The BLSH flyer

Volume 6 Number 1, February 2017

Silvereye by Erna Llenore Silvereye by Erna Llenore Contents From the President ...... Page 2 Conservation Officers Report ...... Page 3 Belanglo State Forest Outing ...... Page 3 Thirlmere Lakes National Park Walk ...... Page 4 Liaison Officers Report ...... Page 5 Latham Snipe Habitat Survey Report ...... Page 6 Exploring SE Alaska ...... Pages 7-9 Birdwatching at Buxton ...... Page 10 24 Hour Bird Count Challenge Report ...... Pages 11-13 Cape York-October 2016 ...... Pages 14-16 Cascades Walk, Macquarie N.P...... Page 17 Dawn Chorus ...... Page 18 New Members ...... Page 18 Worth watching ...... Page 19 Photo Acknowledgement ...... Page 20 Budderoo Plateau ...... Page 20 Shorebirds ...... Page 21 Brainy bird stories wanted ...... Page 22 Photo/Information Archives ...... Page 22 Members Photography ...... Pages 23-5

From the President

T he new Birding year has begun and we are off to a flying start with our Latham’s Snipe expert, Richard Chamberlain addressing our meeting on January 31st. I hope that you have all found time to come to that meeting and learn more about the Snipe. Our end of year Barbeque was well attended by approximately 25 members. Once again, the loca- tion proved to be ideal and Tony took over the responsibility of cooking the sausages, which he does with great aplomb. The delicious array of salads and sweet treats provided by the members was a real feast to the eyes and to the stomachs. Thank you to all who contributed so generously to make this day a memorable one. A very special thank you to our member Sarah Wallace who generously provided this beautifully decorated Christmas cake for us all to enjoy.

Sarah & Bob cutting the cake. By Christine Kelly by Helen Erskine The day drew to a nice conclusion after several rounds of Bocce, supplied by Jennie Wiles. A very nice touch, thanks Jennie. January has found club members enjoying 3 outings to date. Thanks to Val Cooper who always man- ages to encourage support for her January locations. The dawn chorus, at the home of David Sampson Fitzroy Falls, (see report later in newsletter) was attended by 6 members and enjoyed by all. We have 20 scheduled outings for the group this year and we are more than happy to receive sug- gestions from our members on their ideal locations for future outings. Please contact the Program Officer, Peter Madvig. The AGM was successfully held on Tuesday 31st January and the following were duly elected unop- posed: President Christine Kelly Administration Officer Erna Llorne Treasurer John Desmond Liaison Officer Col Kohlhagen Conservation Officer Simon Robinson Program Officer Peter Madvig Records & Research Officer Graham Olde Web/Newsletter Editor Jennie Wiles Support Officer Val Cooper Claudia Chambers Archivist Helen Erskine

Congratulations to all those members who have volunteered to assist in the running of the group. I look forward to working with you all. Special thanks to Sandy Berry who has retired from the posi- tion of Administration Officer after several invaluable years of volunteer service to our group.

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Conservation Officers Report

T wo important developments have taken place in the group’s conservation activities. Firstly, the Wall to Wollondilly (W2W) project, that had stalled, has been revived and is starting up this calendar year. The project is managed by Greening Australia and funded by NSW Department of Environment and Heritage. Our part in it is to give some presentations to assist land owners and others identify and monitor the birds on their land as improvements are made. We are being paid for this, which will contribute to the group’s funds – but most exciting, we have received a substantial grant to purchase a number of binoculars to loan to the property owners and school groups as part of the program. The binoculars will be owned by the group and can be used in numerous activities in the future. I understand that ‘the cheque’s in the mail’ and hope it’s not the tra- ditional brush-off! Secondly, in conjunction with Wingecarribee Shire Council, the Mittagong Creek restoration project has moved to a new era! Col Kohlhagen outlines more about this in his Liaison Officers Report. Amongst other events since the last newsletter we have conducted more suc- cessful Latham’s snipes counts, contributing useful data to the overall project that Richard Chamberlain spoke about after the AGM. Richard Chamberlain speaking to Birdlife Southern Highlands Belanglo State Forest Outing Participant Jennie Wiles reports

A most enjoyable morning walk led by Janine and Stan Jones on Saturday 29 October, 2016. Alt- hough the birds were reluctant to show them- selves, Linda Hoelle commented “the flowers sure put on a colourful display!” The group enjoyed the birding, the company and the freshly baked treats supplied by Janine for morning tea.

Sacred Kingfisher by Erna Llenore

By Jennie Wiles

Kunzea by Linda Hoelle Birds list: Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Grey Fantail, Australian Raven, Sa- cred Kingfisher, Little Corella, Galah, Laughing Kookaburra, Australian Magpie, Crimson Rosella, East- ern Rosella, Eastern Yellow Robin, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Pied Currawong, Grey Shrike-thrush, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Brown Thornbill, Red Wattlebird, Superb Fairy- wren, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (heard) (supplied by Val Cooper)

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Thirlmere Lakes National Park Walk 2/11/16 Col Kohlhagen reports

T his outing became somewhat of an endurance test as we originally had 14 participants booked in but through the pressure of unforeseen circumstances this was reduced to eight. First to fall by the wayside was the leader, Simon Robinson, so I came off the reserves bench to fill his position.

By Jennie Wiles Crested Shrike-tit (aka Punk Bird) by Linda Hoelle

The five members and three visitors who made it to the starting line were favoured with a glorious spring day and the birds responded appropriately, especially the chorus of “bush canaries” aka Rufous Fantails, that provided non-stop background music for the entire morning. First cabs off the rank were the resident Rockwarblers, seen happily feeding around the picnic tables. Largely because of their choice of nesting site in the toilet block, this pair of enterprising avian parents has attracted some media attention as well as several “nick names” not all of which would pass the polite society test. By the end of a most enjoyable walk we had logged 30 species, including a Leaden Flycatcher, a pair of Crested Shrike-Tits and an entertaining duet provided by Olive–backed Orioles. A few on the list were “heard only” but their calls were quickly and confidently recognised.

Eastern Yellow Robin by Linda Hoelle Rufous Whistler Olive–backed Oriole by Jennie Wiles

Birds list:- Wonga Pigeon, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Little Pied Cormorant, Swamp Harrier, Dollarbird, Sacred Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, White-throated Treecreeper, Variegated Fairy-wren, Superb Fairy-wren, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, Spotted Pardalote, White-throated Gerygone, Rock- warbler, White-browed Scrubwren, Striated Thornbill, Brown Thornbill, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike- thrush, Crested Shrike-tit, Olive-backed Oriole, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Leaden Flycatcher and Eastern Yellow Robin .

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Liaison Officers Report Mittagong Creek Surveys Update February, 2017

The Mittagong Creek survey project has entered a new and exciting phase. Since 2013, a small team of BLSH Members has been conducting monthly surveys at five sites along Mittagong Creek between Mansfield Reserve and the Channel Deviation near the Bowral Brickworks. These surveys were set up in partnership with the Wingecarribee Shire Council Natural Resources Staff to help establish baseline bird numbers before, during and after Council’s Riparian Regeneration Project along Mittagong Creek. Over 100 species have been recorded across the five sites along the creek since the surveys commenced. The results of these surveys have also been logged onto Birdata as Bird Atlas fixed-route surveys. The updated Birdata Portal, introduced in mid-2016, presented an opportunity to begin conducting these surveys in a more systematic and scientific manner. With the help of Ian Perkins, Manager , WSC Nat- ural Resources, the fixed routes were recently plotted and recorded using GPS Trackers and the Coun- cil’s Digital Mapping System.

At four of these sites, a Two Hectare Survey Area has now be set out to enable future surveys to be conducted as Two Hectare-20 Minute Embedded Birdata Surveys which provide far more useful data than was the case previously. As an overlay to the physical configuration, each survey site has been allocated a specific habitat description, based on standardised characteristics adopted across many land management systems. Council Staff will also fix markers at the corners of each survey area which will facilitate the involvement of additional BLSH members in this ongoing project in to the fu- ture. At the fifth site, Mansfield Reserve, three discrete Two Hectare Sites were plotted along the former fixed route survey track. These areas were based on, and placed within, three distinct vegetation re- gimes. This will allow more finely nuanced changes to be plotted in three adjacent but clearly defined

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sites, and comparisons made across the three sites. Both Birdata and the Wingecarribee Shire Council will benefit from the more finely tuned data collected by this BLSH initiative.

Site Name Year Start- Number of Surveys Total Species Rec- ed Completed orded at Each Site One (a) Mansfield Reserve West 2017 1 60 One (b) Mansfield Reserve Central 2013 34 60 One (c) Mansfield Reserve East 2017 1 60 Two Bowral Road 2013 29 50 Three Rose-Merrigang Street 2014 35 47 Bridges Four Mount Street 2013 33 62 Five Oxley Hill Road 2013 32 80

Latham’s Snipe Habitat Survey Report by Col Kohlhagen This was the second survey for the current season and was undertaken by BirdLife Southern Highlands at the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens: Date: Saturday 19 November, 2016 Time: 8.30 a.m. Duration: 35 Minutes Weather Conditions: Calm, overcast with high cirrus cloud cover. Method: A total of 11 BLSH Members took part in the survey. Two stationary observers/counters were positioned along the northern and southern edges of the protective fencing while a team of 9 moved across the site. Results: A total of 47 Latham’s Snipe was flushed and this reduces to a final figure of 38 to allow for the ac- cepted double-count figure of 20%. These additional species were also recorded: Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Little Pied Cormorant, Black-shouldered Kite, Nankeen Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Masked Lapwing, Rock Dove, Yellow-tailed Black Cocka- too, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Long-billed Corella, Crimson Rosella, Laughing Kookaburra, Red Wat- tlebird, Willy Wagtail, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Magpie Lark, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, Golden-headed Cisticola, Australian Reed-Warbler, House Sparrow and Common Starling. Comments: Although the area outside the Protective Fencing has recently been mown, approximately one- third of the Snipe were flushed from the drainage lines running across that part of the site.

Rainfall in the past 30 days has been just below 47mm and the site is beginning to dry out.

Images taken from birdlife Shorebirds Identi- fication booklet.

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Exploring SE Alaska by Linda Hoelle My husband John and I visited the USA in 2016. Our trip began in July with a stop in NE Oregon to see family, followed by a week in Alaska for a photographic workshop. In NE Oregon, the Osprey is a common nesting bird. It likes power poles with double cross bars at the top for its nest, which often includes baling twine from nearby ranches. The nesting locations are near rivers or a large local lake where fish can be caught.

An Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), a fish Adult Osprey at nest, 2 fledglings not visible hawk, living in NE Oregon is the same species as one living in Australia.

Our SE Alaskan adventure began in Juneau. We were there to participate in a week-long workshop for nature photography. Bald eagles were everywhere – on power poles, fences, and docks along Gastineau Channel. An old pier, visible from our hotel room, was a popular gathering place at low tide for Bald Eagles, Gulls, Great Blue Herons, and a Belted Kingfisher.

Belted Kingfisher on pier, Juneau, Alaska MV Westward, our home for a week

At Juneau we boarded a small vessel, approximately 25 metres in length. Our group consisted of 5 participants, a professional nature photographer, a naturalist, and 2 crew members. Heading south to Petersburg, our final destination, we explored various waterways between the islands making up Alaska’s Inside Passage. The small boat allowed us to anchor each evening in picturesque coves not available to large cruise ships.

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Kayaks, used for further exploration, offered interesting perspectives when looking at towering cliffs, paddling past jumping salmon, and approaching sea birds. However, having to extract my camera gear from a dry bag attached to the kayak made photography a bit awkward. Birds that put up with my fumbling were Black Oystercatchers on a rocky shoreline and Pigeon Guillemots, diving birds not- ed for their bright red feet and their running across water to gain flight.

Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani) Pigeon Guillemots with a juvenile on the left. Their appearance and habitat are similar to those of Australian Sooty Oystercatchers (Haematopus fuliginosus).

Glaciers, harbor seals on icebergs, brown bears (grizzlies), and humpback whales were part of the adventure as well. We quickly learned that when our captain spotted something interesting, the en- gine speed slowed. Once during a toilet break, I heard the engine slow – uh, oh! When I rushed to the main deck, humpback whales were breaching right beside the boat! Fortunately for me, they continued to dive and breach for several more minutes. The other photographers suggested I take frequent toilet breaks.

Immature Bald Eagle searching for food in the vi- Breaching Humpback Whale with barnacles on its cinity of brown bears. Until a young eagle displays chin adult plumage in approximately 5 years, its changing brown/white feather patterns and bill colour indicate its age. Once adult plumage is at- tained, its age is no longer apparent.

Chum salmon were beginning to run, providing exciting opportunities to watch and photograph brown bears catching and eating salmon. Glaucous Gulls and the smaller Bonaparte’s Gulls stayed close to the bears for leftover salmon. Bald eagles, of course, were there for a share and even tiny crabs had meals of leftovers.

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Brown Bear surrounded by Glaucous and Bonaparte’s gulls. The latter gull is smaller with a black head (summer plumage).

John and I spent an extra day in Petersburg after the workshop ended. One attraction is a swan observatory south of the city. A boardwalk connects the road with a wooden blind (hide) constructed primarily for observing Trumpeter Swans. These swans spend the winter months in the nearby intertidal zone. The blind, well main- tained and clean, has easily latched shutters covering several small windows. Charts, covered with plastic, de- scribe local birds and the life cycle of the swans. I was about 3 months too early to see swans, but had a pleas- ant half hour watching some diving ducks, Common Mergansers. When returning to the car, where John was napping, I had a brief, but memorable, staring match with a black bear! Thankfully, the bear chose to retreat.

Information from 2 charts displayed in the swan observatory. The US Forest Service, Depart- ment of Agriculture provided the charts.

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Birdwatching at Buxton 20/11/16 Walk organiser Jennie Wiles reports A birdwatching smorgasbord at ‘Millieup’, Buxton is how Col Kolhagen advertised this walk. The aim was to cater for different levels of mobility. Hopefully this was achieved, as one person sat on the deck to watch the birds, two others sat in the bush where the walking was easy and the other six of us followed the track I had made around the rest of my bush property.

Bird watching from the deck Eastern Yellow Robin nest By Helen Erskine The other aim of this walk was to show an example of a 2 hectare site which I have been atlassing since September 2015 for Birdata – a 20 minute, 2 hectare study. We completed my survey route but took our time so I recorded it as a 500m area search. The birds were very vocal and at times it was hard to indicate which bird you were trying to identify by call as it was such a symphony of sound. The count was 29 species of birds, many of whom were seen from the deck. I was also able to point out nests of Red-browed Finches, a nest of an Eastern Spinebill made of, among other things, blue tarpaulin threads and a Blackbird’s (unfortunately) in the garden. In the bush there was a beautiful Eastern Yellow Robin’s nest at eye level. Thanks to Ingrida for serving yummy scones with jam and cream after the walk. Species list Eastern Koel 1 (heard), Channel-billed Cuckoo 1, Sacred Kingfisher 1 (heard) Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo 1 (heard), Galah 1, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 2, Australian King-Parrot 1, Crimson Rosella 4, Satin Bowerbird 5, White-throated Treecreeper 1, Superb Fairy-wren 3, Noisy Friarbird 1, Brown-headed Honeyeater 1, Eastern Spinebill 3, Little Wattlebird 2, Red Wattlebird 1 (heard), Yellow-faced Honeyeater 2, White-throated Gerygone 1 (heard), Striated Thornbill 2, Brown Thornbill 6, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 1 (heard), Rufous Whistler 2, Grey Shrike-thrush 2, Olive- backed Oriole 1, Australian Magpie 1, Grey Fantail 1, Eastern Yellow Robin 3 including recently fledged young, Common Myna 1, Common Blackbird 1.

Little Wattle- bird and Red-browed Finch nest By Helen Erskine

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24 Hour Bird Count Challenge Report Challenge organiser Col Kohlhagen reports

S even BLSH members joined me for the Annual Bird Count Challenge held over the first weekend in December 2016. This event was first promoted by Bird Observation and Conservation Australia [BOCA] and has remained on the post-merger BLA program. Local birders first took part in 2008 in the lead up to the establishment of a formal birdwatching group in the Highlands. Peter Madvig, Christine Kelly, Erna Llenore, Val Cooper, Helen Erskine, Sandra Reynolds and Jennie Wiles participated at various sites on the itinerary and their collective expertise saw 100 different species logged across the thirteen sites which were visited in the 24 hours allocated. The three Gang Gangs that fed quietly in a bottlebrush at eye level in the Echo Point Car Park were probably the highlight but the Spotted Quail Thrush at Thirlmere Lakes, the Variegated Fairy-wren at Wirrimbirra and the three Bassian Thrushes at Fitzroy Falls were also captivating. However, the im- mature Australian Shelducks at Charlston Dam really tested our skills beyond breaking point and proved to be a “real challenge”. Photographic evidence had to be passed on to our Identification Panel which was also challenged before consensus was reached. Local Results: Morton National Park [10], Bundanoon Sewage Ponds /Pony Club [24], Fitzroy Falls Car Park [16], Wingecarribee Dam/ “Andrewville” [24] , Lake Couridjah, Thirlmere Lakes [35], Noonamena Bridge [8], Kiah Ridge, Picton Fire Trail [24], Potholes Crossing, Bargo River [3], Wirrimbirra Sanctuary [9], Lake Alexandra/Fire Trail [30], Boardman Road Drainage Pond [5], Cecil Hoskins NR [11] and Charl- ston Dam [25] From 2013 the current fixed itinerary has been followed with only minor variations to the sites visit- ed and the time of day when they are visited. This year’s tally of 100 compares well with the last couple of years when the same itinerary has been followed:

2008 64 2009 77 2010 77 2011 97 2012 89 2013 93

2014 92 2015 103

The mystery white-headed duck seen at Charlston Dam proved to be an immature Australian Shelduck. By Erna Llenore. Bassian Thrush by Helen Erskine

Brush Cuckoo and Dusky Woodswallow by Jennie Wiles Gang-gang Cockatoo by Helen Erskine

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Nationwide Results 2012-2015

Melbourne Metropolitan Area Group Total Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Banyule-Williamstown 100 111 71 97 Brisbane Ranges 117 124 114 119 112 Dandenong ranges 110 114 106 103 113 Hobson’s Bay 73 Carrum Wetlands 112 Wallan 121 121 120 117 112 Werribee/You Yangs 188 185 183 183 Mornington Peninsula 117 93 112 Plenty River/South Morang 55 Victorian Country Group Total Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Ballarat 155 164 155 160 153 Bendigo 86 125 105 117 88 Bairnsdale 171 163 161 181 187 Bellarine 150 Castlemaine 83 115 127 103 106 Chiltern 91 97 87 69 66 Cohuna 147 89 Echuca 128 82 65 82 Horsham 173 171 166 158 161 Kyabram 51 La Tobe Valley 126 118 131 114 128 Nhil 92 89 88 76 77 Portland 156 153 132 141 141 Sunraysia 173 140 157 157 152 South Gippsland 26 24 29 17 24 Wangaratta 140 Warnambool 114 121 79 96 96 Winchelsea 119 127 115 Yea Rail Trail 35 Western Australia Group Total Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Kingsley 35 Baskerville, Swan Valley 14 Tasmania Group Total Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Launceston 45

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New South Wales Group Total Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Bendoura 21 Blue Mountains 97 38 42 Central Mangrove 93

Coffs Coast 103 107 148 117

Forster-Tuncurry 132 138 88 99 83

Five Bough Wetlands [Leeton] 73 117 41 28 Griffith 52 Tuckerbill Swamp [Leeton] 29 Macleay Valley Coast 97 Merimbula 91 83 65 52 64 Northern Rivers 195 Southern Highlands 97 89 90 91 103 Taree 88

The Entrance 65

Tuggerah 91

Tweed Heads 147 197 165

Wamberal 62 61 61 Wyoming-Erina 39 Wyong 60 Binya State Forest 53 Queensland Group Total Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Brisbane –Gold Coast 156 79

Clermont 51 114

Cairns-Mossman 204 201 183

Hervey bay 148 143 151 Innisfail 118 105 Mackay 170 180 145 188 161 Mareeba 67 Mount Molly 26 Sunshine Coast 184 175 189 Townsville 179 185 207 190 194 South Australia

Group Total Species

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Aldinga Beach 37 Bedford Park 23 Mambray Creek 59 Port Augusta Happy Valley 28 Stirling North 109 Port Augusta 125

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Cape York -October 2016 By Nigel Hartley

I recently visited Lockhart River in Cape York with a very keen American birder friend and his wife. It was a whistle stop tour as they had a very full itinerary across Australia, PNG and New Zealand, so we decided to fly in and out of Lockhart River to give us access to the Iron Range National Park. October seems to be a pretty nice time to visit, it is warm but not too hot, no rain whilst we were there and relatively bug free. We were only there for 2 nights but managed to run up a decent bird list in that time including a lot of the Cape York “specials”. We flew in on a Monday afternoon ex Cairns and checked into our cabins, which were right next to the airport. It was about a 90 minute flight from Cairns and it didn’t take us long to check in and pick up provisions at the main store in Lockhart River. Alcohol is a big no no (maximum fine of $37,000) but otherwise we found a variety of food and drink to tide us over.

Typical Cape York Scenery, near Claudie River

There are basically only a couple of roads out of Lockhart River. East takes you to the beach via the treatment works. We visited these with promises of Spotted Whistling Ducks but had to settle for Little Grebes, and Masked Lapwings. To be fair, we did find a Fawn breasted Bowerbird and some Red-Cheeked Parrots there on our last day. We then went north and west to Claudie River, an area known to be good for White-streaked Honeyeaters, and found these with little difficulty, in amongst the Yellow Spotted and Graceful Honeyeaters. As the sun went down we also saw Eclectus Parrots fly over. We did some spotlighting on the way back but had no luck. The next day we made an early start and headed for Cooks Hut and Rainforest Campground. This is a known site for Northern Scrub Robin. There is a short rainforest track and typically we heard an awful lot more than we saw. However we had good views of Shining Flycatchers, White Faced Robins, and a fleeting glimpse of a bird rummaging in the leaves that was possibly the Scrub Robin. We moved on to the Gordon Creek Campgrounds and had a good walk along the creek. Birding was quite tough but there were a few gems, including Frill-Necked Monarch, Black Butcherbird, and Tawny Breasted Honeyeaters.

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Frill-Necked Monarch

A little later we ran into Yellow Orioles and two birds of Paradise, Trumpet Manucode and Magnificent Riflebird. The Riflebird can be identified by his ‘wolf whistle’ which is very distinctive.

Trumpet Manucode

We then drove further up the Portland Road and found this immediate area very rich in wildlife, see- ing both Yellow-legged and Lemon Breasted Flycatchers, and as we emerged from the forest a single Palm Cockatoo. North of the rain forest you can either turn east to Chilli Beach or go straight on to the tiny township of Portland Roads. Chilli Beach is very pretty and has a good campground. We spent some time there and enjoyed seeing a variety of waders on the beach including Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers and Pacific Golden Plovers. From there we drove up to Portland Roads, with the promise of a meal at the café there. Unfortu- nately the cook had decided to take a break so we had to forsake the food, and the mangrove birding there and head back to the store before it closed at 5.45pm to ensure we had something other than nibbles for dinner. After dinner we headed back to Cooks Hut as Marbled Frogmouths had been calling the night before, and we were lucky enough to see a Marbled Frogmouth fly across the road and settle in a tree, giving us great views.

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Reef Egret at Chillie Beach

On our last morning we had a last and unsuccessful look for the Scrub Robins but instead had good views of Tropical Scrub Wrens, which were actually quite common once you got the hang of their call. It was too early for Black Winged Monarchs but we saw a nice Spectacled Monarch and beside Claudies River a Fairy Gerygone. After checking out from the cabins we returned to the area near Gordon Creek where we had been hearing Yellow Billed Kingfishers. Judging by the questions from other birders this was one of the most sort after birds in the area so we were thrilled when a Kingfisher came into view, and eventually landed really close to us and gave us great views as well as his full song. This was a great sighting to finish the trip on and soon after we headed back to the airport, had a look at the World War 2 memorabilia and flew back to Cairns via Arakuen. Before flying back to Sydney the next morning we were able to do a “Backyard Bird Count” along the Cairns waterfront, and totted up over 30 species in 20 minutes including a Beach Stone Curlew. I feel like I now would like to go back and see Cape York properly, as I think the journey is probably more important than the destination, but if you have a need to see the area in a hurry for any rea- son, this is a great way to get an introduction to the local birds.

Yellow-billed Kingfisher

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Cascades walk Macquarie Pass National Park 7/12/12 Walk organiser Sue Stanley reports Five Australian Birdlife members joined me on a warm, muggy morning to bird in the rainforest on the northern side, at the foot of Macquarie Pass. As we crossed the grass from the car park, an Australian King-Parrot flew swiftly overhead to become our first tick for the morning. We began investigating the action in the shrubbery along Cascades Creek before entering the rainforest, and were immediately rewarded with good views of a Brown Gerygone. Entering the track we could hear the Eastern Whipbird calling regularly but unfortunately didn’t catch sight of one. A White-throated Treecreeper was seen creeping up a tree and further on as we were admiring a Brown Cuckoo-Dove feeding on short fruiting trees, a Lewin’s Honeyeater landed a short distance from him. However we were dis- tracted by a smaller bird flitting through the bracken fern below them both and this turned out to be a gorgeous Yellow-throated Scrubwren.

We followed him down the track which led to sightings of Grey Fantail, Rufous Fantail, Eastern Yellow Robin and juvenile, Black-faced Monarch and Brown Thornbill. Further along we saw a White-headed Pigeon and then the first of many White-browed Scrubwrens. We also heard the Su- perb Lyrebird calling from the hillside above us. By Sue Stanley As we walked towards the waterfall we heard a Pied Currawong, and the distant yowling of the Green Catbird, before the sound of running water ef- fectively drowned out any further bird calls. We retraced our steps and had closer views of several Yellow-throated Scrubwrens on the return trip, before flushing a Bassian Thrush on the track just prior to leaving the rainforest. Bird List Australian King-Parrot, Bassian Thrush, Black-faced Monarch, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Brown Gerygone, Brown Thornbill, Pied Currawong (heard), Eastern Spinebill, Eastern Whipbird (heard), Eastern Yellow Robin, Green Catbird (heard), Grey Fantail, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Rufous Fantail, Su- perb Lyrebird (heard), White-browed Scrubwren, White-headed Pigeon, White-throated Treecreeper, Yellow-throated Scrubwren.

Black-faced Monarch by Sue Stanley Brown Cuckoo-Dove by Sue Stanley

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Dawn Chorus Participant Christine Kelly reports January 12 dawned in the Highlands as a dull overcast foggy morning. Undaunted, 5 hearty souls set out for a 5am start at the home of David Sampson at Fitzroy Falls. David greeted us with hot coffee and rugs, if required, as we waited for the dawn to break. The rooster in the hen house was up early to sound reveille which was mimicked by the rooster in the neighbour’s garden. However, soon we were able to hear the Kookaburra tuning his vocal chords to be the first bird to herald in the morn- ing. He was quickly followed by, in no particular order, Superb Fairy Wren, Southern Boobook, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, New Holland Hon- eyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow-faced Hon- eyeater, White-browed Scrubwren, Eastern Yellow Robin, Eastern Whipbird, Little Wattlebird, Silver- eye, Common Blackbird, Grey Fantail, Eastern Ro- sella, Crimson Rosella, Noisy Miner, Pied Curra- wong, Satin Bowerbird, Pied Butcherbird. All of these wonderful calls were heard in a 10-15- Immature Eastern Whipbird by Helen Erskine minute period as the dawn broke. A wonderful ca- cophony of sounds. As the light increased we were treated to the sight of many of these species, happily scavenging for their breakfast from the wonderful smorgasbord of plants that host the appropriate insects in David’s garden. Many of the species enjoyed an early morning bath in the various bird baths situated in the garden. The birds in David’s garden seem una- ware of the humans and dogs that were sharing the area. The party broke up around 7:30am with some of the participants returning home whilst others decid- ed to take up David’s offer of a brief walk through White-browed Scrubwren by Helen Erskine the National Park which adjoins his property. David’s home is a wonderful location to view many of the resident native birds of the Highlands and is surely a location that we should revisit. For the hardy souls amongst us we will revisit his garden for another Dawn Chorus in the spring. Watch out for advance details in future member communica- tions.

New Members

We welcome the following people who have joined in the last 3 months. Pam Slattery, Burrawang Gillian Webber, Goulburn Jenny and Les Dawson, Thirlmere

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Worth Watching

Burrowing Owl Video https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=uz4_jwH05GA&feature=youtu.be&utm_campaign=2016+Y ear- end+Campaign&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email &utm_content=40095264&_hsenc=p2ANqtz- 98qcupviBvj4w1smsu4swTo3qm5kKXSKA7gem_qOB2_ZYSOh beJ8b0x4bgOLFr_cCVdryI2jISmXUwkufAcxRzxLtskA&_hsmi=4 0095335

Bird of Paradise display https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI1GM7AkwP0

Satin Bowerbird bowers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H9TyXiXM2k

Body-popping sage grouse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLnbiTkj1TQ

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PHOTO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. By Helen Erskine As the BirdLife Southern Highlands Photo Archivist, I have been asked about photos being used for publications. Some have been used without name credit. Recently I have had one of my own used, but not acknowledged. When I asked why a name was not given, Fairfax media said it is now their policy to write “Photo Supplied”. It is BLSH policy to acknowledge the photographer when using any image supplied by members, as seen in the newsletter or other flyers etc. Fairfax however, now differs from BLSH policy. Many of us have discussed this issue and have come up with ideas which may help solve the problem. 1/ Are you happy for BLSH to include your images [with names] in media releases, knowing that Fair- fax will most likely not acknowledge the photographer, but simply say "Image supplied”? OR 2/ If this helps and photographers would be happier, what I am starting to do is to duplicate the im- age with your name on the second copy and keep it - so that I only send credited images. Here is an example of the Textbox credit below.

***Please tell me if you do not wish your photos to be used under either or both of these conditions.

Budderoo Plateau Walk organiser Val Cooper reports There were patches of fog about as twelve of us set off along the Budderoo Plateau on Sunday 15/1/17. It was great to have two visitors with us - Anita from By Jennie Wiles Queensland and Jan from The Netherlands. Jan was hoping to see a South- ern Emu-wren and Beautiful Firetail and was overjoyed to have such a good sighting of both! As always there were quite a few native flowers in bloom includ- ing the lovely Christmas Bells. We hoped the weather would be kind and not as hot as it had been the previous few days and we were relieved to experience quite a pleasant day. The group enjoyed the walk & were thrilled to have such close up sightings of some of the inhabitants of that area even though the Ground Parrot did not show - again! Beautiful Firetail by Helen Erskine Species list : Eastern Bristlebird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Noisy Friarbird, Little Wattlebird, Dusky Woodswallow, Laughing Kookaburra, New Holland Honeyeater, White-cheeked Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Grey Currawong, Pied Currawong, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Brown Thornbill, Yellow Robin, White-throated Treecreeper, Eastern Spinebill, Rufous Whistler-male, female & juvenile, Welcome Swallow, Beautiful Firetail, Southern Emu Wren. August 2016 20

Shorebirds

The following are a series of Birdlife Australia resources (except one) about shorebirds.

1.Introducing Australia's Beach-nesting Birds- 2. The Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary- Birdlife Australia BirdLife Australia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID9KJ4kps78 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WokMcl2yIw

Just north of Adelaide, on the east coast of Gulf St Vincent, lies one of South Australia’s most important areas for migratory and resident shorebirds.

3. Birds of the Yellow Sea https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=N74zn7bCpq8&feature=youtu.be&utm_campaign=2016+Y earend+Campaign&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=e mail&utm_content=40095264&_hsenc=p2ANqtz98qcupviBvj 4w1smsu4swTo3qm5kKXSKA7gem_qOB2_ZYSOhbeJ8b0x4bg OLFr_cCVdryI2jISmXUwkufAcxRzxLtskA&_hsmi=40095335 4.Australian Shorebird Identification Sheet– Birdlife Australia A series of 6 sheets

http://birdlife.org.au/documents/SB-IDsheetsALL.pdf

5. My Tern

Tern Identification Booklet

http://birdlife.org.au/documents/ MyTern-V6.pdf

6. Shorebirds Booklet & App.

The Shorebirds 2020 team has produced a detailed shorebird id booklet to help learn about the distinctive features of each species in this similar-looking group of birds. A free copy is available [email protected] The shorebird ID booklet is also available as an iPhone and Android web app. It is free to download www.penboc.org.au/shorebirds/

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Brainy bird stories wanted

Peter Meredith is a Bowral-based science journalist who is researching an ar- ticle for Australian Geographic on bird intelligence. The article will be a mix of popular science and anecdotes illustrating the smartness of some birds. Bird neuroscience has made huge strides in the past decade. Many experts now believe that certain birds (for instance crows, ravens, magpies, cocka- toos and parrots) possess the cognitive abilities of higher primates such as chimps. Peter’s article will cover the latest science but he would also like to hear from BLSH members about any personal experiences they might have had relating to the topic. Have you had any memorable encounters with smart avians or seen any remarkable behaviour, preferably in the wild rather than hand-reared birds? Examples might be problem-solving, innovation, tool -using or complex play among individuals or with objects. There are plenty of examples online, but he’d like first-person accounts. Contact Peter on [email protected]

Photo/Information Archives By Helen Erskine In the Photo/Information Archives there are many folder categories which have some beautiful and useful images. Some of the digital information now includes:- ALL photo Images (numbered to 300+) Annual BLSH Walks (with photos and information), Documents - emailed from or to BLSH/Members Updates/Flyers. Bathing Bird Images & Articles Bird Behaviour un/usual (Other) Bird Couples/Pairs Bird Courting Arenas Bird Families Bird Feathers Bird Flight Birds with food in beaks Purple Swamphen by Helen Erskine Bird Walks Annually - photos (2013/14/15/16/…) Members Folders - that has your name label and is duplicated for publication. Members Videos Nests. Hollows. Chicks Perched birds Slideshow Presentations. In the hardcopy folder(s), we have magazine and newspaper articles, as well as a Stamp and Coin collection – donated, all with Australian birds on a side dated back to 1998, BOCA and the history of our club. If you have anything you would like to contribute to the BLSH archive, please bring it to a meeting or send to Helen (10 Mb or less please), where it will be added to our growing history. [email protected] Thank you so much to Paddy Donkin and Graham Olde who have both given many photos from their collections to add to our Library. Myself and Sue Stanley have given thumb drives with many images for our use too! There are regular photos sent from Linda Hoelle, Erna Llenore and others which all add to our growing collection. If you send them directly to Jennie for the newsletter, she will forward them to me for accession. Thank you one and all for your support. I delight in receiving these images and hearing their story.

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Members Photography

Blue Theme. The next edition’s challenge is “I’m looking at you, looking at me” Other contributions are also welcome.

Azure Kingfisher by Sue Stanley White Tern from Lord Howe Island by Erna Llenore

Tui on the south island of New Zealand by Linda Brookes

Dollarbirds by Linda Hoelle Eastern Spinebill nest by Jennie Wiles

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Blue-breasted Fairy-wren WA by Linda Brookes Emu by Jennie Wiles

Sacred Kingfisher by Sue Stanley Blue-billed Duck by Erna Llenore

Satin Bowerbird Bower by Helen Erskine Blue-faced Honeyeater by Helen Erskine

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Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike by Erna Llenore Superb Lyrebird by Sue Stanley

Glossy-black Cockatoo by Sue Stanley Striated Pardalote by Erna Llenore Red-browed Treecreeper by Erna Llenore Newsletter contributions BLSH Committee If you would like to contribute an article to President Christine Kelly the newsletter, please contact Jennie Wiles at [email protected] Liaison Col Kohlhagen Conservation Simon Robinson Articles can be on any aspect of birding, or issue related to birding, that may interest Program Peter Madvig other members. Treasurer John Desmond Photos, in jpeg format, are also very wel- Records Graham Olde come. Admin ErnaSandy Llenore Berry The deadline for the next newsletter is Newsletter Jennie Wiles April 20th 2017 Committee support Val Cooper Committee support ClaudiaPeter Chambers Madvig