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Contact Call Newsletter of BirdLife Northern Queensland Volume 8 Number 4 December 2019 Lesser Sooty Owl. Image courtesy of Dominic Chaplin www.pinecreekpictures.com.au BirdLife Northern Queensland In this issue… From the Convenor... page 3 BirdLife Northern Queensland branch convenor, Peter Valentine, writes about the return of our migrant waders and other seasonal visitors, avian genetics, Mareeba Wetlands (under new management), access to Lake Mitchell and the Strike for Climate Action. BNQ success and other wins for FNQ... page 6 Success in the Community Sustainability Action grant program for Threatened Species 2019, sees BirdLife Northern Queensland (BNQ) and collaborators awarded $97,570.00 for the project, Indigenous Collaborative Management of Threatened Coastal Birds. Congratulations to other FNQ groups who also attained much needed funding support. Cassowary Festival... page 7 BirdLife Northern Queensland attended this year’s Cassowary Festival at Mission Beach. See images that capture the spirit of the day’s event. Birdlife Photography – A Valuable Resource for Conservation and Educational Images… page 10 Graham Cam provides a valuable insight into one of BirdLife Australia’s special interest groups, BirdLife Photography. He explains how you can get involved and use this valuable resource. Dusky Moorhen (C) Georgina Steytler 2017 birdlifephotography.org.au Travels in Kamchatka and Chukota: 25 June - 8 July 2019... page 14 Have you ever thought about going to far eastern Russia? Read about the travels of Gary and Robyn Wilson as they explore this area with Heritage Expeditions. The goal was to study the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, but the adventure also includes other far northern hemisphere birds and just the odd walrus or pod of orcas as well. Seabirds on the Isle of Lunga in Scotland... page 19 Tom Collis found large colonies of puffins, guillemots and razorbills during a day tour to the Isle of Lunga. He describes how to get there and what he discovered when he visited. Prepare to add this to your bucket list. Warrina Lakes Update... page 21 It’s breeding season at Warrina Lakes. Read this short article to learn more. Also Out in Western Queensland, a poem Supporting student research into News from Mount Isa, October, by Lindsay Fisher…………………. page 5 Carpentarian Grasswrens ………. page 9 2019……………………….….…. page 17 2019 National Twitchathon and Spotlight on Owls……………….…. page 13 Mission Beach Birding….. page 18 Backyard Bird Count results… page 8 Noticeboard………………….. page 23 2 Contact Call Contact Call From the Convenor At this time of the year, we can all enjoy the return of our migrant bird species. Australia shares some of its birds with many different countries and without a shared commitment to their protection across the world there is no hope of survival for our wonderful diversity of birds. The waders that we enjoy from spring to autumn depend on northern hemisphere lands for their reproduction. But they equally require fuel stops between Australia and the Arctic circle in countries like China, Japan and Korea. Without these nations investing in habitat protection the species cannot continue their migration, and that will likely see their extinction. I occasionally hear ill-informed negative comments about “globalisation”, but for conservation of migratory species this element of life is critical and our world is a much better place for migrants because of the United Nations and associated bodies. Luckily many people around the world have forged international agreements to encourage and support the idea of thinking globally and acting locally. Our waders depend on such collaborative and cooperative efforts. Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. Image by Keith Fisher. Apart from the waders we also have a host of other international migrants that enrich our avifauna. Northern Queensland members might participate in Without being too parochial, I share with many people projects to assist further understanding. Luckily for us, the joy of hearing our first Koel for spring, or those this kind of work no longer requires the sacrifice of raucous flying crosses, the Channel-billed Cuckoos. individual birds; much can be gained from a feather. And who does not delight in the return of our Buff- Several of those attending the Malanda talk told me it breasted Paradise-kingfisher, with its streaming white was one of the most interesting presentations we have ribbons flashing through the rainforest? Another buzz had. is the arrival of Metallic Starlings and their amazing Recently I attended an open day at the Mareeba social flights and breeding colonies. And in case we Wetlands, at the invitation of the present managers need more evidence of the pleasures of migratory Forever Wild. The vision is to be part of a series of species, we have the outstanding Torresian Imperial properties across Australia to demonstrate sustainable Pigeons, so abundant now thanks to local conservation environmental management for human and efforts by Arthur and Margaret Thorsborne (and conservation benefits. There were several members of others). your Committee present and there was a suggestion Other birds that come to mind are Dollarbirds (arriving by Forever Wild that perhaps BirdLife Northern to breed), Oriental Cuckoos who come for our summer, Queensland might be interested in undertaking regular and the marvellous swifts and swallows who love our bird surveys at Mareeba Wetlands. Further discussions summer insects but return to Asia to breed. will take place but one prospect could be a weekend camp that included surveys in the various habitat Quite a few members recently enjoyed a stimulating types present. If you think you might be interested in talk about bird variety, genetics and diversity; participating in such an outing perhaps you could let nomenclature and relationships. Dr Leo Joseph, the the Committee know. Director of the Australian Wildlife Collection at CSIRO, helped us appreciate the challenges of knowing your While on the topic of wetlands, members may like to birds and naming them. There remains more to learn know about discussions I held with the lessee of the but it is clear that greater access to genetic material, Mitchell Creek Reserve (in particular the owner of the to bits of DNA, can shed additional light on both the land adjacent to the reserve whose causeway has origins of species and on family connections. previously been accessed by vehicles for birding). The Sometimes the new data confirm long-held suspicions owner, a grazier, has taken radical action to stop but on other occasions they challenge our thinking. vehicle access. This might be understandable when hearing the provocation … illegal pig shooters have In our region there are a number of remaining or entered his property and shot cattle (as pig bait) and continuing puzzles, and it is likely that BirdLife have resisted all attempts at control, including security December 2019 3 BirdLife Northern Queensland cameras linked to the local police station. It was in frustration at the failure and the continued illegal access onto his own property that led to the dumping of rock barriers on the causeway track. However, the owner is supportive of access by birdwatchers and has indicated that people who wish to birdwatch may walk into the site along the track. The locked gate at the other end of the causeway is on his freehold property and that land is not available for birding. I intend to continue to have discussions with the owner about the future use of the lake for birding. I was pleased to see many BirdLife Northern Queensland members supporting the school children in their strike for climate action. The turnout in Cairns was astonishing and attracted a lot of community support. Unlike most of our politicians the young folk Access to Lake Mitchell is blocked to vehicles. Image courtesy are very concerned about their future prospects and as of Lindsay Fisher. a parent and grandparent I share those concerns. But We are planning to update and refresh our Branch for me I am also horrified at what we have already website. Please do let Renee know how you think our inflicted on our environment and especially the website could be improved and what you think about reduction of habitat for so many other species. Is there the changes when they happen. a better prospect, a better way? My reading supports a prospective future that is healthier for all and I am pleased to learn that the national BirdLife supportive of all life on earth. They are all our Australia website is also to undergo a significant relatives. Let’s not be deceived about this. There is no upgrade and I think it could be useful if members sent shortage of funds to tackle these issues. Not at all. some feed-back to the national office about their pet There is an enormous gap in vision and values and the hates of the existing website. For me it’s always an extinction rebellion is about drawing attention to a incredibly frustrating experience to visit the BirdLife better future for all. Just because Australia collectively Australia website and I avoid it like the plague. I has lost its way does not mean that we as individuals personally look forward to seeing a new BirdLife cannot act for better lives for ourselves and all our Australia website that brings pleasure rather than birds. annoyance! There is so much content that is hard to Peter Valentine, Convenor. find! 4 Contact Call Contact Call BirdLife Northern Queensland Committee Convenor Peter Valentine Email: [email protected]

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