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Home , Eastern spinebill, Koel, Noisy pitta, Sacred kingfisher, Silvereye, Willie wagtail

The BLSH flyer

Volume 9 Number 4, 2020

Silvereye by Erna Llenore

Juvenile Australian King-Parrot Photo by Alan Edwards Contents

From the President ...... Page 2 Outing– Shangri La Road, Bundanoon, 8 August 2020 ...... Page 3 Outing– Tugalong/Guula Ngurra, 16 August 2020 ...... Page 4 Outing– Jerrara Dam, 7 October 2020 ...... Pages 5-6 Outing– Paddy’s River, Canyonleigh, 11 October 2020 ...... Page 7 Raptor Discussion ...... Page 8 Science Corner. Number 1 ...... Page 8 Aussie Backyard Count ...... Pages 9-10 Conservation Officer’s Report ...... Page 11 New Members ...... Page 11 Pictures and sounds from a Lyrebird Nest ...... Page 12 Worth a Look ...... Page 12 Birdlife Twitchathon 2020: The Origma Enigma ...... Page 13 Bird Strike ...... Page 13 Members’ Photography...... Pages 14-16

November 2020

From the President Nigel Hartley 15/10/20

Following good rains through the last six months we are all looking at a very different environment to the same time last year in the Southern Highlands. Brown lawns have been replaced by verdant pad- docks, dams are again full and those trees that did not perish in the drought and bush fires are fighting back. With COVID-19 still a very large part of our lives it is good to have some optimism, and we are see- ing it with the spring migrants coming back to us in good numbers and singing their hearts out, in- cluding two species, Satin Flycatcher and Shining Bronze-, that at least around Penrose were virtually absent last year. We have been thankfully able to recommence members outings, which are now capped at 20 people, and we have had some crackers. These include a first visit to Tugalong Station (now named Guula Ngurra) for many, when Jacky Winters and New Holland were added to our survey totals which now stand at 59. I was lucky enough to be on the Jerrara dam outing, brilliantly led by Bob Ashford, where there was huge excitement when we not only saw two Noisy , but had one of the posing in a low tree in a very un- like way. We are still waiting on recommencing members evenings at East Bowral and Peter Madvig will be in touch with you about any progress there. Surveys have also been going ahead, including a very interesting Snipe Count in September, and a round of Travelling Stock Reserve surveys. It continues to be the perfect time to complete Birdata surveys in and around the back “yard”, and I hope many of you will have completed at least one 20 minute survey during the Aussie Backyard Bird Count between 19-25 October. In the meantime stay safe and enjoy your birds.

Noisy Pitta by Nigel Hartley

November 2020 2

Outing— Shangri La Road, Bundanoon, 8 Au- gust 2020. Leader; Mel Cady Written by Nigel Hartley A group of 12 members and guests met at Shangri La Road to walk around Josh Thomas and Meredith Hughes’ beautiful horse farm, Lisheen, situated in Shangri La Road, just off Penrose Road and about half way between Bundanoon and Penrose. The centrepiece of the bird outing was a large dam, although with the weather no-one was tempted to dip a toe in. It was absolutely freezing, and only a few of us made it right through the morning. The wind was biting cold and it is the first BLSH bird walk I’ve done where there have been sheets of ice on the wetland. Not surprisingly about half the birds seen were waterbirds, with a displaying Musk Duck the highlight for most of us. There were five species of duck in all, including a Hardhead . A magnificent Wedge- tailed Eagle also put in an appearance. After walking around the dam and surrounding wetland we huddled out of the wind with our morning tea. To round the morning off we drove a little further down Shangri La Road, where we parked and then walked north into a delightful eucalypt . Birds were quiet but did include White-throated Treecreepers.

Musk Duck by Nigel Hartley

Hardy BLSH members with eyes on the waterbirds by Alan Edwards

Bird species- Hardhead 1, Pacific Black Duck 2, Grey Teal 5, Musk Duck 2, Australian Wood Duck 2, Purple Swamphen 9, Eurasian Coot 8, Masked Lapwing 4, White-necked Heron 1, White-faced Heron 1, Straw-necked Ibis 1, Wedge-tailed Eagle 1, Sul- Wood Duck and Straw-necked Ibis by Alan Edwards phur-crested Cockatoo 2, Crimson Rosella 2, Eastern Rosella 4, White-throated Treecreeper 1, Eastern 1, Red Wattlebird 1, Brown Thornbill 3, 2 nest building, 1, Eastern Yellow Robin 1.

Pacific Black Duck by Nigel Hartley

November 2020 3

Outing—Tugalong/Guula Ngurra 16 August 2020. Report by leader Jennie Wiles As there was a gap in program it was suggested to offer a second visit to Tugalong because the first visit was filled quickly due to restricted numbers. On this occasion 11 hardy members braved the cold and windy weather which is more than can be said for most of the birds. The first area we explored was around the area where all the buildings have been demolished and it is mostly paddocks. The main birds of interest here were two Australasian Pipits, one of which posed close to us for some time, a Jacky Winter and a Wedge-tailed Eagle enjoying the wind. We continued down to the flat rocky area where there are rock grooves and admired the view from the edge of the precipice here. After a short drive down the hill we stopped at a usually birdy area but there was not a bird in site as the wind was whipping up from the south. A bit further on we stopped again and sought the shelter of trees in the lee side of the hill to have morning tea. A walk from here along a track brought us to the stunning lookout overlooking a u-bend gorge of the Wingecarribee River. Thank goodness for the view because the birds were still hiding. We finally got a good look at a White-eared which had been calling to its friend in a sheltered creek sec- tion of the track. Species list- Welcome Swallow 4; 2; Jacky Winter; Red Wattlebird (h); Australian Magpie 2; Wedge-tailed Eagle 2; Black-faced Cuckoo- 2; Willie 2; Red-rumped Parrot 3; New Holland Honeyeater 3; White-eared Honeyeater 2; Eastern Spinebill (h); Spotted Pardalote (h); Grey Shrike-thrush (h) On the drive out to the locked gate- 1; Raven sp 1; Yellow-rumped Thornbill 3; Aus- tralian Wood Duck 9 Sulphur –crested Cockatoo; Crested Pigeon 2;

Wedge-tailed Eagle by Alan Edwards Part of the group enjoying a sheltered morning tea by Jennie Wiles

Australasian Pipit by Alan Edwards White-eared Honeyeater by Alan Edwards

November 2020 4

Outing Jerrara Dam – 7 October 2020 Report by leader Bob Ashford Rain stopped play on the 20 September! It looked as though our second attempt on 7 October might be cancelled too! But six hearty souls determined otherwise and what a great day it turned out to be! Club members Sandra and Andrew, Alan, President Nigel and guest Graeme, brought their good hu- mour and sharp eyes and off we set. Jerrara Dam is a great birding site. A mix of rainforest, creeks, open forest, grassland and, funnily enough, a dam. We were optimistic.

Right at the start the raucous calls of three Channel-billed caught our attention and then a following fourth one. A Topknot Pigeon, White-headed Pigeons and a couple of Brown Cuckoo-Doves set the pace in the sky. In the trees and shrubs Grey , Golden Whistlers, Brown Gerygones and Superb Fairy-wrens built the list and were soon joined by a Bar- shouldered Dove. As we strolled alongside the creek into the forest newly returned Black-faced Monarchs enticed us to greater efforts. Then!! – “That’s a Noisy Pitta calling!” You could almost hear the “Yeah! Right!” being mumbled, but every eye turned to the creek and then Graeme spotted the bird move behind a tree trunk before it flew off. Fortunately, Andrew saw A very happy group Photo by Bob Ashford it land on a large branch about five metres up and perch. What a view, a Noisy Pitta in full cere- monial colours. A cacophony of rattling camera shutters drowned all other bird calls. Well, that and cries of “Cor” and “Blimey”. And then, quick as a flash a second Pitta joined it. No 1 Pitta flashed its wings, blue shoulders glistening, and bobbed its tail showing its bright scarlet red vent and undertail and No 2 shot back into the bush. Add “Wow!” to the previous. In fact, make that two “Wows!” There was a momentary lapse of mood as we all thought that was it for the trip. What could beat it? Then the tinkling of Scarlet Honeyeaters, Eastern and the sharp eyes of Alan spotting a White-cheeked Honeyeater decided it. A target of 40 species was set. A little further along the trail that was upped to 50. And as we approached the Dam Nigel spotted three Variegated Fairy-wrens, Australian Reed Warblers and a Willie Wagtail. We upped the target again to 60! In all we saw 61 species. A credit to the site, the team’s enthu- siasm and humour and very little rain! Other highlights included an unconcerned Wedge -tailed Eagle, spotted by Sandra, sitting on a fence post being harassed by a Pied Currawong ( I confess I had dismissed it as an unconcerned Currawong being harassed by a Satin Bower- bird!!! I only redeemed myself by spotting a Tawny Grassbird!), a Swamp Harrier lazily float- ing over the dam, the invisible, but heard, Green Catbird, large numbers of delightful Red-browed Finches and , and last but not least the only White-browed Scrubwren of the outing. Thank you to my terrific birding companions – “It were a grand day, weren’t it?!”

Noisy Pitta by Alan Edwards

November 2020 5

Black-faced Monarch by Nigel Hartley Brown Cuckoo-Dove by Nigel Hartley Species list- This list has also been posted on eBird who post to Birdlife quarterly. 3 Hrs 9 mins-2.5 Kms Black Swan 2, White-headed Pigeon 5, Spotted Dove 1H, Brown Cuckoo-Dove 5, Bar-shouldered Dove 3, Topknot Pigeon 17, Eastern Koel 1H, Channel-billed Cuckoo 4, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 2H, Fan- tailed Cuckoo 1H, Dusky Moorhen 1, Eurasian Coot 1, Australasian Darter 1, Little Black Cormorant 3, Australian Pelican 2, White-faced Heron 1, Wedge-tailed Eagle 1, Swamp Harrier 1, Laughing Kooka- burra 2, Sacred 1, Galah 2, Long-billed Corella 2, Little Corella 16, Sulphur-crested Cocka- too 1, Australian King-Parrot 1, Crimson Rosella 4, Rainbow Lorikeet 22, Noisy Pitta 2, Green Catbird 1H, Satin Bowerbird 8, Variegated Fairywren 3, Superb Fairy-wren 17, Eastern Spinebill 6, Lewin’s Honeyeater 9, Scarlet Honeyeater 4, New Holland Honeyeater 10, White-cheeked Honeyeater 1, Brown Thornbill 1, Brown Gerygone 17, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 1, Eastern Whipbird 7, Grey Shrike -thrush 2, Golden Whistler 5, Olive-backed Oriole 1H, Australasian Figbird 1H, Grey Butcherbird 2, Australian Magpie 1, Pied Currawong 6, Willie Wagtail 1, Grey 6, Black-faced Monarch 6, Mag- pie-lark 2, Australian Raven 6, Eastern Yellow Robin 3, Australian Reed Warbler 5, Tawny Grassbird 1, Welcome Swallow 2, Red-whiskered Bulbul 5, 21, Red-browed Finch 11, European Goldfinch 2.

Tawny Grassbird by Alan Edwards Three wise men by Alan Edwards

Silvereye by Alan Edwards by Alan Edwards

November 2020 6

Outing -Paddy’s River, Canyonleigh, 11 Octo- ber 2020 Report by leader Nigel Hartley A group of 17 members and guests gathered beside Paddy’s River (Uringalla Creek) for what turned out to be a very good morning’s birding. Conditions were absolutely perfect, sunny and warm with very little wind. After COVID and other safety briefings our group walked to the northwest along a path that leads to another tributary of Uringalla Creek, and enjoyed seeing a number of species including two Dollar- birds, two Gang-gang Cockatoos, two Wedge-tailed Eagles, and a mystery raptor that was eventually confirmed from a photo as a Swamp Harrier. After a couple of hours spent at this excellent site, seeing around 30 species of birds and one very relaxed Black Snake, we returned to the billabong to the south of the parking area. We enjoyed morn- ing tea by the billabong, where we were entertained by an Australian Reed Warbler and a number of other species taking our total to 36 for the morning. The highlight at the billabong, and possibly best bird of the morning was an Azure Kingfisher, spotted at a great distance by the eagle eyed Oscar Dunn-Luck and then seen by some members at closer range as it flew under the bridge.

Azure Kingfisher by Nigel Hartley Participants enjoying the spring birding by Jennie Wiles Bird species-Australian Wood Duck 1, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (h), Fan-tailed Cuckoo (h), Wedge-tailed Eagle 2, Swamp Harrier 1, Azure Kingfisher 1, Laughing 1, Sacred Kingfisher 1, Dollarbird 2, Gang-gang Cockatoo 2, Galah 4, Sulphur -crested Cockatoo 1, Eastern Rosella 2, White-throated Treecreeper 1, Superb Fairy-wren 2, Yellow- faced Honeyeater 6, Red Wattlebird 1, White-eared Honeyeater 4, Noisy Friarbird 1, Spotted Pardalote (heard), Striated Pardalote 2, Brown Thornbill 1, Striated Thornbill 2, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 1, Grey Shrike-thrush 1, Rufous Whistler 2, Australian Magpie 5, Pied Currawong 1, Willie Wagtail 1 (plus nest), Grey Fantail 1, White-winged Chough 6, Australian Raven 2 (at nest), Eastern Yellow Robin 2, Australian Reed Warbler 1, Welcome Swallow 2, Silvereye 1.

Nest of Willie Wagtail by Jennie Reed Warbler by Oscar Dunn-Luck Dollarbirds by Jennie Wiles Wiles

November 2020 7

Raptor Discussion Written by Jennie Wiles On the recent BLSH outing to Paddy’s River (detailed on the previous page) a bird of prey was sighted. A photograph was taken by Nigel Hartley and circulated to a number of members for their opinion on the identification. The suggestion of a Square-tailed Kite was sup- ported by most. It was subsequently sent to the authority on raptors, Stephen Debus. This is his reply- “It’s a Swamp Harrier; best clue is the five primary Swamp Harrier by Nigel Hartley ‘fingers’ rather than the six of eagles and large kites, but also the legs and feet are quite evident, and it has a rounded tail tip and almost no barring on the primaries, whereas a Square-tailed Kite would have prominently banded primaries (six ‘fingers’) and tiny, barely visible feet as well as a squarer or even notched tail.” A couple of photos of other raptors have been offered by individuals involved in the discussion to compare the finger structures.

Whistling Kite clearly showing the six fingers for com- Spotted Harrier by Harry Nystrom a friend of Peter parison. This was taken at Nanutarra Roadhouse (WA) Madvig, who was with him in Capertee, when he took on 4/8/18 by Nigel Hartley the photo. Science Corner. Number 1 By Peter Dewey Potential biological extinctions :- defining the terms. When talking about biological extinctions we use terms like endangered and critical quite freely but do we all know that these terms have strict scientific definitions? It is important that we do as potential extinctions are racing ahead with the effects of bush fires, destruction, climate warming, feral contamination and now the Morrison Government passing a Bill to give control of major project as- sessments under The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) to the States, without any controls or statement of national standards. Definitions of threatened species Vulnerable. A 10% possibility of extinction in 100 years. Endangered. A 20% possibility of extinction in 20 years or 10 generations. Critically endangered. A 50% possibility of extinction in 5 years or two generations. When considering the status of a species it is important to know the origin of the information. Is it a National list, a State list, a Council list, a local bird club list, or a local area list (such as a National Park).

November 2020 8

Aussie Backyard Bird Count

Introducing youngsters to birding through the Aussie Backyard Bird Count. By Sue Hawick I offered to engage my neighbour’s children in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count. The daughter, eight years old, jumped at the chance and borrowed her brother's binoculars. Of course, the brother at 12 could not be seen out bird watching with his sister and the old lady next door! I will call my young friend Alice (with a different looking glass). We did three counts this week. The first outing needed to focus on tiptoeing through my garden and keeping one's eyes everywhere and on listening. Difficult at eight years of age. The bird we spent most time with was the Red Wattlebird and I was surprised she did not know it as there is a resident pair in my garden. She certainly knows the call and the visual now. We heard a lot of birds but didn't see many. We did catch a glimpse of an Eastern Spinebill on a grevillea. On our second outing starting at 6 pm, we were so much better at tiptoeing, watching and looking up. She clearly had been through the Birds of the Sydney Basin book I gave her as she knew more names and pictures. We listened to the Eastern Koel, saw the Australian Ravens, the Common Black- bird and the Eastern Spinebill which she has heard daily but not focussed on.

Our third outing was at 8 am on the dull final day of the Aussie bird count morning and I thought there would be nothing to engage her after much rain that night and overcast skies. We identified the usual locals but as we tiptoed into a neglected corner of my garden, a male Australian King-Parrot landed right in front of us and Alice whispered " that's the bird on the front of the book you gave me!" To her it was like magic. Tiptoeing on, once the Australian King- Parrot flew off, we spotted a bird's nest. I think the Crested Pigeon had nested there but I have no photographic evidence. She was delighted to see a nest. A minute later her face lit up, two very young Laughing were on the old Black Wattle. Her pleasure in spotting them without help and knowing what she was seeing was exquisite. Then to add to the engagement of a young person we saw a black bird in front of us and we were able to decide by looking up the book, in spite of blue things in the garden and Satin Bowerbirds calling at other times, it was not a Satin Bowerbird but a Common Black- bird. Alice and I have a plan to be expert local bird watchers by the time the Aussie Backyard Bird Count comes around in October 2021 and maybe her brother will have found out that it is cool for males to be birdwatchers. Two Laughing Kookaburras in the garden by Sue Hawick

November 2020 9

Aussie Backyard Bird Count Statistics By Jennie Wiles The Aussie backyard Bird Count continues to grow in popularity and the count of 4.8 million birds was the largest count ever. The Bird Count app contains very interesting information when you start looking into it. There is a Find A Bird function with photos, similar species and distribution maps. You can take advantage of this part of the app all year-round. The statistics section can be explored to find different post code participation rates and birds species sighted. After the numbers are listed the bird list follows. Some examples of the post code data as at 4.10.20 are displayed below. 2571 is Balmoral, Buxton, Couridjah, Maldon, Mowbray Park, Picton, Ra- zorback and Wilton. 2576 is Bowral, Burradoo, Kangaloon and Glenquarry.

The sightings section is also very interesting. Some rare birds can be recorded such as the Banded Lapwing in Buxton. This species hasn't previously been seen locally, according to Birdata, since 2014. It also gives the people vetting the sightings an unenviable job! Other recorded birds can just give you extra enthusiasm to get out there and find them too.

Wollondilly Aussie Backyard Bird Survey By Jennie Wiles This was the first year Wollondilly Council was involved in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count as part of Bird Week. Council was contacted and a 20 minute survey for interested people was advertised and was held at Picton Botanic Gardens on Tuesday 20 October at 9am. A small group of people gathered, including Bianca Klein, Environment Services Team Leader from Wollondilly Council. Hopefully next year if a similar event is held, with greater notice, more people will be involved. Perhaps not unsurprisingly for an urban environ- ment all the birds sighted were larger birds. The total of species sighted was 13 with the best probably being the pair of Musk Lorikeets. The most common were Crested Pigeons, Noisy Min- ers and Rainbow Lorikeets.

Some of the participants at Picton Botanic Gardens, (Bianca Klein centre) by Jennie Wiles

November 2020 10

Conservation Officer’s Report By Christine Kelly

Another Aussie Backyard Bird count has been successfully conducted. To engage the local schools small packages of material advertising the Aussie Backyard Bird Count were delivered to many of the smaller primary schools within the Wingecarribee Shire area. This was enthusiastically received by teachers and students alike. Hopefully, the bird count statistics will reveal a greater level of involve- ment across our shire by the schools, the students and the families. Congratulations also, to all our members who participated in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count. The very rough statistics indicate that we have provided great information as to the status of birds in our region. So far the statistics for Postcode 2576 indicate that we have exceeded expectations for the 2020 count. Over 200 checklists have been submitted. These lists include over 110 species and over 6000 individ- ual birds have been counted. As I prepare this report the total number of birds counted during the week is climbing towards the projected 5 Million birds. There have however, been some interesting species not usually seen in and around the Highlands, which are included in these statistics. Major Mitchell Cockatoo is one of our most beautiful parrot spe- cies usually confined to areas in Australia much further west than here. They feature a crest that contains no yellow, their body is pale pink with deep pink underwing. This sighting possibly con- fused either a Galah, which is pink and grey or a Gang Gang Cock- atoo, both of which are regularly seen. Green Catbird is rarely seen in the Highlands. A bird with emerald green, back wings and rump with white tips on the feathers. Possi- bly confused with a female Satin Bowerbird who are active in the Highlands, nesting between October and February. The male builds the bower to attract the female but the female builds the nest, a shallow bowl of sticks in and upright fork of a tree high in the crown. Yellow Wattlebird is restricted to but can be confused with a Red Wattlebird, which has a pale-yellow belly. Red Wattlebirds are common in the Highlands. A wattlebird gets its name from the wattle that is on the face, not the colour displayed on the belly of the bird. Pomarine Jaeger is a deep-sea species commonly seen off the coast of NSW. It is rarely seen closer to the coast. Pacific Golden Plover is a bird restricted to estuaries, mudflats and beaches along the coast. It is unlikely that this species would venture to the Highlands. It is a migrant from the Arctic and usually spends the southern summer arriving in August/ September and leaving again in late April/ May. Common Greenfinch can be commonly found in parks and farm- land in . There are however a couple of historic records for the Highlands listed in Birdata. It is citrine green to dull olive with a short finch bill. This species could possibly be confused with a Euro- pean Goldfinch which can be found in the Highlands. However, the European Goldfinch has much more colour on its face. New Members We welcome the following people who have joined recently- Shane Cheney Kim Rendell

November 2020 11

Pictures and sounds from a Lyrebird Nest. By Michael Guppy We wrote the first instalment of this story on July 18. To refresh your memories: The egg was first seen on July 8 2020, when the female flew out of the nest for the first time when it was being checked. But, the pictures show some leaf movement on July 6, so the egg could have been laid on July 6. There was one egg on August 15, then we were away until August 27, when there was a chick. We are not sure when the egg hatched. For about the next month we had a camera on the nest 24/7, and we managed 13 x 6 hour sound recordings. The recorder was placed on top of the outside of the nest at various times of the night and day. The batteries only last- ed 6h. We have still to work through all the pictures, and 80 hours of sound recordings, and we will report back when we have done so. Initial and superficial examination of the sound recordings reveal that she is ‘talking’ to the egg before it hatched, and is ‘talking’ to the chick after it hatches. But until we marry the sounds and pictures, we will not know if she was in, or outside the nest when these utterances occurred. Interestingly, it was much easier to detect when she was leaving or arriving at the nest, using the sound recordings; they missed nothing. The camera on the other hand seemed to often miss her arrivals, but rarely her departures. She definitely became very busy after the chick hatched. Unfortunately, for the data gathering exercise anyway, the chick was taken by a goanna on August 29. We captured this in its entirety on the camera, it took 7 minutes. We were pleased that at least the predator was not a feral. Worth a Look Forget worms and gophers, lyrebirds are the world's best soil shifter. https://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/forget-worms-and-gophers-lyrebirds-are-the-world-s-best-soil-shifter- 20200901-p55rel.html

Scientists from the Centre for Future Landscapes at La Trobe University have discovered that, on average, Su- perb Lyrebirds displace 155 tonnes per hectare of for- est litter in a year, playing a vital role in the Australian forest ecosystem. It makes them the most prolific earthmoving in the world. This has implications for bushfire risk and increased fuel load. Research pub- lished five years ago found Superb Lyrebirds reduced the risk of bushfire by spreading dry leaf litter and dig- ging safe havens that help other species survive fires. The article also contains excellent footage on the call .

November 2020 12

Birdlife Twitchathon 2020: The Origma Enigma – Where are NSW Cryptic

Birds after the Bushfires and How Can We Save Them? Despite this event having been completed by the time this newsletter is distributed I thought it would be of interest -Editor Unfortunately, the 2020 BirdLife Australia Twitcha- thon and the Challenge Bird Count has been can- celled due to OH&S issues arising from the COVID- 19 pandemic. However a twitchathon, the NSW Twitchathon, or- ganised by BIGNET (Bird Interest Group Network – an assemblage of all birding groups and clubs throughout ), is scheduled for Oc- tober 31 and November 1, 2020. This year’s Twitchathon will raise funds to support a project in NSW Key Biodiversity Areas that were affected by the bushfires, aiming to understand the current population levels of NSW’s cryptic birds. Focus will be on the Rockwarbler (Origma), Rufous Scrub-bird, Eastern Bristlebird and Ground Parrot Rockwarbler by Jennie Wiles in sites ranging from Jervis Bay to the Scenic Rim. Locations: Some or all of Jervis Bay KBA, Budderoo and Barren Grounds KBA, Greater Blue Mountains KBA, Barrington Tops and Gloucester Tops KBA, Werrikimbie KBA, New England KBA, Gibraltar Range KBA, Nightcap Range KBA, Scenic Rim KBA and adjacent areas depending on funds. Bird Strike

The Bird Strike Project is an initiative of BirdLife Australia’s Urban Bird Program https://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/birdstrike%20flyer%20-%20edited.pdf

November 2020 13

Members’ Photography

This edition’s theme is ‘funny face’ or any photo you would like to share. For the next newsletter there is no theme. All bird photographs are encouraged.

White-faced Heron by Nigel Hartley

Brown Thornbill by Linda Hoelle

Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana major) by Linda Hoelle

November 2020 14

Dollarbird youngster by Alan Edwards Tawny Frogmouth pair by Alan Edwards

Australian Magpie by Alan Edwards Gang-gang Cockatoo pair by Alan Edwards

White-browed Scrubwren by Peter Henderson Red-browed Finch by Peter Henderson

Striated Heron by Jennie Wiles Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo by Jennie Wiles

November 2020 15

This arrangement is the slowly expanding large bird trap to finally catch the male peacock who has driven us mad over the last few years. He is being fed each morning and this will continue for a week or so until he is used to the net- ting then I will spring the trap and he will be given to a kind soul who does not know about Male Peacocks. By Paddy Donkin

. > Mrs Eastern Whipbird on the nest outside the kitchen window by Paddy Donkin.

Newsletter contributions BLSH Committee If you would like to contribute an article to the newsletter, please contact Jennie President Nigel Hartley Wiles at [email protected] Liaison Officer Conservation Officer Christine Kelly Articles can be on any aspect of birding, Program Peter Madvig or issue related to birding, that may inter- est other members. Photos, in jpeg for- Treasurer Nigel Hartley mat, are also very welcome. Minutes Sue Hawick Newsletter & Website Jennie Wiles If you’d like your images to go to the Im- Committee support Col Kohlhagen age Library for BLSH use, please email [email protected] ………………………………………………………………...Helen Saville Jenny Murray The deadline for the next issue is Val Cooper 20 January 2021 Birdata Records Sandy Berry Support Roles- Membership Erna Llenore Image Library Helen Erskine