Lyrebird Tales

Volume 26 Number 3 September 2017

Kilcowera Station

By Valerie Fowler

Cardenyabba Lagoon Photo© Peter Fowler

Our August 2017 trip to Bowra Station in south-eastern

Queensland was cut shorter than we had originally planned

due to the closure of the property for a week and the

expected arrival of 40 university students. As we still had a

couple of days to spare, we looked for another place to bird

watch in the area. Other birdwatchers staying at Bowra had

told us that Eulo bore (where we had fabulous birding 20

years earlier) was now ruined and not worth visiting. We

were also told that Lake Bindegolly and the lakes at

Currawinya National Park were all dry due to the bad drought

in the area. We read that Kilcowera Station had the same

bird species as Bowra so we phoned the owners and booked

in for two nights stay.

Kilcowera Station is situated mainly within the Bulloo river

catchment and is accessed via the Dowling Track, a dirt road

running between Thargomindah and Hungerford. This area

has irregular rainfall and has unpredictable weather events

which can cause flooding. Kilcowera Station was bought by

the Sherwin family in 1980; it was originally part of Boorara,

owned by Sir Sydney Kidman. Kilcowera covers 49,377 ha

(compared to 14,000 ha in Bowra). The property is watered

by artesian bores and natural water. The Sherwin family also

own the adjoining property Zenonie which has been in the

family for three generations. The cattle property is

organically run; the management believe that maintaining

the soil health and native vegetation as well as native wildlife

is important and they have a conservative stocking rate of

one beast to 100 acres, and beasts were completely removed

in severe drought years. This has enabled a reasonable

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo Photo © Peter Fowler

amount of ground cover to exist which was very evident as

we travelled through the property. The property is open to

visitors between March and the end of October and has

accommodation in the shearers’ quarters, camping on a

grassy area with toilets and showers (bore water) and bush

camping with long drop toilet at Cardenyabba Lagoon.

We arrived at Kilcowera at dusk and driving down the

entrance track we enjoyed a long distant view over the

property in the evening light. After booking in at the

residence we were given a folder containing a map of tracks

we could drive on the property with information on relevant

places of interest, a fact sheet describing different vegetation

and most importantly a bird list of a possible 186 species to

see.

Contents 1 – 5. Kilcowera Station by Valerie Fowler

6. Book for the WTP bus trip, Interesting Sightings,

What Bird is That? Committee Members

7. Filtration Pond Net

8 – 11. Reports of Meetings and Outings

12. Calendar of Events

Lyrebird Tales

2 Lyrebird Tales

Shearers’ quarters and camping area Photo P. Fowler

We were ready to start birdwatching at day break with a

Spotted Bowerbird, Apostlebird, Crested Pigeons and Willie

Wagtail in the frosty camping area. We drove down to

Cardenyabba Lagoon which is part of the Kilcowera (or

sometimes named Cardenyabba) River; it eventually flows

into north NSW and ends up in the Bulloo River overflow. The

series of lagoons were in the process of drying out. Here the

waterbirds were nervous; the Pelican took to the skies as

soon as it spotted us. Also present were both Royal and

Yellow-billed Spoonbills. There were two White-necked

Herons, one White-faced Heron, Great Egret, Black-fronted

Dotterel, Whiskered Tern and Caspian Tern, Grey Teal and

two Red-necked Avocets. Bush birds included: abundant

White-plumed Honeyeaters, Little Friarbird, Spiny-cheeked

Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Miner and Brown Tree-creeper.

The parrots were very active at this time in the morning:

Galahs, Blue Bonnets, Australian Ringneck and Mulga Parrots.

A flock of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos was being harassed by a

Whistling Kite and in return harassed the raptor. The Major

Mitchell’s Cockatoos then came down to the water for a drink.

Track at Kilcowera Photo © Valerie Fowler

Also seen were Magpie Lark and a Black-breasted Buzzard.

Before we left the lagoon five Emus came for a drink on the

far side. In the near vicinity: Chestnut-crowned Babblers,

Hooded and Pied Butcherbirds, Splendid Wren, Hooded and

Red-capped Robins, we heard a Crested Bellbird. We

continued to follow the 60km route on the property along a

red sandy track stopping to look at different bushes and trees

with identification (Eucalyptus, Acacias and Ereophilas).

Apostlebird Photo © Valerie Fowler

Spotted Bowerbird Photo © Valerie Fowler

Yellow-billed Spoonbills Photo © Peter Fowler

Caspian Tern Photo © Peter Fowler

Lyrebird Tales

September 2017 3

White-necked Heron Photo © Peter Fowler

Australian Ringneck Parrot Photo © Valerie Fowler

Black-faced Woodswallow Photo © Peter Fowler

Crimson Chat Photo © Peter Fowler

Black-breasted Buzzard Photo © Peter Fowler

We passed an area of lignum before arriving at a tank with a

low trough interspersed with low bushes (bottom tank) where

Black-faced and White-browed Woodswallows were drinking.

At the second tank there were no birds as a mob of cattle

had congregated there. The track continued onto a sandy

area with a female Splendid Wren then a stony ridge, the

high point of the property at Mt Roy at 758 feet and views for

miles. We spotted one Crimson Chat and a Euro, a dark

coloured kangaroo in the distance. We had our first views of

neighbouring Currawinya National Park and the dry Lake

Wyara. In this stony area we unsuccessfully looked for the

Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, discovering an attractive

rocky gorge and a Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo. We walked to a

small cave where it is thought that a shepherd working for

Sydney Kidman used to shelter whilst minding his flock of

sheep.

View from Mt Roy Photo © Valerie Fowler

We continued on to the mustering camp with a bore near the

dry Youlaingee Creek; we were disappointed to find the

waterhole empty with the water mark clearly visible on the

side of the bank; here were Red-capped and Hooded Robins.

Nearby were Brown Falcon and an Emu with four stripey

chicks.

We drove just into the entrance of the Currawinya National

Park which borders the western end of the Kilcowera

property. A Black-faced Woodswallow was perched just inside

the gate. Whilst enjoying a late lunch at 3pm we looked

towards the dry Lake Wyara, this normally saline lake is filed

by a local catchment of five big creeks, three of these head

up on Kilcowera Station.

Lyrebird Tales

4 Lyrebird Tales

Red-capped Robin Photo © Valerie Fowler

Emu Photo © Peter Fowler

Benanga Bore Photo © Valerie Fowler

Little Friarbird Photo © Valerie Fowler

(Later when visiting the park office at Currawinya National

Park, the rangers told us that the lake had been dry for 5

months and very low for the previous eight months). In good

years this lake and neighbouring fresh water Lake Numalla

attract 180 species of birds including waders and thousands

of Pelicans and is a RAMSAR site. Here we saw many grey

and red Kangaroos and a female Red-capped Robin. The

weather was changing with a band of clouds appearing. This

eastern area of the National Park was sparsely vegetated

apart from in the dry creek.

We returned to the property where three Zebra Finches flew

across in front of us near the dry Benanga Creek, here there

was also a Kestrel and Singing Honeyeater. Continuing back

to the circular route we saw lots of goats including a kid

which had become separated from its mother and probable

prey for one of the Wedge-tailed Eagles seen on the

property. On the northern loop there were several small cone

shaped termite mounds and low vegetation. A side trip to

Benanga bore was a surprise, it was a delightful waterhole

surrounded by red earth and stunning trees with white bark.

Here we saw Little Friarbird, Australian Ravens and numerous

White-plumed Honeyeaters and Yellow-throated Miners which

were chasing everything. We drove across a nearby creek

which was dry with a sandy bottom. Sticks and vegetation

caught up two metres high in the trees were evidence of

previous floods.

Murderer Bore Photo © Valerie Fowler

Next stop was late in the day at Murderer Bore where the

burnt remains of a man were discovered after he went

missing in 1940 after working as an assistant to a dishonest

contractor in the local area. The bore was drilled in 1941 but

ceased to flow in 1987 due to a blockage in the bore casing,

however water continues to seep from the bore causing a

slow stream of water to escape which formed a narrow soak

for the birds and animals. This was a wonderful spot despite

its name; we wished we could spend a lot more time there

but we still had a long way to go. An Emu came in to drink

with the smallest five chicks we have seen. We also tried to

get good views of a small flock of Chestnut-crowned

Babblers. Other birds seen were: White-browed

Woodswallows, Southern Whiteface, Hooded Robin, Common

Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater.

Lyrebird Tales

September 2017 5

A flock of over 65 Galahs came in for a drink; several trying

to perch together on a small rock in the water.

Galahs at Murderer Bore Photo © Valerie Fowler

The Galahs were very nervous so we left. (Bourke’s Parrots

have been recorded at this waterhole). This bore would be

wonderful to visit for a longer time in the morning and

evening; it’s a shame it was so far from the camp. Returning

to camp it was almost dark and we nearly ran over a Spotted

Nightjar sitting on the road.

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Photo © Peter Fowler

Blue Bonnets Photo © Peter Fowler

Mulga Parrot Photo © Peter Fowler

Pied Butcherbird Photo © Valerie Fowler

Splendid Fairy-Wren Photo © Valerie Fowler

The next morning we visited Cardenyabba Lagoon before

leaving this wonderful property. We recorded 54 bird species

on Kilcowera Station. We wished we had more time to find

the many interesting birds recorded previously on the

property by other birdwatchers: Bourke’s Parrots, Hall’s and

Grey-crowned Babblers, Cinnamon and Chestnut-breasted

Quail-thrush, Spotted Harrier, Australian Bustard, Inland

Dotterel, Banded Stint, Australian Pratincole, Gull-billed Tern,

Squatter Pigeon, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Red-backed

Kingfisher, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Orange Chat and

Gibberbird.

Lyrebird Tales

6 Lyrebird Tales

Interesting Sightings

3/3/17 - Pair Grey Currawongs - Badger Creek, Graeme

George

29/5/17 1 Hardhead – Hull Rd Wetland, V & P Fowler

29/5/17 Buff-banded Rail, Azure Kingfisher – Lillydale Lake,

Val and Peter Fowler

30/5/17 - Swamp Harrier dived on Crimson Rosellas at bird

feeder but went away empty footed, Chum Creek near Lowes

Rd, Michael Feller

30/6/17 – Immature Nanking Night Heron – Croydon, Val &

Peter Fowler

2/7/17 Spotless Crake – Lillydale Lake, V & P Fowler

13/7/17 - Large-billed Scrubwren - Badger Creek, Graeme

George

13/7/17 - 3 Hardheads - Coombe Farm Dam, Coldstream,

Graeme George

14/7/17 1 Freckled Duck – Hull Rd Wetlands, V & P Fowler

30/7/17 - Eastern Whipbird - Warburton Trail/Burgi Hill Rd,

Graeme George

1/8/17 - Wonga Pigeon calling - Badger Creek, Graeme

George

1/8/17 - Magpie chased away 2 Common Mynas from bird

feeder leaving Galahs, Crimson Rosellas and Common

Bronzewings alone - Chum Creek, Lowes Rd, Michael Feller

1/8/17 - Yellow Robins, Eastern Rosellas, Tawny Frogmouth

heard – Healesville, Maggie Smith

1/8/17 - 35 King Parrots & 25 Crimson Rosellas in a flock –

Cockatoo, Alan Murphy

6/8/17 - Eastern Whipbird - Warburton Trail near Burgi Hill

Rd, Jan Llewelyn & Doug Pocock

7/8/17 - Approximately 60 Cattle Egrets - Yarra Glen, Kevin

Mason

8/8/17 - Eastern Whipbird calling - Chum Creek opposite Golf

Course, Michael Feller

8/8/17 - Pair Bronzewings - Lillydale Lake, Val & Peter Fowler

8/8/17 - 70 Little Black Cormorants, 2 Black Cormorants, 1

Freckled Duck - Hull Rd Wetlands, Val & Peter Fowler

11/8/17 - 6 Hardheads - Coombe Farm Dam, Coldstream,

Graeme George

29/8/17 – Yellow-faced Honeyeater (first return) - Hull Rd

Wetlands, Val & Peter Fowler

Sightings out of the Yarra Valley

25/7/17 - 200+Brolga with 4 Sarus Cranes - Yourka Stn

(near Ravenshoe QLD), Graeme George

19/8/17 Brolga (2) - Thargomindah (S.E. QLD), V & P Fowler

What Bird is That?

Answer on page 11

Little Black Cormorants Photo Peter © Fowler

Book Now!

Bus Trip to the Western Treatment Plant

Saturday October 14th 2017

email: yarravalley@birdlife.org.au

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

Lyrebird Tales

September 2017 7

Filtration pond net at Lillydale Lake

By Valerie Fowler

Birdwatchers and walkers at Lillydale Lake may have noticed

that one of the filtration ponds surrounding the lake has been

covered in netting for some time. The filtration pond is on the

far side of the lake from the rotunda. This pond has

previously been used by 2 Freckled Ducks, a pair of Pink-

eared Ducks with their young, and a Nankeen Night Heron. In

a dry year when the pond had muddy edges it was used by

several Spotted Crakes. This pond has been a refuge for

ducks, Great Egret, White-faced Heron, Coots, Dusky

Moorhens and Purple Swamphens when the Lillydale Lake has

been used by canoeists or birds are disturbed by joggers and

dog walkers.

On the 16.4.17 we first noticed some poles being positioned

around the pond and wires strung across the water. As the

weeks passed a net was placed over the wires leaving both

ends open. No birds were observed using the pond on the

26.4.17 despite both ends of the net being open. By the

1.5.17 only one end of the netting had been left open and 3

Coots and 2 Purple Swamphens had discovered a way in.

After several phone calls, I discovered that the netting is part

of a project by Melbourne Water who planned a planting of

65,000 plants and grasses in the pond and the netting was

put up to discourage the Purple Swamphens from pulling up

the newly sown vegetation to allow it to become established.

We continued to monitor this pond but there was no sign of

any planting being done and each week several birds, mainly

Black Ducks, Coot and Purple Swamphen found their way in

through the opening at one end. Week after week a small

number of water birds such as Dusky Moorhen and Chestnut

and Grey Teal managed to go under the net to access the

water in the pond which is part of my survey area.

On the 16.7.17 we were distressed to see a duck hanging by

its bill from the inside of the net. On closer observation we

identified it as a Grey Teal which was unfortunately

deceased. We alerted Melbourne Water who went to remove

it. The contact person told me that the net was checked

weekly by Melbourne Water staff and any birds under the net

were chased out. The last check had only been 4 days before.

The original planting date for the pond had been postponed

and it is now expected to happen in October 2017. I was

advised that the net would stay up for a full year after

planting to allow the vegetation to take hold and a short

inconvenience for the birds using this pond will eventually

benefit them long term.

We hope that the tragic death of the poor Grey Teal was an

isolated incident and will continue to monitor this pond.

Filtration pond with net Photo © Valerie Fowler

Duck caught in net Photo © Valerie Fowler

Grey Teal Photo © Valerie Fowler

Lyrebird Tales

8 Lyrebird Tales

Reports of Meetings and Outings

Tuesday 9 May – Meeting – Celebrating 25 years

After the formalities of the AGM were completed we relaxed

and joined Valerie for her Power Point presentation. We were

taken back to the early days of the Branch with photos of

activities and commentary by Valerie year by year. We were

brought right up to date to 2017. Valerie's presentation was

brilliant and the audience was kept wondering who was going

to appear on the screen next. Perhaps some candid shots

caught members by surprise but it was all in good fun. We

know how much time was spent working on this project and

we thank Valerie for her magnificent presentation. We then

had a cuppa and enjoyed some party cakes to celebrate the

occasion. Once again thank you Valerie for a wonderful

night.

Saturday 13 May – Outing to Coranderrk Bushland

Lake Coranderrk Photo © Valerie Fowler

It was a fine day for our survey at Coranderrk Bushland

attended by 12 participants. We were pleased to see the

waterbirds had returned since the previous survey:

Australasian Coot (80+), Australasian Grebes (6), Blue-billed

Ducks (7), Hardhead (3) Black Duck (5), Australian Darters

(7), Little Pied Cormorants (2), Black Swan (2) and

Australian Shell Duck (2). Raptors were a Brown Goshawk

and 2 Wedge-tailed Eagles. There were abundant

honeyeaters: Red Wattlebird, New Holland, White-naped and

White-eared Honeyeaters with numerous Eastern Spinebills

(35) feeding on the flowering mistletoe. A highlight was a

Crescent Honeyeater. Other bird species with larger numbers

were Welcome Swallows (30), Superb Fairy-Wren (28) and

Red-browed Finches (25). 42 bird species were counted on

the survey. (When the Yarra Valley branch was formed in

1992 the first Yarra Valley outing was to Coranderrk on the

14th of June 1992 where 41 bird species were counted).

After the morning walk we were unable to use the bush hut

so drove to the Badger Creek meeting hall where we had

lunch, followed by a repeat of the power point “Celebrating

25 years” for those members who were not at the last

meeting. We also enjoyed some cakes provided by Alma.

Wednesday 24 May – Outing to RACV Healesville

Country Club

Tawny Frogmouths Photo © Peter Fowler

The weather was dry with a cloudy sky. We met in the first

car-park at 9.30am with an attendance of 12 interested

members. Just as we were about to leave on our walk 12

Gang Gang Cockatoos flew over us and landed in a tree

nearby. We walked around the edge of the greens and

observed a large number of Australian Wood ducks on the

greens. In a pond near the road were some Pacific Black

Ducks. We stopped by another pond and saw more Pacific

Black ducks and two Australasian Grebes.

As we continued we encountered King Parrots in the trees

near the road fence and a lone Crested Pigeon perched on

the power line as well as Common Mynas and Crimson

Rosellas in another tree. Rainbow Lorikeets flew overhead.

On one of the greens we observed Eastern Rosellas as well as

some Magpies and Magpie Larks. We moved into an area of

bush where we saw Noisy Miners, Grey Butcherbirds, Red

Wattlebirds a male and female Golden Whistlers, some Brown

Thornbills, five Kookaburras, White-browed Scrubwrens,

Common Bronzewings and Eastern Spinebills. On one green

we spotted a lone Willie Wagtail.

At the top of the last greens we observed more than 10

Striated Thornbills, a White-throated Tree Creeper, a Yellow

Robin, Grey Fantails and Blackbirds.

As we walked down to the lower greens Geoff spotted two

Tawny Frogmouths in a tree on the side of the track. When

we got down we saw on the pond Pied Cormorants, a Dusky

Moorhen, Eurasian Coots, Australian Wood Ducks, Pacific

Black Ducks and Masked Lapwings nearby.

We moved alongside the Watts River hearing Spotted

Pardalotes calling, and saw Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, and a

Grey Shrike-thrush. On the second pond we saw Purple

Swamphens, Pacific Black ducks, a Little Pied Cormorant,

White Faced Herons and a male and female Chestnut Teal, a

Galah flew overhead.

When we arrived back some Little Corellas flew over us and

while we were eating lunch a Royal Spoonbill flew overhead.

Lyrebird Tales

September 2017 9

White-faced Herons Photo © Valerie Fowler

This was a great walk the highlights being the great numbers

of Australian Wood Ducks and Pacific Black Ducks, the flock

of 12 Gang Gang Cockatoos, the Tawny Frogmouths and the

sight of the Royal Spoonbill. In all we observed and noted 44

species of birds. Jim McMinn

Tuesday 13 June – No meeting – winter recess

Saturday 17 June – Outing to Peninsular Tunnels,

Warburton

The following is a report of an outing with a difference.

At the starting time of 9.30 am in the car park for the Little

Peninsula Tunnel the temperature was 6 degrees and the

weather was low cloud. Our leader Manfred appointed

Michael as a co-leader so the other two participants, Ruth

and I were well catered for during the day.

As we left the car park and wandered down the track toward

the river we were serenaded by the vast repertoire of bird

calls by 2 Superb Lyrebirds and we thought that this was

promising for many birds to be seen in the area. We heard a

Yellow Robin, White-throated Treecreeper, Golden Whistler

and Spotted Pardalotes. We saw our first bird after 1 hour –

a flock of Striated Thornbills – were we excited?

Back to the cars, hearing a Grey Shrike Thrush, we drove 4

km to the turnoff to visit the Big Tunnel area. The sun came

out and the temperature jumped to 7 degrees. Our spirits

rose and our expectations were again enhanced as we walked

amongst the beautiful Manna Gums and native flora.

At the 1½ hour mark we saw our second bird – a Grey

Shrike Thrush and heard the call of another Yellow Robin and

White-browed Scrub Wren.

Walking in beautiful sunshine we came across a Superb

Fairy-wren and a Grey Fantail at the 2 hour mark. Such

excitement but we chose to drive to the Upper Yarra Dam

and as we arrived the temperature reached double figures

and no one had sunscreen.

On entering the Upper Yarra Dam confines we were greeted

by Bassian Thrush, Song Thrush, Magpie and Blackbird and

we knew we were in for a good birding day.

Under a virtually cloudless sky, we visited the dam wall, had

lunch at the picnic ground and strolled through the lush

growth forest after lunch.

Birds seen during these activities were Kookaburra, Welcome

Swallow, several Brown Thornbills and Superb Fairy Wrens,

Masked Lapwing, Wood Duck, Red Wattlebird, Crimson

Rosella and a male Superb Lyrebird with its tail on display.

Heard were Australian Raven, Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo,

Pied Currawong, Eastern Whipbird, Striated Thornbill, New

Holland Honeyeater and a Lewin’s Honeyeater.

We thanked each other for good company and an enjoyable

different outing and proceeded home in beautiful sunshine.

Graeme Horskins

Wednesday 28 June – Outing to O’Donohue’s Picnic

Ground, Sherbrooke Forest

We met in the car park at the picnic ground before 9.30am,

the weather was fine and sunny but damp underfoot. There

were eleven people including our guides Jan Incoll and

Marlene Drysdale from the Superb Lyrebird Volunteer Watch

group, who keep an eye on the Lyrebirds especially the

females who were nesting at the time of our visit. As we

moved around the forest the nosiest birds we saw were the

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos; there were 20 plus flying

overhead.

Jan and Marlene took us to a spot where a male Lyrebird was

performing his repertoire whilst dancing, but then he decided

that it was time to move on and ran across the track and

started to perform again, we caught a glimpse of him

dancing. Jan and Marlene took us around the forest to other

sites and as we moved around we heard 10 other male birds

performing but could not see them.

Other birds we spotted, apart from the Cockatoo, were Brown

Thornbills, Crimson Rosellas, Eastern Yellow Robin, Grey

Fantail, Grey Shrike-thrush, White-browed Scrub-wren,

Rainbow Lorikeets, and a Laughing Kookaburra. Our special

thanks to Jan and Marlene for a very informative tour, we

enjoyed a great walk. 10 bird species were observed.

Leaders Lin Bullen, Jim McMinn

Saturday 8 July – Outing to Cathedral Range State Park

A dubious weather Saturday saw only 4 people arrive at the

starting point – Ned’s Gully Parking Area at the northern end

of the park. The small party was soon treated to a pleasant

ramble through a very beautiful forest along the track near

the Little River, listening to Superb Lyrebird after Lyrebird

serenading all and sundry. We decided to try and find one

Lyrebird who didn’t appear to be too far from the walking

track. A short walk through relatively open bush lead to the

bird being seen perched on the top of a fallen tree that was

leaning against a standing one, about 5m above the ground.

He flew to the ground then began scratching for food, only

about 10m from us. Many Yellow Robins, White-throated

Treecreepers, Brown and Striated Thornbills, White-browed

Scrubwrens, and Golden Whistlers called this forest home, as

did wallabies and wombats, although only the former were

Lyrebird Tales

10 Lyrebird Tales

seen. A Varied Sitella and several Grey Fantails were also

seen, and sightings of possibly a Crested Shrike-tit and

Brown Gerygone were also made. Crimson Rosellas and

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were the only parrots seen.

Laughing Kookaburra Photo © Michael Feller

A shower came and went, followed by a more serious shower

which started about 15 minutes before Cooks Mill campsite.

The pine plantation adjacent to the track before the campsite

had been recently clearfelled and burned, providing habitat

for few birds, although Magpies seemed to appreciate it. We

increased our pace and took refuge in the picnic shelter at

the campsite, waiting for 15 minutes or so until the rain

eased a bit. We then set off back down the track to the cars.

We decided to drive back to the picnic shelter for lunch then,

if the weather cooperated, to walk the Friends Nature Trail to

complete our planned trip. The weather did cooperate, the

next shower coming just as we completed the walk. This walk

was through another very beautiful forest, with many large

old manna gums providing numerous nesting hollows – this

would be a superb area during the nesting season, if

possums had left some hollows for birds. Not too many birds

were seen by us, however, mainly Thornbills and Grey

Fantails. The highlight of this trail occurred when some

American girls pointed out a koala high above us in a manna

gum. In a short walk they would have seen several

vociferous Laughing Kookaburras around the campsite, no

doubt honing their barbequed meat snatching skills (neither

they nor the Pied Currawongs at the campsite were

interested in our low meat non-barbequed lunches), several

kangaroos grazing in a grassy area near the trail, the koala in

the tree, and possibly a noisy mob of Sulphur-crested

Cockatoos – the North American stereotypical Australia – all

within half an hour! A quick visit to the Cooks Mill Heritage

Site completed the fine trip. Total number of species seen or

heard was 23. Michael Feller

Wednesday 26 July – outing to Jumping Creek Reserve,

Wonga Park

The day was cold and damp, 8 of us started off walking to

the viewing platform overlooking the Yarra River and Sulphur

Crested Cockatoos were calling in the trees nearby. Graeme

Horskins had seen an Australasian Grebe on the river and a

Spotted Turtle Dove close by. Rainbow Lorikeets flew

overhead and we heard Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos in the

trees. We observed some Australian Wood Ducks in a tree

and two White Faced Herons flying past.

Geoff Deason showed us a nice easy path to the main track,

whilst walking on this track we encountered Galahs, Crimson

Rosellas and Striated Pardalotes. As we started on the main

track we heard Pied Currawongs calling and observed

Kookaburras, White-eared Honeyeaters, White-naped

Honeyeaters, Red Wattlebirds and Brown Thornbills in the

trees.

As we started to climb to the top of the hill we saw White-

browed Scrub Wrens on the ground and heard Spotted

Pardalotes calling in the trees. We also observed Grey

Fantails and Eastern Rosellas. Just before we reached the top

of the hill we saw the ‘bird of the day’ a Varied Sittella as well

as a male Golden Whistler and a White-throated Treecreeper.

We heard a Yellow Robin, a Little Raven and Noisy Miners in

the trees.

As we descended down the track Geoff stopped and took us

along a small track where he showed us an outdoor Chapel

used by the Scouting Movement which was in excellent

condition. Whilst there, we observed Striated Thornbills and

more White-naped Honeyeaters.

When we got to the Yarra River we spotted a Dusky Moorhen

on the water and White-eared Honeyeaters in the trees. On

the return journey back to our cars we saw a Brown

Goshawk, Magpies, a Superb Fairy-wren and an Australian

Raven.

When we sat down to have lunch we observed our last two

birds a Grey Shrike Thrush and a Masked Lapwing.

We had a great day of birding, 35 species observed, and

good company. Species of the day was the Varied Sittella,

and a very special thanks to Geoff Deason for his knowledge

of the area and showing us the Scout outdoor Chapel.

Many thanks to all who came, Jim McMinn (leader)

Tuesday 8 August – Meeting – The history of

Coranderrk Bushland – speaker: Kevin Mason

Many Birdlife Yarra Valley members have visited Coranderrk

Bushland and participated in the twice yearly bird surveys on

this property so it was very interesting to hear about its

history.

Coranderrk Bushland was originally included in 1,850

hectares of land set aside for Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve

in the 1860s.

The site chosen for the reserve was described by the

daughter of a station manager as being of high land sloping

down to the Badger Creek and Yarra River with vegetation of

ferns, wattles and shrubs festooned with starry clematis and

purple sarsaparilla and the Victorian Christmas bush. It’s an

area with abundant game of kangaroos, wombats and

bandicoots.

After the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve officially closed in

1924, the land was used for stock agistment until 1948,

Lyrebird Tales

September 2017 11

when the Coranderrk Lands Bill revoked the permanent

reservation of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve,

transferring the land to the Soldier Settlement Scheme to

accommodate four dairy farms for soldier settlers. This left a

remnant area of 140 hectares known today as Coranderrk

Bushland being left vacant, as it was deemed unsuitable or

viable enough for a dairy farm and was gazetted as a Game

Reserve in 1921. Local small holders took advantage to

winter their stock there until 1963, when the Sanctuary

erected a two metre boundary fence. The bushland was

placed under the control of the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary

Committee of Management in 1955.

Kevin showed us a map indicating the positions of different

vegetation zones and of the eucalypts growing there like the

manna gum, stringybark, peppermint and candlebark. He

said up until the fire in 1962 there had been good

recruitment of manna gums, peppermint gums and

messmate including a large area of Eucalyptus fulgens

(Green Scentbark) a rare tree in Victoria. The yearly average

rainfall of Coranderrk Bushland is 975 – 1000mm, floods

have occurred; the last one was in 2011 when 1434mm

rainfall was recorded. There were fires in 1890, 1898, 1905,

1926, 1962, 1980s and 2009.

There have been many impacts on the bushland reserve:

building of the perimeter fence, bush hut, ranger’s house,

animal enclosures, roads and creek grates. In 1970-71 a

retaining wall was built on Barak Creek creating a swamp for

water birds. Lake Coranderrk was completed in 1968 which

covers six hectares including the overflow area; submersible

pump supplies water to a water tower at the Sanctuary to

supplement the Sanctuary’s water supply and fire hydrants.

In the 1970s the water in the lake was impacted by pollution

from the neighbouring strawberry farms. There has also been

dieback of some trees due to a fungal disease.

In the 1960s plant surveys were done in Coranderrk

Bushland: an orchid survey identified 52 species, 12 species

of insectivorous bats have also been identified in the reserve.

Bird surveys started in 1969 and continue up to the present

day. The area has also been used by university Zoological

and Botany students for studies, and has been used for

forensic science research. There was a heritage assessment

survey in 2009 indicating indigenous heritage sites like scar

trees etc.

Coranderrk is an island remnant of natural bushland with a

riparian creek corridor with significant cultural and heritage

history with values to the local Aboriginal community. We are

very fortunate to be able to visit this wonderful property.

Thank you Kevin for your passionate and enthusiastic talk

which was well-informed and very impressive especially as it

was delivered with very short notice. Your passion for history

of the local area has increased our appreciation of this special

area. Thank you from us all.

Magpie Lark falls fowl of fishing line

Injured Magpie Lark at Lillydale Lake

In July this year a Magpie Lark was seen feeding by the side

of the path around the lake and did not fly off as people

walked past. Surprisingly it did not even move as mothers

pushed their prams past and dogs on lead became close to it.

As the Magpie Lark was in the short grass it was not obvious

what the problem was until it ventured onto the path.

The Magpie Lark was able to feed itself but it had an injury to

its foot which at first appeared to be some kind of growth

similar to that seen on birds which feed on dirty bird tables

as in the UK. Not wanting to stress the bird by getting too

close we took some photos of the bird and its injury. It was

not until a closer look at the resulting photograph we spotted

the reason for the injury – It had fishing wire tangled around

its foot over which a growth had formed.

Yet another species of bird has succumbed to the neglect of

people leaving fishing wire at Lillydale Lake.

Photo showing growth on its foot

Answer to what bird is that?

Immature Nankeen Night-Heron

Lyrebird Tales

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 October to December

OCTOBER

Tuesday 10 – Meeting – Subject Bird Trip to Bowra and

Kilcowera Stations – Peter & Valerie Fowler

Saturday 14 –Outing to Western Treatment Plant by bus.

Places limited. Book your place and get further details

email: yarravalley@birdlife.org.au

Wednesday 25 – Outing to Lake Mountain at 9.30am. Meet

at top car park next to buildings (parking fees apply) Melway

Edn 39 270 C12

NOVEMBER

Saturday 11 - Survey in Coranderrk Bushland at 9.30 a.m.

Directions: Gate 1 Badger Avenue, Badger Creek, opposite

Fleay Rd. Melway Edn 39 278 F10. Gate will close at 9.30

sharp.

Tuesday 14 – Meeting – Speaker Sonja Ross, subject - My

Birding Year 2016 (includes Australia, Sri Lanka and

Antartica) Don’t miss this wonderful talk and photos.

Wednesday 22 - Outing to RACV Healesville Country Club at

9.30 a.m. Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Healesville.

Directions: Melway Edn 39 269 J12. Park in first car park just

inside the entrance.

DECEMBER

Saturday 9 – Christmas break up at Maroondah Reservoir

Park at 9.30am. Maroondah Highway, Healesville . Melway

Edn 39 270, H6

Calendar January to March 2018

Basic Dates only. Check December newsletter for

Furthur details.

January

Tuesday 9 – Meeting – Speaker Alan Spellman Subject:

Spring in Mull.

Saturday 13 - Breakfast with the Birds at a private property

in Badger Creek at 8.30 a.m. Drive to the end of Deering

Avenue and follow the signs. Directions: Melway Edn 39 284

J1

Wednesday 24 – Outing Mount Donna Buang from

Warburton 9.30 a.m. – Directions: Melway Edn39 X912 S2 &

inset map pg 290. continue past the large gravel carparks

towards the summit. Park near the information shelter and

toilets

February

Saturday 10 – Outing – Mason’s Falls, Kinglake National

Park. 9.30 a.m. Directions: Melway Edn 39 X910 P11

Tuesday 13 – Meeting – Speaker TBA

Wednesday 28 – Outing to Spadonis Reserve Yering

9.30 a.m Directions: Melway Edn 39 274 E8 Park at end of

Victoria Rd

March

Saturday 10 – Labour Day W/E – Outing TBA

Tuesday 13 – Meeting – Speaker Christine Connolly –

Subject: Effects of Melbourne's urbanisation on Eastern

Yellow Robins

Wednesday 28 – Outing Pound Bend Warrandyte 9.30 a.m.

Directions: Melway Edn 39 23 A11