Lyrebird Tales

Volume 29 Number 2 June 2020 Birdlife Yarra Valley Newsletter

Timing is crucial by Valerie Fowler

Map of Gardens by the Bay photo © Valerie Fowler

Of course after our initial views of the landscape our attention was diverted to looking at the wildlife. Several were seen and photographed despite the crowds which built up during the day gathering for the New Year’s Eve music and firework spectacular planned for the evening. Unfortunately our accommodation was not central and by the evening we were so exhausted we could not stay awake long enough for the celebration.

Continued on page 2

Contents

Gardens by the Bay, photo © Valerie Fowler 1–6. Timing is crucial by Valerie Fowler

Whilst travelling in South East Asia we thought it would be 7. Birdlife Yarra Valley Committee. good fun to see the New Year in Singapore. We had planned Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group. to visit Singapore for a few days during our trip but were running out of time. Our last minute decision was made A short walk on the Warby Trail by Doug Pocock and Jan whilst staying in Krabi in southern Thailand where we had Llewelyn been birdwatching. After lining up the last affordable 8-9. Trends in birds at Coranderrk Bushland Reserve accommodation in Singapore we set off on a horrendous 23 by Michael Feller hour bus trip through the rest of Thailand and into Malaysia and arrived at the Straits of Jahor at six in the morning on 10-11. Coping with the Covid-19 lockdown by Valerie the last day of 2019. We crossed the border into Singapore Fowler with massive queues of mainly overseas workers on their 11. Healesville Report by Alma Mitchell. What is that? daily commute; it was mayhem. 11-13. Interesting sightings. High on my agenda was being a tourist visiting the Gardens 13-16. Reports of meetings and outings on the Bay having seen the ‘Supertrees’, observatory and gardens on a documentary called ‘Wild Singapore’. We were delighted with the ease we could travel around in Singapore compared to our previous visit there in 1986. Lyrebird Tales

Oriental Magpie Robin photo © Valerie Fowler Sungei Buloh Reserve photo © Valerie Fowler

On the first of January 2020 we visited Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (1), travelling there by public transport. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is situated in the north of the island bordering the Straits of Jahor. Its rich mangroves were once used for farmers spawning and breeding fish and prawns. Since 2002 this area has been protected as a nature reserve in recognition of its rich biodiversity and is popular with tourists, birdwatchers and bird photographers.

After further expansion in 2014 the reserve covers an area of 202 hectares of mud flats, mangroves, ponds, fresh water marshes and secondary forests. The reserve is a member of the East Asia-Australian Flyway Partnership and is a wintering ground for migratory birds. White-breasted Waterhen photo © Valerie Fowler

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Grey Heron photo © Valerie Fowler

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve photo © Valerie Fowler

Singapore Botanic Gardens photo © Valerie Fowler

On the second of January we visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens (8) and were surprised to see a couple of pairs of Australian Black Swans and several chickens (Red Jungle Fowl) wandering around. In the gardens we met different Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve photo © Valerie Fowler local birdwatchers and bird photographers who had been excited by the recent visit of the Himalayan Griffon Vulture It was here that we met several local bird photographers who but hadn’t seen it since. They however alerted us to the had been patiently waiting all morning to photograph that special bird found in the gardens. Several of the special bird or one behaving in an unusual manner. These locals visit the gardens regularly, one came there every day. men were very friendly and we learnt from them that at the end of 2019 there had been unusually large flocks of Asian Openbills arriving in Singapore thought to be due to drought further north; we had seen flocks of these Storks travelling south in Thailand in September. However the most recent birding highlight for them on the 28th of December in the afternoon was a rare visitor to Singapore which had been seen and photographed a few days before we arrived soaring over Hindhede Quarry in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve causing great excitement amongst local birdwatchers and bird photographers alike. These magnificent birds were 2 Himalayan Griffon Vultures which have a body length of 103- 110 cm and a wingspan of 260-290 cm; they are usually seen gliding individually or in small flocks.

At the Sungei Buloh Wetland reserve we saw many Egrets, Grey Heron, Striated Heron, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, Black Swan, Singapore Botanic Gardens © Peter Fowler Little Green Pigeon, Pink-necked Pigeon, and a highlight was a pair of White-bellied Sea Eagles displaying. June 2020 3 Lyrebird Tales

Map of Singapore Botanic Gardens photo © P. Fowler Buffy Fish photo © Valerie Fowler

Female Red photo © Valerie Fowler

Banded Woodpecker photo © Valerie Fowler

Male photo © Peter Fowler

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve photo © Valerie Fowler

On the 3rd we went to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (5) situated on the highest peak in Singapore, here we slogged up the steep hill with the locals and were amused by the signs that warned us not to run back downhill as it was dangerous (I certainly wouldn’t have been able to stop), and surprised by the presence of an emergency defibrillator machine attached to the rotunda at the top. We had hoped for a glimpse of the Himalayan Griffon Vultures as this was the area where they had been seen nearby. We heard lots of Yellow Bittern photo © Valerie Fowler birds but only saw a few.

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whilst waiting for a species to appear but also serious about bird photography given the opportunity.

On the 4th of January we departed Singapore for Malaysia to spend our last few days at Fraser’s Hill, a popular birdwatching spot before flying out back to Australia.

So imagine our disappointment when there was breaking news out of Singapore in January 2020 – A total of 12 immature Himalayan Griffon Vultures had turned up in Singapore causing great excitement, this beat the previous record of 9 immature ones in January 1992.

Hindhede Quarry photo © Valerie Fowler

We walked back down tracks to Hindhede Quarry, an old disused mine which was filled with water. Here we met a group of 6-8 local bird photographers who had gathered since early light to photograph what we thought was perhaps a sighting of the Vulture but we were assured it had not been seen. We learnt that the vultures seen on the 28th had flown over the quarry then settled on the cliff edge for the night. At mid-morning the next day in front of the many birdwatchers who had gathered, the Himalayan Griffon Vultures took flight and were mobbed by the resident White-bellied Sea Eagles. We were told they hadn’t been seen since that day. Himalayan Griffon Vultures are typically found within the Himalayan region in Central Asia and they are not migratory Himalayan Griffon Vultures photo © Siew Mun Ho birds by nature which is why they are rarely sighted in Singapore.

Singapore bird Photographers photo © Valerie Fowler Himalayan Griffon Vulture photo © Siew Mun Ho

The bird photographers on the day of our visit were waiting The first Himalayan Griffon Vulture photographed in 2020 for other bird species such as the Oriental Darter, Straw- was a single bird on the 8th of January at 2.24pm and headed Bulbul, Black-headed Kingfisher and other birds another 2 in a different area at 2.45pm. At 6.25pm on the which are often widespread in other parts of Asia but less same day a flock of 10 Himalayan Griffon Vultures was common in Singapore. One photographer told me that bird photographed flying towards Siglap which incidentally was photography is like collecting stamps – always looking for a the area of Singapore where our New Year’s Eve better one. We were told about the behaviour of an Oriental accommodation had been; the Vultures had initially been Darter which landed on a log kicking off the introduced Red- mistaken for Asian Openbills, a species of Stork. A short time eared Slider Turtles resting there, out of the water. It later at 7pm up to 11 Vultures were seen flying in another seemed to me that this friendly group enjoyed socialising area. Motorists on Peck Seah Street were treated to the sighting of a Himalayan Griffon Vulture standing on the road June 2020 5 Lyrebird Tales

on the evening of the 8th January around 7pm, they had to slow and drive around it as it stayed in the middle of the road; luckily there was not much traffic. One person managed to video it as it took off flying low over another vehicle. This of course caused a sensation in the news media.

Himalayan Griffon Vultures photo © Siew Mun Ho

Some Himalayan Griffon Vultures were spotted on top of buildings early on the 9th it was thought that the vultures must have roosted there overnight. A flock of 12 Vultures were seen congregating and took flight after 9am, 11 birds Himalayan Griffon Vulture photo © Siew Mun Ho were seen around 11am and at 12 noon twelve Vultures were seen heading north. There were reports of the Vultures being seen in several areas including Outram Hill, Berlayer Creek, near the Singapore General Hospital, Raffles Place, Bukit Panjang, Sentosa. One was even seen sitting on the roof of the Orchid Hotel.

On the 10th of January there were no sightings of the Vultures but then on the 11th nine Himalayan Griffon Vultures were spotted at Dairy Park Farm Nature Park (northern end of Bukit Timah Nature Reserve) flying westwards.

We were very disappointed as we did not have time to return to Singapore as our flight was out of Kuala Lumpur in 5 days but not all was bad – we had seen a Himalayan Griffon Vulture before in the Himalayas in 1986 whilst trekking in Nepal along the Jomson Track in an area where the land fell away into the river valley. We became aware of a huge bird gliding alongside us at the same level, it was so close we almost felt we could reach out and touch the tip of its wing or it could just grab one of us by the shoulders with its talons and fly off; it was a surreal experience and over before we could even think of taking a photo as it flew away.

But perhaps the most crucial of our timing was the end of our trip; we missed the first confirmed case of Covid-19 arriving in the countries we had visited in South East Asia by just a few days and it has spread to all the 4 countries we visited.

Postscript: A total of 137 raptors of 14 migrant species were recorded in January 2020 in Singapore. Gardens by the Bay at night photo © Peter Fowler Many thanks to bird photographer Siew Mun Ho for generously giving permission and sharing the Griffon Vulture photographs for this article. 6 Lyrebird Tales Lyrebird Tales

What Bird is That? BirdLife Australia Yarra Valley Branch

P.O. Box 1172, Healesville Vic. 3777

email: [email protected]

Committee

Convener: Warren Cousins

Deputy-Convener: Manfred Hennig

Secretary: Alma Mitchell

Treasurer: Michael Feller Conservation Officer: Michael Feller Answer on page 13 Other Members: Jan Llewelyn. Doug Pocock

Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group Report A SHORT WALK ON THE WARBY TRAIL The results of the 2019 Survey showed number of calling males was up, at 66 males - a good result During this time of confinement Jan and I took the considering the harsh preceding summers and poor breeding opportunity to have some legal exercise and have a walk on seasons in 2018 and 2019. Warby Trail from Seville to Chandler Road. Around Seville station were Magpies and Crimson Rosellas but soon there were many Noisy and Bell Miners which put paid to much hope of seeing smaller birds. However, as we wandered on we left the bulk of the Miners and were rewarded with a tree full of Brown Thornbills. Approaching Chandler Road there were more species, Yellow Robins and Superb Blue Wrens began appearing and a Grey Butcher-bird was calling in nearby trees. Plenty of Grey Fantails flittered around.

The corner at Chandler Road is usually good for birds and we were not disappointed this day. In a wattle tree were a couple of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Spotted Pardalote and a White-throated Treecreeper. A Grey Shrike-thrush was heard then seen and then a “hot spot” gave us White-naped Honeyeaters, more Yellow Robins and Silvereyes. Whilst looking at the White-napes we became aware of a couple of larger birds, I drew Jan’s attention to a Crested Shrike-tit but Map showing results for the 2019 lyrebird dawn she said she saw a male Golden Whistler. We realized we surveys © Bill Incoll were looking at two different birds, both beaut to see. As we watched we realized there were two Grey Shrike-thrushes, There will be no survey in 2020 due to COVID-19. this was good as they do not seem to be anywhere as However, the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group intends to numerous as a few years ago. continue monitoring the birds throughout the upcoming Retracing our steps we saw a couple of Dusky Woodswallows breeding season. The importance of this population has really up high and some Red Wattlebirds. Nearing the station we been highlighted by the recent bushfires. Sadly these fires were charmed by a White-browed Scrubwren who was not have burnt through enormous tracts of forest, with key practising “social distancing” and came very close, ignoring lyrebird breeding habitat severely impacted. Of particular us and some cyclists passing by. concern is the destruction of rainforest habitats, from to , many of which had never experienced fire A most pleasant break from home which gave us 21 species, before. These temperate rainforests are unlikely to ever the highlights being the Crested Shrike-tits and the Golden recover to their former condition, and the wildlife that relies Whistler. upon them will be under enormous strain for years to come. Doug Pocock and Jan Llewelyn We really are living in uncertain times, and so the long-term monitoring of wildlife by volunteers is becoming enormously valuable. Alex Maisey June 2020 7 Lyrebird Tales

Trends in birds at Coranderrk Bushland For summer, there is no significant linear trend in the number of species encountered if we consider the entire time Reserve encountered on Birdlife Yarra period from 1992 to 2019. If we eliminate the first 2 years Valley / BOCA trips by Michael Feller and look at the data from 1994 to 2019, we find a slightly significant (at the 91% level) downward trend (a linear Birdlife Yarra Valley and its predecessor, BOCA, have been regression equation is: No. species = 70 – 0.24(Year) visiting and recording bird sightings in the Coranderrk indicating an average of 1 less species every approximately 4 Bushland area, adjacent to Healesville Sanctuary, regularly years). If we eliminate the first 7 years of data and look at since 1992. Alma Mitchell has been diligently keeping and the 1999 – 2019 period, we find a highly statistically maintaining the data and Warren Cousins has recently significant (at the 99.9% level) downward trend in species compiled it. Rainy weather and coronavirus lockdowns have numbers (a linear regression equation is: No. species = 73 provided an opportunity to analyse the data, looking for – 0.55(Year) indicating an average decrease of 1 species trends with time. every 1.8 years). Observations were made mostly in May or June (called For those statistically inclined, the downward trend in the winter) and November or December (called summer), number of species by year, with year 1 being 1999 (red line), beginning in November, 1992, for species present, or 95% confidence limits, and prediction limits are shown in the November, 1996, for total numbers of birds, and continuing graph below. If this trend continues we will be unlikely to to November, 2019. As we all know, estimates of bird encounter more than 70 species within about 5 more years. numbers are likely to be a lot less accurate than estimates of bird species present. Consequently I have only attempted to statistically analyse bird species data, although data on bird numbers are also given below.

A. Numbers of indigenous species

The number of species seen has varied from 48 to 76 in the summer and 35 to 61 in winter.

For winter, there is a slightly significant (at the 93% level) downward trend (a linear regression equation is: No. species = 50 – 0.29(Year) indicating an average of 1 less

species every approximately 3.5 years) if we consider the entire time period from 1993 to 2019. If we eliminate the first 5 years and look at the data from 1998 to 2019, we find a highly significant (at the 98% level) downward trend (a linear regression equation is: No. species = 53 – 0.55(Year) indicating an average of 1 less species every approximately 1.8 years). Thus, beginning in winter, 1998, downward trends in the number of bird species encountered have been identical in both summer and winter.

Again for those statistically inclined, the downward trend in the number of species by year, with year 1 being 1998 (red line), 95% confidence limits, and prediction limits are shown in the graph below. If this trend continues we will be unlikely to encounter more than 50 species within less than 10 more years.

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Bird species that were once encountered relatively frequently but which haven’t been encountered in recent years (with the year last encountered in parenthesis) include – Emu (2001), Australian Shelduck (2010), Spotted Dove (2014), Brush Bronzewing (1997), Australian Pelican (2015), White-faced Heron (2007), Australian Hobby (2013), Musk Lorikeet (2004), Pallid Cuckoo (2005), Brush Cuckoo (2011), Red- browed Treecreeper (2012), Satin (only one encounter since 2004), Olive-backed Oriole (2015), Leaden Flycatcher (only one encounter since 1999), and Bassian Thrush (2008). Birds encountered in the last few years but generally not encountered prior to 2015 include Black Swan, Little Eagle, and Tawny Frogmouth.

B. Total number of birds seen

The total number of birds seen on trips to Coranderrk Bushland has varied from 173 to 484 in summer, and from 146 to 379 in winter. Fluctuations have been considerable and there is no significant correlation between numbers of species and numbers of birds, for either summer (correlation coefficient is 0.00) or winter (correlation coefficient is 0.31). Given the potential errors in estimating numbers of birds, nothing can really be concluded other than that fluctuations have been substantial. The apparent upward trend in the last few years is partly explained by increases in Eurasian Coots whose numbers (average 68 birds seen per trip) account for 18% of the total number of birds seen since 2015. During the previous 10 years coots (average 14 birds seen per trip) accounted for only 5% of the total number of birds seen. Recent years have also seen notable increases in Rainbow Lorikeets and, in summer, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and Tree Martins. Bird Survey at Coranderrk Bushland photo © V. Fowler ______The first bird survey was carried out at Coranderrk Bushland on May 11th 1969 by The Bird Observers The Emus were introduced from the Healesville Club and continued on an irregular basis. When the Sanctuary and later returned there when they became Yarra Valley branch of this organisation was formed in a nuisance. 1992 (now Birdlife Yarra Valley) regular twice yearly For more information on Coranderrk Bushland refer to surveys began. There have been many changes to the September 2017 Lyrebird Tales on page 10. habitat since 1992 notably the sewage pond was filled in and the Piccaninny Swamp was drained Editor.

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looked like it had been hit by a car, the upside was seeing one in the neighbour’s garden within a week.

Further on we pass an empty block at the back of a sports ground, at the beginning of lockdown we regularly saw several White Ibis, Straw- necked Ibis and occasionally a White-faced Heron or a pair of Black Ducks but now the elderly English lady who used to feed the birds in her garden alongside this patch has moved away and the birds are not there, they may also have been disturbed by earthworks or construction of new sports buildings next door.

Walking along the creek on one of the days we were Coping with the Covid-19 restrictions surprised to hear a Golden Whistler then catching sight of a Amongst the panic of rising numbers of people contracting female in a tree and then heard a second bird further down the coronavirus in Victoria we decided to try just walking the track. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were checking out around our garden, but after 1 hour of multiple laps we were hollows in a dead tree by the creek and warding off Little totally bored and we felt like frustrated swimming Corellas but then came heavy rain causing fast flowing silty around in a small bowl. So we returned to our usual routine water to almost overflow the banks; ideas of future nesting walking from home as allowed by the restrictions for exercise were abandoned for now. Our walk now follows along the and fresh air. edge of a sports oval and past a house where food is put out for the birds each morning so we are greeted with the calls of On a bright sunny day, a sky dotted with cottonwool clouds, squawking and squabbling Rainbow Lorikeets arriving whilst streaked clouds like a stroke of an artist’s brush or dark skies others wait patiently in the bushes by the house looking like threatening rain and even a short shower, nothing has colourful hanging baubles or pairs are cuddling up together in stopped our daily walk. I would like to share the birds we see the nearby Ironbark tree; I have counted 70 plus birds at one on the way. time. One morning coming out our front door we were delighted to hear and catch a glimpse of an Eastern Spinebill an unusual bird to our garden. Another day we disturbed a small flock of Brown Thornbills which were passing through. Early in the mornings a Red Wattlebird or Australian Magpie claim the top dead stick on the tree by the driveway to catch the early morning sun. On several occasions we have been greeted by the calls of 3 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos flying over, the trailing juvenile making a begging call.

Once out on our street Little Wattlebirds fly back and forth calling, whilst Spotted Doves try to balance on the overhead wires cooing and sometimes bobbing seemingly confused by the changes in weather thinking it is time to mate. We take care not to disturb the now resident Crested Pigeons waddling around on their hot pink legs and sometimes the Musk Lorikeet photo © Valerie Fowler sun catches their reflective wing reminding us that they are quite an attractive bird; we are always pleased Flocks of Musk Lorikeets fly overhead landing in one of the when they venture onto our front lawn. Joining the doves on flowering gum trees then busily feed. the line is often a Magpie Lark and Starlings which have The grass by the edge of the path is inundated with Little and recently arrived in the street and of course there are multiple Long-billed Corellas busily ripping up tufts of grass by their Common Mynas about. In the adjoining street we were roots making bald patches of mud, they hardly move as we saddened one day to find a dead Tawny Frogmouth that

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walk past but the flock erupts skywards mightily protesting if disturbed by a or feel threatened by a bird flying above.

We join the creek again passing a house where Sulphur- crested Cockatoos line up on the fence for their daily feed and often King Parrots fly between the trees bordering the creek. Down by the water we often spot a Dusky Moorhen wandering along the muddy edges but it disappeared after rain. One day we noticed a Laughing Kookaburra through the trees sitting on a TV aerial but it was soon bombarded by 2 Little Ravens being struck by one of them, this made a change from the gang of Noisy Miners that regularly harass other species in this area. We are not safe here either and have been almost mown down by speeding bike riders or runners who give no warning or safe distance, giving us a jolt. Reaching the road we look back at the creek seeing Long-billed Corella photo © Valerie Fowler Purple Swamphens, Grey Teal, Little Pied Cormorant, occasional Chestnut Teal and twice a Eurasian Coot. Alma – Healesville

Now we start puffing up the long steep hill to the top With the citizens of this town under orders to stay at home enjoying seeing pairs of Crimson Rosellas and flocks of Musk because of COVID-19 the birds suddenly found they were Lorikeets, sometimes also Gang-gang Cockatoos or Eastern "boss cockies". Large number of cockatoos, corellas and Rosellas flying above. Magpies swoop low across the road, it’s galahs covered the football oval digging up the surface for a good job there is less traffic now. To distract ourselves we tasty morsels and there was nobody to chase them away! admired one Western Australian tree which first sprouted a They extended their digging inside the fence along the single flower and then the top of the tree burst into a crown footpath just rising in a cloud when people passed only to of red blooms. The bottlebrushes have also flowered in red or land again immediately. The White Ibis are about in large pink shades. Over the weeks deciduous trees in the gardens numbers and have discovered that the Bowling Club's perfect have taken on their autumn shades which have changed from greens provide a good place to pick around! The ducks have green through to gold, yellow, copper or burnt orange. We taken possession of the outdoor pool but that is normal for have to be careful not to fall over on the acorns scattered on this time of the year. Families of Wood Ducks cross roads the pavement. We had a laugh at the antics of a Little Raven causing mayhem for car drivers some of whom kindly stop jiggling a plastic bag peaking out from a rubbish bin, its and let the birds cross in safety but some drivers just plough reward was a bread crust. through the flock causing them to fly up right in front of the cars. Somehow the ducks seem to survive as you don't see After working up some perspiration we join the busier main any dead birds on the roads. road for the downhill stretch regularly spotting Common Blackbirds, Red Wattlebirds, Pied Currawongs and sometimes a Sparrowhawk circling overhead. We hear one Spotted Pardalote, a common sound in our garden before the sub- divisions started. Back down some side roads again we encounter Little Wattlebirds and Noisy Miners. Since lockdown there are Racing Pigeons flying overhead that were before only seen on weekends. Here we also hear the fourth Grey Butcherbird calling for the morning.

On our final loop we pass the soccer ground where in the first few weeks we counted numerous White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Crested Pigeons, Common Starlings, Little Corellas and a few Long-billed Corellas too. Sometimes these birds were Graeme – Badger Creek interspersed by a few Galahs. Three Welcome Swallows spiral 29/11/19 Brush Cuckoo calling - Badger Creek upwards chasing the same . Since earthworks on the pitch started all the birds have dispersed; a few White Ibis 29/12/19 Fork-tailed Swifts (8) at 7.30 p.m – Badger Creek tried to hold on to a small section of grass but then that 1/3/20 Australian Hobby, Badger Creek disappeared. The ground is soon to have a synthetic surface. Flocks of Rainbow Lorikeets, now finished feeding at the bird 3/4/20 No Cattle Egrets to be seen around Yering, several table on the other side of the creek fly over as we turn into small flocks were there two weeks earlier. our street. We arrive home feeling refreshed and invigorated 9/4/20 First Bassian Thrush and Olive Whistler for the winter and to return to lockdown for the rest of the day. and immature male Scarlet Robin — first seen since 1980s on Valerie and Peter Fowler my property, Badger Creek.

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Michael – Chum Creek Manfred and Margaret – Toolangi

30/1 & 2/2/20 Powerful Owl heard - Chum Creek Valley 11/02/20 Blue-billed Ducks (4) on farm dam and Yellow- tailed Black Cockatoos (20+) in Pine Tree. March 31st Interactions between a Magpie and a Magpie-lark in a paddock near our house - There are several hectares of End January 2020 Barn (3) in Toolangi paddocks around our house but resident Magpies and April 22nd There is plenty of activity here in Toolangi at the resident Magpie-larks often forage in close proximity. Several moment - a Satin Bowerbird male, a juvenile male & some Magpies were in one area foraging when one of our resident females are busy in our driveway; the fruits of the dogwood Magpie-larks flew in over the Magpie, which lunged up at the tree have just now finished, and I saw a Bowerbird tucking Magpie-lark, and landed about a metre from the Magpie. The into our flowering red salvia bushes instead. Magpie then flew about 30m to another site to be shortly followed by the Magpie-lark which again landed about a Two Lewin's Honeyeaters, very active, are calling repeatedly. metre away from the Magpie. They then foraged within 3m of At first I didn't recognize the calls as a Lewin’s - it seemed one another for at least the next few minutes while I was too high pitched. I checked my app & yes the first call on the watching them. Why they forage so close to one another app was fast & high pitched & the next was a note lower. It is when they have access to a large area is a mystery to me, race lewinii I think. unless the Magpie-larks hope to pick up grubs that the The first Golden Whistlers are around, about 3 or 4, and Magpies disturb. Spotted Pardalotes are calling all day. Two New Holland April 2nd + 3rd a flock of 8 female and juvenile Satin Honeyeaters are still here, and the usual cockatoos - Sulphur foraging around our house. Crested Cockatoo, Corellas, Galahs, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, though no Gang-gang Cockatoos lately. The April 8th Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes (a flock of about 10 ) Yellow-faced Honeyeaters have gone, but I see a few Striated beside Maroondah Hwy a couple of km from Coldstream Thornbills around the garden. White-browed Scrub Wrens are towards Healesville flitting around catching stuff under the front deck. 8/5/20 many hundreds of Straw-necked Ibis on the paddocks At a neighbour's dam this morning I saw both Australasian beside the Melba Hwy near Yarra Glen on the Coldstream and Hoary-headed Grebes, Masked Lapwings, Purple side, Michael Feller Swamphens, Eurasian Coots, and about 30 Australian Wood Jan and Doug – Wandin Ducks. (They must be happy at the effect Covid-19 has had on the Duck Hunting Season!) The other day I saw a Scarlet 3rd April - Sightings from the Warburton Rail Trail in the Robin near the same dam. afternoon on a mild day. Red-browed Finch (approx 40) feeding in the grass. Dusky Woodswallows (approx 40) There are Little Ravens everywhere in the paddocks, and feeding over a grassy paddock next to bush area. hopping & sliding noisily on our tin roof as well. Red Wattlebirds and Little Wattlebirds are very active, and are A few years ago there was an infestation of Turtle Doves mixing together which is unusual, but must be because of the (Ring-neck Doves) around Wandin North, to the detriment of same food source. Common Bronzewings. I suspect this was largely due to my neighbour feeding birds. Lately Turtle Doves have become Warren – Lilydale quite scarce here but there has been a great resurgence in I have walked now a couple of times the Lilydale to Yering the Bronzewing population. Today 7/4/20 Jan and I saw a trail. It's only been opened a few months and you can start group of 6 on the Warburton Trail just near Sebire Ave. either from Beresford Rd or Nelson Rd in Lilydale. For a short crossing. They are commonly feeding on Railway Parade. I do walk try the 5 km walk to Station St and return. A bit longer not know what has caused the drop in population of the is 15 km to the end at Yering and return. My favourite is to Turtle Doves; maybe they have become Wrung-neck Doves! Yering, 7.5km, then get picked up by someone and off to the Yarra Glen pub (ahh if only it were open). If you're a bird nut Dace and Tony – St Andrews like me, you'll see 40+ bird species on this stretch. My highlight the other day was a Black-Shouldered Kite. I I saw White-winged Trillers earlier in January; I had not seen watched it hovering near where the major power them here before. I think it was when they were around in transmission lines cross the trail. After a short while it dived Victoria in large numbers. I have had some lovely views of into the long grasses, and flew off to a nearby favourite tree Scarlet Robins – both at home and in the Park. I also was to devour its catch. They were too far to see, but either a outside reading on 9th April and heard an Olive-backed Oriole mouse or fat juicy insect I'd guess. Also saw a family of 7 calling – unusual really. They call until just after Christmas New Holland Honeyeaters with the 2 parents still feeding the and then I suppose they are around, but usually silent. There squawking young. I could almost hear them saying "When on are still a lot of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters around and the earth are these little beggers going to leave home". Cuckoos are still calling – again a bit unusual and there have Also about 3 weeks ago I was sitting outside having coffee been a few flocks of White-browed Woodswallows around – in when Brenda, before I saw anything, said there were some March. "big birds" nearby and very low. I was excited to see 3 fully

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mature Wedge-tailed Eagles circling so close that binoculars weren't needed. As usual, they were being mobbed by heaps of Ravens and a few others. They remained close for 2-3 minutes and then we lost them, but for those moments it was quite a thrill. Not sure what they'd seen for them to be so low. Other Bird Sightings

11/2/20 White-throated Needletails - Wonga Park, Janine Larner

8/5/20 Cattle Egrets (20) - on a bend in Sheffield Road, The Basin, Peter Mitchell

Answer to What Bird is That? - Spotted Pardalote

Reports of Meetings and Outings

January 11th 2020 - Margaret Lewis Reserve & Yarra Flats Billabongs

Despite some recent hot weather, the 10 attendees for Juvenile Pallid Cuckoo photo © Peter Birtles today's outing were pleasantly surprised by mild conditions We then travelled to Yarra Glen to the Murrup Brarn Yarra with temperatures only reaching to about 18-19 degrees. Flats Billabongs. This is a particularly good location, and This made for a very pleasant morning and early afternoon. although also quite small in area, did yield some nice finds. We got off to an early start with a few only that had These included an Eastern Whipbird (heard only), lots of organised breakfast. Margaret Lewis Reserve was exceedingly Australian Reed-Warblers; Little Black and Little Pied busy with dog-lovers which detracted a little from our bird- Cormorants; an interesting view of a juvenile Pallid Cuckoo watching aspirations. Nevertheless, we tried to get off on our being attended to by its adopted Grey Shrike-Thrush parent; own although this was difficult as the Reserve is quite small. Australasian Grebe; Mistletoebird; and a most elegant It was good to get a small group of Long-billed Corellas, with Eastern Great Egret. a number also of Little Corellas and of course the ubiquitous To this point we had scored a creditable total of 54 species. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. The only raptor for the day was This was boosted to 55 with a small flock of Yellow-Tailed also seen here; a Whistling Kite. Noisy Miners abounded, this Black Cockatoos seen flying over Coldstream township as I always guaranteeing the absence of a number of other was driving home. Warren Cousins species.

Great Egret photo © Peter Birtles

nd Great Egret photo © Peter Birtles January 22 - Outing to Mud Island –cancelled due to adverse conditions

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February 11th Meeting, speaker: John Barkla – Mulga Parrot, the barnardi race of the Australian Ringneck subject: 12 Journeys across the Nullarbor Parrot and the Regent Parrot which flies the 60km from its roosts on the Murray River each day to feed in Gluepot. Spotted Nightjars often sat on the roads within Gluepot at night (careful not to run over them) and they could be heard calling in spring.

The next spot was at Port Augusta with a visit to Arid Lands Gardens where Chirruping Wedgebills and White-winged Fairy-wrens are common. On to the Gawler Ranges where Night Parrots were once found; he hoped that one might appear. At the small settlement of Yantanabie they had 3 hot days of 47°c. At an old hall they found birds sheltering against the wall enjoying the cool air from some vents, these included 30-40 Australasian Pipits and 3 photogenic Ground Cuckoo-shrikes which came within a few metres as he sat in the shade for 2-3 hours. At Gawler there were Gilbert’s Whistler, Black-eared Cuckoos, Spiny-cheeked and White- fronted Honeyeaters and Woodswallows in huge numbers. John demonstrated how to squeak up a Southern Scrub Scarlet-chested Parrot photo © John Barkla Robin which he said was a curious bird and common across John has a reputation for always giving a wonderful South Australia. presentation and this attracted a good sized audience. Next visited were the Gillies Conservation Park and the John’s talk was a culmination of 6 return journeys across the Nullarbor Roadhouse. From there they headed off into the Nullarbor with Alison to visit her parents in Perth between desert following tracks to see where they took them with a 2008 and 2015. He picked out some areas he had visited on ruling that when reaching a fork in the track to take the one different trips and birds which he found interesting for his heading north or west with the logic that heading north they presentation. John said that he preferred to travel on dirt would reach the railway line or heading west they would roads rather than the bitumen and did that as much as eventually reach the north/south road. The Nullarbor was a possible. He does not have a plan for each trip being totally special place with Nullarbor Quail Thrushes, Inland Dotterels flexible and trying to always take a different route to see which have good camouflage, abundant Australasian Pipits, maximum bird species. Each of the journeys usually took Rufous Fieldwrens (common but difficult to see in the middle about 3 weeks. They usually started in the Murray Sunset of the day), occasional sightings of Bustards, and fluctuating National Park or Hattah National Park, here John said it was numbers of Orange Chats. We learnt how female Orange hard to find the critically endangered Mallee Emu Wren, he Chats are often mistaken for Yellow Chats. demonstrated the high pitched call to listen for in order to locate the species, whilst we enjoyed an excellent photo of it.

Orange Chat photo © John Barkla

In Cook we were told the trees in the main street provide Chestnut Quail-thrush photo © John Barkla nest sites for Black-faced Woodswallows and the place to see Next featured Gluepot which covers 540 square kilometres. Little Crows was the local tip. We learnt Gluepot is the last stronghold of the Black-eared On one visit to the Eyre Bird Observatory they encountered a Miner but there are many Yellow-throated/Black-eared mouse plague and described how the staff caught them. The hybrids too. Striated Grasswrens and Chestnut Quail Thrush mice were also consumed by Australian Ravens and Grey are also in decline. John said the Scarlet-chested Parrot Butcherbirds which surprisingly ate them whole. sometimes nests in Gluepot. It is also possible to see the 14 Lyrebird Tales Lyrebird Tales

The wardens at the Observatory put out water for the birds capped Parrots, Baudin’s Black Cockatoos, Carnaby’s Black and John sat in the hide to photograph them. There were the Cockatoo, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Western Corella which gouldi race of the Silvereye, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Brush is quite rare and the Long-billed Corella which was introduced Bronzewing, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Purple-gaped to the west. Honeyeater and he once saw a flock of 80 Major Mitchell’s John concluded his talk telling us of the many lakes and bird Cockatoos. sites close enough to Perth for a day trip; Lake McLarty was a John got permission to drive through a private property to favourite place for them having many species of waders: avoid the bitumen heading north to Neale Junction the site Pectoral Sandpipers, Long-toed Stint, Broad-billed Sandpiper, for the Princess Parrot. Another bird mentioned was the and Wood Sandpiper. While in Perth they liked to visit Grey-fronted Honeyeater; the grey front refers to a small Rottnest Island for waders including the rare Hooded Plover, patch of grey above the beak which is almost invisible in the Fairy Tern, Roseate Tern and the introduced . field. He said Redthroats were common and we saw a lovely Thank you John and Alison for sharing your wonderful photo of the sandhill race of the Striated Grasswren. adventures with us accompanied by John’s stunning bird Travelling to Monkey Mia and Carnarvon they drove through photos and his enthusiastic enlightening narrative, we all areas of wildflowers including the attractive Wreath wished we had travelled the journey with you but instead Leschenaultia. Birds near the town of Kew included Banded enjoyed your trip in leisure without the dust, heat and sweat. Whiteface and Red-browed Pardalote. Near Shark Bay were Those who live near or travelled a long way to hear your talk Pied Honeyeaters, and behind Monkey Mia on the sand hills were very pleased they came. Purple-backed Fairy-wren can be found. Western Grasswrens If you wish to see more of John’s wonderful bird photos from (Thick-billed Grasswrens) can be found under cars in the Australia or around the world. carpark. This is his website: www.thewonderfulworldofbirds.com

February 8th - Outing to Heritage

Peter led the outing on a pleasant sunny day. It wasn’t long before we saw a Kookaburra and a Sacred Kingfisher. Later on, we saw the Azure Kingfisher as well. A good start.

Geoff pointed out some Wattlebirds (both Red and Little) in the distance, and discovered a Wedgetail Eagle far above.

Western Grasswren photo © John Barkla

At Dryandra Woodlands they found a Bush Stone Curlew nest and spent time watching the Honeyeaters coming to the wardens, Lisa and John’s water bowl for a drink. Looking for Numbats was a challenge with driving very slowly to spot one; they were not seen before 10am when the become active. We saw photos of the newly described Gilbert’s Honeyeater; an immature bird and an adult which looks similar to the White-naped Honeyeater. Other birds at Yellow-faced Honeyeater photo © Peter Birtles Dryandra were Brown Honeyeater, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Rufous Treecreeper, Elegant Parrot, Western The distinctive loud call of the Whistling Kite was heard - the Whistler (a form of Golden Whistler but a separate species), descending two-note whistle “see-ooo” followed by an Inland Thornbill, striking female Sittellas, Brown Goshawk ascending “si-si-si-si”. It circled around for quite some time. and Tawny Frogmouth. Many eucalypts were in flower, luring the Honeyeaters, After arriving in Perth they heard of a Franklin’s Gull 200- including Yellow-faced, New Holland, White-plumed, and one 300km north so drove up to see it. Whilst in Perth they White-eared Honeyeater. The Noisy Miners attracted looked at common birds such as the Western Spinebill, attention to themselves, being … noisy. White-cheeked Honeyeater (gouldi race), Spotted Scrubwren, The “wit-wit witta-witta” of a Striated Pardalote was heard Splendid Wren and the introduced Laughing Thrush. John but the bird wasn’t seen. Smaller birds such as Brown and compared the plumage of Galahs and Magpies to those we Striated Thornbills, Superb Fairywrens, Grey Fantails, Red- are familiar with in the east. We also saw parrots; Red- browed Finches and especially Silvereyes were plentiful. June 2020 15 Lyrebird Tales

Then we heard the call of the Olive-backed Oriole (race March 14th – outing to Doongalla Forest Park and sagittatus) and got the sighting. It was an immature bird or Liverpool Retarding Basin else a female, because it didn’t have a red beak. 12 people gathered at Doongalla carpark waiting for one Grey Butcherbirds, Magpies and Pied Currawongs were more who was having navigation problems. A few phone calls scattered around the Heritage Wetlands. We saw Crimson later and his problems were sorted. While waiting all we saw and Eastern Rosellas at the golf fairway perimeter. Near the were Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Crimson Rosellas. Yarra River bridge we saw Welcome Swallows and Tree Starting off on the track everything was ominously quiet until Martins. A White-faced Heron waited in ambush on a log in we suddenly struck a bird activity patch. Starting with a the water. I found a female Mistletoe Bird in the scrubby White-browed Scrubwren and Superb Fairy-wren we were bush, but it quickly disappeared. then very pleased to see a Rufous Fantail which displayed very nicely on the track. Continuing on down to Dandenong Near the housing estate we saw Common Starlings, Common Ck. another busy patch gave us Yellow-faced Honeyeater and Mynahs, House Sparrows, and Common Blackbirds – a pity, White-throated Treecreeper. High up were Striated Thornbills but to be expected. In balance there were Little Corellas, and Eastern Rosellas. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Rainbow Lorikeets. Reaching the creek we saw Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereyes, Brown Thornbills and Grey Fantails while a group had got behind being held up by sightings of Rufous Whistler, Brown- headed Honeyeater and Varied Sitella. Moving on we saw more Rufous Fantails, some people wondered if they were gathering to migrate north. Kookaburra and Red Wattlebirds were added to the list along with Spotted Pardalotes. Returning to the cars we had lunch and got Galahs and a Dandenongs special, a Blackbird.

We moved on to Liverpool Rd. Retarding Basin after lunch getting a White Ibis along the way. Despite dire warnings about a plethora of dog walkers we found there were only a White Ibis photo © Peter Birtles couple of walkers when we got there. A Grey Butcherbird was At the smaller lagoon near the river we saw an Australasian calling as we headed off and Rainbow Lorikeets flew Darter, Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants; Ibis (both overhead. Approaching the basin we saw Pacific Black Ducks, White and Straw-necked) did a fly by. A Latham’s Snipe was Eurasian Coots and Hoary-headed Grebes while on the far sighted briefly, close to the reeds, but it was gone before I side was a Little Pied Cormorant. Walking around to the managed to focus my binoculars. Other waterbirds were: one eastern end in the swampy area were Purple Swamphen and Yellow-billed Spoonbill, four Pacific Black Ducks, a few Purple Dusky Moorhen. A White-faced Heron was feeding in the Swamp Hens, a Dusky Moorhen, two Eurasian Coots and a grassland along with a Magpie-lark and a Straw-necked Ibis Chestnut Teal. flew over. Noisy Miners argued in the trees. As we headed back to the cars we were pleased to see a small flock of At the larger lagoon, from the bird hide we could see one Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. Pelican, and one unidentified duck. On the way back to the carpark Geoff noticed a Masked Lapwing and a Magpie Lark. The trip to the Retarding Basin was a worthwhile addition. Spotted Turtledoves and Common Bronzewings were on the The total for the day was 39 birds with the Rufous Fantails track. being the highlight. Doug and Jan

Bird Call total for the outing was 56. We agreed The Bird of Meetings and Outings will resume after the Day was the Latham’s Snipe. Manfred Hennig permission is granted from the Victorian State February 26th – Outing to Warburton Trail – Cancelled Government and BirdLife Australia

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