COWRA COMMENTS a Quarterly Newsletter of the Cowra Woodland Birds Program

COWRA COMMENTS A quarterly newsletter of the Cowra Woodland Birds Program

ISSUE Forty-six – June 2021 AUTUMN SURVEYS – APRIL 17-18 The Cowra Woodland Birds Program is a series More cold weather and heaps of weeds but there were some great sightings of projects focussing on woodland birds in the – the first Scarlet Honeyeaters at Kooragindi (see Fiona’s story), a Diamond region with local and visiting birdwatchers Dove, 4 Turquoise Parrots and more than 200 Superb Parrots, White-backed carrying out seasonal surveys in the area. Swallows and some rarely seen (or heard) owls – Barking, Eastern Barn Owl Survey dates for 2021 and a Southern Boobook. Sadly no Regent Honeyeaters! 17-18 July and 16-17 October Contact Malcolm Fyfe on (02) 4471 8757 or [email protected] Friday evening Pre-survey meet, greet and learn-about-the- weekend's-work: will be at the Services Club 6 pm. Saturday afternoon TBA Saturday evening Pridham Centre 6pm BBQ – bring your own everything – barbeque

CWBP committee John Rankin - Chair Neale Coutanche - Vice-chair Eleanor Lang Nick Nichols Sue Proust Madeleine Rankin Julian Reid RAMBLINGS FROM THE CHAIR Maret Vesk – Newsletter editor John Rankin ([email protected] ) The sound of falling rain as I write this column heralds another good winter Peter West season for our farmers and our birds. Surveying this July should reveal an abundance of both our local birds and our colourful winter visitors. All the hard work of our surveyors, the authors Julian Reid and Nick Nichols and the very generous donation made by Isobel Crawford, culminated in the launch by Judy Harrington of CWBP’s database “Long-term Trends of Birds in the Cowra District” during our April 2021 survey weekend. BirdLife Southern NSW The occasion of the launch led the committee to reflect on the future of the [email protected] CWBP. Long term monitoring provides information which is critical for the Postal Address: CWBP, BirdLife Discovery Centre, conservation of our birds. The longer we can continue monitoring the more Newington Armory, 1 Jamieson St Sydney Olympic Park 2127. valuable the information we gather becomes. You may be surprised to know FOR YOUR DIARY that most of the essential jobs which allow CWBP to function have been in 24 – 26 September 2021 - SOUTH the hands of the same people for the best part of twenty years. It is therefore WEST SLOPES KEY BIODIVERSITY time for some new people to take on some of the jobs. If you are able to offer any support please have a chat with a committee member. AREA (KBA) th Elisabeth Dark has written an article relating to the implications of the 20 Bird Survey Weekend around upgrade of Wyangala Dam in the current Australian Birdlife magazine. It is Grenfell well worth reading. If you would like to join us or would like Have you taken your Archibird photos yet? Entry details for this popular more information, please contact photo competition will be in the next Cowra Comments. Elisabeth Karplus on [email protected]. au or Allan Looking forward to catching up in July. The weekend may even include Swift Richards on [email protected] Parrot sightings! See the article by Chris Timewell in this edition.

THE LAUNCH Julian Reid On the 17 th April the Cowra Woodland Birds Program (CWBP) released the report, “ Long-term Trends Analysis of the Cowra Woodland Bird Surveys’ Database ”. Launched by Judy Harrington (Chair, BirdLife Southern NSW) the function was well attended by locals and visitors. Chair of CWBP, John Rankin , introduced each speaker including Bill West , a local farmer and Cowra Mayor, and Isobel Crawford , whose generous donation funded the project, and report co-authors Julian Reid and Nick Nicholls. The report includes a dedication to the late Tony Howard and Isobel explained how her donation to BLA came indirectly from him. Isobel and Tony had met by chance at Barren Grounds and went on to work as wardens at the Rotomah Island Bird Observatory, Gippsland Lakes (Vic.), in the mid -1980s. Tony’s greatest contribution to Australian ornithology was as voice sub-editor for the Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds for 16 Years from 1989. Tony prepared all the sonograms and wrote most of the texts for more than 900 species. The function was held at the Cowra Services Club and catered by their friendly staff and, because the formal business was kept mercifully brief, there was plenty of time to mingle with guests and loyal Cowra surveyors, and to admire both the beautiful artwork of Fiona Lumsden and the stunning bird photos provided by Frenchy and Chaddy – a big thanks to all involved. John and Judy briefly described the range of bird survey and conservation projects managed by CWBP and BirdLife Southern NSW, respectively, while Bill outlined the various sustainability initiatives the Shire was undertaking including the multi-agency restoration activities in the Peace Precinct (Cowra Common) area. Julian gave a broad overview of the report’s major conclusions, after emphasizing the under-valued but vital importance of long-term, systematic biodiversity monitoring programs such as CWBP’s twenty-year surveys around Cowra. The report contains the results of statistical modelling of the trends in reporting rate of 105 bird species from the first 17 years of the bird-survey program. Commencing in 2002, quarterly surveys were conducted at 70 to 95 sites, using the standard BLA 20-minute, 2-ha Atlas protocol. Trends analysis revealed that: - Independently of season, reporting rates of most species fluctuated in a multi-modal and individualistic manner; i.e. simple straight-line trends over time were the exception – with only Willie Wagtail in decline and Sacred Kingfisher and Pied Butcherbird increasing in a ‘straight-line’ fashion – while seven species, namely Crimson Rosella, Speckled Warbler, White-browed Scrubwren, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Grey-crowned Babbler and Tree Martin, showed no change in reporting rates over time; - Despite the complex curves fitted to most species some were adjudged to be in decline overall, including Peaceful Dove, Brown Treecreeper, Dusky Woodswallow and Restless Flycatcher (15-20 species in all), and with more ( ca 30) increasing overall, including Whistling Kite, Weebill, both gerygones, both pardalotes, larger honeyeater species, both butcherbirds and Grey Fantail; - Although recorded too infrequently to be fully confident of the modelled results, Southern Whiteface, Black-chinned Honeyeater, White-browed Babbler, Crested Shrike-tit, Hooded Robin and Diamond Firetail also appeared to be declining; - Generally the birds of the extensive open-forests associated with the major ranges (e.g. Conimbla, Wyangala) have fared well, while reporting rates and patch occupancy of species that prefer more open woodlands typically associated with more productive environments, such as those listed in decline above, have continued to decrease; - The frequency of Noisy Miners at 20 of 89 sites with long-term surveys increased substantially over time at the expense of smaller bird species, revealing the severity and extent of the problems associated with the species in these highly modified landscapes dominated by agriculture; - On a brighter note, revegetation at large scale such as CWBP has carried out on Iambi can reverse the increasing trends in Noisy Miners and allow populations of small woodland birds to recover, provided the proportion of eucalypts in the reveg mix is minimized .

Captions 1. Isobel talks. 2. John cracks up Judy and Julian. 3. Fiona’s paintings. 4. Chaddy’s photos. Photographer: Suzi Bond

Led by Nick and Julian a fuller account of the results of the project was presented over the evening meal at the Pridham Centre, and a lively interactive session ensued.

THE LAUNCH Elisabeth Dark I am writing this wearing several hats… as a concerned birder, intermittent surveyor in the Cowra surveys, Sydney resident who likes to travel beyond the ‘sandstone curtain’ and member of the BirdLife Southern NSW (BLSNSW) committee.

To me, having lived all but 4 years of my life near the coast, heading inland is always an occasion for anticipation and an opportunity to spend time in different landscapes, with clear skies and clean air. Cowra offers this. The Cowra area’s specialness is illustrated by its inclusion in the South-West Slopes of NSW Key Biodiversity Area. Many of the survey sites are on private property only accessible through the surveys. Others include travelling stock reserves, historic cemeteries or creek lines. Some sites are within nearby Conimbla National Park. Over 230 bird species have been recorded. Among the many unforeseen disruptions we all experienced last year was the deferral of the official launch of the report into the long term trend analysis of the Cowra surveys. While hugely disappointing, extracts and articles were supplied during the year via Cowra Comments, while we waited for the real event. During this time of restricted travel, bans on many activities and adaptation to COVID rules, 2 surveys were cancelled. Others were held with physical distancing in place, meaning in practice that the social get- togethers which are a part of the success of the surveys were reduced or numbers managed when we met at indoor venues. This all added to the sense of excitement I felt about the April 2021 survey and the long-awaited launch on the Saturday afternoon. Judy Harrington, chair of BLSNSW, gave an acknowledgement of country prior to Julian Reid’s overview of the trend analysis results, which he further expanded on in another presentation over dinner that night. If I don’t say much about Julian’s findings, it is because with no statistical background I find the intricacies of his analysis beyond my understanding. I am one of those who heads to the sobering conclusion: that there is a serious conservation issue with a small bunch of declining woodland bird species. And then adds the question Julian himself posed: “That’s all very well Julian, but which species are declining and which species are increasing?” We had to listen or read on to find out! For me the most special part of the afternoon was the welcome to Isobel Crawford , the person whose generosity funded Julian’s work and whose identity had officially been unknown until then. And her simply-stated explanation, that finding herself with more money than she needed following the death of her partner, she decided to use it for good. Too rare an act but wonderfully appreciated I think by everyone who benefits from it. In our case, I hope the resulting report and the questions it raises will ultimately benefit the birdlife of the Cowra area. I can only guess at the hours of planning that ensured the afternoon’s success. Many people deserve recognition and I hope those not mentioned here won’t be offended. Firstly John Rankin, who initiated the CWB program, and the CWBP committee, some of whom have been active since its inception. The newer committee members who bring new energy and expertise to the project. Maret for spending many hours over the years recording the data on which the trends analysis is based. The landowners who offer their properties each year for us to survey.

A sight for sore eyes – Julian in formal gear

SCARLET AUTUMN AT KOORAWATHA Fiona Lumsden with photos by John French

John French and I have been doing regular surveys with CWBP for about 12 years. It’s worked in so well with visits to our “covenanted for conservation” BCT bush block we have in the dry hills behind Koorawatha. We learn about landscape context for the local birds, and we’ve made terrific and enduring friends to boot. We live in the wetter Blue Mountains. I am still amazed, on our visits to the Cowra region, at just how bird diverse good-quality and well-connected woodland remnants can be. A summer weekend visit to our little block easily yields up 50, 60 or even 70 species - and that’s without good habitat for water birds. A largeish proportion of our woodland birds are in the honeyeater family. They must be very adaptable. Each finds their own niche, and that brush-tipped tongue gives them an extra tool in their toolbox to take advantage of rather erratic woodland flowering to supplement insect and lerp forage. We have about 16 regular species. Some are there all the time, some come and go regularly, looking for seasonal eucalyptus flowering events. Our general bird list was stuck on 135 species. We now rely on vagrants to bump it up. Last Cowra surveys in April our list went up, at the last moment, by one! Scarlet Honeyeater. The mugga ironbarks were flowering profusely last autumn. Wherever we surveyed, even scrappy isolated trees had carpets of fallen blossom beneath them. After the surveys we did a quick visit to our block. The larger ironbarks that adjoin open farmland tend to be dominated by Noisy Miners and Red Wattlebirds. But at Scarlet Honeyeater times like this, big flocks of Noisy Miner Noisy Friarbirds liven up the throng with their garrulous calls. They tend to use strength of numbers to overwhelm the residents. I believe the critically-endangered Regent Honeyeaters used to use the same tactics – when there were enough of them to do that. To find the smaller flower-dependent honeyeaters I need to go deeper into the forest/woodland to find scattered flowering ironbarks amongst the cypress and other eucalypts. These are safer places for small birds - with protection to escape to when bullied. I was doing a very speedy check in a good part of the forest before I left. I heard a languid weedle-deedle-dee repeated over and over in the treetops. It was familiar but out of context. A Western Gerygone that didn’t know how to finish its undulating cascade perhaps? Then it came to me. Scarlet Honeyeater! I’d never seen them west of the Capertee Valley myself. Two gorgeous red males and a more demure female. I grabbed John from the shed and he snapped a few quick pics. All such tiny travellers. How do they find these scattered resources? They now join some illustrious inland honeyeater visitors from the past, including Black Honeyeater and White-fronted Honeyeater, to liven up our bush block and add to our stable of now 19 species of honeyeaters. It’s one of the joys of noticing birds. You never know what amazingly beautiful creature will turn up next. Next a Regent Honeyeater?? Have to be very, very lucky for that. Though John was thrilled to see one on a Woodstock property some years ago, it is getting increasingly hard to see these stunning, and once common, nomads of the woodlands. Fingers crossed that conservation measures and habitat restoration add another honeyeater to the mix.

Black Honeyeater

HISTORY OF THE COWRA WOODLAND BIRDS PROGRAM Part 1, Beginnings Sue Proust These are my recollections of the very start of this program, which is now over 20 years old. It began with a phone call to me in my role as Conservation Officer of SNAG (Southern NSW and ACT Group of Bird Australia). This became BASNA, then BirdLife SNSW. The caller was John Rankin and this is my recollection. John said he had been told he would lose all the Grey-crowned Babblers on his property. He wondered if our group could do something about this. John now disputes this and remembers that he was talking about Eastern Yellow Robins. Whatever the birds were, our group discussed this and decided to go to Cowra, meet with John and see what we could do. A group of us went to Cowra, met John, as well as some local landholders and representatives from Greening Australia (Donna Windsor) and Landcare (Belinda Shannon). I do remember that we viewed some properties, including some belonging to John and Madeleine Rankin. This was on December 1, 2000. We took some minutes of this meeting and we agreed that we were interested in starting a project there. We talked about a flagship species, funding, area involved, vegetation mapping, bird surveys, supporting organisations, composition of committee and integration with other groups and universities, amongst other things. We must have talked a lot!

There were two more visits and I was the chair during these informal visits and meetings. We met again on February 4 2001 and the meeting was minuted. The following people were present - Sue Proust, John and Madeline Rankin, Jack Baker, Jean Clark, Julian Reid, Maret Vesk and Peter West. Most of those people are

still on the committee! On that weekend, we visited Spring Forest and met Sally McInerney and her Dad, Ross, and met Sally’s cousin John McInerney and his wife Helen Williams at their Illunie Hills property. At this meeting we resolved three things. We agreed that the objective of the project was to reverse the decline of woodland birds in the upper Lachlan catchment. We were aiming for an increase in bird species and numbers. The main focus was to be on the Yellow Box, White Box and Box /Ironbark woodlands and we agreed that there would need to be a strong research component in whatever work we undertook. Amongst other matters, we discussed undertaking long term studies using habitat manipulation through time and looking at biodiversity values, such as birds, native grass/herb regeneration, Callitris regrowth, control sites, amongst other values. We then met again in April of that year and agreed that Sue and Peter would be co- convenors for the first little while. We started formalising the committee, started putting together a list of possible sites and agreed that any projects should be aimed at birds, habitat, landholders and the community. By the next meeting in July 28 2001, we were up and running, with 2 new co-convenors Jack Baker and Jean Clarke. As well as Jean and Jack, committee members were Fiona Christie, Kevin Evans, Sue Proust, John and Madeleine Rankin, Julian Reid, Belinda Shannon, Maret Vesk, Peter West and Donna Windsor. We became the Cowra Woodland Bird Program, as it was envisaged that there would be a number of projects. The first project was to establish a database of sites and we secured funding for this from the NSW Twitchathon. A project officer, Cressida Wilson, was appointed and one of the partners was ANU, as this was to be Cressida’s honours project. Cressida worked on the project from March to June 2002. During this time 92 sites were added to the database, ranging from larger woodland sites to smaller remnants and covering a wide range of habitat types. There were few riparian, roadside and revegetation sites, though more of these were added later. 71 of these sites were surveyed for birds, starting in May 2002.

At around this same time, it became apparent that several woodland bird species were in real trouble, with numbers declining. Six once common woodland birds, all of them observed in the Cowra area, were gazetted as Vulnerable in NSW. These were the Speckled Warbler , Brown Treecreeper , Grey-crowned Babbler ,

Hooded Robin , Diamond Firetail and Black-chinned Honeyeater . Sadly, more birds have been added to the vulnerable list since then and two species – the Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot have been upgraded to Critically Endangered. The six vulnerable species mentioned are still happily observed on some of our sites, though they are not common and I get quite excited when I see any of them. I have never seen a Regent Honeyeater in Cowra, though Ross McInerney recalled flocks of thousands and I have only ever see one Swift Parrot in Cowra .

A challenge to all surveyors: can you identify the sites shown above?

GET TO KNOW THE GLOSSY BLACK COCKATOO – 24 th March, Parkes. Rosemary Stapleton Warren Chad , aka Chaddy, was the main speaker at this workshop organised by Marg Applebee, from Central West Lachlan Landcare.

Libby McIntyre, from Central West Local Land Services, started the morning with an overview of the Save our Species Program for Inland Glossy Black Cockatoos. This has been funded for 7 years. Libby outlined that the first steps had been mapping and ground truthing suitable Glossy habitat in the key areas of the Pilliga, Goonoo and Goobang. This was habitat with Allocasuarina patches and trees with hollows for breeding. Other strategies of the program are to:  Deploy cameras and song meters to detect Glossies  Protect and enhance habitat on private properties by fencing and planting  Conduct hazard reduction around habitat trees  Instal nest boxes and do hollow augmentation  Undertake more vegetation surveys  Control weeds.

Many of you will know Chaddy as a keen birder from Condobolin and in recent years his passion has become bird photography. It was good to see that other Orange Field Nats members, Murray Fletcher and Vicki Glover, had come to Parkes as well.

As a citizen scientist Chaddy has been monitoring Glossy Blacks from Rankin Spring through to Fifield and Tullamore. In these areas they often feed on the Casuarina cristata , known as Belah. For several years he focused on a population to the south west of Condobolin and identified several breeding sites. Through his excellent photos he showed us the different features of male, female and juvenile birds and handed around examples of the cones from different species of feed trees. A highlight for him was a photo of the first flight of a fledged bird from one of the nests he had been watching.

Chaddy ended his talk by raising concerns about the impact of increased land clearing and destruction of habitat, particularly clearing of whole paddocks as well as wide strips along fence lines. He had seen how this removes food and breeding trees as well as reducing connectivity between feeding patches. His broader comments were about how the world had reached its ‘carrying capacity’, something anyone who has worked on the land can identify with.

A trip to a nearby dam had been planned but because of the rain Marg asked Chaddy to give short presentations on ‘An Introduction to Bird Watching’ and ‘Bird Photography’. We were given lots of practical tips and saw more of his wonderful photos. One tip Chaddy gave about getting good photos of waterbirds was to get down to water level. I’m not sure any of us will follow his lead by floating into a dam on an inflated tyre tube with a camera. It was inspiring to hear how Chaddy has built up relationships with farmers and other locals and made them more aware of birds and their role in the environment.

When asked to comment on the workshop Murray said: ‘I found it very interesting. I already knew a bit about the Glossies and have done a couple of the surveys at Goonoo with the Dubbo Field Nats. However, I didn't know much about their biology or their nesting habits. I also found it fascinating to hear about the techniques Chaddy has developed to find their nests and how individual each bird can be. The second session was something I know quite a lot about, particularly identification of birds using bird guides. As I haven't got a mobile phone, I don't use the apps, but Vicki and I did a training course with Birdlife Australia when they first developed their app and we also use Vicki's phone for our Birds in Backyards surveys. The third section, about Chaddy's photography techniques was very informative for me. The idea of keeping the sun behind you is familiar to birders anyway because identification of birds when you are looking into the sun and can only see them silhouetted against the bright sky is always frustrating. However, I hadn’t thought about the advantages this also gives you for lighting your photos. Also planning your backgrounds in advance so that they don't detract from your subject was also good advice. The morning tea was excellent too!

HOT OR COLD, THE WEEDS STILL KEEP GROWING – a reminder to read this before the surveys.

Rosemary Stapleton writes about the dangers of taking Khaki weed seeds onto farmers properties and transferring them from one site to another. Last survey we did the Badgery sites. The Khaki weed at the Badgery and Badgery Riparian sites and on the road verge where we had to park was horrendous. At Badgery it was the dominant ground cover from the gate all the way up and among the boulders. I assume due to lack of any other ground cover during the drought. It was similar at the Riparian sites although the ground was also covered by the noxious White Thistle and Bathurst Burrs. If it is a TSR or Crown Land it is being appallingly managed.

It was a real worry to me that the last site of this group was on private property where there was no Khaki weed and the directions say to drive along the edge of a paddock that is a lucerne paddock. I would have thought we have a duty of care and biosecurity duty to the farmer … as Guy Fitzhardinge has demonstrated for his place. Back when some of the sites were reorganised to put the weedy ones last I have always carried a strong kitchen brush in my glove box and we all used it to clean our shoes. Perhaps you can suggest that other surveyors do this.

To help everyone such weeds, Neale’s article from October 2013 Cowra Comments is shown below.

ARE YOU AN INCURSION JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN Neale Coutanche

If it can move it can carry diseases, pests or weeds. For this reason we can unknowingly pose a biosecurity risk to every property we visit and it is our responsibility to manage our presence accordingly. Our main risk of initiating an incursion is with weed transfer, principally in the form of seeds. This limits the issue but this group of plants have developed some particularly effective dispersal mechanisms. Their success in this area is partly why they have become significant weeds. Put simply, weeds are plants that are where they should not be. So depending on your perspective a species may or may not be a weed. A classic example is in rangeland pastures where exotic grasses and legumes are encouraged yet native plants such as Eucalypts, acacias and the like are the weeds. It could even be said that individual species, such as barley grass, only become a weed when developing into its reproductive stage. Equally, many weeds can become important sources of food and shelter for our native fauna. Weeds are not a black and white issue but becoming a weed vector is. To move into specifics we will have a look at a few weed species that you, as a surveyor in this area should be aware.

1. Khaki Weed Alternanthera pungens A prostrate perennial herb with a thick tap-root, growing from seed or residual tap-roots. It is active throughout the warmer months forming thick mats across the ground even when soil moisture is marginal. New tap-roots develop from the numerous stem joints. The plant quickly forms seed clusters from the leaf nodes. It is actually the petals (or bracts for those pedants amongst us) which have hard, sharp points that penetrate and adhere to skin, shoes, clothing and tyres. As a result it establishes along tracks, roadsides, sheds and in gateways. It is very competitive and difficult to control selectively once established. Although the seedlings are susceptible to selective herbicides it is able to grow repeatedly from buds off any residual tap-root. Avoid stepping or driving on plants. Check and remove seed from boots, tyres and mudguards before moving on to your next destination.

2. Chilean Needle Grass Nassela neesiana This is a tussocky perennial spear grass growing up to 1m high. It is palatable to grazing stock and considered to be a reasonable feed in winter but a poor feed when flowering and seeding. Germination mainly occurs in autumn and spring from both seed and the ‘seed’ buds formed at the stem base. This gives it a considerable advantage over most other grasses as heavy grazing while flowering will not limit dispersal. Although its main problem is low feed quality, the seed can cause injury and skin damage as well as add to vegetable fault in wool. It is also difficult to differentiate between Chilean Needle Grass and many other more innocuous grass species. Control is largely limited to non-specific herbicides, leaving bare areas where it can easily re-infest. Avoid driving through long grass and remove grass seed from clothing before moving to another site.

3. Cat’s Head Tribulus terrestris A branching, spring-summer germinating annual forb. Its prostrate stems grow up to 2m long with pinnate leaves and small, yellow flowers which within no time develop into star-shaped burrs of 5 wedge-shaped segments each with 4 hard, divergent spines. With some imagination these can resemble a cat’s head. Seeds germinate in multitude resulting in large, dense mats. Also referred to as puncture vine or caltrop, it is uncertain if the species is native or introduced. The main issue we have with this weed is its spined burrs incessantly puncture bicycle tyres and penetrate thongs (no Frenchy, the ones you place on your feet). Other than that it has caused some health problems in sheep ingesting large quantities of the burr and occasional poisoning. It is not

difficult to control with selective herbicides but the fact that seeds transport so readily and set so quickly allow it to infest an area before it is even noticed, making it extremely frustrating even for the most conscientious landholder. Avoid stepping or driving on plants. Check and remove seed from boots, tyres and mudguards before moving on to next destination.

There are many other weeds of significance that we should be aware of. Plants such as Silverleaf Nightshade, Bathurst Burr, Cleavers, Cobbler’s Peg, Horehound, Pigeon Grass and Spiny Burr Grass to name a few. If you’re interested there are plenty of sites on the web to check them out. Please remember that although weeds are a significant concern, it could be argued that it is our species which has become the most damaging pest on the planet, so make sure you minimise your impact and give your clothing, boots and tyres a scan and remove any stray seeds before you move on. Also keep in mind that not all is lost if a weed becomes established; palaeontologists suggest that it only takes 5-10 million years for an introduced species to become a native anyway!

NEWS FROM OUR SURVEYORS AND INTREPID TRAVELLERS Garry Germon and Linda Villy It is hard to believe only four months have passed since we made our contribution to the last Cowra Comments. As we review our travels during the last four months, it feels like eons ago. When I wrote the last article we were in Onkaparinka NP on the fringe of Adelaide. Since then our travels through South Australia took us north of Adelaide to more beautiful national parks including Mount Remarkable NP, Lake Gillies Conservation Park (big salt lake), Gawler Ranges NP, then down through the Eyre Peninsula to Lincoln NP and Coffin Bay NP. Following that off to Ceduna where we left the van for a week and went tent camping so we could travel the rough track to Googs Lake (another salt lake) Mount Finke, and Lake Gairdner NP (a huge salt lake). On return to the van and a few days rest we were off to Western Australia across the Nullarbor. We entered Western Australia at the start of May (I have had less trouble entering another country as it involved police checks and quarantine searches, anyway they let us in so I cannot complain too much) we travelled south to Esperance for a couple of weeks and then have spent the rest of the time boarding our van and roughing it in the tent exploring the Great Western Woodland (16 million hectares of woodland so there is a lot to explore) in the area of Norseman, Kalgoorlie to Laverton. Then off to the Gibson Desert chasing birds that prefer it to be a bit drier. During this time we have had some very memorable birding outings and collected many new birds to our life list. Some observations we have made that I would like to share with you are:  When we were at Gawler Ranges NP sitting outside pondering the meaning of life one afternoon we observed a light coloured falcon flying over us and calling. We could not make out which falcon species it was because of the low light and distance so we looked up the Morcombe app on Linda’s phone to see if we could ID it from the call. To our surprise all the falcons have very different calls, each one distinct. The bird we heard calling matched the Grey Falcon call. Apparently a Peregrine call is similar, but it did not look like a Peregrine. I would be interested in your collective thoughts on the calls of Grey Falcons and how reliable they could be for identification.  The Grey Shrike-thrush subsp. rufiventris that occurs in the west behaves very differently to the eastern GST. In the east it is usual to see a solitary individual being very cryptic, skulking around in dense bush trying not to be seen. This is in complete contrast to the western subspecies which usually is observed in groups of four or five and they tend to follow you around being “very look at me, look at me”!!  I have been trying to find a Redthroat for a long time. I came really close on one of Julian’s trips at Welford NP in Queensland a couple of years ago, but alas due to an act of god or should I say the intervention of a Collared Sparrowhawk or Brown Goshawk I missed my chance. The predator dived legs first into the tree where the call was coming from and then quickly flew away. There was no bird to be heard anymore and I refer to it as my David Attenborough moment. Finally I saw my first Redthroat at Lake Gairdner. You cannot miss the call of this bird. It must love hearing its own voice as it calls and keeps calling. You hear it long before you see it. I have seen quite a few now and they appear to be common in the semi-arid and arid areas of the west. appear to be common in the semi-arid and arid areas of the west.

Gotcha. Every time I have tried to take a photo of a Redthroat I usually end up with a stick across the bird. This is the only photo I have where the majority of the body is not covered by distracting sticks. Trying to tell whether you have a Blue-winged Parrot, Rock Parrot or Elegant Parrot can be pretty difficult. We spotted our first Blue-winged something bird at Lincoln NP right on the coast down near the bottom of the Eyre Peninsula so Blue- winged Parrot was unlikely. It took a lot of binocular time, lots of blurry photos and some patient parrots to finally 14

determine that we had Rock Parrots. The fact that we were only 100 meters from the ocean also helped as these birds tend to stay pretty close to the coast. But be warned when you are not familiar with these parrots where their distribution overlaps, they are challenging.

Rock Parrot being very patient. I would just get close enough to take a good photo and they would move a bit further way. Prettiest birds (in my opinion, as beauty is in the eye of the beholder) in this part of our travels. I nominate the Rufous Treecreeper (cannot miss the bright rufous underbelly), Orange Chat, Redthroat (of course), Scarlet-chested Parrot, Grey- fronted Honeyeater (This was a surprise as in the books it looks pretty similar to the Yellow-plumed Honeyeater. The ones I saw at Scotia some years ago were not that brightly coloured). However, in the west they have a broad, bright yellow plume and bright olive cap, making them very different from the Yellow-plumes in this region.

I was taking a picture of a Pied Butcherbird and I noticed this Australian Hobby sitting on the opposite side of the tree. Both looking away from each other. It was as though they had a big fight and just wanted to be as far away from the other one as possible. I was able to get pretty close to the Hobby, however the Butcherbird left early.

We have just returned from another excursion in the tent to the Gibson Desert where the reptile list is just as big as the bird list when you are planning your visit. This was one of the most beautiful places I have been to and it probably helped that it rained earlier in the year and, as a consequence, the vegetation was in full bloom. The variety of habitats was amazing from salt lakes, clay pans, breakaways, ironstone ridges and the wonderful landforms such as mesas, ranges, gibber plains, sand plains and sand dunes. Of course it helped that we spotted a Striated Grasswren whilst out there.

During our driving and birding walks we saw camels, dingos, but could not find a reptile of any kind I thought we had dipped out due to a cold winter. However, we were saved from the big dip by a beautiful sand monitor in the middle of the road on the way home. Sand Monitors behave soo much better than birds and r eptiles are much easier to photograph than birds.

Now only if birds were so well behaved!

The next part of the trip is up to Marble Bar and follow the coast down to the south west corner around Albany.

Fishermen say tight lines. What do birders say?

Regards, Garry Germon and Linda Villy

“There is an unreasonable joy to be had from the observation of small birds going about their bright, oblivious business” ― Grant Hutchison, The Complete Lachlan

MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR THE SWIFT PARROT AND OTHER DECLINING WOODLAND BIRDS Chris Timewell, Woodland Birds project coordinator, BirdLife Australia Due to a range of historic and on-going threats since European colonisation, the migratory Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor ) now finds itself on the brink of extinction in the wild. Although many of the challenges and opportunities for the species’ recovery are in its Tasmanian breeding habitat, there is also much that can and is being done by governments, researchers, NGOs, community groups and individuals to improve the Swift Parrot’s prospects within its winter foraging grounds across south-eastern mainland Australia – including the greater Cowra and surrounds area. A particular mainland challenge is the numerous critical knowledge gaps that are constraining the implementation of effective and timely conservation action. For example, there is not a clear explanation for the observed major geographic shifts in the Swift Parrot’s winter habitat use over recent years. Similarly, we have an incomplete understanding of triggers for their movement patterns within and between seasons, its interactions with other species, and the variability in food availability over space and time. To an uncertain extent, most of these knowledge gaps also appear to be directly or indirectly influenced to climate change. We are extremely grateful to the many birdwatchers in the greater Cowra region that have participated in the existing long- term biannual citizen-science monitoring program for Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters. The data collected over many years – going back to the mid-1990s - continues to improve our understanding of the ecology of these species. However, the program was not designed to answer the new and pressing conservation questions with level of the accuracy and urgency now required. The revised monitoring program – termed Swift Parrot Search – therefore has been specifically tailored to address these questions and with an enhanced scientific rigour and repeatability. While it has a central focus on Swift Parrots, the revised method is also expected to shed light on many of our other ‘at risk’ woodland birds. Over recent months, ecologists from BirdLife Australia and Australian National University have established more than 1700 fixed-point monitoring sites on public land throughout the known and potential mainland range of the Swift Parrot. On- going efforts over the coming months will see approximately 1000 additional sites established before the end of 2021. Each monitoring location has a unique identification code, and comprises a circular 50 metre radius search area. Swift Parrot Search commenced its roll-out to birdwatching contributors in April 2021, and will continue to be progressively rolled out through until early 2022. Volunteer birdwatchers will still be critical to the success of the revised program, and are being encouraged and supported to undertake the vast majority of the targeted surveys. Using the recently launched Swift Parrot Search portal within Birdata (BirdLife Australia’s national repository for bird sightings and surveys), birdwatchers will undertake a 5 minute search for Swift Parrots and any other birds present at each of these fixed locations. The availability of nectar and water are also encouraged to be separately documented. Although this survey can be undertaken at any time of year, volunteer birdwatchers will be particularly encouraged to collectively visit as many sites as feasible during biannual 6-week count periods. Hard-copy datasheets will also be made available for those seeking non-digital options for recording bird survey and habitat data in the field. In 2021, the biannual monitoring periods are: 18

- Round 1 (already completed): Saturday 24 th April to Sunday 6 th June (roughly centred on the traditional 3 rd weekend in May). - Round 2: Saturday 17 th July to Sunday 29 th April (roughly centred on the traditional 1 st weekend in August).

Chance sightings of Swift Parrots and other target species outside of the 5-minute point counts at the fixed locations are still keenly sought but cannot be submitted into Birdata as Swift Parrot Search surveys. They can be separately lodged under General Birdata Surveys , or the details sent to us by email. As the greater Cowra area and surrounds are known to be used by Swift Parrots (and rarely by Regent Honeyeaters too), a number of monitoring locations have been established in this region already This includes monitoring sites in Cowra central (e.g., within the Cowra Peace Precinct), at travelling stock routes surrounding Cowra (e.g., Golden Valley, Neila – Badgery Creek, Wattamondara), to the east of Forbes (e.g., Cumbijowa forest, along Lachlan Valley Way and Escort Way, Back Yamma SF), between Forbes and Grenfell (e.g., Mulyandry SF, Warraderry SF, Henry Lawson Way), and at the Weddin Mountains National Park. The full details, maps and access instructions for each of these locations are viewable under the Shared Sites option through the Birdata website, and as part of volunteer user guides and other support material that are being made available on the program-specific webpages. However, we also think there are opportunities for additional Swift Parrot Monitoring sites within woodland and forest habitats in the Cowra region and surrounds. We’d love to hear from you on additional proposed monitoring locations that could be established. (Note that the centrepoint of the 50 metre search area should be on public land, and accessible without the need for a 4WD drive vehicle under ‘normal’ weather conditions.). For more information on this program, a range of support materials and how to get involved, please visit https://birdlife.org.au/swift-parrot, or get in touch with the Woodland Birds team at the BirdLife Australia ([email protected] ). We are also seeking one or more local people who might be interested in taking on a role as a locally based coordinator of t he volunteers in the parts or all of greater Cowra region – and I am available to chat or email with you further about this. The Swift Parrot Search option is now available as a stand-alone portal within the Birdata website (https://birdata.birdlife.org.au/record-survey and also be available through the Birdata app for both Apple and Android- system smart phones.

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE MANY EXHIBITIONS ABOUT BIRDS

With work from John French & Fiona Vaughan included.

Also, have a look at the Caragabal Bird Art and here is the website link https://weddinlandcare.org/caragabal-bird-art/ You should definitely take a look next time you are out this way – you won’t miss it in Caragabal, it’s along the Mid-Western Hwy on the western side of the railway line. We are looking into a second installation at Caragabal of Birds in Flight, including a few more of the local threatened species.