The Musk

Volume 5 Number 12 December 2019

CONVENOR’S REPORT The 2019 year is fast approaching its end. Some of our achievements include, regular seasonal surveys and working bees conducted at Clarkesdale. Production and distribution of our flyer Common of the region. New Birdlife Ballarat branch banner used at the Ballarat gardens conservatory to help engage with our wider community and promote the activities of Birdweek and Birdlife . A total of 194 seen on our outings. Thanks to all members for contributing to the success of our Ballarat Birdlife branch. Have your bino’s focused on birds and your efforts support habitat conservation. Louise Humble *Note:Presidents are now called Ballarat Birdlife Members in action. Convenors - Editor

UPCOMING EVENTS 2020 COMMITTEE 2019 MEETINGS CONVENOR: Louise Humble 5341 7718 Federation Uni Rural Studies Centre Cnr. Gillies & Gregory Sts. Wendouree at 7.30 p.m. SECRETARY: Roy Chester TREASURER: Annette Ferguson Tuesday February 11 Chris Timewell – Swift Parrots & Regent Honeyeaters CONSERVATION OFFICER: Paul Hammond Tuesday March 10 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Anita Hoare, Ian Ashton & AGM – Tim & Wendy Sandiford – The Birds of Costa Rica Graham Dent

OUTINGS Report Moderators: Roger Thomas & Tuesday February 4 Murray Grant Clarkesdale bird survey 9 a.m. NEWSLETTER EDITOR & WEBMASTER: Sunday February 23 Jenny Garley Western Treatment Plant March 14 – 15 Editor’s Note: Autumn Camp – Port Fairy Thank you for all the contributions and assistance Sunday March 22 throughout the year. This is our newsletter and can Mt. Cole & Buangor – Leader - Louise Humble only come together with your support and sharing of photographs and information. Keep them coming! Mid-week Outings – Wednesday Feb 12 & March 11 Seasons Greetings - Jenny [email protected] 0401 731 342 * NO OUTINGS ON DAYS OF TOTAL FIRE BAN *

Meetings, Outings & Reports

Meeting Report Sept. 10, 2019 Vagrants and Accidentals Roger Thomas, Murray Grant & Ian Ashton

It was so enjoyable for us to hear our trio of longtime club members (and very highly regarded birders) reminisce about their unusual sightings. Thirty-two species were discussed that night, with each well- illustrated to assist with identifying features, and accompanied by detailed information about behaviour and likely regional habitat. Very impressive as, locally, most of us have never identified, for example: the White-winged Black Tern, Ruff, the Wood & Pectoral Sandpipers, Australian Little Bittern, Australian Painted Snipe, White-breasted Woodswallow, Cockatiel, Pied Butcherbird, Double-banded Plover, White- throated Nightjar, Budgerigar, etc., etc., etc. How great to be lucky enough to see them! Of course, luck doesn’t play the major role for our trio. Ian concluded the presentation with some obvious advice: “Go Birdwatching”. Combining the decades of very regular observation by these three you’d get much more than a century of more than weekly activity – and then you’d need to add all the hours spent considering, discussing and researching what was seen or sought. Being active certainly raises your chances of seeing something unusual – and noticing that it is different. Murray’s tip was “Habitat! Habitat! Habitat!”. Each of the speakers is intimately aware of certain regional locations which would well suit the needs of a rare species, so when it does eventually appear it’s not really a surprise. Perhaps it has been there, unnoticed, before. These places generally suit a number of birds and are good places to observe at likely times, and to remain alert just in case. Roger acknowledged his network of collaborators. Word of something splendid and unusual spreads very quickly among keen birdwatchers. Almost always, each rare sighting was recalled as seen with others – or on the basis of a tip-off, or as immediately being passed on to others. Our own club certainly plays that role, with all our efforts augmented by friends and enthusiasts region-wide. Roger’s weekly newspaper column has delivered an even wider network of informants. The excitement of sharing observations creates great bonds and affords wonderful opportunities never available to just one pair of eyes. –

Shirley Faull. Outing Report for Birdlife Clarkesdale and the National Trust Property “Mooramong” September 22 2019 Birdlife Ballarat (then B.O.C.A.) visited Mooramong for the first time in May 1996 recording 49 species. Most of the following years were years of low rainfall and very few species were recorded. From 1997 until 2009 Birdlife Ballarat surveyed bird species at both, Birdlife Clarkesdale and The National Trust property “Mooramong” near Skipton every September. Although we have visited Clarkesdale many times in the intervening years we had not visited Mooramong. It was obviously time for another visit. It was a cold but thankfully dry day as we set off around the “Blue” walk at Birdlife Clarkesdale. The group meandered down to the bird hide recording a Brown Falcon - JG number of the more common species along with a Pallid Cuckoo. It was great to see open water on the Lagoon, Hardhead were in front of the hide along with Australasian Grebe. As we made our way towards Gordon’s Rock, Roy spotted a Grey (White morph) Goshawk. When it flew it was joined by another. The size difference between the Male and Female was very noticeable. We saw Rufous and Golden Whistlers, both Pardalotes, Fan-tailed, Horsfield’s and Shining Bronze Cuckoos. It was past 11 am by the time those desperate for their ten o’clock coffee actually got one. We recorded 42 species at Clarkesdale

Next stop Mooramong, with good sightings of Brown Falcons on the way into the property. Having made contact with Ian the property manager, we headed to the bird Hide. Again it was great to see so much water. We recorded several duck species but the best birds were, male and female White- winged Trillers and a Brown Goshawk that whizzed past the hide. After lunch we drove around to Horseshoe Lagoon stopping to admire a pair of Brolgas and their pair of four week old chicks.

December 2019 Meetings, Outings & Reports

The lagoon was full of birds including, Pink-eared and Blue-billed , all three Grebes, several White- necked Herons, a lone and Black-tailed Native-hens. A Brown Songlark perched briefly on the fence line and a Swamp Harrier fought its way across the lagoon being harassed by Magpies. 54 species were recorded at Mooramong. We called into Lake Goldsmith on the way home, most birds were a little distant with the sun behind them. There was little to add to our list but we did not have the time to do it justice. But as some members had never visited Lake Goldsmith it was worth the detour. We recorded 83 species for the day. Ian Ashton

OCTOBER MEETING – WHO AM I QUIZ - Presented by Louise Humble Fun and games at our October meeting with a 17 question ‘who am I’ quiz. Louise had well constructed the quiz using bird calls and fun bird facts for us to try and work out the birds which are all found in the 40km Ballarat zone. Many were quite tricky with the Question 2- I have an extremely light skeleton, weighing less than 10% of my total body weight. I am an excellent soarer using thermals to rise to considerable heights and call belonging to the Australian Pelican, which most of us didn’t get. Shining-bronze Cuckoo, Spotted NOT Striated Pardalotes, what sort of Honeyeaters was that? Some interesting facts Question 14 – Males have been labelled as ‘the least faithful birds in the world’ and 76% of young are sired by males from outside the social group. Superb Fairy-wren. We all had a laugh and most of us were very tested but thankfully we could keep our scores to ourselves. A delightful evening topped off with Wendy’s delicious picklets, jam and cream.

OCTOBER 27TH OUTING – LAKE WENDOUREE WALK LEADERS – MURRAY GRANT AND ROGER THOMAS

Although the weather was cool and breezy we had a fine roll up of 15 Ballarat Birdlife members and 14 visitors for our annual walk to coincide with Bird Week. At the Swan Pool an Australian Reed Warbler called out in the open giving all a good view. Next a flock of 6 White- winged Trillers once again in easy view. Great-crested Grebes were out from Fairyland and plenty of action around the islands of nesting Australian White Ibis. Our visitors seemed very keen and were kept busy using the club binoculars and scopes brought by our members.

A lone Cattle Egret perched out on a tree on

an ‘Ibis island’ del ighted the photographers and a Nankeen Night-Heron provided a glimpse near Loreto corner. There are many Black Swan families at the moment and cygnets at different stages.

Our own John and Roger provided a deligh tful moment assisting some tiny cygnets up a gutter to rejoin their parents. Ballarat Birdlife in action!

The Lake is very b usy with birdlife at the moment and we had a great morning walk

followed by a visit to our display in the Robert Clark Conservatory for Bird Week and a cuppa at the Native Plant Society display. - J. Garley – Photos & words.

December 2019 Meetings, Outings & Reports

MEETING NOVEMBER 12 TALK ON FIELD GUIDES BY IAN ASHTON ‘We all have Field Guides and we all need them to identify what we see – otherwise how can we know.’

On an evening of wild weather our proposed evening walk was replaced by a fascinating talk by our Ian on the history and range of Field Guides available to us. Starting back in the mid 1800s with Thomas Bewick 1847 History of Birds and John & Elizabeth Gould 7 vols. The Birds of Australia 1840-48. Although the printing process was progressing, they were expensive, large and kept in the library. In 1911 John Albert Leach (born in Ballarat 19.3.1870) produced one of the earliest more portable books, Australian Nature Studies. Enter Neville Cayley in 1918 with his 1st smaller publication, followed by 1931 What Bird is that? definitely not pocket sized though. It was innovative but not very accurate in retrospect. Peter Slater in 1972 produced a 2 volume Guide to Australian Birds Non-Passerine and Passerine. In 1986 the Slaters produced a single volume (with no Blackbird). Graham Pizzey who was Melbourne based wrote a number of books and Field Guides. One with Frank Knight was a weighty 1kg. He also produced some smaller regional guides which were far more portable. Simpson & Day have done larger format books as well as Field Guides with contributions by ‘our’ Murray Grant. These are well researched with fine illustrations by Nicholas Day. Michael Morcombe’s guides were considered to provided alot of information. Turning to photographic Field Guides by Dr. Jim Flegg 1st published in 2002 were aimed at the British market and not as popular due to printing reproduction difficulties with less birds per page. Enter the Electronic Age. Is the future on your Phone? In spite of this the new entry in 2017 of The Australian Bird Guide – Menkhorst, Rogers, Clarke, Davies, Marsack & Franklin reprinted 2019 is generally considered to be the best available but not exactly pocket sized and doesn’t claim to be a Field Guide. How lucky are we?! Discussion turned to favourite guides of which there were many. Thanks Ian for an informative evening. – JG.

Outing to Mt Beckworth and Lake Burrum...Learmonth, Sunday November 24th Leader: Roy Chester, ably assisted by Neil Capey We assembled, as usual, at the Armstrong Street parking area, signed in, discussed our itinerary, and set off. A little way up Creswick Road, Neil thoughtfully drew into the service road to let everyone catch up, and everyone did. Except – as we discovered when we reached our first stop at Pickfords Lane – one car kept going and attached himself to a different lead car heading somewhere else. Note to self: paint car fluorescent green to avoid all possible imitators and participant-stealers. At Pickfords Lane Louise tracked down our lost lambs and shepherded them back to us. Thank you, Louise. Bird watching commenced, and we saw a few nice birds including a nesting pair of Rainbow Bee-eaters. Superb! After checking out the end area we headed back to the crossroads, stopping to catch up on Fairy Martins, a very obliging White-winged Triller and some White- browed Woodswallows. And, less exciting, a flock of Starlings and an Indian Myna. Rainbow Bee-eater - Annie F.

December 2019 Meetings, Outings & Reports

Moving on to Mt. Beckworth, we went straight to the Manna Gums Picnic area and had morning tea (much to Janene’s relief) before exploring the track further on. There were a few birds there, including one with a mysterious call, but it was actually on the quiet side. Back to the cars and on to the little gateway dam, where we scored White-browed Babblers in a tree and White-necked Heron in the dam. Then on to the real Dam which was itself devoid of birds but there were several interesting birds around the area, including Sacred Kingfisher, Satin Flycatcher and a Brown Falcon getting the treatment from some Kookaburras. Even so, I was bored so I wandered off to find a Brown Snake to wee on. That put a considerable spring in my step, but the snake seemed less enthusiastic about the experience. After lunching at The Dam we went into the famous ‘North East Corner’ and managed to find some Buff- rumped Thornbills, but it was again quite quiet so we moved on to Lake Learmonth, where we met 7 year-old Oscar and his mother Jacinta. There were plenty of birds to keep us all occupied here, with Pied Stilts, Red-necked Avocets, Pink-eared Ducks, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, Freckled Ducks and more besides. We scored several new birds for Oscar, and brought our final species total up to 78 for the day. Thanks to the 13 attendees who helped make the day so enjoyable. Roy Chester

A Tree or Not A Tree? That is the Question. My wife – Diane - and I were working in the garden near an ornamental Pear, when Diane saw two small birds fly into the tree. They turned out to be a pair of Spotted Pardalotes. We kept very still and watched with great enjoyment as they fossicked amongst the leaves. But then the male bird decided to explore further, and flew directly towards me. We were just about to have a very cosy tete-a-tete when he apparently realized I was not another Pear tree (especially not an ornamental one) and swerved around my head. I whispered to Diane “Where did he go?” and she whispered back “He’s just behind your boot.” I couldn’t see him, but happily the female made amends by flying down to the ground a couple of feet in front of my boot. Fantastic! If we didn’t have resident Spinebills in the garden I would have to say that Spotted Pardalotes are my favourite bird – I call them Diamond Birds. I just love them. – Roy Chester

WEDNESDAY OUTINGS Mid-week outings have returned. In September we visited North Gardens, Nerrina Wetlands and Ditchfield Lane to see what early Spring had to offer. Good sighting of Shining Bronze-Cuckoo was a treat at the easily accessible Nerrina Wetlands. This is a lovely local area for flora and fauna. October we went to Woowookarung Regional Park (formerly Canadian State Forest). We were lead by John Gregurke who shared his knowledge of this park which was saved from ‘multi use development’. While many areas are recovering Pine Plantations the park provides interesting walking tracks and a variety of habitat. Fabulous views across Ballarat from the lookout also a highlight. November we strayed slightly further to Wombat State Forest lead by Ian Ashton. Here we were able to see a Gang-Gang Cockatoo quietly grazing in a Eucalypt and Rufous Fantail. This is another fabulous area so close to Ballarat and very quiet during the week compared to weekends.

We have been fortunate to have members share some of their favourite local birding spots and have more treats coming. Pair of Spotted Pardalotes M&F - Woowookarung - JG Thanks to those who are able to attend and those who kindly guide us. Information on Wednesday outings is available at Tuesday meetings or email me. – [email protected]

December 2019 Meetings, Outings & Reports

Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary Report

At the fourth working bee of the year on October 5th, several new volunteers joined us. Efforts focused on maintenance of the revegetation beds around the Clare Miller Environment Centre and clearing fallen branches from fence-lines around Cottage Dam, burning off excess debris.

Between working bees, work continued on burning off excessive pine debris in BirdLife Ballarat’s “Plantation” bird survey site smothering natural regeneration, acidifying the soils, elevating fuel levels and obstructing access for weed control and habitat restoration activities. Twenty-one bonfires over several weeks substantially reduced the debris, leaving plenty of structural habitat elements on-site for the birds, frogs, invertebrates and reptiles in particular.

A successful, practical field day on “Managing habitat in the context of climate change” was run by BirdLife Australia and Trust for Nature at Clarkesdale as part of TfN’s “Spring into Nature” program in October, coaching land managers from Ballarat, Warrnambool, Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula in the subtle art of habitat creation and management to build the resilience of both plants and .

There have been a couple of unconfirmed sightings of Painted Honeyeaters over the last six weeks, along with regular viewings of Mistletoebirds feeding on the prolific fruit of the Mistletoes around the Sanctuary. Several species of birds are bringing up chicks on or around Gordon’s Lagoon, Omega Dam and Lake Argyle, including Australasian Grebes, Grey Teal, Pacific Black Ducks, Purple Swamphens and Sacred Kingfishers.

It has been a colourful wildflower season, with vast swathes of Chocolate Lilies, Bulbine Lilies and Milkmaids dotted with Grass Trigger-plants, Button & Common Everlastings, Tiger Orchids, Pink Fingers, Common & Curved Rice-flowers, Blue Pincushions, Scaly Buttons, Sun-orchids and Greencomb Spider- orchids. Check out the Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary Facebook page for recent images of the bird-life and wildflowers at the Sanctuary.

Members of the Junior’s Group of the Field Naturalists’ Club of enjoyed a morning of birding at the Sanctuary in early November, making the most of the class set of binoculars purchased through grant funding last year to watch Pallid Cuckoos, Grey Shrike-thrushes, Striated Pardalotes, Eastern Yellow Robins, Grey Fantails, a Restless Flycatcher, Rufous Whistlers, White-necked Herons and all sorts of ducks.

Members of the Ballarat Camera Club and the Victorian Nature Photography Group appreciated the variety of photographic opportunities provided by the Sanctuary during impromptu visits.

Sixteen members of BirdLife Ballarat spent the morning of September 22 exploring the Sanctuary, recording 41 birds including the white morph Grey Goshawks and a pair of Mistletoebirds before heading over to Mooramong. BirdLife Ballarat volunteers also undertook their three- monthly bird surveys on November 5, covering all five sites. The next survey is scheduled for Tuesday February 4th, 2019 from 8.45am (for 9am start) until 12.30pm at the latest. All welcome.

Another Expression of Interest has been submitted for funding, this time to the Williamson’s Foundation, seeking three years of funding to assist in the rehabilitation of the former pine plantation, with the aim Grey Goshawk (white morph) Clarkesdale - of significantly improving its habitat value for a wide range of Mario Gross woodland birds.

Conservation and Land Management students from Federation University continue to gain practical experience in various conservation and land management skills across Clarkesdale. They are now propagating seed collected in the Sanctuary to grow plants to be used in revegetating sites in the ex-pine plantation, supplementing natural regeneration.

December 2019 Meetings, Outings & Reports

The Clare Miller Environment Centre has hosted several events over the last three months, with more events booked-in this December, and the campground has been busier over spring despite the unpredictable and often inclement weather. The end-of-year Christmas break-up BBQ for the Friends of Clarkesdale will take place on Saturday December 7 from 11am. BYO drinks & food for the BBQ and a salad or sweet to share.

Emily Noble - Coordinator, Clarkesdale Sanctuary 2/12/19

Birdlife Photography conference The Birdlife Photography Conference held in Fremantle last month, hosted an array of presenters who were passionate, articulate and very sharing of their philosophies and techniques. Keynote speaker was Canadian Glenn Bartley specialising in ‘Bird Photography Adventures in the New World’ and an extended session of tips ‘Bird Photography Simplified - My Approach to Capturing Images’. Charismatic Georgina Steytler urged photographers to look at entering competitions, not necessarily to follow through but to critically examine shots to improve and learn. Her practical hints are available through her gorgeous website, newsletters and free e-books. She also extended birding techniques into taking stunning images of all nature. She is a passionate ethical photographer, and the ethics of using call back by photographers, with the detrimental effect on bird behaviours, sometimes with devastating impacts was discussed. An emphasis on causing the least stress to the photographic subjects was emphasised across the whole conference. Shelley Pearson’s ‘Mastering the Light’ style is involved with atmospheric estuary birds taken early and late in the day. Vas Smilevski shared secrets to photography of fast-moving birds with ’How to Catcha Welcome Swallow in Flight’. Gary Meredith is a FIFO mining worker who loves arid birds and has a passion for dingos and Rainbow Bee-eaters. Jan Wegener sets up his own studio style photography backgrounds then encourages in the birds. He spoke of the importance of backgrounds in the wild as well. Dan Mantle’s talk outlined pelagic journeys and species seen from trips taken from various points around Australia. Hmm…the trip from Denmark WA, where the birds come in attracted by the natural slicks left by Orca Whales feeding, sounds interesting… Check out the websites, Facebook, Instagram etc. of these inspirational people. Jenny Sedgwick

Photo taken with Canon EOS-1D X, f/7.1@ 600 mm, 1/2500, ISO 500, No Flash ...GEORGINA STEYTLER

December 2019 Meetings, Outings & Reports

MEMBER’S PHOTOS FROM AROUND BALLARAT

Musk Duck chick - Fairyland - Annie F

Cape Barren Goose - Lake Wendouree - JG

Rose Robin - Ditchfield - Mario G.

Marsh Sandpiper - Lake Wendouree - JG

December 2019