassy patch” to the south of the shed, but unless you knew it was there, or saw a bird coming to it …. t’was still just a grassy clump. We ended up putting a “branch barricade” at a distance around it, to ensure we didn’t accidently step on it. Last year’s effort was even closer to the shed … in fact … right next to some scattered firewood near the shed BBQ, again being a grassy clump, invisible to the eye as a nest.

Spot The BBQ Nest ??? There it is !!! In the shadow

I really enjoyed sitting quietly (from a safe distance) to watch the parents come in to feed their chirping chicks (2). It was a great chance to get to appreciate these beautiful little birds at such close quarters. I managed to get a video of this nesting action. (See following “Speckled Warbler Info Sheet” article, for the YouTube link.). It’s funny, sometimes, how the first sighting of a certain bird species is locked into your memory. The Speckled Warbler is one of those “bird moments” for me. Our paths first crossed in January 2001 at Koorawatha Falls Picnic Area. Fiona & I were on our way to Tasmania & we dropped in to check out the Falls. The birdwatching bug had only just fully infected me at this time, and I was mesmerised as I watched this little stripy/blotchy ball of cream, caramel & tan bounce across the ground. Little did I know then, that about 3 kms as the crow flies and some 10 years later, I would be sitting in our own little patch of bush with me still being mesmerised by this bouncy stripy/blotchy ball of cream, caramel & tan. The “Speckled Warbler” is listed in NSW as “Vulnerable”. It’s a bird that can be seen & heard at quite a few of our CWBP Survey sites.

Kooragindi Details

Kooragindi is a 42ha (100 acre) bush property, in the Illunie Ranges near Koorawatha, about 20 kms south of Cowra. It has a CWBP 2ha survey site, and from Spring 2012 to date has been surveys. Fiona & I have identified a total of 121 bird species (seen or heard on or from the property) since we purchased it in Oct 2008. A 3 day visit to the property will, on average, give us a bird 4 species list of around the 60-70 count. These sightings are submitted for Atlasing. The block has a lightly wooded open paddock of approx. 3ha (5 acres), with the remaining 39ha (95 acres) being a mix of eucalypt, callitris & casuarina trees, together with dry heath & grassy understory plants. A total of 28 orchid species have been identified on the block. In September 2012, 76% of “Kooragindi” was registered with the Land Titles Office as a “Conservation Area”, through the Nature Conservation Trust of NSW.

Speckled Warbler Chthonicola sagittata

Speckled Warbler Female (rufous eye-brow line) Photo ©John French Description

The Speckled Warbler is a small well-camouflaged, very heavily streaked ground-dwelling bird, related to the scrubwrens, reaching a length of 13cm. The back, wings and tail are grey-brown, with soft dark streaks. The black crown is distinctively streaked with buff. The underparts are pale and particularly heavily streaked. The face is off-white with streaking on the ear coverts. The male has a black upper margin to the brow, while the female has a rufous upper edge to the brow. The dark tail is held horizontally, although in flight the spread tail shows a wide black band above white tips of the outer tail feathers. Single or small parties of Speckled Warblers are often seen as part of mobile, mixed-species feeding-flocks, often in the company of various thornbills (especially Buff-rumped Thornbills), robins & honeyeaters, to name a few. They forage quietly while hopping on the ground beneath trees and shrubs, among the leaf litter and fallen branches, where they take small insects by plucking them from among the scattered woody debris. When disturbed, Speckled Warblers fly to a nearby perch where they give a harsh scolding call before quickly resuming feeding.

Similar Species

Other small birds with streaky underparts, such as the Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, hold their tails cocked in the air, unlike the Speckled Warbler. Hence the Speckled Warbler is quite distinctive.

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Speckled Warbler Male (dark eye-brow line) Photo © John French Calls

The most common call of the Speckled Warbler has been described as an “undulating cheery mix of clear whistles and more mellow notes…chwiep-cheerip-chip-weip-weip-weipcheerip-weip-chip (Morcombe/Stewart Australian Birds - Bird App).The alarm call is a harsh churring chatter.

Thanks to Graeme Chapman, click on the link below for some great sound recordings of Speckled Warblers. http://www.graemechapman.com.au/library/sounds.php?c=547&p=180 A lovely quote from Graeme…. “Speckled Warblers are so well camouflaged as they forage across the ground that their sweet song is often the first clue to their presence. It is a soft little song which doesn't carry very far and often difficult to pinpoint.”

Distribution The Speckled Warbler has a patchy distribution throughout south-eastern , the eastern half of NSW and into , as far west as the Grampians. The species is most frequently reported from the hills and tablelands of the Great Dividing Range, and rarely from the coast. There has been a decline in population density throughout its range, with the decline exceeding 40% where no vegetation remnants larger than 100ha survive.

Habitat • The Speckled Warbler lives in a wide range of Eucalyptus dominated communities that have a grassy understorey, often on rocky ridges or in gullies. • Typical habitat would include scattered native tussock grasses, a sparse shrub layer, some eucalypt regrowth and an open canopy. • Large, relatively undisturbed remnants are required for the species to persist in an area. 6 • The diet consists of seeds and insects, with most foraging taking place on the ground around tussocks and under bushes and trees. • Pairs are sedentary and occupy a breeding territory of about 10 hectares, with a slightly larger home-range when not breeding. • The rounded, domed, roughly built nest of dry grass and strips of bark is located in a slight hollow in the ground or the base of a low dense plant, often among fallen branches and other litter. A side entrance allows the bird to walk directly inside. • A clutch of 3-4 eggs is laid, between August and January, and both parents feed the nestlings. The eggs are a glossy red-brown, giving rise to the unusual folk names ‘Blood Tit’ and ‘Chocolatebird’. • Some cooperative breeding occurs. The species may act as host to the Black-eared Cuckoo. • Speckled Warblers often join mixed species feeding flocks in winter, with other species such as Yellow-rumped, Buff-rumped, Brown and Striated Thornbills

Feeding The Speckled Warbler feeds on the ground, probing the leaf litter for insects. It will also eat seeds. It feeds in pairs or small parties up to 6 in number. Occasionally it is seen in mixed feeding flocks with several types of thornbills.

Breeding The Speckled Warbler breeds either in pairs or trios of one female and two males, although the second male does not help at the nest. The nest is usually a well camouflaged grassy dome on the floor, lined with feathers. The group defends a territory and the pair bond usually lasts several years. Sometimes several family groups form small flocks over the winter.

Click on this YouTube link to view a short movie of some Speckled Warbler nest activity I took at our BBQ area out at our bush property, near Koorawatha, in Oct 2012. (John French) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q88yzqogJ_E

Conservation Status In NSW, the Speckled Warbler is currently listed as “Vulnerable”.

Article Acknowledgements

I compiled this basic information sheet from references obtained from: * Graeme Chapman‘s sound recordings - Checkout Graeme’s’ wonderful wildlife website www.graemechapman.com.au .. (Cheers & thanks again Graeme). * NSW Govt Environment & Heritage Website http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ * Birdlife Australia, Birds in Backyards Website http://birdlife.org.au/all-about-birds/birds-in- backyards * Morcombe/Stewart Australian Birds Phone App .

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Inland Thornbill Photo ©Warren Chad

Last year, Julian wrote about Inland and Brown Thornbills (Issue 12, September 2012) and his unsuccessful search for them around Conimbla National Park (Issue 13, December 2012) and now here they are!

Chaddy and Chris Brandis saw a small group at Warripendi Paddock (photo above) while Chris also saw them (and photographed) the previous day at the start of the Conimbla NP. I noticed that in both places, the birds were feeding in Callitris.

The big question in my mind is still whether I can distinguish the Inland from the Brown, especially if they can hybridize, and given that I do not usually carry my camera with me during surveys.

Perhaps this is another challenge for us all – look out for the Varied Fairy-wrens and Inland Thornbills – and have your camera or smartphone close-by!

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