YELLOW THROAT the Newsletter of Birdlife Tasmania: a Branch of Birdlife Australia Number 114, Winter 2021

YELLOW THROAT The newsletter of BirdLife Tasmania: a branch of BirdLife Australia Number 114, Winter 2021

The 50th Anniversary of the establishment of the Bird Observers’ Association of Tasmania (later Birds Tasmania and currently BirdLife Tasmania) is a special milestone that should be celebrated in the BirdLife Tasmania community. The AGM on 11 March 2021 provided the opportunity for a wonderful event in recognition of the occasion. Paul Sullivan, the CEO of BirdLife Australia opened the celebratory proceedings (see text p2). Special awards were presented to four members (also see pp 2-3) before a presentation with a difference – several long-time members gave brief personal recol- lections and reflections of their involvement in the organisation. Warren and Sue Jones were the MCs for the event, in which they provided brief background introductions to the roles and contributions of our special guest presenters. We are sharing those contributions with our members, many of whom were unable to attend due to COVID-19 restrictions or other reasons, so that you may either reminisce further or be entertained by some of the stories that are shared here.

1 Paul Sullivan, CEO BirdLife Australia

Thank you for inviting me to your AGM tonight. It feels very weird to be out of Melbourne and not wearing a mask indoors. I want to say 50 years of fighting for conservation in Tasmania is such a wonderful achievement, so I just want to thank everybody that has been involved throughout that journey over the last five decades – just well done for this enormous achievement, and we need to keep in there as there is an enormous job in front of us for the next 50 years.

I first met Eric when I began in this role in 2013, and it became clear to me that BirdLife Tasmania was one of our most active and most dynamically engaged branches in BirdLife. I have said this before – you guys punch well above your weight – and well done. You have got a convenor who is a formidable advocate for Tasmanian birds, and a dynamic committee. The branch is setting the standards for how to apply science, engage the community and bring it all together to save birds. We need to work out what the secrets of your successes are, and scale that up going forward.

Distinguished Service Awards

The BirdLife Australia Distinguished Service Award (BDSA) is a formal acknowledgement of the enormous contribution to Birdlife Australia and its predecessor organisations made by members. It is awarded to a range of members every year in May at the organisation’s AGM. By special arrangement we were able to present them to our two worthy members at the 50th celebration. Congratulations Hazel Britton and Ralph Cooper.

Hazel Britton Hazel Britton has been a member of BirdLife since 2002 and has been organising counts of waders across north-west Tasmania for 17 years, contributing to BirdLife Australia’s Shorebirds 2020, BirdLife Tasmania’s long-term database and as Guardian of the Rubicon Estuary KBA. Hazel ran a collaborative 10-year project to monitor breeding shorebirds on almost 50 sites across the north-west, inspiring 173 volunteers to participate and providing workshops, educa- tion, interpretation and events to engage the public in how they could contribute to the protection of resident shorebirds. Hazel is an outstanding example of how science and engagement together can benefit our birds.

2 Ralph Cooper Ralph Cooper was a founding member of the Bird Observers’ Association of Tasmania (BOAT), now BirdLife Tasmania, and for 50 years has encouraged its members to be involved in collaborative study projects. He has monitored key Tasmanian sites since 1971, providing long-term data that has been widely published and used to evaluate the changing status of bird species in Tasmania. Ralph is the Guardian for two KBAs, contributing to continued monitoring of these important sites, as well as regularly engaging with visitors at his local Tamar Wetlands KBA, where he promotes BirdLife Australia and its conservation programmes.

Special Awards from BirdLife Tasmania

These awards were made to two members who have made a significant contribution which BirdLife Tasmania would like to recognise on this occasion.

Dr Eric Woehler Dr Eric Woehler’s life-long commitment to the Bird Observers’ Association of Tasmania, Birds Tasmania and BirdLife Tasmania is recognised by the award of branch Life Membership. Eric’s contribution epito- mises the original aims of the organisation, to encourage an interest in birds, in organised field work, to take an active interest in conservation matters and to publish an annual Bird Report. His leadership has ensured that these aims have been delivered in a scientifically sound manner, which is the hallmark of informed conservation. Under his stewardship BirdLife Tasmania has moved beyond taking an informed interest in conservation to being Tasmania’s conscience in matters relating to the welfare of birds.

3 Dr Mike Newman – Life Member and RAOU Fellow, BirdLife Tasmania It is impossible to believe that any other person has made a greater contribution to the organisation, both nationally and regionally, as Mike Newman.

Involved in some form with BirdLife Tasmania since its inception 50 years ago, Mike has contributed to the Tasmanian Atlas, and both Atlases of Australian Birds. His lifetime dedication to the conservation of Tasmania's birds and their habitats serves as a unique and most remarkable example of the achievements possible by an individual. To have achieved as much as Mike has in a personal capacity at times defies belief.

BirdLife Tasmania would not be what it is today if it were not for Mike's efforts. Tonight we present him with a small token of our most sincere thanks.

From Left: Barbara and Ralph Cooper, Hazel Britton with Paul Sullivan

4 th A brief story – the 50 Anniversary of the establishment of the Bird Observers’ Association of Tasmania (later Birds Tasmania and currently BirdLife Tasmania)

Our MCs for the night are Warren and Sue Jones Sue and Warren joined BOAT in 1979 after mov- ing (and in Sue’s case, back) from Canberra. They were just in time to get roped in by Mike New- man to do some work on the first Atlas of Aus- tralian Birds and spent some entertaining hours wading through early accounts of Tasmania to find information for the Historical Atlas (did you know that Gould considered Masked Lapwings rare?). They continued to wield binoculars while raising a family and pursuing careers, but have become more active birders following retirement. The Peter Murrell Reserve is their local ‘patch’ where they enjoy doing regular Birdata surveys. Warren assists Mike with the admin- istration of Birdata in Tasmania and Sue is a regular contributor to Yellow Throat. The Bird Observers’ Association of Tasmania (BOAT) was formed in Hobart on 14 December 1970. After about ten years of informal meetings by people interested in birds, Len Wall convened a meeting of members of the Royal Australasian Ornithologists’ Union (RAOU) and the Bird Observers’ Club (BOC). The original committee consisted of Len Wall, David Thomas, Effie Warren and C. Smith.

The stated aims of BOAT were: 1 To encourage an intelligent interest in birds, 2 To encourage organised field work, 3 To take an active interest in conservation matters, 4 To publish an annual Bird Report, in which Tasmanian records of interest not necessarily suitable for scientific major ornithological publications could be recorded, and

5 To form a library. BOAT (named by Len Wall) held its inaugural meeting on 26 March 1971. David Thomas was elected President, David Milledge Vice President and Len Wall Honorary Secretary/Treasurer. Committee included Effie Warren and Mike Newman.

Some of the audience at the AGM

5 Our first guest is Dr Mike Newman, one of the founding members of BOAT. He was the first editor of the Tasmanian Bird Report (TBR) , one of the early presidents, and, for the first five years, the keeper of the System- atic List published in the Tasmanian Bird Report. He has championed the role of the amateur in coordinated studies such as atlassing, wader counts and nest-record schemes. Much of his work involved oystercatchers in the Hobart area, and he was extensively involved in the Shorebird Study Group’s banding activities during the 1980s. He was on the RAOU Council, including a period as Vice President, and was chair of the Research Com- mittee. He returned to Tasmania in 2014 after a few years interstate, and as you know he has been very active since then. He is a Fellow of the RAOU and was awarded the Birdlife Australia Hobbs Medal for amateur ornithology in 2012. Mike was the regional co-ordinator for Tasmania in Atlas 1.

What were some of the exciting things you remember from the early days of BOAT? Mike Newman

When BOAT was launched, we were heavily reliant on the experience and leadership of David Thomas and Len Wall for inspiration. The 1970s were a decade of opportunity; starting from a blank sheet with a chance to set something lasting in place. There was excitement, there was cooperation where anything that was seemingly impossible became possible, fuelled by the smell of an oily rag. We set in place the cornerstones of BOAT’s aim to advance the knowledge and conservation of Tasmanian birds. It was for me perhaps the halcyon era of amateur ornithology in Australia. One of our foundation aims was to produce the Bird Report. The first one was produced in 1972 and the series continues, with number 41 in preparation. The early reports were sparse, but its popularity has grown over the years with a number of people now contributing. One aim successfully achieved. Earlier, Eric told us about David Thomas’ shorebird studies and how they established a marvellous inventory of the birds in the Derwent Estuary back in the 1960s. To build on the legacy, Alan Fletcher and I did the first wader counts in 1972. The latest ones in the Derwent and Pitt Water have 20 people involved and it has grown state-wide: as Eric has said, we have the longest shorebird data sets in Australia. These counts have been very important, not only in showing Thomas’s vision of Tasmania at the end of the flyway being a litmus of what’s happening globally, but very helpful in establishing the flyway population estimate. However, for me the greatest excitement was the first Atlas of Australia’s birds. Now if you think back to the challenge of trying to emulate what the Brits had done in the UK, it was a big challenge. The ratio of birdwatchers to birds is about 10,000 times greater in the UK than it is in Australia. But our wonderful people, many here tonight, took it on in this enormous spirit of collaboration. Parks and Wildlife people in all sorts of roles got involved. Forestry Department timber assessors broadened their scope and became birdwatchers, very good ones. After five years we had Atlas records for every bit of Tasmania. To put this into perspective: Australia produced a continental Bird Atlas before North America. We did it, and don’t let anyone tell you that you need to have a mobile phone to atlas: they weren’t even invented! A eureka moment occurred at an Atlas campout held at Strahan. We organised four car-loads of people to go down by Strahan Aerodrome to listen for Ground Parrots, which call at dusk. When we got back to the hall and shared our experiences, Dick Hoare got up and said he had heard one bird calling persistently from the same spot. He walked out over the buttongrass plain and found a nest. That was the first Ground Parrot nest that had been found in 22 years, and it’s all written up in the Bird Report. The BOAT people of the 1970s were amazing!

6 Next, one of the original members who has taken part in counts and surveys since 1971, a remarkable record. Ralph Cooper was born in Blackburn UK. He arrived in Tasmania in 1971, joining BOAT in its first year, and has taken part in many counts and surveys since. He is particularly interested in waders. Ralph has surveyed the Tamar River and north-east Tasmania, including Cape Portland, for more than 40 years. Other interests include woodland bird surveys for both Atlases and monitoring the distribution of Banded Lapwings in northern Tasmania. He was also involved in the vetting of Atlas 1 and 2. We are thrilled he can be here with us tonight.

Tell us about the long data set and work-up in the Cape Portland area. Ralph Cooper

Barbara and I began to do surveys at the Cape in the 1970s, which involved camping at Little Musselroe Bay. Later, a friendly farm manager suggested that his two bird-crazed 'pommies' bring a caravan and put it on site, which then became a welcome base for many years. Eventually this was superseded by ac- commodation at a friend's shack on the Coastal Reserve. So, surveys were supported by increasing luxury! Checking my survey dates, I find 428 surveys from late 1975 to 2020. Given that many surveys involved two days, it all adds up to years spent at the Cape! Usual- ly the second day was largely devoted to wildfowl surveys and to birdlife in general. Early in the development stage of the Musselroe Wind Farm an offer of employment by Hydro Tasmania was of course accepted. This opened the way to continued survey work in this restricted area and by this time Barbara was no longer going with me. Friendly relations with the wind farm staff made it easy to pass on access to my successor. From the early 1980s, the primary focus has been on waders. Counts have been highly structured and coordinated with wader surveys elsewhere in Tasmania for the summer and winter counts. Data from the Cape was used in the first Atlas of Australian Birds and in the new atlas. Some flexibility in survey dates has allowed surveys to take place at George Town within a few days. All data has gone into Birdata from 1998 onwards. The long data set from Cape Portland has been made possible through the indulgence of long-time property owner Hughie Mills, and various managers, farm staff and, in particular, the support and interest from the management of Musselroe Wind Farm.

Priscilla Park.

Perhaps more than any other Tasmanian birder, Priscilla Park’s life has revolved around birds. In any discussion of conservation issues, she will always remind you that ‘the birds must come first.’ Priscilla was one of the original members of BOAT and has lobbied state and local governments for bird habitat improve- ment or protection over many decades. Priscilla was extensively involved in the Shorebird Study Group’s banding activities during the 1980s. As a result of her conservation efforts she was awarded the Professor Harry Bloom Memorial Award for Environmental Excellence in 2002. Priscilla was also awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2007. She also has a strong rec- Photo by Perviz Marker ord of involving and guiding young members of BOAT on recording behavioural observations and on bird- banding techniques. Priscilla Park could not be with us this evening.

7 David Rounsevell came to Tasmania from South Australia, worked in the Antarctic, and had a wide range of zoological interests. He worked as a Senior Zoologist in the Wildlife Division of the Tasmania Parks and Wild- life Service and made numerous contributions to the BOAT Newsletter and the Tasmanian Bird Report. He has published more than 70 papers and notes on natural history. David was a member from 1976–1996. He held various positions on the committee, including BOAT President from 1980–83, and in that time built the con- nection between BOAT and PWS. David now lives in Qld.

(David could not be with us this evening but sent in a recording for the event –Ed)

What are some of your highlights that you remember from your BOAT days? David Rounsevell

Hello!... to all Bird Observers Association of Tasmania members. I wish you well in your 50th year. My name is David Rounsevell and I was one of your previous Presidents in the early 1980s – too long ago for many. There’s much to celebrate as a group and as individuals, your achievements have registered for years in all spheres: local, state, national and beyond. They fulfilled the goals of the association many times over and congratulations are long overdue.

I’m a mainlander who joined BOAT and the former Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service from 1976 to 1997. I’m now a mainlander again and sub- scribe to Yellow Throat to follow your good works. In the 1970s, happily, ‘Parks and Wildlife’ favoured Atlasing by the inaugural BOAT members and continued by BirdLife Australia (formerly RAOU), your affiliate. It wel- comed publication of hard-won scientific data to support its actions and policies. Such common interests made the 1981 RAOU congress campout at Maria Island easy for BOAT to host, for example. The goodwill carried through to the 1993 RAOU Congress that included seabird trips from Ea- Photo provided by David Rounsevell glehawk Neck and has continued. When World Wildlife Fund Australia was formed in 1978, Parks and Wildlife competed for funds to initiate active research and management for the Forty-Spotted Pardalote and Orange-bellied Parrot; work that continues today. The data generated, the IUCN listing of endangered species and the federally funded action planning process all drove community inclusion and success not otherwise possible for these and other threatened species. Coordinating these matters always fully involved BOAT members. The ongoing need for staff and successful external funding attracted University of Tasmania students to BOAT and Parks and Wildlife. Some found enduring interest in birds and remain committed. The forum of BOAT and the actions of members informed community and government of long-term issues. Your participation in teach- ing, surveys and recovery teams helps authorities and communities to be actively bird conscious and to protect the environment. BOAT publications provide scientific information for the action for community and government need to conserve birds. Scientific observation of birds and their habitats is important in the conservation of all nature including us, especially now. Today, I see a group of dedicated members actively steering BOAT towards significant and healthy interest in the future of birds and the environment. Might I congratulate all of you again, including those other office bearers who have helped steer BOAT to this milestone. You know who you are. Enjoy your celebration and achievements, I wish you well and the birds of Tasmania and yourselves a bright future.

8 Peter Duckworth lives at Bridport with his wife, Pat. Peter worked for the Forestry Commission for many years and made a substantial contribution to both Atlases by organising Forestry personnel to undertake Atlas surveys statewide. He has a strong interest in disseminating information about birds, and he has given many talks to schools and community groups over many decades. He has notes published in the BOAT Newsletter.

(Peter could not be with us this evening but sent in a recording for the event –Ed)

Tell us about your days in Forestry and how that influenced you to take up birdwatching. Peter Duckworth

I feel that one of my significant contributions to the conservation of birds in Aus- tralia was involvement in the field atlases. Pat also contributed by looking through historical records and gave support on field recording. As many of you know, I worked for Forestry Tasmania for 40 years as a planner. In those days we had nine management stations around Tasmania from west to east and many staff were keen bushwalkers. Prior to the first Atlas, our systems analyst Ken Harris had organised us into collecting bird sightings during our daily work by providing us with field sheets for wet forest, dry forest and rainforest. These were to contribute to the BOAT atlas scheme and based on the 10 km grid of David Thomas’s atlas. As the field par- Photo by Perviz Marker ties knew where they were in the bush, it was highly successful. Of course, the teams were adept in filling in field sheets for inventory purposes so one more tick on a sheet was easy for them. Support from FT was significant as each station had a copy of the two-volume Slater, and Ken to help. Ken also produced regular distribution maps. We were also very lucky to have Len Wall who would visit us in the bush to sort species like Tasmanian and Brown Thornbills – always a pain when you are new at it. Then came the first RAOU Atlas and we took that on easily even at a different grid. I think at one stage the management stations contributed about 20% of the Tasmanian records. The Atlas organisers even complimented the data entry boys for their accuracy. “Have you seen a 125 or a 133?” When the second Atlas came around the method of stratified random sampling and the requirement to use timed plots made it impossible for the teams to add to the daily inventory work. Rather a shame as they were very proud of their skills. I enjoyed the second Atlas as you could travel anywhere in Australia and put in plots as you went, so there was never a dull moment. Locally, the hours spent on identifying waders and the long walks around Cape Portland with Ralph Cooper were really enjoyable. The disappointments were seeing my two-hectare plots on farmland cleared for grass- land, the roadside trees removed for new fencing and, if you are a wader watcher, the destruction of the coastal habitat by uncontrolled activity. Somehow the birds survive. Another disappointment was when we lived in central Africa with no bird books except for the postage stamp pictures in Roberts’ Birds of South Africa and I couldn’t get a copy. However, a game ranger I knew was a collec- tor of birds for the British Museum. He had drawers full of little skins but wouldn’t part with any knowledge. Great shame. After being given an interest in birds by my mother at an early age it has been great later in life to belong to the club in Tasmania and meet such lovely people.

9 Bob Patterson joined BOAT in 1975. He lived at Fern Tree for many years where he undertook an extensive banding program to examine movements of woodland birds, and in particular currawongs. Bob was extensively involved in the Shorebird Study Group’s banding activities during the 1980s. Bob edited and produced the annual Systematic List for Tasmania for a period of ten years from 1982 to 1991. His particular interest was in the identification of rare species in Australia during the eight-year period that he chaired the RAOU Records Appraisal Committee up to, I think, 1996. We are delighted that Bob is able to join us.

Tell us about the longest distance movements for Black Currawong flight and also Grey Currawong. Bob Patterson

I banded about 100 Black and Grey Currawongs at my home in Fern Tree between 1988 and 1995, but I’m not aware of long-distance flight movements resulting from these studies. However, currawongs do form winter foraging flocks which may move relatively short distances out of the breeding range. It was then that I regularly found mixed flocks of up to 40 birds of both species in my garden in Summerleas Road. Grey Currawongs foraged short distances from the drier more open habitat in the Ridgeway area. Black Currawongs, breeding on the mountain at the higher level between Fern Tree and the Springs, certain- ly appear to be altitudinal migrants and these flocks may move farther afield. I remember seeing substantial flocks of this species each winter when growing up on Mt Nelson, and I see similar flocks now near my home in suburban South Hobart, advertising their presence with their strident calls. I used a drop trap in my Fern Tree garden to capture currawongs, and they ap- peared to recognise the risk they faced, but couldn’t resist making short dashes under to take the food. However once captured, they seemed very trusting during the banding and measuring process and were not in any way deterred from returning for food. Lovely birds!

Ah, the good old days! Photos by Alan Fletcher 10 Richard Ashby is one of the longest serving contributors to Atlas 2 in Tasmania. He lives at Sisters Beach. Rich- ard discovered many of the important shorebird roosts in the Robbins Passage/Boullanger Bay area in perhaps the only way possible – in a kayak during weather conditions that at times were less than ideal! He has been involved in the Summer and Winter Wader Counts in the north-west for many decades. Richard is an avid contributor of Birdata surveys, entering well over 760 surveys just in the last year.

What drives you to keep entering data into Birdata? Richard Ashby

I love being out in the landscape, gazing at distant horizons, listening to wind in the leaves and to the birds telling each other ‘I’m here’, ‘There’s food here’, ‘Danger nearby’ or ‘This is my patch. Keep out!’ I’ve been walking in Tasmania for 50 years, sea kayaking for 45, birding for 40, sending unusual sightings formerly in to the Systematic List in the Tas Bird Report and writing an occasional article. Then along came the second Atlas. Every single sighting I made, no matter how ordinary or routine, could be documented as long as it was part of a disciplined, repeatable survey in a fixed space over a defined time. Sites visited monthly, over a period of years using the same survey methods, began to show trends in reporting rates of species, im- plying population changes in response to climate change, landscape modification, interspecies competition, etc.

The Atlas, since morphed into Birdata (in which contributors have a certain amount of editorial control over their own entries), has transformed my most satisfying hobby into a tool for the common good. Even after I’m long dead, my data, along with those of many others, will be a kind of legacy, a tool to help future generations measure anthropocentric change to the natural environment which, in the main is, sadly, deleterious. Where do you like surveying the most?

With Birdata, all surveying habitats are significant but obviously the more complex and unspoiled, the greater the range of avifauna that can share the benefits on offer. Old-growth forest and woodland are excellent candi- dates if you’re good on calls. Lonely spits on tidal marshes are roosts for all manner of resident and migratory shorebirds but there’s a bit of work involved sorting out the huddled masses in non-breeding plumages. Yet you never know what might just turn up from the other side of the world. Shallow lagoons, farm dams and sewage ponds can be very rewarding, especially with muddy edges. Water birds are generally nomadic and can be erup- tive. Perhaps sewage ponds take the cake!

11 In the 1990s, the character of BOAT began to change. The RAOU became Birds Australia, and throughout Aus- tralia there was a general push towards an increased focus on conservation. Talks were initiated with Birds Aus- tralia in Melbourne, and it was decided at the end of 1995 that BOAT would join Birds Australia. After 25 years, BOAT as an organisation ceased to exist and Birds Tasmania, a regional group of Birds Australia, took on a new role, a veritable phoenix born from its own ashes. Dr Sally Bryant worked professionally for over 30 years as a wildlife scientist commencing in 1989 with the Tasmanian Government managing threatened species then as Science Manager with the Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC). Sally’s research spans theoretical conservation science with on-ground application specialis- ing in threatened species, mainly birds. Sally has authored and co-authored several books, book chapters, published numerous peer-reviewed papers, reports and articles on wildlife conservation. In 2020 she became a Research Fellow with the TLC, and Honorary Editor of the Papers and Proceedings for the Royal Society of Tasmania.

As President at that time, what prompted you to make the transition? What were some of the challenges? Sally Bryant

Most of 1995 was devoted to negotiating the amalgamation of BOAT with the RAOU (now Birdlife Australia). Given BOAT’s long history, members had justifia- ble concerns about loss of identify and independence and less funding for local projects as only a portion of membership fees would be returned to the group. As of December 1995, BOAT had 136 financial members, $1,790 in the bank and was responsible for regular meetings, outings, special projects, newsletter, Bird Report and Systematic List, just as it is today. Committee members at that time included me as president, Raymond Brereton, David Rounsevell, John Moverley, Cathie Plowman, Richard Donaghy and Dave Watts aided by long-term stalwarts Priscilla Park, Ralph Cooper, Peter Duckworth, Denis Abbott and Eric Woehler. Despite the uncertainties, there was overwhelmingly agreement that if we were to increase public and government support for bird conservation in Tasmania, we needed to grow and expand our impact, so becoming part of a national organisation could only be good thing. The amalgamation proceeded seamlessly and in June 1996, Newsletter No. 1 with the new name ‘Birds Tasmania’ was officially announced. Twenty-five years on, BirdLife Australia has become Australia’s largest, independent, not-for-profit organisation with more than 12,000 members and 180,000 supporters, 700 of which are in Birds Tasmania. BirdLife Tasmania is recognised as a key driver of bird conservation in this state, and while our work remains local, our contribution to programs such as KBAs, threatened species programs, Action Plan for Australia’s Birds, migratory shorebirds, Birds in Backyards, Birdata and so on, has enabled the plight of Tasmania’s birds to be heard across Australia and globally. It was the right decision.

12 Andrew Darby is perhaps best known for his most recent book, Flight Lines, published in 2020. The book is a remarkable narrative on the Grey Plover, with a strong personal thread woven through the text. Andrew has been involved in surveys for many years and has maintained our social media presence on Twitter since its inception by BirdLife Tasmania. He has a driving passion for the conservation of our birds, and those that visit Tasmania from Siberia annually.

What was the most powerful insight you experienced in the writing of Flight Lines? Andrew Darby

In the tropical evenings of March–April, you can sit on the low cliffs of Yawuru Nagulagan/Roebuck Bay as the sun sets and watch migration. Shorebirds, having spent their southern summer on the sprawling tidal flats near Broome, lift in flocks, called back to their Arctic breeding grounds. You might be there in the week that Bar-tailed Godwits are on the move, flocks rising and settling in excited chatter before 100 or more will strike out north in a loose skein, stretching and condensing through invisible dimensions of air cur- rent like a bicycle race peloton flowing along a curving road. You might watch them into the enveloping blue-black cloak above the bay until they are just a glint, way up, caught by the last of the setting sun. Tiny sparks. Gone. Traced by leg bands, documented by geolocators, followed near real-time when fitted with satellite transmit- ters or just counted as a flock member, each of these birds – these sparks of light – can be a data point. Work by migratory shorebird researchers along the East Asia–Australasian Flyway is now so data-rich that we know without question that these birds are declining, mainly due to feeding-habitat loss. We know exactly what the problem is, so we can begin to solve it. I first began to watch large flocks of migratory shorebirds gather on the coast of Boullanger Bay, north-west Tasmania, under the guidance of BirdLife Tasmania members who could instantly pick differences between species, count by tens or hundreds, and funnel their numbers into a data set solid enough to mean a difference to their survival in that bay. Without data, science is just conjecture. With it comes power.

13 Dr Rosemary Sandford was an Executive Committee member for more than a decade and has a long-standing interest in environmental conservation and dispute resolution. Drawing on her extensive experience working at the highest levels of state government (Rosemary was the Senior Policy Advisor to the late Premier Jim Bacon), she provided valuable insights for our dealings with the Tasmanian Government. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1990 to attend Harvard Law School, to study environmental dispute resolution and the implementation of international environmental treaties/conventions including Ramsar, CITES and CCAMLR.

Tell us about the importance of corporate memory in community groups. Rosemary Sandford

In my experience, the development and retention of corporate memory is a major contributor to the success of groups and organisations, be they public, private or community organisations. Corporate memory includes the knowledge, skills and wisdom, formal and informal, accumulated by an organisation through good times and bad. It is a significant factor in the effectiveness and influence of community groups, such as BirdLife Tasmania (BT).

Governments and politicians rely on input and advice from communities and their representative organisations to develop and implement government policies. A government’s success or failure depends on those who vote. As members of community groups vote, governments know it is risky to ignore them. In the case of BT, its reservoir of many decades of scientific research and knowledge, including from community surveys and bird counts, is what underpins its credibility at all levels of government and internationally. The cumulative data sets and field-work expertise of BirdLife Tasmania, together with its network of relationships, constitute the core of the group’s memory bank and sphere of influence. Not to be forgotten as an essential component of corporate memory, is BTs stockpile of relationships pains- takingly built up over many years with successive local, state and national governments, community and international organisations.

Sustainable relationships are built on RESPECT and TRUST. This is the glue that binds all successful community groups. For BT to continue its success as a valued source of credible scientific and community advice in the interests of Tasmanian birds and habitat conservation, it must retain the trust and support of its members, as well as the trust of government. No matter the state of BLT or BLA dynamics, as Priscilla Park reminds us, ‘The birds MUST come first’.

Some more of the audience at the AGM 14 Dr Eric Woehler joined BOAT in 1980 and Birds Australia in 1983. He has been committed to the conservation of birds in Tasmania, particularly seabirds and shorebirds, undertaking research, long-term surveys and monitoring and supervising almost 40 higher degree students.

Concluding comments Eric Woehler

The efforts of all members since 1971, both those mentioned tonight explicitly and all others who have contributed in some way over the years, have, without doubt, laid truly strong foundations for the organisation for the next 50 years. The founding members could not have dreamt of the spectrum of threats and issues facing Tasmania’s birds and their habitats today when the group met in 1971. No doubt the same is true for us today – what threats and issues will the members of the group be dealing with in 2071? We cannot possibly begin to imagine! The long term, decadal scale scientific data sets we now have will become critical to all future efforts to conserve Tasmania’s remarkable birds and their habitats. It is critical to continue them to ensure we can provide the strongest possible voices for our birds – no-one else will – we are their voice; they rely on us. The annual State of Tasmania’s Birds – highlighting specific groups of birds in Tasmania in turn – will serve as the foundations for future analyses and assessments as they provide clear sig- nals on the state of the health of Tasmania’s birds today. Tasmania’s birds, as are we, are in debt to Mike Newman’s vision, efforts and persistence. From the humble beginnings 50 years ago, that a community-based group of volunteers has done so much, with the roles and influence it now has, is truly remarkable. There can be no doubt that the birds in Tasmania have benefited from our efforts over that time. Our efforts must not lapse, our voice must be strong. The pro- spects for our birds if we do not cannot be imagined. Thank you all for your commitment to the conservation of the birds of Tasmania. Your efforts have made a difference.

Honour Roll Finally we recognise people who are no longer with us but have contributed significantly to BOAT, Birds Tasma- nia and BirdLife Tasmania over the years and are honoured here.

Michael Sharland Don Jones (1987) (2010) David Thomas Bill Wakefield (1996) (2011) Maggie Wakefield Nigel Burgess (2001) (2011) Len Wall Mavis Burgess (2004) (2013) Irynej Skira Bob Green (2005) (2013) Marjorie Wall Jim Napier (2009) (2013) Peter Britton Denys Walter (2009) (2017)

15 Some of the attendees at the AGM.

16 Six presidents of the organisation present with Paul Sullivan. From left: Mike Newman, Paul Sullivan, Bob Patterson, Sally Bryant, Eric Woehler, Denis Abbott, Alan Fletcher.

All photos from the AGM are by Steve Broadbent unless otherwise noted.

BirdLife Tas 50th anniversary calendar of events in 2021

Date Event General meeting: talks on endangered 8 July birds 12 – 14 November Camp-out Maria Island

17 CONTRIBUTING TO CONSERVATION THROUGH BIRDWATCHING

The first in a series of Yellow Throat articles that will explore how birdwatching is useful in providing science-based evidence for decision making that promotes conservation.

Purposeful birdwatching Mike Newman

The wellbeing of Tasmanian birds is a concern for many of our members, perhaps most. They want to know what is happening to Tasmanian birds and want to contribute to their conservation. So how can we harness their efforts to maximum effect?

BirdLife Australia (BLA) runs several programs involving the membership that aim to address the conservation needs of Australian birds. This tradition dates back to projects initiated by the Royal Australasian Orni- thologists Union in the 1960s. Supporting those projects was a foundation ethic of Birdlife Tasmania when it was formed 50 years ago. Those who attended the recent AGM celebrating the 50th anniversary could only be impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm projected by past stalwarts of our branch as they spoke briefly about the challenges and their experiences as the pioneers of early studies like the first Atlas of Aus- tralian Birds. For some, their endeavours are ongoing; perhaps passion contributes to personal longevity.

Great collaborative projects have simple, easily understood objectives and outcomes. Participants enjoy the activity, receive regular feedback on progress and are spurred on by association with success. The first Aus- tralian Atlas was the quintessential ‘Great Project’; our local goal was straightforward, putting boots and binoculars on the ground to find out where Tasmania’s birds lived throughout the state. It culminated in the publication of a book, in which all the atlassers were named; for many being named in an important publication was a unique experience. Indeed, such was the impact of this project, that the term atlasser became common usage in the Australian dictionary. Twenty years later, when the national Atlas project was revisited, the objectives had changed. The new goals were to not only find out whether bird distributions had changed, but also whether they were more or less plentiful. Although still well supported, the more complicated and prescriptive methods of data collection in the second Atlas were not always understood, or as whole-heartedly embraced, as in the earlier Atlas. Nevertheless, the second Atlas provided two important messages. Firstly, Australia’s bird populations were changing, often adversely, and secondly, that it is hard to sell complicated projects to the community. With an ever-growing awareness of the plight of Australia’s birds it was decided to continue collecting atlas data, but for the primary purpose of measuring changes in the abundance of bird populations. The atlas was re-branded as Birdata and the monitoring of birds became ongoing. However, with hindsight, Birdata lacked sufficient ongoing promotion and constant feedback on its results.

18 Consequently, it lost momentum, other than with a few dedicated stalwarts, especially Richard Ashby, Ralph Cooper, Peter Duckworth and more recently Albert and Robin Nichols. BirdLife Tasmania identified these issues and set about addressing them through increased local ownership of data and promotion. The first step was the development of the State of Tasmania’s Birds series, which is published annually in the Tasmanian Bird Report and showcases the work of the previously mentioned stalwarts. Five-minute Birdata talks were initiated at our General Meetings and members were encouraged to start their own monitoring project and talk about their results (for example, Birdata monitoring by Sue and Warren Jones and others in the Peter Murrell Reserve). There were regular articles in the Yellow Throat newsletter (YT) and continual snippets of Birdata information in the recently introduced e-Bulletin. Guess what, it worked! Birdata participation has tripled, highlighting the importance of having local champions, maintaining a high profile with evidence of worthwhile outcomes. As an example, those present at the AGM will remember Richard Ashby, arguably Tasmania’s most dedicated atlasser, commenting on how the use of his data had spurred him on. The ultimate measure of the success of Birdata is its contribution to the effective conservation of Tasmania’s birds. During 2020 the Action Plan for Australia’s Birds received its decadal review. Birdata was pivotal to the revision of the status of Tasmania’s bird species. When the revision is published later this year it will help deter- mine the priorities for bird conservation throughout Australia. Through this process, Birdata has proactively identified species with previously unacknowledged conservation concerns, providing opportunities for early intervention before their plight is critical. Our volunteers have an ongoing role to play in tracking the wellbeing of these species, understanding the cause of their decline and hopefully demonstrating they are on a path to recovery. BLA has also developed bird monitoring projects for people who live in cities and have limited capacity for travel. They include the Birds in Backyards project (BIBY) and the Back Yard Bird Count (BYBC). Both these projects mainly involve studying birds in cities and understanding how we can better manage urban environments to support their bird populations. BIBY is an increasingly well-supported and worthwhile endeavour. The BYBC count is more of a fun activity and excellent for involving families. However, neither of these projects contributes to the analysis of Birdata and initiatives like the Action Plan for Australia’s Birds that drive the national bird conservation agenda, so we encourage people who have enjoyed these activities to also get involved in Birdata. In future YT articles we will provide insights into how you can most effectively dedicate your time to birdwatching with a conservation purpose. In addition, we will discuss the hurdles involved in providing science-based evidence to convince decision makers entrusted with sustaining our bird communities for future generations to enjoy.

White-faced Heron: Photo by Helen Cunningham 19 The Importance of Small Reserves. By Dr Richard Donaghey and Sarah Lloyd OAM

Throughout the 1980s there was considerable debate by conservation biologists about whether it's better for birds to have single large or several small, conservation reserves. It’s now recognised that although large reserves are more desirable, small reserves are also very important. However, to keep small reserves viable and maintain species diversity, it’s important to protect and/or restore connections in the landscape. Bird populations need additional individuals each year (either through birth, maturation or immigration) to survive, especially in small reserves. Most immature birds disperse from their natal (i.e. birth) territory so they need habitat corridors to Yellow-throated Honeyeater move through the landscape. Ideally, patches of vegetation are linked by corridors at least 50 metres wide, with gaps of no more than 100 metres. If reserves become too isolated, dispersal from birth sites to new habitats is risky. Tasmania's reserves vary greatly in size. The 40-hectare wet forest reserve at Frenchs Road near Wynyard, the 2.6-hectare eucalypt remnant at Reid Street Reserve in Ulverstone and the 70-hectare grassy eucalypt forest at Brushy Rivulet near Westbury are all crucial to the survival of many different species. These reserves with young and old eucalypts of various species, trees such as blackwoods, wattles, native cherries, prickly box and dogwood, and patches of dense understorey with lots of logs and stumps, support breeding populations of a wide range of different bird species. This is because different species require different things to fulfil all their needs. They need safe nesting places; nest-building material like grass, root- lets, moss, twiglets and spiders’ web; and they need dense vegetation where they can shelter from inclement weather and hide from predators.

Most birds are particular about where they build their nests and where they feed. Yellow-throated Hon- eyeaters nest close to the ground, but search for invertebrates (insects and spiders) on the trunks and branches of eucalypts. Golden Whistlers and Grey Fantails nest in mid-storey vegetation but have different methods of capturing their prey: Golden Whistlers snatch invertebrates from foliage whereas Grey Fantails take tiny insects from the air. Robins build their cup-shaped nests in tree forks, rock ledges, fallen trees and stream banks, and characteristically watch the ground for prey while perched on limbs, trunks or stumps. Reserves also provide important habitat for plants, mammals, reptiles, frogs, invertebrates, fungi, lichens and slime moulds, all of which play crucial roles in the ecosystem.

Grey Fantail

20 Approximately 95% of the world's fauna are invertebrates – insects, spiders, earthworms, snails, millipedes, centi- pedes and springtails (collembola). Their incredible abundance means they dominate the functions and processes of almost every terrestrial habitat on Earth. Species that live in the ground such as millipedes and earthworms help to maintain soil structure; bees, flies and butterflies are important for pollination; chewing insects like beetles help to break down organic material; spiders and predatory and parasitic insects help to control populations of other animals. Scarlet Robin Invertebrates, in turn, are important food for many other species including birds, mammals and each other. Fungi proliferate in reserves and are particularly conspicuous in autumn and winter when their colourful fruit- ing bodies appear. Fungi have ecologically important roles: approximately 90% of plant species have a symbiotic partnership with fungi. There is an exchange of nutrients in the root zone that contributes to the health of native plants. This is especially important in Australia's nutrient-deficient soils.

Fungi are also important for breaking down dead organic material. This helps to recycle nutrients and make them available to plants and other organisms. Marsupials such as bettongs, bandicoots and echidnas dig the ground when searching for invertebrates and fungi. Their actions help to enrich the soil by incorporat- ing the surface layer of decaying leaves and other organic material into the subsoil. Some of the larger reserves, especially those with old- growth trees with hollows, such as Brushy Rivulet Re- serve, also support rare and endangered species at the Dusky Robin top of the food chain including Tasmanian Devils, Spot- ted-tailed Quolls, Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagles, Grey Goshawks or Masked Owls.

These predatory animals are extremely important because they control populations of introduced rats, mice, rabbits and starlings whose numbers can reach plague proportions. Predators remove old, injured, sick, or very young animals so they help to keep populations healthy.

Calomela curtisi beetle Green and Gold frog Paralucia aurifera

All reserves—private and public—are crucial to the maintenance of biodiversity All photos by Sarah Lloyd

21 Barry Baker Fellow of BirdLife Australia The award of Fellow of BirdLife Australia recognises distinguished services to ornithology, particularly through BirdLife Australia and its predecessor organisations. It is the highest award available to both professionals and amateurs. BirdLife Tasmania would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Barry Baker on his outstanding contribution over many years. Barry was made a Fellow at the 2021 AGM of BirdLife Australia in Melbourne. The citation for his award is reproduced here.

Dr Barry Baker has been involved with Australian birds for over half a centu- ry. Growing up in Canberra, he was one of many trained in bird banding by Steve Wilson at the famous New Chums Road banding site, an involvement in banding that he eventually took as far as administering the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme for the Commonwealth Department of Envi- ronment. Since Barry’s retirement from the department about 15 years ago, Image ©ACAP he has focused on development and implementation of recovery plans for threatened species, threat abate- ment plans for key threatening processes, and wildlife management plans to resolve wildlife/human interac- tions, including harvest of native wildlife. He is one of the world’s leading experts in seabird biology, working on threatened species and bycatch issues with the New Zealand Ministry of Fisheries, the Tasmanian Depart- ment of Primary Industry, Water and Environment, and two international agreements — the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS or Bonn Convention). In 2016, he was appointed CMS Scientific Councillor for Bycatch and remains so. Barry has authored more than 40 refereed publications and many reports dealing with various aspects of wildlife management; ecology of birds and bats; the effect of fire on bird populations; management of threatened species, the effects of marks and devices to study wildlife; development of seabird bycatch mitigation devices and management of national parks. Since completing his PhD on seabirds in 2016, he has been an Honorary Research Associate at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania. Since joining the then RAOU in 1993, Barry has become a stalwart of the organisation. Currently, he is a BirdLife Board Director and member of its Governance Committee, President of the Australasian Seabird Group, a Bird- Life Australia representative on the Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team and member, since its inception in 2003, of the BirdLife Threatened Species Committee (TSC). His previous roles include Birds Australia Councillor (2002–2005) and Vice-President (2009–2012) and two stints on the Research and Conservation Committee: 2000–2008, as its Chair; and 2014–2020. He played a pivotal role in negotiations that led to the merger of Birds Australia and the Bird Observers Club and subsequent creation of BirdLife Australia in 2012, resulting in a stronger voice for Australia’s birds and greater focus for members. Barry is a great believer in the meaningful engagement of amateur birders in programs that aid conservation and inform advocacy. From 2002–2006, he was President of Canberra Ornithologists Group and participated in their local bird monitoring programs. In many ways, he was the champion of the New Atlas (1998–2002), from its inception to its continuation as Birdata. Amongst other roles, he represented the funding body, Environ- ment Australia, on the Atlas Steering Committee, sat on the ACT Vetting Committee and was an active atlasser. When the Atlas Steering Committee morphed into the Atlas Monitoring Committee, Barry became its chairper- son. He is also a longterm member and sometime chair of the committee that oversees the Key Bird Area project, another initiative that harnesses the power of volunteers. Barry’s most recent contribution to the organisation and to conservation of Australia’s birds was as co-editor of the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2020 in which he had oversight of the accounts of seabirds and Tasmanian birds, an exacting and sensitive task coordinating the various responses from experts and the TSC. More than two decades of exceptionally active commitment to the organisation make Barry a most worthy candidate for election as a Fellow of BirdLife Australia. 22 BirdLife Tasmania news and views

Matters discussed at the Branch Executive Committee on 12 May

• Plans to resume general meetings in Hobart at two-monthly intervals starting in July. The intention to introduce meetings in the north of the state in alternate months to Hobart during 2022

• Discussed and endorsed a number of recommendations made by its Engagement Sub-Committee aimed at improving communications with members and the Tasmanian community

• Ongoing concerns with respect to the impact of wind farm proposals in the north-west of the state on bird populations.

Outing Report: Punchbowl Reserve and Queechy Lake – Launceston birdwalk 14 March 2021

Angela Hansen

Despite a chilly start to the morning the sun graced us with a glorious morning of birding. We spent some time in the upper carpark identifying Brown Thornbills, Silvereyes, Spotted Pardalotes, Tasmani- an Scrubwren, Grey Fantail and Starlings by ear and with our binoculars. We also had Galahs, Sulphur- crested Cockatoos, Musk Lorikeets and flyovers of all three species of cormorants right at the start. We then walked up the road and up the perimeter track into the sunshine where we enjoyed Superb Fairywrens, Eastern Spinebills, Yellow and Little Wattlebirds, more Spotted Pardalotes and Striated Pardalotes, Yellow-throated Honeyeaters, Grey Shrike-thrushes, Green Rosellas, Golden Whistlers, Queechy Lake cormorant colony: Photo by Angela Hansen Butcherbirds, Forest Ravens, and blackbirds. The highlight of the walk was up at the top of the ravine where we saw two Grey Currawongs squabbling with a Collared Sparrowhawk high in a gumtree, and later a second Sparrowhawk joined the first and a loud altercation ensued with some fast flying as they chased each other into the forest. What a thrill! We headed down to Queechy Lake to check out the cormorant colony and see if the Royal Spoonbills were still there, and as luck would have it we saw ten Royal Spoonbills, both adult and juvenile, quietly foraging with the persistent side-to-side sifting motion of their bills under the water. We then saw a wonderful display of begging behaviours when two parent adults flew in and fed their almost grown chicks. The juveniles were noticeably smaller than the adults, and there were three in the group. There was also a family of Chestnut Teals with small ducklings. We also saw Great Egret, Shelduck, Black Swan, coot, swamphen, Masked Lapwing, Silver Gull, Little Pied, Little Black and Great Cormorants, Welcome Swallows and Silvereyes. Queechy Lake is a must-visit location for new birders wanting an easy location to practise their skills or for introducing children and new people to birding as an activity.

23 Outing Report: Tamar Island Wetlands 28 March 2021

Heidi Krajewsky Bird List Black Swan The day was sunny with a light north-westerly breeze, perfect conditions for Australian Shelduck birding, when 21 birders gathered at the Tamar Island Wetlands for a Birdlife Australian Wood Duck Tasmania outing. We started the morning at the visitor centre, where we Australasian Shoveler watched from the boardwalk as several Australasian (Purple) Swamphens Pacific Black Duck were feeding in the shallows. Drama started to unfold in front of us as two Grey Teal swamphens were fighting; it looked like the battle wouldn’t finish until one Chestnut Teal killed the other. We left them without witnessing the result and continued Tasmanian Native-hen along the boardwalk toward Tamar Island. On the water there were many Australasian Swamphen flocks of Chestnut Teal, numbering in the hundreds, with a scattering of Grey Australian Pied Oystercatcher Teal, Australasian Shoveler, Australian Shelduck, Black Swan and Pacific Black Masked Lapwing Duck. On the mud banks four Black-fronted Dotterel were seen near Australian Black-fronted Dotterel Pied Oystercatchers. The main shorebird attraction, however, was a sighting Terek Sandpiper of a Terek Sandpiper on the far side of Tamar Island. This uncommon vagrant Silver Gull to Tasmania was perched on the wooden railing alongside a dead-end section Pacific Gull of boardwalk and was obliging enough to stay there until everyone had a good Little Pied Cormorant look. Two spotting scopes were set up, one next to our morning-tea picnic Great Cormorant area and one on the boardwalk itself, and small groups took turns to approach Little Black Cormorant the closer scope to have a look. The Terek Sandpiper was still standing on its Australian Pelican railing as we left. Great Egret On the return walk there were a few White-fronted Chats seen as they flew off White-faced Heron and one Little Grassbird heard among the reeds. Several Great Egrets and a Royal Spoonbill Royal Spoonbill were in the reeds near the visitor centre. We had a great view Swamp Harrier of a Lowland Copperhead Snake sunning itself next to the boardwalk very Galah close to the visitor centre. Superb Fairywren White-fronted Chat Many thanks to Karen Dick who organised and led this great outing. In the end Brown Thornbill 34 species were sighted and it was a successful morning. Those who partici- Grey Butcherbird pated were from nearly all parts of the state and it was a chance to gather and Grey Fantail share some wonderful birding. Forest Raven Little Grassbird Welcome Swallow Silvereye Common Starling

Photo by Perviz Marker White-fronted Chat: Photo by Alan Fletcher 24 Outing Report: Carr Villa Floral Reserve – Launceston bird walk 11 April 2021

Angela Hansen

While weather down south was heralding the coming winter, we enjoyed a warm and calm morning of birding at Carr Villa Floral Reserve in the Norwood area of Launceston. We had a good turnout of folk, making us a cheerful party of nine. We tried but did not manage to locate the new Tawny Frogmouth roost as they have abandoned their old roosting tree. As we were searching, we came upon an adult and a juvenile Crescent Hon- eyeater calling back and forth to one another while sitting up high in the trees above the blooming banksias. It is always good to scan up in the branches amongst the mature trees, and this time we got great views of a Common Bronzewing roosting. It eyed us intensely as we passed below. Eastern Spinebills were in beautiful form and gave us many good views. A group of Green Rosellas noisily came through and we noticed two of them were Eastern x Green hybrids, with plumage characteristics that matched both species. We practised our birding-by-ear skills and heard Scarlet Robin and Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, though we did not see them. We also heard a Grey Currawong noisily calling from a dense patch of bush many times before we caught a glimpse. The bird-behaviour prize of the day goes to a Forest Raven, living up to its name, enjoying a tasty rodent meal with us as audience.

Hybrid Eastern x Green Rosella: Photo by Angela Hansen

25 Outing Report: Brushy Rivulet Reserve 26 April 2021

Sarah Lloyd

Three members of Birdlife Tasmania joined eight Central North Field Naturalists Bird List at Egmont Reserve on the Meander River north of Westbury to hear a brief out- Brush Bronzewing line of the purchase of Brushy Rivulet Reserve (also known as Westbury Re- Fan-tailed Cuckoo serve) before heading further along Birralee Road to look at the site. Laughing Kookaburra The 70-hectare informal reserve was purchased in 1999 for conservation with Brown Falcon Commonwealth government funds during the Regional Forest Agreement Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (RFA). The land was in the process of being handed to the Tasmanian Land Con- Green Rosella servancy (TLC) for their revolving fund, a scheme whereby the TLC places a con- Superb Fairywren servation covenant on the land before selling it. Negotiations with the TLC to identify a building envelope where new owners can build a house continued Eastern Spinebill until April 2020. On 18 June 2020 the Tasmanian government announced that it Noisy Miner was to be the preferred site of the northern high security prison Yellow Wattlebird Negotiations about the building envelope were protracted mainly because Crescent Honeyeater most of the reserve is within a 500-metre line of site of a Wedge-tailed Eagles’ Yellow-throated Honeyeater nest situated on the boundary of the adjoining property on Brushy Rivulet. This Black-headed Honeyeater means that most of the reserve is unsuitable for any development except for Spotted Pardalote the southeast corner that just happens to be the most botanically rich area on Tasmanian Scrubwren the entire site. There is a thriving population of the rare blue pincushion Brown Thornbill (Brunonia australis) and at least fifteen species of native orchids. (One species Black-faced Cuckooshrike of native orchid had been recorded at the site when the reserve was deemed important enough to purchase for conservation.) Grey Shrikethrush Golden Whistler This reserve is the western-most extent of the grassy forest/woodland that was once widespread throughout the northern midlands. It is very different to our Dusky Woodswallow wet sclerophyll forest just 10 km north of the reserve. Whatever the argument Grey Butcherbird about the forest type and what might be the underlying substrate, the vegeta- Australian Magpie tion has affinities with a threatened vegetation community (black peppermint Grey Currawong Eucalyptus amygdalina on Cainozoic deposits), which is why the senior botanist Grey Fantail within Forestry Tasmania at the time was so keen to prevent the clearing and Forest Raven ‘conversion’ of the forest to plantation. Scarlet Robin Dusky Robin Silvereye Common Blackbird

Wedge-tailed Eagle nest

26 Its importance was recognised over twenty years ago; how much more important is it now, given the extensive clearing that has occurred in the region since then? The reserve hasn’t been ‘managed’ and apart from some mini- mal firewood collecting it has been left alone for decades – to the benefit of the birds. Species that no longer persist in similar bush in the midlands breed at the reserve, most notably Satin Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Grey Shrike-thrush and Spotted Pardalote Dusky Woodswallow. On the day of our walk, the birds were uncharacteristically quiet as we started walking along the track towards Brushy Rivulet. And being late April, most of the breeding migratory species had left, apart from the Dusky Woodswallow that we heard but didn’t see until later. However, we soon encountered a loose flock of several species and ended up with a good list. Rather than negotiating the very rough rocky terrain and large logs above the small gorge on the eastern side of Brushy Rivulet, that would have enabled us to get a good view of the wedgies’ nest, we drove about one kilometre to the northern end of the reserve, where I had seen Painted Button-quail exactly one month earlier. Painted Button-quail feed by ‘pirouetting’ on alternate legs to expose the seeds and invertebrates on which they feed. This results in sau- cer-shaped bare patches of ground known as platelets. During our walk, these were still visible, but there were no fresh ones. We watched a pair of Dusky Robins, another species that has declined alarmingly in the past decade, and marvelled at the huge old hollow-bearing eucalypt on which it landed. I have documented 50 such hollow-bearing trees so far at the reserve, surely reason enough for its preservation? Striated Pardalote We finally spotted the flock of Dusky Woodswallow we had heard earlier in the day. They were flying low over a young pine plantation on the opposite side of the road. Over three decades ago this area was native forest. It was cleared and replaced with eucalypts not native to Tasmania, cleared again and then replanted with pines. Such is the use of the land surrounding Brushy Rivulet Reserve – another reason it is so important to preserve in perpetuity.

All photos in this article by Sarah Lloyd BirdLife Tasmania Southern BBQ March 2021

27 Photos by Perviz Marker Courtesy of the Albatross Task Force

ACAP’s chosen theme for 2021 is Ensuring Albatross-friendly Fisheries. The large number of albatrosses and petrels killed by fisheries was the main driving force for the establishment of ACAP two decades ago and addressing this continuing conservation problem remains an important part of ACAP’s ongoing work. A new ACAP World Albatross Day Group has been formed with members Jonathon Barrington (Australia), John Cooper (ACAP Information Officer), Verónica López (Chile), Tatiana Neves (Brazil), Stephanie Prince (UK) and Michelle Risi (South Afri- ca). The ‘WAD Group’ has a geographical (and language) spread, along with experience from research, NGO and governmental backgrounds.

ACAP is acknowledged for use of the logo for conservation purposes. Geoffrey Tyler is thanked for his design.

28 BirdLife Tasmania Outings June2021 –August 2021

You must register for an outing prior to the event. On all outings you must wear enclosed shoes and follow COVID- safe procedures. Full information will be supplied with the outing details for each event. To register for any outing listed here, you will need to email the organiser [email protected] . Pre-registration is required for all outings to comply with COVID-safe planning.

To allow arrangements to be made, please be sure to register at least seven days in advance of any outing.

REGION DATE LOCATION / LEADER NOTES Reids Road to Georges A look at bush birds in this dry sclerophyll forest. Wednesday North-east Rvier Track 2nd June Natalie The count will start at 9:00am and most counters should be finished by 12 noon, and ideally no later than 2:00pm. The count covers coastal areas between the southern d'Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island northward to New Norfolk and eastward to Marion Bay Sunday Winter Gull count and the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas. The annual South 13th June Eric survey effort extends over approximately 400km of coastline. No prior experience with gulls is required — the count package distributed to all participants com- prises an instruction sheet, an identification guide and the data sheet. John Skemps Field Joining the Launceston Field Naturalists at 9am, visiting Sunday North Centre, Myrtle Bank their private forest reserve with maintained trails and a 27th June Angela stream running through it. South Arm Flame Robin Take part in a winter survey for Flame Robins on South Saturday South Survey Arm peninsula, in small groups with experienced bird- 3rd July Karen ers, who will help you identify birds by sight and sound. We will get a taste of this very popular hiking area. The major habitat is white gum and black peppermint open Sunday Trevallyn Dam forest but deep gorges and steep southern slopes pro- North 25th July Angela vide habitat and species diversity. We will hike a 3 km loop trail to Eagles Eyrie Lookout, down and around first basin, then back up to our start point. Enjoy a trip from the Springs up to the Snow Gums, Saturday Mount Wellington looking for our resident winter birds. South 21st August Karen

8am start, on the Eastern shore of the Tamar, across Sunday Nature Point reserve the river from Tamar Island wetlands. This reserve is North 22nd August Angela seldom visited, well forested, and has abundant bird and mammal residents.

29 GPO Box 68, Hobart 7001 [email protected]

www.birdlife.org.au/tasmania

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Yellow Throat is produced every quarter beginning in March. Contributions, including articles, interesting sightings, photographs, letters and news, are welcome, and will be published subject to space and interest or relevance to BirdLife Tasmania members, at the editors’ discretion. Please email them to [email protected] The deadline for the next issue is 20 August 2021. Many thanks to all contributors, including the photographers, who retain copyright of their magnificent photographs. All maps drawn from the BirdLife Tasmania database remain © BirdLife Tasmania. Views ex- pressed in Yellow Throat are not necessarily those of BirdLife Tasmania, or of the editors, unless explicitly stated. Please make use of our material, but we ask that you acknowledge BirdLife Tasmania as the source. Editors: Perviz Marker (co-ordinator) and Sharon Moore (copy-editor); Proof readers: Eric Woehler, Sue Jones and Wynne Webber; layout: Perviz Marker. We thank the office of Mr Andrew Wilkie MHR, for assisting in the production of Yellow Throat 114.

BirdLife Tasmania is a regional branch of BirdLife Australia