Lyrebird Tales Volume 26 Number 1 March 2017

Birding USA by Herman Peper When Herman and Gerard returned from their 6 month trip to Southern Africa they started to research a trip to America and Canada with a short trip into Cuba. They planned to spend a year travelling, starting in August 2016 following the route as shown in the map below with the green line (an estimated 25,000 km plus) then return in 2018 to complete their trip as shown by the pink line. They based their trip using the information from ‘National Geographic Birding Hotspots (414 sites) and added an additional 112 bird sites.

December 14, 2016

We have been on the road now for just 3 months and we are still enjoying the travel. Once we were on the road and started looking for birds we found that the birds are very camera shy. However we quickly got a Northern Pygmy Owl and Cedar Waxwings (which we missed out on in Europe). Here are some of the highlights and low lights in order of time.

Yellowstone N.P: a herd of around 500 Bison, our first Black Bears, Elks, Mountain Goat, Pronghorns and Bighorn Sheep. Chipmunks were everywhere at the campsite. Old Faithful geyser was a big waste of time. In Grand Teton N.P. (in the north-west of the state of Wyoming and linked to Yellowstone National Park) a Bull Moose caused a panic with some people when it walked through the camp. In Teton we also got some Sora Rail.

In Antelope State Park (close to Salt Lake City) we had a group of 12 Bison walk through our camp. We also got our Chukar Partridge (a bird we used to breed) there. In the Big Salt Lake itself we got a number of waders among them: Willets, Pectoral Sandpipers, Dunlins, Long-billed Curlews, Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets plus some as yet

Great Horned Owl photo © H & G Peper

to be identified birds. We had to go to Fallon to pick up our number plates for our car and caravan. Our car is a Ford F150, 4wd, off road vehicle. Our caravan is the same size as the one we have in Aus. In a suburb we encountered big groups of Californian Quail (another species we used to breed).

At Lake Tahoe we had a nice scenic drive around the lake with some ticks: Mountain Chickadee, Brown Creeper, Western Bluebird and White-breasted Nuthatch.

Contents 1 - 3. Birding USA by Herman Peper

4-7. A taste of Mull wildlife, talk by Alan Spellman

7. A note from Mull by Alan Spellman

Notice of A.G.M, Celebrating 25 years

8. Badger Weir Storm Damage

Notice for Camp at Wedderburn

9. Interesting Sightings

9 – 11. Reports of Meetings and Outings

12. Calendar of Events

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Californian Quail photo © H & G Peper

The drive over the “Golden Bridge” was a disappointment. We had a fantastic drive along the west coast. It was many times the Great Ocean Road. It was scary but we made it to Big Sur where we camped on a private camping ground. All the State Park camp-grounds were closed because of bushfires.

Rufous Hummingbird Photo © H & G Peper

Our next stop was Morro Bay. Before getting there we had to stop to count the Elephant Seals. According to the notice board there was a population of 4,500; so we did not count them. In Morro Bay we got Sea Otters and Skimmers. Outside Los Angeles we drove and birded in two canyons. The result was some nice photos of Rufous Hummingbirds and an Ash-throated Flycatcher. In the second canyon we got Nutmeg Mannikin, Oak Titmouse and Cassin’s Vireo. In a wetland reserve just north of San Diego we got some nice birds: Clapper Rail, Black Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Semipalmated Plover, American and Eurasian Wigeon, Whimbrel, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Little Blue Heron, Great-tailed Grackle, Cassin’s Kingbird and Anna’s and Black-chinned Hummingbirds among them. It was our best single day result. Before getting to San Diego we were entertained

by the USA navy and army. Just off the coast was an aircraft carrier which was resupplied with material by 5 helicopters, also they had a tank squadron shooting exercise. They had a special parking area so that people could watch.

Great Road Runner photo © H & G Peper

We then went inland and got some more Hummers (Costa’s & Allen’s) also Lesser Goldfinch and California Towhee. We moved on to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with some great scenery and birds. Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge was something else. It had 20 birding spots. So we looked at 5 campsites. The first one was next to a cattle feeding lot of 20 acres and it smelled, the 2nd was deserted. The 3rd was inhabited by homeless people with donated caravans and the 4th was even worse. We passed a private camping ground which was almost empty. When we went in we found out why: ridiculous prices. In the meantime we were getting further away from the birding spots. The 5th site was a free camp so we did not expect much. When we got there we had a surprise: hundreds of motor homes, caravans and 5 wheelers. It was a hunter’s camp with a free camp attached. We stayed 3 nights there and got 8 ticks; amongst them our first Burrowing Owls. The scenery in Joshua N.P. was unique but bird wise we only added 2 species.

Camp at Lost Dutchman State Park photo © H & G Peper

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Then we reached the Grand Canyon. You see it on TV but the real thing is so much more impressive. We walked 25km along the South Rim and the number of times we said: look at that, see the size of that etc. From there we went to Lost Dutchman State Park (east of Phoenix). We did a lot of walking there in 4 days. On the last walk we witnessed a walker getting airlifted out with compound leg fracture. We decided then not to continue.

Flock of Sand Cranes photo © H& G Peper

Our next stop was Sierra Vista. We had to get the car serviced and it is a birding hot spot. We had 13 birds there and saw plenty of warnings regarding drug and people smuggling. From Sierra Vista we also visited Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area. What a sight! 2,500 Sandhill Cranes (more cranes than we ever saw in Australia –Brolgas/Sarus Cranes). We then went to Willcox Playa which promised 10,000 Sandhill Cranes but as there was no water, it also meant no Cranes. We however got Scaled Quail and Vermillion Flycatcher. From Silver City we went to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument on a day trip. Except for some historical education we spotted a Mexican Spotted Owl. Our next stop was: Elephant Butte Lake State Park. We followed the lady’s instructions on our TOMTOM.

Crossing at Emery Pass photo © H & G Peper

It started to rain, then snow along the side of the road, then it started to snow, then the snow was 3 to 4 inches deep. We made it through but some other cars did not. When we finally saw bitumen again we both gave a sigh of relief. (The minimum temperature during the drive was -10°c).

Snow Geese taking off photo © H & G Peper

From Elephant we visited Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. As it was Monday we did not expect many people. How wrong we were. We were told to be there at first light. The place was packed with people: Germans, French, Japanese, Swedes, Aussies and other Dutchies. At first light we saw 3,000 Snow and Ross Geese take off, followed by more and more. The sight was unbelievable. Later on when driving around the reserve we saw thousands of cranes and ducks. There was also a Coyote which sent a whole flock of Snow Geese on their way. We are now east of Austin (Texas) and are making our way to the Mexican border again.

Here are some of our experiences: the roads are just fantastic, with great signage and enormous distances. So far we have done 18,000kms and petrol is cheap. There is not much animal life outside of the reserves. It is cheaper to put out a sign: out of order than repair. There is plenty of poverty, no consumer protection and more people speak Spanish than English. There are more radio stations on religion and unimpressive free TV (we have not watched TV since Seattle on 9/9/2016). Overall we are having A GREAT TIME and the beer is cheap. What more do you need? By the way we both lost over 10 kg because of the amount of walking we have been doing. There are plenty of Border Guard inspections with infra red and heat sensors. We had to show our papers to confirm our identities.

The Peper boys sent their best wishes for Christmas and 2017 to everyone who knows them. We look forward to hearing more of their travels as their journey continues.

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A taste of Mull Wildlife

A special presentation by Alan Spellman

When Alan Spellman contacted BirdLife Yarra Valley offering to do a presentation on the wildlife and birds of the Scottish island of Mull during his visit to Australia, we were delighted and a special evening was organized for 29.11.16

Black Guillemot photo © Alan Spellman

Alan moved to the Island of Mull 27 years ago. Mull is situated off the west coast of Scotland and is reached by ferry from Oban, taking 45 minutes. It has a coastline of 300 miles and has many different habitats: sandy beaches, moorlands, sea lochs, hill lochans, damp boggy marshes, ancient oak forests and mountains; the highest is Ben More at 1,000m. Alan lives on the coast of Lochdon. The resident population of the island is 2,500 but in summer it increases to 10,000 people as it is a popular destination for tourists who also visit the nearby Iona Island. The island of Mull is also very popular with birdwatchers looking at the abundant ducks and wildfowl in winter and migratory bird species in spring and summer hoping to catch a glimpse of vagrant birds or a rare species. The Isle of Mull Bird Club was started 15 years ago and has 150 members and Alan is the bird recorder for the island, answering questions about bird sites and bird identification. He has the advantage of hearing of rare sightings early. He sends the bird records he collects to Argyll. Mull has approximately 230 bird species recorded each year which includes migrants.

Alan started his talk by comparing our warm evening to the current temperature on the island of Mull which was minus 4 degrees. He said the majority of tourists flock to Mull to see White-tailed Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles and Otters. Alan showed us some of the different habitats on Mull some of which had a light sprinkling of snow to sea level or Scotch mist. Due to the weather conditions the ancient oak forests have short bent over trees despite being 50 years old.

Sea Eagle flying photo © Alan Spellman

Alan showed us some of the wildlife on Mull. The Highland Cattle are a popular animal with tourists as are the European Otter which live in the fresh water burns; they eat fish and unfortunately they also enjoy eating Puffins. There are Red Deer with a population of 3,000 which are culled as the landscape cannot support so many, and in October the rut echoes throughout the hills. There are Fallow Deer which were introduced to the island by the owners of the country houses and escaped but they are not as numerous as the Red Deer. The island has a problem with American Mink which were introduced and bred for their fur. Alan trapped this species for years as they kill everything, as do the Feral Cats. There are Pine Martins too.

Lapwing photo ©Alan Spellman

Alan introduced us to the birds of Mull and talked about the Lapwing, the bird which got him interested in wildlife and

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birds. He said he was about 10 years old when he found a Lapwing nest containing eggs. He said the birds tap their feet on the ground imitating rain falling which brings the worms to the surface.

Raptors and Owls

Merlin (male) photo © Alan Spellman

White-tailed Sea Eagle: This is the largest raptor in Scotland and the third largest in the world. These magnificent birds were originally shot but were re-introduced in 1980 along the west coast of Scotland with two pairs arriving in Mull in 1985; these have raised 35 chicks. Currently there are 24 pairs on Mull. The birds are monitored 24 hours when they are breeding. After the young fledge they wander off for 5 years then return. The young birds are chocolaty-brown and without the distinctive white tail; they start breeding after 5 years. They eat fish but their main food source is Mountain Hares.

Golden Eagle: there are 30 pairs on Mull, they are a coastal bird and are sometimes seen doing mating rituals over the water, tumbling with their talons attached. Young birds have a barbed tail which they lose as they get older.

Osprey: They are a migratory species with 250 pairs in Scotland but none breed on Mull; they only pass through.

Owls on Mull: Barn Owl, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl and Tawny Owl which regularly nest in boxes put out for them. Alan’s favourite is the Short-eared Owl (summer visitor) which feeds on voles which breed up when conditions are good and the Owl moves off when the vole population decreases again.

Common Buzzard: They are the most numerous raptors on Mull (over 500), they are often seen perched on power poles and mistaken for the Golden Eagle which is almost twice its size.

Merlin: this raptor follows the migrating Meadow Pipits from Africa. The Merlin is the smallest raptor in the U.K.

Hen Harrier: there are 24 pairs on Mull where they are regarded as a stronghold for the species.

Marsh Harrier: very scarce passage migrant.

Short eared Owl photo © Alan Spellman

Ducks and waterbirds

Great Northern Diver: it has stunning summer plumage in black and white and overwinters on Mull. Its winter plumage is brown and cream. They arrive on Mull in September to October and leave in May to return to Iceland and the north.

Great Northern Diver photo © Alan Spellman

Red-throated Diver: It breeds on Mull on the loch lakes in the hills. In winter it loses its red neck feathers and has speckled black and white plumage.

Black-throated Diver: This stunning bird is the scarcest of the divers on Mull and only one or two pairs are seen.

Slavonian Grebe: It arrives in its summer plumage and winters on Mull changing to its winter plumage.

Black Guillemot: this is a specialist bird and breeds on open harbour walls on Mull and this is one of the few places to see this species in the U.K. They have distinctive red feet.

Atlantic Puffin: They spend 90% of their time out at sea and use old rabbit burrows on Mull for breeding.

Red-breasted Merganser: it has a serrated bill and big flocks of this species are seen on the lochs.

Eurasian Teal: common widespread winter visitor.

Eurasian Widgeon: widespread winter visitor on Mull.

Mallard: most common duck on Mull

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Eider Duck: Black and white duck with a heavy bill for cracking open oysters and muscles. There is a muscle industry on Mull where they use shotgun noises to try to scare off the Eider Ducks to no avail.

Brent Geese: they migrate from Iceland and Greenland to Mull flying 1,000 miles in 3 days. They overwinter on Mull then go back to breed.

Redshank: they breed on Mull.

Common Snipe: This bird has good camouflage and Alan said he can almost tread on them before they fly off.

Common Sandpiper: widespread common summer visitor and breeding.

Ruddy Turnstone: Common passage migrant, returns to Iceland to breed.

Dunlin: Great flocks pass through staying around 3 weeks.

Oystercatcher: (they look like Australian Pied Oystercatcher) resident and common.

Golden Plover: Winter visitor and passage migrant.

Other birds

Ptarmigan: A small resident population. This bird has mottled brown plumage in summer and white in winter which camouflages it against a background of snow. Alan was worried that the birds will not adapt to climate change and will be more vulnerable to raptors if it does not change out of its seasonal plumage in time as it will stand out in its environment.

Common Cuckoo fed by a Pipit photo © Alan Spellman

Common Cuckoo: summer migrant which lays its egg in a Meadow Pipit’s nest and fed by them. The adult Cuckoo flies back to Africa and the young a few weeks later.

Crested Tit: only one record in 2002

Willow Warbler: the most numerous Warbler species migrating from Africa, arrives after Wheatear and Chiffchaff.

Common Redstart: Summer migrant in woodlands.

Common White-throat: arrives in spring.

Spotted Flycatcher: summer Migrant which nested in a shelf box in Alan’s garden.

Sedge Warbler: common spring migrant from Africa.

Black Cap: Summer migrant but due to warmer winters the last 5 years they have over wintered and may become resident.

Crossbill photo © Alan Spellman

Crossbill: locally common resident. The male is red and the female green. It breeds as early as February even if there is snow on the ground.

Fieldfare: winter migrant from Scandinavia; they arrive in their thousands.

Yellowhammer: 20 to 40 birds feeding off seed on the ground in Alan’s garden.

Hawfinch photo © Alan Spellman

At age 78 Alan finally saw his first Hawfinch in April 2016 and said he was very excited as it was a bird he always had just missed. It stayed for one day.

Corncrake: a type of quail which flies from Africa, they breed

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on Iona but are starting to establish on Mull. Birdwatchers want to see this bird but it is a very difficult bird to see because it hides in the grass but is easy to hear and calls all night.

Water Rail photo © Alan Spellman

Water Rail: a normally shy bird came on to Alan’s lawn on a cold day to feed.

Alan has inspired us to visit the wonderful island of Mull with his enthusiastic and entertaining presentation and provided photographs to include in this article. Thanks Alan.

Valerie Fowler

A note from Mull I was delighted to see you all on my visit in November and pleased you enjoyed my talk on Mull’s birds.

Mull is a tiny island off the west coast of Scotland with a population of 2500 souls. My island will fit into Australia 1976 times (so my grandson calculated).

We have a list of about 230 species, of which half are migrants, leaving West Africa and arriving on Mull at Springtime (March/April/May) to breed. Many of these are warbler sized and smaller birds that make this perilous journey to the exact same place every year; and then return in late Summer (August/September). As these ‘summer’ migrants leave for their Winter quarters we have new ones arriving. This group of birds choose to escape the harsh conditions of the North; Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia and further North East and spend Winter on Mull where it only occasionally gets below -5c. Mainly ducks, geese and divers; Great Northern and Black Throated Divers are beautiful birds that arrive mainly in summer plumage and then eclipse into winter and back into partial summer plumage before they move off again back north to breed.

We also have a large population of waders that ‘pass through Mull’ en route South, and these stop off to refuel before continuing their journey; Black tailed and Bar tailed Godwits, Redshank and Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone and Common Sandpiper and many many more.

We also get the occasional vagrant from the USA and east from Russia or Asia. These birds cause great excitement.

I hope I can get back to Australia; there is so much to see. Perhaps one day not too far away.

Alan Spellman.

Notice of Annual General Meeting 2017 The AGM of BirdLife Yarra Valley will be held on Tuesday 9 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: To confirm the Minutes of the 2016 A.G.M.; Reports from the Convener and Treasurer; Election of Committee for 2017-2018. Any other business for which 14 days’ notice is required.

Celebrating 25 Years

Corranderrk Bushland 2005 Photo © Alma Mitchell

In May 2017 BirdLife Yarra Valley branch will celebrate 25 years since its inception in 1992. The first outing for the branch was a survey conducted on the 14th of June 1992 at Coranderrk Bushland and continues twice yearly to this day. Regular surveys started at the RACV Country Club in Healesville in 1996. Two of the original members are still present on the committee, Kevin Mason (past president) and Alma Mitchell (secretary since branch started). The first newsletter for the Yarra Valley branch of BOCA was produced in June 1992 and by 1993 it became the Lyrebird Tales. At present the branch is in the capable hands of a very busy convener Glenn Mawson and the committee and we look forward to many more years of outings, surveys and meetings.

BirdLife Australia Yarra Valley Branch P.O. Box 1172, Healesville Vic. 3777

email: yarravalley@birdlife.org.au

Committee Convener: Glenn Mawson Vice-Convener: Manfred Hennig Secretary: Alma Mitchell Treasurer: Maggie Smith Librarian: Linda Bullen Conservation Officer: Michael Feller Other Members: Jim McMinn, Kevin Mason

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Badger Weir Storm Damage

On the 9th of October 2016 a huge storm hit the Yarra Valley causing extensive damage to the area and the Yarra Ranges National Parks; particularly at Badger Weir. With giant Mountain Ash trees up to 80 metres tall falling the repairs will be extensive. Firstly there had to be assessment for insurance purposes then engineer’s plans were drawn up.

Huge trees fell across the road from the entrance gate cracking the surface which has to be assessed then resurfaced. Major infrastructure such as toilet blocks, bridges and barbeque areas were destroyed and need to be rebuilt

with an estimated 6 month build time so park won’t be open until sometime in the future. Paths need to be cleared and declared free of danger.

For updates on Badger Weir and other parks go to www.parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963.

Camp at Wedderburn 7th-10th September 2017 This camp will be held at Doug and Jan’s conservation property at Wedderburn. The leaders will be Doug and Jan. Contact us at jan-doug@bigpond.com to register and we will send directions. We ask that you register so that we can organize extra toilets if necessary.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – Newsletters BirdLife Australia is in the process of implementing a 'digital first' policy to reduce paper wastage across the whole organisation. As a result we are sad to inform you this will be the last time that members will receive our hardcopy newsletter with the BirdLife Magazine. From now on we will email you a digital copy. If you are a member of BirdLife Yarra Valley without an email who wishes to continue to receive our newsletter, please let us know. You can do this by writing to us at: BirdLife Yarra Valley, PO Box 1172, Healesville 3777, or by emailing us at yarravalley@birdlife.org.au. If you have not notified us of your email and wish to receive a digital copy, please get in contact and let us know. All emails from BirdLife Australia can be unsubscribed from, you will not be spammed. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. Fiona Blandford Network Development Coordinator

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Intersesting Sightings 25/26-10-16 Common Koel – Healesville, Alma Mitchell

27-10-16 Common Koel – Healesville, Kevin Mason

25-10-16 White-bellied Sea Eagle - Lakes Entrance, Jim McMinn

29-10-16 Royal Spoonbill (2) - Morass Bairnsdale, Jim McMinn

7-11-16 Wedge-tailed Eagle catching prey – Nangana, Alan Murphy

7-10-16 Common Koel – Healesville, Kevin Mason

28-10-16 Common Koel – Healesville (View St), Peter Smith

28-10-16 Shining Bronze, Fantail, Brush Cuckoos - One Tree Hill, Peter Mason

10-1-17 Birds second nesting - Lillydale Lake, Valerie Fowler

10-1-17 White-faced Heron nesting - Toolangi, Manfred Hennig

27-12-16 Cicada Bird - Badger Creek, Graeme George

27-12-16 Wedge-tailed Eagle attacked by Magpies & Magpie Larks - Chum Creek, Michael Feller

Late December - Common Koel – Monbulk, Alan Murphy

2-1-17 Brown-headed Honeyeaters - Yea Area, Manfred Hennig

10-1-17 Little Ravens (150-200) on hay paddocks & Quail heard calling – Toolangi, Manfred Hennig

8-1-17 Female Satin Bower Bird - Chum Creek, Michael Feller

18-1-17 Olive-backed Oriole – Healesville, Alma Mitchell

20-1-17 Rufous Fantail - Chum Creek, Glenn Mawson

Birds are not the only fauna that use this bird feeder

Photo © Glenn Mawson

Reports of Meetings and Outings Tuesday 11 October – Meeting – Colombia Bird Fair 2016

The Colombia Bird Fair was from the 11th to 13th of March 2016 in Cali in south Colombia. The talk was presented by Valerie and Michael who talked of their impressions and experiences of the event. Valerie showed a map of the topography of Colombia and Michael talked about the percentage of cleared or disturbed land in relation to forest.

They travelled independently to Colombia, Valerie and Peter arrived several days early in Cali to sightsee and do some local birdwatching. They had chosen accommodation close to the Cali Zoo where the Bird Fair was advertised to be. A couple of days before the bird fair was to start they decided to walk along the Cali river to the zoo to familiarise themselves of the route. It was a good opportunity to do some local birdwatching which was surprisingly good with the birds allowing them to approach close by and despite initial wariness about their safety they were not approached. Arriving at the zoo they added more wild birds to their list. Consulting the staff, Valerie and Peter were shocked to discover that they had no knowledge of the impending bird fair. Returning to their hostel they asked the owner to contact the organisers of the bird fair to see if it had been cancelled. The bird fair had in fact had a bigger response than expected and had been moved to a larger venue at the Cali Country Club in the far south of the city approximately 1.5 hours drive (due to heavy traffic) from their accommodation. As Peter, Valerie and Michael had booked early for the bird fair they were not aware of this but the organisers quickly rectified their problem and relocated their accommodation to a hotel nearby the venue.

The Colombia Bird Fair started each day with breakfast at the hotel at 4.30am, with buses organised to take participants to the Cali Country Club for the start of the day’s activities at 5am. Each day there were birdwatching outings to different (pre-booked) bird sites near Cali with buses to transport the participants to each location. Each bus had a bird guide (some had travelled far to attend) and volunteers who were mainly university students who were studying biology which also covers ornithology and the environment. All the guides were very knowledgeable about birds. Peter and Valerie chose different locations to Michael so were able to catch up each evening to compare notes.

Day 1: Peter and Valerie went to Sonso Lagoon and Michael to 18km

Day 2: Peter and Valerie went to Pance and Michael to Alto Anchicaya

Day 3: Peter and Valerie went to San Antonio and Michael to Sonso Lagoon

Sonso Lagoon: Valerie and Peter had seen video of a British birdwatcher’s visit to the lagoon so expected a very muddy location so were shocked to find the ground was dry mud with a cracked surface. Michael explained that the lagoon had been partially drained to provide water for the surrounding

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agriculture, mainly sugar cane. He talked about how the area had become very degraded with vegetation partially cleared to provide fodder for the roaming cattle despite Sonso Lagoon being a protected reserve. He likened it to an ecological desert. Michael showed a picture of a deep channel which was being dug from the adjoining Cauca River to redirect water to the lagoon to try to rejuvenate it. Everyone saw good birds here including Cocoi Heron, Snowy Egret, Wattled Jacana, Southern Lapwing, Black-necked Stilt, Lesser Yellowlegs, Black Vulture, ducks including Plumed Ducks and Blue-winged Teal. There were many birds flying overhead including: Bare-faced Ibis, Neotropic Cormorant, Roseate Spoonbill, Crested and Yellow-headed Caracara, Osprey and Michael saw 2 American Flamingos. There were bush birds too: Common Tody Flycatcher, Pied Water-tyrant, Shining Cowbird, Smooth-billed Ani, Red-breasted Meadowlark, Speckled Parrotlet, Red-crowned Woodpecker, Thick-billed Euphonia. There was also a Common Potoo and a Common Nighthawk. One section of the reserve was an interesting area of trees with a species of epiphytes hanging down which the locals called old beard, Michael said it was a species of Bromeliad. Whilst visiting Sonso Lagoon Michael met a group on a school visit, when the teacher learned that Michael had travelled all the way from Australia he emphasised how important the wetlands were for someone to travel so far to visit. When the outing concluded the participants were taken to a restaurant in the nearby town of Buga for lunch; Michael said he got sick from drinking the water here and wasn’t surprised when he later read that one third of the sewerage is released into the local waterways.

18km: Michael was really impressed with this site on a low pass in the Western Andes just 18km from Cali. His group visited Finca Alejandria with its hummingbird feeders and bananas to attract the birds. It was a hive of activity with other birds competing with the hummingbirds for a feed. Michael showed a short video. He explained the difficulty of photographing the hummingbirds in flight with their wings beating 50 times a minute. Hummingbirds included White-necked Jacobin, Andean Emerald, Brown Violetear, Fawn-breasted Brilliant and Collared Inca to name a few. There were many Palm, Mountain and Blue-grey Tanagers and beautiful Golden and Multi-coloured Tanagers. Competing for the bananas were Green Honeycreepers, Yellow-breasted and White-naped Brush Finches. Michael also photographed a Crested Quetzal and Collared Trogon. Michael said he saw 40 bird species in 100 metres in this wonderful place.

Pance: Valerie and Peter visited this area in the Fallarones National Park. They also visited an adjoining property and a waterfall. They saw many birds: Roadside Hawk, Blue-necked Tanager, Bananaquit, Yellow-bellied Seedeater, Green Violetear Hummingbird, Golden-faced Tyrannulet, Scarlet-fronted Parakeet, Collared Trogon, Whooping Motmot, Red-headed Barbet, Black-winged and Buff-throated Saltator . A highlight for most of the birdwatchers was a Cock of the Rock hidden amongst the vegetation; it was a new bird for Filipe the bird guide as for most of the Colombians. They also found a group of resting Night Monkeys.

Lunch was on a private property with feeders for the birds, unfortunately it was raining but birds still arrived: Flame-rumped and Crimson-backed Tanagers, Green Honeycreepers and Golden Tanager. The day’s outing was also attended by Tim Appleton from England who organises the British Bird Fairs on his property Rutland Water which he transformed from an area of fields to a wetland which has Ramsar status. He was a guest speaker at the local university series of free talks as part of the Colombian Bird Fair. On the outing Tim demonstrated an attachment which joined his telescope to his iphone and took many photos of birds which he generously transferred to anyone who had an iphone.

Alto Anchicaya: Michael visited this area and said it was on the road to the coast and an area of luxurious vegetation and cloud forest. Here they saw many birds including a Rufous-throated Tanager, Silver-Throated Tanager and Slaty-backed Chat-tyrant.

San Antonio and Cock of the Rock lek: Valerie and Peter visited this site with a group of Colombians. The day started with a fledgling Brown Inca in a nest which was surprisingly being fed by a Fawn-breasted Brilliant. There was a small flock of the beautiful colourful Blue-naped Chlorophonia which constantly moved about. It was a surprise when an Oilbird was spotted perched on a branch, this bird normally resides in dark caves and is nocturnal; it was presumed it was a sick bird as it was shivering. Good birdwatching continued as the group walked up to the top of the hill with Glossy Blackbird, Great Thrush, Black-capped Tanager and Barred Becard.

It was raining at lunchtime but an Emerald Toucanet was spotted going in and out of a hollow. Next the group went to a farm to visit the Cock of the Rock lek. After a steep slippery downhill walk the birdwatchers positioned themselves for a good view of the Cock of the Rock; unfortunately some people pushed forwards scaring the birds which retreated, spoiling the view for others for whom it was a new bird.

At the bird fair there was a birders’ bazaar selling products and advertising bird sites. At the local university there were free lectures all day which continued over the three days; they were very well supported. In the evenings there were lectures on bird related subjects and Colombia’s opportunity to build an industry promoting birds and wildlife. The speakers were:

Day 1: Christopher Colonje, the organiser of the bird fair and various people from Association Cali spoke. Following them were lectures by Luis German Naranjo - Conservation director for WWF Colombia and Luis A Mazariegos - Executive director of The Hummingbird Conservancy.

Day 2: Steve Hilty – Author of Birds of Colombia (something of a Colombian legend) and David Yarnold – Audubon Society.

Day 3: Juan Pablo Culasso – Bird sound recorder

Michael looked at the ages of the bird watchers attending the bird fair, remarking that the majority were in their 20s, 30s and 40s comparing it to the much older birdwatchers in Australia. One of the speakers said maybe there is hope for

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the birds in Colombia. Perhaps there is, due to the enthusiasm of the young Colombians for birds, the environment and tourism.

Both Michael and Valerie highly recommended the bird fair but said you must be prepared for very early starts and late finishes as the lectures were finishing at 10pm.

Thanks Michael and Valerie for your interesting and enthusiastic talks inspiring future travels to Colombia to see its wonderful birds.

Wednesday 26 October – Outing to Lillydale Lake

Breeding birds were the theme for the morning’s walk starting with 5 teenage Wood Ducks on the beach, a Chestnut Teal with a chick and then a Reed Warbler nest with two chicks which had fledged earlier that morning. The theme continued with a pair of Dusky Moorhens and 3 chicks followed by a Male Darter sitting on nest.

There was some discussion about a dead Common Myna hanging from a branch with its feet caught in a length of fishing line but we were soon distracted by a Mistletoebird calling, which conveniently popped up on a high branch giving us a good view but unfortunately not good for photography with grey sky behind. We continued on to the Hull Road Wetlands where surprisingly the birdwatching was poor and we were frustrated by a male cyclist who continued to ride many laps around the path causing distraction. As with all the local bird sites at present, there was an absence of waterbirds. A highlight here was a Spotted Pardalote collecting nesting material.

We returned to the car park at Lillydale Lake for lunch which we had just completed when the threatened rain started. A total of 44 bird species was recorded. Valerie Fowler

Tuesday 8 November – Birdwatching in Colombia

At this November meeting we enjoyed the vibrant colours of nature in Colombia. We saw multi-coloured butterflies, interesting insects, minute and delicate orchids, unusual plants and spectacular birds.

We had two speakers: Michael and Valerie who had continued their travel and birdwatching after the Colombia Bird Fair in March 2016. They joined two different bird tours; Michael used a Canadian company, Valerie and Peter used a Colombian one. Both tours covered similar bird sites but Michael and Valerie used different approaches to their talks.

Firstly Valerie showed a variety of bird sites and their habitats from the Western and Central Andes and talked about the problems birdwatching and photography due to low cloud cover and fog. She talked about the other difficulties incurred as the majority of birdwatching is carried out on narrow public roads where horses, bicycles, cars and chivas buses laden with passengers compete for the same space. She questioned the consistent use of lasers and playback by bird guides and their possible effects on the birds and for birdwatching there in the future.

Valerie asked how could she choose which of the hundreds of bird species to show that she and Peter had photographed

and came up with a novel approach, choosing a variety of birds which had common or species names starting with the alphabet spelling out the word Colombia. We saw a vast selection of birds including: Trogons, Motmots, Orioles, Oropendola, Cuckoo, Owls, Guan, Brushfinches, Antpittas, Flycatchers and copious species of Hummingbirds. There were many skulkers and hard to see species: Wrens, Antwrens and Antbirds. There were also endemic and near-endemic species.

Then Michael talked about the different habitats and vegetation at different altitudes that he had visited and the bird species that he observed there. He started with the highest altitude at 4,000 metres called the paramo with its alpine plants. The types of vegetation changed as the altitude lowered; humid cloud forest, montane tropical forest, moderate temperate forest, dry forest and almost desert conditions found near the Caribbean coast. He mentioned how much land had been cleared in Colombia and in some areas eucalypts had been planted. Michael talked about the pollution caused by burning off and a lack of control of emissions from vehicles particularly the trucks which belted out smoke.

A highlight was a visit to a track near Libonol which produced 60 bird species in just ½ km which Michael thought was impressive. Michael said that many places had Hummingbird feeders and showed some video of Hummingbird activity at the feeders at La Encantado (enchanted garden) near Bogota and also at the ProAves accommodation in Minca. He said the most common bird seen on his trip was the Black Vulture but his favourite was the Russet-throated Puffbird as it was very easy to photograph.

Thank you both for your wonderful and informative talks accompanied by lovely photos in a kaleidoscope of colours.

Saturday 12 November – Survey in Coranderrk Bushland

13 participants arrived for the survey on a fine day. At the wetlands there was very few waterbirds, just 3 Black Duck, 2 Darters, and one of each of Great Cormorant, Pied Cormorant and Little Pied Cormorant. Missing were the numerous Blue-billed Ducks and Australasian Grebe which are usually on the water. Only 2 Australasian Coot and 2 Purple Swamphen were counted. Migratory species were; 2 Fan-tailed Cuckoos, 1 Shining-bronze Cuckoo, 4 Australian Reed Warblers, 15 Rufous Whistlers. Nesting species were; Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins and White-eared Honeyeater. The most numerous species were: 65 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, 33 Grey Fantails and 21 Superb Fairy-wren.

The highlight for the day was the raptors: Brown Falcon, 3 Swamp Harriers and 2 Square-tailed kites.

Total species counted was 62. Thanks to Glenn for leading the survey.

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12 Lyrebird Tales

BirdLife Yarra Valley email: yarravalley@birdlife.org.au

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 in the Central and North-central Fire Districts. (Central unless notified otherwise)

Calendar April to June 2017

APRIL Saturday 8 – Outing to Yan Yean Reservoir & Toorourrong Reserve. Meet at Yan Yean at 9.30 a.m. in first picnic area off Reservoir Rd. Melway Edn 39 Keymap Page 9 L2 Tuesday 11 – Meeting. Wednesday 26 – Outing to Lillydale Lake, Lilydale. Meet at 9.30 a.m. in Lake car park Melway Edn 39 38 G7.

MAY Tuesday 9 AGM and celebrating 25 years of the Yarra Valley Branch. Saturday 13 – Outing Coranderrk Bushland Survey. Directions: Gate 1 Badger Avenue, Badger Creek, opposite Fleay Rd. Melway Edn 39 278 F10. Gate will close at 9.30 a.m.sharp. Celebrating 25 years of the Yarra Valley Branch with a BYO picnic lunch.

Wednesday 24 – Outing to RACV Healesville Country Club at 9.30 a.m. Healesville-Kinglake Road, Healesville. Melway Edn. 39 269 J12. Park in first car park just inside the entrance.

JUNE Tuesday 13 – No meeting - Winter recess. Saturday 17 (note 3rd Saturday of month) – Outing to Peninsula Tunnels Warburton at 9.30 a.m. Directions take Woods Point Road through Warburton East past Starvation Creek Road and look for Little Peninsula Tunnel car park on left. Melway Edn 39 X912 U2. Car pooling – meet at 8.30 a.m. in Healesville Library car park opposite Coronation Park. Wednesday 28 Outing to O’Donohue’s Picnic Ground Sherbrooke Forest at 9.30 a.m. Melway Edn. 39 75 G3.

Calendar July to September 2917 Basic Dates only Check June 2017 newsletter for further details.

JULY Saturday 8 – Outing to Cathedral Range State Park at 9.30 a.m. Meet at Ned’s Gully Picnic Area. Drive along Maroondah Highway past Buxton, look for the Cathedral Range sign on right (before Taggerty) Melway Edn. X910 S9. Suggest car pooling from Healesville. Meet in Library Car Park (opposite Coronation Park River Street) at 8.30 a.m. Melway Edn. 39 270 C12.

Tuesday 11 – No Meeting – Winter Recess.

Wednesday 26 - Outing to Jumping Creek Reserve, Warrandyte State Park, at 9.30 a.m. Turn off Jumping Creek Road into the Park road and drive to the end, park in the main car park. Melway Edn. 39 24 A10.

AUGUST Tuesday 8 – Meeting

Saturday 12 – Outing to Warramate Hills Conservation Reserve, Gruyere, at 9.30 a.m. Park at end of Yarra Loch Way at entrance to Reserve. Melway Edn. 39 285 G1.

Wednesday 23 – Outing to Warburton Trail – Millgrove to Warburton and return. Meet at 9.30 a.m. at site of Millgrove railway station. Melway Edn. 39 289 D4.

SEPTEMBER 7-10 Camp at Wedderburn

Contact the Leader Doug Pocock on

jan-doug@bigpond.com to register and receive details and directions.

Tuesday 12 – Meeting.

Wednesday 27 – Outing to Alexandra Area. Meet at 9.30 a.m. at Visitors’ Centre Car Park, Rotary Park Alexandra and convoy to different locations. Melway Edn 39 X910 T8. Suggest car pooling from Healesville at 8.30 a.m. from Coronation Park River Street, (behind Coles). Melway Edn. 39 270 C12.