Lyrebird Tales
Volume 25 Number 1 March 2016
Central North West
By Manfred Hennig
Back from a long drive up to the North and West of Australia,
I have been sorting through my bird photos. While it wasn’t
specifically a Twitcher Trip, I used “Birds of Australia” by
Thomas, Thomas, Andrews & McBride and “Finding Australian
Birds” by Dolby & Clarke as my locations guide. Both books
are very comprehensive and are based on yearlong surveys,
often by locals. As a tourist quickly passing through, you can
be lucky – or not.
At the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens in Alice Springs we found
a Western Bowerbird right next to the car park. He was a
beauty, totally involved in performing – to a tree branch!
Western Bowerbird Photo © Manfred Hennig
In the same Gardens we also saw a fierce stand-off between
an Australian Ringneck Parrot and a Grey crowned Babbler.
Australian Ringneck Parrot & Grey-crowned Babbler
Photo © Manfred Hennig
In Kakadu National Park, Yellow Waters was a hot spot for
Flycatchers: Shining, Paperbark, Broad-billed, and Lemon-
bellied. Kingfishers, too: Azure, Little, Forest, Sacred, Red-
backed, and Mangrove Kingfishers. And not forgetting the
White-bellied Sea Eagles and Whistling Kites.
Thanks to Dolby & Clarke’s precise directions, at Nourlangi
Rock in Kakadu we saw several Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon.
Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon Photo © Manfred Hennig
Contents 1 – 3. Central North West by Manfred Hennig
3. No Buts about it by Glenn Mawson. What bird is that?
4. Vale Bruce Osborn. Vale Murray Bourchier.
Notice of AGM May 2016. Koel Video. Committee
5 & 6. Interesting Bird Observations by Glenn Mawson
6. Cooee Cooee – Where are you by Alma Mitchell
7. Interesting Sightings. Farewell to the Peper Boys.
7 – 11. Reports of Meetings and Outings
12. Calendar of Events
Lyrebird Tales
2 Lyrebird Tales
Also in Kakadu at the Marmukala Bird Hide we observed
Magpie Geese, Whistling Wandering Ducks, Jacanas, and a
Pied Heron snatching a large frog for breakfast. Expertly it
twisted, turned and positioned the frog head first to swallow
down its gullet. Yum, eh?
Pied Heron Photo © Manfred Hennig
Fogg Dam just outside Kakadu was a fantastic place to watch
birds by the thousands (Herons, ducks, Magpie Geese…). We
didn’t walk along the dam wall as it was well guarded by a
large saltwater crocodile.
At Howard Springs near Darwin I saw a Rainbow Pitta but no
Arafura Fantail nor Red Headed Honeyeater. Oh well, maybe
next time.
Directed (by Dolby & Clarke) to Timber Creek on our way to
the Kimberleys I photographed a Red Headed and a Black
Headed Gouldian Finch as well as Double Barred, Crimson,
Zebra finches. Other finches we saw around the grasslands
were Star, Long Tailed, Masked, and Painted Finch.
We saw approximately ten different kinds of Honeyeaters,
special treats being the Yellow-plumed, Dusky, White-
throated, and Rufus-throated ones. White-plumed, Singing,
and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters were most abundant.
Around Wyndham we watched Brolgas dance among the
Boab trees, and we also saw Jabiru /Black Necked Storks
quietly resting. Interestingly, males’ eyes are black and
females’ eyes gold. While we were looking for Spinifex
Pigeons, hundreds of Black Kites circled overhead, with more
Black Kites just sitting on the ground. They were everywhere
in the Northern Territory. South of Derby we finally saw three
Great-billed Herons, completing my Heron wish list.
In Yandi Gorge at the Cape National Park (Ningaloo Reef) I
was photographing a pair of Ospreys renovating their 3
metre high nest on the cliff face across the water, and I
heard a Cuckoo chick in a bush behind me. I turned and
focused on the noise and at that moment a Singing
Honeyeater came to feed its baby. Click!
Singing Honeyeater and baby Cuckoo
Photo © Manfred Hennig
Another special Ningaloo treat was a pair of Australian
Bustards crossing in front of us and posing for their portrait.
Actually they were too intent on mating to take much notice
of us at all.
Two nights camping at the Broome Bird Observatory, too
early for the waders and my binoculars weren’t strong
enough to identify the few early birds. There were plenty of
Striated Mangrove Herons about at low tide on the mudflats.
Right next to our campsite a large bower overflowed with
enticingly arranged white treasures including shells, crumpled
tissues, and plastics. Bottle green glass shards delicately
encircled the base of the bower walls. A masterpiece!
I asked The Ranger about Oriental Pratincoles – and found
out you could only see them if you took a $100 tour to the
Roebuck Plains. But for free at Broome’s Cable Beach we
witnessed about thirty Masked Boobies offshore diving for
fish.
Between Broome and Shark Bay the wildflowers were
spectacular, the landscape bursting with colour and bird
song. Small birds rocketing around the shrubs were so hard
to photograph. Invisible Chiming Wedgebills were calling
everywhere – frustrating! I did manage to snap a male
Crimson Chat. And a Thick-billed Grass Wren at Monkey Mia
car park.
Lyrebird Tales
March 2016 3
Crimson Chat Photo © Manfred Hennig
Thick-billed Grass Wren Photo © Manfred Hennig
To top it all off, returning East across the Nullarbor Plain we
drove to the Head of Bight National Park and what a sight!
From the elevated boardwalk we looked forty metres down
onto four female Humpback whales nursing their calves. I
complained about my binoculars before but I still managed to
spot another twenty whales resting further along the rugged
coastline.
Back home in Toolangi, people keep telling me about the
coldest winter in a decade and no, I’m not sorry we missed it.
Some statistics: 18,000 km. Only 3 days of rain. Forty new
birds.
Thanks Manfred, it sounds like you a great trip and
took fabulous photos. Manfred and Margaret recently
made a beautiful photo book of their trip.
No Buts About It ..by Glenn Mawson
While spending a weekend at the Warrenmang Winery Resort
near Avoca in Central Victoria (a highly recommended
activity), we managed to get in a bit off bird-watching
between sampling the fine wines and superb food. Many of
the birds on the resort's list were successfully ticked,
however we were unsuccessful in our pursuit of the elusive
Butt-rumped Thornbill.
What Bird Is That?
Answer on page 6
Lyrebird Tales
4 Lyrebird Tales
Vale Bruce Osborn
13.08.1929 - 24.12.2015
We were saddened to learn that Bruce had passed away on
Christmas Eve. Bruce was a valued member of the Yarra
Valley Branch Committee having been the Treasurer from
May 1998 to October 2012 when he resigned due to his
health problems.
He regularly attended our meetings and outings and his love
and appreciation of the birds in the Yarra Valley were
evident. He was very proud of the birds in his garden,
particularly the Satin Bowerbird which built a bower in his
veggie patch.
Seven BirdLife Yarra Valley members attended Bruce’s
funeral on 30 December at the Uniting Church, Healesville.
More than 160 family and friends were there to farewell
Bruce, who had battled with cancer for 28 years. We learnt a
lot about Bruce’s early life as a Minister in the Methodist
Church and later as a teacher.
Bruce was instrumental in founding H.I.C.C.I. (Healesville
Interchurch Community Care Inc) a group which helps the
needy. He was a Healesville Sanctuary Guide for a number
of years.
Farewell Bruce, we will miss you.
We extend our sympathy to Gwen and her family.
Vale Murray Bourchier
20.2.1933 - 29.12.2015
We were saddened to learn that Murray had passed away
after battling with cancer for many years.
He joined the B.O.C. (Bird Observers Club) in 1955 and soon
found a niche with other members who were conducting
surveys. Murray was a founding member of V.O.R.G.
(Victorian Ornithological Research Group). His keen interest
in the Hattah Lakes National Park saw him doing surveys
there for many years. Murray belonged to the Friends of the
Hooded Plover at Point Nepean National Park for 13 years
and was also Activities Co-ordinator of the Friends of French
Island. He was Vice-President of B.O.C. for 6 years and was
also a Trustee for several Club properties before B.O.C. was
incorporated.
In 1960 Wilma and Murray moved to a property in Park
Orchards adjoining a pristine bushland area. In 1972 plans
to subdivide and develop the area were announced. This
spurred Murray into action and he fought to have the area
preserved. This a now the unique bushland area in the
middle of suburbia known as The 100 Acres.
The 200+ family and friends who attended his funeral on 6
January at St. Gerard’s Church in Warrandyte heard of
Murray’s many other interests, including bushwalking and
long distance walking in Australia and overseas.
Farewell Murray, you were a modest, quiet achiever. We will
miss you.
We extend our sympathy to Wilma and her family.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
2016
The A.G.M. of BirdLife Yarra Valley will be held on Tuesday 10
May at 7.45 p.m. in the Badger Creek Hall Meeting Room.
Nominations will be received for all positions on the
Committee before or at the meeting.
Agenda: Minutes of the 2015 A.G.M.; Reports from
Convenor and Treasurer; Election of Committee for 2016-
2017. Any other business for which 14 days' notice is
required.
Video of a Common Koel
Alma Mitchell in Healesville was able to capture a short video
of a Common Koel in her garden which had been calling for
days when it perched outside her door on December. Apart
from its usual call it was also making a different call by
vibrating its neck. Alma showed her video to BirdLife Yarra
Valley members at the meeting in January.
BirdLife Australia Yarra Valley Branch
P.O. Box 1172, Healesville Vic. 3777
email: [email protected]
Committee
Convener: Glenn Mawson
Vice-Convenor: Peter Fowler
Secretary: Alma Mitchell
Treasurer: Maggie Smith
Librarian: Linda Bullen
Conservation Officer: Michael Feller
Other Members: Manfred Hennig, Jim McMinn, Kevin
Mason
Lyrebird Tales
March 2016 5
Interesting Bird Observations
By Glenn Mawson
Interesting Observation 1
Over four days in early October 2015 at Chum Creek a pair of
White-browed Scrubwrens was observed building a nest in
our hammock on the back verandah. The nesting material
was being collected from the leaf litter under the nearby
camellias, all within two metres of the hammock. Most of the
work, possibly all, seemed to be being done by one bird only,
with the other going about its own business while keeping an
eye on proceedings. Some of the items the bird was
collecting were quite large in comparison to its diminutive
size and you had to wonder how it had the wing strength to
carry them. The birds seemed largely unperturbed by my
presence, continuing the nest building unabated - not taking
time out to use the hammock for its intended purpose.
However on occasions they would disappear into different
sections of the garden for several hours before returning and
continuing where they left off. After four days the nest
building ceased and despite not disturbing it, the birds did
not return.
White-browed Scrubwren photo © Glenn Mawson
White-browed Scrubwren Photo © Glenn Mawson
Photos © shown above and below by Glenn Mawson
Lyrebird Tales
6 Lyrebird Tales
Interesting Observation 2
Observed at Chum Creek in September 2015 was a Pied
Currawong flying past with a small bird in its beak. The Pied
Currawong landed about 5 metres up in a Silver Wattle,
promptly wedged the small bird between a fork in the
branches and commenced taking pecks at the still alive bird.
A quick grab of the binoculars revealed the unfortunate bird
to be an adult Red-browed Finch. The Currawong continued
to peck, dislodging feathers, for about 3 minutes before
flying off, leaving the finch still alive and captured in the fork.
Half an hour later the Currawong had failed to return. When
next checked two hours later, the finch had gone. There was
no evidence of any bird remains and only minimal feathers.
After reading of Glenn’s account about the Pied Currawong I
was reminded of similar behaviour I had read about in an
article on the Loggerhead Shrike in North America. The
Loggerhead Shrike is a passerine and behaves in a similar
manner to the Australian Butcherbirds. Its prey is often
insects such as grasshoppers and spiders but they are also
known to take lizards, mice and small birds. They attach their
prey to the nearest spiky object to their nest, usually sharp
pointed vegetation but they also widely use the sharp hooked
lines of barbed wire. In fact they are so keen on using this
method that they have a nickname “the barbed wire bird”.
The article asked why the bird didn’t just swallow its prey
instead of hanging it out to dry. It concluded that it is the
behaviour of the male Loggerhead which is looking for a mate
and is trying to attract a female in order to start a family.
The male Loggerhead has been known to decorate its prey
with feathers to try to impress a female flying by…Valerie
Gee Whistlers
Golden Whistler Photo © Glenn Mawson
Not a bad view from the study window! Sure beats looking at
the computer screen! The male and female Golden Whistler
hung around outside the window for a couple of days,
showing great interest in a nearby tree fern. But they didn't
build a nest there, apparently opting for somewhere else
nearby as they are consistently seen and heard close by.
Answer to What Bird is That? 2 White-winged Choughs
Cooee Cooee – Where are You?
By Alma Mitchell
Since 16 October 2015 there have been numerous reports of
a Common Koel in the Yarra Valley. The locations have been
far apart and we are thinking that there is probably more
than one bird in the east of Melbourne.
Date Location Observer/s
16 October East Warburton Heather Arnold
31 October Mont Albert Geoff Deason
7/8 November Eltham Lin Bullen
9-20 November Healesville Alma Mitchell
21-22 November Toolangi Bob Pockett, Manfred Hennig.
28-29 November Healesville Kevin Mason, Alma Mitchell
(feeding in a Fejoa tree on the 28th in Kevin’s garden)
30 November Healesville Kevin Mason, Alma Mitchell
1 December Healesville Kevin Mason
15 December Healesville Kevin Mason, Alma Mitchell
15 December Toolangi Bob Pockett
16 December Healesville Kevin Mason
16 December Toolangi Bob Pockett
30 December Healesville Kevin Mason
1 January Healesville Kevin Mason
6 January Healesville Kevin Mason
(date unknown) Kilsyth Gilda Arblaster
The reports in Healesville have come in from various
locations:
Alma Mitchell Farnham Road
Kevin Mason Don Road (opposite the cemetery)
In the town area behind the shops and along the Watts River
in Coronation Park.
Near the Sports Complex in Don Road from the man who
delivers papers starting at 4 a.m.
When we asked Andrew Silcocks, Atlasser, whether there
have been other reports of Koels in the Melbourne area we
received the following reply:
“We’ve also been getting a good number of reports of Koels
from across Melbourne and surrounding areas. We’ve had a
quick look at the data and birds have been reported from
around 40 sites. Undoubtedly some of these will be the same
individuals, however, it does indicate that a reasonable
number of birds are involved. It’s likely many others would
have gone unreported.
Each year we have been getting more reports of Koels in
southern and central Victoria, only this year there have been
Lyrebird Tales
March 2016 7
inundated with reports. It appears they are becoming a well
established and regular summer migrant. Other east coast
species such as Channel-billed Cuckoos and Figbirds are also
being reported slightly more frequently in recent years, but
not to the same extent as Koels.”
Interesting Sightings
6-11-15 Masked Plover Pair raised 1 young in Clegg Rd
Roundabout Mt. Evelyn Doug Pocock
7-11-15 Satin Flycatchers (pair) Milner Rd Launching Place.
Carol Taylor
9-11-15 Koel (heard) Farnham Rd Healesville. Alma Mitchell
10-11-15 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos (3) Healesville. Alma
Mitchell
10-11-15 Koel (heard) Newgrove Rd Healesville. Kevin Mason
Early Dec, Koel Yellingbo. David Ap-Thomas
Early Dec, Cicadabird, Badger Weir, Healesville. David Ap-
Thomas
Dec 2015 Painted Button Quail St. Andrews. Dace Fitton
21-12-15 Whistling Kite, RACV Healesville. Manfred Hennig
8-1-16 Latham Snipe, RACV Healesville. Manfred Hennig
15-1-16 Sacred kingfisher St Andrews. Dace Fitton
Note: as there have been numerous reports of the Koel
please refer to the article Cooee Cooee for further records.
Farewell to the Peper Boys!
Herman and Gerard have migrated northwards to settle in
their new home near Bundaburg. They will be sadly missed.
Our loss is BirdLife northern branches gain.
On their last meeting with BirdLife Yarra Valley they were
presented with a card and a delicious cake made by Leah.
Herman and Gerard Photo © Peter Smith
Reports of Meetings and Outings
Tuesday 10 November - Meeting – Peper Boys in South
Africa
Hoopoe at nest Photo © Herman & Gerard Peper
Finally we had the long awaited presentation from the Peper
brothers about their 6 month trip driving through southern
Africa. We were entertained by funny and sometimes
outrageous tales accompanied by their lovely photos of birds
and animals.
We were originally introduced to their travels by enticing
snippets written by Herman as they travelled, these were
included in previous Lyrebird Tales. Now we heard a fuller
version of the highlights and memorable experiences of their
trip.
Preparing for their trip they researched and planned an
itinerary to include as many different habitats and birds as
possible. They spent the following number of days in each
country: South Africa 144 days, Namibia 25 days, Botswana
9 days, Zimbabwe 4 days and they drove 23077 kilometres
in total (127 kms/per day). The trip started in Cape Town,
continuing to Etosha National Park, along the border of
Angola, Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), Okavango Delta, and then
back to South Africa. They returned to Cape Town via
Pilanesberg N.P. Kruger N.P. Durban, Pretoria, Augrabies N.P.
Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth.
Herman and Gerard have a set of rules when counting birds
for their list which requires that both of them to see the bird
and a photo be taken of the species before it can be counted.
So when they flew into Cape Town and the first bird for the
trip was spotted at the airport where they could not
photograph, they therefore could not put it as the first bird
on their list. They did however see and photograph the
Blacksmiths Plover later in the trip.
We were introduced to some of the more common birds of
South Africa: Hadeda Ibis, Southern Double-collared Sunbird,
Malachite Sunbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape White
Eye, Three-banded Plover, African Spoonbill, Red-billed Teal
and Egyptian Geese which are often seen resting in town
fountains.
Lyrebird Tales
8 Lyrebird Tales
Red-billed Oxpeckers Photo © H & G Peper
Herman and Gerard saw a small Mongoose at the Penguin
colony where Penguins are able to be seen all day long. At a
large farm Gerard had the opportunity to safely pat a captive
Cheetah; later in the trip they photographed wild ones in the
game parks.
At the Cape of Good Hope they were reminded of home after
seeing a sign saying Sydney 11,642km.
Their well researched and planned trip did not always go to
plan, some roads were very difficult and some impossible.
They had to divert from their route when a Landrover driver
told them the road ahead was a wrecker so instead the road
followed had a series of 4 rickety timber bridges; three of
which were under water. Herman said it is not always
advisable to follow a navigation device in the vehicle as they
were taken up a back road which Herman described as the
worse road ever! But they were rewarded by seeing big
groups of Blue Cranes and White Storks. In January their tent
was blown away in a storm so they had to resort to staying in
cabins.
Blue & Crowned Cranes Photo © H & G Peper
On their trip Gerard and Herman saw lots of birds and
wildlife, a few of which are included here. Some of the
species (mainly finches) have been bred in Australia and
Herman gave us an idea how much they would sell for.
Finches: Redheaded finch, Violet-eared Waxbill, Bronze and
Red-backed Manakins, Blue-billed Firefinch and Pink-throated
Twinspot.
Weavers: they saw 16 species including Red-headed Weaver,
Holub’s Weaver, Forest Weaver (large bird), Yellow Weaver,
Red-billed Buffalo Weaver and Sociable Weavers (with nests).
Also Long-tailed Paradise Whydah (long tail), but missed out
on the Chestnut Weaver.
African Grey Hornbill Photo © H & G Peper
Hornbills: Grey Hornbill, Trumpeter Hornbill, Southern
Ground Hornbill, Yellow-billed Hornbill (nicknamed the flying
banana) and the Red-billed Hornbill (commonly known as the
flying chilli).
Kori Bustard Photo © Herman & Gerard Peper
Rollers 5 species in South Africa: Lilac-breasted Roller,
Purple Roller, European Roller, Broad-billed Roller but missed
out on Racket-tailed Roller.
Lyrebird Tales
March 2016 9
Pearl-spotted Owlet Photo © H & G Peper
Owls, they saw lots of Owls: Pearl-spotted Owlet, which has
plumage which looks like eyes in the back of its head, also
Southern White-faced Owl, African Scops Owl, Spotted Eagle
Owl and Barred Owlet. In the 6 months in Africa they
saw more owls than in the previous 40+ years in
Australia.
Raptors: Verreaux’s Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, African
Fish-eagle (saw 200 approx), Little Banded Goshawk which is
the size of a Blackbird, Amur Falcon the size of a swallow.
African Harrier Hawk, Long-crested Eagle and Crowned Eagle.
Pied Kingfisher Photo © Herman & Gerard Peper
Birds with unusual names: Bokmakierie, Hamerkop, Crested
Francolin, White-backed Mousebird, Bateleur, Long-tailed
Widowbird, Cape Longclaw, Red-knobbed Coot, Yellow
Rumped Tinkerbird, Cape Sugarbird
Herman had previously seen a Grey Go-away-bird (Lourie) in
an aviary in Holland and had always wanted to see a wild one
but he soon realised they were aptly named as they soon
became a nuisance.
Birds similar to Australian species: Black Shouldered Kite,
Black-winged Stilt
Knysna Turaco Photo © Herman & Gerard Peper
Animals: Damara Ground Squirrel, Black-backed Jackal,
Spotted Hyena, African Hunting Dog, Buffalo, Elephants,
Cheetahs, Giraffes and Rhinos.
They didn’t see many snakes, one was photographed in a
tree hollow, another was a Spitting Cobra and a Green
Mamba was in a bird hide.
Herman remarked how numerous bird species were present
in their camping areas; just sitting by the tent 10 – 20
species could be seen in half an hour. In one camp just 20
metres from the front of the tent, a Black-collared Barbet had
its nest with the opening visible.
They took a boat trip on the Zambezi which could hold 64
passengers but were glad there were only 12 passengers
making photography easier.
They wanted to take a photo of a Marabou Stork at a local tip
but the attendant told them “no photographs”, Herman
thought she was embarrassed by the state of the tip and
assured her that it looked just like a tip in Australia so he got
his picture.
Southern Black Korhaan Photo © H & G Peper
Lyrebird Tales
10 Lyrebird Tales
One day arriving back at camp in the afternoon the boys
shared their sighting of a Painted Snipe, one birdwatcher
listened with great interest as he had not seen one before.
After ascertaining its position, he looked at his watch and
calculated the time it would take to reach the site and time to
find the bird. Deciding he had just enough time to return
before the gates closed for the nightly curfew he set off in
pursuit but unfortunately he didn’t find it. The boys had a
great photo of a Painted Snipe standing between the legs of a
Zebra.
Herman said it was all about timing to see wildlife, often a
sighting would be just a flash of a Leopard as it crossed the
road in front of them so it was necessary to have the camera
ready at all times. In Kruger National Park there are 1200
Leopards and are much more commonly seen than Lions.
Pin-tailed Whydah Photo © H & G Peper
In Kruger National Park a woman came around the camping
area with a questionnaire so the Pepers asked her about the
best birding spots which she said were the bird Hides,
meeting up with her again whilst out bird and wildlife
spotting she informed them she had seen a Cheetah 2km
back up the road but the tour operators had been notified.
The boys had the beast to themselves for 10 – 20 minutes
before the first tour arrived.
Whilst driving they saw some Swallows resting on the road
and also rescued a Pygmy Kingfisher off the road which was
stunned; it recovered and flew away.
They were approached by a guide offering to take them to
look for the Green Barbet whose distribution is restricted to
the Ongoye Forest for $50 but they were a bit sceptical and
offered to pay $100 if they found and photographed it but the
guide would get nothing if unsuccessful. The guide was not
interested (perhaps because it’s a plain green bird which
forages in the canopy).
Herman was frustrated by tours arriving at bird hides where
they did not follow the rules allowing too many people in at
one time. He said their noisy clients had expensive cameras
and lenses and scopes, their basic camera was dwarfed in
comparison.
Perhaps their worst bird hide experience was where they
were looking at an African Baillon’s Crake with a lady when in
came a man who upon seeing the bird, started talking in a
noisy voice, phoning up several mates to inform them that
the crake was still present. He showed no consideration to
other birdwatchers in the hide. Herman became frustrated
and lost his cool and told the man off in no uncertain terms;
later he found out the man was president of the local bird
club.
Herman said it was frustrating when they were out
birdwatching as vehicles would pull up thinking they were
looking at an animal consequently scaring off the bird. They
saw a sign in the back of a car saying “We stop for birds,
please pass” commenting it was a good sign for birdwatchers
around the world.
Southern Carmine Bee-eater Photo © H & G Peper
Many of the birds mentioned here were but a small example
of the photos we saw and the species recorded by the Peper
brothers. Herman and Gerard have one last piece of
homework to complete, identifying a mystery immature bird.
Thanks Herman and Gerard for sharing your travels and
lovely photos with us (from the hundreds of images you
took). We had a very enjoyable evening which bought back
memories for some and inspired many of us to continue
travelling to new countries and live life to the full.
Saturday 14 November – Outing – Coranderrk
Bushland
The weather was perfect for the second biannual bird survey
at Coranderrk Bushland. As usual the birds were numerous
near the bush hut and a Christmas bush was almost ready to
burst into flower which is a bit early for the season. We were
pleased to hear several Sacred Kingfishers calling although
only one was seen.
On the lake 24 Blue-billed Ducks and 22 Eurasian Coot were
counted, but missing was the Darter usually seen in the
November surveys. There were 9 Little Black Cormorants and
only 2 Reed Warblers. The predominate bird species was
Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and numerous Grey Fantails and
White-naped Honeyeaters. There were no Bell Miners calling.
Lyrebird Tales
March 2016 11
Some summer migrants were present: Rufous Whistler, Satin
Flycatcher, Shining-bronze Cuckoo and Olive-backed Oriole.
In the area where we always look hoping for a Powerful Owl
there were several feeding stations monitored by a camera.
Further on in an area of threatened vegetation the same as
Yellingbo (Sedge-rich Eucalyptus camphora Swamp), the
cumbungi had been cleared and the area partially replanted;
unfortunately in one section more than half the plants had
already died.
Total species for the day was 65
Wednesday 25 November – Outing – RACV Healesville
– cancelled Total Fire Ban
Sunday 13 December – Christmas Break-up – Yellingbo
Twenty members arrived for our traditional Christmas Break-
up and were met at the gate by Glenn who was on duty
there. We wish to thank Glenn for making the arrangements
with Parks Victoria and the Friends of the Helmeted
Honeyeater for us to hold our break-up near the Work Shed
where we were able to use the facilities. We also wish to
thank Miles, the Ranger in Charge at Yellingbo and Bob,
Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, for their help in
organising our visit.
The weather was very pleasant on the day in contrast to our
scheduled outing on 25 November which was cancelled due
to a Total Fire Ban.
We walked along the creek following the usual path taken by
the Melbourne Branch on their first Sunday outings. At the
turn around point near Shaw Road we came across a group
of Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater volunteers working.
They were surprised to see birdos on the second Sunday and
not the first Sunday and they thought they had come on the
wrong day! I am sure they were joking. It was a very
pleasant walk and we recorded forty-five species on the day.
There were large numbers of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and
White-naped Honeyeaters, six Dusky Wood Swallows, two
Satin Flycatchers and a White-plumed Honeyeater (very
rarely seen in this area). After lunch and a chat we all set off
for home after a most enjoyable day.
Saturday 8 January – Outing – Breakfast with the Birds
– Maroondah Reservoir Park
The weather was kind to us and those members who arrived
at 8.30 a.m. for breakfast enjoyed the peace and quiet
before the crowds of visitors arrived. However, at 9.30 a.m.
another batch of birdos arrived with cups of coffee in hand.
The group of twelve members set off around the circular
drive to a favourite spot in the far corner where we stopped
by the river for a look around. It was here that a Whipbird
was heard and Valerie said a Cicadabird was calling.
However, nobody else heard it. One of the good sightings of
the day was a Rufous Fantail bathing in the river and flying to
a nearby perch to preen and dry off. We then walked to the
top of the wall and admired the very colourful Flowering
Gums in full bloom. Some members took a short cut back
through the gardens while another group took the Scenic
Walk. On arriving back in the car park, which was full of
visitors by now, we found the best shady spot and sat down
for lunch. It was warming up by this time and after a chat
most of the group decided to go home. However, just as I
was about to leave I walked over to Peter and Valerie, who
were planning another short walk in the afternoon, when we
all stopped in our tracks – calling quite plainly was the
Cicadabird!! This is very rare in the Yarra Valley, but is listed
in Birds of the Yarra Catchment and Where to Find Them as
having been recorded in Healesville. Well, that knocked that
elusive Common Koel off its perch after it had been dodging
around in Healesville since mid-October! Other highlights
were six Satin Bowerbirds and seven species of parrots –
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Galah, Sulphur-crested
Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian King Parrot, Crimson
Rosella and Eastern Rosella.
It was a great day’s birding recording 43 species and well
worth the early start. Alma
Tuesday 12 January – Meeting – Video Night.
The video titled ‘A blue wonder – a parrot in peril’ told the
story of one of the world’s most endangered and largest
parrot the Blue (Hyacinth) Macaw and one man’s mission to
save it from extinction. With a lucrative illegal industry taking
young birds from the wild, hunting and loss of habitat the
species is in decline.
Dave a parrot breeder from Minneapolis had been actively
promoting the plight of the Blue Macaw and wanted to
become more involved with saving the species. He travelled
to the Pantanal (Brazil) where 75% of the wild Blue Macaws
survive to understand the threats that were causing their
decline. He hoped his trip would reveal the solution to safe
guarding their future. Here he meets scientists and
conservationists who in a unique program to boost the birds’
numbers removed any weaker chicks from the nest, fed them
up for a few days then replaced the now healthy individual
with another struggling chick in another nest. The
conservationists also built shelters over exposed holes and
provided new nest boxes. They recently were fitted with
remote cameras allowing the scientists an insight into their
nesting behaviour and to monitor the progress of the chicks.
Dave was able to compare the plumage condition to that of
captive birds, making suggestions for improvement.
Dave learnt of a program to re-educate convicted poachers to
value wild Macaws, exploiting them in a sustainable way for
the tourist industry providing an income for future
generations. He also met the community of Boorowa Indians
who traditionally hunt Macaws for food, used their plumage
for ancient costumes and the feathers were still used today
to welcome a new born child and on the coffin at funerals.
Returning to Minneapolis he had a great idea to help preserve
the species. Regularly attending parrot shows, conferences
and sales and with 8 million pet parrots in the world he
wanted to encourage their owners to collect the naturally
moulted feathers. By becoming a feather dealer he could
send them to Brazil for the communities which traditionally
use the feathers saving the lives of the wild birds.
Lyrebird Tales
12 Lyrebird Tales
BirdLife Yarra Valley
email: [email protected]
Postal address: Birdlife Australia, Yarra Valley Branch, P.O.
Box 1172, Healesville, Vic. 3777. Meetings are held in the
Badger Creek Hall Meeting Room at 7.45 p.m. Badger Creek
Rd. Badger Creek (next to CFA). Melway Edn 39 278 F8.
Meetings and Outings automatically cancelled on days
of Total Fire Ban. Central Fire District unless otherwise
stated. No outings on days of strong winds.
Calendar April to June 2016
April
Saturday 9 – Outing to One Tree Hill, Christmas
Hills/Sugarloaf Reservoir at 9.30 a.m. Entrance to One Tree
Hill from Eltham-Yarra Glen Road is very hard to see and is
almost opposite driveway with white stones. Look for
BirdLife Yarra Valley signs. Melway Edn 39 265 C12.
Tuesday 12 – Meeting – Speaker and subject TBA
Wednesday 27 – Outing Warburton Trail - Wandin – Mt.
Evelyn at 9.30 a.m. Parking is near corner of Warburton
Highway and Railway Parade, Wandin North. Melway Edn. 39
119 B10.
May
Tuesday 10 – Meeting: AGM & Members’ Night
Saturday 14 – Survey at Coranderrk Bushland at 9.30am.
Directions: Gate 1 Badger Avenue, Badger Creek, opposite
Fleay Rd. Melway Edn. 39 278 F10. Gate will close at 9.30
sharp participants will be required to follow the leader until
the survey is completed.
Wednesday 25 – Outing to RACV Healesville Country Club
at 9.30am. Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Healesville.
Directions: Melway Edn. 39 269 J12. Park in first car park
just inside the entrance.
June
(No Meeting – Winter Recess)
Saturday 11 – No outing – Queens Birthday Weekend
Wednesday 22 – Outing to Wittons Reserve, Warrandyte
State Park at 9.30am. Directions: Park in car park at end of
Reserve Rd, Wonga Park Melway Edn. 39 24 K6
Calendar July to September 2016
Basic dates only – check June newsletter for further
details.
JULY
Saturday 9 – Outing – Sherbrooke Forest (Ridge Track).
Meet at Grants Picnic Ground for carpooling at 9.15am.
Directions: Melway Edn 39 75 K4
(No meeting – Winter Recess)
Wednesday 27 – Outing – Outing to The Hundred Acres, at
9.30 a.m. Meet in Domeny Reserve car park Knees Rd, Park
Orchards. Melway Edn. 39 35 E9
AUGUST
Tuesday 9 – Meeting – Speaker and subject TBA
Saturday 13 – Outing – Bird Surveys in Toolangi at 9.30am.
Meet at the corner of Sylvia Creek & Myers Creek Roads
Melways 610 R11. See June Lyrebird Tales for details.
Wednesday 24 – Outing - Spadonis Reserve, Yering at
9.30am. Park at end of Victoria Rd. Melway Edn 39 274 E8
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 10 – Outing - Outing to Baluk Willam Flora
Reserve, Denham Rd, Belgrave South at 9.30 a.m.
Directions: Melway Edn 39 84 D5.
Tuesday 13 – Meeting – Speaker and subject TBA
Wednesday 28 – Outing - Boomers Reserve, St Andrews at
9.30am. Directions: Melway Edn 39 264 D4/5 park in Blue
House Rd (approx 75m along).