YELLOW THROAT the Newsletter of Birdlife Tasmania: a Branch of Birdlife Australia Number 115, Spring 2021

YELLOW THROAT The newsletter of BirdLife Tasmania: a branch of BirdLife Australia Number 115, Spring 2021

1 Drawing by Inala Swart Mission: long-term, state-wide monitoring of Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax fleayi) – and more… Clare Hawkins Tasmania's Wedge-tailed Eagle is listed as endangered, because of its estimated population size (from 1990s nest surveys) and numerous human activities found to cause death or disturb breeding. But we don't know if the huge efforts to minimise some of these problems are effective, and some problems are increasing (e.g. second- generation rodenticide use). More generally, many Tasmanians have no idea of their potential impact on eagles (details here: https://www.threatenedspecieslink.tas.gov.au/Pages/Wedge-tailed-Eagle.aspx) The Bookend Trust launched the NatureTrackers program in 2018 – 'Coordinating schools and the community to track the progress of our threatened species and better understand their needs'. We started with raptors and the Where? Where? Wedgie! (WWW) project. The methods are straightforward, but sufficiently rigorous to monitor eagles and other raptors accurately. People survey 4 km x 4 km squares across Tasmania on up to three of six set dates each May, now coordinated through an upgraded online map (thank you Possible crowd-funders!) and supporting information. One 'survey day'– comprising six 10-minute surveys in different spots– can be achieved in a morning, or spread across an enjoyable day out. To detect a population decline, we look for change in the proportion of surveys that recorded birds; thus every survey is important, whether or not you see a bird. Results are recorded on an app or datasheets, with photos if possible. With this year's new app, we encountered a few uncomfortable glitches, and data-error-chasing has been extra time-consuming; but we're ironing out the wrin- kles and we think the change is worthwhile. It builds on the new online map, with some very useful extra features. So – are population numbers changing? Since they can jump about, formal threatened status reviews consider population trends across at least 10 years. If everyone keeps participating, the WWW data will be more than adequate for this. However, early warning of any serious decline is clearly preferable, and we'd all like regular feedback. An- nually, 80–90 squares are each surveyed for at least two days (85 squares in 2021). Our power analyses show that, with annual two-day surveys of 100 squares, we could confidently detect a dramatic (over 30%) wedgie population change from one year to the next. But generally, the more squares and days we survey, the more swiftly we pick up changes – for all species surveyed. Details are in our 2018–2020 report naturetrackers.com.au/news18.php

2 How can you help? To increase coverage and participation rates, please take part (2022 dates are 13–15 and 27– 29 May), and spread the word – including teaching the methods and species identification. An encouraging, Aus- tralia-wide, survey by our social scientist Dr Angela Dean found only 6.6% of 3946 respondents had helped monitor nature in a community survey, but 30% were willing to find out more! The more promotion, the more useful WWW data, the better awareness and coordination for conservation efforts. Additionally, more even spread of surveys across habitats provides more accurate information. If a survey square is on your land, do consider inviting surveyors; or perhaps you can help transport people to remote places. For keenies, 'bonus' surveys can be especially fun, and help to motivate new people. Surveys near James Pay's GPS -tagged eagles can help us find out how frequently WWW surveys miss nearby eagles, and thus how recorded numbers translate to real numbers.

Love wildlife monitoring in general? Check out the website naturetrackers.com.au for Claws on the Line (burrowing crayfish) and– coming soon – bioacoustics on bats and bitterns...

WWW21 results so far: see app.naturetrackers.com.au/map_results

Interested Tasmanian tweet 2021

Facebook post by Michael Dempsey 3 Conservation Priorities for the Forty-spotted Pardalote Sally Bryant

Thirty years of conservation effort on the Forty-spotted PardalotePardalotus quadragintus has translated into major successes that other recovery programs only dream about. Foremost has been the protection of habitat in public and private statutory reserves of over 80 percent of known colonies. Even as recently as December 2020 a private property on Tinderbox Hills was purchased through fundraising by the Tasmanian Land Conservancy, securing one of the last viable colonies on mainland Tasmania. Today, more people are aware of the plight of the forty-spot due to the tremendous increase in education and advocacy, particularly by the Bruny Island community who continue to showcase the species in bird festivals and land-management efforts. New research and uptake in recovery tools, such as feather fumigation and nest boxes, are providing greater insight into the species’ ecology and how to deal with emerging threats like the fly larvae parasitising nestlings. With so many positives, it’s hard to believe why the Forty-spotted Pardalote remains in an ever-perilous position and that recovery efforts are far from over. Climate change is affecting the health of white gum and cumulative threats continue to cause colony extinction and population decline. The Forty-spotted Pardalote National Recovery Plan is ten years out-of-date; no dedicated state or commonwealth funding is in place to aid recovery efforts and the recovery program is totally reliant on volunteers to undertake the management and monitoring necessary to track species status. We urgently need to replen- ish outlying colonies especially on Flinders Island where barely a handful of birds, if any, still remain. A devastating wildfire on Maria Island or Bruny Island, not if but when, could decimate half the species’ total population, leaving few ecologically viable sites available to aid recovery. Despite these challenges, it’s heartening to know so many people are willing to provide support as we forge a plan of action. As the recovery team now sets about harnessing the collective effort needed for citizen science monitoring, we hope to better protect what is undeniably one of Australia’s most unique and tenacious little woodland birds.

Forty-spotted Pardalote: Photo by Alan Fletcher

4 Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Sue Jones

At the July meeting of Birdlife Tasmania, Dr Shannon Troy presented one of the three fantastic talks on conserv- ing Tasmania’s birds. Shannon is a Wildlife Biologist with the DPIPWE Orange-bellied Parrot (OBP) Tasmanian Pro- gram. Her talk began with a historical overview of the milestones in OBP conservation, beginning with the 1770s – when they were ‘abundant’. Contrast that with the dire situation in 2016, when only 17 birds returned to Mela- leuca for the breeding season from their mainland over-wintering sites. However, there is still hope. Captive OBPs are thriving in the breeding facility at Five Mile Beach, which is the DPIPWE part of the Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) managed insurance population, and captive releases at Melaleuca are working well. The wild population of OBPs is the furthest it’s been from extinction since 2008 (51 birds in 2021). The main objectives of the OBP Recovery Plan are to attain a stable or increasing wild population and to have enough habitat to support that wild population. Shannon explained that the challenges still facing the recovery team include the small overall population, the need for planned burns to regenerate feeding sites at Melaleuca, decreasing the species’ dependence on human management, and increasing migration survival. She ended by acknowledging everyone involved in this complex program, including the many volunteers whose contributions are invaluable. Read more at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/conservation/threatened-species-and-communities/lists-of-threatened-species/ threatened-species-vertebrates/orange-bellied-parrot Research papers on OBP conservation can be found at: https://www.difficultbirds.com/research-output

Orange-bellied Parrot: Photo by Helen Cunningham

5 General Meeting 8th July 2021

‘Endangered Birds’

From L to R: Dr Clare Hawkins, Dr Eric Woehler, Dr Sally Bryant and Dr Shannon Troy

Photos by Sue Wragge and Perviz Marker

6 Restoration of seabird islands through pest eradication

SUE ROBINSON

Tasman Island, off the SE corner of Tasmania, is home to Australia’s largest Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur) colony. Feral cats were eradicated from the island in 2010 by the Parks and Wildlife Service. Prior to the eradication, the cat population was around fifty and stomach samples showed cats each ate at least two to four Fairy Prions per night. On occasions, it was observed that individual cats could kill many more than this per night, often eating only the heads or the fishy stomach contents of the prions. Using the estimated 300 days of the year that Fairy Prions are present at Tasman Island, the number of prions killed by cats was estimated at between 30,000 and 60,000 per year. Cats also predated heavily on Short-tailed Shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris) and Sooty Shearwaters (A. griseus). A series of survey transects was established on the island in 2009 to monitor Short-tailed Shearwaters. Since the eradication of cats, shearwater breeding success has increased from 13% to over 63% and numbers of burrows have doubled. Fairy Prion numbers are difficult to estimate because the birds breed in dolerite boulder fields, but observations indicate that their numbers have increased and more chicks are fledging. The Lewin’s Rail (Lewinia pectoralis) population at Tasman Island has also increased significantly since the cats were removed.

Big Green Island—now free of rats

Pest eradication programs have also recently been undertaken on Big Green Island in Bass Strait (2016–18), and George Rocks, north of Eddystone Point (2020) with support from Parks and Wildlife, Wildcare Tasmania volunteers, Biosecurity Tasmania and the Pennicott Foundation. Both programs targeted black rats (Rattus rattus) which can significantly impact seabirds and their young. BirdLife Tasmania has undertaken several shorebird surveys on Big Green Island, and it will be interesting to see the changes over the next few years.

7 At George Rocks, it is expected that the small burrowing petrels – the White-faced Storm Petrel (Pelagodroma ma- rina) and Common Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix), which were common in the 1970s, will re-colonise. The first remote camera image of a storm petrel at George Rocks was recorded in January 2021. The three vegetated islands in the George Rocks Nature Reserve will undergo a weeding program this winter to restore seabird habitat. Mirror bush (Coprosma repens) is an invasive weed which has completely replaced the natural tussock grass assemblage on two islets and half of the main island. This program received a Tasmanian Government Weeds Action Fund grant. The on-ground work will be managed by the Wildcare group, Friends of Fisher Island.

Dr Sue Robinson Biosecurity Tasmania

From George Rocks (now free of rats) looking south to Eddystone Point

All photos by Sue Robinson

Brown Falcon with Rat

There has been a lot in the media recently on the dangers of rodenticide and we thought readers might be interested to see a Brown Falcon lift off with this rat in his talons: Photo by Margaret Bennett

8 2021 Birdife SE Tasmania Winter Gull Count

Tasmania Winter Gull Count ERIC WOEHLER

The 2021 BirdLife Tasmania Winter Gull Count (WGC) was held on Sunday 13 June. The count was conducted under the wettest conditions for many years. The conditions throughout the south-east Tasmania count area comprised low cloud, fog, misty drizzle and light rain. Numerous WGC participants reported ‘below-normal’ numbers of gulls on beaches, almost certainly due to the poor weather conditions. Approximately 60 counters were involved in the count – comprising BirdLife Tasmania members and their fami- lies and friends, UTas higher-degree students, PWS rangers and staff from Tassal and Huon Aquaculture. Hobart and Glenorchy Councils permitted counters access to McRobies Gully and Glenorchy Waste Disposal Sites, re- spectively. All gulls in coastal and near-coastal areas from Southport, throughout the d’Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island foreshores, the Derwent Estuary to Hobart, up-river to New Norfolk, eastward to the South Arm Peninsu- la, Sorell, Marion Bay and the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas were counted. Winter Kelp and Pacific Gull counts commenced in 1980 by members of BOAT (Bird Observers’ Association of Tasmania, later Birds Tasmania and now BirdLife Tasmania) under the initial coordination of Dr Bill Wakefield. Silver Gulls were incorporated in WGCs in 1983. No WGCs were conducted in 1991 – 1994 inclusive, and the 2021 WGC was the 38th WGC for south-east Tasmania. It is believed that this is the longest time series for gull populations in Australia.

Results and Discussion The regional (south-east Tasmania) populations of all three species remain higher than their respective initial counts in the 1980s, despite the poor weather conditions for the 2021 WGC and the reports from observers of ‘below-normal’ numbers. a. Silver Gull The 2021 Silver Gull count was approximately 30% lower than the 2020 count, with fewer than 12,000 individuals reported. This decrease was due to several large flocks of flying silver gulls, comprising hundreds to several thousand being reported by several observers with insufficient time to count the birds before being lost to sight. A large flock was present at Dru Point, and there were more than 3000 Silver Gulls associated with marine farm infrastructure. There is no suggestion of a 30% decrease in the regional population of Silver Gulls, as these are long-lived birds, capable of attaining 30 years. All counts since 2012 to present (n = 10) have exceeded 10,000 individuals, with three of these nine counts exceeding 16,000 individuals. The current regional (south-east Tasmania) population of Silver Gulls is similar to the initial estimates from the 1980s, albeit as a result of the poor weather conditions, rather than a regional population decrease (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Plot showing running means of Pacific (blue) and Silver (red) Gull count data, SE Tasmania calculated from Winter Gull Counts 1980 – 2021. No counts were undertaken in 1991 – 1994, inclusive. Graph © BirdLife Tasmania, may not be reproduced without permission from the author.

b. Pacific Gull The 2021 Pacific Gull count of more than 800 individuals was the third-highest total for the species since 1980. The current regional (south-east Tasmania) population of Pacific Gulls is more than triple the initial counts from the 1980s. There were approximately 200 Pacific Gulls associated with marine farm infrastructure, approximately one quarter of the regional (south-east Tasmania) population. Five counts since the 2013 WGC have reported more than 700 Pacific Gulls in south-east Tasmania, with the peak count exceeding 1300 individuals (approximately 4x the initial counts for this species from the 1980s). There is no evidence of any adverse effect from Kelp Gulls in south-east Tasmania on this species – or on Silver Gulls, Figure 1. Until 2011, the regional population trends for Silver and Pacific Gulls were similar; since then, the regional Pacific Gull population has increased proportionally more than the regional Silver Gull population. Current- ly, we have no explanation for the disparity in these two population trends. c. Kelp Gull The 2021 Kelp Gull count of more than 5000 individuals was the fifth-highest count for this species since 1980. Eight counts since the 2010 WGC have reported more than 5000 Kelp Gulls in south-east Tasmania. There were more than 1500 Kelp Gulls associated with marine farm infrastructure. The 2021 count was more than six times the initial count in 1980. The first breeding record for Kelp Gulls in south-east Tasmania was in the early 1960s, and the regional population continues to increase (Figure 2). Kelp Gulls also continue to expand their range around Tasmania and in recent years have been reported from the west coast.

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Figure 2. Plot showing Kelp Gull count data, SE Tasmania calculated from Winter Gull Counts 1980–2021. No counts were undertaken in 1991 – 1994, inclusive. Graph © BirdLife Tasmania, may not be reproduced without permission from the author d. Decreased utilisation of tips by gulls in south-east Tasmania Figure 3 shows the percentages of the three species of gulls counted at Hobart, Glenorchy and Margate Tips for the period 1995 – 2021 (note that Margate Tip is no longer operating). Kelp Gull counts at the tips in the 1990s indicat- ed more than 80% of the regional population were present during WGCs, but this has decreased to approximately 10%. Similarly, the percentages of Silver and Pacific Gulls at tips have decreased from the 1990s to under 10% of their contemporary regional populations, and often close to 0% (Figure 3). This decreased utilisation of tips by all three species reflect the general increase in gulls’ attendances at marine farm infrastructure in the south-east. Concluding comments The regional populations of the three species of gulls in south-east Tasmania are all higher than the initial counts in the 1980s. The long-term data have shown a decrease in the use of tips and waste disposal sites and a concurrent increase in the use of marine farm facilities in the region. Studies are currently underway investigating the dispar- ate regional population trends.

Figure 3. Plot showing percentages of Pacific (orange), Silver (red) and Kelp (blue) Gulls counted at Hobart, Glenorchy and Margate Tips for 1995 – 2021, calculated from Winter Gull Counts 1980 – 2021. No counts were undertaken in 1991 – 1994, inclusive. Graph © BirdLife Tasmania, may not be reproduced without permission from the author. Acknowledgements Sincere thanks to all participants for their efforts during poor weather conditions. Particular thanks to the many UTas students who participated. Thanks to Tassal and Huon Aquaculture for allowing their staff to participate, and to Hobart and Glenorchy City Councils for access to their facilities. 11 The elusive Stubble Quail

SHARON MOORE

The small, ground-dwelling Stubble Quail, once considered abundant in Tasmania, is now rarely sighted. So much so that Don Knowler’s July On the Wing article (see references) describes an expedition on private property in the central highlands where specially trained hunting dogs were used to locate them. First, some background. In his 2014 article in Australian Field Ornithology, Alister Donnelly outlined the history of sightings of Stubble Quail since the 1830s and discussed the changes in habitat due to European land-use practices that caused their population decline. The species was still regarded as relatively common in the early twentieth century; however, by the 1940s it was in trouble. Listed for protection by the Flora and Fauna Board in 1944-45, it remains protected. By contrast, the Brown Quail is permitted to be hunted from mid-May to late June. The habitat most suitable for Stubble Quail, lowland temperate grassland, which occurs below 600m ASL in Tasma- nia, occurred in areas suitable for grazing and agriculture. Initial colonial farming practices – low-intensity sheep grazing on native grasslands, and wheat-growing – were relatively favourable to quail, resulting in fewer trees but more food and suitable cover. The dramatic population decline has been attributed to the introduction of improved pasture and intensive grazing in the late 1930s, along with the decline in cereal production. The use of agricultural chemicals and the introduction of feral cats have also been implicated in the species’ decline. While the population of Stubble Quail in Tasmania is unknown, Donnelly estimated it as less than 2500 individuals, with most sightings in the central north of the state. The population declined dramatically between the two Aus- tralian bird atlases (1984 and 2003) and there is now a dearth of records in Birdata. Donnelly concluded on the basis of the sparse records that the species should be considered for listing as endangered. Some commentators, however, observe that the numbers could be underestimated due to the difficulty of sighting the birds, the fact that it is mostly hunters rather than birders who are likely see them and that most suitable habitat is on private land. Which brings us back to Knowler’s article, where he describes a winter’s day in a paddock of wet, long grass in wild country near Bothwell, the excitement of witnessing the dogs standing ‘on point’ as they picked up the quails’ scent, then the birds taking flight. Seven Stubble Quail, mostly in pairs, were sighted on the day, with ten Brown Quail also seen. Knowler points out the crucial importance of the cooperation of the private landowner and the hunting fraternity in enabling this sighting. By coincidence, a single Stubble Quail was also observed during the Winter Wader Count at Barilla Bay east of Ho- bart, also in early July. This was Tim Reid’s first Tasmanian sighting of the species, and he made detailed field notes and a sketch, noting that the bird was paler than Brown Quail, with white streaks on its upper body and black streaks on white underneath.

The decline in population and distribution of Stubble Quail since the early twentieth century is alarming. These recent sightings give cause for hope, however systematic surveys, including cooperative efforts such as that described by Don Knowler, are required so that the species’ true status and conservation needs may be assessed. References: Knowler, Don (221). ‘Pointers on the stubble quail scent’, On the Wing, 23 July 2021 http://donaldknowler.com/?p=2793 Donnelly, Alister (2014). ‘What happened to Tasmania’s Stubble Quail?’, Photo of Tim Reid’s notebook with detailed notes. Australian Field Ornithology, vol. 31, no. 1, pp 24=42. https:// www.birdlife.org.au/afo/index.php/afo/article/view/358 (Accessible by BirdLife members). 12 Genetic threat to Pacific Black Ducks in Tasmania

JASON GRAHAM

Hybridisation is a relatively unknown impact on native duck species. But as proven in other parts of the world, it can be a threat to a species, especially when combined with other threats such as shooting and habitat loss, as it can result in the species’ loss of genetic identity. In Tasmania, hybridisation (or cross-breeding) occurs between introduced Mallards and native Pacific Black Ducks (PBDU). Mallards and PBDUs are closely related and can interbreed easily, resulting in fertile hybrid offspring. There are commonly expressed traits (eg orange legs, blotchy bills, varying feather patterns), but the traits can be subtle and variable. Due to the success of these hybrids, it can be difficult to spot a genetically pure PBDU in the Derwent Estuary and many other Tasmanian waterways. PBDUs can’t be shot in residential areas, but it seems that the vast majority of urban waterways in Tasmania are dominated, or at least populated by, numerous feral ducks and hybrids. This means that when PBDU populations are safe from shooters, they are still vul- nerable to competition and interbreeding with the more dominant and aggressive Mallards. Male PBDU courtship displays can’t compete against the more dominant male Mallards, who are much larger than PBDUs and will force themselves on native female PBDUs. Pacific Black Duck: Photo by Helen Cunningham Mallard numbers around Tasmania are supplemented by dumped pets and supported by inappropriate feeding by members of the public. They tame easily and readily thrive in human landscapes. When there is a stable food source provided by humans, their numbers can increase rapidly and quickly exclude smaller native ducks. In New Zealand, it is now very difficult to find a genetically pure PBDU due to the extent of Mallard hybridisation, and PBDUs on Lord Howe Island have been replaced by hybrids. Several other duck species around the world are endangered by Mallard hybridisation, and species on islands or smaller geographical areas are at greater risk of extinction. Here in Tasmania, we are in a unique situation where we can create safe habitats for native ducks close to urban centres. Often, we need to create reserves and national parks to protect habitats, but in this case the impact is oc- curring in suburbs and town parks. Residential areas provide refugia for native ducks, but feral ducks (including feral geese and Muscovy ducks) need to be removed to minimise the threat from hybridisation. Important urban wetlands such as Gould’s Lagoon and Lake Dulverton are already being impacted by feral water- fowl, and this impact is only going to increase if Mallard numbers are not controlled. All native ducks will benefit from the removal of the larger, aggressive Mallards, but PBDUs in particular will have the bonus of reducing the threat to their genetic identity.

To help our native ducks, it is critical that people stop feeding them! No human food can beat a native duck’s natural diet, and swapping bread for greens still supports feral ducks and geese. Placing containers of water out also only supports feral ducks. To best look after our native Tasmanian ducks, we need to enjoy them by identifying them, learning about them, and by simply watching them going about their business. 13 Project Cuckoo — 2021/22 program

Last year, a number of our south- east Tasmanian members participated in a study of the Pallid Cuck- oo on the South Arm Peninsula. Project Cuckoo’s main objective was a census of Pallid Cuckoo numbers along 20 km of tracks on the Tangara Trail. The surveys were repeated twice at monthly intervals, the first repeat in Octo- ber being a BirdLife Tasmania outing. To avoid double counting of cuckoos, seven teams of volunteers made synchronised observations. Outing attendees were dis- tributed across the seven survey teams and worked with an experi- enced leader. For many, this was Pallid Cuckoo: Photo by Michelle Turner their first involvement in a scientific bird study. We will be repeating those surveys this year by popular demand from those involved. But that is not the only rea- son: although the 2020 – 21 surveys provided valuable information, our results posed as many questions as they answered. We hope to address some of those questions this spring. The Project Cuckoo team is keenly anticipating the arrival of the cuckoos, due about the time you receive this issue of Yellow Throat. From a scientific perspective, Project Cuckoo was exceedingly successful. It provided sufficient information for two substantial papers in the forthcoming Tasmanian Bird Report. The first paper concerns the population census results which confirmed our expectation that the South Arm Penin- sula supports a lot of Pallid Cuckoos. But are these numbers abnormally high compared with other parts of Tasma- nia and the Australian mainland? To answer that question, we need to replicate Project Cuckoo in other parts of the state. The second paper concerns the behaviour of the Pallid Cuckoos. For everyone involved, this aspect of Project Cuck- oo was a fascinating learning experience. There is still so much to be discovered about this species, which is one of the joys of getting involved in bird study in Australia. This year we will be looking into more sophisticated ways of understanding the roles of the different calls used by these cuckoos and how the use of those calls changes as the breeding season progresses. Then there are the dedicated foster parents like the Black-headed Honeyeaters ferry- ing food to a cuckoo many times their size. What is the impact of all those cuckoos on honeyeater numbers? How many Black-headed Honeyeater nests does one female cuckoo parasitise? It might be 20 or more. We hope you will enjoy reading the Bird Report papers and that those involved in the surveys will share our satis- faction in the success of this collaborative study. The Australian Bird Environment fund supported Project Cuckoo and the publication of its results through a grant aimed to encourage BirdLife Tasmania members and supporters to get involved in Birdata and bird study.

14 When patience isn’t a virtue

MIKE NEWMAN

Masked Lapwing eggs hatch about 28 days after the adults commence continuous sitting, a lengthy incubation typi- cal of many shorebird species. A pair were noticed sitting on 3 July in a garden near my home in Acton Park. They were still incubating 57 days later on 29 August, a period twice the normal incubation period. Clearly, the eggs are not going to hatch. The above observations raise two interesting questions: namely, why the eggs failed to hatch and why the adults failed to abandon the clutch when the incubation period became excessive? Two obvious reasons for the eggs failing to hatch are infertility and excessive cooling. In my experience it is unusual for the entire clutch to fail, although one or two unhatched eggs are sometimes abandoned about 48 hours after the first chick emerges. This pair were incubating at least one month earlier than most Masked Lapwings in the area. In Yellow Throat (110) last year Geoff Shannon drew attention to the fact that Masked Lapwings commence breeding during early June in the Devonport area, one to two months before those in south-east Tasmania. It was speculated that the later date in the Hobart area might be associated with colder temperatures. Thus, it is possible that this pair bred too early, experiencing a series of cold frosty mornings. This possibility is given some credibility by the pair in my garden, which on 20 July, were still associating with the two immature birds they successfully reared in the previous year. After that date the adults were regularly seen copulating and chasing the immature birds away. It was mid-August before they were seen incubating, some six weeks later than the other pair. Geoff’s article also touched on the concept of factors that might trigger breeding behaviour, dismissing the possibility of increasing day length because the Devonport lapwings were breeding before the summer solstice. Experi- ments with Australian Pied Oystercatchers have shown that the size of the egg, rather than its colour or markings, stimulates incubation. In both lapwings and oystercatchers, young and adult birds are communicating with calls before the egg hatches. This trigger causes behavioural changes in the adults, which become more aggressive and start using distraction displays to confuse potential predators. Given these sophisticated mechanisms to optimise breeding success, it is perhaps surprising Masked Lapwings have no sense of excessive length of incubation trigger- ing abandonment of the clutch. This would allow the adults to have a second breeding attempt, as occurs when clutches are predated, thus increasing their breeding success rate.

Masked Lapwing: Photo by Peter Vaughan

15 Letter from the Raptor refuge ALEXA WOLFS

Hello raptor lovers! It is a pleasure to write you an update from the Raptor Refuge for this issue of Yellow Throat. Please allow me to in- troduce myself: Alexa, a freshly trained-up Raptor Assistant! The Raptor Refuge continues to grow, as does the demand for our ‘Walk ’n Talks’. With more work comes the need for more helping hands and so our ground crew has doubled in the past few months. As Craig would say it – busy times at the Raptor Refuge! What does the Raptor Refuge look like through the eyes of a fledgling Raptor Assistant? No two days are the same as there is always something happening. There is of course a lot of general husbandry and maintenance to do: raking, scrubbing, feeding, some more raking … We take visitors around the refuge on our daily Walk ’n Talks, which is always a lot fun. Tasmanian raptors are such magnificent birds and it is so rewarding to allow our guests to meet them up close, explain how special they are and to see people become amazed. My absolute favourite part is doing school-group talks. Kids are the best audience when it comes to animal talks and I feel the impact we make is so big. Being from the generation of wildlife biologists that grew up on David Attenborough documentaries, I feel there is always at least one budding conservationist in the class, just waiting to be inspired! We also get trained up to do rescues, rehabilitation and releases, which can be exciting, confronting, sometimes a bit scary and also rewarding. Craig teaches us how to catch and handle raptors whenever there is a bird that needs to be weighed or moved to another aviary. It has proven to be effective as Louise (one of the other new Raptor Assistants), successfully rescued her first Wedge-tailed Eagle this week. Even though she was a little worried that the eagle may get away, she was confident in her skills and technique, and the injured eagle quickly gave up and flipped on its back. Unfortunately, the past month has been bad for Wedge-tailed Eagles, with many people calling our 1800RAPTOR hotline about dead eagles. We’ve seen victims of powerlines, car collisions and the eagle rescued by Louise has five shotgun pellets throughout his body. We’re doing the best we can to save these birds, but much more needs to be done to prevent these accidents and crimes from happening in the first place. For many years, Craig has worked hard to build a partnership with TasNetworks. At this stage, they are bound to install miti- gation devices on a powerline if we can prove that it caused injury or death to a raptor. This is certainly progress, but a victim shouldn’t be necessary to make this hap- pen. We hear about powerline victims almost every week, but what about all the deaths that go unnoticed in remote areas? The real number of victims would be stag- gering: we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. We have a long way to go to really protect Tasmanian raptors against this threat.

I’ve also witnessed some success stories. We discovered that one of our resident sea eagles who was flightless after her rehabilitation three years ago, has been very slowly recovering over time. She passed her flight test recently and she will be ready for release in the next few weeks – an incredible surprise! Craig also designed a soft- release enclosure for two female Masked Owls that have been at the refuge since they were chicks. They are now free to come and go as they please and we put fresh tucker in their aviary every day. We keep a close eye on them through our cameras and, so far, they have come back almost every night. It is truly heart warming to see that they are doing well in their new life. Raptor Assistant Louise in action, I feel incredibly privileged to work so closely with these amazing birds and to share during her first Wedge-tailed Eagle stories from the Raptor Refuge with our visitors and supporters. rescue: Photo by Raptor refuge More stories from the Raptor Refuge coming, watch this space! 16 Recent King Island Observations Margaret Bennett

Every day a White-bellied Sea Eagle flies over my property, roughly on the same flight path and generally in the same direction. The lone eagle glides across the sky with barely a wing beat. The Masked Lapwings and the Australi- an Magpies don’t feel threatened enough to give chase. I expect that will change when breeding season begins. While standing at the kitchen window recently, I observed some unexpected bird behaviour. Before I write more, the turkeys here are semi-feral and graze on the pastures across the island. Originating from North America, the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was introduced to Australia in the 19th century and to King Island some time in the 1920s, initially as domestic birds. The King Island birds are descended from the American Bronzewing Turkeys, and are big birds up to 1.25 m in height with the males generally larger. The hens can lay up to 15 eggs with high hatch- ing rates, but they aren’t such good mothers. The males have nothing to do with parental duties. Generally, several hens with their chicks will link up together, presumably thinking that there is safety in numbers. More chicks sur- vive in drier weather but are easy pickings for raptors as turkey chicks don’t fly until at least half grown. Recently a hen turkey with two well grown chicks, grazing contentedly in a paddock, surprised me by sprinting alarmingly the 200 or so metres to the cover of a nearby shelter belt. I glanced across the paddock looking for whatever it was that startled them. It was then that I saw the White-bellied Sea Eagle high above, appearing to be completely oblivious to what was happening, though I have no doubt it could see the panicked reaction below. I have observed turkey chicks being taken by Pacific Gulls and Swamp Harriers, but not the sea eagle. The turkey hen bird must have had encounters with the sea eagle previously to have been so desperate in protecting her chicks. I also observed that the large chicks don’t like getting wet feet or wading through water. After 50 mm of rain over two days recently, the spoon drain entering my property was flowing fast. Old mother turkey flew across with a few wing beats and then tried to persuade her two offspring to join her. They weren’t going to do what she expected of them. They both roosted, or sulked, until she returned about half an hour later and all continued scavenging on the ‘other’ side of the drain. These young turkeys can fly without any difficulties. I found their roost about four metres high in the nearby shelter belt, so they are out of danger at night.

Two almost fully grown turkeys with their mother, centre. These are the turkeys who were frightened when the White-bellied Sea Eagle flew over and also didn’t want to fly across the fast-flowing drain: Photo by Margaret Bennett

17 BirdLife Tasmania news and views

Matters discussed at the Branch Executive Committee on 5 August

• Sue Wragge has taken on the role of keeping track of shorebird areas that are regularly counted through the year by members. • A submission was made to Kingborough Council opposing proposed changes to by-laws allowing removal of significant trees. • A submission was made to PWS opposing proposed development in Ida Bay State Reserve within the South- ern Forests Swift Parrot Important Breeding Area. • A Swift Parrot nesting box project is underway with Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Launceston and Birdlife Tasmania, to help provide nesting habitat for these critically endangered birds (see report later in this section).

Outing Report: Trevallyn Dam 25 July 2021

Angela Hansen

We had a lovely forest walk of about 3 km along the workshop fire trail in Trevallyn Reserve on the 25th of July 2021. It's a loop trail where dogs and bikes are not allowed so it was very quiet and we didn't come upon any other Bird list walkers that morning. We saw many Green Rosellas, Grey Fantails and Golden Whistlers as we walked. The Grey Currawongs punctuated the quiet walk with Wedge-tailed Eagle their calls, and Forest Ravens overhead replied. As with most forest walks with Grey Goshawk high canopies we heard a lot more birds than we saw, but the highlight of the White-bellied Sea-Eagle trip was when we went off-trail and walked under the power lines back up Laughing Kookaburra over the hill towards the car park and found a little forest glade where a pair of Brown Falcon Scarlet Robins were resident. As we watched them displaying and feasting on insects along with some Grey Fantails, we were blessed with the attendance of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo a Beautiful Firetail and a Dusky Robin. The other highlight was the birds of prey Green Rosella we saw: Wedge-tailed Eagle, Grey Goshawk, Brown Falcon and White-bellied Superb Fairywren Sea-Eagle all in flight. Yellow-throated Honeyeater Tasmanian Scrubwren Golden Whistler Grey Butcherbird Australian Magpie Grey Currawong Grey Fantail Forest Raven Scarlet Robin Dusky Robin Beautiful Firetail

Green Rosella: Photo by Michelle Turner

18 Outing Report: kunanyi birdwalk 21 August 2021

Mona Loofs-Samorzewski

On Saturday 21st Aug, five hardy souls met at the Springs car park in defiance of the slightly threatening weather forecast, well rugged-up and ready to look for resident wet-forest birds. After an introductory welcome chat, we meandered along the Lenah Valley Track looking and listening and stopping regularly. We pooled identification tips on separating Brown Thornbill from Tasmanian Thornbill, and then had an opportunity to put our ID skills into practice, seeing and hearing both species. We learned all the variable calls of the Crescent Honeyeater, which were a constant presence during the morning, and we got some lovely views. We talked about the different habitat preferences of the various LBBs (little brown birds), with thornbills more likely higher in the canopy, Scrubtit in the mid-levels, and Tasmanian Srubwren more usually found on the forest floor. A Pink Robin called intermittently and played hide-and-seek with us, Bird List but refused to show itself, despite our patient waiting. A single Strong-billed Wellington Park—Lenah Valley Honeyeater was a nice surprise and was a lesson in the advantages of birding Track by ear. There were many signs of spring around us, from budding flowers, to Sulphur-crested Cockatoo melting snow and calling Spotted Pardalotes. Green Rosella After a short coffee and snack break back at The Springs, we farewelled one Superb Fairywren participant and then went on a second walk, this time along the Milles Track. Eastern Spinebill This track was more rocky, muddy and slippery than the Lenah Valley Track, Crescent Honeyeater and there were a few showers, but we had some lovely views of Tasmanian Yellow-throated Honeyeater Scrubwren along the rock steps at the start. There were many Eastern Spine- Strong-billed Honeyeater bills in evidence, and the Crescent Honeyeaters were absolutely everywhere! We managed to pick out the contact whistle of a Golden Whistler, but it re- Spotted Pardalote mained resolutely hidden inside the foliage so we were not able to find out Tasmanian Scrubwren whether it was a colourful male or brown female/immature. The other illu- Brown Thornbill sive species was Scrubtit, which was nowhere in evidence on either walk, de- Tasmanian Thornbill spite peering into all the good habitat around us. However, we didn’t let such Brown/Tasmanian Thornbill minor setbacks dampen our spirits, and wound up at lunchtime feeling well Black Currawong satisfied with our enjoyable bird walk in such a beautiful bush environment Grey Fantail right on Hobart’s doorstep. Forest Raven Pink Robin

Wellington Park—Milles Track Green Rosella Eastern Spinebill Crescent Honeyeater Yellow-throated Honeyeater Spotted Pardalote Tasmanian Scrubwren Brown Thornbill Golden Whistler Forest Raven

Tasmanian Scrubwren: Photo by Mona Loofs-Samorzewski

19 Outing Report: Native Point Reserve 29 August 2021

Angela Hansen

Our walk at Native Point Reserve in Windermere, just north of Launceston, was post- Bird list poned by a week due to the weather, and a good thing it was too, because the weather Black Swan was splendid on Sunday morning, August 29th. It was overcast but not cold, with almost Australian Shelduck Australian Wood Duck no wind and the birds were in fine form from start to finish. We began at the entrance Pacific Black Duck of the reserve which has some tall mature eucalypts and native shrubs blooming along Mallard (domestic type) the road, and gardens of the neighbouring homes surrounding, and we had excellent Grey Teal Chestnut Teal views of a Tasmanian Scrubwren foraging on the lawn, New Holland Honeyeaters, East- Hardhead ern Rosellas, Green Rosellas Little Wattlebirds, and Silvereyes all around. Then we Hoary-headed Grebe walked down the road into the reserve past a very strange group sitting all in a row on a Pied Oystercatcher fence next to a small dam, two Australian Wood Ducks, a White-faced Heron and two Eurasian Coot Silver Gull Chestnut Teal. The rest of the walk was a loop punctuated by thornbills, Brush Pacific Gull Bronzewings, Fan-tailed Cuckoos, Kookaburras, Striated Pardalote, feral daffodils, a sea- tern sp. eagle's nest, and a flock of seven vocal Green Rosellas that circled the reserve a few Little Pied Cormorant Great Cormorant times. Little Black Cormorant Back at the vehicles a few of us carpooled in the 4WDs we had and drove to the bottom White-faced Heron Straw-necked Ibis of the reserve to see the river and salt marsh, and search for more sea-eagle nests and Spotted Dove perches. By this time the we were enjoying some light rain, but that didn't stop the Brush Bronzewing Crescent Honeyeaters and Eastern Spinebills from giving us a show. To finish the day off Fan-tailed Cuckoo Tasmanian Native-hen to perfection, as well drove out of the reserve and north up Windermere Road past the Masked Lapwing large farm dam, I spotted some mudflats on this side of the river, and a good spot with a Wedge-tailed Eagle bench on the side of the road overlooking it. We stopped for a look-see for waders and Swamp Harrier White-bellied Sea-Eagle my heart skipped a beat when I saw the long, curved bill, black iridescent back and Laughing Kookaburra sides, white neck and black head of a Straw-necked Ibis! My very first vagrant find! It Long-billed Corella was pretty conspicuous amongst the Australian Pied Oystercatchers. We observed it on Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Yellow-tailed Black- the mud flats near the grass line foraging near the oystercatchers until it was chased off Cockatoo by Silver Gulls and flew to the farm dam across the road, where it perched with the Pied Green Rosella Cormorants for a while. Birds of a feather, as they say. Eastern Rosella Superb Fairywren Eastern Spinebill Little Wattlebird Yellow Wattlebird Crescent Honeyeater New Holland Honeyeater Yellow-throated Hon- eyeater Striated Pardalote Tasmanian Scrubwren Brown Thornbill Grey Shrike-thrush Golden Whistler Grey Butcherbird Australian Magpie Grey Currawong Grey Fantail Forest Raven Silvereye Australian Wood Duck: Photo by Alan Fletcher Welcome Swallow Tree Martin Common Starling Common Blackbird 20 Media Releases

Federal scrutiny urgently required of kunanyi cable car proposal

14 August 2021 BirdLife Tasmania today called on the kunanyi/Mount Wellington Cable Car proponents to submit their proposal to the Federal Government for assessment under the EPBC Act – as they have promised. ‘The proponents have promised for years that they would submit their proposal to the Federal Government,’ Bird- Life Tasmania Convenor Dr Eric Woehler OAM said today ‘– it’s time to put up or shut up.’ ‘They’ve had plenty of time to do this. What’s holding them back – why the delay?’ Dr Woehler said. BirdLife Tasmania opposes the proposed development because of its potentially catastrophic impacts on the critically endangered Swift Parrot. ‘The scale of the threat to Swift Parrots is unacceptable. It requires the immediate removal of at least 75 nesting and feeding trees, with more critical habitat to be cleared in the future to comply with fire regulations.’ A recent study by ANU researchers suggested the effective population size of Swift Parrots is perhaps 300 birds – making the Swift Parrot one of the rarest birds in Australia. ‘This proposal is bad news for the Swift Parrot – the last thing a critically endangered species needs is the loss of so many nesting and feeding trees and associated critical habitat. ‘This loss of nesting and feeding trees is a significant threat to a substantial proportion of the remaining population of Swift Parrots,’ Dr Woehler added. ‘You can’t offset this proposal– Swift Parrots need trees that are 60 to 70 years old – or older – for nesting.’ ‘BirdLife Tasmania stands with ROCC and the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre in rejecting the proposal on the basis of unacceptable adverse impacts to environmental and cultural heritage values,’ Dr Woehler added. ‘You don’t destroy critical habitat for a critically endangered species in the 21st century – this is a tired proposal that has no environmental, economic or social benefits.’ ‘The Federal Government needs to look at this catastrophic proposal urgently – the proponents should make good on their years-old promise to submit the proposal for evaluation. ‘Federal scrutiny is urgently required– in fact, it’s well overdue,’ Dr Woehler concluded.

A report on the State of Tasmania’s Birds on ABC online 1 September 2021 ‘White ibis could soon call Tasmania home, as climate change has birds on the move’ https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-01/white-ibis-could-move-into-tasmania/100420456

Did you know birds use tools? Did you know some birds make their own tools?! https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/sep/02/did-you-know-birds-use-tools-did-you-know-some- birds-make-their-own-tools

21 Nest box donation

BirdLife Tasmania was delighted to be contacted by The Wilderness Society in Launceston, after Dane Furlonge, a Grade 3 student at Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Launceston had written to them, looking to donate some bird nest boxes that they had made at school. A range of boxes for different birds and animals was made by students using recycled materials and nest box plans, some of which are available on the BirdLife Australia website https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/Nest-Box- Plans-0. Karen Dick, our Secretary, had a wonderful time visiting the school and sharing some information with the students about endangered species and how the nest boxes might help. The students were particularly concerned about the plight of Swift Parrots and in ensuring that they had places in which to nest. We brought eight boxes away that will be deployed in suitable habitat for birds to use.

Anyone interested in improving habitat and nesting opportunities for birds can obtain further information at https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/places.

Children from Sacred Heart Primary School with the nest boxes and BirdLife Tasmania Secretary, Karen Dick: Photo by Simon Wood

22 BirdLife Tasmania Outings September– December 2021

You must register for an outing prior to the event. On all outings you must wear enclosed shoes and follow COVID- safe procedures. Full information will be supplied with the outing details for each event. To register for any outing listed here, you will need to email the organiser [email protected] . Pre-registration is required for all outings to comply with COVID-safe planning.

To allow arrangements to be made, please be sure to register at least seven days in advance of any outing.

REGION DATE LOCATION / LEADER NOTES

Saturday Kelso to Green’s Beach 7am start. A wader count walk Kelso to Green's North 5 September Angela Beach.

Investigate the Truganini Track (between Sandy Sunday Truganini track South Bay and Taroona) where lots of our woodland Karen 26 September birds can be found.

Known for excellent habitat for Australasian Sunday Grindlewald Reservoir North Bittern and Lathams’s Snipe. Ducks and forest Angela 26 September birds also plentiful.

Teryvale Road/ Wednesday Northeast Windsong area Roadside walk – Eucalypt Forest – bush birds. 6 October Natalie

Pallid Cuckoo survey – Sunday Repeating last year’s highly successful survey of South South Arm Pallid Cuckoos on South Arm. 24 October Karen

Sunday Tamar Island Wetlands Low-tide walk, great for spotting feeding shore- North 24 October Geoff birds, rails and crakes.

This has been postponed to March 2022 Weekend 12- BirdLife Tasmania 50th Statewide Anniversary. More details in the next issue of Yellow 14 November Maria Island Throat.

Falmouth – Town and Wednesday Coastal village walk – urban/coastal/semi-rural – Northeast Coast always interesting. 1 December Natalie

Join us for an early walk at Waterworks Reserve, Sunday where the breeding season will be in full swing, South Waterworks Reserve 12 December followed by a get-together at Site 9 to celebrate the end of our 50th anniversary year.

Weekend Bruny Island Bird Statewide 25-27 March Something to think about for next year! festival 2022 23 GPO Box 68, Hobart 7001 [email protected]

www.birdlife.org.au/tasmania

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Yellow Throat is produced every quarter beginning in March. Contributions, including articles, interesting sightings, photographs, letters and news, are welcome, and will be published subject to space and interest or relevance to BirdLife Tasmania members, at the editors’ discretion. Please email them to [email protected] The deadline for the next issue is 20 November 2021. Many thanks to all contributors, including the photographers, who retain copyright of their magnificent photographs. All maps drawn from the BirdLife Tasmania database remain © BirdLife Tasmania. Views expressed in Yellow Throat are not necessarily those of BirdLife Tasmania, or of the editors, unless explicitly stated. Please make use of our material, but we ask that you acknowledge BirdLife Tasmania as the source. Editors: Perviz Marker (coordinator) and Sharon Moore (copy-editor); Proof reader: Sue Jones. We thank the office of Mr Andrew Wilkie MHR, for assisting in the production of Yellow Throat 115.

BirdLife Tasmania is a regional branch of BirdLife Australia