Mornington Peninsula Birdlife

Volume 6 Number 4 December 2017

Australian Owlet-nightjar, photographed at The Briars by Luke Shelley

CONVENOR’S REPORT

This has been a very busy time for the branch with the re- register your interest. You won’t be stressed and you will positioning of our newsletter and we participated in a couple enjoy your involvement with a great lot of kids. of talks to Probus groups coupled with our participation in Donations are continuing to pour in for the hard copy Science Day at Coolart, What is That at the Royal newsletter. It seems a lot of us enjoy sitting down and Botanic Gardens Cranbourne for the Cranbourne Friends as having a good read. well as our own What Bird is That at The Briars and during Bird Week I was interviewed on radio station 3RPP’s Muriel The new year’s outing schedule has been completed; we Cooper show and to cap it all off we had a stall at the hope you will be pleased at the places we have chosen. The Bunnings Family Day. As you can see we have been very finance sub-committee has been active and improving our active in the local scene, and thanks to all who helped to financial situation markedly. We were disappointed to learn present these activities. We are very fortunate to have a that boating will be allowed at Devilbend despite our very strong enthusiastic committee and members. vehement objections. Our Biolink project is proceeding well with two seasons of Max Burrows bird surveys now completed. Our role in this project is to monitor five private properties within the scope of the Biolink boundaries and to report back to the Advisory panel. Contents COMMITTEE NOTES 1. Branch news Pam and Susan conducted another course “Bird Watching for 4. for wildlife Beginners” under the U3A banner, these courses have been 8. Outings program and reports a great source of new members for the branch. We have agreed to participate in next year’s Schools Environment 12. Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys Week, which is held in March, and we are seeking members 14. Blessing in disguise to help with running this activity. It is a very rewarding week and for those who help enjoyable, so please contact Pam to 15. Observations

Branch news

MEMBER PROFILE

Meg Macmillan Lives at Balnarring How I started birding My birding started from childhood. Growing up on the urban fringes of we lived close to the bush that runs down to Middle Harbour. The sounds of bush and forest were everywhere. Family holidays were under canvas down the South coast of Sydney and in the Blue Mountains. I heard and delighted in the sight and sound of bush, coast and sea birds from my earliest days Later, moving an old cottage on to 7 acres of rich red volcanic soil previously a remnant orchard and a cow paddock, my husband and I decided to turn the whole Meg teaching outback children tracking signs in the river sand. property back to indigenous local provenance bush. Slowly weeds were removed, soil prepared and the planting of upper, middle, lower storey and ground cover took place In addition, we were working with staff from the Australian either by seed or propagated material over 25 years. As the Quarantine and Inspection Service testing for the H5N1 bush evolved and grew, first the primary colonizers grew, strain of bird flu, by taking blood and faecal samples. So then the secondary colonizers. As the bush became denser, many species were new friends for me, Whimbrels, Bar- providing food, nesting spots and protection the birds began tailed Godwits, Great and Red Knots, Grey-tailed Tattlers, to check out this amazing new living /playground. Every day Terek Sandpipers, oystercatchers, turnstones, curlews, and brought a new surprise, a new delight either fauna or flora. sandpipers, plovers and so many more. The experience at The kookaburras, Galahs, and crows in the trees. Smaller Roebuck Bay working with people from 21 different countries birds, the Yellow-faced , Eastern Spinebills, is one of my most treasured memories. Spotted , Brown and Striated Thornbills, Golden and Rufus Whistler, wrens, robins, fantails, all gradually Other favourite birding spots made their home. At the end of winter the evocative song of Under the guidance of Chris Chandler on in the Grey Shrike-thrush as he sat on the old verandah railing, he leads us to observe the nests of the White-bellied lives with me forever. Sea Eagles, White-faced Herons, Sooty Oystercatchers, Favourite birding spots Pacific Gulls, Ruddy Turnstones and so many more. Inland he teaches us the calls of bush birds, pardalotes, White- Volunteering on Rotamah Island in the Lakes and plumed Honeyeaters, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Swamp then again on Rigby Island our brief was to help protect the Harriers and more. One of the most valuable lessons we Little Terns from dogs, raptors and people during mating and have learnt from Chris is to “read the land”. When the salt nesting times. We worked at Gluepot in the Mallee as ranger marshes fill with water from the early winter rains and very assistants and learnt about the birds, plants and reptiles of high tides, 7000 to 8000 black swans build their nesting the mallee and desert. It was special to be in the territory of mounds in the marsh. No wonder I never fail to delight in a the Black-eared Miner and the Spiny-cheeked . At day on French Island. Cocklebiddy on the Great Australian Bight we were helping to revegetate the majestic sand hills to provide safe habitat for Some memorable birding moments the bush birds which frequented the area at the base of the While camping at Roper River in the Northern Territory I was escarpment. We roamed the wild coast where the ocean and delighted to see a Purple-crowned Fairy-wren. beach birds are safe from human development So many happy days on Flinders beach as I lived close to the At the mouth of the Glenelg River we were again protecting beach and could help monitor the Ruddy Turnstones and the Little Tern during the nesting and breeding season. Red-necked Stints as they set off on Northern migration in Our main focus and interest in all these places was the April and returned about October. In April 2009 six interdependence of flora and fauna and the ecology of the geolocators were placed on Ruddy Turnstones, a relatively natural world. new technology. Roebuck Bay and Eighty Mile Beach on the North West coast These birds are site faithful so we were anxiously and of Western were particularly special. This area has a hopefully awaiting their return in October to December. On huge tidal range (~10 to 15 metres) and at low tide there January 8 2010 we were overjoyed to capture three Ruddy are 150 square kilometres of exposed mud flats, which are Turnstones which had flown to the Arctic and back to our ecologically untouched and attract 750,000 wading birds. very own beach. To add to the joy I had my son and This wild place is unmatched anywhere in the world. grandson in the team, on home leave from Nigeria. Roebuck Bay is at the receiving end of the most species rich My love of the natural world lives with me forever; to share of all shorebird flyways, and these shorebirds end up in the it with family, friends and the children, with whom I have most bio-diverse marine province in the world. Under the contact, means everything to me. enthusiastic leadership of Clive Minton we were up at dawn banding, recording age, sex, molt and breeding success.

2 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Branch news

WHAT BIRD IS THAT, AT THE BRIARS Max Burrows: Sunday 22 October Species recorded: 40 The day turned out to be showery and cold not ideal for our annual Briars event, however fifty-two people turned out to participate in our activities. Pam and Susan provided a very interesting and well-received presentation in the theatrette. David took control of the walks with his helpers and I must say most of the people got Eastern Great Egret with frog. Photo from The Briars Facebook page wet, however most did enjoy the experience. Morning tea and coffee was a welcome diversion and as per Hardcopy newsletter update usual a lot of bird talk happened on the veranda. The bird A big thank you to all the members who financially count was highlighted by hearing all four cuckoos that occur contributed to the retention of the hardcopy version of our at this time of year and the sight of a Eastern Great Egret newsletter. We received financial support from around fifty catching frogs outside the Visitors Centre side window. members and all these members will continue to receive a Given the weather we were pleased with the day and most hardcopy version of the newsletter. people expressed their appreciation of the event. Electronic copies will be sent out to all our local members. Max Burrows, Langwarrin If you decide you would like to receive a paper version it’s not too late, please contact Liz Thomas on 0432233747 for details of how to get onto the hardcopy mailing list. Help us at Schools Environment Week 2018 March 19 - 22 at The Briars Newsletter contributions

We are looking for people to man the telescope and help the Thanks for your fantastic articles and photos. Keep sharing kids with bird identification in the hide over the four days of your sightings, observations, bird photos, daily birding Schools Environment Week 2018. activities, surveys, tips on bird identification and birding while travelling stories. Pam and Susan will be conducting the "formal" activities but Send to Val Ford; 5981 1445 & [email protected] we need a couple of extra people per session for telescope Deadline for March edition: 8 February 2018 and identification duties. Earlier articles appreciated. Each day has a morning and afternoon session. The task is not onerous. Please register your interest with Pam on 0421 429 690. Contacting BirdLife Mornington Peninsula We will contact you in good time before 19 March 2018 to President Max Burrows; 9789 0224 finalise the roster. 21 Moorhen Cres, Carrum Downs, Vic 3201 Pam Hearn and Susan Clark, Education officers [email protected] www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-mornington-peninsula

Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat (GB2AS) Penguin ahoy! Biolink Project Update Just after 7am on Wednesday June 21st, and it was still fairly dark at Mornington’s ‘Fishies’ Beach. At the water’s The GB2AS project is now well underway. Landholder edge, a length of sturdy rope caught my eye. I pulled on it. agreements have been signed for 14 of the 25 participating Entangled in it was a black ‘blob’ which let out a shrill cry. It properties and weeding and fencing work will soon begin on turned out to be a very angry and vocal penguin. these properties. I gathered up the rope and a mass of tangled mesh which The Mornington Peninsula branch of BirdLife Australia bound the penguin, wrapped him firmly in my coat, and recently undertook initial bird surveys on five participating made my way up the beach. Fellow beach walkers Sally and properties and will continue to monitor these properties Mariese approached, and together we took the penguin to throughout the project. Mariese’s house. There, we carefully cut the mesh, rope and Biolink plans have been completed for the nine new seaweed from the bird’s body and legs. The little fellow seemed in good condition, fat and well fed, so back we went properties and plants for 2018 have been ordered from local indigenous nurseries. Drone flights will be scheduled for five to the beach to release him. But no, he wasn’t going anywhere, certainly not back to that water! of the properties as soon as this wind settles down! The next few months will be devoted to planning works and developing To the vet, little penguin, and from there to a wildlife shelter. landholder agreements for the remaining properties. We learnt that he had been released the next day. A Jacqui Salter, Project Coordinator for GB2AS wonderful experience for us, perhaps not for him. Marg Mackie, Berg Mt Martha August 2017 newsletter

December 2017 3 Habitat for wildlife

Environmental disrespect The amount of disrespect shown by many people who frequent our wetland areas is phenomenal. Mid Path Closure: A path going across the middle of the Seaford Wetlands has recently been closed causing some angst and anger among some members of the public. Signs have been ripped off the gates and one gate on the east side was ripped off its hinges. Why? Motor bikes tearing through – not only along the path, but through the adjoining bushland; people walking dogs off leash; trees being damaged and other plants destroyed; areas being dug up; rubbish deposited, fire pits; etc etc. And this area is not only a nature conservation area but it is Rubbish dumped in car park at bird hide. Photo by Robin Cleary actually part of the Ramsar designated wetland! The path should have been closed off years ago. Plant Losses: As reported in the previous issue, 250 plus plants, put in by Melbourne Water, were stolen – presumably re-potted and sold at markets. However, these weren’t the only victims – many of the 2,500 plants put in by volunteers on National Tree Planting Day have been ripped out and generally vandalised; and many plants put in by FESWI at the south end have also gone missing in action. Dumped Rubbish: Every now and again, large amounts of rubbish are dumped in and around the wetlands - most recently in the car park at the bird hide. Graffiti: A constantly recurring problem – graffiti on paths, signs (informative panels at Seaford have been rendered completely useless), fences, and even on tree trunks (for heaven’s sake!). Firewood: People go into the buffer zones with saws and chain saws and help themselves to the long logs (left in the plant beds as habitat for small fauna) for firewood. Baykeeper Neil Blake (centre) teaching audit methodology. Photo by Fran Dedrick Developer Disregard: FESWI is objecting to a proposed over- development on the very edge of Seaford Wetlands (Airlie Grove) which was totally dismissive of the wetlands in the Advertised Plan (and of the vegetation on the block). Our While collecting rubbish is not the aim, we pick up any we find wetlands are already under immense pressure from along the way. It takes about an hour, but we need to add more urbanisation (see all of the above) without these profit- time to explain to inquisitive passers-by what we are doing and seeking, out-of-town developers seeking to gain financial why. If you would like to know more, or join us, contact Peter or benefit at the wetlands’ expense. Fran at [email protected] What is the answer? The public wants and expects access to About the Baykeeper our natural areas, but is it time to restrict? Neil Blake OAM, founding director of the EcoCentre, Robin Cleary, Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetland Inc, has worked for over 30 years to protect the Bay. His Baykeeper newsletter Sept-Oct 2017 program is affiliated with Waterkeeper Alliance, a global network of non-government advocates for an identified river, lake, bay, or sound. Beach litter audit Waterkeepers are recognised as the voice for their particular body of water, listening to and identifying problems and helping South Beach, Mt Martha, is one of nine Port Phillip Bay sites to be to find solutions. As Port Phillip Baykeeper, Neil works with surveyed monthly for 12 months in the Baykeeper Beach Litter government, schools, researchers, business and community to Audit. protect the bay. See https://www.bay-keeper.com/.

The audit will document the small litter (plastic nurdles, cigarette Peter Dedrick, Berg Mt Martha August 2017 newsletter butts etc) often missed in beach clean-ups, to provide a picture

of where the rubbish entering the Bay ends up. Most plastics float in the upper water column and their destination depends on Swift and needletail sightings the winds and tides. Report Fork-tailed Swift and White-throated Needletail BERGers Peter and Fran Dedrick met with Baykeeper Neil Blake sightings to Mike Tarburton, at Rye to learn how to do the audit. We document what we find [email protected] and Val Ford, in three ‘quadrats’ (1m squares) along each of three ‘transects’ [email protected] (straight lines from the top of the beach to high tide mark).

4 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Habitat for wildlife

Berg Mt Martha field news Sunday working-bees In August we devoted the morning to essential follow-up in The Jaw area (north bank, deep into the bushland below Uralla Bridge). We hand-weeded round grasses planted earlier, and tied them up or staked and guarded them so our contractors could spray safely around them, ahead of more planting by the Friday Group. In September we had a good turn up on one of that month’s few fair-weather days, and we planted 220 indigenous shrubs and trees by the lower reaches of Hopetoun Creek, above Ferrero Ovals (a Melbourne Water 2016/17 grant site). It was incredibly wet and boggy. We decided the whole area should be completely revegetated to extend and improve the riparian zone, a move that will also save on mowing. We also cleaned up round earlier plantings and re-staked the trees in In The Jaw area an Eastern Yellow Robin perched beside a plant guard the Rabbit Paddock. and did over the disturbed ground. Photo by Angela Kirsner Friday morning group As usual, we worked in the Quarry and near Uralla Bridge. In the Quarry we weeded and planted more of the very local form of Poa (grass) we have dubbed Poa ‘Quarrii’ to thicken up the middlestorey. Near Uralla Bridge, we weeded and planted Weeping Grass and sedges on both banks, and used the weed burner to attack emerging Fumitory seedlings on north side, before planting yet more Poas. We also worked in the Jaw area, weeding around the planted grasses, and planting shrubs and trees (Hop Goodenia, Cassinia, Kangaroo Apple, Twiggy Daisy, Blackwoods, Swamp Gums, Sweet Bursaria, Silver ). Liz Barraclough, Field Officer Berg Mt Martha, October 2017 Southern Emu-wren at Tootgarook wetland. Photo by Cameron Brown Newsletter that feed from damp ground below shrubs, and for those that feed from the fruit of shrub species. It provided limited Is weeding impacting our birds? support for the idea that birds that feed from open ground could be advantaged by weed removal. It was predicted such Baseline survey and interpretation ahead of weed control effects may be small in the short term, but could deliver The Mornington Peninsula Shire invests substantial resources positive conservation outcomes in future years (as some of in controlling woody weeds across the Shire, to help conserve these birds have become rare on the Peninsula). The biodiversity and reduce fire risk. The Shire commissioned a analysis also suggested that there could be complex positive study to examine the effects of this weed control on birds, as and negative effects on different honeyeater species. a conspicuous and highly valued element of biodiversity. The Furthermore observations show that two “despotic” species first step was to collect base-line data ahead of planned weed of honeyeater have localised populations in the region, which removal actions. may be affected in different ways by weed management activities, and which may in turn have profound effects on Surveys of birds were conducted on 67 sites in or near three bird populations and ecosystem health. Shire reserves, in December 2014 and February 2015. The This summer the first follow up survey of these sites will be reserves were the Mount Martha Bushland Reserve (eucalypt undertaken and the results will be reported on to you next forest next to suburbs), Police Point Bushland Reserve year. (Moonah woodland next to Point Nepean National Park) and Woods Reserve (eucalypt forest next to farmland and the Matt Stahmer, Natural Systems Operations Coordinator, Devilbend Natural Features Reserve). Some adjacent public Mornington Peninsula Shire land (Point Nepean National Park) and forested private land (adjacent to Woods Reserve) was included to improve the representation of habitat types at each area. National tree day The surveys were intended to provide a pre-management On Sunday 30 July the public helped to plant out an area of benchmark to help assess effects of weed removal over the the wetlands with indigenous grasses and sedges with over next few years (with a range of reference sites for 1700 plants going in. A wonderful result from the many comparison). However, the results were analysed to help individuals and families who attended during the morning generate a hypotheses that may be tested when this is done. planting session. The analysis provided support for the idea that weed removal would result in short-term reductions in numbers of birds The Briars Volunteer’s newsletter, Aug/Sept 2017

December 2017 5 Habitat for wildlife

‘Natured Kids’ Junior Landcare Group helps the little local Owlet-nightjar Did you know the Australian Owlet-nightjar is the smallest nocturnal bird found in Australia measuring just 23cm long. The Owlet-nightjar prefers woodland and is usually difficult to locate during the day as they hide in their roosts in hollow branches and tree trunks however we are so excited because there has been a recent local sighting at The Briars in Mt Martha, sunning itself at the entrance to a hollow in a tree. It is evident Owlet-nightjars are adaptable and at times have been spotted in other urban areas with remnant bush nearby. Trees with hollows and the that depend on them are disappearing. Natural tree hollows form in old trees after 100 or more years of growth and decay. They provide shelter from the weather and predators, and safe sites for roosting and breeding. Destroying living or dead hollow-bearing trees ‘Natured Kids’ making nest boxes for Owlet-nightjars. displaces or kills wildlife dependant on those hollows. Photos by Narelle Debenham Man-made nesting hollows can help conserve species of fauna traditionally reliant on tree hollows for breeding. The 'Natured Kids' Junior Landcare group made up of local families and their children 4-16 years old, meets weekly in various locations around the Mornington Peninsula conducting projects for nature. We were recently fortunate enough to be invited to work in the O'Connor's workshop in Mt Martha with members of the Mornington Men’s Shed to construct nesting boxes for the ‘elusive’ Owlet-nightjar, under the expert advice of local nesting box enthusiast Jim Greenwood. These nesting boxes will be placed in trees on private properties along Balcombe Creek estuary, in local community gardens with nearby woodland and on other private properties with suitable habitat bordering the Kananook Creek in Frankston and will be under-planted with insect Multi-coloured floaters at Devilbend Reservoir. Photo by Danny Vits attracting flora native to the Mornington Peninsula to increase the chances of occupation by Owlet-nightjars. A small number of these nesting boxes are for sale and the including the rare blue billed duck and the white bellied sea proceeds will fund the purchase of materials for our currently eagle. It is also a seasonal home to many migratory birds. unfunded future projects. The inflow will benefit the native dwarf galaxias fish which To learn more about these ‘Natured Kids’ Junior Landcare was recently re-discovered in the catch drain. environmental projects, please contact Narelle Debenham on Parks’ ranger team leader Luke Ashford has been watching 0431791379 or visit website www.naturedkids.com or the results of the project. “Returning the natural flow of Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NaturedKids/ water to the original creek bed is already killing off Narelle Debenham, Natured Kids Australia introduced weeds and plants and promoting the return of native species,” he said. “It’s a healthy outcome for both the reservoir and its natural waterway.” Devilbend’s flow from its ‘original source’ The diversion project was managed in partnership with Melbourne Water. It involved extensive hydrological and After a break of 61 years, water is again flowing into excavation work to reactive the creek. Over winter months it Devilbend Reservoir along its original creek watercourse. will take a portion of the flow from the catch drain and divert Up to 17 million litres a day will enter the reservoir during it into the reservoir. The system is designed to ensure peak flow times, thanks to a Parks Victoria water diversion sustainable flows continue along Devilbend Creek while project completed last year. maintaining the aquatic health and habitat of Devilbend Natural Features Reserve. The flows will raise levels in the reservoir and ensure its sustainability over summer months. “The partnership with Melbourne Water and the local community will allow us to remotely monitor and control the The reservoir is the largest and most significant water body flow rates and water quality running into the reservoir, on the Mornington Peninsula, and this seasonal flow will ensuring a successful biodiversity outcome,” area chief boost its general health and biodiversity and create better ranger Georgia Kerr said. for bird and fish, Parks Victoria said. News, 26 September 2017 More than 150 bird species have been seen at the reservoir,

6 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Habitat for wildlife

Creating real hollows for our native wildlife Many Australian birds, mammals and insects rely on tree hollows for nesting and/or roosting. Vegetation clearing through farming and development has resulted in a loss of old growth vegetation, this coupled with the senescence of the remaining hollow bearing trees and the time lag in the development of new natural hollows has resulted in an absence of available hollows Kristin Semmens, Honours Student from La Trobe University, has been undertaking a study looking at alternative ways of providing greatly needed hollows for native arboreal animals. Tree hollows are important to many forms of Australian wildlife and take a long time to develop. Generally, small hollows with narrow entrances suitable for small animals such as the Antechinus take about 100 years to form. Artificial hollow. Photo by Josh Gunn Hollows of a medium size and suitable for animals such as parrots will take around 200 years to form, and the larger and deeper hollows occupied by Powerful Owl can take much Kristin will be finalising her research in the near future with longer. hopefully more interesting results to follow. Tree hollows are generally created by a combination of If anyone would like to learn more about Kristin’s research factors; as trees age they are subject to various natural she can be contacted by email at [email protected] forces such as wind, heat, fire, lightning, rain and attack from insects such as termites and beetles, fungi, bacteria. We have also just had some good news on the tree hollow Trees often shed their lower branches as they grow and creation. We have now received a Biodiversity On ground larger heavier branches may break off in heavy winds leaving Action grant in conjunction with the friends of Warringine openings for the process to begin. Animals may also use their and Latrobe University to continue the project and ongoing teeth or beaks to chew or break off parts of the tree to help monitoring for the next three years. the process along. Josh Gunn, Natural Systems Biodiversity Officer, Over the past 9 months Kristin has been investigating the Mornington Peninsula Shire novel approach of using chainsaws to install hollows directly into trees as a method of hollow supplementation. The chainsaw-cut hollows aim to provide key habitat features that Working to eradicate French Island’s feral better mimic natural hollows, are suitable for a wider range of species and require less maintenance than other types of cats artificial hollow. The Port Phillip & Westernport CMA is working with key Hollows are installed with a chainsaw using plunge-cuts to stakeholders and agencies to develop a project plan to create a cavity in a living eucalypt tree. Tree selection is very eradicate feral cats from French Island. important; it must be healthy and large enough so it can A new project plan outlines the actions and responsibilities to support itself once the hollows are created. All cuts are deliver landscape-scale pest management across the carefully made to minimize damage to the trees outer layer. 17,000 hectare island. A timber faceplate installed on the opening to reduce the size of the hollow entrance depending on which animal it has French Island was nominated as one of five islands across been created for. Australia being considered for feral cat eradication by the Office of the Threatened Species Commissioner and PPWCMA Chainsaw hollows were installed in three bushland reserves was selected to coordinate a feasibility assessment of feral on the Mornington Peninsula, including The Briars, cat eradication on French Island. Warringine Park and Woods Reserve. Regular monitoring has since been undertaken to assess several factors of the This feasibility assessment was completed in August 2017 hollows viability including; hollow occupancy, changes in site and found that a full eradication approach would deliver activity, tree health and thermal stability of hollows. outstanding social, economic and environmental benefits. While the study is not yet complete, there are already some Since 2010, PPWCMA has worked collaboratively with Parks interesting results appearing from Kristin’s research Victoria and French Island Landcare to implement a feral cat including; trapping program. This has resulted in over 950 feral cats being trapped across private and public land.  There has been an overall increase in fauna using trees which have had hollows cut into them. Targeted community engagement has helped raise community awareness of the unique environmental values of  Sugar Gliders and Agile Antechinus have been observed the island and the impacts of feral cats on native fauna. using the nest hollows with several bird species showing interest. For more information contact Andrew Morrison on 03 8781 7960 or [email protected]. Chainsaw created hollows keep a more stable internal temperature in comparison to other hollow types, including Port Phillip & Westernport CMA newsletter, nestboxes. 28 September 2017

December 2017 7 Outings

EVERYBODY’S WELCOME 1. Wear name tag (write emergency contact name and phone number on the reverse side) Outings are held on the second Wednesday and third Sunday 2. Wear suitable footwear i.e. closed shoes or boots of the month, except in January, and are cancelled on total 3. For areas where snakes are likely, wear gaiters fire ban days. 4. Always carry items you may need e.g. water, snacks, Newcomers, beginners and visitors are welcome and personal first aid kit, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, your members will help you with the birds. Binoculars for casual name and residential address and, if you have one, a mobile use are available on every outing. Bring lunch (optional) and phone with battery charged a folding chair for bird call and chat. 5. Remain with the group at all times and advise leader or whip if you intend to leave before the walk ends. To ensure the health the safety of everyone at outings, participants need to take responsibility for their personal For more information about an outing contact Max Burrows safety. To assist with this, the Committee provides the on 0429 947 893 or the leader listed. following guidelines. Max Burrows, Outings Coordinator

Date Time Locality Meeting place and other information Leader Phone

Sun 26 Nov 9.00 Dunns Creek Winery, Red Hill Meet 9.00 at property, 137 McIlroys Road Red Hill. Mel 191D1. Hannah Stuart- 0413020467 Xmas outing Bring plate to share after outing. Andrews

Wed 13 Dec 9.00 Flinders Beach, Flinders Meet 9.00 at second car park. Enter off Golf Links Road through Penny Johns 0419366507 golf course and into Mushroom Reef viewing area. Mel 261 K10.

Wed 14 Feb 9.00 Flinders Beach, Flinders Meet 9.00 at second car park. Enter via Golf Links Road through TBA 0429947893 golf course to Mushroom Reef viewing platform. Mel 261 K10

Sun 18 Feb 9.00 Edithvale Wetlands, Edithvale Meet 9.00 at car park at Bird Hide in Edithvale Road between David Ap- 97876691 Nepean Highway and Wells Road. Mel 93 D8 Thomas 0429939036

Wed 14 Mar 9.00 Cranbourne Botanic Gardens, Meet 9.00 at car park at Stringybark picnic area. Enter via Ballarto Max Burrows 0429947893 Cranbourne Road entrance off South Gippsland Highway. Mel 133 K10

Sun 18 Mar 9.00 Old Cotton Tree Road, Flinders Meet 9.00 at Corner of Mornington/Flinders Road and Old Cotton TBA 0429947893 Tree Road. Mel 255 C5

Wed 11 Apr 9.30 Mordialloc Creek Waterways Meet 9.30 in Observation Court. Access via Springvale Road at Neil Shelley 0438557178 traffic lights into The Waterways Boulevard. then left at Waterside Drive over bridge then left into Observation Court. Mel 93 F4

Sun 15 Apr 9.30 Balbirooroo Wetlands, Balnarring Meet 9.30 at car park enter via Civic Court off Frankston/Flinders TBA 0429947893 Road at Primary School. Mel 193 D6

Wed 9 May 9.30 AGM at The Briars Mt Martha Meet 9.30 at visitors centre Nepean Highway. Bird walk, morning Max Burrows 0429947893 tea, AGM followed by our speaker for the day. Mel 145 D11

Sun 20 May 9.30 Tyabb Bushland Reserve, Tyabb Meet 9.30 at reserve entrance. Take Baxter/Tooradin Road to David Ap- 97876691 South Boundary Road and right into Woods Road to end, entrance Thomas ahead. Mel 140 B8

Wed 13 Jun 9.30 J.A.Babbington Park, Hastings Meet 9.30 at corner of Marine Parade and Thornhill Street opposite Max Burrows 429947893 Hastings Football Ground. Mel 154 J8

Sun 17 Jun 9.30 Pindara Estate Bushland Reserve, Meet 9.30 at reserve entrance. Enter off Frankston/Cranbourne Max Burrows 429947893 Langwarrin Road into Pindara Boulevard (opposite Langwarrin hotel) and proceed to Crenada Close which runs off Pindara Boulevard. Turn left, entrance at head of court. Mel 103 G3

GORDON ROLF BUSHLAND RESERVE AND WETLAND, SOMERVILLE

Keith Caldecott: Wednesday 9 August Species recorded: 46 The Osprey Birdwalk “Could it be a plane? (we were not far from the Tyabb Airport) Or is it a bird?” Yes, but not just any old bird for it was an Eastern Osprey, a most unusual sighting for the Peninsula, and the sighting of the day. On a relatively warm and sunny morning, twenty-two birdos, led by Keith Caldecott, gathered for a stroll around the In the woodland at Gordon Rolf reserve. Photo by Danny Vits

8 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Outings

Gordon Rolfe Reserve and adjacent areas. This reserve abuts the Western Port Coastal Reserve, both of which form part of the North Western Port Nature Conservation Reserve, and a little further to the north, the Yaringa Marine National Park – all of which are a recognised RAMSAR site, important for the sea-grass beds, mangrove swamps and the birds. In the 1960’s, Gordon Rolfe developed the area by digging a channel to access deep water and then built a boat launch ramp, a mooring jetty and a caravan park. These facilities remained untouched for twenty years when they were further developed to cater for fishermen and yachties. To honour Gordon’s founding foresight the small area of natural bush land to the south was named after him. A total of forty-six bird species were seen in the course of our morning walk. There were seven raptors – apart from the osprey which had to be added to the official Mornington Peninsula List, we saw Nankeen Kestrel, Little and Wedge- Some of the group overlooking the mangrove swamps trying to find tailed Eagle, Whistling Kite and excellent sightings of what chats and fieldwrens and trying not to get our feet wet. was thought to be a Collared Sparrowhawk gliding just above Photo by George Sawenko our heads. Initially, Collared Sparrowhawk was called but in the days that followed it became the subject of some serious debate with emails flying back and forth. In the end, it was decided by the birding pundits that it was in fact a Brown Goshawk. However Collared Sparrowhawk was seen both flying and perched. Of the Honeyeaters White-Eared, White-naped, Yellow-faced and New Holland were seen. Several Eastern Yellow Robins called and were observed. Brown Thornbills and Striated Thornbills were observed. Spotted Pardalotes called both at the start of the walk and later in the morning. Both Ibis – White and Straw-necked - were seen. A female Golden Whistler was observed. A Common Bronzewing was seen in one of the neighbouring farms, a sighting that also had to be added to the official list. Also needing to be added was Eurasian Skylark which was heard calling from across a grassy paddock, but sadly not seen. Red-browed Finches and Superb Fairy-wrens frolicked in the sun on the track. Silver Brown Goshawk at Gordon Rolfe Reserve. Photo by Con Duyvestyn Gulls and Pacific Gulls flew over the horizon as we scanned the mangroves, hoping for chats and field wrens. Sadly, none could be coaxed into the open. A Shining Bronze-Cuckoo was light wind but a little chilly. Sixteen birdos assembled at the heard, along with many frogs. entrance to Peninsula Gardens. Already those waiting had The wattles were magnificent and the white and pink heath totted up fifteen species. The side of Jetty Road seems to be made for a pretty floral display. We also noted Sun Dews a good spot despite the cars speeding past. With the usual profusely scattered alongside the walking track. These introduction from Denis, we started off along the entrance plants, which feed on flies, are known to have one of the track. Just a couple of hundred metres in is always a good fastest triggers in the plant kingdom, taking 400 milliseconds spot to stop and wait to see what birds are around. Sure from the time a fly is detected on its detector petals till the enough, White-eared Honeyeaters were seen and heard in fly is flipped and caught on the sticky petals. numbers with Grey Shrike-thrush calling strongly as were Spotted Pardalotes and an . A female In all, a superb outing after many wintery days of cold and Golden Whistler was heard but not seen until we walked past rain. Thanks to Keith and to all who attended. on the way out. Barbara Goldfinch, Lilydale Walking on and out into the more open section, Eastern Yellow Robins were obvious as were Grey Fantails and Little Wattlebirds. It is a section where there are plenty of PENINSULA GARDENS BUSHLAND mistletoes, in flower at this time of the year and New Holland Honeyeaters were taking advantage of the nectar flow. In RESERVE, ROSEBUD the more open country gave us an opportunity to scan the skies and we were rewarded with over-flights of Straw- necked and Australian White Ibis, the former in significant Denis Goss: Sunday 20 August numbers, a sure sign the spring is just around the corner. The haunting cry of the Australian Raven reached us. Species recorded: 37 Interestingly both that and Little Ravens were logged. The Australian Raven seems to be moving further westwards on Another lucky break with the winter weather. Clear skies, the Peninsula. More action in the sky with two raptors

December 2017 9 Outings

spotted, a soaring Brown Goshawk and Swamp Harrier. People started noticing well-made nest boxes from La Trobe Uni all over the place. There is a nest box type for a variety of birds and animals. Someone has been busy at work providing homes for the Peninsula Gardens community. It was worthwhile making a detour up the side track as we got good views of a White-throated Treecreeper. At bird call, thirty-seven species were logged. I was surprised to note that Striated had not been logged before. When checking the outings history, the branch has only visited during winter and early spring, hence the absence of Striated Pardalote recordings. Thanks to Denis for leading the outing, an enjoyable Sunday morning out. Larry Wakefield, Mt Martha

Striated Thornbill at Gordon Rolfe Reserve. Photo by Con Duyvestyn BRAESIDE PARK, BRAESIDE

Max Burrows: Wednesday 13 September Species recorded: 50 The calendar said that it was spring but it was decidedly wintery when fourteen hardy souls met at Braeside Park for the mid-week outing. Showers threatened and the blustery wind was cold as Max set off for the first pond. The winter showers had filled the ponds and there was a good number of waterbirds to be seen. Eurasian Coot, Grey and Chestnut Teal and Pacific Black Duck were easily seen. A pair of White- faced Herons flew in while a pair of Swamp Harriers patrolled the sky. A Black-shouldered Kite was seen briefly. A Brown Goshawk flew over causing a lot of noise from the Noisy Miners in the trees. Clear skies, light wind but a little chilly at Peninsula Gardens. Moving along the wetland we came to another place with the Photo by Danny Vits same assortment of ducks plus a magnificent male Blue- billed Duck. His blue bill was in full breeding colour although the female kept her distance and skulked in the reeds. Purple BUCKLEY NATURE CONSERVATION Swamphens fossicked along the water’s edge. A Little Grassbird was heard but not seen. Further away, the trees RESERVE, MERRICKS NORTH were full of resting birds; Pied, Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants and Australasian Darters. As we walked to the hide the Red-rumped Parrots and Larry Wakefield: Sunday 17 September Rainbow Lorikeets were checking out nesting hollows with a lot of noisy chatter. An Eastern Great Egret flew off the Species recorded: 39 water’s edge and into a tree. Brown Thornbills chatted to Buckley Reserve may be only fifteen hectares in area, but it each other in the bushes while Spotted and Striated is comparatively woody weed free and proved ideal for the Pardalotes called from the dead trees in the area. In the September Sunday bird walk. Larry’s predictions proved true distance a number of Cattle Egrets accompanied some black as we did see “a plague” of Grey Fantails and numerous cows. Those with good hearing noted a skylark serenading us Eastern Yellow Robins. He also said we could expect to see from on high but the grey clouds prevented us from seeing Golden Whistlers; again, that proved to be the case. The him. Superb Fairy-wrens called close by without showing stand-out “sighting” or ”heard-but-not-seen” was the Olive- themselves. backed Oriole; it carolled the group in the immediate tree- On the way back to the cars we saw flocks of Common top but did not show itself. Several Fan-tailed Cuckoos also Starlings and Common Mynas, very busy finding food in the called frequently at one point from near-by scrub, but grass. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos screeched happily in the remained unsighted; likewise, a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo. By distance and a Grey Butcherbird called. Welcome Swallows contrast, a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles was very clear as with a few Tree Martins flew around searching for insects. We they soared at a low altitude overhead. The only other raptor went looking for the Tawny Frogmouth that is sometimes in to be spotted was a Swamp Harrier. the trees near the car park without success. Mistletoe flowering ensured there would be honeyeaters, Fifty bird species, a good walk and pleasant company made especially New Holland, White-eared and Yellow-faced for a good morning. Thank you Max for your good leading. Honeyeaters. Eastern Spinebills, Little and Red Wattlebirds and Noisy Miners were also sighted. Tree-dwellers included David Ap-Thomas, Mt Eliza

10 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Outings

Spotted Pardalotes, Striated and Brown Thornbills, a Black- faced Cuckoo-Shrike and a Grey Shrike-thrush. Superb Fairy- wrens were the close-to-ground dwellers. An adjacent vineyard with a large farm dam filled by Merricks Creek was not as well populated as expected. There were a few Australian Wood Duck, an Australasian Grebe, a small number of Eurasian Coot, a Great Cormorant and the most common Ibis: Australian White and Straw-necked (but no Welcome Swallows or Purple Swamphen). The open ground around the Reserve was where Eastern Rosellas, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Laughing Kookaburras, Australian Magpies, Grey Butcherbirds, Little Ravens and Magpie-larks were spotted. By contrast, the Crimson Rosellas preferred the treed areas. The introduced species were represented by the Common Blackbird, Common Starling, Common Myna and the Spotted Dove. Birding at Tootgarook Wetland. Photo by Danny Vits A feature of this Reserve is the ground cover. Kangaroo Grass is a major species along the wide walking track. Greenhood Orchids and Honeydew are also abundant; as well as the odd indigenous Hardenbergia. Most of the Lemon- scented has been removed, only a few small Boneseed plants were seen and no Polygala. While it may have been wetter than usual in the Reserve, the weather was kind and allowed the fourteen members of BirdLife Mornington Peninsula to have an interesting morning getting to know a patch of bush that is right beside the busy Mornington-Balnarring Road. The birds seemed oblivious to the road noise. Thanks are due to Larry for introducing us to an interesting piece of bushland that is located right beside a busy thoroughfare. Jock Macmillan, Mt Martha

Silvereye feeding on swamp paperbark. TOOTGAROOK WETLANDS, BONEO

David Ap-Thomas: Wednesday 11 October Species recorded: 45 A great throng of birdos, thirty-five to forty attendees, assembled at the Equestrian Centre car park. It looked like a dry morning but thicker cloud was coming from the west. We had only just set off when there was a passing shower, but that was all for the morning, thank goodness. David led the group to the open body of water only to view a pair of Black Swan with their cygnet, Australian White Ibis, a Great Egret and Purple Swamphen. We saw a few Pacific Black Duck Larry and Max looking pretty happy with themselves; flying and on Chinaman’s Creek but that was our lot for duck they had HEARD a bittern! Photos by Pam Hearn species. Moving on to Chinaman’s Creek drain and gazing out over the lush wetland and pasture, we saw Swamp Harriers cruising and looking for a meal. A lone Nankeen Kestrel was Grassbird was heard on a few occasions. The tail-enders spotted as well as a couple of Wedge-tailed Eagles way in the caught the short “kek-kek” of the Australian Spotted Crake distance. At this time of the year, the two ibis species were and at one spot, the Australasian Bittern boomed three very much in evidence, flying across the wetlands. Golden- times. headed Cisticolas were resplendently golden and flying their aerial dance in pairs. Smaller bush birds were amongst the The species tally at bird call was thirty-nine but after lunch lining the drain, and Willy Wagtail males were there are invariably a few add-ons, so in the end the tally announcing their territories by singing continuously. got to forty-five. Although the sightings come sporadically, it always surprises me that the tally mounts up to an With the dense wetland vegetation, birds are difficult to see, impressive list by the end of the outing. Thanks to David, our so it is a case of listening carefully. Australian Reed-Warblers leader, for a great morning’s birding. were back in residence and their singing gave some idea of how many were in the reeds. The plaintive call of the Little Larry Wakefield, Mt Martha

December 2017 11 Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys

BAR-TAILED GODWIT AT ETP

27 August 2017: Seventy-three bird species were logged of which thirty-five were wetland dependant, (seven were shorebirds), six were raptors and thirty-two were non- wetland dependant. Squally showers with hail meant that bush birds retired into thick vegetation for protection. The numbers of some species of waterfowl are increasing (e.g. Pink-eared Ducks and Hardheads) whilst others are decreasing (e.g. Blue-billed Ducks and Shovelers). Only one pelican was seen. Returning summer visitors were Curlew Sandpiper, Whiskered Tern, Fairy Martins and Australian Reed-Warbler. Red-kneed Dotterels are moving back to the Plant. 24 September 2017: Seventy-five bird species were logged of which forty-one were wetland dependant, (ten were Adult and some juvenile Sharp-tailed Sandpipers have returned from shorebirds), six were raptors and twenty-eight were non- their breeding grounds in Siberia to ‘winter’ in Australia, wetland dependant. Strong to gale force wind caused birds to 340 being counted here on 24 September. seek protection in vegetation or behind levy banks. Waterfowl numbers continue to fluctuate but numbers of tall wading birds such as spoonbills are increasing. Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Whiskered Terns have returned in fair numbers whilst Flame Robins have moved back to their cool climate breeding grounds. 22 October 2017: Eighty bird species were logged of which forty-four were wetland dependant, (twelve were shorebirds), four were raptors and thirty-two were non- wetland dependant. The wet and gloomy morning made it hard to detect birds but a fine afternoon was more conducive to finding birds. There were several highlights. Notable among the wetland birds was a Bar-tailed Godwit infrequently seen away from the coast and only the third record on the farm since the turn of the century. Sharp-tailed Sandpipers (1160) and Whiskered Terns (300) have returned in good numbers. A single Pectoral and seven Curlew Sandpipers were almost missed in the massed shorebirds on WEHB and a single Glossy Ibis was the first here for a while. White-browed A Royal Spoonbill and Great Egret on EHB6. Woodswallow (2) was a new bird for the Plant but the inclement weather prevented attainment of photographic evidence. Another great find was a Sacred Kingfisher. A Caspian Tern was nice to see loafing on the SEHB and eleven Great-crested Grebes was an exceptionally high number. Mike Carter, Mornington

A juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit with an orange stain on the face around the base of the bill. This is a palearctic breeding species that will spend the boreal winter on the Australian coast. It was enroute there when it The WEHB showing exposed areas of mud favoured by shorebirds. dropped into the ETP. The two previous records here this century Photo by David Stabb were also in spring. Photos by Mike Carter

12 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys

BRONZE-CUCKOOS AT BANYAN

13 August 2017: Forty-five species were recorded of which nineteen are wetland-dependent or raptors. Highlights were a pair of Fan-tailed Cuckoos and probably at least seven Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoos. A White-necked Heron was the first for a while. Work to keep Rossiter Drain open and flowing is complete. 10 September 2017: Thirty-seven species were recorded of which fifteen are wetland-dependent or raptors. The highlight was the return of Whiskered Terns, five being seen. None were seen here the whole of last year. 8 October 2017: Thirty-six species were recorded of which Whiskered Terns in breeding plumage were back at Banyan eighteen are wetland-dependent or raptors. Highlights were a on 10 September. Photo by David Stabb Latham’s Snipe (first at the ETP this season) and five Brown Songlark (none were seen here last year).

TERNS AT BOGGY CREEK

13 August 2017: Sixteen bird species (eleven of which are wetland dependant or raptors) were logged here today. Variety and abundance continue to be at a low level probably because it is very overgrown. Highlights were two Australasian Darters and at least three Horsfield’s Bronze- Cuckoos. We lunched at a spot with lush vegetation thought possibly good for Tawny Grassbird and played a tape of their calls but had no response. There were at least twelve Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoos on the 10 September 2017: Twenty-three bird species (twelve of ETP external wetlands on 13 August. Photo by Mike Carter which are wetland dependant or raptors) were logged here today. Variety and abundance continue to be at a low level probably because it is very overgrown. Highlights were the return of Australian Reed Warbler already in full song and the male Australasian Darter present last month is still here. 8 October 2017: Twenty-four bird species (thirteen of which are wetland dependant or raptors) were logged here today. Variety and abundance have increased but continue to be at a low level probably because it is very overgrown. Highlights were the return of Whiskered Terns and a large number of Fairy Martins (50).

Male Musk Duck in breeding condition at the ETP. Photo by Alison Kuiter BLACK SWANS AT SERPENTINE

thirteen are wetland dependant or raptors. Single White- 13 August 2017: Small areas of shorebird habitat was browed Scrubwren and Grey Shrike-thrush were the less available on some sludge drying pans but only one pair of frequent visitors seen today. Tree Sparrows (4) were again Black-fronted Dotterel was present. Forty species of birds present. Flame Robins were not seen probably having were logged of which seventeen are wetland dependant or returned to their breeding grounds in the High Country or raptors. Tree Sparrows (two) were again present and at least Tasmania. Because the Turf Farm wetland remains dry we four Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoos which were present in good didn’t count there but fifty-five Black Swans could be seen numbers at all sites counted today. Because the Turf Farm grazing on the turf. wetland remains virtually dry we didn’t count there but fifty- two Black Swans could be seen grazing on the turf. 8 October 2017: No shorebird habitat so no waders seen. Otherwise the only other significant population of Black Thirty-seven species of birds were logged of which twelve Swans on the external wetlands today was here on the are wetland dependant or raptors. Whiskered Terns were Serpentine where there were forty-nine. coming and going across this area; maximum count at one time was twelve. We could hear a Pallid Cuckoo calling from 10 September 2017: Small areas of shorebird habitat were the Eastern Sward Golf Course on the other side of available on some sludge drying pans but only one pair of Thompson Road. Red-capped Plovers and no Black-fronted Dotterel was present. Thirty-seven species of birds were logged of which Mike Carter, Mornington

December 2017 13 Baldry Crossing seemed a good bet

BLESSING IN DISGUISE

On January 5, I wondered where I could go bird watching on the Peninsula, away from the Christmas hordes. Baldry Crossing seemed a good bet. The car park there was empty at 7.15 a.m. which added satisfaction to my glow of virtue for making the most of a perfect summer’s morning. Another reason I chose Baldry’s was that I knew Rufous Fantails might be there. On several BirdLife outings I had attended, other members had seen this beautiful little bird, but I had missed out every time. I had not seen one in decades. My bad luck in this regard made me a little obsessed. It was glorious walking beside the tinkling creek with the scent of bushland and birdsong on every side. I was rewarded with the sight of many species including King Parrots, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos and my first view of a Bassian Thrush which posed magnificently in several spots so I could drink in every detail. But alas, no sign of a Rufous Fantail. Rufous Fantail. Photo by Mark Lethlean As I neared the turnoff to the circular route back to the road, I heard a less welcome sound: a group of bush walkers approaching from behind. They were clumping along, talking and laughing with what I felt was unseemly volume. I decided to wait at the track junction to see which way they were going so that I could avoid their fast and noisy progress. They passed by with cheerful greetings and I felt guilty that my smile was not much more than a thin veneer. They turned up the path I had planned to take. So huffily, I made my way down the other path, thinking I should allow at least ten to fifteen minutes for peace and birds to re- establish in their wake. Then I could make my way back and follow them. When I returned to the track junction, I became aware of a group of small birds, swirling round a nearby shrub. I could see Silvereyes, Grey Fantails and thornbills all chattering furiously. I brought up my binoculars so I could see what was bothering them. Then suddenly, a Rufous Fantail, right in the centre of my binoculared view! What are the chances? I’m looking at one set of birds, then the bird that’s eluded me for decades flies into the narrow band I’m focussed on. I lowered the bins and stood spellbound as it fluttered and swooped all Southern Boobook. Photo by Con Duyvestyn about me. Sometimes its glowing chestnut rump and tail were backlit as it flitted above, sometimes it swooped low as if anxious to make up for all my disappointments in the past. When at last it flew off, I turned my attention to the ruckus around the wattle. I went closer and saw two large fluffy figures on a branch. Round eyes bored into mine, less than three metres away: a pair of baby Southern Boobooks. The mobsters had moved on to a second small wattle, only a couple of metres from the track. Sure enough, there was the parent bird standing sentry. After good long looks I went on my way, blessing all bushwalkers (I am frequently one myself, after all). If it hadn’t been for that interruption, I would have walked right past the boobooks and missed out on the bird of my obsession. Gill Barnett, Dromana

Bassian Thrush. Photo by Cath Cousland

14 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Observations

INTERESTING SIGHTINGS

Date Species Location Comments Observer

24.7.17 Grey Goshawk (1) Rye Seen at Frances Street. Rosalba Catena

3.8.17 Yellow-tail’d Blk-Cock’oo (200+) Mt Martha In our garden and Sunshine Reserve. Judy O’Donnell et al

9.8.17 Eastern Osprey (1) Somerville Seen in the distance from Gordon Rolfe reserve. Keith Caldecott

9.8.17 Pied Oystercatcher (2) Rosebud At Rosebud Pier. Rosalba Catena

11.8.17 Sacred Kingfisher (1) Somerville At Gordon Rolfe Reserve. Keith Caldecott

13.8.17 Fan-tailed Cuckoo (1) Somerville At Gordon Rolfe Reserve. Keith Caldecott

13.8.17 Australian Owlet-nightjar (1) The Briars, Mt Martha Seen at same spot on 25 June. Luke Shelley

21.8.17 Grey Goshawk (1) Moorooduc Over farm land and bare scrub near the Tyabb exit. Jo Hansen

24.8.17 Indian Ringneck (1) Hastings Has been in the area for over a month. Obviously an escapee. S & S King

12.9.17 Flame Robin (2) No 16 Beach Two ‘brown birds’ getting ready to fly back to Tasmania. Lois Greene

20.9.17 Wedge-tailed Eagle (1) Tootgarook Swamp Seen taking an unidentified mammal. Cameron Brown

22.9.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (1, m) Point Nepean National Park Male seen on track near old gun site at Fort Pierce. Lachie Clark

26.9.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (2-4) Buckleys NCR Dennis Gosper

28.9.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (2-3) Woods Reserve Dennis Gosper

29.9.17 Bar-tailed Godwit (1) Tootgarook Swamp Photographed flying over. Cameron Brown

1.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (2-3) Kangerong Flora Reserve Dennis Gosper

3.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (2) Devilbend NFR Bittern Reservoir Circuit; pair feeding in mistletoe. Dennis Gosper

4.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (5) Balcombe Estuary Males, female plus an immature. On flowering paperbarks. Bob Swindley

4.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (2+) Cape Schanck At entrance to Long Point Reserve. Peter Gerdsen

5.10.17 Painted Button-quail (1) Tyabb At edge of track in Gordon Rolfe Bushland Reserve. Dennis Gosper

6.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (10 - 20) Balcombe Estuary With a large flock of silvereyes. Terry Gourley

7.10.17 Brown Songlark (1, m) Tyabb, McKirdys Road Male singing in paddock. Dennis Gosper Pallid Cuckoo (2) In lightly timbered paddocks.

9.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (1, m) Coolart Keith Caldecott

10.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (6) Woods Reserve, Tuerong In the eastern part of reserve; easy to hear but hard so see! Neil Shelley

10.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (2) Devilbend Reserve Catch Drain track. Dennis Gosper Pallid Cuckoo Bittern Reservoir & Catch Drain tracks. Several seen/heard.

12.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (12) Balcombe Estuary Seen from the walking track. Keith Caldecott

14.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (2-4) Buckley NCR Male; feeding in mistletoe. Dennis Gosper

14.10.17 Olive-backed Oriole (1) Red Hill In my backyard, chased off by a Noisy Miner. Mark Lethlean

15.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (1+) Kangerong Reserve I heard more than one but only saw the one male. Mark Lethlean

15.10.17 Golden Whistler (1, f) Rye back beach Gunida track. Lois Greene

16.10.17 Rufous Whistler (1, f) Coolart Seen but not heard. Val Ford

17.10.17 Australian King Parrot (7) Coolart A lovely way to start the day. Brain Thomas

17.10.17 Pallid Cuckoo (3) Devilbend Heard at least two and saw one at the Bittern Reservoir wall. Danny Vits

18.10.17 Sacred Kingfisher (1) Mornington On the island in Civic Reserve larger lake. Val Ford

23.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (10) Boneo At three Biolink survey sites. David Ap-Thomas

23.10.17 Yellow-tailed Black-Cock’oo (25) Flinders Seen whilst walking Bushrangers Bay track. Mark Lethlean

24.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (10) Main Ridge At a Biolink survey site. David Ap-Thomas

24.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (1, m) Pines Flora and Fauna Res Feeding on flowering tee tree blossom. John Morrissey

26.10.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (20+) Long Pt Rd, Cape Schanck Saw five in one mistletoe. Very active and vocal. Colin Mulvogue

26.10.17 Sacred Kingfisher (1) Hastings J.A.Babington Park Hastings north boardwalk. Max Burrows Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (1)

31.10.17 Eastern Koel (1) Dromana Heard calling from 6.30am. Same bird as previous years? Noel Knight

5.11.17 Scarlet Honeyeater (10+) Peninsula Gardens Bushland Ten Scarlet Honeyeaters seen feeding in a large clump of Val Ford Dusky Woodswallow (8) Reserve, Boneo mistletoe beside the track. More in other areas of the reserve.

7.11.17 Sacred Kingfisher (1) Point Leo At the Point Leo SLSC; a rare sighting. Mark Lethlean

December 2017 15 Observations

Birding at The Village Glen Tawny Frogmouth in a leafless tree A cryptically posed Tawny Frogmouth was discovered in a leafless tree on 7 August. It had obviously read the right bird books and adopted its special camouflage position when approached, flattening itself against the bare branch, thereby becoming almost invisible. Although a "bird of the night" the frogmouth isn't an owl, belonging instead to the family group Podargus rather than to the Ninox or Tyto families of true owls. Over the years there have been many sightings of frogmouths in the village, mainly along Chinamans Creek. Michael Payze, the owner of the tree, captured this great photo of "his" frogmouth looking like a branch. Spring has truly arrived. There is much breeding activity in the village with both Red and Little Wattlebirds having active Tawny Frogmouth in a leafless tree. Photo by Michael Payze nests and smaller honeyeaters - New Holland, Crescent and Eastern Spinebills - building their nests deep in grevilleas and . Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Although the weather was inclement for the September bird walk, a hardy group of nine residents identified thirty-five species. There were no real standouts but it was good to watch five Swamp Harriers over the swamp and several Black Swans enjoying the raised water level. A minute Spotted Pardalote was much admired along the creek. On 12 September a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo was identified near the 2nd tee, a welcome harbinger of spring. When I was a learner birder, it was explained that a Shining Bronze- Cuckoo wore a striped jumper whereas the (very similar) Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo had a striped "waistcoat", meaning the barring down the front was incomplete. Plover lovers Shining Bronze-Cuckoo. Photo by Jeanette Marshall Haze Thomas reported: As I opened my front door I was pleased to see parent plovers (Masked Lapwings) with a very new chick. I was about to show Dave our visitors when a second chick ran from behind a tree, got halfway, had a out to the golf course bottom lake before I got the fourth change of mind, turned around, too much speed, tumbled one so I took that one out to her. into the gutter grate and disappeared. The parents were in As I finally sat down for morning tea I heard another distress mode. Dave checked the grate and could hear the duckling so went back to the pit and found two more chick chirping. Dodging the swooping parent birds he tried to ducklings! I took them out to the golf course lake but the remove the grate. Neighbours came to help; by this time we mother and ducklings were nowhere to be seen. I brought had quite an audience! the ducklings back to our shed, put some pea straw in a Time to call Chris from Maintenance. He arrived with basket and finished morning tea. A little later I walked appropriate tools and off came the grate. Down on his through back yards, did a drive around the village and finally stomach, he tried to reach the distressed chick. Finally found found the mother duck and her six ducklings so I let the two it and placed it gently on the grass. We all thought to no I had free hoping the mother would accept them even avail because it immediately rolled on its back, its little legs though they'd been handled. She did and I was happy to see in the air. Chris put it near some foliage. When I checked the mother duck and her now eight ducklings swim off later mother plover was squatting beside the chick; at the together. next check her wing was sheltering it. At the final check Australian Reed-Warblers mother and chick had gone, hopefully again reunited with father and the first chick. For residents along Chinamans Creek, especially those where reeds in the creek are tall and dense, spring arrived on cue Ducks and drains at the beginning of October when the calls of the migratory Kristy Maher reported: I noticed some residents standing Australian Reed-Warbler were first heard. Books describe the around a grated drain pit in the village vegetable garden. call as, “kwitchy kwitchy” - I believe it is saying, “georgie, Some ducklings had fallen through the gaps! Removing the georgie, georgie”! This 16 cm light brown and fawn bird of grate, I lifted four ducklings from the pit. They were fast and reedbeds in swamps and creeks spends winter months in were swimming through the pipe work out of my reach so northern Australia, migrating to breed in the southern part of this took quite some time. The mother duck was still in the its range which each year includes the Village Glen. car park area while I got the first three out but she wandered Celia Browne, Capel Sound

16 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Observations

Hundreds of black cockatoos visit On 3 August we were visited by a couple of hundred Yellow- tailed Black-Cockatoos. They stayed in our garden and Sunshine Reserve for half an hour playing and squawking. We have seen them regularly, but not in these numbers and usually flying over, stopping a while and moving on. Not stopping for a drink in the bird baths either before. Every branch in every tree around us was full and also flying over us. It was stunning. Judy O'Donnell and Geoff Linnell, Mt Martha

Australian Owlet-nightjar at The Briars Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos in our garden. Photo by Judy O’Donnell I came across an Australian Owlet-nightjar on 13 August in a hollow above the end of the boardwalk along the Tichin- Goroke Link, on the way to the Wetland Lookout (photo on front page). I also saw it in the same spot on 25 June. Worth keeping an eye out for. Luke Shelley, The Briars Facebook page I managed to catch the Australian Owlet-nightjar in afternoon sunlight just briefly this afternoon, 30 August. It seems to emerge in the latter part of the day to sun itself as it was not seen yesterday morning by me nor by a group of birders this morning. Initially, (based on Pizzey and Knight app.) I thought it looked like a Rufous morph but P&K suggests that’s a Pilbara form. P&K suggests females and juveniles are more rufous but The Australian Owlet-nightjar at The Briars. Photo by Con Duyvestyn Australian Bird Guide makes no mention of . ABG uses the term orange rather than rufous, and suggests there is quite a colour range from dark grey to out, it struggled to its feet and launched itself once more grey with orange face and collar. onto the dog’s face. As they repeated their routine, I noticed Perhaps we just have the latter adult. the bird was careful never to latch on near the dog’s eyes or ears (the edges of the ears surely a tempting target for a Con Duyvestyn, Mornington beak). Neither did it try to jump or fly onto its opponent’s back where it couldn’t be dislodged. It was as though it had observed dogs play-fighting whereby they mouth one Birding on Facebook/David and Goliath another’s muzzles only. I am a reluctant and incompetent member of Facebook, only Judging from the way the dog kept licking its lips, they were there because a photographer friend insisted I join so he getting sore. So it removed its playmate one last time, stood doesn’t have to separately email his photos to me. If you are up and walked away down a hallway. The last shot showed a member, you’ll know the endless stream of film clips the parrot, its short legs working furiously, racing after its showing puppies and kittens being silly and cute. Normally I massive opponent. zip past them, but one caught my eye. A very large dog Am I guilty of sentimentalizing when I assume that these (maybe a Ridgeback or a Great Dane?) was play-fighting with two animals were demonstrating an extensive degree of a parrot. The clip seemed to demonstrate an extraordinary insight into another species in their play? Both seemed to degree of mutual understanding between two radically understand perfectly that their acts of pseudo aggression different species, totally mismatched in size. I was amused would not be mistaken for the real thing. There have been and charmed by the sight of them clearly having fun numerous books and studies of late, demonstrating that together. corvids and parrots (and other species) are capable of tool- The dog was lying down and the parrot (sorry, couldn’t making and complex thought. I would argue that this film identify the species, not Australian) was alternately grabbing clip shows evidence of intelligence of another kind, emotional the dog’s lips and cheek and tugging. Ever-so-gently, the dog intelligence. It has taken us “clever” humans so long to would bring up its massive foreleg and “wipe” the parrot off discover and acknowledge we are not the only pebbles on its face, tipping it onto its back. While the parrot was upside the beach of intellect. And speaking of intelligence, I am down, the dog would take it in his mouth, leaving one or such a techno-moron that I still don’t know how to share both wings outside, flapping wildly. The dog shook its head that film clip, or even find it again! slowly, a parody of the deadly head-shake designed to break Gill Barnett, Dromana the neck of captured prey. As soon as the parrot was spat

December 2017 17 Observations

Tootgarook Swamp Wedge-tailed Eagle observation On 20 September a Wedge-tailed Eagle swoops down and grabs a large unknown mammal at Boneo Park from just east of Amphitheatre on hill between the gap in the two lines of trees. We are currently trying to find out what this mammal could be. It’s not a possum and it’s too large for a swamp rat and tail too short for a black or brown rat, a bit of a mystery the size would have to be 30-35cm. I have put a wildlife camera in this location. The eagle takes the prey towards the abandoned nest found last year. I later went to the abandoned nest and found it with two eaglets. Bar-tailed Godwit Wedge-tailed Eagle nestlings. On 29 September I notice that Black-winged Stilts are still there and start to think that migratory birds will start showing up soon; maybe Latham’s Snipe. Then a strange looking Latham’s Snipe flies by at that exact moment. Wait that’s not a Snipe it’s a new species record for the Tootgarook Swamp a Bar-tailed Godwit. Brings the species count total for the Swamp to 158 species of birds. Not including the four rumoured species I’m still looking for! Cameron Brown, Capel Sound

A Bar-tailed Godwit flies over the swamp. Photos by Cameron Brown

Pink String On our back patio there is an orchid in a pot. The flower spike is tied to the stake with a length of shocking-pink baling twine, brought home, no doubt, from a country birding ramble. A single Noisy Miner thinks that the back garden belongs exclusively to him (or her). A lonely bachelor, we thought. He spends his time equally between searching for food and fighting with the Red Wattlebird, Common Blackbird and any other bird that dares to come into the garden. Noisy Miner decided he had to have this pink baling twine. He pulled and pulled from all angles and would have taken it, pot and all, if it wasn’t so heavy. This went on for days. We Indian Ringneck in my garden. Photo by Venetia McMahon were worried about the flower spike and shooed him away on many occasions. Finally my wife, Sue, saw the Noisy Miner triumphantly fly off in the direction of Roger’s garden with a long length of pink baling twine dangling from his beak. He Indian Ringneck had obviously worked out how to untie the knot. His nest is going to look beautiful with a bright pink streak running We bought a house in Frankston South about eleven months through it. ago. There was a blue Indian Ringneck in the garden on the day of the auction. We moved in, in July, and have observed This reminds me of a walk, a few years ago, north of it regularly ever since usually in the company of two or three Nathalia, looking for Superb Parrots. We saw a Noisy Eastern Rosellas. This afternoon I was startled to see it Friarbird’s nest. It is a big nest and was only about two actually seeming to feed a young Eastern Rosella. The photo metres above the ground. It wasn’t hard to see as it was was taken with my phone through a window and a few made entirely of shocking pink baling twine. A big pink ball in seconds too late. the midst of the green gum leaves. I was under the impression aviary escapees didn't survive Obviously the colour shocking pink is attractive to birds but long. Do you know anyone in this area (Mount Eliza/ surely it would be equally attractive to goshawks. Frankston South) that might know how long this bird has been around? A search of Birding-Aus turned up a reference David Ap-Thomas, Mt Eliza to an Indian Ringneck in the area in 2014.

Venetia McMahon, Frankston South

18 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife Observations

Fan-tailed Cuckoos In males, the whole underparts from throat to tip of undertail coverts (other than white tufts on the thighs) is a light rufous (a sort of orange-peach) colour, whereas in females, the bright colour is confined to the throat and upper breast, the remainder being much duller. Mike Carter, Mornington

Persistence finally pays off Male (on left) and female Fan-tailed Cuckoos. Photos by Mike Carter In the past two years we’ve spent three weeks in September on a fly/hire car trip to Darwin, Kakadu and the Top End. We usually spend the first few days of our trips and the day before our departure back to Melbourne in Darwin. Darwin Botanical Gardens is an extremely good birding location close to the CBD. It has a resident pair of Rufous Owls that are well documented in books and on the internet. On our 2016 trip we visited the gardens three times but had no luck locating them. We checked out every location that they were supposed to roost in including near the kiosk, the water gardens and the rainforest section. After walking around looking up at the huge trees in stifling heat and humidity all we came away with was a crick in our necks. This year we again attempted to find these elusive birds that to our frustration it seemed like everyone else has seen except us. On our first visit to the gardens before we left Darwin for Kakadu we were again unsuccessful in locating Male (on left) and female Rufous Owls. Photo by Judy Humphreys them. After an enjoyable visit to Kakadu, Pine Creek, Katherine and Adelaide River we were approaching Darwin when Judy suggested having a final attempt to find the owls. We didn’t hold out much hope but seeing as we probably won’t be coming back to Darwin again anytime soon it seemed worth the effort. Once again we wandered around hoping that our luck might change. We were very close to calling it a day and returning to our hotel when Judy spotted two large dark figures perched low down in the upper tier of the rainforest section. Looking through our binoculars we were elated to see these quite rare birds which were a new “life tick” for us. We then moved to a better vantage point so that we could get a clearer view of them and take some photos. After five visits persistence finally paid dividends for us. Here is one of our Dead seal pup at Tortoise Head. Photo by Chris Chandler images.

Keith and Judy Humphreys, Mornington There were very few waders at the Tortoise Head roost. Two Far Eastern Curlew and just one Red-necked Stint made up the northern hemisphere migrants. The highlight was 101 Pied Oystercatchers and two Sootys! Also 45 Grey Teal, 27 Western Port Wader Survey Little Pied Cormorants, 4 Red-capped Plovers (3 M 1 F) and a The day, 8 July, started out sunny, which seemed to be a few terns and gulls. There was also a flock of about 20 good omen. Pauline and I cheated a bit and decided to take Silvereyes on top of the Head, which we identified as the the “short cut” from The Anchorage. Passing the huge White- Tasmanian race lateralis with the chestnut-coloured flanks. bellied Sea-Eagle’s nest, there was no sign of activity, We also came across a dead seal pup at Tortoise Head. however an adult Sea-Eagle flew past us a bit further on. There is a colony of Australian Fur Seals (Arctocephalus Later we saw a magnificent pair of these eagles along the pusillus doriferus) on , about 15 km south-west western cliff of Tortoise Head. Tortoise Head. The pups are born in summer and there is a We sloshed across the flooded saltmarsh, admiring Shelducks high mortality rate in their first year of life, especially when in breeding mode. One Cape Barren Goose appeared to be they begin to wander from the colony at 6–7 months old. sitting on a nest on a small island in the middle of a lagoon in Chris Chandler, Friends of French Island National Park Inc. the saltmarsh. October 2017 Newsletter

December 2017 19 Observations

Scarlet Honeyeaters on the Peninsula Long Point Reserve This week on two occasions we saw Scarlet Honeyeaters (Scarlet ). The birds were about 150 to 200m in from the gate on the Long Point Reserve at Cape Schanck. We were just lucky the first morning. Thought we saw a Mistletoebird at first as we were expecting to see them (lots of mistletoe in flower there) but when we got a good look all its head and neck was red. Didn't get a photo! We could hear them but not see any. They are very small and very fast. We used our bird app to play the sound and two males came, very agitated and impossible for me to photograph. We heard others calling and answering walking further down the track as well. Scarlet Honeyeater at Kangerong Reserve. Photo by Mark Lethlean We called in again and two males raced across in front of us as just as Faye was saying that's their call. We could not identify any females but we heard a few calls around and we My guestimate is 8 to 10 scarlet honeyeaters in a small part saw other little brown jobs but too fast and furious to identify of the property. This is many kilometres from where we them. recorded them yesterday. I think we have a major irruption of them this year. Peter Gerdsen, Flinders David Ap-Thomas, Mt Eliza

Boneo and Main Ridge Searching for water? Whilst doing some Biolink surveys this morning, 23 October, and apart from getting wet in the steady drizzle and wet long Before October, it had barely rained in SE Qld for the past grass the bird of the morning is Scarlet Honeyeater. year, and that has been much the same story right down the east coast and eastern Vic, so I suspect they've just kept Browns Road between the junction with Jetty Road and the travelling until they've hit somewhere with a little water! It’s property we surveyed, 64 Browns Road, had a number of even worse if you look at just the last 6 months, right up the them just along the road. Also had a number at the property Qld coast. in Duells Road. The mistletoe is in full flower. We saw at least ten in total. Temperatures have also been very warm through much of the same areas, and this has led to high evaporation rates so Today, 24 October, I did the two Biolink surveys at Main very dry soils. In fact Qld may get its warmest year on Ridge that we didn't get round to doing yesterday. First I record at the current rate (it’s currently at +1.5C above went to 547 Main Creek Road. As I got out of my car a average, and record is +1.25C). Scarlet Honeyeater was calling from nearby trees. Scarlets always call from the tree behind the one you can see. Rainfall, 12 months: http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/rain/index.jsp?colour=colour& I walked down to the area that we are surveying and walked time=latest&step=0&map=decile&period=12month&area=nat along the track parallel to the creek. I suppose I was listening for scarlets but I thought that all the way along the Rainfall, 6 months: main birdsong was from scarlets. On the walk back I saw a http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/rain/index.jsp?colour=colour& male scarlet calling from a bare twig and there was another time=latest&step=0&map=decile&period=6month&area=nat calling on my left. The male flew to the next branch where it Temperatures: joined a female. As I watched these two feeding another was http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/awap/temp/index.jsp?colour=colour&ti calling from my right. I got the feeling that they could have me=latest&step=0&map=maxdecile&period=6month&area=nat been setting up breeding territories. I walked back and crossed the road to the next property and there was a scarlet Dr Andrew Watkins, head of long-range forecasts at the calling there and others in the distance. Bureau of Meteorology

20 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife