Birds SA Newsletter No. 220, November 2011

Birds SA Newsletter No 220 November 2011

Birds SA is the operating name of The South Australian Ornithological Association Inc. c/- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000 The Aims of the Association are: To promote the conservation of Australian birds and their habitats. To encourage interest in, and develop knowledge of the birds of South Australia. To record the results of research in regard to all aspects of bird life. To maintain a public fund called the “Birds SA Conservation Fund” for the specific purpose of supporting the Association’s environmental objects. PRINT POST APPROVED PP532699/00009

A Variety of Hunters

2 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 CONTENTS SAOA COMMITTEE 2011 – 2012 Birds SA Notes & News ………..………….…4 President Jeremy Robertson 8278 1217 Avian Navigation…..……………..…..…….…5 Vice President John Hatch 8362 2820 Past and Future Meetings ...…….………...... 6 Vice President Merilyn Browne 8339 6839 Past Excursions ...…………….…...... …...9 Secretary Brian Blaylock 8370 3349 Treasurer Brian Walker 8263 3433 Important Excursion Notices ……….…..……11 Assistant Secretary Robert Rowland 83881790 Future Excursions …………………...……….12 Journal Editor Colin Rogers 8336 3325 Bird Records …………..……….….…...... ….14 Newsletter Editor Cynthia Pyle 8264 5778 News from the Library ……………….….…..17 Field Program Coordinator Trevor Cowie 8263 2531 Colourful Birds………………………….…...19 Bird Record Secretary Graham Carpenter 8297 5463 CENTRE INSERT Member Lou Bartley-Clements 0418858037 SAOA HISTORICAL SERIES NUMBER 38, Member John Spiers 8333 0272 ERHARD FRANZ BOEHM PART 11 Member Merinda Hyland 8337 3616 Member Lynton Huxley 8278 4313 Member Greg Kerr 7007 3922

DIARY

Following is a list of Birds SA activities for the next few months. Further details of all these activities are given later in the newsletter. FURTHER USEFUL CONTACTS Librarian Karen Donkin 0402123960 Image Librarian John Spiers 8333 0272 Nov 27 Sunday Excursion to Onkaparinga Wetlands email [email protected]  Ongoing Atlas Pat Bowie 8278 6048 Dec 10 Saturday Excursion to Altona Reserve Dec 15 Thursday Excursion to Laratinga Wetlands  RELATED ASSOCIATIONS Jan 14 Saturday Excursion to Paiwalla Wetlands Birds Australia – South East SA Chair Bryan Haywood 8726 8112 Jan 19 Thursday Excursion to Whites Rd. Wetlands Publicity Officer Bob Green 8725 0549 Jan 27 Friday General Meeting Email [email protected] Jan 29 Sunday Excursion to Dry Creek Salt Fields Fleurieu Birdwatchers  Contact Person Judith Dyer 8555 2736 Email [email protected] Feb 11 Saturday Excursion to Laratinga Wetlands Feb 23 Thursday Excursion to Dry Creek Salt Fields WEBSITE www.birdssa.asn.au Feb 24 Friday General Meeting 2011 SAOA SUBSCRIPTIONS Feb 26 Sunday Excursion to Barker Inlet Wetlands Single membership $50  Family/household membership $60 Mar 17 Saturday Excursion to Dry Creek Salt Fields Single concession* $45 Family/household concession* $55 Mar 22 Thursday Hindmarsh River — Victor Harbor Student members (full-time students under 25 years) $10 Mar 30 Friday General Meeting *Pensioners and people experiencing financial hardship can obtain  concessions. Apply in writing to the Treasurer, Birds SA. April 1 Sunday Excursion to Reedy Creek ABN 76 339 976 789 April 7 Saturday Excursion to Dry Creek Salt Fields ADVERTISING IN THE Birds SA Cover photo: Eastern Spinebill, photographed by Kay Parkin at NEWSLETTER Mount Glorious, Queensland in September 2011. SAOA relies on the integrity of advertisers for the quality and nature of their products and services. We cannot guarantee them. Advertising General meetings are held in the Hawker Centre at the Waite is charged as follows: $1.00 per line, up to $20.00 per quarter page and Institute, Waite Road, Urrbrae at 7.45pm. Doors open at 10c per inserted leaflet (single sheet). The committee reserves the right 7.00pm. to lower or waive these fees.

Committee meetings are held at the above venue on the second COPY DEADLINE Monday of each month, starting at 7.30pm. Copy for the February Newsletter is due by the January General Meeting (January 27). Contributions, ‘Word’ format preferred, can be Donations to the Birds SA Conservation Fund are tax- made on CD, or emailed to either of my email addresses, or typed/handwritten neatly. deductible • [email protected] New Members • [email protected] We welcome 8 new members who have recently joined the Association. Their names are listed on p7. Printed by Abbott Printers and Stationer

Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 3 Birds SA Notes & News IMAGE LIBRARY — REQUEST bird organisations in China and Again, only the solitary male was FOR PHOTOS Korea, and finding ways to make sighted. Birds SA is often asked to provide both decision makers and the general To add to the anxiety about habitat photos to be used for various public aware of the ‘migration story’ occupation continuity, on the 19th purposes. An example is a recent and the plight many of our shorebirds October a bushfire burnt through request for photos to be used for face. Any ideas or contributions that Newland Head Conservation Park to notices to be set up along the Gawler you can make to progress these aims within a few hundred metres of the River Walk. I am always grateful to would be welcomed. nesting area. Although the fire burnt receive good quality photos of South In response to requests from over the cliff-edge, CFS and DENR Australian species. In particular I members to follow up on the recent fire crews successfully prevented it need good photos of the following article by Dennis et al. in the South from spreading to threaten the nest. species: Australian Ornithologist on the Since 2005 local Birds SA members • Fairy Martin distribution and status of the white- and DENR staff have worked hard • Australian Hobby bellied sea-eagle and eastern osprey, and effectively to put measures in • Pergrine Falcon letters have been sent to the mayors place to improve the refuge quality • Chestnut-rumped Heathwren of all councils and presiding of the nesting area in Newland Head • any thornbill species members of the Natural Resource Conservation Park. Site protection If you are able to help out please Management Boards across the state measures include: re-routing the contact me on 83330272. The people in which either of these species are Heysen Trail several hundred metres requesting photos are always asked found. In these letters the main inland; a Fly Neighbourly Agreement to acknowledge the photographer in causes of the ongoing decline of the zone where pilots are asked observe any publication or display. species and the need for urgent and altitude and coastline offset distances John Spiers — Image Librarian decisive action were discussed. We when over-flying the area during the included a copy of the paper by breeding season; seasonal restrictions BIRDS SA CONSERVATION Dennis et al. in each letter and on the activities of special interest SUBCOMMITTEE requested that the remaining community groups, such as Friends The letter writing campaign to raise breeding habitat of both species be of Newland Head Conservation Park, awareness about the serious issues protected and managed to minimise SA Rock Climbing Association and faced by migratory waterbirds in the or remove disturbances along the SA Hang Gliding and Para-sailing Yellow Sea has resulted in Birds lines suggested in the paper. Association. An unobtrusive Australia and the Australian Wader The conservation subcommittee is monitoring program continues. With Study Group receiving a series of presently undertaking a thorough all this in place, the sea-eagle pair responses from Tony Burke, the review of the literature on successfully fledged one young in Federal Environment Minister. conservation and ecological issues 2008. Subsequently our representatives had associated with duck hunting and are Local observers are now hoping that meetings with his Assistant Secretary developing a document to facilitate the male eagle will remain to attract in September. The outcome of these discussion on policy. another female into the territory next meetings was very positive and an The next meeting of the conservation year. It seems there is a good chance ongoing dialogue has been subcommittee will be Tuesday 6th of this occurring, as Newland Head established. This is the first positive December. appears to be on a flyway for step in facilitating a federal response Greg Kerr, Convener transient eagles between the to the threats to migratory shorebirds Coorong, Kangaroo Island and through the Yellow Sea. So well FLEURIEU PENINSULA beyond. done to all who were able to find the WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE Terry Dennis and Elizabeth Steele- time to write letters expressing their UPDATE Collins concern! For those Birds SA members who The challenges are many in bringing have shown interest in the welfare of See photographs of the Sea-Eagles about an effective conservation the sea-eagle pair on the Fleurieu on p5. program in the Yellow Sea. To Peninsula the news is not good. The achieve the fundamental objective of pair was last seen together in late preventing further habitat loss much May and only the male has been seen more work is required in such areas in the territory since. On the chance as promoting and undertaking more that there was a new nest site science related to shorebird research somewhere along the cliffs, which with an emphasis on conservation may have explained the absence of outcomes, developing and fostering the female eagle, a boat-based survey relationships with conservation and was conducted in early October.

4 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 Avian Navigation The mystery of bird migration and compounds. As these chains line up field rather than its direction. navigation has intrigued biologists with the Earth’s magnetic field they Australian Silvereyes have been for centuries. How do so many align the bacteria along with them, shown to create magnetic maps. species find their way from their ensuring they swim downwards away Researchers exposed caged birds to a breeding grounds, sometimes half a from oxygen rich waters. In essence strong pulse that altered the world away, to their summer each bacteria is a tiny compass. magnetism of iron crystals in their quarters? In the late 1950s it was Much painstaking work eventually beaks but left the eye compass thought migrating birds used the showed that magnetic crystals occur unaffected. In juvenile birds that had moon and stars to navigate. However in tiny structures in homing pigeons just left the nest this made no when birds caged in a shuttered room and Bobolinks (a sparrow-like North difference, suggesting that the in Germany tried to flee their cages American bird). More recently juvenile birds were relying on the in the same direction, magnetism was similar structures have been found in compass in their eyes whereas considered a possibility. In 1966 a English garden birds and domestic experienced birds were trying to zoologist, Wolfgang Wiltschko, chickens. It now appears that iron- navigate using their mental magnetic showed that powerful magnets could based magneto reception is common map. influence the direction in which to most birds. Recently when night migrating robins tried to escape. He showed Discovering how it works involved thrushes were exposed to artificial that most birds can sense the Earth’s much too detailed physical and magnetic fields at sunset, they flew magnetic field and we now know a chemical investigations to explain in the wrong direction when released wide array of animals from beetles to here but it can be briefly summarised during the night. After seeing the bats and turtles rely on it. Now as follows: Surprisingly birds have next sunset however they corrected researchers think they have worked two magneto-receptors, one in their their courses. It seems that some out how birds sense magnetism and beak and the other in their eye. birds calibrate their magnetic even what they perceive (New Because of the intimate connection compasses against the sun each day. Scientist 27 November 2010, pp 43- between vision and magneto- In the world birds use a whole range 45). reception, birds can literally see of clues for navigation including the An early clue was the discovery that magnetic fields. However the sun and stars, smell and visual some bacteria living on seafloor mud receptors in beaks respond to the landmarks. They are truly navigators. contained chains of crystalline iron change in intensity of the magnetic Bill Matheson.

Last Photograph of the Fleurieu Peninsula Pair of Sub-adult WBSE at White-bellied Sea-Eagles Waitpinga Cliffs Taken by Elizabeth Steel-Collins on Waitpinga Cliffs on Photographed by Elizabeth Steele- 28/5/11 Collins, on 3/10/11 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 5

Past and Future Meetings

PAST GENERAL MEETINGS reptiles, amphibians and insects • Each site must be surveyed at and allow for the dispersal from least three times. Friday July 29 one patch of habitat to another. • Surveys at a single site must be Merilyn Browne introduced Peter • Facilitate dispersal in two ways – done on different days. Gower, who asked Kay Parkin to diffusion dispersal and jump • For each corridor an adjacent speak about her association with the dispersal. control site (what the pre-existing late John Turner. Kay said that John • Lower the probability of land-use was) was also chosen. was a shy gentle man and very extinction due to catastrophic • Sites are surveyed a minimum of humble. He loved photography and events and inbreeding. three times, and continue until a was a keen nature lover. He was Corridor design stopping rule is met. particularly interested in the mallee • Research has shown that Monitoring outcomes around Calperum and Gluepot. He corridors between 40-80m wide The results of these surveys provide did a lot of birding around Australia. will be sufficient within Radiata measures of: Kay said that John was her mentor Pine plantations. • Species richness and a friend. • Corridors within plantations have • Incidence rates of species Peter then showed a series of bird been shown to be of greater value • Comparison between corridor and photographs that John had taken on than those in open areas because its control his many trips using a Panasonic of decreased edge effects. • Change in use by species over Lumix FZ with x1.7 extender or a • The value of a corridor decreases time Canon Power Shot S2 IS camera. A with length, so corridors less than • Which species are benefiting CD of the photographs has been put 2km were considered. from the corridor into the library. Monitoring Between 2006 and 2010, 617 20- Birds were chosen as an indicator of minute surveys have been carried Friday August 28 the success of the corridors for a out, in which 107 species were Merilyn Browne introduced the first number of reasons as they are recorded using the data gathered. of the two speakers for the evening: • Easy to detect and observe This data was analysed and two main Bob Green from Birds Australia • Many species are diurnal themes were investigated: South East. • Many are brightly coloured • The biodiversity value of Bob Green spoke on “Bird making detection easier corridors compared to controls Monitoring in Biodiversity • Many advertise their presence by • Trends in incidence rates in Corridors”. ForestrySA Officer calls relation to planting age Barrie Grigg first raised the South • Can be less labour and time There were significant differences in East Biodiversity Corridors Program intensive to survey for than are species richness and composition in the early 1980s and other groups of animals eg. between the three main habitat types, implementation began in the late reptiles, mammals and corridor, pine and open paddock. 1990s. Corridors are being created invertebrates Within habitats, there was variation between isolated blocks of native The question being asked: in relation to the age of the forest within ForestrySA’s Green “Is the corridor being utilised vegetation. For example, between 0 Triangle pine plantations. It is a long- more than the alternative had the and 2 years old corridor and pine term program with implementation corridor not been implemented” have a species composition very expected to take 25 years. Nine or similar to open paddocks. corridors have been planted so far. Would the pre-existing land use Given the differences related to The South East comprises 2% of the have done the same job? planting age, an analysis was state’s land area but has 42% of Monitoring protocol conducted on “maturing” sites, that is frogs, 42% of plants, 53% of The method chosen was the those four years of age or older, with mammals and 77% of birds. Due to “Standardised Search”, a relatively open paddock sites also included. land clearance, only 13% of native new method for surveying birds. It is • The major difference between vegetation remains (18% in upper SE ideally suited to comparing richness pines and corridors at guild level and 6% in lower SE). Of this of birds in patchy landscapes. was the total absence of canopy ForestrySA has 79,000ha of • 20 minutes was chosen as the foraging insectivores and plantation in the Green Triangle sampling time. nectarivores in pine sites. This region and 13,100ha of Native Forest • Each survey involves wandering feature has also been observed in Reserves. on a random transect through the other studies. Corridors site recording species’ presence • Provide habitat for different and abundance. species of mammals, birds,

6 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 Past and Future Meetings(cont)

• Overall, corridors are on average The second speaker for the evening, abundance decrease with increasing 3.33 species per survey more Laurence Berry from The Fenner isolation. species rich than their pine School of Environment and Society, Of the 28 birds examined at the control sites and 4.38 species per Australian National University species level, only two (Crested survey more species rich than received a grant from the Birds SA Bellbird and Inland Thornbill) their open paddock control. Conservation Fund. His research was appeared to benefit from fire mosaic on “The Effects of Fire Mosaic patchiness. Only 4 other species Species trends Patchiness on Bird Species increased in abundance within the For the species with enough records, Distribution” in the Pinkawillinie fire mosaic there was sufficient statistical power Conservation Park (SE). Findings to detect the following trends in Study questions • Fire events are necessary to relation to planting age: • Is a patch-matrix system maximise biodiversity in the • Increased incidence in corridors operating within fire mosaics? landscape. and present but no apparent trend • Are patchy fire mosaics useful for • A bird’s response to patchiness is in pine controls — Common biodiversity conservation? based upon its ability to use the Bronzewing • Can bird response to fire mosaic recently burnt matrix and the • Incidence decreased at similar patchiness (as defined by area interaction between its life history rates in both corridor and pine and isolation) be explained by traits and the spatial dimensions controls — Australian Pipit Island Biogeography Theory? of the mosaic. • Incidence increased at similar • Does increasing isolation within • Patchy fire mosaics limit the rates in both corridors and the matrix influence matrix use? number and distribution of habitat controls — Golden Whistler, • How do bird species life-history specialists. This is a high White-browed Scrubwren traits influence responses to the conservation priority! • Incidence increased in both size and isolation of unburnt • The effects of fire mosaic corridor and pine control but with patches? patchiness on habitat specialists significantly higher average Six matrix sites with a buffer zone of are analogous to those of habitat incidence rates in corridors — around 500 metres with varying fragmentation. Brown Thornbill, Grey degrees of burnt and unburnt Management implications Currawong, Grey Fantail, Grey vegetation around were selected for • Preserve significant areas of old Shrike-thrush, Yellow-faced the study. growth mallee. Honeyeater, White-eared Extinction pressures are lower in • Maximise the size of unburnt Honeyeater larger patches due to greater resource patches within large burns of • Incidence increased in corridors availability. more than 6ha. but absent in pine controls — Bird community responses to area — • Limit the extent to which unburnt Painted Button-quail, Striated species richness and abundance patches are isolated from other Thornbill, Red Wattlebird, increase with increasing patch area. unburnt patches. Spotted Pardalote, White-naped Bird community responses to Honeyeater, New Holland isolation — species richness and Honeyeater • Recorded in low numbers — Southern Emuwren NEW MEMBERS • Only recorded adjacent to corridors – Swift Parrot We welcome the following new members, who have joined the Association in the • Other species recorded along past few months: corridors included kangaroos and

wallabies, skinks and other reptiles, butterflies, bandicoot and Jane Cooper STREAKY BAY deer Graham Richard & Vicki Parkyn TRURO What the future holds Beverley Marie & William John Harman HENLEY BEACH • More corridors will be established as plantation Linda Hayward & Peter Small SALISBURY HEIGHTS harvesting occurs • Continue monitoring If your name has inadvertently been omitted from this list, please contact our • Publish findings treasurer. His ‘phone number is on p2. • Colour banding and genetic studies

Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 7

Past and Future Meetings (cont) Friday September 23 Razorbills and Puffins). Only nine comparatively new landmass. It is John Hatch introduced Margie Tiller, species of passerine nest regularly, Europe’s second largest island, with who spoke on her personal but another 12 breed occasionally. It glaciers covering 12% of the land, experience birding in Iceland 22nd was a great joy to see many of the recent lava 11%, vegetation 25%, May to 21st June 2007’ — “One waders that visit Australia in their and only 1% is cultivated land. Month Birding in Iceland”. summer breeding plumage; which Volcanic activity is still extensive, I travelled around Iceland with my makes identification so much easier! and of the 130 known volcanoes in French friends Marie-Rose & Irish monks first settled in around Iceland, 30 have erupted in historical Bernard Mocquot, for 31 days during 700 AD and Norse Vikings followed time. Connected to this volcanic the Spring/Summer of 2007, with the late in the 8th Century. The country activity there are many active hope of seeing many of the 73 gained independence from Denmark mineral springs and sulphur hot species of birds which nest regularly in 1944, with the population now springs, with some such as Geysir & there, and perhaps some of the 26 totalling around 300 thousand, most Strokkur erupting at regular intervals. species which nest occasionally. living in or near the capital Steam and hot water from these Our trip started from Hanstholm in Reykjavik in the southwest of the geothermal areas are used Denmark, which was a drive of over island. Their language is Old Norse, extensively for interior heating, 2400 km northeast from Bordeaux but fortunately for us English is making Reykjavik a very clean through France and Germany. Here spoken by almost everyone, which looking city with no smoke billowing we put the campervan onto the ferry was handy when we visited the from chimneys. This was not the case which took 3 days to sail to Iceland Supermarkets and couldn’t read the in the early days of settlement, when via Bergen in Norway, Lerwick in outsides of the packets! most of the trees on the island were the Shetland Islands, Torshaven in Situated in the middle of the North cut down to use for heating and the Faroe Islands, and finally to the Atlantic Ocean, Iceland is volcanic in building purposes. However, there is Eastern Fjord area of Iceland to origin, being essentially a very now an active re-vegetation scheme. Seydisfjordur. prominent peak in the long mountain So, Iceland is amazingly diverse, We drove 4,308 Km altogether chain known as the Mid-Atlantic with glaciers, waterfalls, geothermal around the island and were lucky Ridge, which runs from the Arctic to areas, lava fields and wonderful bird enough to see 67 different species, the Antarctic and was formed by life. and photograph most of them. submarine volcanic activity. Iceland Waterbirds predominate in this lies at the junction of the North FUTURE GENERAL MEETINGS country, with 20 species of swans, American and Eurasian tectonic geese and ducks, together with 11 plates, which are gradually moving General meetings are held in the species of waders. Seven species of apart. The oldest rocks, which are of Charles Hawker building of the gulls nest there as well as five of the dark basaltic lava, are only about 16 Waite Institute on Waite Road North Atlantic Auks (Guillemots, million years old, making it a Urrbrae on the last Friday of every month except December, public holidays or prior to a long weekend. The doors are opened at 7pm

Friday January 27 Michael Huxley — Desert Birds in a Good Year. (video and commentary).

Friday February 24 Phillip Northeast — Defining Habitat: Needs of Declining Woodland Birds for Restoration Programs.

Friday March 30 Merilyn Browne — Owls, Nightjars and other Night Emu Father with Chicks Birds. Photographed by Teresa Jack at Innes National Park on 5/9/11

8 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 Past Excursions Wotton Scrub CP: 13 August Nankeen Kestrel, Australasian Swallows and Scarlet Robins. Not It was a mild day on which17 people Grebe, Australian White Ibis and a everyone made the walk down to the arrived for the trip. The paths were nesting White-faced Heron. Rainbow creek and back up to where the wet in many places along the way Lorikeets, New Holland Honeyeaters remaining silver mine structures are. and the birds seen were of course and Red Wattlebirds were abundant. Birding was slow but overall there MLR species. However we saw two As this park matures it will no doubt were some good sightings. The species that are not normally seen on be a fruitful place for a short survey Orchids had nearly finished these occasions: Boobook Owl and and a good place to have lunch as flowering. We then travelled to Shining Bronze-Cuckoo. Fan-tailed there are toilets (currently portable) Ingilala Falls and our bird count was and Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoos and BBQ facilities. This was a side a pleasing 25, followed by lunch. were also seen. Another species trip after the official Birds SA visit to Teresa Jack enjoyed was Red-browed Finch. Manning Flora and Fauna Reserve. Lunch was at taken at Mt George CP Martyn Price Clements Gap CP: 25 September where the birdcall revealed that 38 In future these two locations will be We formed small group of 12 species had been seen at the Scrub. linked together. Trevor Cowie birders, 3 of whom were from the Pt. Some people then had a look around Pirie area. It was a great pleasure to before leaving for home. Whites Dam CP: 28 August meet up and enjoy the walk together. Trevor Cowie I must say the CP was very green We went in and along the northern with vegetation at its best. It made section for a change and managed to Manning Flora and Fauna Reserve finding the areas to park a trifle record 36 species. Five of these and Gumtree Wetlands: 18 August interesting, as the place was so species were new to my list for the Threat of rain saw 10 hardy souls different from how we have seen it CP. These were Brown Quail, gather for this field trip and we before. 11 members made the trip Painted Button-Quail, Cockatiel, headed to Manning Flora and Fauna and recorded 26 species, some of the Blue-winged Parrot and Rufous Reserve 10 km east of the meeting gems being: Redthroat, Splendid and Songlark. This makes my list 76 point. We experienced a light shower White-winged Fairy Wrens, Blue species, which is remarkable when soon after commencing our survey. Bonnet and Mulga Parrots, Stubble there are little or no large areas of The eastern side of the park was calm Quail and Emu. A number of us went bush close to this CP. Many but as we moved to the ridge and onto Gluepot to find the Painted Australian Ringnecks and an Owlet traversed the western side of the park Honeyeater and Scarlet-chested Nightjar were also seen. the wind picked up with the result Parrot. We all failed on the day. Trevor Cowie that most species were seen early on. Trevor Cowie Highlights were: close-up views of a Aldinga Scrub CP: 15 October Fantailed Cuckoo, as well as Purple- Charleston CP: 10 September There was a good turn-out of 29 crowned and Musk Lorikeets, The weather was variable, the ground people for this walk. We started off Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, Red- was wet /damp and we went together but ended up in different rumped and Elegant Parrots. Tree clockwise for a change. 13 Members areas of the park. We recorded 56 Martins and New Holland arrived to walk around the water species overall. We saw 20 Black- Honeyeaters were numerous, while hazards with one dropping into a tailed Native Hens, 50 Yellow-tailed several large flocks of Silvereyes hole. No damage was done. Between Black-Cockatoos, a pair of Tawny were seen overhead. On leaving the showers, we eventually managed to Frogmouths with one young, Elegant reserve, we were treated to the have lunch and a bird call of 37 Parrots, Crested Shrike-tits, Golden courting activities of a male species. Lorikeets and rosellas were and Rufous Whistlers, White-winged Mistletoebird with several females. in and out of holes trying to find one Trillers, European Goldfinches, In all 38 species were observed. that suited them. Just one Whistler Eastern Spinebills and numerous We left this Reserve and headed to (Golden) was found and 10 Red- Mistletoebirds. All these made for a nearby Gumtree Wetlands. This was rumped Parrots entertained us. great day out with the birds. the first visit by Birds SA to this Trevor Cowie Trevor Cowie location. Although the wind was quite strong and chilling, with Talisker CP — Ingilala Falls: 15 occasional showers, we walked September around the well laid out walking Eleven members and a visitor arrived tracks to survey the newly created to enjoy a perfect weather outing and ponds and surrounds before having a count of 33 species. Not far down lunch. In one hour we observed 28 the track there was a hot-spot with species, including Black-shouldered White-throated Treecreepers, Kite, Collared Sparrowhawk, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, Welcome

Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 9

Past Excursions (cont) Porters Scrub CP: 20 October day, which was 45 species. We Variegated Fairy-wrens. It was a A mild day saw 17 members started in the meeting spot and then good day out! recording 35 species. The park has went on to the area where we had Trevor Cowie been burnt since our visit last year hoped to find Quail-thrush but did and the under-storey is especially not. However, we did find them later. OCTOBER CAMPOUT: Ngarkat thin. This would no doubt account We then went to the ruin, which was CP: 30th September to 4th for the reduced number of fairy- mainly an area for 3 species of Wood October wrens and scrub-wrens observed. As Swallows: Dusky, Masked and This campout was to attempt to find well as our usual walk along the White-browed. We also saw Purple- bird species that were listed as main track we also covered the crowned Lorikeets in this area. Important Bird Area Species under walking trail along the threat via Bird Life northern and eastern edges International and species that of the Scrub. For the most DENR listed for Birds SA to part birds were scarce along advise sightings of and also to the ridge tops but in good provide information for others numbers in the more dense, who carry out specific surveys wetter parts. Highlights within the park. Many species included seven species of have suffered habitat loss honeyeater including Red through multiple fire events. Wattlebird, Yellow-faced, In stating the above it was our Brown-headed, White- intent at this campout to naped, Crescent and New record what we found and to Holland Honeyeaters and enjoy what the park had to Eastern Spinebill. No offer. We recorded 70 raptors were seen. Fan- species, a handful of which tailed Cuckoo and had not been seen for some Horsefield’s and Shining time. Bronze-cuckoos were all The first couple of days were heard. Breeding activity wet and we had a lot of deep was observed with Striated muddy tyre tracks, but the 30 Pardalote and Brown who attended enjoyed the long Thornbill feeding young, weekend. There were birders and Red-browed Finches from Melbourne and Vic SW, were nest building. Grey Birds SE, Fleurieu Fantails and Crimson Birdwatchers and Birds SA. Rosellas were especially A full list of the species numerous. Two Australian recorded at this campout is White Ibis were observed available on Birdpedia flying overhead. Lunch, at www.birdpedia.com and Birds the main gate was SA www.birdssa.asn.au accompanied by the websites. pleasant sounds of Yellow- A few of the species seen faced Honeyeaters and the were: 1 Yellow-tufted loud popping sounds of Honeyeater, Diamond Firetail, gunfire from the nearby Crested Bellbird, Southern shooting range. Brown Treecreeper Scrub-robin, Rufous Martyn Price Photographed by Les Peters at Scott Conservation Fieldwren, Shy and Chestnut- Park on 14/9/11 rumped Heathwren, Mallee Swan Reach CP: 30 Emu-wren, White-necked We then went to the northern section October Heron, Malleefowl and Emu! of the park, which contained good Sixteen birders attended this trip. We I thank everyone who attended for growth of vegetation. Some of the had lunch together but did not do the your efforts and look forward to species seen here were: Brown Quail, bird count as we would be spending birding with you in the future. Regent Parrot, Mulga Parrot, Elegant more time in this CP to cover an Trevor Cowie Parrot, Southern Scrub-robin, additional area of good growth. In fact we continued birding until 3.30 Crested Bellbird, Splendid and p.m. before doing the count for the

10 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 Important Excursion Notices

ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR (baggy not tight). These items • All visitors by prior arrangement. SUMMER should be worn prior to entry. There • After the Saturday and Sunday We draw attention to the summer are concerns about snake numbers at walks (if possible) following protocol with regard to the both sites. lunch and bird call. anticipated hot summer and the state SALT FIELDS INDUCTIONS • At Trevor’s home in St Agnes or of fuel on the ground; and remind The web sites of Birds SA: Tea Tree Gully by prior members that if a fire ban is in effect birdssa.asn.au arrangement (see above). or the temperature is 36C or above in and Birdpedia: birdpedia.com.au • At Birds SA Friday monthly the area of a scheduled walk, the now carry links to obtain the meetings at 6.45pm & 7.20pm. walk is automatically cancelled. documents you need to download, This will not affect Salt Field trips, based on the Birding group with WEB SITES — DOWNLOADS or Laratinga-type sites in towns. which you are financial. In addition to the forms that must be These excursions may proceed. We require you all to download and completed before attending an fill out the following forms prior to induction session, the following EXCURSION REPORTS the day of induction: information can be obtained from the The excursion leader, or another • Induction and Entry Request Birds SA and Birdpedia websites: member of the excursion party, is Form • Maps of the Dry Creek and Price required to provide a report of each • Visitor Induction Record excursion. The report must consist of Salt Fields • Adelaide Ornithologists Club a list of species seen with numbers All members requiring entry into Induction & Entry Request & thereof and a written commentary Cheetham's Price and Dry Creek Visitor Induction Record Forms describing the salient features of the Salt Fields must attend an • Fleurieu Birdwatchers Induction excursion. The report must be sent to induction session. & Entry Request & Visitor the Field Programmes Coordinator Induction Record Form by email ([email protected]) I invite members to come to my • Interstate & Overseas birders in order to provide details to monthly home in Tea Tree Gully by Induction & Entry Request Form. meetings and to ensure that all prearrangement, either by Email: reports are available for the [email protected] or Tel 8263 All enquiries through Trevor Cowie Newsletter by the Monday following 2531. (Field Program Co-ordinator) Tel: 08 the Birds SA meeting or on the Last I am making this offer so that 8263 2531. Email in the first instance Friday of the month whichever is the members who want to go into the salt [email protected]. latest. This allows for inclusion of fields as soon as possible can obtain If unavailable contact Brian Walker the report of the Sunday excursion their authorisation before many of us (Treasurer) Tel: 08 8263 3433. Email for the month, which is always at the will be away on holiday. [email protected] end of the month. Convener: Trevor Cowie Induction sessions will be carried out Email: [email protected] DRY CREEK SALT FIELD as follows. Tel: 08 8263 2531 EXCURSIONS. All current entry cards have now expired. There has been some delay in setting up the new Indemnity Induction, but it is now set up and ready to get underway. Each Individual must now re- apply to be authorised to enter Cheetham Salt Ltd and must carry a valid card of authority prior to entering the Dry Creek and Price Salt Fields. The following changes are applicable to both Dry Creek & Price Salt Fields: – You must wear Hi-Vi jackets, Budgerigars, photographed by Kay Parkin safety glasses, enclosed At Gluepot on 16/10/11 footwear and long trousers

Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 11

Future Excursions Bridge turn left into Globe Derby renewal to be carried out prior to Note: Lists of species recorded at the Drive. Follow this Road to its end, entering the salt fields. locations visited can be reviewed at turn right into Whites road and www.birdpedia.com continue to the end. The park Sunday February 26: Barker inlet entrance is on the left. Note that the & Magazine Road Wetlands (AP) The descriptions below cover a four- main highway access has been (20Km) month period starting from the month altered. The high tide is at 7.20 a.m., so we of the Newsletter. The November meet at Magazine Road car parking edition includes all excursions into Sunday January 29: Dry Creek area at 7.30 a.m. From there we will the Salt Fields (for waders). For Salt Fields (AP) (26km) walk around the ponds and then walk April trips there is a simple one-line This is an early start due to high tide west to the Inlet area, where rubber entry as follows “Saturday April 15 being early that day. Meet by the boots may be the best bet. Here we Dry Creek Salt Fields at 10.30am.” gate at 6.40 a.m. High tide is at 7.02 hope to see waders taking advantage The purpose of this is to let members a.m. Turn west onto St. Kilda Road, of the tide’s ebb and flow. know the dates of all Salt Fields from Port Wakefield Road. Follow excursions so they do not need to the road turning right onto Radar Saturday March 17: Dry Creek phone leaders asking when the Salt Road (dirt and barrier) actually called Salt Fields (AP) (26km) Fields excursions will be. Samphire Road. As per normal This is an early start due to high tide request please bring your two-way being early that day. Meet by the Sunday November 27: Radios if you have them. gate at 7.10 a.m. High tide is at 7.40 Onkaparinga W/L RP (MLR) Note that each individual must be a.m. Turn west onto St. Kilda Road, (32km) authorised by Cheetham Salt Ltd and from Port Wakefield Road. Follow Meet at 7.45am at Port Noarlunga must carry a valid card of authority, the road turning right onto Radar Oval Car Park off Britain Drive. prior to entering the Dry Creek Salt Road (dirt and barrier) actually called Fields, If you do not have authority, Samphire Road. As per normal Saturday December 10: Altona ask Trevor Cowie how you can request please bring your two-way CSR Landcare Reserve (MLR) become authorised. All members Radios if you have them. (55km) require the latest 2011-13 Induction Note that each individual must be Travel through Lyndoch towards renewal to be carried out prior to authorised by Cheetham Salt Ltd and Tanunda. As you leave Lyndoch entering the salt fields. must carry a valid card of authority, town centre take the first turning left prior to entering the Dry Creek Salt into Altona Road, just past the Saturday February 11: Laratinga Fields, If you do not have authority, 100km speed limit sign. We meet at (Mt. Barker) Wetlands (MLR) ask Trevor Cowie how you can 8.15am at the Reserve entrance at the (34km) become authorised. All members top of this road. Meet at 8.15am at the car park on require the latest 2011-13 Induction Bald Hills Road, Mt. Barker. renewal to be carried out prior to Thursday December 15: entering the salt fields Thursday February 23 4th Laratinga (Mt. Barker) Wetlands th (MLR) (34km) Thursday): Dry Creek Salt Fields Thursday March 22 (4 Meet at 8.15am at the car park on (AP) (26km) Thursday): Hindmarsh River — Bald Hills Road, Mt. Barker. This is an early start due to high tide Victor Harbor (MLR) (104km) being early that day. Meet by the Enter Victor Harbor from the North Saturday January 14: Paiwalla gate at 6.40 a.m. High tide is at 7.02 on Victor Harbor Road. At the Wetlands (MM) (88km) a.m. Turn west onto St. Kilda Road, roundabout on the T junction to Port Meet at Sunnyside Lookout at from Port Wakefield Road. Follow Elliott go straight on into Victor on 8.00am. Take the Murray Bridge to the road turning right onto Radar the Hindmarsh Rd. At about 850m on Mannum Road on the eastern side of Road (dirt and barrier) actually called the right prior to the Alexander Samphire Road. As per normal Bridge is a turning into Wattle Drive the river from Murray Bridge. Stay th on this road till just past the turnoff request please bring your two-way (9 road on the right from the to Bowhill on the right. Take the next Radios if you have them. roundabout). Proceed about 200m to turning left to Sunnyside Lookout car Note that each individual must be the meeting place. Start 8.30 a.m. park. authorised by Cheetham Salt Ltd and must carry a valid card of authority, Thursday January 19: Whites prior to entering the Dry Creek Salt Road Wetlands (AP) (16km) Fields, If you do not have authority, Meet at 8.30 a.m.. Head north on the ask Trevor Cowie how you can Port Wakefield Road. At 1.5Km after become authorised. All members passing under the Salisbury Highway require the latest 2011-13 Induction

12 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 Future Excursions (cont) Sunday April 1: Reedy Creek (Waterfalls Reserve) (MM) (85km) Meet at 8 a.m. in the reserve’s car park. The entrance road is on the Mannum side of the bridge over Reedy Creek approximately 7km south of Mannum or 22km north of Murray Bridge. Back roads may still be blocked!

Saturday April 7: Dry Creek Salt Fields (AP) (26km) This is a late start due to high tide being later that day. Meet by the gate at 3 p.m. High tide at 6.10 p.m. and we need to leave by 7.15 p.m. Turn west onto St. Kilda Road, from Port Wakefield Road. Follow the road turning right onto Radar Road (dirt and barrier) actually called Samphire Road. As per normal request please bring your two-way Radios if you have them. Note that each Individual must be authorised by Cheetham Salt Ltd and must carry a valid card of authority, prior to entering the Dry Creek Salt Fields, If you do not have authority, ask Trevor Cowie how you can become authorised. All members require the latest 2011-13 Induction renewal to be carried out prior to entering the salt fields

2020 SHOREBIRD COUNTS These will be held around the following dates/periods or days around the scheduled count. Please contact your normal partners in this venture to verify that you have at least two to carry out the task. Dates I have put together are based upon incoming tides in daylight: Saturday. 3 December 2011. 1.92 @ 8.55am. Sunday. 12 February 2012. 2.16 @ 7.43am. Saturday. 10 March 2012. 2.26 @ 6.43am. New people are welcome to join these counts to learn more about waders. However I do need to be advised of any additional people as Pallid Cuckoo Coming in to Land Birds Australia carries insurance to Photographed by Teresa Jack along the Coorong in July 2011 cover people involved in the 2020 Shorebird counts. So please contact me on 8263 2531. Trevor Cowie

Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 13

Bird Records Records included here are of species 30+, 2/6/11. Bool Lagoon, SE Hardhead listed as ‘uncommon, rarely Bourne, J. & P. 10,000, 5/10/2011. Murray, observed’ or having not previously 15+, 14/7/2011. 7km NE Kingston, Birchmore and Rush Lagoons KI been recorded in the regions of South SE Baxter, C. Australia as shown in the 4th edition Pounsett, S. 800, 11/10/2011. Kingscote Sewage of A Field List of the Birds of South Several, 21/7/2011. Wattle Range, Works KI Australia. Also included are SE Baxter, C. interesting breeding or ecological Hayward, B. 26, 25/9/2011. Port Augusta, Bird notes, new records for a well known 1, 14/8/2011 Eight Mile Creek Rd, Lake NW locality, and first of the season SE Langdon, P. records of migratory species. Bartram, K. 1000, 23/9/2011. 7km NE Warrow, Send all reports to G Carpenter at EP [email protected] or Magpie Goose Peek, J. 82975463 450, 14/9/2011. Bool Lagoon, SE Syson, W. Northern Giant-Petrel Brown Quail 400, 14/9/2011 Struan Agricultural 1, 5/10/2011. Vivonne Bay KI. Further reports from northern and Research Centre, SE Resting on beach eastern regions, including: Syson, W. Baxter, C. 6, 14/8/2011. Bolivar Sewage Works, 10, 22/10/2011 Coorong, Villa dei AP Yumpa, MM Soft-plumaged Petrel Carpenter, G. Greenfield, M. 1, 25/9/2011. Off Port MacDonnell, 4, 8/10/2011. Reeves Plains, AP The re-introduction of this species to MO Steeles, C. the South East commenced at Bool Rogers, C. 1, 11 & 18/9/2011. Lochiel Park Lagoon in 1969 and by 1989 a wetlands, AP population of about 320 had Hoary-headed Grebe Hyland, M. established (see Harper, M. 1990 SA 10,000, 5/10/2011. Murray, 2, 14/9/2011. Altona Scrub, MLR Ornithologist 31:44-47). Birchmore and Rush Lagoons, KI Steeles, C. Baxter, C. 2, 16/10/2011. Hallett Cove CP, Blue-billed Duck MLR 2, 29/10/2011. Freeling Sewage Great Crested Grebe Price, M. & Sharma, A. Works, AP 1, 1/11/2011. Hahndorf, Jones Rd, 2, 23/10/2011. Goolwa Barrage, Steeles, C. MLR Beacon 19, MM 10, 1/11/2011. Hahndorf, Dam near Williams, K. & Snell, B. Syson, W. Jones Rd, MLR 1, 26/8/2011 Murray Bridge Army Snell, B. & Williams, K. Australian Darter Range, MM 1, 27/10/2011. Black Point, YP Doecke, N. Musk Duck Tiller, M. 2 gps, 26/8/2011. Tolderol GR, MM 2, 7/11/2011. Hahndorf, Dam near Rarely reported from Yorke Baxter, C. Jones Rd, MLR Peninsula 1, 12/10/2011. Chowilla Stn, Lock 6, Snell, B. MM Australian Pelican Carpenter, G. & Allan, J. Freckled Duck 150, 26/8/2011. Black Forest. AP 4, 24/10/2011. Mingary Dam LN 20, 1/11/2011. Globe Derby Park, Carpenter, G. Schmidt, L. White Rd Wetland AP Circling high overhead 2, 25/10/2011. Pandappa CP, LN Wood, M. Schmidt, L. 4, 28/10/2011. Mount Barker, White-necked Heron 1, 7/8/2011. White Cliff, 7km E Laratinga Wetlands MLR In influx into southern regions, Koolunga, LN McKenzie, P. & Gould, G. including: Pedler, L. 300, 4/9/2011. Coorlay Lagoon, 1, 26/8/2011. Tanunda, St Hallett 4, 31/7/2011. Clayton River, NE 20km S Roxby Downs NW winery MLR Pedler, L. & J.,Denny, M. Pedler, R. Steeles, C. 2, 25/9/2011. White Cliff, 7km E 1, 23/9/2011. 7km NE Warrow, EP 1, 3/10/2011. Cherry Gardens, 1km S Koolunga, LN Peek, J. MLR Pedler, L.& R. Hands, T. 8, 11/9/2011. Broadview Stn, NW 1, 5/10/2011. Birchmore Lagoon KI Pedler, R.& L.; Rees, J. Baxter, C.

14 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 Bird Records (cont) 1, 16/10/2011. Bridgewater, Arbury Square-tailed Kite 1, 26/8/2011. Hindmarsh Island, Park MLR 2, 9/8/2011. Shannon CP, EP Sugars Beach MM. Bates-Brownsword, C. Bebbington, L. Baxter, C. 1, throughout 10/2011 Macclesfield 2, 27/9/2011. Hale CP, Hale lookout, 2, 11/9/2011. Mount Gambier, MLR MLR Ambrose Ct, SE Gould, L.& T. Stracey, K. & Dodd, L. Rowe, B. & K. 1, 3/11/2011. Altona Landcare 1, 26/10/2011. Elliston, EP Cattle Egret Reserve, MLR Carpenter, G. 13, 19/9/2011. Kindaruar Lagoon, Steeles, C. 5km E Milang MM 1, 13/10/2011. Mount Bold Lewin's Rail Doecke, N. Reservoir, MLR 2, 21/10/2011. Thompson Beach, AP 2, 5/10/2011. Rush Lagoon KI Lawrence, R. Hartland, D. Baxter, C. 1, 2/10/2011. Onkaparinga River, Unusual report away from its typical This species formerly visited the McLaren Vale, MLR dense freshwater habitats Mount Compass area during winter Sawyer, M. & G. but there are no recent records from Baillon's Crake there. Black Kite 2, 20/8/2011. Nelshaby Reservoir, 1, 5/10/2011. SE side of Pelican FR Intermediate Egret Lagoon, KI Jamieson, A. & White, J. 1, 3/9/2011. Globe Derby Park, Baxter, C. 1, 13/10 and 2, 6/11/2011. White Rd wetland AP The second report for Kangaroo Hayborough housing estate, Victor Noble, C. & Walker, B. Island Harbor, MLR Syson, W. Great Egret Grey Falcon 58, 19/9/2011. Kindaruar Lagoon, 1, 12/9/2011. Aroona Valley, Spotless Crake 5km E Milang MM Flinders Ranges NP, FR 2, 1/8/2011. Mambray Creek, FR Doecke, N. Monterola, H. et al. Monterola, H.

Glossy Ibis Buff-banded Rail Painted Button-quail 1, 8/10/2011. Yilki, Encounter Bay. Further reports including: 2, 31/8/2011. Altona Scrub carpark, MLR 1, 30/8/2011. Woodville North, MLR Crocker, J. Woodville Rd, AP Steeles, C. 50+, 20/10/2011. Greenfields Fuss, D. 1, 15 & 26/10/2011. Roseworthy, Wetlands, AP 1, 13/9/2011. Lockleys, Veronica Cr, Pengilly Scrub, AP Stracey, K. AP Steeles, C. 1, 31/10/2011. 33 km NW Ceduna, Smith, P. & P. 2, 21/8/2011. Black Point, YP EP 2, 6/8/2011. Globe Derby Park, Tiller, M. Haywood, B. See photo. White Rd wetland, AP 2, 15/10/2011. Gluepot Stn, S of 8, 31/10/2011. Aldinga Washpool MacIlwain, E. Diesel Dam, MM MLR ad +imm, 7/2011. Waitpinga Cliffs, Steeles, C. & Parkin, K. Crocker, J. MLR Feeding scrapes, 12/10/2011. 1, 3/9/2011. Globe Derby Park, Steele-Collins, E. Chowilla Stn, Chowilla Island, MM White Rd wetland, AP 2, 27/9/2011. Uraidla, MLR Carpenter, G. & Allan, J. Noble, C. & Walker, B. Kleinig, S. This species leaves diagnostic 13, 27/10/2011. Barker Inlet 1, 15/10/2011.Victor Harbor, Inman circular marks (‘platelets’) about wetlands, AP. Symon, R. River, MLR 10cm in diameter when feeding. Cutten, D. Osprey 2, 1/8/2011. Goolwa Sewage Works, Common Sandpiper 1, 16/10/2011. Thompson Beach AP MM 1, 27/8/2011. Tanunda Sewage Jones, K. Snell, B. & Williams, K. Works, MLR several, 26/8/2011. Hogwash Bend, Hartland, D. White-bellied Sea-eagle MM 1 immature, 11/10/2011. Chowilla Earl, H. & I. Grey-tailed Tattler Stn, Chowilla Island MM 1, 26/8/2011. Swan Reach, MM 1, 11/10/2011. Shoal Bay, KI Carpenter, G. & Allan, J. Baxter, C. Baxter, C. 1, 26/8/2011. Wellington, MM Baxter, C.

Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 15

Bird Records (cont) Grey Plover from the Adelaide area are mostly in 1, 16/8/2011. Taylorville Stn, MM 1, 18/9/2011. Lake Bessie, 50km S September, presumably when birds Steeles, C. & Warnes, M. Roxby Downs, NW are retuning. 2, 20/8/2011. Taylorville Stn, MM Pedler, R. Doecke, N. Elegant Parrot The species was previously reported Hooded Plover 5, 9/8/2011. Shannon CP, EP in the Gluepot area in 2000 1 immature, 15/9/2011. Henley Bebbington, L. Beach South, AP Black-chinned Honeyeater Storr, R. Scarlet-chested Parrot 1, 3/10/2011. Point Sturt Rd, MM 40, 19/10/2011. NW of Ceduna, NW Doecke, N. Ruff Mahar, P. et al. 1, 11/9/2011. Coorong, S of Mark Pt, Also several reports of low numbers, Crested Shriketit MM including nesting, at Gluepot Stn. 2, 14/9/2011. Swanport Wetland, Jack, T. MM With Common Greenshanks Little Lorikeet Schmidt, L. 1, 17/6/2011. Telford Scrub CP, SE Curiously this species is rarely Flock Bronzewing Green, R. & T. reported along the River Murray, 700, 19/8/2011. Cowarie Stn., NE despite the presence of its favoured Waanders, P. Red-backed Kingfisher Red Gum woodland habitat 1, 27/9/2011. Hindmarsh, Port Rd, Diamond Dove AP Masked Woodswallow 50+, 12/10/2011. Chowilla Stn, at Burns, A. 24, 29/9/2011. North Cape, KI edge of floodplain, MM Jenner, B. Carpenter, G. & Allan, J. Sacred Kingfisher Few previous records from 1, 29/10/2011. Fullarton, Cremorne Kangaroo Island Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo St, AP 300, 1/8/2011. Goolwa Sewage Horton, P. Olive-backed Oriole Works, MM In lemon tree in suburban garden 1 adult, 9/9/2011. Mungeranie Snell, B. & Williams, K. Wetlands, NE 2, 29/10/2011. Black Forest, AP Rainbow Bee-eater Brittain, R. & Diment, J. Carpenter, G. 2, 28/9/2011. Sturt Gorge NP, MLR See note in previous NL Small flocks have visited the Clarke, D. Adelaide Plains in early summer 8, 15/9/2011. Manningham, AP Grey Currawong over the last few years, although Storr, R. 1, 18/6/2011. Sheidow Park, MLR September is earlier than usual. Flying over Burns, A.

Princess Parrot White-throated Warbler Apostlebird 3, 1/9/2011. Serpentine Lakes, NW 1 immature, 13/8/2011. Mungerannie Nest + young, 18/9/2011. Mambray Robertson, D. Wetland, NE Creek, FR Also 4 seen the next day 4km W of Wood, M. Langdon, P. Western Australian border Not previously reported in the region Slowly expanding its range in the Flinders Ranges Yellow Rosella Western Warbler 1, 14/9/2011. Gluepot Stn, gypsum Pair with nest, 13/10/2011. Chowilla Plum-headed Finch lunette walk, MM Stn, Chowilla Island, MM 10, 10/9/2011. Cooper Creek, Waanders, P. Carpenter, G. & Allan, J. Cullyamurra WH, NE Previously reported nesting at Buckley, K. Blue-winged Parrot Chowilla in 2005 See previous NL for the discovery of 12, 8/10/2011. Reeves Plains, AP 2, 9/8/2011. Shannon CP, EP this species in SA. Steeles, C. Bebbington, L. 23, 21/10/2011. Thompson Beach, Common Mynah AP Olive Whistler 2, 17/9/2011. Adelaide Airport, AP Hartland, D. 1, 16/8/2011. Snow Gum Native Norris, M. It has been suggested that two Forest, SE These birds have not been relocated. populations of this species occur in Haywood, B. A colony of Common Mynahs SA. The one that breeds in the South occurred in the Kilburn and Enfield East winters along the South East Painted Honeyeater districts until the 1970s. coast and Coorong. A second 1, 1/8/2011. Taylorville Stn, 11km S population migrates to the mainland Gluepot, MM from Tasmania, occurring as far Waanders, P. and Franks, T. & J. inland as northeastern SA. Reports

16 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011

News From the Library

598 O52 Olsen, Penny Stray feathers: reflections on the structure, behaviour and evolution of birds / Penny Olsen & Leo Joseph. Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Publishing, 2011. ISBN 9780643094932

Showcases some of the remarkable adaptations of Australian birds. A brief introduction describes how evolution shapes form and function, followed by a series of vignettes illustrating the wondrous variety of forms and functions shaped by evolution.

This is the third in a series of action plans that have been produced at the start of each decade. The book analyses the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status of all the species and subspecies of Australia's birds, including those of the offshore territories. For each bird the size and trend in their population and distribution has been analysed using the latest iteration of IUCN Red List Criteria to determine their risk of extinction. The result is the most authoritative account yet of the status of Australia's birds.

598.298 PEN Pena, Martin de la Birds of southern South America and Antarctica /| Martín R. de la Peña and Maurice Rumboll; illustrated by Gustavo Carrizo ... [et al.] Princeton N.J. : Princeton University Press, 1998 ISBN 0691090351

South America is home to about one-third of the world's bird species. This title illustrates the known species — more than 1,000 of them — in a vast swath of this underexplored birder's paradise, from Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, southern Brazil, and Uruguay to parts of Antarctica.

598.29539 ROB Robson, Craig A field guide to the birds of Thailand / Craig Robson; illustrated by Richard Allen ... [et al.]. London : New Holland, 2002. ISBN 1843300583

This guide has colour artworks and location maps for all of the almost 1000 species covered. It details the identification, voice, breeding, status, habitat and distribution of all the distinctive species and subspecies of the region.

Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011 17

News From the Library (cont)

598.1594 ROT Rothenberg, David Why birds sing: one man's quest to solve an everyday mystery /David Rothenberg. London: Penguin, 2005. ISBN 0141020016

The richness and variety of birdsong is both a scientific mystery and a source of wonder. Combining scientific research with an understanding of musical beauty, this book offers a different look at this natural phenomenon. It explores.

On behalf of the Birds SA Library, we gratefully acknowledge the generous donation of books from the estate of Wendy Wickes.

Karen Donkin (librarian)

Details of Members’ Coloured Photographs

No: Species Photographer Location Date 1 Barn Owl Kay Parkin Near Freeling, SA 14/10/2011 2 Tawny Frogmouth Kay Parkin Near Freeling, SA 14/10/2011 3 Spotted Harrier Teresa Jack South of Warooka SA September 2011 4 Spotted Harrier Teresa Jack Grenfell, NSW June 2011 5 Red-backed Kingfisher Kay Parkin Gluepot SA 16/10/2011 6 Shy Heathwren Les Peters Monarto SA September 2011 7 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Les Peters Monarto SA September 2011 8 Scarlet Honeyeater Kay Parkin Mount Glorious Qld September 2011 9 Budgerigars Kay Parkin Gluepot SA 16/10/11 Chestnut-breasted 10 Greg Dare Lyndhurst SA 16/11/10 Whiteface 11 Rainbow Bee-eater Kay Parkin Mount Glorious Qld September 2011 12 Pink-eared Duck Greg Dare Lake Bindegolly Qld 21/09/2010 13 Great Crested Grebe Greg Dare Lake Bindegolly Qld 21/09/2010 14 Scarlet-chested Parrot Kay Parkin Gluepot 16/10/2011

18 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011

Colourful Birds

6 7

8 9

10 11

19 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011

ADVERTISMENT

20 Birds SA Newsletter, November 2011