Ga ng-ga ng Aug ust 2003

News letter of the Canberra Ornithologists Group Inc.

AUGUST M EETING level and her desire to increase the data without formal authorisation by number of images used has greatly the Committee, and his improved it's look and appeal. unprecedented and unwarranted Wednesday 13 August performance at the June COG Kathy also developed the graphics meeting, the Committee feels for and designed COG's 'Birds of Details pg 2 compelled to set the record straight. Canberra Gardens' publication, and more recently the Declining COG's Garden Bird Survey (GBS) Woodland Birds pamphlet. commenced in 1981 and, for many years, its findings were reported only On behalf of the COG Committee Contents briefly, in the annual bird report. and membership, MANY THANKS After the survey had been running Field trip reports 3 KATHY for a job well done. Future field trips 5 for 17 years, and following Tanya Rough stepped into the Gang- discussion between Philip and the Final Tattlings 13 gang editor and designer role earlier Department of Urban Services, the COG info 16 this year on an interim basis, and has Department made a grant to COG to agreed to continue until a permanent publish a book on the birds of editor and designer can be found. Canberra, based on data from the Thank you Tanya. GBS. A management committee for the project was formed and Philip From your Veerman, the then GBS coordinator, The GBS report saga was contracted to extract and collate Committee Until now, the COG Committee has data from the GBS database and to deliberately refrained from making THANKS to Kathy Walter provide an explanatory text. He was any public comment about its paid $2,500 from the grant for his Kathy Walter has formally stepped decision in October 2001 not to work. down as editor and designer of publish Canberra Birds: a review of Gang-gang, after a number of years the first 18 years of the Garden Bird In the view of the management regular and responsible service to Survey, by Philip Veerman. The committee, Philip's text did not meet COG in one or both of these Committee recognised that Philip the Department's requirement that important positions. had put in an immense amount of the work be suitable for 'a wide audience' so a large team of COG Over the last few years Gang-gang work into the review, but concluded on the basis of expert advice that the members undertook the rewriting has become an interesting and and editing task, without informative newsletter, keenly draft document at that time was not suitable for publication. However, remuneration. The end result was awaited by the membership every Birds of Canberra Gardens, which month. Kathy's role in designing following Philip's subsequent publication of his review, using COG sold over 2,800 copies and made a Gang-gang to a very professional surplus, for COG, of some $39,000.

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Some time later, after long and indicated that he was unprepared to 3. a disclaimer is included, stating difficult negotiations, COG paid make further changes, the Committee that the views expressed are Philip a further $295 for his expenses accepted the office bearers' those of the author and not under the initial contract and an ex recommendation. Philip then went necessarily those of COG." gratia payment of $2,205 in ahead and self-published his review Philip has declined to sign the recognition of the costs incurred in in 2002, without seeking formal Memorandum of Understanding and, his running of the GBS. permission to use the data for his accordingly, the Committee has own purposes; he updated it in 2003. It was agreed that part of the appointed Mark Clayton as interim publication output would also The Committee commends Philip GBS coordinator. include shorter technical papers, to wholeheartedly for his enthusiasm be published by COG or in other for the GBS, his responsiveness to Your committee journals. Because of this agreement queries based on it, and for the and in light of Philip’s concern about considerable work he has put into his many aspects of the Birds of review over many years. He is not, Canberra Gardens, in January 2000, however, a professional the Committee agreed in principle to ornithologist, statistician or technical publish a more technical report on writer. Nor has he shown much the GBS with Philip as sole author. preparedness to accept professional ˇ At its August 2000 meeting, the advice or to work collaboratively to Committee reaffirmed its in-principle achieve positive outcomes. support for a technical report of 100- AUGUST MEETING In consequence of its initial failure to 120 pages, but insisted on its being 8 pm obtain the kind of review of the GBS professionally refereed before th that is warranted, the Committee will Wednesday 13 making a final commitment to its commission a professional review of publication. Philip provided a Canberra Girls Grammar the GBS, which it will publish in a manuscript in December 2000. Two School cnr Gawler Cres and future issue of, or supplement to, external reviewers nominated by Melbourne Ave, Deakin Canberra Bird Notes. Philip provided extensive comments Short talk The short talk will on the manuscript and these were In response to some members' be a very special one, by parrot passed to Philip to guide him in concerns, and to address any expert Joe Forshaw, this time redrafting the document. The uncertainties that might exist over on Dollarbirds (he doesn't want Committee appointed a second the use of COG data, the Committee to be typecast!). Special, review team, comprising Dr Michael has prepared Memoranda of because it will be one day short Lenz, Dr Chris Tidemann and David Understanding between COG and all of the 35th anniversary of his McDonald, to make an assessment of persons who have access to COG first talk to COG - so come and the extent to which the manuscript data, spelling out what is expected of be part of the celebration. had been reworked to take into the holders of the positions and what Main speaker Our main account the reviewers' comments and they are permitted to do with the speaker will be James Nicholls, to make recommendations on the data. The provisions relating to the a former Canberran and young next steps. The review team advised use of data are highly liberal, and COG member, and now COG's office bearers that the report read as follows: completbning his PhD at the University of Queensland on was still not in a form suitable for [Office-holder] "may not publish or publication by COG, and suggested Satin Bowerbirds, which will otherwise make use of COG data be the topic of his talk. that Philip work with a technical (with minor exceptions) on his own writer and statistician to improve the account unless: Should be a great night document. Given the Committee's don’t miss it! previous experience in trying to 1. permission is sought and engage Philip in a team process, the received in writing from the office bearers rejected this COG committee to use the data suggestion and recommended to the for that specific use only; and Committee that the document not be 2. in any such publication or use, published by COG. The Committee that permission is acknowledged; gave Philip time to respond to the and review team's report, and when he

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species here before, nor the Eastern Field Trip Yellow Robin, which turned out to be probably the conspicuous species Donations to Reports for the day. Even the Superb Birds Australia , so vocal during a visit Lyrebirds for HANZAB nearly a year ago to the day, were Round Flat area Tinderry surprisingly quiet, with only the Many of you will know of the Nature Reserve; Sunday occasional short burst of calling. fabulous HANZAB volumes 22 June 2003 The Spotted Quail-thrush and Wonga Pigeon often seen here remained out being produced by Birds of sight and hearing. While the Australia. Question: Who would go walking at patch of silver banksias at Roberts Six volumes of the seven above 1100 m on the shortest day of Creek near the end of the walk still volume series are now the year when showers in the ranges o contained the odd flowering spike, completed. The and a maximum of 10 C has been and some grevillea was coming into seventh is well underway. forecast? Answer: Eighteen slightly flower nearby, this was obviously crazy Canberra birdwatchers! And not enough to sustain any Alas, Birds Australia is the prospects for a wet and miserable honeyeaters. desperately short of funds to day spent walking among cloud and persistent drizzle, if not snow, looked Nevertheless participants had a very complete this important work. It pretty strong judging by the very low enjoyable walk in an area where has launched an appeal to raise cloud cover over the mountains to most of them had not been or heard $800 000. the west as we drove down the of before. A Wedge-tailed Eagle Monaro Highway. When we circling low while harassed by two This is a good time to give. dropped down into Michelago it was Australian Ravens as we returned to Donations are tax deductible, so a certainly a big surprise to find the the cars added a nice finishing touch. that you can get a tax refund high peaks of the Tinderries virtually As an added bonus, a very mangy, soon. cloud free. ochre-coloured wombat made a bee- line straight past us to dive into Despite some pessimism on my part shelter, where presumably its burrow Send your donation - cheque this remained so, and went spent was located, when we stopped to (payable to Birds Australia about 4 hours walking in the SE check a spot at the bottom of the Research Fund), or credit card corner of this little known reserve range where a Chestnut-rumped (Bankcard,Visa or Mastercard) - under high cloud, with patches of Heathwren had been recorded several to HANZAB at Birds Australia, sunshine and only the occasional months ago. After such mild 415 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn strong gust of wind. If only the birds weather it certainly was a jolt to East VIC 3123. had realised what lovely weather it return to a wet, windy and cold was it would have been a near Canberra. You should include a note perfect day. However, they turned indicating that the donation is out to be very quiet and Jack Holland towards the completion of the uncooperative indeed, much more so final volume of HANZAB. than a number of atlassing visits I made to this area during 2002. We Newline Survey; Please give generously to this struggled to record a total of 20 Friday 4 July 2003 valuable project. species, a number of these by only a It helps "to ensure that brief glimpse or a short call, and the As I had a few days of holidays left after returning from Africa and the we have the information we trip was characterised more by what was not seen or heard. weather promised to be fine and need to find solutions to the clear, I braved the aircraft noise and problems that face our bird Easily the most co-operative and the quarry trucks on a working week day populations today, and in years highlight of the day was a pair of to do the winter count at this to come". Red-browed Treecreepers, which woodland survey location near the obligingly remained quiet and almost Canberra Airport. 34 species in motionless while most of the total, the same number as on the participants obtained excellent survey at Mulligan’s Flat. The pair

views. I had not recorded this of Brown Treecreepers is still in

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residence as is a pair of Jacky were plentiful. The two days yielded Although we saw few water-birds, Winters in the front paddock. Other about eighty species seen by the I’ll end with a fine poem by Judith interesting sightings, a Grey Fantail, group, a congenial bakers’ dozen. Wright about the spirit of bird- a Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo Some relative new-comers to bird- watching; `Egrets’ is in her book, calling (very early), a Common watching added several new birds to Birds (1962): Pigeon and their lists. Bronzewing Golden , as well as the usual exotics Whistler Nothing went wrong. Fogs cleared, associated with a near town area EGRETS frosts thawed and the sun shone (Common Myna, C. Starling, warmly, particularly on Sunday Once as I travelled through Blackbird and House Sparrow). The (fifteen degrees), unbelievable in a quiet evening, next survey date TBA – I will let the mid-winter. One of the objects of regulars know. I saw a pool, jet-black our search was the Swift parrot. and mirror-still. Jenny Bounds Although none were found, many Beyond, the slender paperbarks other superb (yes, we saw one stood crowding; Superb) birds, seen only occasionally by many of us, made for exciting each on its own white image Boorowa Area; looked its fill, Weekend 5-6 July 2003 times. Highlights were: flocks of White-browed and Grey-crowned and nothing moved but Babblers and their nests; Little thirty egrets wading – In the nineteenth century a Catholic Lorikeets; Yellow-tufted thirty egrets in a quiet evening. nun was asked, `Have you ever been Honeyeaters; a Striped to Ireland?’ ` No,’ she answered, Honeyeater; a Turquoise Parrot; `But I’ve been to Boorowa.’ Southern Whitefaces; a Little Once in a lifetime, lovely past believing, Now COG has also been to Eagle with a Wedgie (Wedge-tailed Boorowa, and to its highways and Eagle); and a flock of Diamond your lucky eyes may light enchanting low-ways and by-ways, Firetails at beautiful Bennett Springs on such a pool. on the south-west slopes of NSW. on the Boorowa River. Near As though for many years Nearby, Frogmore’s toilets were Koorawatha we saw open grassland I had been waiting, eccentric; at Koorawatha we that was so rewarding, we decided to I watched in silence, ourselves were welcomed as rather re-name the spot Robinvale: there till my heart was full were Red-capped, Eastern Yellow, eccentric (all those funny hats and of clear dark water, and Flame (in their droves), Scarlet and bulging eyes) by a group of Filipina white trees unmoving, migrants; a fleeting glimpse of Hooded Robins; also Jacky and, whiter yet, Murringo transported one back to Winters. We were helped to those thirty egrets wading. Australia in the 1940s. Let’s hope experience all these wonders, these exotic places will long remain including an echidna, by the fact that Anthony’s ear is as sharp as his eyes, unspoilt by the ignorant hordes who race up and down the Hume and they’re pretty damn sharp. Highway between capital cities. After the expedition I filled up at the Mulligan’s Flat Survey; The excellent birding was due both local Mobil Service Station. The Sunday 6 July 2003 to the extensive, detailed knowledge, owner `loves nature’ and imparted and to the sharing skills, of Anthony this tip: those wanting to feast on the After being postponed due to rain the Overs. When he was a national sight of Superb Parrots should visit weekend before, we re-scheduled the parks officer he covered this region in spring, during Boorowa’s Wool survey for 6 July when weather was and he knows it like the back of his Festival. Then, the `large tree’ predicted to be more favourable. It very capable hand. The amiable (unspecified) behind the Westpac was a cold, still and foggy morning Stuart Harris was his off-sider and Bank is covered in blossom and to start, but the fog lifted as the chauffeur on the weekend of 5-6 teeming with Superbs. Let’s go morning progressed. Conditions at July. We were grateful to these again, at that time, and camp on the the reserve were quite dry with little members, who had obviously beautiful Spring Forest property? surface water around and sparse prepared the outing thoroughly; they Suzanne Edgar grass cover, and dam levels are very kept many treats a secret until we low, some dams are dry. The large were almost upon them. Such treats dam has only a few small pools and

4 Gang-gang August 2003 it is unknown when the dam wall manage a couple of the surveys each will be repaired as there are year as their commitments allow, and Future Field apparently engineering issues to be this is all appreciated. Personally, I resolved. have missed only one when I was Trips overseas. The next survey will be A total of 34 species was recorded Sunday 30 September – note your for the morning. Some sites were diaries, details in Sept Ganggang. BUSH RETREAT; EXTENDED quiet; others had mixed feeding WINTER WEEKEND AT THE flocks moving through. Highlights Jenny Bounds SOUTH COAST were: Thursday 14 to • Over 100 Yellow-tailed Black- Sunday 17 August 2003 Cockatoos in the reserve, mostly at Wednesday Walk the northern end (one group of 30 Jerrabomberra Wetlands; This trip, which has been advertised in the 4 previous issues of Gang- feeding on pine cones in a stand of 16 July 2003 pines abutting the reserve’s northern gang, is fully subscribed, with a boundary); this is a new species The six who turned up for this outing number of people on the wait list. record for the surveys (and for the scored a mild and sunny winter For any enquiries about this event reserve I believe); obviously the morning and there was an please contact the leader Jenny birds have been displaced from their encouraging level of water in Kelly’s Bounds on 6288 7802 (AH). usual habitats in and around Namadji Swamp. Both sides of Dairy Flat Road were well covered and our list …… NP, and the various burned out pine plantations due to the January included four raptors, Little bushfires Grassbird, Golden-headed BURRA; MORNING Cisticola, Australasian Shoveler, WALK/LUNCH ON PRIVATE • Mistletoebird at one site (no 22) Double-barred Finch and Blue- PROPERTY and Eastern Spinebill at another (no billed Duck (5), with Grey Teal, Sunday 31 August 2003 10) Eurasian Coot, Pink-eared Duck, • Several pairs of Scarlet Robin and Hardhead and Australasian Grebe Ian Anderson has invited members good numbers of White-eared in large numbers. for an early spring visit to his property in Burra. One of the main Honeyeaters (these move from the With the help of some top twitchers interests will be an area of high country in autumn/winter; there 53 species were recorded for the regenerating casuarina that often seem to be more around Mulligans morning. I’m sure if the Freckled attracts Glossy Black-Cockatoos. than usual this winter) Duck and Spotted Harriers had been Up to 8 at a time have been seen around they would have found them • Varied Sittella, 3 birds, near site 5 there this year, which makes it too! • Several groups of Brown-headed possibly the most reliable spot in the Honeyeaters – again more than the These Wednesday outings are ACT region where to find this usual pleasantly casual and work quite threatened species. Ian is also very satisfactorily without a leader. There familiar with the other birds that • A Peregrine Falcon along the are usually old hands in attendance occur on his property, having put in western side, after the survey to help any beginners, so why not regular atlas sheets from there, • 2 Black Swans on one of the small give it a go. usually consisting of 30+ species. There should be a nice range of dams. Phyl Goddard woodland birds and some altitudinal We celebrate the completion of 8 migrants, maybe Flame and Scarlet years of these surveys and the start of Robins. Perhaps there will still be a the 9th year at Mulligan’s, COGs few winter feeding flocks. The early longest running woodland survey site spring migrants, including the – longitudinal data is very important honeyeaters, should also have and we need to keep this going. returned. Thanks to all those who have assisted over this time, some of In addition Ian knows his plants very whom like Kay and Horst Hahne and well, having been very active with

Bruce Lindenmayer, have been the Australian Native Plants Society involved for all eight years on most Southern Whiteface (Aphelocephala pectoralis) (formerly SGAP) for many years. surveys. A number of other people Photo courtesy Helen Fallow Meet Ian (phone 6281 0609 after 25

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July) at the Williamsdale Service Gunning, on the old Hume Highway, The outing will include an Station at 8.30 am prior to a further proceed towards the village of explanation and examination of the 30 minutes drive to his property for Dalton for about 10 km, leave the historical significance and cultural several hours viewing of a mix of bitumen road at the Loop road. The values of the place. MOTH is birds and plants. Members are also sport oval and the cemetery are on restoring a grassy woodland site and invited to stop over to have their the right. Proceed on the gravel road there are also remnants of a cold lunch at the rammed earth home Ian for about 200 m to the Bush's Lane plain (Tuggeranong Plain) grassland. has built there. Please note that this street sign. The Bush's Lane is to the We will be shown these and also outing replaces the one advertised right opposite a hay shed. Proceed we’ll be looking at which birds live as Greening Australia sites – on this lane. The entrances to there now, compared with in the remnants and revegetation for "Dalton Park" and the Oolong past. Sanctuary are about 1 km from the Saturday 30 August 2003. Meet at the front gates at 1 pm for a Bush's Lane sign. Please park your couple of hours wandering through …… car on the parking area near the the site, culminating in afternoon tea entrance. at the Homestead cafe, so bring some OOLONG/DALTON DAY money along for this. For further OUTING information please contact Jack Sunday 7 September 2003 Holland (6288 7840 AH or by E- mail on [email protected]). COG had a great day out at Oolong Please note that this outing near Dalton last year. Gianni the replaces the one advertised as owner has kindly agreed to another Local Nature Park for Sunday 14 visit from COG at 9.00 am on September 2003. Sunday 7 September this year. The property has a dam, some pleasant …… woodland, some wet soaks, open cleared land and for the energetic there is the option of a walk up the MULLOON CREEK hill at the eastern part of the property MORNING/EARLY which provides excellent views of AFTERNOON OUTING the district. There are lots of Sunday 21 September 2003 opportunities for a wide range of Mark Clayton has offered to lead a bush birds. It is preferred that participants walk on Mulloon Creek, which is a Gianni is keen to develop the contact the leader Alistair Bestow private property off the King's property for wildlife and birds, as (6281 1481 A/H) before hand. Highway approx 10 km on the coast can be seen from the website side of Bungendore. The area www.pcug.org.au/~gianni. Since …… straddles the top of the Dividing COG was there last some walking Range and is thick dry sclerophyll trails have been marked. We'll meet TUGGERANONG HOMESTEAD forest with some interesting patches at the Griffin Centre in Civic for AFTERNOON WALK of gum and some more open areas some car pooling at 7.30 am, for a used for grazing. A mix of birds Saturday 13 September 2003 7.45 am departure. Some who live associated with these habitats may be on the northside could meet us at the The Minders of Tuggeranong expected, including some returning property if they prefer. Please bring Homestead (MOTH) have invited summer migrants. Exact details are a hat, binoculars, good walking shoes COG members to join them on a still being negotiated but we expect and your lunch. The property is on a combined outing to learn more about to meet in Bungendore (place and slight slope, but most walking is on the Tuggeranong Homestead. This time to be determined). Further level-ish ground. There are, property has important links with our information will be the September however, options to walk on steeper cultural history, both aboriginal and Gang-gang, but in the meantime slopes. European. It is also the site for pencil this event into your diaries. To get there, we'll drive along the which in 1922 Charles Barrett Federal Highway, as far as Sutton, published the first paper in the …… and continue through Gundaroo to literature about the birds of the then Gunning. From the town of Federal Capital Territory.

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WEDDIN MOUNTAINS Meet at 9 am at the gate to the provides private charter and guides reserve off Gundaroo Road, just a to accommodate parties of up to 22 CAMP-OUT short distance north from where the persons in their vessel the Sandra K. long weekend 4-6 October 2003 main sealed road through Gungahlin The estimated cost per person will be The October long weekend camp-out ends. about $65 (including the $4 COG admin fee), as it appears we will will be held at the Weddin Mountains National Park. This manage to fill the boat. This will be follows the very successful Easter advised later and costs will include 2002 COG visit when we saw over two guides and all burlies. 80 species within 5 km of the Longer trips While Julie McGuiness/Sue Lashko

Seaton’s Farm Camping area, and will be the leaders on the day, Jack many participants agreed that a visit EASTERN SOUTH AFRICA Holland (6288 7840 (A/H) or by E- in spring was highly desirable and TOUR mail on [email protected]) is could be even more successful. We co-ordinating the arrangements. 28 September to 13 October 2003 propose to use the same area to Please call him to register your camp, now renamed the Fuzzy Box Pelican Safaris, who have taken a interest or to obtain further Campground, which hopefully will number of COG members on tour in information. Please note that this finally be completed. If preferred, southern Africa, have 2 vacancies trip has filled quickly, with at the participants could stay in motel on a Kruger National Park, Zululand, time of the closing for the August accommodation in the nearby Drakensberg Mountains trip from 28 Gang-gang copy only two spots left, Grenfell. Over the 3 days we expect Sept to 13 Oct 2003 (cost and it is recommended that you book to visit again the callitris of the AU$3100). The rest of the group asap. A $25 deposit made out to the Bimbi State Forest, the ironbarks of are Australians. I can personally Treasurer COG will ensure your Seaton’s farm, perhaps again do a recommend this. email: place on the boat. When the 22 tranverse of the Weddin’s Range to [email protected] or if places have been filled a waiting list Holy Camp and also to visit Gum you dont have email access phone will be taken, and participants will Swamp near Forbes where a further me at home 6288 7802 and I will have until 15 August to pay their 40 species, including a range of pass your contact details on to deposit. If not their name will be raptors and waterbirds, were seen. Pelican. taken off the list and substituted with Further details will be in next Jenny Bounds the next person on the wait list. month’s Gang-gang. In the Participants will be provided with meantime expressions of interest …… several options for accommodation please to Jack Holland (6288 7840 during August and it is expected they will make their own bookings. AH or by E-mail on COMBINED Further information on SOSSA may [email protected]) who, while SHOREBIRD/PELAGIC be obtained from the following web organising and participating in the OUTING CENTRED ON sites: camp-out, would like to hear from WOLLONGONG anyone who is prepared to help lead http://members.ozemail.com.au/~sos Weekend 18-19 October 2003 this outing. sa/ or http://sossa-international.org. A combined shorebird/pelagic outing …… centred on Wollongong will be held on the weekend of 18-19 October MULLIGAN’S FLAT 2003. It is proposed participants will WEDNESDAY WALK drive down from Canberra on the Saturday morning, with shore bird Wednesday 20 August 2003 watching around Lake Illawarra and An easy 6 km walk through the environs that afternoon, and with a Mulligan's Flat Reserve in full day’s seabird outing on Sunday Gungahlin, following the marked (approximately 7.00 am to 4.30 pm). trail and pamphlet (available at the Julie McGuiness and Sue Lashko reserve or from the COG sales desk will be the joint leaders for this trip. at meetings). Bring some morning The pelagic trip will be through the tea or lunch. The early spring Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) Southern Oceans Seabird Study Photo courtesy Helen Fallow migrants should be arriving back. Association Inc. (SOSSA), which

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NATIONAL THREATENED How to get involved SPECIES DAY Event registration will be DRAFT FIELD TRIPS coordinated by Environment Sunday 7 September 2003 PROGRAM FOR 2004 Australia, and should open in late The year may only just be half It's Time to Start Planning July or early August. Keep your eye over, but it’s time to start National Threatened Species Day is on the above websites for more thinking and planning for the held each year on the 7th September, information. 2004 COG Field Trips Program. in memory of the day when the last So if you have a favourite Tasmanian tiger died in captivity. It If you have any ideas for national spot/trip that you think should be is a day to raise public awareness of threatened species day 2003, please included, or where you think threatened species issues across don't hesitate to get in touch with a COG should go to again, or any Australia and for groups to celebrate member of your committee. reasonable suggestion, please let the good work they are doing to help protect our precious natural Jack Holland know (6288 7840 AH or by E-mail on heritage. It acts as the gateway to [email protected]). The Biodiversity Month, which runs for KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN FOR draft program is expected drawn the entirety of September. OSPREY NESTS

up and published with the The Foundation for National Parks & For further information, check the November 2003 Gang-gang. Wildlife, in conjunction with the following websites. NSW National Parks and Wildlife http://www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/th Service (NPWS), calls on the public reatened/information/ts-day/ in NSW to help scientists identify http://www.wwf.org.au/tsn/TSN_NT Osprey nests. Other surveys/ SD.htm Activities of Interest to The Foundation is providing funds to How you can help assist the NPWS in the development COG Members COG is in a position to run, support of a recovery plan for the vulnerable or encourage public events and species. All information on breeding BARREN GROUNDS GROUND awareness campaigns Ospreys will assist with the PARROT SURVEY around National Threatened Species preparation of the plan.

Day. Please take some time to talk to Older records from 1988 know of Sunday 10 August 2003 your friends and fellow members and only 45-50 breeding pairs along the

come up with a plan for this year. NSW coast between Eraring on the Volunteers are needed for the Barren Your involvement could include; Grounds annual Ground Parrot Central Coast to the Queensland - Running public activities such as border. It is now essential to gather survey/census from 9 am to noon on field days, talks, displays, tree new and exact data on numbers and 10 August 2003. This is one of the plantings, bush regeneration and longest running monitoring programs locations of breeding birds for the surveys coast from Gosford to Tweed. in Australia. Members wanting to - Carrying out routine activities (like help with the census on Sunday can surveys) but badging them as “This project relies on the join in for no cost. Alternatively threatened species information from a wide range of there is a weekend course for the activities and promoting the issue key National and State organisations, special price of $150 ($140 for BA - Encouraging groups in your local councils, bird watchers and members), which Jack Baker will network to get involved interested members of the public”, lead. For more information please - Media awareness said Peter Ekert, Director of contact Jack by E-mail on - Campaign or publication launches Ekerlogic Consulting Services (ECS) [email protected]. who undertakes the study. Alternatively contact Birds Australia “We are hoping that these groups can Barren Grounds on 02 4236 0195, or As this year is International Year of provide information on the location by E-mail on Freshwater, there is a particular focus of current and previous active [email protected]. on spreading the word on freshwater species, habitats and their threats. Osprey nests. This information will However, this doesn't limit be an important first step in assessing promotion of other species, habitats the status of Osprey nesting in and issues. NSW”, Mr Ekert said.

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If anyone has any information on Maps, notebooks, literature on the or enhancement through tree planting nesting Ospreys anywhere in NSW, best birding spots, and the occurred at these sites using please call Peter Ekert, Ekerlogic quickest McDonalds breakfast outlet incentive-funded fencing programs. Consulting Services on 02 49500573 all cry out for an airing on the The main types of vegetation that kitchen table whilst you plan your were protected were Grey Box and The company’s homepage best ever Twitchathon performance. Yellow Box/Blakely’s Red Gum http://www.ekerlogic.com.au/ also Sit back in winter comfort and warm woodland which are now rare in the offers an Osprey Survey Data Sheet to our birds and imagine what catchment, and White Cypress Pine for people to report their sightings. a difference you really can make for woodland. Protection of native Once completed, the sheet can be e- our birds if you participate in this vegetation will provide long-term mailed to wonderfully rewarding experience. benefits to rural landscapes in terms [email protected]. Celebrate our 10th Twitchathon of reducing erosion and salinity and To support future Osprey research birthday by getting involved for improving ecosystem health. and conservation through a donation the birds in the Murray cathment. However, it is also vital to measure contact the the biotic responses of habitat For those of you with no idea what a protection to provide encouragement Foundation for National Parks & Twitchathon is, it is a real fun to landholders and other community Wildlife, GPO Box 2666, activity. It's so simple. Find as members to increase the effort and NSW 2001, telephone 02 9221 1949, many species of birds as possible area for protection and enhancement. website www.fnpw.com.au between 25/26 October 2003 within Some of the best environmental a team category participation, indicators of the success of habitat and/or raise the most money by protection are our native woodland sponsorship and a great prize could birds. Many species of woodland arrive in your mail box. Whether birds are now known to be you are 5 or 105 years old, threatened or declining significantly you could be eligibe to receive a in many parts of Australia. multitude of prizes in many race categories. But above all, you really Project Outline This project aims to will have helped to make a difference measure the success of the Greening for our birds. You will be very Australia NSW Murray Catchment proud of yourself! Fencing Incentives Program in terms of benefits to woodland birds. A What's the 10th Twitchathon selection of sites that were fenced project? The answer lies in the birds Hooded Robin (Melanodryas cucullata) and protected in the last 2-7 years Photo courtesy Helen Fallow of the MIGHTY will be surveyed for all bird species MURRAY CATCHMENT. See to gain an understanding about the below for a description of the BIRDS AUSTRALIA responses of birds to habitat project. Isn't it a brilliant project! TWITCHATHON 2003 (NSW & protection and enhancement. In We need just $12,500 and I know we ACT) particular, the project aims to look at can all make it together for we have how size, shape, age of tree Weekend 25-26 October 2003 raised more than this in a past plantings, tree species and shrub Twitchathon. Go for it friends - ask It's SNAG's 10th Twitchathon layer affect the responses by SNAG for your 10th Twitchathon birthday this year!! I can't believe woodland birds. The results of this birthday kit TODAY! that we have been going that long! project not only provide a much- So - don't chill out this winter and Measuring the outcomes of needed audit of catchment-based forget our birds! Warm yourself and protecting remnant woodlands for woodland conservation, but also your friends up for another fantastic birds in the Murray Catchment of recommendations about how best to NSW and ACT Twitchathon - the NSW conduct future fencing programs. It will be critical to present the results best in the ten years! Just imagine Background Between 1997 and how many species you could find 2001, Greening Australia NSW of this project to the participating and how many $'s you could raise if facilitated the protection and landholders and to use the results to you well and truly plan your enhancement of hundreds of hopefully encourage other team's every Twitchathon woodland remnants in the highly landholders in the catchment to move around a cosy fireside hearth fragmented Murray Catchment. protect and manage their important during your winter hibernation! Natural recovery of native vegetation remnant woodland patches.

Gang-gang Augst 2003 9

Methods It is anticipated that a project officer will, with the direction of the project manager, identify approximately 100 sites COG SALES that have been stratified into categories based on size of remnant fenced, type of ‹ – Wet and Wild - A Field Guide to the vegetation fenced, tree cover, NEW Freshwater Animals of the Southern Tablelands understorey condition and age and High Country" by M Lintermans and since fencing occurred. Each site W Osborne, $28.00 (RRP $34.95). is to be surveyed in Spring 2003 using a standardised 20-minute ‹ Wildlife on Farms - by David Lindenmayer - RRP $29.95, census technique. All birds seen SPECIAL PRICE for COG members - $25.00. or heard within or flying over the ‹ Where to Find Birds in NE Queensland - Joe Wieneke - $16.00. site will be recorded. Surveys will ‹ Reptiles and Frogs of the ACT - Ross Bennett - $13.00. only be undertaken in the good weather conditions. Analysis and ‹ Native Trees of the ACT - $6.50. reporting of results will be ‹ Birds of Rottnest Island – by Denis Saunders & Parry de Rebeira - undertaken in late 2003 with a $15.00 report provided to Birds Australia ‹ Birds of Rottnest Island – a check list - $1.00 in early 2004. The report will then be distributed to local landholders. ‹ Grassland Flora – a Field Guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW It is also envisaged that local and ACT) – by David Eddy et al. - $13.00 conservation or bird groups will ‹ Our Patch – Field Guide to the Flora of the ACT Region - $13.00 continue to monitor some of these ‹ The Nestbox Book – Gould League - $9.00 sites to gauge the long-term responses of woodland birds to ‹ Birds of Queensland’s Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef – by Lloyd habitat protection and Nielsen - $25.00 enhancement. There is great ‹ Guide to the Bird Habitats of NSW (and ACT) – NSW Atlassers -$27.00 potential for the production of ‹ Field Guide to the Birds of the ACT – by Taylor and Day - $14.00 community education material ‹ based around the findings of this Simpson and Days’ Birds of Australia CDROM Version 5.0 SPECIAL project which will be used by PRICE - $45.00 community groups and ‹ Field Guide to the Birds of Australia – by Pizzey and Knight -$35.00 organisations whose focus is on ‹ COG Birds of Canberra Gardens - $25.00 conservation of remnant ‹ vegetation for birds and general COG Atlas - $12.00 biodiversity. ‹ COG Car Stickers - $2.00 Frances Czwalinna ‹ COG Birds of Canberra Gardens Poster - $4.00 Twitchathon Coordinator ‹ COG Garden Bird Survey Chart (New Version) - $1.00 Birds Australia, Southern NSW & ‹ COG Badges – two colour versions - $5.00 ACT Group P.O. Box 1322, Crows Nest, 1585 ‹ COG Birds of the ACT – Two Centuries of Change – by Steve Wilson - Telephone/Fax:Frances (02) 9872 $25.00 4185 Email: ‹ COG Annotated Checklist of the Birds of the ACT - $1.00 [email protected] ‹ COG Bird Songs of Canberra – Cassette - $10.00. Website: http://snag.birdsaustralia.com.au COG T-shirts, Polo shirts, all above and other books on local flora and fauna available at the monthly meeting sales desk or by contacting Carol Macleay

(for post and packing costs) on 02 6286 2624.

1 0 Gang-gang August 2003

Atlassing Excerpts Australasian Shoveler, Australian would they care that we have Shelduck, Hardhead and Pink- allowed the destruction of a rare or….who’s seen what eared Duck. piece of bush to allow them to live where… in this particular spot? The ACT A good winter birding location is population is the most intelligent in Snippets of interest taken from always the Australian National Australia, how can we allow this to sheets returned to the Records Botanic Gardens. Harvey Perkins happen? Officer. recorded a number of the Mid-year is the time when we start honeyeater species which typically What is the ACT Legislative assembling all bird records from the leave the mountains and may Assembly’s understanding of the previous July-June for inclusion in overwinter in our relatively warmer concept “protect the environment”? the Annual Bird Report. If you have climate. These include White- Did they think that it was going to collected bird records during the naped, Crescent and New Holland be easy and that as soon as there past 12 months (or longer) but have Honeyeaters, as well as Eastern was a difficult decision to be made not yet committed them to paper, Spinebill and Red Wattlebird. they could cave in? How do they now is the time to ensure they are Also from the Cook-Aranda area, intend to redress the void created by recorded for posterity and included Malcolm Fyfe and others have the removal of this very valuable in the ABR. Please submit your reported overwintering Fuscous piece of real estate? Australia is records at meetings (in the red box) Honeyeaters. such a vast land with so much land which is suitable for human or send to COG, PO Box 301 Civic Nicki Taws Square 2608. habitation, why would we destroy this tiny gem? Did they think that Mid-year can also be a quiet time they could plant a few Blakeley’s for birding, particularly in the COG member puts pen to Red Gum somewhere else and mountains, and particularly this make up for it? year in the burnt forests. Surveys in paper to save East Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, by the O’Malley I am bewildered and ashamed about this decision and would seriously Friends of Tidbinbilla and by Chris The following letter was written by consider tying myself to the trees to Davey, have turned up few species COG member, and newsletter express the depth of my emotion on and low numbers of birds. The most distributor, Lia Battison and sent to this issue, enough is enough! The commonly seen species are Brown the Editor of the Canberra Times. Legislative Assembly has a Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, The letter was subsequently responsibility to their constituents, White-browed Scrubwren, published as the letter of the day on Australians generally and their White-throated Treecreeper, 18 June 2003. Lia sent the same children’s children to find another Grey Shrike-thrush, Scarlet letter to all of the members of the solution to our housing needs. Robin and Flame Robin. The Legislative Assembly. Responses occasional Superb Lyrebird has have to date been received from at Yours sincerely been seen but they are rarely heard least six members and the letter Lia Battisson calling this season. referred to Jon Stanhope, the Further south in Namadgi NP Minister for the Environment, or around the Yankee Hat and Simon Corbell, the Minister for Boboyan Pines area, a similar suite Planning. Well done Lia! Fisher Parkland; of birds has been recorded by John Dear sir Remnant trashed in the Goldie and Dianne Deans in their 2 ha sites in burnt areas. However the I am writing to you to express my name of human safety absolute disillusionment with the fire was cooler and more patchy in Fisher Parkland is CUPP managed processes of the ACT Government this area and there are also records land south of Fisher. Following the with respect to the protection of the of Brown Treecreeper, Hooded January 2003 fire, large areas have environment. When I heard that Robin and good numbers of Flame been cleared of the former East O’Malley was to be released Robin to be found. plantation trees and ground cover for housing I was dumbfounded. on safety grounds. With the Dianne Deans has also been The short-sighted, money grabbing significant reduction in canopy surveying a number of wetlands attitude astounds me. The people cover in a number of areas within around Bungendore, finding small who would purchase this land could the Parkland, there are severe numbers of Freckled Duck and an afford to live anywhere they like, array of other waterfowl including

Gang-gang Augst 2003 11

reservations about the potential for weed spread and soil erosion. Australian Ornithological Services Pty Ltd One major disaster has been the partial destruction of the Broad- leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus PO Box 385 South Yarra Victoria 3141 dives) remnant in the midst of Tel: 03 9820 4223 mobile: 0417310200 E: [email protected] the Parkland on safety grounds. This remnant had around 60 native plant species within its 2004 boundary. As there were few who wandered into this area it is ♦ 17—22 March Tasmania hard to see how this act of (optional Melaleuca flight on 23 March) wanton ecological vandalism Accommodated tour seeking all Tassie endemic birds plus mammals such as Tasmanian Devil, Southern Bettong, Eastern Quoll, Eastern can be justified. Barred Bandicoot. Includes pelagic trip. The Australian Conservation ♦ 9—13 April Easter camp Oolambeyan National Park (NSW) Foundation has commented that Good food and birding at one of the 's newest national parks. the "stark reality of the need for Starts/finishes in action on the extinction crisis facing Australia's environment ♦ 20—30 April Mallee Parks and Reserves of Vic and SA has been dramatically outlined Camping tour through Victorian and South Australian mallee parks en route to Gluepot Reserve. Starts/finishes in Melb in the Australian Terrestrial Biodiversity Assessment". This ♦ 22 May — 6 June Top end endemics tour action does not appear to be Darwin Kakadu NP Kununurra consistent with any Accommodated tour seeking all the top-end endemics such as Black consideration of that document. and White-throated Grasswrens, Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot and Banded Fruit-Dove. Starts/finishes in Darwin. It is clear that the whole process has been fundamentally flawed ♦ 11—22 June Gulf of Carpentaria Tour with no general community Accommodated tour from Cairns west to Queensland's Gulf country through consultation on the fate of the Georgetown, Karumba, Burketown, Mt Isa and Cloncurry. Key birds include Carpentarian and Kalkadoon Grasswrens, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Parkland, much less the Black-throated Finch and Flock Pigeon. Starts/finishes in Cairns. remnant, limited meaningful consultation with a community ♦ 20 Aug —7 September Strzelecki Track Tour group, no environmental Accommodated outback tour seeking all the inland specialities such as asessment of the condition of Plains-wanderer, Inland Dotterel, five spp. of Grasswren, Bourke's Parrot and Hall's Babbler. Starts/finishes in Melbourne. the remnant and damage during the destruction of timber within ♦ 18—28 September Forests and Woodlands of Central NSW the remnant. including Bird Routes of Barraba & Baradine districts accommodated tour taking in the best of the forests and woodland What makes it worse is that the New of central NSW such as Gillenbah State Forest near , Parkland began to be effectively Goonoo State Forest near Dubbo and Pilliga Scrub and the managed under the local Liberal Warrumbungle Ranges near Coonabarabran. Starts/finishes in Melb. government and the Dives remnant looked after and ♦ 30 Oct—17 Nov South East Australia, optional Tasmanian preserved. The Stanhope Labor endemics extension government has effectively Comprehensive birding tour of SE Australia and Tasmania seeking 300+ spp. Key birds on the mainland include Powerful Owl, Pilotbird, trashed the remnant. Spotted Quail-thrush, Plains-wanderer, Superb Parrot, Malleefowl, Alan Ford Striated Grasswren and Rufous Bristlebird. Takes in the full spectrum of habitats in SE Aust.

www.philipmaher.com

1 2 Gang-gang August 2003

until July. This covered Lake Final Manyara, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Hideaway for two!

Tanzanian Tattlings the West Kilimanjaro areas. Guerilla Bay / Burrewarra Point

This chapter was intended to cover a The highlight had to be the L o v e ly , c le a n a n d q u ie t s e lf c o n ta in e d 1 couple of seasons. The long rains flamingos (approximately 500,000 of b e d ro o m fla t a m id tre e s , o w n c o u rty a rd were due to start within a week of them) in Lake Manyara. They were a n d g a rd e n , a d ja c e n t B u rre w a rra P o in t c liffto p re s e rv e . C lo s e u n s p o ile d w a lk s , sending TT III but were about 6 accompanied by large numbers of storks (mainly yellow billed), b e a c h e s . O v e r 1 2 0 b ird s p e c ie s s e e n in weeks late and only lasted 10 days th e lo c a l a re a , h a lf fro m th e p ro p e rty a n d rather than about 50. This could pelicans and herons/egrets (again in wide variety). While flamingos lo ts o f o th e r in te re s tin g fa u n a a n d flo ra . have serious consequences for both R e a s o n a b le ra te s . appeared again at the lake in people and wildlife. C o n ta c t J o a n a n d T re v o r L ip s c o m b e Ngorongoro Crater (and were much 6 2 6 2 7 9 7 5 . We are now in the cool season (with more accessible) there were only highs in the upper 20s, lows in the 1,052 of them in evidence. I low twenties and maximum humidity commented in a message to the chat- below 50%). line about watching sundry vultures SDVVLYH#VRODU#KRXVH### As a result of the low rainfall we battles with mammalian scavengers S outh R os ed ale spent Easter at Sable Mountain on in the Crater. This was made more A ru p in g i is a p a s s iv e s o la r h o u s e s itu a te d in a p e a c e fu l b u s h la n d s e ttin g in S o u th the edge of the Selous Game Reserve exciting by being so close and the action so intense. R o s e d a le . B ird w a tc h in g is p o s s ib le fro m in South Central Tanzania. An th e c o m fo rt o f a c h a ir o n th e fro n t o r b a c k unusual part of the trip was using a Serengeti produced a few additions d e c k . F o r th e m o re e n e rg e tic , G u e rrilla small private railcar to access the to my life list, but the business there B a y a n d B u rre w a rra P o in t a re w ith in park, allowing for game and bird was really mammals: even after an w a lk in g d is ta n c e . T h e w e tla n d s a t viewing as we rattled and bounced hour of steady driving through them B a rlin g ‘s B e a c h a re o n ly fe w k ilo m e te rs along. The highlight was, as 1,000,000 wildebeests are still an a w a y . R ic h b ird in g is a v a ila b le in a lm o s t expected a boat safari on Lake impressive sight (and sound). a n y d ire c tio n , th e E u ro b o d a lla B o ta n ic a l Tagalala giving up close and G a rd e n s a re a fa v o u rite s p o t. T h e fro n t personal views of about 30 species of The final days were spent on a b e a c h a t R o s e d a le is p a tro lle d b y th e re s id e n t w h ite s e a -e a g le . water related birds and raptors. Of friends farm in the Moshi area. As well as great views of Mts Meru and T a riff - $ 5 0 p e r n ig h t; $ 2 5 0 p e r w e e k ($ 3 0 0 the water birds, African Spoonbills, p e r w e e k in s c h o o l h o lid a y s ); 3 n ig h t Goliath Herons and White- Kilimanjaro (when the cloud lifted) I managed to add some 10 species to w e e k e n d $ 1 2 5 ; 1 5 D e c e m b e r to 3 1 crowned Plovers stood out in my J a n u a ry - $ 4 0 0 p e r w e e k . memory. The raptors were amongst my life list, in an area we had F u rth e r d e ta ils c o n ta c t œ G re g o r S a llie the more distinctive birds in previously visited. As I write my R a m s a y , 3 1 M a c R o b e rts o n S t, M A W S O N , Tanzanian list is approximately 430 Tanzania with African Fish Eagle, A C T 2 6 0 7 , p h o n e 6 2 8 6 1 5 6 4 o r e -m a il a t Black-chested snake-eagle and species: about 40% of the national g re g .ra m s a y @ a rg a y .c o m .a u Palm-nut Vulture turning up for the total! occasion. I should also mention the That’s all folks. We have 6 weeks hippos and crocodiles! before returning to Australia and MUDBRICK COTTAGE Around the lodge there were not a getting back to honeyeaters rather Mallacoota great number of visible birds in the than weavers! Our m u d b ric k c o tta g e is a v a ila b le fo r bush. There were a lot of audible Martin butterfield re n ta l fo r a ll th o s e n a tu re lo v e rs o u t ones and several soaring raptors with th e re !! It is s e t a m o n g s t th e tre e s in White-backed Vultures, M a lla c o o ta , V ic to ria (a p p ro x im a te ly 4 h o u rs d riv e fro m C a n b e rra ). It is o n ly 1 0 Lappet-faced Vultures and m in u te s w a lk to th e b e a c h , 5 m in u te s w a lk Bateleurs being close enough to to th e g o lf c o u rs e a n d a b o u t 1 5 m in u te s identify. All in all, 75 species w a lk to to w n . It s le e p s 4 -6 u p s ta irs a n d recorded for the trip with 5 additions th e re is a s o fa b e d d o w n s ta irs . It is fu lly to my life list. Several billion ants s e lf-c o n ta in e d w ith a k itc h e n a n d la u n d ry . were also available but I didn’t try to P le a s e c o n ta c t B a rb a ra d e B ru in e (0 2 œ ID them! 6 2 5 8 3 5 3 1 ) fo r fu rth e r in fo rm a tio n . The late appearance of the rains led us to postpone a trip North from June

Gang-gang Augst 2003 13

Join Richard and Roz for their 2003-04 tour program

SPRINGTIME IN THE MALLEE

5 to 11 November 2003 $980 We combine two popular favourites - hunting for the endangered Plains-wanderer with Philip Maher; then spending most of the tour in Gluepot tracking down all the Mallee specials at a time when the Reserve is bursting with life. Mainly camping.

A SNOWY CHRISTMAS

24 Dec 2003 to 1 Jan 2004 $1180 Spend the festive season at a lodge high in the Snowy Mountains - then travel along the Snowy and Deddick Rivers. All Christmas/New Year festive fare included. Half camping/half accommodated.

EMU GOES TO LORD HOWE ISLAND

13 to 20 March 2004 $1900 One of Emu's favourites as Ian Hutton, the island's expert naturalist, spends the week with us. Includes flights by Qantaslink. Excellent, centrally-placed accommodation with cooked breakfasts & some other meals included.

EMU GOES TO MALAWI AND ZAMBIA

13 to 27 June 2004 $2900 ex Lilongwe These tours to 'the friendly heart of Africa' are proving rightly popular. Travel with Richard and a local guide to the best birding areas - including the outstanding South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Book early!

Richard Jordan & Roslyn Hemsley EMU TOURS PO Box 4 Jamberoo NSW 2533 Phone (02) 4236 0542 Fax (02) 4236 0176 [email protected] www.ozemail.com.au/~emutours

1 4 Gang-gang August 2003

I without them it serves no purpose Av an Whimsy #12 and ultimately disappeared. Banksias with Feathers As we’d expect from such an ancient As you (or maybe you) are reading group, there has been plenty of time this, I may well be watching, in situ, for diversification. Most are the largest ratite of all, and the only polyandrous, with the female mating black and white one. with several males, each of whom takes sole care of eggs and chicks. When Gondwana began its (In rheas, males also mate with monumental break-up about a several females…) Ostriches share hundred million years ago, ending the duties, and in particularly harsh half a billion years of unity, many of areas may form monogamous pairs, the most prominent and familiar as do the kiwis always. Clutch sizes elements of our world were vary from over twenty for ostriches emerging. The flowering plants were and rheas, to 3-5 for cassowaries, to spreading rapidly from their apparent just one (huge!) egg for kiwis. cradle in western Gondwana, in the portentous Great Rift Valley between Most are dwellers of open plains, Africa and South America. The where they presumably evolved, but mammals were very much there, cassowaries and kiwis live in dense waiting their turn to step out of the wet vegetation. The cassowaries are dinosaurs’ oppressive shadows. And solely tropical rainforest inhabitants, the birds were already diverse and presumably a secondary adaptation. widespread; the oldest currently Only the kiwis are small – in fact known ‘Australian’ bird is Cassowary (Casuarinus casuarinus) technically they ‘could’ fly; I have represented by a single unattributable Photo courtesy Ian Fraser no information here, but I assume feather from Koonwarra in Victoria. they have ‘shrunk’ from large ancestors as they found themselves Few living groups are recognisably on an island without terrestrial traceable to such a distant time, and Ratites, which tragically did not predators. of course only groups which already survive the arrival of humans in their existed then could be expected to be island homes, include the New One thing which you may (or may found in all the Gondwanan lands Zealand moas and the great elephant not…) wish to contemplate is that today. One such group is the birds of Madagascar. They are all the ratites are among the very few Proteaceae – Banksias, Hakeas, now generally regarded as belonging bird groups that have a penis. More Grevilleas, Proteas, Waratahs and to the order Struthioniformes, with ‘modern’ birds have dispensed with their kin, descendants of ancient each of the groups mentioned it. (Now, now, I didn’t design them, Gondwanan ancesters, are now found representing a family. I’m just the messenger!) in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, One thing that strikes me as I’ve not discussed Emus, but I think New Caledonia and South America. extraordinary is the fact that already, they warrant a Whimsy all to Few bird groups seem to go that far by at least 100 million years ago, themselves in the near future. back, but there is one. they had ‘been there, done that’ with A final observation; some 12 million The ratites still represent something regard to the marvels of flight, and years ago Ostriches had spread from of an enigma, but tools such as given it up, opting instead for size. Africa across southern Europe and biochemistry have greatly increased The word ‘ratite’ comes from the Asia. Perhaps that explains the our certainty that they are a coherent Latin ‘ratis’, a raft, and refers to the oddity of a Gondwanan dish in the related group. They are the great flat breast-bone. When they lost their Mediterranean. Oh sorry – I mean southern flightless birds; the Ostrich wings (or at least the use of them; all ratitouille of course. in Africa (and you knew that as the still have vestigial wings) they also answer to the riddle in line one, of lost the use of the protruding keel which is most familiar to us from the course), the Emu and the cassowaries Ian Fraser [email protected] in Australia-New Guinea, kiwis in faithful chook (albeit when it’s on a New Zealand and rheas in South plate…). Its purpose is to provide an America. anchor for the great flight muscles;

Gang-gang Augst 2003 15

Expressions of interest: W ELCOM E NEW Next new sletter editor of Gang-gang M EM BERS SEPTEMBER deadline Wednesday 27 August 2003 The current editor of Gang-gang is calling for expressions of interest to Michael and Jan Robbins, Send updates to assist in the monthly production of Kambah Tanya Rough, our newsletter. If you would like Editor Gang-gang more information about what is Email preferred: involved, or you are keen to be Nancy Smale, Narrabundah [email protected] or involved, please contact Tanya [email protected] Rough by email at Ph: 6161 0151 (ah) [email protected] or phone Articles should be less than 500 02 6274 2302 (w) , 02 6161 0151 (h) words (300 for reports of 1-day field trips; 150 for Atlassing Snapshots), except by prior arrangement with the editor. Print photographs with articles encouraged.

COG info Gang-gang editor Office (6247 4996) President Tanya Rough 6161 0151 (h) COG maintains an office in room

Barry Baker, ph 6274 2402 (w), G5, Griffin Centre, Bunda Street, Newsletter distribution mobile 0412 484 728 civic. Lia Battisson and helpers Office volunteers are not in Vice President Canberra Birds Conservation Fund attendance for regular opening Nicki Taws, ph 6251 0303 Donations to this fund are tax hours. Treasurer deductible. Funds are used to Members access by prior Joan Lipscombe ph 6262 7975 support projects that protect and arrangement. enhance native birds and the Secretary COG E-mail Discussion List environments that sustain them. Doug Laing ph 6287 7700 (h) COG has an email announcement COG website and discussion list for members Membership inquiries http://www.canberrabirds.dynamite. and friends of COG: ‘Canberra Contact Alastair Smith 6281 3221 (h) com.au Birding’, also known by the or 0401 993 381 for changes of nickname ‘cog-1’. address or other details COG membership Join the list at 2003-2004 membership: Address for correspondence http://www.topica.com/lists/canber Individuals, families and institutions: The Secretary rabirds or by sending a blank email $35. school students (under 18): COG, PO Box 301 message to canberrabirds- $17.50. Civic Square, ACT 2608 [email protected].

SURFACE POSTAGE

MAIL PAID Gang-gang AUSTRALIA If undeliverable, please return to Canberra Ornithologists Group, Inc. PO Box 301, Civic Square ACT 2608

Print Post Approved PP 232100/00028 1 6 Gang-gang August 2003