Birding NSW Newsletter Page 1 Birding Newsletter NSW Field Ornithologists Club Inc Nsw Issue 260 December 2013
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Birding NSW Newsletter Page 1 birding Newsletter NSW Field Ornithologists Club Inc nsw Issue 260 December 2013 President’s Report The October IBA survey in Grenfell was a great success. David Bain’s talk on the Powerful Owl project in October Twenty surveyors (including four locals) covered 24 sites, was very well received. This project is partially funded by some on private land. Superb Parrots were seen on six proceeds from the 2012 and 2013 Twitchathon under the sites during the survey, and were also identified outside auspices of BirdLife Southern NSW. the survey times. There was a dinner for the surveyors on the Friday evening and a barbecue on a private property on The September BIGnet meeting in Newcastle was well Saturday night. On the Sunday morning, there was a bird attended and the CEO of BirdLife Australia, Paul Sullivan walk for interested members of the Grenfell community, was there on both days. He said that key priorities for which was very well attended. Please see the article about BirdLife Australia included improvement of the Atlas the weekend by Elisabeth Karplus in this issue of the database and obtaining government research grants and newsletter for further details and information about the corporate funding. Bird habitat conservation continues to next survey. be a major focus for BirdLife Australia. The next BIGnet meeting will be held in Canberra in April 2014 and will be hosted by the Canberra Ornithologists Group in their 50th year. New Members At the December meeting, the 2013 Arnold McGill A warm welcome is extended to the Memorial Lecture will be given by Alan Rogers, a past following new members: president of both Birding NSW and of the Cumberland Bird Observers Club. The Birding NSW Annual General Richard Black Camperdown Meeting will take place on this day and the evening will Milan & Eva Busina Bondi Junction conclude with the Club’s annual Christmas Party. The successful bring-a-plate format for the party will again Mark Cowan NSW be used, so come along for a great night and remember to Ted Giblin Port Macquarie bring a plate! Michael Hanvey Mona Vale Tom Karplus Kristine Martin Blackwall Stephen Morgan Sydney Jillian Nolan Castle Hill I wish you a safe and happy Lynette Purcell Newport M & F Sheridan Picnic Point Festive Season and the best Jacob Sife Willoughby of birding! Andrew Walker Blackwall Rae Lister, Editor PRINT POST APPROVED PP100001080 Page 2 Birding NSW Newsletter CLUB ACTIVITIES FIELD OUTINGS AND MEETINGS National PARK USE FEES AND ON-THE-SPOT FINES A valid day pass or annual pass is necessary for 47 parks in NSW and that includes most in the Sydney and Central Coast Regions. The pass must be displayed on your vehicle at all times while you are in the park. In many parks failure to display a valid pass will incur an on-the-spot $100 fine. Day passes can be purchased from the Entrance Station when open, or the pay and display machines that take exact money ($11 or $7 for most Birding NSW outings), or a credit card. A safer alternative if you visit national parks regularly is to obtain an Annual Pass. When you pay online for an annual pass ask for a reminder when it is due for renewal. Members in doubt are encouraged to make their own enquiries and arrangements when visiting a national park. FEES AT CAMPOUTS A camping fee may be applicable at some campsites. TOTAL FIRE BANS Members are reminded that no Central Coast outings are held on days when Total Fire Bans are in force. For Sydney outings in times of a Total Fire Ban, check with the outing leader. SAFETY It is a condition of attendance at Club outings or Club campouts that those wishing to leave early should ensure that the leader is aware of their intention. PETS Members are reminded that pets including dogs are not allowed on any Club outing including campouts. SECURITY Members are reminded not to leave anything of value visible in unattended vehicles while bird watching. NESTLINGS’ OUTINGS These half-day outings are a combined enterprise of Birding NSW and the Cumberland Bird Observers’ Club. They are specially designed to introduce children from 5 to12 years of age to bird watching. An adult must accompany the children. CENTRAL COAST OUTINGS Sydney Members should advise the leader in advance if they are coming to an outing so that we don’t leave without you! Health AND SAFETY As from New Year’s Day 2012, The New South Wales State Government has spread the requirement for formal Health and Safety procedures, designed for employers, to social and voluntary societies, which have ANY paid employees. Our Insurers, in this vein, require us to record policy for our officers and members – even though we are currently outside the scope of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS). Birding NSW resists introducing very formal procedures into its activities, except to continue our practice of asking all participants to sign the attendance register at each meeting and outing, to signify that one attends at one’s own risk and will refrain from any behaviour which might put oneself or others at risk. For new Club members–bring morning tea, lunch and a chair. DECEMBER has changed. Meet at 8:30 am at the corner of Whitmore and Pitt Town Dural Roads, Maraylya. Flat but sometimes Tuesday 3 December Club Meeting: The Mitchell Theatre, uneven walking tracks. Bring along some food to share for Level 1, The Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, 280 Pitt Christmas picnic lunch in the first picnic area in Mitchell Street, Sydney at 7.30 pm. Annual General Meeting and Park at about 12.30 pm. Leaders: Tom and Elisabeth Arnold McGill Memorial Lecture. ‘Ring of Fire–Seabirds Karplus 9816 2285, or 0421 665 553 and Volcanoes in the Kuril Islands’, speaker: Alan Rogers. Followed by the Club Christmas party. Please bring finger Saturday 14 December Central Coast Christmas food to share. Outing and Break-up: Mardi and Tuggerah. Meet at 7.30 am at Murrumbung Homestead, 37 The Valley Way, Mardi Wednesday 4 December Central Coast Half-day for an early morning walk. Morning tea at 10.00 am. At Outing: Swansea. Meet at 8.30 am Coon Island Picnic 10.30 am move to Central Coast Wetlands. Return at 12.30 Area. Leaders: John and Carole Carpenter 02 4352 1060 pm to Murrumbung Homestead for BBQ Christmas Lunch Saturday 7 December Christmas Outing: Scheyville and break-up (BYO meat and drinks). Leaders: John and and Mitchell Park. NB: The meeting site for this outing Carole Carpenter 02 4352 1060 Birding NSW Newsletter Page 3 Club Campout – Christmas Day 2013 to New Year FEBRUARY 2014: - Barrington Tops National Park. Saturday 1 February Central Coast Outing: ‘Breakfast The campsite is at Horse Swamp in Polblue Crown with the Birds’ at Pioneer Dairy, Central Coast Wetlands, Reserve. While travel from Gloucester is possible, Tuggerah at 7.30 am. Cost $5 per person. Birding in the route via Aberdeen, Gundy and Moonan Flat is the Tuggerah/Chittaway area afterwards. Lunch at cars. recommended if travelling from Sydney. About two Contact: Alan Morris 02 4334 2776 kilometres from the dingo fence on the road from Tuesday 4 February Club Meeting: The Mitchell Scone to Gloucester, turn left into Tubrabucca Road Theatre, Level 1, The Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, immediately before a pine plantation. The campsite is 280 Pitt Street, Sydney at 7.30 pm, ‘The Vocalisations of a public area so there could be other campers present. the Australian Pied Butcherbird’, speaker: Hollis Taylor. Camp fees apply. Campfires are permitted providing that there is not a total fire ban. Bring everything that Saturday 8 February Club Outing: Colo River and you need including garbage bags and water. It can be Swallow Reach, Ebenezer. Meet at 9.00 am at the south very cold so bring warm clothing. The closest petrol is side of the Colo River Bridge on the Putty Road north of at Moonan Flat so ensure that you have plenty of fuel. Wilberforce. Lunch at cars. Leader: Philip Brook 9929 Leader: Allan Richards 9660 8062 4818 Saturday 15 February Club Outing: Bicentennial Park and Sydney Olympic Park. Meet at 8.00 am at 2014 Lake Belvedere, Bicentennial Park, parking area P10D. JANUARY Proceed through the main gates, along the road past the Conference Centre until the lake is on your left-hand Saturday 11 January Club Outing: Warriewood side. The parking area is on the right, just after crossing Wetlands and Long Reef. Meet at 8.30 am at Katoa Close, the bridge. Leader: Judy Harrington 9712 5904 or 0403 Warriewood. Mostly walking along flat paths and tracks 026 660. towards the end of Irrawong Reserve. Leader: Trevor Waller 0467 977 508 Tuesday 25 February Central Coast Meeting: Meet at the Progress Hall in Anzac Street Tuggerah opposite Saturday 18 January Club Outing: Centennial Park. McDonalds at 7.30 pm. ‘Birding in the Northern Territory’, Meet at 8.30 am in Dickens Drive, Centennial Park, near speakers: John and Carole Carpenter. The Learning Centre. An introductory survey of various sites throughout the park followed by general bird watching Wednesday 26 February Midweek Outing: within the park. Leader: Allan Richards 9660 8062 or 0432 Narrabeen and Long Reef. Meet at 9.00 am at Jamieson 064 660 Park at the end of Mactier Street (becomes The Esplanade). The actual time of the visit to Long Reef Club Campout–Australia Day Long Weekend 25–27 will be determined by tides and conditions on the day.