The BLSH flyer Volume 7 Number 4, November 2018 Silvereye by Erna Llenore Nankeen Kestrel. Photo by Trevor Vale Contents From the President ................................................................................. Page 2 Members’ Night July 24 2018. Graham Fry Guest Speaker ........................... Page 3 Bird Tales .............................................................................................. Page 3 Forbes, Grenfell Spring Camp ............................................................... Page 4-5 Liaison Officer’s Report. Some 10th Anniversary Reflections ..................... Page 6-8 Landcare Projects ................................................................................... Page 9 Mt Alexandra-1 August 2018 ................................................................. Page 10 Blue Gum Creek-Shared Site ................................................................. Page 11 Penrose State Forest-12 September 2018 ............................................... Page 12 New Members ...................................................................................... Page 12 North American Birds ....................................................................... Page 13-15 Aussie Backyard Bird Count ................................................................... Page 15 Paddy’s River, Canyonleigh-23 September 2018 ....................................... Page 16 Schools Environment Day ...................................................................... Page 17 The Archive and You ............................................................................. Page 18 Budderoo Plateau and Barren Grounds-3 October 2018 ............................. Page 19 Birdlife Australia Twitchathon ................................................................. Page 20 Worth a Look ....................................................................................... Page 20 Members’ Bird Photography ............................................................. Page 21-23 November 2018 From the President Your committee has been busy preparing a range of activities for members to enjoy for the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. We hope to have a draft outing schedule ready for the next mem- bers night. In September I again represented BLSH at the bi-annual meeting of BIGNet, this time held at the Shortland Wetlands Centre in Newcastle. If you have not visited this wetland I would recommend that you consider it when next planning a trip away from the Highlands. A range of topics was discussed at the meeting, many of which have implications for us. The pro- tection of habitat vital to the conservation of the Regent Honeyeater in the Burragorang Valley was high on the list. The proposal to raise the dam wall for flood mitigation is likely to result in the loss of habitat for these highly endangered birds. The increased activity in land clearing since the change in NSW legislation is alarming. A current proposal to allow logging of the majestic Red Gum Forests in the Murray Valley National Park is also cause for concern. The Hunter Bird Observers have been busy un- dertaking studies of specific species within their region. Reports were presented to the meeting Regent Honeyeater. Photo Jennie Wiles on a survey of the very shy Rufous Scrubwren in the Gloucester Tops. This report included some wonderful recordings of the bird calling. However, despite many hours spent in searching for the birds they are very elusive. The study will continue. Beach nesting Little Terns were also part of a study with the report being presented to the meeting. Nesting sites within the Hunter region are under threat from all beach users. 4WD sand vehicles are the biggest threat followed by people, especially those with dogs, ignoring all the warning signs and taped off breeding areas. These little birds are now on the endangered list for NSW and are declining throughout most of Australia. A very interesting study was presented on “who uses nesting hollows” within the Hunter Region. Cameras and research students were used to monitor the natural and man-made hollows to see if the more aggressive birds replace the less aggressive birds in the limited nesting spots. Our next Guest Speaker night will be held on November 27 when George Lemann will chat to us about his work eradicating feral species from South Georgia Island. Little Tern chick. Photo Jennie Wiles Three interesting locations, in the Highlands and at the coast, where we should be able to view an interesting variety of water birds, have been scheduled for November. See your members update for all the details. November 2018 2 Members’ Night July 24 2018. Graham Fry Guest Speaker. Report by Christine Kelly Graham Fry generously agreed to address our members following an ad- dress to BigNet some months earlier. Graham has been surveying and banding birds in the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve in the Central table- lands of NSW for over 50 years. Munghorn Gap is part of the Mudgee-Wollar KBA and is located north of Mudgee. This area was listed as a KBA because of its importance to the endangered Regent Honeyeater. The region was used extensively by the Wiradjuri people trading with other Aboriginal groups prior to the arrival of white settlers in the early 19th century. This region was declared a na- ture reserve in 1967. Graham and his companions have been recording the birds in the area since that time. During the period of his study in the area Graham has been assisted by Alan Morris, who regularly is listed as recording the most species on the Birdata site. Graham has built up a wealth of information on the survival of the bird spe- cies in this area. 15–20 days per year are spent recording the birds. These days cover the four main seasons experienced in the Central West. Over 111 species have been banded at the banding sites that have been established and are identified. A total of 164 species have been recorded in the nature reserve, making it one of the most important birding sites in NSW. 29,000 birds have been banded over the 50-year survey time with a total of 6,000 birds being recaptured in future banding events. Graham Fry receiving a gift Graham reports that one of the main threats to species is the loss of open after presenting a most in- country to native revegetation. teresting talk at a BLSH guest speaker night. Bird Tales ‘Bird Tales’ is an opportunity for BLSH members’ to share stories of their observations of birds. Please consider contributing your tales. Photos are welcome. Simon Robinson is the first to share - “Col Kohlhagen and I do a regular survey at a property along Golden Vale Road. A couple of weeks ago, we were on the property on the edge of a large dam. We had the most incredible experience: we were surrounded by countless Silvereyes that were flitting around the grass and the bushes be- side us, totally oblivious of our presence. But more! Also flitting around through the air were at least 100 Tree Martins – that totally surrounded us, flying straight at us at times, only to swerve at the last minute. There were a few Welcome Swallows there as well. Must have been a bunch of insects in the air – but we couldn’t see them. Fantastic experience!” November 2018 3 FORBES, GRENFELL SPRING CAMP Report by camp organiser and leader Christine Kelly Ah! Delusive hope, how much further wilt thou lead me! Audubon (1785-1857) This was the daily cry of the 12 members and visitors who signed up to take part in the Spring four day trip to Forbes and Grenfell. A cracking pace had been set to visit a wide variety of birding sites and to produce a list of as many interesting species as possible. Day One We met in Boorowa but there was no time for birding, only coffee and next stop instruc- tions before we were off on our way to Ben Halls Cave entrance in the Weddin Mountains National Park. Lunch and a walk around revealed 23 species. A brilliant start. At the final stop before Forbes, Pinnacle Rd, we added an Emu and ten other sightings to our list. Day Two. An early morning trip to the popular birding site, Gum Swamp, which we revisited on day four. There is a Forbes Council-provided bird hide at the swamp which is very well used. This site revealed 54 species sightings in total, including a Little Grassbird. We then headed to Nangar Na- tional Park for morning tea and lunch. The weather was glorious and we all enjoyed a lovely birding experience with 47 species sighted. Bird hide, Gum Swamp. Photo Helen Erskine Dripping Rock (dry) Nangar National Park Photo Helen Erskine Day Three was a real treat. We had been invited to spend the morning at a private property in Grenfell. Superb Parrots were guaranteed. We were not disappointed. The property was a delight. Our hosts were very generous with their time and knowledge. It was a highlight of the trip. 34 spe- cies were identified on this property. After a very convivial morning tea break we were off to the Grenfell Sewage Ponds. Unfortunately, access had been denied but we were able to see 23 species Mikla showing us the birds that have returned after Brown Falcon. Photo by Jennie Wiles the replanting on their property. Photo Jennie Wiles November 2018 4 through the cyclone fence. David, the manager, has plans to have the council install a bird hide at the ponds when they are decommissioned. Plans are in place to have the ponds replaced by a more modern treatment plant. Four of the five existing ponds will be retained for environmental purposes. After lunch in a local park we made a brief visit