Western Australian Bird Notes

Quarterly Newsletter of the WA Group Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union

Ill Latham's Snipe Confirmed In South-West 111

On February 6th 1!X3 Doug W@ans, with Tony Kirkby This is the second Girllinago snipe to be positively identi- and Cdin Davis, mist-netted a snipe (Gallinago sp.) at Lake fied in the south west - a Pintail Snipe was mist-netted near Kogolup. On examination the bird was found to have 18 tail Osborne Park in 1984. feathers and a wing measurement of 163 mm.The bird was a Swinhoe's Snipe may well visit the south west I have seen Latham's Snipe, the first confinned identif~cationin the south six snipe in the Pexih Metropditan awa since 1989but have not of WA. been able to identify my with certainty as examination in the Three species of Gallinago snipe are known to occur in hand is the only reliable method of identification. Australia, Latham's Snipe. Swinhoe's Snipe and Pintail Snipe. Originally seen by the author an January 2 lst, the Latbam's In the field these birds appear virtually identical, but in the hand Snipe was observed feeding. far from cover. The bird was they have distinct differences. as fdlows: probing its long bill into the mud with a "sewing machine" dm.At times it was seen to preen and a good Gptionwas Svecies No. Tail feathers Winp Len& obtained. Latham's Snipe 18 157-168 mm Swinhoe's Snipe 20 (18-26) 137-151 mm Head - eyestripe narrower than supercilium close to the Pintail Snipe 26 (24-28) 125-143 mm bill. (This feature does not vary except in Common Snipe, a possible visitor to Australia). Mantle and Coverts - beautiful mixture of black, brown and buff. This is very similarin 43snipe species, not a useful characteristic. Tertials - long, overlying primaries completely. Tail - long, protruding past the fdded wings, at times at a downward angle. Belly - white. Flanks - noticeably barred brown. Breast - tan. interspersed with dark chevrons. Underwing - white with black barring, a very distinctive pattern. Bill - dark. long greenish near the base. Legs - olive gnxn.

In the hand the outer tail feathers were quite broad (see photograph), by comparison with Swinhoe's and Pintail Snipe where the outer tail feathers are reduced to "pins". Seen regularly over the next two weeks, the flight patterns rarely varied - normally flushing out of cover to fly direct and low, usually only short distances and on landing walking into Tail of Latham's Snipe mist-netted in SW cover. Otw it flew high when it joined a small group of Wood ': 1 Sadpipers for a short time, before breaking away to land close Black Honeyeater - 1.712193. Dryandra (Williams) (unusual to the take-off point. No zig-zagging was noted. The bud was this far south-west) - SN. CW,BN. RS heard to call on two occasions. making a hard "chak" on Red-eared Firetail - 4.2711193,John Forrest National Park flushing. (Mundaring) - HvW Initially, we thought the bud most likely to be a Swinhoe's Snipe, an identification mainly based on the flight characteris- tics. Neither the length of tertials nor the call seemed to fit but ARID ZONE (including the Pilbara, Gnrcoyne, interior and as a Latham's Snipe seemed unlikely we tended to favour Nullarbor) Swinhoe's. The mist net coditionof Latham's Snipe came Honry-headed Grebe - 5.9192,Rawlinna (Kalgoorlie-Bod- as a surprise. der) - TH * numerous nests with eggs, 191 1/93.salt lakes near J. Hunt Yalgoo (Yalgoo) (unusual breeding r&d) - SH. AC. PF Black Swan - nest with 5eggs. 19/1/93.salt lakes near Yalgoo ( A Latham's Snipe was reported in WABN No. 36,p7 Decem- (Yalgoo) (unusual breeding recurd) - SH. AC, PF ber 1985 and further commented upon in WABN No. 37 p7 Freckkd Duck - 2nests with eggs and 1 new nest on 24/101!32. March 1986.A good article on snipe identification in the field 2other nests and 1 new nest (all in lignum) on 611 1192 and 1 is in WABN No. 33 pp 6 & 7March 1984 and there is further brood of 6 on 12112192,in a lignum and melaleuca swamp. reference to Swinhoe's and Pin-tailed identification in WABN Thundelarra Station (Yalgoo) - PF, JBW 14 birds, 1 nest with No. 34 p9 June 1935.Editor.) * three eggs and one nest with 1 egg in clutch of 6eggs of Pink- Ir I eared Duck. 20-21111/92. in a lignum and melaleuca swamp. Thundelana Station (Yalgoo) - RJ. AC (Note: 9 probable Observations breeding records of this specie here this season is one of the I largest breeding efforts known in WA) Compiled by the Observatians Committee. Shires in brackets. Chestnut Teal - 1 male. 1911193. salt lakes near Yalgoo (Yalgoo) - SH, AC, PF BluebilledDuck - nest with 12 eggs, 121 12/92,in a lignum and SOUTH-WEST(SharkBay to Cape Arid) melaleuca swamp, Thundelma Statisn (Yalgoo) (new breed- Cattle Egret - 2,811193,Lake Kogolup (Cockburn)- MBy, KC ing record for this area) *PF, JBW Rufous Night Heron - 20-25.1412193, Lake McLarty N.R. Musk Duck - 2,'15-191 11192, small lake 172 km fmPayne's (Murray)- IS and RAOU excursion Find on Sandstone road (Yalg~)- MC, GM Australasian Bittern - 1,211193,small swamp 3 km W of Grey Falcon - 1,9192.Plumidge Lakes N.R. (Menzies) - TH Lower King Bridge (Albany) - MB Australian Crake - 1,20111192,flushed from lignum and Glossy Ibis - 3,811193,Kogdup Lake (Cockburn) - MBy, KC canegrass in 0.7 m deep water, Thundelma Station (Yalgoo) Yellow-billed Spoonbill - about 100,14/2193.Lake McLa~ty -W N. R. (Murray) - IS and RAOU excursion Painted Snipe - feathers (greater coverts, tertials, mantle) of Australian Shelduck - 44500,2511 1192, Lake McLarty N.R. female, 2111 1/92,Melaleuca-lignum swamp, Thundelam Sta- (Murray) - MC tion (Yalgoo) (4th record south of the Tropic in WA in last 50 Chestnut Teal - 2males, 10/2/93, Lake Claranont (Claranont) Y-1 - RJ - MC Banded Lapwing - 102.212193.on beach at Eyre (Dundas)- Square-tailed Kite - 1.1 11 1193. Gosnells (Gosnells) - RS * 1, GW, RW 151 1/93,Beckenham (Canning) - JH Red-kneed Dotterel - 30t and 5nests with eggs (some at the Malleefowl - 2,2711193,Great Eastern Highway, 40 km E of base of lignum bushes). 2111 1192. on small islands among Merredin (Merredin) - RS Melaleuca trees. Melaleuca-lignum swamp, Thundelarra Sta- Hooded Plover - 1 juvenile, 1411 1192. Peel Inlet (Murray) - tion (Yalgoo) - AC, RJ RAOU excursion Oriental Plover - 29,212193.on beach at Eyre (Dundas) (high Whimbrel - 3,811193,Baldivis (Rockingham) - MBy, KC number for this area) - GW, RW Wood Sandpiper - 1,10/2/93,Lake Claremont (Claremont) - Inland Dotterel - 45 between Eyre and Cocklebiddy (Dundas) MC * 112. 1712193. Lake McLarty N.R. (Murray) - MC and 153 on the beach at Eyre (Dundas), 2/2/93- GW. RW /" 3, 1911 1192. , Oriental Pratincole - 3.811193 to at least late January. Baldivis Wood Sandpiper - Lake Miranda (Leonora) - water ski park (Rockingham) - TK MC, GM Possible Franklin's Gull - 1.1-312193,Bibm Lake (Cockbum) Common Sandpiper - 1,9192,Rawlinna (Kalgoorlie-Bod- - RbS. MC. BBa. KC, MBy (size, colour of bill, wing. mantle. der) - TH head, eye ring and trailing edge of wing consistent with Black-winged Stilt - several nests with eggs, 1911193, salt Franklin's) lakes near Yalgoo (Yalgoo) - SH, AC, PF Caspian Tern - 2,101U93,Lake Claremont (Claremont) - MC Whiskered Tern - 80. 19111192, Lake Miranda (Leonora) Fairy Tern - apparently breeding. Rous Head. Fremantle (htgh number for this area) - MC. GM * 2nests with eggs. 191 (Fremantle) - JD 1193,salt lakes near Yalgoo - SH, AC, PF Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo - 38,2911 1192, Stinton Cascades Gull-billed Tern - 6.1911 1192. Lake Miranda (Lemora) - MC, Reserve, (Armadale) - LH GM * 9 nests with eggs, 1911193. salt lakes near Yalgoo Purple-crowned Lorikeet - small flocks, Aug-Od92, Green- (Yalgoo) - SH, AC, PF wood (Wanneroo) - PJ Diamond Dove - 8,2011 1193, Wame River crossing, Payne's Yellow-throated Miner - up to 3.201 11192 - 1312193,Beldon Fmd-Sandstoneroad (Yalgoo) - MC. GM * 2.10-1512193. Eyre shopping centre (Wanneroo) (unusual in urban areas) - CW Bud Obs (Dundas) (rarely observed in this area) - GW, RW Cockatiel - 8,2311193,Caiguna (Dundas) (unusual this am)- DW Scarlet-chested Parrot - 1.8192 and 2.9192. PlumridgeLakes Members Contributions N.R. (Menzies) - TH Welcome Swallow - about 500. early Feb 93. Eyre Bird CARBLA STATION Observatory (Dundas) - GW, RW Late in Jammy we gained penniesimto camp by a running Fairy Martin - 2birds and 8nests under a large rock,31 12/92. bore about 170 kms south of Catnarvon on Carbla Station. The 39 km E of Rawlhma (Kalgoorlie-Boulder) - AB * an old (used) overnight stay pvedto be an excellent idea as we had seen few . nestingangex's hut,5/12/92.23km EofloQuail-thrush - 1.4112192.20 km E of Loongana In the first few hours of light we also saw (approximate (Kalgoorlie-Boulder)- AB * 2,5112192.2 km north of Reid numbers): 100 Budpigar, 30 Crimson Chat, 30 Spinydekd (Kalgmlie-Boulder) - AB * 1.6112192,46km S of Deakin Honeyeater. 1 Silvereye. 6 Black-fronted Plover, 4Common (Kalgoorlie-Boulder) - AB Bronzewing. 50 Crested Pigeon, 20 Richard's Pipit, 100 Zebra LittleGrassbird - 4nests with eggs, 2recent nests and 2new Fmh, 6Willie Wagtail. 30Singing Honeyeater. 6 Galah. 12 nests. 12/12/92,in a lignum and melaleua swamp. Thdara White-browed Babbler, 4Australian Magpie-lark. 6Chestnut- Station (Yalgoo) - PF, JBW rumpedThornbill. 1 Bmwn Honeyeater (seldom seen this far Rufous-crowned Emu-wren - 3. 17111192. Wanjarri N.R. north), 30Tree Martin, 4Southern Whiteface, 2 Emu, 100 (Leonm) (SW limit of distribution) - MC, GM Masked Woodswallow, 20 White-plumed Honeyeater, 1 Grey Slaty-backed Thornbill - 2. 1511 1192.40 km from Payne's Sbrike-thrush,30 Little Crow. 1 Whitewinged Triller (female) Frnd on Sandstone road (Yalgoo) (at or near southem limit) - and beard a Chiming Wedgebill. Many Variegated and White- MC, GM winged Fairy-wren with Qzens of females and young were Black Honeyeater - 1 male. 18111/92,Wanjani N.R (Leanom) darting everywhere. Some male White-winged Fahy-wren - MC were deepeat navy while others were the usual 'Reckitts' blue. Pied Honeyeater - 1 male. 212193. Eyre Bird Observatory Water birds were 3 White-faced Hem, 2 Grey Teal. 1 @M&) - GW, RW Pink-eared Duck. 12 Black-fronted Plover and an Oriental Orange Chat - 20.1911 1192. Lake Mirauda (Lemora) - MC. Plover. There was dyone raptor in twenty four hours - an GM Australian KesW. The exdent outing was capped an our retum home. by sighting a pair of Orange Chat. KIMBERLEY Pkme note that permission must be obtained from the Green Pygmy-Goose - 3,30112193,silt catchment pond near station bqbre camping at Carbla. Argyle mine (Wyndham-East Kimberley) (first record for M. Gallin and D. Kingston mine site) - FO Dollarbird - 2.49192. Mitchell River Falls (Wyndharn-East RED-CHESTED BUTTON-QUAIL; ARGYLE Kimberley) (very early arrival) - LF On Saturday 30th January a small bird was fd covered in mud in the main pit of the Argyle Diamond Mine. This was just after an extended rainy period (about 125mm in the previous 48 hours) which included some gusty (but not gale Observer Codes force) winds and heavy cloud cover from the tropical depres- sion that had moved aaoss from the Northern Territory. AB - Allan Burbidge LF - Lee Fontanini The bird was brought down to the medical centre where it AC - Alan Clarke LH - Lee Hassan was cleaned. It w& in a weak condition but appeared to have no BBa - Bryan Barrett MB- Mary Bmner physical damage. BN - Brenda Newbey MBY- Max Bailey The bird was shown to me briefly that afternoon for CW- Chris Wilder MC - Michael Cmig identification and again the next day. It seemed either an DW- Doug Watkins MM - Murray McQuie FO - Frank 0' Connor PF - Phil Fuller immature quail or a button-quail, but not of a species that I GM - Glenn Moore 1PJ - Peter Jacoby could immediately identify. GW - George Watkins RI- Roger Jaensch The eyes were a distinct yellow. The feet and legs were HvW - Hank van Wees RS - Rod Smith pinlush. The bill was dark. The complete throat. chest and IS - Ian Standring RW- Rita Watkins flanks were an even orange-buff. The overall colour was dark. JJ3W- Basil Woods SH - Stuart Halse but the back and wing coverts had chestnut markings. The JD - Jack Donohoe SN - Simon Nevill extended wing had two distin'ct coldareas with the prima- JH - Jack Hunt TH - Tim Hunt & others ries darker. The head was dark but it was mare streaked on the KC - Kate Creed TK - Tony Kirkby side of the neck. I measured the bill to tail length as a rough 15cm (possibly 13 to 17) with a ruler. I extended the right wing and all feathers were fully developed with only a little wear. AUSTRALASIAN BITERN AT BENGER I consulted my Simpson & Day field guide. My first thought was of a Chestnut-backed Button-quail (a species not A team comprising J. Lane and A. Clarke (CALM), R. on the Argyle list yet but a probable) because of the dowing Jaensch (consultant) and J. Stewart (volunteer) conducted the above. However. after more thought I discounted this because survey. Weather conditions were favourable (still. cool) and of the dour underneath, the general colour overall, the head water was up to 0.5 m deep over large area. and tail dour, the size and the bill and leg colour. Methodr and Result Little Buttonquail are quite anmuon, but I decided against At 20.00 to 20.30hours on 16 November, the team listened thisbecauseofthelackofany whiteuedemeathandthegeneml for caUing bittems from sites in the SEand centre of the swamp, dark colour. from the top of a 4WD vehicle. No bitterns were heard. Red-backed Button-quail and King Quail occur in the From 730to 12.00on 17 November, the team searched for Kimbdey but are unlikely to occur at Argyle. Their descrip- bittern nests in the far NW of the swamp, between the roads tions and illustrations were not close. The bird was much too name Bittern Close and FdedDuck Drive and immediately small to be a Bmwn Quail which are very common at Argyle. N and S of that area. Soon after the start, an adult Australasian With the bird next to Simpson & Day. it looked like the Bittern was seen flying purposefully for 300m from near the female Red-chested Buttonquail illustrated. The only discrep- central Nend of the swamp. to land in tall dame Typha less thm ancy was that the colour above was more distinct than the lOOm N of Bit- Close. Five minutes later, another was seen illustration of the bird in flight. in the same routine: although viewed from a different site, it Tbe Redchested Button-quail was observed three times at appeared to land in or near the same area as the fint bird. Argyle in the wet =ason during the 1983 environmental Systanaric searching of Typha within 100-15(kn of the bitterns' survey. It received a special mention as having only been landing site failed to find evidence of bim breeding, although observed six times pviously in the Kimbedey. In Birds of the a secondary wing feather was found. An adult bittern, either Kimberley Division. Western Australia by Storr G.M. (1980) one of the fmt two or a third, was flushed from Typha just S of WA Museum. Perth it is described as "perhaps a drought Bittern Close. refugee fmthe interior of eastern Australia" (p.31)and he Water was 03-0.4mdeep thugh a large part of the Typha mentions two records fnm near Htnoy w.I also know searched and in many places the Typha was more than 3.b thatithasbeenseenfairlyofbinthegras%plainattheMof high and closely spaced but not excessively choked with the Broame Bird Observatory. collapsed dead material, i.e. relatively easy to walk through. The bird was very docile adeasy to pick up. It was quite Less and more dense Typha also was extensive. happy to walk aroundmy desk and to explore the village room Conclt~~ions of the person looking after it. It was drinking from water Little is known about the breeding of Australasian Bittem provided and ate bread and milk maahed to* and bird seed in WA, probably nothing in regard to breeding in Typha. provided. A umcem however was that it sometimes flew into However. a possible explanation for behaviour of the first two the wall seemingly disoriented, It will be looked after for a few bitterns is that they had beenfeeding elsewhere in the swamp mare day and then either released in grassland near the mine, and were bringing food to nestlings. Normally bitterns would or CALM,Kununurra will be consulted for advice. not fly such distances unless flushed or exploiting a favoured F. O'Comor food resource far fram a nest or roost. The landing site had INTERSPECIES PROTECTION 3 enough water and sheltcr (and was not too dense) to support a nest of the type that bitterns probably make. A nest or nestlings On 4 January, six h.north of Kojonup on the Albany (which probably wander from the nest at an early age) could 40m 4(hn Highway, there is a x island of native bushland have been missed by the team, despite intensive effort, given overgrown with grass and weeds, surrounded by hectares of the size of the area and density of vegetation. area 12 agriculture. In this small there were Western Rosella Although no firm conclusions can be made about breed- feeding on the grass seeds. 2Westem Thornbill, 1 Grey Slnike ing, prospects for success in further study of bitterns at Benger 1 5 thrush, Rufous Whistler and Black-faced Woodswallows. during breedrngseason are encouraging. Future surveys could While enjoying this birdlife in the weedy, neglected- begin with watching for bittern flights from an elevated posi- looking island of native bushland, I was suddenly swoaped by tion in early maning, to pinpoint possible nest sites, probably a Black-faced Woodswallow at great speed. It passed within at weekly intervals through October and November. of hat. 2OOmm my I was swooped again and again at approxi- R. Jaenscb mately 60second intervals. This encouraged me to look for a neat or young probably of the Black-faced Woodswallow family. But no - in cryptic posture on a horimntal branch less than 3m away was a small. Notices 1- Tawny Frogmouth with wing and tail feathers. There type was no sign of the typical shallow bowl nest of the THANK YOU SLIDE CON'TRIBUTORS woodswallow. nor could another Tawny Frogmouth be seain the vicinity. I would like to thank the members who have contributed I have often been swooped and pecked by nesting seabirds, the many valuable slides for our collection, particularly those Silver Gull, Fairy Tern and Crested Tern and on land by the who made important contributions. The RAOU Office now has Australian Magpie during the September to November nesting two sets of slides which cover many species; one set will be kept season,but this is the first time I have been swooped by a Black- for reference and record purposes and the second set will be faced Woodswallow. available for borrowing by members, subject to conditions. M.H. Bremner P. Howden COMMllTEE 1993-4 WA THREATENED BIRDS: DISPLAY Chairman: John Blyth Every birdwatcher, whether professional or recreational. Vice-Chairman: Chris Wilder is sadly aware of the shrunken range and reduced numbers of Secmtary: Michael Craig many Australian birds since Empean settlement Two species Treasmr: Peter Anson previously found in Western Australia. Lewin's Rail and Members: Allan Burbidge, Rufous Bristlebird are now dderedto be extinct in the State. Bill McRoberts, Brenda Newbey. The WA group has recently commenced a public education Tom Spalding. Brian Wilson project to increase awareness of which birds are htened, the nahm of the threats and the programmes in place or planned MALLEEFOWL CONSERVATION PROJECT to preserve these species. TheRAOU (WA Group)is planning a project to determine We intend to produce a well researched and presented the WA distribution and population of Malleefowl. modular kit of display material, with photographs of as many Many members (and others) may have knowledge of of the State's thmkaed species as possible, as well as a variety active a Mvem d and have sighted the birds in various of printed material including names, captions and information localities. A consolidation of such data will produce a clear about threatening processes and plans for the recovery of indication of present distribution. Eventually it is hoped to particular species. All photographs and text will be laminated evaluate changes which have occmed since Atlas information tocqewiththerig

We have had a busy period with five courses being m. Sunday 7 March Half day excursion - Walyunga Na- First was Field Techniques for Bird Study led by I)r Stephen tknal Puk Davies. This was very interesting and broadened our howl- Meet at 830am at the catpark at the eddWalyungaRoad edge of birds considerably. while showing how many birds are (dGreat Northern Highway. Upper Swan near Long Pool): revealed by systematic looking. The National Park lies along the Darliug Scarp. The Avon Next wm Stargazing, led by Trevor Keates. T~evor'stwice River bounds one part of the planued walk and there are some daily talks expanded participants' howledge of things to do good stretches of Wandoo. We should see a good variety of with stars,mooaandsm,butmf~ytheweatherdidnot birds. If you wish bsing your lunch and explore another ama of co-operate. However the group had some two hours mid week the park in the afternoon. The Park entrance fee is $4. and on the last night a beautiful clear sky sparkling with stars. Leader: Peter Anson Then Christmas at Eyre, which was relaxed and fun. We had beautiful weather and were able to swim on the lovely s.hud.y 13 March FMday excursion - Lake Mchrly, beach every day. On Chistmas Eve we sang Carols by Torch- Pinjum light on the beach - probably to the alarm of the Red-capped Meet at 830am at the intagection of South West Highway Hovers - and the Eyre version d the Twelve Days dCbristmas and the Old Bunbury Road, approximately 5km south of writtenby Claire Mercer using Eyre birds. Cbristmas Day was Pinjarm - turn right into the parking area. traditional dinner after presents from the tree; on Boxing Day A second visit to look for rare waders which have been we made a trip to Twilight Cove. seen in late summer at this large, muddy lake. Wellington boots The Dune Stabilisation Work Parties then arrived. The or waders are recommended, plus hat, insect repellent and willing workers planted a large area of dune with Spinifex water. Thmwishing to walk round @e lake should take lunch hirsutus. led by Sara Davies and Tim Hunt, the Spinifex seed with them. heads having been picked beforehand. Mr:Michael Craig Bats. Bats, Bats! was led by Dwg Watkios. Participants met these fascinating little creatures by going down a cave Wednesday 17 March Mid-week walk - Bayswater where hundreds of ChowlateBats were haugingfmm the roof Bird Sanctuary - Doug estimated not less than three thowandin the cave. They Meetat8amattheSwanRiverendofKiogW~S~ also set harp traps along the road and at Burnabbie, as well as Bayswater. The me was mated in 197by Eric Singleton mist nets at the caves to catch and band, weigh. sex and red in canjunction with the Bayswater Council. The rtserve con- the bats. sists of waterways and paved paths (suitable fawheel chairs). Last week we had some extremely hot days - 44 and 45 abirdhideandan~cialisldManywaterbdsbmedinthe degnxa on consecutive days, which resulted in some interest- reserve and the species list is about 100 birds. ing birding. On the weekly beachcount, which covers 13 km, Leader. =c Singleton we recorded 171Inland Dotterel. 106 Banded Lapwing, 149 Redcapped Plover, 29 Oriental Plover, 2 Red-necked Avocet Sunday 21 March FWdfday excursion - Doopiter and2BandedStilt Abwt50InlandDotkd wereseaonatrip Swamp, West Gingin to Cocklebiddy the same morning. Meetat9amattheT-~ondCowallaRDadand~ The hot weather also brought a continual stream of Brook Road. We will then colltinue along Cowalla Roed, to the honeyeaters to the birdbowls and we bad mesighting of a male swamp, approx. 12 kms. Pied Honeyeater, which is unusual here. Another surprise This large swamp has permanent water and usually many visitor was a single Diamond Dove, waiting at the garage when waterbirds, some waders and jdenty of bush birds. There is no we got back from the beach count. Big flocks of Pink Cocka- suitable access for cars so we shall park on the roadside as far tooe are around every day, many feeding young ones. They off the road as possible and climb the fence. Those who wish to compete at the bird bowl with Australian Raven. Brush stay for lunch may explore the far side of the swamp; a good Bronzewing creep in whenever they get a chance. amafor photographem, with plenty of cover. Bootslwellingtom Dugites have been all too plentiful, but they hastily get out useful. A round trip of approximately 200 km. of the way as you approach.Masters snakes have been sighted Leader Bryan Barrett tooand quite a number of Monitor Lizards - cloe havinga lovely bath in the birdbowl at the back! Ona trip to Twilight Cove with Monday 22 March Meeting - H- Lake Wildlife the dune workers, we obseked a pair of seals swimming along Centre, 8 pm close to the shore and about six dolphins. Michael Momanbe, who has written a number of bodrs on R and G. Watkins natural history topics and illustrated rhtxw and other books with his own photographs, will discuss bird photography. (Storr G M (1987) Birds of the Eucla Division of Western Australia, WA Museum. Perth mentions an ummfihmedreport Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 March Campout - Hunt for of Diamond Dove at Twilight Cove in April 1973. Ed.). Malleefowl Mounds - Dryandra Forest A amdhkdsearch for Malleefowl mounds at Dry& Members with some bush navigation experience are needed, together with others to form search teams. Two cottages have been booked at $10 per person per Monday 19 April Meeting - Herdsman Lake Wildlife night. Bring compass, sleeping bag and food. Go to the Care- Centre, 8 pm taker's cottage for dkction on Friday 26 March in the evening. Illegal trafficking in certain species of wild birds is a or if visiting for the day only, wait at the Caretaker's cottage to serious problem for the merit of Conservation and Land be met at 10 am either morning. Manapmt. Kingsley Miller of CALM will speak to us on the Please contact Rod Smith (09) 397 53 19 or (09) 293 2717 different methods of collection and concealment that track- if you intend to take part. matehwntouseaswellasontheDNApr0r~-tly used in this State to establish whether or not birds said to have been bred in captivity have in fact been taken from the wild. Saturday 3 April Half day excursion - Amarillo Pool, Baldivis Saturday 1 May Full day excursion - Lake Mealup, Meet at 8.30 am at the enhance to Amarillo Farm. on the Pinjarra Serpentine River. Travel south on the Mandurah Rcad turning Meet at 9 am at Pinjarra Trotting Club on the right hand left into Paganoni Road, the tumoff to the Marapana Deer Parlr, side of the Highway fmPerth. comer of South West Highway several kilometres from Mandurah. Amarillo Fmis to the and Greenlands Road. on the southern outskirts of Pinjarra. right at the first bend in the road. Allow a little over an hour from Perth. As in January, we will search fawaders alaq the mudflats The Lake Mealup Preservation Society has invited RAOU of the river. Long trousers and bootslWellingtons recom- members to visit the Lake where it has been surveying the bird mended - our sighting of a very large dugite on the previous and plant species around the area. 100 bird species have been visit has made us more alert to the presence of snakes in the seen. area Hats, insect repellent and water should be carried. Leader: Peter Wilmot Leader Jack Hunt Sunday 9 May Full day excursion - Boyagin Rock Easter Campout Frlday 9 Aprll to Monday 12 April - Nature Resene "Birrpke", near Dumbleyung Meet at 8 am at the comer of Canning Mills Road and Because of inability to find a suitable camping site in the Bmoktm Highway, Kamapllen. A round trip of about 250 km. Walpole area, the Easter campout has been transferred to This me contains impressive stands of powderbark wandw private praperty app~ximately52 bn northeast of hbleyung. and has a species list of 79 birds. Moderate to easy walks or about three and a half hours fmPerth. "Birralee" is a 2,300 some more strenuous around the Rock. hectare property, half pasture and crops. the rest comprising Leader: Clive Napier some large areas of mallee heath. Southern Scrub-robin. Blue- breasted Fairy-wren.Shy Hylacda d8 species of heyeaters Monday 1-0May Meeting - Herdsman Lake Wildlife were seen on a recent visit, as well as Owlet and Spotted Centre, 8 pm Nightjar. Giovanni Casotti student, Murdoch) will show slides Limited acammodation is available in a cottage; there is and talk of his wodi concerning the adaptation of honeyeaten room for some tents and for 1or 2 caravans. Those interested to arid conditions. in pining this campout should contact either Margery Clegg (09) 364 5266 or Bryan Barrett (09) 298 8245 for further Wednesday 12 May Mid-week walk - Woodman Point information. Reserve, Munster, Cockburn Leader: Bryan Barrett Meet at 830 am at the entrance to Woodman Point Recrea- tion Camp - off Cockburn Road, south of the caravan park. A Wednesday 14 April Mid-week walk - Bibra Lake reserve of tuart woodland and native cypress. Meet at 8 am at the first carpark at the northem end of the Leader: Brenda Newbey Lake, part of the Beeliar Wetlands chain, where large numbers of waterbirds can readily be seen. Saturday 15 May to Sunday 16 May Campout (or full Leader: Peter Anson day Saturday or Sunday) - Lowlands Estate, Serpentine The owner, Mrs Midge Richardson, has kindly put her Sunday 18 April Full day excursion - Garden Island sheanm quarters at our disposal for a limited number of people. Meet at 8.30am at the mainland end of the bridge to the Lowlands is approximately 1hour from Perth. Turn off Island. Thomas Road, Oakford, into Kargotich Road, travel south for A repeat excursion for those who were not able to under- 14 km to the T-junction with Lowlands Road - a No Through take the previous visit. Members who have already indicated Road - turn right and the entrance gate to the property is they wish to attend and any others interested should confirm approximately 3 km further on. this at the RAOU office by 26 March. Meet at 8.30 am on either day at the cottage which is 2.9 Garden Island being naval territory necessitates limita- km from the entrance gate - turn left at the road junction, over tions on the number of cars and people permitted on the island. a narrow bridge to the cottage where you will be met. As this The party will be limited to 20. Only those whose names have is private propeq, it is importaut that you do arrive only at the been submitted to the Naval authorities will be allowed on the appointed time. Those members who wish to stay overnight Island. must contact Allan Burbidge (09) 306 1642. Leader: Michael Brooker Leader: Allan Burbidge Saturday22 May - 50th Anniversary of the WA Group On Saturday 22 May, the WA Group celebrates its 50th Anniversary with the gathering of members at Perry House. A B B C B Q Answers light luncheon will be provided. Members and ex members are welcome to join in the celebrations and are requested to contact 1) Almost identical @ 49) the Treasurer at the office (09) 383 7749 by May 1st. There is c no charge for the luncheon which commences at 1 pm. Further 2) Direct (underwing) and indirect (overwing) (p 141) details will be given closer to the date on the RAOU Hotline 3) Direct @ 141) (09) 387 8412. 4) Restores and maintains flight feather shape. may help synthesise Vitamin D, may help spread preening oil and Sunday 23 May Half day excursion - Pinnaroo Valley soften old oil, alters feather colours. may improve skin Memorial Park, Padbury condition and may make parasites more active and more Meet at 8.30 am at the fmt carpark off Whitfords Avenue easily found and removed. @ 140) (on the right hand side through the entrance). An interesting 5) Over 40 times @ 57) park where gardens and lawns are flanked by nahd woodland 6) Flat surfaces reduce wing drag by up to 20% @ 63) of tuart and banksia. Some 65 species of birds have been 7) It is thought yes @ 88) sighted in the area, including Yellow-throated Miner. 8) Open their eyes, though often only one eye and survey Leader: Graham Little their surroundings, every few minutes or even seconds. Eyes close if there is no disturbance. but remain open if Momlay 24th May Meeting - Herdsmao Lake Wildlife there is. Birds sleeping in groups open their eyes less often Centre, 8 pm @ 146) Geoff Lodge, who farms near Boyup Brook and has 9) About 8hours, but there are big variations between studied the birds of his area since the 19309, will tell us how and within species. @ 148) those birds (which include Lewin's Rail, extinct in Western 10) Richest is Neotropical (South and Central America, Australia) have fared over the years. South Mexico and the West Indies) with 31 endemic families. Australasia is'second with 16. @ 157) Saturday 5 June Full day excursion - Flynn Road Meet at 8.30 am on the corner of Flynn Road and Great AU questions derive from The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Eastern Highway, about 1 km on the Perth side of The Lakes Ornithology (1991) Brooke M & Birkhead T (Eds), tumoff (ie the York Road turnoff).We will look at several areas Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, to which the ofwandoowoodlandwhere3speciesofrobinareusuallyseen. page references refer. Leader: Bryan Barrett

Monday 28 June Meeting - Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre, 8 pm Ian and Eleanor Rowley will speak about colour banding studies of some fairy-wrens. Ian began such studies in Canberra in 1955 with fairy-wrens, then sorted out the different species of Australian corvids in the 1960s and investigated co-opera- tive breeding in colour-banded White-winged Choughs. Since coming to WA in 1969, he has, while working for CSIRO, carried out research on Galahs, Pink Cockatoos and Splendid. Red-winged, Purple-crowned, White-winged and Blue-breasted Fairy-wrens, in each case with marked individuals. He is the your area to a wider public. current editor of Emu. Eleanor studied social behaviour in kangaroos and honey possums before converting to birds and I Hi Ip in having an Information Broch has, since 1977, worked with Ian on the WA fairy-wrens. printed for your area See page 6 Monday 26 July Meeting - Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre, 8 pm John Dell of the Department of Terrestrial Vertebrate Biogeography and Ecology at the WA Museum will describe local responses of birds to changing conditions at WoodstocW Abydos in the eastern Pilbara.

Monday 23 August Meeting - Herdsinan Lake Wildlife Centre,8 pm Dr Tony Start of the Woodvale Research Centre of CALM who has been studying bats for many years, will compare bats and birds and deal with some of the relationships between them. Advertisements

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Falcon Tours, 1 Simons Driue Roleystone 61 1 1 or telephone 09 397 5125 for further information Chairman'sReport to the 1993 Annual General Meeting This has been a very significant year for the Westen surveys for several years and there will now be considerable Australian Group of the RAOU. In reviewing 1992. I want to gaps in the calendar of bird projects to do for many of us. Some mention briefly the highlights, touch on some of the less have no doubt already switched to other ongoing RAOU obviously noteworthy, ongoing things which taken together projects. but there certainly exists a need. and an opportunity. made up the year for the Group. and then spend a few minutes for the WA Group to develop one or more sped~callyWestern looking at what we are doing now and where we might head in Australian projects for our members to contributeto. The new the future. Committee will give this matter a high priority in the near From a Western Australian point of view the two high- future. lights of the year were undoubtedly the visit to the Stateby Bill While it is true to say that 1992 was dominated by the Oddie and the shift of the W.A. Group into new headquarters events discussed above. it is equally true to say that a multitude at Perry House, in Bold Park. Bill We's visit was a part of an of other events. activities and achievements occurred and Australia-wide trip organised by RAOU Australia. Allan Jones continue and that it is these ongoing. sometimesroutine, things and a team of three other vdunkers took on he almostfull time which make the RAOU what it is. A number of these things are task of liaising with Moonee Ponds and arraugingBill's West- discussed below. not in any order of imv,but to provide em Australian schedule, including a public talk, attended by examples of the very wide range of activities that the Orwp and over 500 people and the opening of Perry House. Between these its members are involved in. two major commitments, Bill had a very full schedule of media Early in the year, the WA pupprovided $4,8Ml (partlyas appearances and interviews. His last official task in Western a direct donation to BBO and partly as a low-interest loan to Australia was a trip to Two Peoples Bay to take part in the RAOU Australia) to the Broome Bird Observatory to fund the translocationof several Noisy Scrub Birds from the mainland purchase of extra facilities to improve their visitor's accommo- to Bald Island. dation and thereby increase their ability to attract fee-paying A very good news item of this event, including an inter- visitors. view with Bill Oddie, was filmed by Channel 10, who also The 1992 Twitchathon was held in October to coincide provided the helicopterby which the translocation was made. with the National event taking place in other States. Although Overall Bill's visit to the Stateprovided a tremendous boost to the numbers of birds recorded by the nine Western Australian the cause of birding and bird conservation and the WA Group teams wuld not compare with some of the higher counts made is very grateful to RAOU, Melbourne. and to Allan Jones and by some of the teams from the East Coast, the winning Western his team for the great job they all did in arranging the very Australian team of Gail and Bryce Wells (the Kimberley complex programme. Kuckoos) recorded a very creditable 130 species. The event The shift of the WA Group's headquarters from Canning was very enjoyable for all those taking part and special thanks Bridgeto Peny House was the culminationof many months of go to Bryan Barrett and Margery Clegg for an exdent job of discussion and enquiries by the Committee. especially Brian making all the necessary arrangements and of recording and Wilson, who investigatedmany alternativepossibilities for our assessing the results. futurequarters. Negotiations with the City of Perth and modi- Bryan and Margery were also responsible for organising fying and refurbishing the building and its grounds (both of an outstanding programme of outings and campouts through- which looked very much less inviting then than they do now) out the year. Under their remarkably energeticleadership. there were also major tasks, handled most capably by Peter Anson, were walks or campouts virtually every weekend throughout Clive Napier. Chris Wilder and a host of other volunteers, the year, as well as frequent midweek walks, a new and very including many from the Wildflower Society. well received initiative. The final result, sharing the lovely old Federation-style The WA Group also continued to have a wide range of Perry House with the Wildflower Society of W.A.. with the interesting and authorative speakers at our regular monthly City of Perth as our landlord, has been an outstanding success. meetings and sometimes an occasional extra meeting was held The very low rental will give the WA Group great financial to take advantage of the presence in the State of someone of security, while the extra space for office work, meetings and particular interest. This excellentprogramme was an-auged by secure storage is a delight after the cramped conditions at Jeremy ~albotand the increasingly large numbers of members Canning Bridge. In addition, the arrangement between the City coming to our meetings is a sure sign of how successful he is of Perth,the Widflower Society and ourselves ensures that the being in obtaining speakers who give our members the enter- RAOU is very much a part of the local community, with an tainment and informationthat they want. involvement in regular festivals and providing occasional A special New Members Night was held for the second walks and displays for the public at other times throughout the year in a row. It was well received by the many new members year. Although not challenging the National Gallery,the ongo- for the year who attended and learned more about the workings ing display of bird art and photography is a real feature of our and activities of the WA Group and it is hoped to make this a new centre, and we hope that eventually it can become known regular annual event. as a place to come to see (and to buy!) outstandingexamples of We also need to remember that we are a part of RAOU wildlife art. Australia and that there are many achievqents by our "patent Two other siflcant, if less positive, events for the year body" that are sifl~cant for us. The RAOU continues to run were the completion of the Scopewest Survey of wetlands and a varied and successful research programme, from single waterbirds of the Swan Coastal Plain, and the end of Govern- species studies,such as the recently concluded study of the Red ment funding for the twice yearly "Duck Count". Hundreds of Goshawk, to the ongoing, volunteer based Australian Bird RAOU volunteers have been involved in one or both of these Count. One of the most important projects was.the completion of an Action Plan for Australian Birds, written by Stephen might be able to fund them and we need people with a variety Garnett and funded by the Australian National Parks and of skills. to design the projects and implement them. The talents Wildlife Service. This project represents a milestone for the needed inclde public speakmg,design and layout of brochures conservation of threatened birds in Australia. The fact that the and displays, office work, computer operation - the list is RAOU received the contract for it indicates how high the endless but above all we need people who are interested in Union's reputation is in the scientific community and the birds, like to both watch and talk about them and who wish to outstanding way in which the project has been completed and help with their conservation. reported should further enhance that reputation. J. Blyth The year has also seen the resignation of Philip Moors as the Director of the RAOU and his recent replacement by David PUBLICATIONS Baker-Gabb. Philip did an outstanding job as our Director for 1 almost four years and the WA group wish him well in his new Australian Waterbirds-Fieldguide Kingsford $15.00 position, a senior one in the Victorian Public Service, as Beach Patroller's Guide Rowe & Plant $7.00 Director of the Melbourne Royal Botanical Gardens. Like Birdem Guide to Japan Robinson $15.00 Philip, David Baker-Gabb comes with a high reputation as a Birding Sites amund Perth Van Delft $10.00 research ornithologist. Many of our members will know of his Birdlife of Murdoch Porter $6.00 work on the Piains Wanderer, the Red Goshawk and the Bird Birdlife of Rottnest Saunders & de $8.00 as Rebeira of Prey Watch. The reputation of the RAOU one of the Birds of Australia-Logbook Simpson & Day $1 1.00 primary sources of authoritative knowledge about Australian Birds of WA Serventy & $12.00 birds is in good hands. Whittell While thinking of RAOU Australia I would like to con- Check List of Birds of W.A. 10 for $1.00 gratulate Brian Wilson for continuing to be a member of the Field Guide to Birds of Australia Pizzey $23.00 Field Guide to Birds of Australia Simpson & Day $25.00 RAOU Codand to thank him for the regular reporting and Field Guide to Australian Birds Slater $25.00 co-operation between the two groups which results. Field Guide to Birds of W.A. Stoa & $20.00 The WA Group has a number of ongoing or recently begun Johnstone projects which will umtinue to provide activities for members Great Australian Birdfinder- Morecombe $55.00 and benefits for the Group as a whole. These include the Guide to the Flora and Fauna of the W.A. Naturalists $10.00 Rockingham Offshore Island and nationally organised Beach Patrol for beach washed seabirds, Cape Peron with Bryan Bmaas our State &ordinator; involvement in a Attracting Birds to a W.A. Garden .50 project for the conservation of the Malleefowl being organised Methods of Censusing Birds in Davies (ed) $5.00 by Jean-Paul Orsini of the Threatened Species Network, an Australia almost completed brochure on the birds of Camarvon, master- National Wotographic Index Books and the of Parmk and Pigeons $71.00 minded by Allan Jona intended to be fmt many such Seabirds $61.00 regional guides and the upgrading of our slide collection by Shore birds $61.00 Peel Howden. In regard to this last ,special thanks go to Simon Honeyeaters and Allies $64.50 Nevi11 for the donation of a collection of several hundreds of his Wrens and Warblers $51.00 slides, including inany excellent ones of Western Australian Robins and Flycatchers $68.00 Waterbirds of Australia $61.00 birds; a very significant addition to our collection. Parrots of the World Forshaw $60.00 Among other projects which deserve mention are two to be Ppcket List of Australian Birds Schodde $1.50 funded by the previous State Government's Social Advantage Portrait of a Peninsula Smith $9.00 Initiative. These are the production of display material on the Save that Song Hutchinson $25.00 endangered birds of Western Australia, a project being co- Seabirds- Identification Guide Harrison $64.00 Shorebirds in Australia Lane $45.00 ordinated by Judy Blyth and now well underway and the The Action Plan for Australian Birds Garnett $20.00 production of a high quality brochure about birding around Threatened & Extinct Birds of Garnett (Ed) $15.00 Perth. Australia The Committee is most grateful to all the people named W A Bird Notes per issue $3.50 above and to all of the other willing helpers who are ensuring Waterbirds in Nature Reserves of Jaensch Vervest $15.00 S.W. Australia 1981-85 & Hewish that these and other projects will be successful. My personal Waterbirds at Remote Wetlands FWs Jaensch & $1.2.00 thanks to the Committee for being such a great group of people 1& 2 Vervest each with whom to work and to all of our volunteers who maintain Where to Find Birds in Australia Bransbury $25.00 the office and generally provide the W.A. Group with its greatest strength. Other Items for Sale Audubon Squeakers $9.50 Some of the Activities described above provide, I believe, Bird-call tapes $1 1.50 a good direction for the future. We need to continue to be active. Blue Wren (good gift for children) Brooker $9.50 both as a group and individually, in projects such as the RAOU Emu badges $3.00 Australian Bird Count and the Beach Patrol organised on a Car stickers - Splendid Fairy-wren $2.00 national level and perhaps more importantly, we need to Gift Items are also available - including , tea towels develop more specifically Western Australian projects in which gift packs our members may be involved. To expand our efforts in this all purpose cards for 8 $6.00 way we will need continued aid expanded assistance from our 1993 Calendar $5.00 existing willing volunteers and from as inany new helpers as possible. We need more ideas about projects, about how we NB - postage extra. Eg - Simpson & Day $3,40locally, Calendar $ 1.50