ISSUE N0.12 April 2008

South Coast Threatened Birds News

A newsletter about the conservation of threatened birds on the south coast of

Western Bristlebird translocation to Walpole

If anyone ever tells you that bris- 20th October. Bravo was an A- tlebirds are easy to catch, don’t calling bird – the assumption is believe them! The grand plan to that A-calling bristlebirds are capture up to 10 bristlebirds for male and B-calling birds are fe- translocation to Walpole in Sep- male. Bristlebirds seem to hang tember and October 2007 came a around in pairs and the A-calls little unstuck when the bristle- that are presumably given by the birds refused to cooperate. male are often answered with a B-call. However, no one had told Unexpectedly, the bristlebirds Bravo this and at times in the weren’t very responsive to play- aviary he repeatedly sang A-calls back so after several capture at- followed by B-calls! tempts in which the bristlebirds pretty much ignored us, we de- Bravo’s capture was followed by cided to delay captures for an- a string of bad luck – just when other few weeks. Once we the bristlebirds were responding launched back into capture at- well to playback we had four that same territory that they might tempts we continued to have lit- managed to escape the net. Even- stay together. However, this tle success until, just when we tually we managed to catch Delta proved not to be the case. were contemplating giving up, we on 7th November. Delta was a B- While Delta stayed very close managed to capture Bravo on the calling bird and was captured on to the release site for the first the same netline as Bravo. She few days, Bravo took off and may have been his mate, although went exploring. Whiskey also Inside this issue: by the time we captured her, spent a few days moving Bravo had been replaced by an- around and exploring before other A-calling bird. On the last returning to within a few hun- Gull Rock Community day of capture attempts (9th No- dred metres of his release site. celebrate scrub-bid release vember) we caught Whiskey, an- other A-calling bird. Five days after release, Delta Northern Sandplains finally began to move. She ground parrot survey So off to Walpole with just three could hear Whiskey singing and birds - a smaller number than we gradually began to make her Review of 2007 Ground had planned but a huge amount of way towards him. By the end of the day she was within 100m Parrot program effort went into catching them. They were released near Man- of Whiskey and began to reply dalay Beach on the 13th Novem- to his A-calls with B-calls. Manypeaks update ber. All three were fitted with Since they paired up, Delta and transmitters and for the first Whiskey have continued to stay A volunteer returns week they were radio-tracked in- close together and are often tensively. Whiskey was released heard duetting. Bravo however Experimental Cat control on his own and Delta and Bravo has been much less vocal. He were released together a few sang for the first couple of FRNP Wildfires hundred metres away. It was weeks but then went quiet. thought that because Delta and …...Contd pg 12 And lots more stories…. Bravo were captured from the

1 Plucky Pioneers — Scrub-birds translocated to Gull Rock

Gull Rock is a historical scrub- The 2007 troupe of pioneers mobile coffee van and delicious bird translocation site, with were named for the human pio- morning tea for all involved! birds released in this area in be- neers instrumental in recording tween 1990 and 1992 following the original information about All birds had radio transmitters the ‘appearance’ of a singing the Noisy Scrub-bird: Gilbert, attached prior to their release male in the area in 1988. This Gould, Webb, Campbell and in order to identify each indi- male had dispersed under his Masters. vidual’s movements and loca- own steam from Two Peoples tion once placed in the new en- Bay Nature Reserve. The popula- The July 19 (2007) release was vironment. Intensive radio tion grew to 12 singing males in assisted and attended by over tracking and song monitoring 1994 before declining after a 30 people including representa- continued daily for three weeks wildfire in 1995. tives from the Gull Rock Na- following the release. This work tional Park Working Group; Mt was greatly assisted by the In the latest Noisy Scrub bird Martin Reserve Community problem free performance of (NSB) translocation, five males Group; South Coast NRM Inc; the transmitters and the fact were released at Mt Taylor (Gull South Coast Threatened Birds that many birds could be lo- Rock National Park), in what is Recovery Team; the Hon Peter cated from or close to existing typically Albany’s wettest month Watson (MLA); members of the tracks. – July. Though it made for some local community (including Gull very miserable days for those Rock and Mt Martin working The transmitters were attached involved in tracking them after groups, Albany Bird Group, the using a specifically designed their release, it was perfect South Coast Threatened Birds harness system which pulls free weather for our plucky pioneer Recovery Team; DEC staff and of the bird if entangled or falls NSB’s. The birds’ confidence in WIN television. A bus was hired off in time (ideally after the the new home was indicated by for the occasion to enable more battery is too weak to provide a a number of them singing within people to participate and wit- detectable signal). During the hours of their release, and the ness the release. However, on initial monitoring period at Gull establishment of territories close what turned out to be a cool Rock, 3 of the 5 transmitters to their release sites. and blustery day, the pièce de were recovered. These were all résistance was definitely the located within 750metres of the birds’ release sites which may indicate the birds readily estab- lished new territories in their new home.

With no radio signal to identify individual birds, their singing now remains the only method of locating them. DEC staff will continue to visit Gull Rock Na- tional Park in the coming year (2008). Provided these birds are heard singing after 12 months in their new home – the capture of female scrub-birds will take place in winter 2008. These fe- males will also be released in Gull Rock NP in the hope of es- tablishing a new breeding col- ony. Local MLA Peter Watson and Mt Martin Botanical Park working group member Hazel Mitchell releasing a scrub-bird—the very sharp-eyed observer will be able to see the blur in the photo! Photo: Allan Burbidge Josie Dean

2 Community celebrate at Gull Rock National Park Release

The release day, 19th of July, most distant sites. The first group bell to his new home. dawned with grey skies and a which included some very excited This time it was local MLA Peter threat of showers. By 10am, a youngsters soon stopped to re- Watson's turn to perform the number of people invited to wit- lease their two birds whilst the rest honours. Together with Hazel ness the release of the Noisy of us continued on. Before long we Mitchell (Mt Martin Community Scrub-birds gathered at the bot- had covered a couple of kilome- Working Group), he released tom of the 4WD track within the tres. Where were our release the last Noisy Scrub-bird. newly created Gull Rock National sites? Surely we were not going to When we started to walk back Park. Glancing skywards, we all walk all the way to Nanarup? we suddenly remembered the prayed silently for the weather to However, soon after Cam Tiller coffee van. Hopefully, it hadn't hold. Nobody was keen to walk indicated the spot where the first left. We were all looking forward through wet vegetation. bird would be released. Our bird to a nice, hot cup of coffee Soon, a small bus driven by David wouldn't be disappointed, the loca- when all of a sudden our Chemello, pulled up to transport tion had million dollar ocean views. thoughts were interrupted by a the group which had now swelled DEC volunteers, Mike and Shane rather distinct and unmistake- to more than twenty people in- Hall were on hand to open the able sound - a Noisy Scrub-bird cluding members of the Gull Rock cage door. was calling! & Mt Martin Community Working This was the moment we had all Minutes later we caught up with Groups, the South Coast NRM, been waiting for. Cameras ready, Wes Manson, who confirmed the South Coast Threatened Bird we all stood there holding our that Gilbert had started to call Recovery Team, DEC within 30 minutes af- volunteers and Peter ter his release. Obvi- Watson, Albany's rep- ously the bird was resentative in the WA very happy with his parliament. Even the new home. A good local TV station had omen! sent someone to film And when we finally the event for the eve- made it back up the ning newscast. hill, a cup of hot cof- Some of the local com- fee was waiting for munity groups had ini- us. tially held reservations about the translocation ANNE BONDIN of a threatened spe- cies into Gull Rock Na- Eds Note tional Park. However, Janet McArtney their representatives (kneeling front left) is Members of the Gull Rock community, Coast NRM Inc, and now appeared thrilled a member of the Gull the local media join the team for the scrub-bird release in about having Noisy Gull Rock National Park. Rock Community Scrub-birds in their Photo: Allan Burbidge Working Group, and a “own backyard”. presentation of this We were all pleasantly surprised breath. The cage was opened and translocation was given to the to see a mobile coffee van parked within seconds Masters made his group prior to the release. It on top of the hill. More impor- dash for freedom, disappearing was great to have some mem- tantly, there were also five boxes into the dense scrub. The trackers bers present at the release, and with very precious cargo – the sprang into action to radio track Janet suggested involving the Noisy Scrub-birds. It was obvious the bird's movements whilst the local community in ’naming’ the that we were not going to enjoy rest of us moved on to release the females that we hope to release our coffee anytime soon. last bird. in 2008. So if the males have After a brief welcome by Sarah For a brief second we panicked. persisted Janet and the local Comer, we split up into three Where was the last bird? Then we community will assist with iden- groups and started to walk to the saw the cage sitting by the side of tifying local identities (female) release sites. Those of us who the track where we had left it a few after which the birds can be looked as if we might survive a minutes earlier. We walked on to named. longer walk, were assigned the the next gully to translocate Camp-

3 Search for Western Ground Parrots in the northern sandplain

Last year the first serious mately 10700 ha., about 1000 search for ground parrots north ha. more than once. A small number of the surveys and of Perth was undertaken. most of the records of possible No WGPs were found. However, sightings were beyond the original The modest project was initi- several records of possible study area and any future work ated by Birds Australia WA and sightings over the past sixteen should cover a wider area. One was funded by a gift from an years came to light. Some of interesting account over some anonymous donor. It was our search areas yielded no evi- years to 2005, was from north east strongly supported by the De- dence of WGPs. These included of Yuna which is east of North- partment of Environment and Coomallo Nature Reserve and ampton. Conservation (DEC) which dou- Mount . bled what could be accom- There was a different story in Renee Hartley (fauna conservation plished. Badgingarra National Park officer, DEC, Jurien), and Brenda where two forms of evidence Newbey prepared a report on the A large area of suitable habitat pointed to the presence of project We recommended that was located within range of WGPs at least until 2003 when further work on WGPs in the the project base, Jurien Bay. the park was extensively burnt. northern sandplain be undertaken Some of it had been too re- These were possible sightings and that it be soon. cently burnt to warrant a sur- over a few years by a vey in 2007. neighbouring farmer, and the A copy of the report (on disk) can very ground parrot like calls of be obtained from Renee A brochure was prepared show- Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters ([email protected]), ing roughly where there had within that park. Additionally, or from Brenda been historical records as well three of the five unresolved ([email protected]). The as how to identify a Western records from our surveys were report is well illustrated including Ground Parrot (WGP). in Badgingarra National Park. a number of maps and photos. It The other two were in unvested also includes eight accounts of the With the help of volunteers, Crown Land near Lake Logue possible sightings of northern including several from DEC, a Nature Reserve, another area WGPs between 1992 and 2006. total of 241 listening surveys where there had been possible was conducted, mostly in April sightings over some years until Brenda Newbey Project co- and August, surveying approxi- 2001. ordinator for Birds Australia WA.

Western Ground Parrot surveys in 2008

Last year’s ground parrot sur- Over the next few months Wilderness Gate veys showed up a worrying the priority is to survey 13-22 May – CANP Poison trend in the Fitzgerald River both the Cape Arid and Creek National Park. Numbers were Fitzgerald populations to 4-13 June – FRNP Short Road/ well down from previous determine just how many Hamersley Drive years, with perhaps a total of birds remain. Volunteers about 20 birds heard. As for are needed to help us sur- For more information or if you Cape Arid, only the Poison vey for Western Ground would like to assist, please con- Creek area was surveyed with Parrots. Trip dates are: tact Abby Berryman perhaps 30-40 birds heard. Ph: (08) 9842 4519 1-10 April – CANP Pasley/ Mob: 0429 842 451 The Pasley Track area has not Telegraph Email: been surveyed since 2005. 22 April – 1 May – FRNP [email protected]

4 Western Ground Parrot Recovery 2007-The Year in Review

2007 was another busy year for the WGPRP. A number of parks and new areas were surveyed for new popu- lations, as well as extensive surveys and census of known populations. Here’s a breakdown of the year: D’Entrecasteaux National Park Two 10 day surveys were conducted to search for new populations fol- lowing a number of reported sight- ings, and the presence of suitable habitat in the bird’s historic range. No WGP’s were found but the park is vast and largely unsurveyed.

Stirling Range National Park A reported sighting in SRNP was followed up on this survey but no The ground parrot survey team in the Fitzgerald Wilderness , (L-R) Back birds were detected. The habitat row Luke Barrett, Mike Barth, Louisa Bell, Dave Chemello, Cam Tiller, surveyed looks very promising and Karen Rusten, Janet Newell, Front Sarah Comer, Saul Cowen. similar to that occupied in the Fitz- numbers of birds or poor dispersal gerald River NP, however the pres- techniques. could be captured. ence of dieback was disturbingly obvious and most of the park pro- Waychinicup to Bremer FRNP Wilderness vides unsuitable habitat. Mike and I surveyed the remaining Despite ideal listening conditions and

remnant vegetation between WNP a good survey team, a trip to the Short Rd FRNP and Bremer Bay for suitable habitat Fitzgerald Wilderness in October The historic population at Short Rd and to explore the option that this 2007 only managed to locate a single in FRNP was surveyed following the vegetation could serve as a corridor ground parrot to the east of Thumb wildfire that burnt through half of for between WNP and FRNP. There Peak. The team are keen to resur- the occupied area in Nov 06. Sadly is a surprising amount of coastal vey this area in Autumn 2008. WGP numbers were at a record low vegetation found along this stretch with only a few birds found. but since it is not vested as National My Goodbye

Park there is no baiting or burning 2007 was also my last year on the Poison Creek CANP regime for this bush. Consequently WGP Project. The last 4 years have The Poison Creek population in the vegetation was very old with been an incredible chapter in my life Cape Arid NP was surveyed with the little food, and a high presence of and an amazing start to my future in aim of estimating the number of cats and foxes evident by tracks in conservation. For all the painful WGP’s found in this area. The the sand. memories of early morning starts, population seemed to be stable and freezing conditions, long walks was estimated at 20-40 individuals Nest Searching FRNP through horrible vegetation, ticks which is promising. This figure Again there was a concentrated ef- and mozzies, all I have to do is re- (although difficult to accurately fort to study the Wilderness Gate member the laughs, look back at estimate) gives us something to population and attempt to find the some of the photos of the people base future surveys on to deter- holy grail—a WGP nest. This was I’ve met and the amazing places and mine population trends. easily the quietest year of the four critters I’ve seen and I’m left with a

spent in this area, and the first that big smile and some incredible memo- Hammersley Drive FRNP there has been no evidence of ries. Hammersley Drive used to harbor a chicks. The population seems to large population as recently as the have diminished in this area. It was Thankyou to all the people who have 90’s. However no birds have been also a later year with nesting behav- assisted both me and the project detected in this area for some time iour at least a month behind last over the years. I was made welcome and unfortunately this survey did years. Sadly there was no sign of from day one and everyone has al- not change this. It appears in FRNP the movie star Charlie and his mate. ways been willing to help in any way that once they have been displaced Attempts were made to capture a they can. from an area by a disturbance, such breeding pair of birds for radio te- Good luck to Abby and Jeff on taking as wildfire, no recolonisation of lemetry but this was unsuccessful. A over the project. these areas is occurring once the WGP did hit the net one morning vegetation becomes suitable again. but was able to free itself before it DAVID CHEMELLO This may be due to insufficient

5 Noisy Scrub-bird monitoring (Albany & Darling Range)

In 2007 The Noisy Scrub-bird growth has been consistent with still no sign of recolonisation of survey program had its share of annual increases of between ten areas burn in the 2001 and 2003 highlights and lowlights. and twenty percent since 2001. wildfires. As mentioned in previous articles

The year began with a couple the size of the population has al- Similarly areas previously con- of fires, the largest impact ready far exceeded all expecta- taining populations of scrub- caused by the wildfire that tions of the Island’s carrying ca- birds around Lake Gardner and scorched the entire Porongurup pacity (95 males heard producing Moates Lake are not being reoc- National Park in early February territorial song in 2007), and cupied. (reported in the last edition). scrub-birds are defending territo-

The two scrub-birds that sur- ries in habitat that previously Overall the AMZ population is vived this fire were still calling would have been considered mar- only showing minimal signs of throughout 2007. A second fire ginal. increasing following the wild- in the Mt Martin area did not fires of the past six years. Con- impact any current scrub-bird The number of territorial males tinuing to protect the key re- habitat, but was still uncom- recorded on the southern slopes of maining sub-populations (Mt fortably close to the Gull Rock Mt Manypeaks increased again this Gardner, Mermaid and Bald Is- translocation site. year (these birds were first heard land) will be a key task for the in 2006) which is quite probably next few years. In addition we Potential translocation sites in related to the decline in the num- hope to continue to monitor the the tall karri forests of the ber of singing males recorded for recolonisation of Mt Manypeaks! Warren Region were investi- Waychinicup. The post-fire re- gated in 2007. Superficially growth on the south side of the DARLING RANGE CENSUS this habitat type is similar to ridge is vigorous, and quite differ- The spring census of scrub-birds the Porongurup release sites, ent to any other post-fire habitat in the Darling Range failed to and a number of sites were seen elsewhere in the AMZ. In ad- locate any birds in and around identified which merit further dition we now know that breeding the release areas. However, investigation in 2008-2009. has been attempted in this area, there was a single bird heard which is an extremely significant at Sixty-one Form by Bruce ALBANY POPULATION CENSUS finding (see article page 7 for Withnell earlier in the year. more information on the Ma- The entire Albany Management nypeaks recovery). Monitoring of the Darling Range Zone [AMZ] was not surveyed release sites will be conducted in 2007, but there were some Although surveys of the Angove- again in 2008, and a review of interesting results in those sub- Normans sub-population did not the success of this translocation areas that were surveyed in manage to cover the entire sub- is currently being prepared. full (refer to table). population area, the major areas were visited in 2007 and there is Cam Tiller & Sarah Comer The census of Mt Gardner re- vealed population numbers to Number of Singing Males be almost identical to those recorded in 2006. Sub-population 2001 2006 2007

Angove-Normans 79 40 Incomplete The source population for translocations (Mermaid) is Bald Island 37 77 95 looking very healthy, with all Lakes 4 1 0 territorial males removed for the last two years transloca- Mermaid 22 29 25 tions being replaced by singing Mt Gardner 163 132 130 males. Mt Manypeaks 427 60 Incomplete The Noisy Scrub-bird popula- tion on Bald Island has seen an Waychinicup 37 29 11 impressive level of growth in NSB population indices in the Albany Management Zone the 15 years since the first * denotes incomplete surveys of sub-populations during 2007. translocation. Population 6 Mt Manypeaks recovery …a very exciting find!!

In late September 2007 Sarah Comer, the Waychinicup census data where Cam Tiller, Josie Dean and myself the number of singing males in- hiked up Mt Manypeaks to conduct creased in 2005 and has since de- Despite my initial fears we were the annual NSB census. The path clined. Recruitment on the Mt Ma- buoyed by some immediate suc- used in previous years had grown nypeaks ridge is unlikely to be due cess. A large softball sized nest over and we often stumbled from its to breeding in the post-fire re- hidden under the apron of a sedge vague impression. Much of the habi- growth, as the earliest this is likely only a few meters from the creek. tat was dense, tall Hakea elliptica. to have occurred is 2006, meaning although there is no conclusive It caught at our clothing and the thin the soonest we could expect to hear proof that recruitment was success- trunks closed on our backpacks and the songs of any successful recruit- ful at least here was evidence that slowed our progress. In other areas ment of new males would be 2008. nest building is possible within 3 the sharp stumps of the Eucalypt re- year post fire habitat. Over the growth left us scratched and black- The high number of males on the course of the day we found three ened. But as with any mountain the Manypeaks ridge led to the decision more nests. Three of the tally of view from the summit made it all to conduct nest searching in four were from 2006, and one from worth while. Atrichornis Gully on the steep 2007. It was a jubilant but tired southern slopes and we made our group who returned to the camp on It is now three years after the De- way slowly down to a creekline the summit. cember 2004 fire that tore through about a third of the way up from much of the long unburnt vegetation the coast. This was my first time It is clear that the survival of the of Mt Manypeaks, including around nest searching and I was a bit un- NSB depends upon the maintenance 55% of all known habitat occupied by sure about what came next. My of habitat which can provide ade- NSBs. This fire devastated research- hands were bleeding from where I quate food, nesting materials, and ers who presumed that any birds have inadvertently touched some protection from predators. Know- which survived the direct physical sedges on the way down. Sarah ing with more subtlety how NSB threat of fire would further suffer waved vaguely up slope where the populations and their habitat re- from the ongoing loss of habitat leav- mountain looms above us. “Search spond to fire can assist in managing ing them exposed to predators, loss every clump of sedge. If you miss a habitats and response to wildfires. of food resources and limited access nest then you wont find another Despite the difficulties with work- to nesting materials. Other NSB until you move into another females ing in this inaccessible area it is populations which have experienced nesting territory.” (based on the planned to conduct more intensive a widespread fire have been deci- premise that the earliest nesting studies in the Manypeaks and Way- mated and are yet to recover (eg. could have occurred in the post-fire chinicup areas in 2008. This knowl- Angove-Norman and the Lakes). regrowth would be 2006) looking edge will help shape future man- Based on the historic pattern of NSB again at my bleeding hands and for agement decisions in this and other recovery after fire it was presumed it a brief moment wishing I was an NSB populations. would be around seven to ten years accountant. WES MANSON before the habitat would be suit- able for scrub-birds.

Researchers were therefore de- lighted with 2006 and 2007 census data from Mt Manypeaks which demonstrated that NSB numbers are recovering more quickly than ex- pected. Although Mt Manypeaks was only partially surveyed in 2007 the results suggest that the NSB re- covery first observed in 2006 has been maintained with territorial male scrub birds heard calling from much of the ridgeline and surround- ing gullies.

The reasons for the different re- sponse in the Manypeaks population are unclear. It may be partly ex- plained by corridors to nearby habi- tat in Waychinicup providing access to a refuge and facilitating resettle- Wes Manson, his ‘gloved’ assistant and a scrub-bird nest located in 3 ment. This theory is supported by year old regrowth on Mt Manypeaks.

7 Three and a half years away – what’s new with the Western Ground Parrot? —a volunteer returns

Having completed my Zoology mello. But it was only through cryptic and usually rarely ob- degree back in England last talking to Mike Barth and Dave in served species. I say usually, be- June and with job opportunities person that I could see first hand cause the WGP has continued to in critical species conservation what had been achieved. surprise researchers over the last few and far between, I made the Firstly, the knowledge of WGP few years. I remember the elation decision (with permission from vocalisations has advanced sig- of both Brent and Dave after they Sarah!) to return to Albany last nificantly. Through Brent, Mike had just had their first pulse-racing October. My 2 months in Albany and Dave’s listening survey work encounter with a WGP. I also re- back in summer 2004 were eas- (with input from others involved in member trying (and failing) to dis- ily the highlight of my ‘gap’ year the project) an impressive array guise my considerable envy. But between school and university of call types can now be discrimi- now, largely thanks to the ridicu- and I was keen to add to my pre- nated. The use of increasingly lously obliging individual known as vious experiences. I was origi- advanced recording equipment ‘Charlie’, the quantity of observa- nally persuaded to make the and bioacoustic software have tion data has proliferated, as has journey in 2004 after a chance allowed the discovery of addi- the increased knowledge of the encounter with Brent Barrett in a tional call types, particularly the species in WA. Information on the rural pub in the South Island of ‘drawn’ or ‘d’ call. Through careful feeding behaviour, breeding ecol- New Zealand, where I had been detective work, this call has been ogy and the social interactions of working. Brent and I knew each found to be diagnostic to females, the bird has been obtained from other from time spent working allowing listeners to assign sexes field observations, photographs with Kakapo and he informed me to calling birds. Differences in and video footage. The discovery he was heading west for more calls have also emerged between that females leave their nests parrot work. And the rest, as they populations, even within the every evening for food exchange (all too frequently) say, is history. same national park. The in- ritual with the male is just one ex- Before returning to New Zealand creased complexity of WGP vo- ample of the knowledge gained for my flight home, I was fortu- calisations almost prompts me to from these observations. These nate enough to be involved in 3 say “In my day we only had three data are key in understanding Western Ground Parrot surveys calls, and it was all the simpler for WGP ecology, which in turn is vi- including Cape Arid and the Wil- it…”. Calling birds are the bread tal for the recovery of the species. derness Zone of the Fitzgerald and butter of the research of this River National Park. It seemed Saul Cowen remarkable to me that on my re- turn to WA, my first fieldtrip was the first venture into the Wilder- ness Zone for WGP surveying since I left in 2004! Sadly, al- though a successful trip for other reasons, a maximum of only two birds were recorded from our twice-daily listening surveys. However, from this survey trip and from my subsequent work with overhauling the WGP data- base this January, it has been inspiring to see the leaps and bounds the project has made during the time I have been away. I was always aware of the new ground that was being cov- ered, particularly through the Friends of the WGP newsletter from Brenda Newbey as well as email contact with Dave Che- Saul Cowen (right) with John Blyth and David Chemello at a recent Recvoery team meeting in Walpole

8 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN 2008 & 2009

Western Ground Parrot surveys are continuing throughout 2008 & 2009 to both Fitzgerald River NatNational Park and . (see page 3 for dates) Contact Abby Berryman on 0429 842 451, email: [email protected]

Noisy Scrub-bird, Western Whipbird and Western Bristlebird surveys, capture, translocation, and nest-searching in the Albany district and the Darling Range (May to November). Contact Cam Tiller on 0427 440816 or (08) 9842 4500 email: [email protected]

WESTERN BRISTLEBIRDS RECORDED ON THUMB PEAK STAFF CHANGES

In October 2007 a group of re- birds are calling from ideal look- There were numerous staff searchers obtained a permit to ing bristlebird habitat that was changes on the South Coast conduct surveys of a number of last burnt in a wildfire in 1998. Threatened Birds projects dur- threatened species in the Wilder- Other bristlebird home ranges ing 2007. ness Zone of the Fitzgerald River on Telegraph Track, Woolber- National Park. The idea of this nup Hill and the Marshes In the Darling Range Bruce trip was to combine our re- Track—including all of those Withnell has moved on to take sources to survey Western surveyed by Shapelle McNee up a position at Lorna Glen. Ground Parrots, Western Bristle- and Brenda Newbey in 2000 Bruce has been one of the key birds, and Dibblers and conduct were surveyed during this trip, supporters of the Darling Range searches for threatened flora and we were delighted to find a translocation, and will be populations and short-range en- healthy population of at least greatly missed by the south demic invertebrates. 110 ‘a’ calling birds within the coast staff. 1998 fire scar. This is a signifi- It was during a day searching for cant increase on the number of Dave Chemello again changed the latter on Thumb Peak, that birds recorded by Shapelle and hats over the summer months we were surprised by the calls of Brenda in 2000, and a good to fill the seasonal ranger role bristlebirds from not one, or two indication that this population is (made possible with the Project but four separate home ranges. recovering well after the wild- Phoenix funding) at Waychini- This is the first record of bristle- fire. cup National Park. birds from this area—and the Sarah Comer Saul Cowen, a previous volun- teer on the ground parrot pro- gram, has joined us from the UK to lend a helping hand to all threatened birds projects. We hope that Saul will be staying on the south coast to complete his post-graduate studies.

Finally, at the end of the year, both Mike Barth and Dave Che- mello departed from the Ground Parrot project with Abby Berryman temporarily taking up the reins as Project Officer until we can readvertise this position. Jeff Pinder is pro- viding Abby with technical sup- The FRNP Wilderness survey team on Thumb Peak, near where the first of port for the coming season. the mountaintop Western Bristlebirds was heard in October 2007. Photo: Sarah Barrett

9 To Suffer in Silence

less to say the image of seeing “It is absolutely the most silent this WGP sing, the call that I had Why is this the case? Their re- and unobtrusive bird I have yet only heard until then (albeit maining habitat is now pre- encountered in Western Austra- hundreds of times) is something I served in national parks, efforts lia.” Whitlock (1914). won’t forget in a hurry. are made to minimise large scale destructive fires, and “The call of the Ground Parrot… These birds have evolved to re- foxes are controlled using 1080 conveys a sense of sadness.” Mat- main invisible, and they’ve had baits. The two remaining parks tingley (1918). plenty of time to perfect the are expansive and contain a lot art. The cryptic markings on the of suitable habitat that is not “As far as could be ascertained, feathers enables even the occupied. Are there other pres- it uses its call as infrequently as scantiest of vegetation to con- sures we can’t see? How long possible.” (Mattingley, 1918). has their decline gone un- aware? Some articles from “I found it a very difficult bird the mid 1900’s mention their to study, and the task of find- decline and disappearance ing its nest and eggs trying in from certain areas. It ap- the extreme to one’s pa- pears the have been silently tience.” Whitlock 1914. declining since then.

When I first learned I would be Perhaps the saddest thing is coming to Albany to work on that if ground parrots did the Western Ground Parrot four vanish, how many people years ago, I began to do a little would actually know or care? research on the bird to in- Being in a positions to capture images They are after all nearly im- crease my knowledge of my such as the one above, of a Western possible to see, and not many future quarry. I found it diffi- Ground Parrot nicknamed people are in heath at sun- cult to obtain many references ‘Charlie’ (photo taken by Brent Barrett) rise or sunset to hear their on this bird. I began to think was a highlight of Dave’s time on the call. But by the same token my researching skills left a lot project. how many people get to to be desired. The reality is watch a potoroo digging for that not much is known about truffles, or a numbat digging this bird, which is uncommon ceal their bright fluorescent for termites? Does it have to be these days for most animals. green bodies, and allows them if seen by people to make it worth seen to once again disappear. saving? There are short articles written on the WGP from the early 1900’s While the WGP’s amazing cam- Most people that drive past the but they only pop up sporadically ouflage and cryptic nature are FRNP or CANP don’t stop in and and usually go something along both fascinating and intriguing, of those that do not many ac- the lines of “while walking it is at the same time frustrat- tively search out the WGP. But through the heath I flushed a bird ing. How can you help a bird to know that somewhere in and had a fleeting glimpse of a you can’t see, and is extremely these huge parks the secretive green parrot which soon disap- hard to find? WGP is running around is what’s peared”. This fleeting glimpse important to most people. took 7 weeks in the field to hap- Anything we can learn about this pen to me, and even longer for species is a godsend. Slowly we We need to continue to try to others. are piecing the pieces of the improve the status of this beau- WGP puzzle together from scat- tiful species because to let it It wasn’t until almost two years tered clues-feedsign, feathers, drop to the next status is to let of full time research that I had the occasional glimpse, but it go extinct. my first good look at a WGP. I mostly from listening surveys. was amazed that something so But is it coming together too DAVE CHEMELLO bright and colourful had avoided slowly? WGP’s are still sadly, my attention until then. Need- and silently, declining.

10 Western Ground Parrot Project welcomes new technical officer

Hello everyone. As David Che- as an outdoor instructor teaching mello did such a great job as young people activities such as Technical Officer of the West- rock climbing and abseiling. After ern Ground Parrot Project I felt 3 years I went back to university the need to announce myself (Southampton) and qualified as a to the world of Pezoporus en- high school teacher. I then took a thusiasts and hence move out job as an environmental tutor at of his illustrious shadow. He a field study centre leading inner certainly has big shoes to fill city kids on trips within the beau- and anyone who knows me al- tiful Dorset countryside. For ready will know I can only hope many of these kids it was an ex- to fill them metaphorically. I perience of a lifetime. Some had would also like to thank Allan never seen whole, live cows be- Burbidge and Sarah Comer for fore, only parts of the animal giving me the opportunity to such as a Big Mac or a Double work on such an exciting (read Whopper. also as “extremely challeng- Somewhere in the middle of this ing”) project. 7 year post I took a year’s sab- I do feel I am ably qualified for (still not sure what a degree in batical and traveled Down Under the job as I am one of the rural resource management actu- among other places. I loved the lucky few who have actually ally qualifies me to do). I then friendly, laid back life and the seen a WGP. I just hope this is went on to work as a ranger on an taste of Timtams. When I re- a good omen for the coming island nature reserve; Flat Holm in turned to England my mum said season. And even at this early the Bristol Channel. The island is that she could see me moving stage I won’t apologise for only 500 metres in diameter with permanently to Australia one looking for omens. Omen a population of three (good day. searching maybe an unscien- grounding for working in isolated Jeff Pinder tific approach but I’ll take all areas such as ground parrot habi- the help I can get. (I know how tat). My main duties were con- Eds note: Jeff’s experiences as a these birds operate!). ducting tours of the seabird col- volunteer on the ground parrot My credentials for this position ony, habitat management and project led to him applying, suc- include completing a 4 year goat herding. cessfully for the position of tech- honours degree in Rural Re- I then moved away from nature nical officer. We wish him good source Management at Ply- conservation and into “the nest of luck in the challenges of his new mouth University in England vipers” that is education. I started job! EXPERIMENTAL CAT CONTROL—FRNP The partnership with South fauna from consuming the baits. dye will be contained in a cap- Coast NRM Inc. has resulted in This is done by inserting a rho- sule (similar to how we would some of the more innovative damine dye marker into the then insert the poison). ideas for threat abatement ac- bait, then taking whiskers from Once this has been completed tually funded, and DEC were all animals captured in monitor- and we can satisfy requirement lucky enough to get funding to ing programs where the special to minimise the impact of cat set up an experimental cat con- (non-toxic) baits have been laid. baiting on any native fauna we trol project in key Western The first stage of non-target can hopefully continue with ex- Ground Parrot breeding areas in baiting found that significant perimental baiting of cats around the Fitzgerald River National numbers of Bush Rats and West- those very critical ground parrot Park. ern Brushtail Possums consumed breeding areas in the FRNP. A One of the first tasks that needs the baits, which had the dye great step forward for ground to be completed prior to any marker injected. The second parrot conservation! actual cat baiting is identifying trial will be completed in au- Stay tuned for future updates... the risks to non-target (native) tumn 2008, and in this trial the

11 Walpole Translocation Contd from Page 1 Fitzgerald River National Park Wildfires The last time we picked up a signal from Bravo’s transmitter In last year’s newsletter we had a contain the fire to the west of the Bell was a month after release – he postscript about the devastating Track phytophthora infestation and had settled in an area about 2km wildfire which burnt through the Drummond Track WGP population. scrub-bird translocation sites in the At the same time another wildfire on away from the release site. in Febru- Mid Mt Barren was also creating

st ary 2007 (see page 6.) concerns for the Wilderness Ground When we visited them on 31 January 2008 saw yet more wild- Parrot population, but this wildfire January, Bravo was not heard fires threatening threatened bird was contained to the cell it started in. but Whiskey and Delta were habitat, when a series of lightning The efforts and success of the fire singing away happily together. storms moved through the Fitzger- fighting crews and incident manage- Hopefully Whiskey and Delta will ald River National Park. The first ment team in minimising the impact continue to sing and Bravo will smoke was reported on the 8th of of these wildfires on the key remain- be heard again as well. January, and by the following day ing populations of the Western some six separate fires had been Ground Parrot were a great out- reported from the west to the east of come. This project could not have hap- the Park. While all of these pre- pened without the support of sented challenges for managers, the Warren Region DEC, in par- several were of great concern for ticular, the staff who made the populations of threatened species in time to come over to Two Peo- the Park, especially Western ples Bay to assist with netline Ground Parrots. While at least one preparation and captures (Chery fire appeared to self extinguish Ehlers, Carol Rodd, Jason Ben- when it burnt into a low fuel zone, the largest was burning in a north- son, Marnie Swinburn, Carol Eb- easterly direction towards Drum- bet, Jason Fletcher and Mark mond Track and the core WGP Barley). The effort that has also breeding habitat that has been the gone into fox baiting and cat subject of research in the past few trpping at the release site is also years. Various strategies were put greatly appreciated. Thanks also into place, including the establish- The sign above is an example of the to volunteers Saul Cowen and ment of an ‘Environmental signs erected near sensitive areas Team’ (which amongst others in- during the wildfires—these were es- Carolin von Prondzinsky and sential to ensure habitat disturbance other staff who helped out along cluded Dave Chemello, Sarah Comer and Alan Danks) within the was minimised and crews were the way. fire management team, and upgrad- aware of important areas for ABBY BERRYMAN ing of breaks that could be used to protection.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This newsletter was prepared jointly by the Department of Environment and Conservation and volunteers. We would also like to thank DEC, Environment Australia and South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc. for their financial support for some of these projects. BHP Billiton have kindly provided funds to support work on the genetics of the two WA subspecies of Western Whipbird.

In addition we would like to acknowledge the phenomenal support of volunteers on the recovery programs for the south coast threatened birds. In 2007 over 1500 hours of volunteer time was spent assisting with surveys for Western Ground Parrots, surveying and translocat- ing Noisy Scrub-birds, and surveying Western Whipbirds and Western Bristlebirds in the after- math of the Manypeaks wildfire.

Any contributions about threatened birds on the south coast are welcome. If you wish to receive this newsletter electronically please let us know! NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Sarah Comer Department of Environment & Conservation 120 Albany Hwy ALBANY WA 6330 PH: (08) 9842 4500 Email: [email protected]

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