Mornington Peninsula Birdlife · MEMBER PROFILE Dennis Gosper Lives at Balnarring How I started...
Transcript of Mornington Peninsula Birdlife · MEMBER PROFILE Dennis Gosper Lives at Balnarring How I started...
Mornington Peninsula
Birdlife
Volume 6 Number 3 September 2017
CONVENOR’S REPORT
The survey we issued to ascertain opinions for our newsletter
have been evaluated and the results are included as an
insert in this issue. The survey result was referred to the full
committee of the branch for a resolution.
Our involvement in the Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat Biolink
Project has commenced with bird surveys completed on five
properties as part of the ongoing evaluation of the Biolink
projects goals. The partners in this project are Port Phillip
and Westernport CMA, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Parks
Victoria, Bunurong Land Council, Melbourne Water and two
Landcare Groups. The project will run until 2020.
The committee has appointed Pam Hearn as Deputy
Convenor to fulfil the constitutional requirements of the
BirdLife Australia branch committee structure. “What Bird is
That” will again be held on 22 October. This event is aimed at
the general public, please tell your friends and neighbours
and mark the date in your diary. We will need helpers on the
day.
COMMITTEE NOTES
The committee is looking at providing re-useable cups for
our morning tea events to facilitate the dumping of
disposable cups thus reducing our waste footprint.
Friends of Cranbourne Botanic Gardens are holding an event
similar to our “What Bird is That” on October 29. We will be
providing assistance at this event in the form of leaders for a
morning bird walk and a speaker.
We have formed a funding sub-committee to look at options
for financial assistance for our branch activities. The
committee members are John Rawlins, Liz Thomas and
Penny Gillespie; if you have any suggestions on funding
please contact the secretary.
Max Burrows
Contents 1. Branch news
5. Habitat for wildlife
8. Outings program and reports
12. Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys
14. Ospreys and other birds
15. Observations
Striated Fieldwren, photographed at Greens Bush by Mark Lethlean
Branch news
2 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
AGM
After returning from the bird walk and a chat over a cuppa
and bikkies we assembled in the theatrette for our Annual
General Meeting. With thirty-five members present the
meeting got underway and after the normal formalities the
new committee was appointed. With Rab and Danny stepping
down Liz Thomas and Diane Tomlin were duly elected to fill
the vacancies. I wish to thank both Danny and Rab for their
committee work over a number of years and we hope to have
their company on our outings program.
The appointed committee is: Convenor Max Burrows,
Deputy Convenor Pam Hearn, Secretary Denis Goss and
Treasurer Penny Gillespie.
General Committee: Susan Clark, David Ap-Thomas, John
Rawlins, Roger Richards, Diane Tomlin, Liz Thomas.
A talk given by Richard Loyn on conservation issues ensued,
this was enthusiastically received by all and we thanked
Richard for his very interesting dissertation.
N.B. The position of Deputy Convenor was appointed by the
committee at a subsequent meeting to align our branch with
the constitutional requirements.
Presidents AGM report 2017
Your committee has again worked cohesively to deliver a
well-planned program that has overseen a membership
increase to now over 300 and an outings program that once
again exceeded 500 participants and was more than in 2015.
Our annual “What Bird is That” public participation event at
The Briars was well attended and introduced people to our
organisation and more importantly to our Peninsula bird life.
The Coolart Reserve July talk was well attended with Roger
Standen as the speaker giving us an insight into the Roebuck
area of Western Australia.
The outings program included our annual Western Treatment
Plant event ably led by John Barkla and the Christmas outing
at Dunns Creek Winery was another highlight of our year, the
outings sub-committee has again delivered an impressive
program as indicated by an overgrowing attendance.
We are now in an environment of having to fund our
activities and to this end John Rawlins has been most active
in eliciting funds from diverse organisations across the
peninsula and we thank him for this effort.
Our flagship Mornington Peninsula Birdlife newsletter
continues to receive accolades from its readership and once
more we thank Val Ford for her dedicated editorship. We will
be having further discussions regarding the newsletters
future. A number of our members received Life Membership
of BirdLife Australia this year and we say congratulations to
them.
I would commend all of our dedicated committee members
for their contribution this year to the success of the branch.
Education
Pam Hearn and Susan Clark our education officers have been
active with many primary school talks and talks to other
organisations. We again participated in the State Schools
Environment Week at The Briars delivering talks and
exercises to school children from across the Mornington
Penny, Max and Denis conducting the AGM business.
Richard Loyn: Informative, entertaining and very enthusiastic.
Photos by Danny Vits
Peninsula. We manned a tent exhibition and talk in the
observatory at the Science Week event at Coolart Reserve in
August.
Conservation
Roger Richards our conservation officer has been active at
Devilbend Reserve in relation to a proposal to allow non-
powered boats for fishing on the reservoir, we are strongly
opposing this initiative as this reservoir is a Key Biodiversity
Area (KBA) previously designated an Important Bird Area
(IBA) for the protection of Blue-billed Ducks, we await the
decision. Elgee Park monitoring project was completed and
the owners were presented with the report at a function on
the property, follow up monitoring will take place. We
continue to monitor Tootgarook Wetlands, Balcombe Estuary
and Sunshine Reserve. A new project is being discussed it
involves monitoring properties in the Greens Bush to Arthurs
Seat Biolink Project.
General Comments
We lost some very admired members this year in June
Elmer, Ian Dowling and Peggy Mitchell we are indeed
indebted to them. Two of our committee are not standing
this year Danny Vits and Rab Siddhi and we owe them a vote
of gratitude for their dedication, well done!
Thank you to all our committee and those off committee
people who keep our branch afloat. We have some
challenges ahead for the new committee.
Max Burrows
Branch news
September 2017 3
MEMBER PROFILE
Dennis Gosper
Lives at Balnarring
How I started birding
My interest in birds began in primary school, probably
influenced by growing up in the 1950s on a dairy farm on the
floodplain of the Clarence River (Northern NSW) with its
extensive wetlands, and at school, the Nature Study radio
broadcasts by Crosbie Morrison and Gould League activities.
Its annual journal, Gould League Notes, contained articles by
such ornithologists as P A Bourke, K A Hindwood and M S R
Sharland which I avidly consumed. There were also writing
competitions such as ‘The Most useful Bird in my District’
which my teacher encouraged me to enter, no doubt viewing
this as an excellent vehicle for development of my literacy
skills! My parents gave me a copy of ‘What Bird is That?’ and
later a pair of 7 x 35 binoculars, before guiding me to join
the Clarence Valley Field Naturalists’ Club.
By mid-high school I had joined the Bird Observers Club and
RAOU (later Birds Australia) and the Australian Bird Study
Association. During my working life, spent mostly in rural
northern NSW, birding focussed on projects that could be
undertaken outside work, mostly systematic surveys carried
out on weekend mornings, or breeding biology studies in the
hours before and after work …… such is the lot of the
amateur ornithologist!
Once our children were school age we started taking holidays
to more out-of-the way places. The annual Gould League Bird
Study Camps provided great experiences, usually camping,
or accommodated in shearers’ quarters, on properties in
remote locations mostly in western NSW.
Favourite birding spots on the Peninsula
As a recent ‘blow in’ there are many parts of the Peninsula I
have yet to explore. Close to home, Balbirooroo wetlands are
always worth a look, being a reliable site for Freckled Duck in
recent years. Also regularly surveyed are Buckley Nature
Reserve, and Woods and Gordon Rolfe Bushland Reserves.
Other favourite birding spots
Most are in the tropics or subtropics, many near our other
home in northern NSW. These include the rainforests of the
Border Ranges and Richmond Range NPs and the dry
sclerophyll forest of south of Casino. The Ord River (Parry
Creek Farm) and along the Gibb River and Kalumburu Roads
(Home Valley, Charnley River Stations) in the Kimberley are
memorable places to spend time. When travelling in the
inland, station stays (e.g. Kirkalocka’ near Mt Magnet and
‘Bullara’ near Exmouth Gulf), offer excellent opportunities for
birding. In addition there are those managed by Bush
Heritage and Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
Memorable birding moments
These are many, but as a 14-year-old, the witnessing of a
naked and apparently helpless Koel nestling, less than 72
hours old, manoeuvre itself under one of its fellow Magpie-
lark nestlings and tip it over the edge of the nest made a
lasting impression.
Finding White-winged Black Terns and Black-tailed Godwits in
breeding plumage on the Hunter estuary around 1970 is
another early standout memory, as was my first visit to Iron
Dennis at Waterberg Plateau, Namibia 2016. Photo by Carl Gosper
Range, Cape York over Christmas-New Year in 1979, for the
sheer number of new species.
Watching grass finches, particularly Gouldians, Long-tails
and Pictorellas in the Kimberley is something one never tires
of, especially given their past history of trapping.
Since retirement, the opportunity to travel overseas has led
to some stunning experiences. South America is definitely
the ‘birdiest’ continent and quite overwhelming if one
chooses the likes of Brazil as one’s first destination …… 20+
new families and easily 450+ new species in three weeks! If
I could make a return to visit just one place I’d nominate the
Pantanal. However, for the ultimate wildlife experience it is
hard to go past Kenya for its combination of bird and
mammal viewing.
Birding ambitions
I treat every chance to be in the field as an opportunity to
conduct a survey which in turn is entered into BirdLife
Australia’s Birdata Atlas. This is a simple on-line process by
which one’s recreational birding serves a useful purpose by
adding to the accumulated data on Australian birds. In
addition to continuing the long-term surveying of local sites,
my wife Sue and I hope there are many years of exploring
Australia ahead of us (and many Atlas surveys to enjoy!).
When starting to travel overseas I thought a possible goal
might be to try to see representatives from all the bird
families. Thanks to the ever-changing taxonomic landscape
that looks increasingly unlikely, but it does provide a good
excuse to try to get to all corners of the globe!
Other interests
I’ve been a life-long tennis player and whilst well ‘over the
hill’ nowadays, playing regularly still does wonders for one’s
fitness and mental state. Sue and I also enjoy walking
holidays in Europe where the landscapes are so different,
and where there are few birds to distract me!
For many years I’ve worked on rainforest regeneration on
our property in northern NSW. Now, 25+ years on, it is
rewarding to observe flowering and fruiting of many species,
and the presence of a suite of rainforest birds including
pittas, logrunners and fruit doves.
Lastly, I should perhaps also admit to be something of a
1960s music tragic.
Branch news
4 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Book launch at Coolart
Terrific turn out yesterday at the historic Coolart Wetlands
and Homestead Reserve for the launch of Geoffrey Maslen's
book An Uncertain Future: Australian Birdlife in Danger.
Thanks to Friends of Coolart for putting on a great event and
for highlighting how we have much work to do on the
Peninsula to ensure we continue to protect and preserve our
remaining natural habitat.
Russell Joseph, Friends of Coolart Facebook Page
Friends of Coolart were delighted to host the launch of Geoff
Maslen's book on Saturday. A great day shared by more than
150 people in the Observatory and Homestead. We thank
everyone involved including our speakers Max Burrows, Sean
Dooley, Rohan Clarke and Geoff and more than ably hosted
by our president Roger Stuart-Andrews. Thanks to our
sponsors Hardie Grant Books, Ted's Camera Store, The Store
Cafe Somers and to Tim our auctioneer from Ray Whites
Moorabbin who auctioned off all of Rohan fabulous
photographs from the book.
Friends of Coolart, Friends of Coolart Facebook Page
Rare bird project
The branch has been researching birds of the Mornington
Peninsula that have been either declining or subject to
habitat loss since 2008 and we see the need for this project
to be ongoing.
Project goals are to:
1. Identify the past distribution and abundance
2. Identify the present distribution and abundance
3. Publish a report.
The species we have focussed on are Black-shouldered Kite,
Australian King-Parrot, Scarlet Robin, Bassian Thrush,
Eastern Great Egret, Red-browed Finch and Jacky Winter.
We have already established that the Grey-crowned Babbler
no longer occurs in this region and the Scarlet Robin is now
mainly restricted to French Island, the Southern Emu-wren
now occurs in only a few localities and is rarely reported. The
Australian King-Parrot is currently extending its’ Peninsula
range and is now wide spread. Another species of concern is
the Crested Shrike-tit, which appeared to be under threat in
our region, has been seen four times over the past months
and maybe is making a comeback?
We need members to participate in this project and report
sightings of any of these species as the more reports the
better the outcome, please participate for the birds.
Reports to: [email protected]
Max Burrows
Contacting BirdLife Mornington Peninsula
President Max Burrows; 9789 0224
21 Moorhen Cres, Carrum Downs, Vic 3201
www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-mornington-peninsula
Max Burrows speaking at book launch. Photo by Russell Joseph
Geoffrey Maslen; Sean Dooley at book launch.
Photos from Friends of Coolart Facebook Page
A FIRM arrangement
In March this year, FOFI agreed to sponsor French Islanders
Researching Muttonbirds (FIRM) to enable them to apply for
a Coastcare Victoria Community Grant. Their application was
successful, and on 14 June $5,278 was received from DELWP
and paid into FOFI’s bank account. Congratulations, FIRM!
The project, coordinated by Dr David Nicholls, is to continue
the monitoring and rehabilitation work done by David and his
students from Chisholm TAFE at Tortoise Head over almost
twenty years, with the aim of conserving the breeding
population of Short-tailed Shearwaters, or Muttonbirds, a
migratory and internationally protected species.
Parks Victoria has recently removed some of the larger
Boxthorn bushes at Tortoise Head, and there are plans to
follow up with further controls in August (hopefully before
the Shearwaters return to their burrows). FOFI will liaise
with FIRM to provide support as needed in 2018 (i.e. after
the end of this year’s breeding season), for example by
removing small Boxthorn infestations and other weeds and
collecting beach rubbish.
Chris Chandler, FOFI News June 2017
Newsletter contributions
Thanks for your fantastic articles and photos. Keep
sharing your sightings, observations, bird photos, daily
birding activities, surveys, tips on bird identification and
birding while travelling stories.
Send to Val Ford; 5981 1445 & [email protected]
Deadline for December edition: 8 November 2017
Earlier articles appreciated.
Habitat for wildlife
September 2017 5
Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat (GB2AS)
Biolink Project Update
Our first planting for the GB2AS project began during
continual rain at a property on Baldrys Rd with the Chisholm
TAFE Conservation Land Management students. We got 300
tubestock planted, complete with wallaby-proof tree guards,
before 2pm! Looking forward to many more planting days to
come.
I also went out with David Ap-Thomas and Max Burrows from
BirdLife Australia (Mornington Peninsula Branch) to assess
properties suitable for bird surveys throughout the project. It
is envisioned that improving habitat will promote a wider
diversity of bird species.
In mid-June, I went out with Year 9 Peninsula Grammar
students to a GB2AS biolink property (also on Baldrys Road)
where they removed an incredible amount in inkweed in a
short period of time.
Virginia Carter is writing biolink plans for the new properties
and I am busy working on landholder agreements for each of
our 23 properties and organising contractors to quote on
works. We’re hoping to host a planting day in conjunction
with Mornington Toyota and a local school for National Tree
Day on 30th July. Landholders have been enjoying
monitoring the fauna on their property and although there
have been quite a few foxes spotted, we’ve also seen
kangaroos, wallabies, a number of bird species and a
possum.
Like the @GB2AS (Greens Bush to Arthurs Seat Biolink)
Facebook page to stay up to date with this exciting project!
For more information, contact Jacqui Salter
[email protected] ph: 5950 1279.
Jacqui Salter, Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network
News July 2017
White-necked Heron release
On 10th March a young White-necked Heron was rescued by
AWARE and released by Kim into the Edithvale Wetlands. It
steadfastly refused to get out of its carrying box and
eventually had to be evicted.
Friends of Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Inc. Newsletter
Mar-Apr 2017
Biodiversity Forum
Suzanne Ryan and I attended a Planning and Monitoring
Forum at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental
Research in May.
The first event of the recently formed Victorian Biodiversity
Managers' Network, the aim was to explore biodiversity
management approaches and begin a discussion on ways to
improve and standardise planning and monitoring.
Attendees came from many environmental bodies, both
industry and allied groups such as Friends and Landcare;
people who manage conservation projects and programs, and
those who influence decisions on where and how
conservation dollars are spent. There were presentations on
monitoring methods and standards, data gathering
techniques, and relevant software, followed by a workshop
and discussion panel after lunch.
Ecologists Malcolm Legg and Gidja Walker conducting an educative walk
and talk at introductory workshop in Main Ridge. Photo by Jacqui Salter
Release of White-necked Heron. Photo by Robin Clarey
Presentations introduced us to the Open Standards for the
Practice of Conservation, the use of GIS technology for
reporting and monitoring, and the National Standards for the
Practice of Ecological Restoration in Australia, along with an
overview of monitoring methods.
Liz Barraclough, Berg Mt Martha Newsletter June 2017
Fishing at Devilbend
During the April bird count at Devilbend Reserve I
encountered three uniformed Fisheries Department officers
who had been carrying out an inspection of the fishing area.
One was carrying some picked up fishing line rubbish. We
engaged in a pleasant conversation and talked of the
proposed fishing canoe permission.
Whilst the majority of fishers may be law abiding and
respectful that they are sharing this space with about 50
species of waterbirds, shorebirds, raptors and other avian
species that use and depend on this vital wetland habitat,
there are still some vandals and polluters.
Major issues are the lack of continuous onsite ranger
presence and not having strong regulations with enforceable
penalties. It was good that these points and many others
were submitted to Parks Victoria by concerned groups
(including DFI) and individuals during the period of
community consultation.
Roger Richards, Devilbend Foundation President, Devilbend
Foundation Newsletter May 2017
Habitat for wildlife
6 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Successful Hooded Plover breeding season
on the Peninsula
The Hooded Plover could be considered the iconic fauna
species of the Mornington Peninsula. This diminutive shore
bird selectively favours our ocean beaches where, over the
busy breeding season from September to April, it occupies
specific breeding territories to lay its eggs. The exposed
nests are usually found above the high tide mark on the
beach or dune and are incubated for 28 days. The chicks that
hatch must survive for 35 days, feeding along the shoreline
before they are able to fly.
The threats to their survival are numerous. Many nests are
washed away by high tides and large swells. Eggs and chicks
can be predated by a host of species including ravens, gulls,
magpies, foxes, cats, dogs and various birds of prey. Nests
and chicks can be inadvertently crushed by humans, dogs,
horses and beach vehicles. Chicks can starve because
disturbance prevents them feeding and nests can fail
because disturbance keeps adults from incubating the eggs.
According to Dr Grainne Maguire, project manager of BirdLife
Australia’s Beach-nesting Team, this attraction to our
Mornington Peninsula beaches may be to the detriment of the
species. Of the 28 coastal reserves and national parks
managed by Parks Victoria, the Mornington Peninsula
National Park (MPNP) has the largest number of Hooded
Plovers. From recent surveys, we know there are around 35
breeding pairs plus additional birds actively competing for
these prime territories. Thus the Mornington Peninsula is
home to around 12% of the total Victorian population of 550
Hooded Plovers.
However, this is the dilemma. According to Dr Maguire’s
research, of all the reserves and National Parks managed by
Parks Victoria, the MPNP has in recent years had the lowest
rate of chick survival. So birds are actively and preferentially
taking up breeding sites on Mornington Peninsula beaches
with a very poor likelihood of success.
The Good News
But this season something has changed. It is pleasing to
report that this year the Mornington Peninsula was the most
successful breeding area in the state with 13 chicks fledged.
A remarkable figure considering that in the previous three
breeding seasons there had only been 11 chicks fledge
altogether. The last double digit fledgling count was 10, back
in the 2006/2007 season. So, encouraging news for the
volunteers and communities that donate so much of their
time to the conservation of this species.
The reasons for the success are hard to pinpoint. Better
nest/chick management, public education, community
involvement, fox control, and simple luck are probably some
of the key factors. However the higher fledgling counts must
be maintained over a far longer period before we can really
consider that the population of Hooded Plovers on the
Mornington Peninsula is sustainable.
Parks Victoria, BirdLife Australia and the Friends of the
Hooded Plover Group would like to thank all the volunteers,
community groups and residents for their ongoing support.
The work continues.
For more information contact:[email protected]
Mark Lethlean, The Connector Newsletter: Issue 14
(July - September 2017)
Hooded Plover fledgling and adult in Point Nepean National Park.
Photo by Mark Lethlean
In the field: Lennix, Millie, Meka and Nate planting trees at Boneo
Wetlands after hearing environmentalist Norm McKinlay
talk about ecology. Photo by Yanni
Plantings help learning about nature
Hundreds of newly planted indigenous trees and shrubs will
beautify Boneo Primary School. About 270 pupils planted
them in the gardens outside the main office block and in the
wetlands near the school on Friday's Planet Ark tree planting
day.
Grade 3 teacher Jennifer Ruch said pupils from prep to grade
six planted 300 acacia wirilda and casuarina plants near the
school and 200 dianella, moondah and poa plants in the
wetlands in what has become an annual event. Helpers
included Norm McKinlay, who helped develop the wetlands
from paddocks on the South East Water land.
Ms Ruch said Mr McKinlay, a "very committed community
member", was also involved in the Chinamans Creek
restoration, other tree planting projects, and in showing
pupils the environmental benefits of wetlands. Other helpers
were Rob and Ruby Nigro and Jarrod Ruch.
"The kids adored the day," Ms Ruch said. "They were very
excited when pointing out what they had planted."
Donated plants came from Peninsula Plants of Fingal, and
Kareela Bush Nursery of Bittern.
Southern Peninsula News, 1 August 2017
Habitat for wildlife
September 2017 7
Friends of Daangean attack pittosporum at
Devilbend
The monthly pitto attack began in February this year. It was
a late start in the morning however a big crew pitched in,
which was wonderful to see. SEEDS, a contracting business,
had been in Woodland Break for the preceding week and had
made a sizeable dent in the pitto population.
In March the pittosporum plants in an area not weeded for
some time were sizable, though relatively easy to pull out.
The FoD team is now dealing with a veritable forest of pittos
and encountering a sprinkling of boneseed that looks to be a
few years old and bearing fruit.
Now and then when some back straightening is required I
saw a mouse-like animal (perhaps an Antechinus) scuttle up
the trunk of a dead tree and down into the hollow where the
top had broken off some time ago.
April was wet underfoot and damp overhead, but not enough
to force us to quit - such is the dedication of some! Fungi are
making an appearance and the greenhood orchids are
pushing their leaves through in readiness for the next
flowering season. There’s much to see when you gaze at the
ground for extended periods.
Hansi Wegner photographed a pig in Devilbend. It’s a piglet
so I wonder if the rest of the family is there too.
Marnie Fitzsimons, Friends of Daangean Coordinator,
Devilbend Foundation Newsletter May 2017
‘Who gives a crap’ about environment?
A youth Environmental Forum at The Briars last week gave
students from schools in the region the chance to learn more
about human environmental impacts and solutions.
Arranged by Frankston Council, with help from the Frankston
High School eco team, the day was about educating students
to become better environmental leaders to educate their own
school communities.
Students from Mount Erin, McClelland, Padua, Monterey
and John Paul colleges and Frankston High School enjoyed
the day funded by Frankston Council, ethical fashion brand
Etiko and toilet tissue company Who Gives a Crap? that
donates 50 per cent of its profits to building toilets in the
developing world.
“It is hoped this might be the beginning of an interschool
network in which students from neighbouring schools can
share ideas, advice, projects — the sky’s the limit,”
Frankston High’s sustainability coordinator Brendan McKinnon
said.
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition helped students form
a plan of action to spread the word about how school
students can look after the environment.
“We hope to reconvene as a group to find out how teams are
progressing with their projects and to see that some new
environmental initiatives in schools have been set in motion,”
Mr McKinnon said.
Southern Peninsula News, 23 May 2017
Julie in the pitto forest. Photo by Marnie Fitzsimons
Big group effort: School students mucked in at The Briars to learn about
how humans can have an impact on the environment. Photo by Yanni
Tackling botulism bird scare
Council officers and volunteers are continuing to patrol for
dead birds at Mornington’s Civic Reserve after an outbreak of
suspected avian botulism.
The number of dead or sick birds has dramatically decreased
since more than 40 waterfowl were found dead in the lakes
last month.
“The shire has erected signage to discourage feeding the
birds … as it is not good for the birds and causes nutrient
problems in the water,” said council’s natural systems team
leader Simon Thorning. “Officers also are investigating other
actions including aeration and improved water circulation …
together with introduction of some bank and in-water native
vegetation to improve habitat variety.”
Mornington Peninsula Leader, May 23 2017
Victorian Biodiversity Atlas
For bird information check out the Victorian
Biodiversity Atlas (VBA) data at:
http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-and-
wildlife/biodiversity/victorian-biodiversity-atlas
Outings
8 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
EVERYBODY’S WELCOME
Outings are held on the second Wednesday and third Sunday
of the month, except in January, and are cancelled on total
fire ban days.
Newcomers, beginners and visitors are welcome and
members will help you with the birds. Binoculars for casual
use are available on every outing. Bring lunch (optional) and
a folding chair for bird call and chat.
To ensure the health the safety of everyone at outings,
participants need to take responsibility for their personal
safety. To assist with this, the Committee provides the
following guidelines.
1. Wear name tag (write emergency contact name and
phone number on the reverse side)
2. Wear suitable footwear i.e. closed shoes or boots
3. For areas where snakes are likely, wear gaiters
4. Always carry items you may need e.g. water, snacks,
personal first aid kit, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, your
name and residential address and, if you have one, a mobile
phone with battery charged
5. Remain with the group at all times and advise leader or
"whip" if you intend to leave before the walk ends.
For more information about an outing contact Max Burrows
on 0429 947 893 or the leader listed.
Max Burrows, Outings Coordinator
Date Time Locality Meeting place and other information Leader Phone
Wed 13 Sep 9.00 Braeside Park, Braeside Meet 9.00 at car park off Governor Road near corner of Springvale
Road. Mel 93 F2
Max Burrows 0429947893
Sun 17 Sep 9.00 Buckley Reserve, Merricks North Meet 9.00 at corner of Balnarring Road and Myers Road.
Mel 162 H7
Larry Wakefield 0422871184
Wed 11 Oct 9.00 Tootgarook Wetlands Meet 9.00 at car park equestrian centre, entrance off Boneo Road
after Rosebud Country Club and before Browns Road. Mel 170 A9
David Ap-
Thomas
9787 6691
0429939036
Sun 22 Oct 9.00 What Bird is That, The Briars Visitor
Centre Nepean Highway Mt Martha
Meet 9.00 in car park. Activities include bird walks, displays,
information table, theatrette presentation and morning tea and a
chat. All welcome. Mel 145 E12
Max Burrows 0429947893
Wed 8 Nov 9.00 Langwarrin Retarding Basin
/Stringybark Reserve
Meet 9.00 at corner of North Road and Leisureland Drive (West
end). Mel 136 C9.
Max Burrows 0429947893
Sun 19 Nov 9.00 Western Treatment Plant, Werribee
Meet 7.00 at the Baxter Tavern car park; enter off Baxter/Tooradin
Road. We will proceed in convoy to the plant. Bookings (to Max)
essential. Mel 107 B4
John Barkla
Max Burrows
0417382966
0429947893
Sun 26 Nov 9.00 Dunns Creek Winery Red Hill Xmas
outing
Meet 9.00 at property, 137 McIlroys Road Red Hill. Mel 191D1.
Bring plate to share after outing.
Hannah Stuart-
Andrews
0413020467
Wed 13 Dec 9.00 Flinders Beach, Flinders Meet 9.00 at second carpark enter off Golf Links Road through golf
course and into Mushroom Reef viewing area. Mel 261 K10.
Penny Johns 0419366507
Sun 17 Dec No outing Xmas outing on 26 November.
THE BRIARS, MT MARTHA
Larry Wakefield: Wednesday 10 May
Species recorded: 45
Well, here we are again at the 2017 AGM. A cloudy day but
no wind and dry under foot, and a large flock of attendees
are ready to spend an hour before the AGM to see what’s
along the trail. With plenty of eyes and ears and the quality
of the habitat, even in one hour, the collective chalked up
forty-five species. Instead of citing the usual species, it is
probably better to highlight what was unusual on the walk.
Plenty of species were logged by their calls and it took a
while and sharp eyes to pick up the bird in question. At the
beginning, there was a dozen or so Purple Swamphen grazing
in the paddock adjacent to the main enclosure. A pair of
Black Swan was seen in the little billabong keeping an eye on
their cygnets. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo put in an
appearance. Although Little Wattlebirds were seen, no one
saw or heard a Red Wattlebird. No Common Blackbirds were
seen or heard.
On the way to the lookout, a pair of King Parrots was seen
resting in a tree on the side of the track. Remarkably, this i
Barbara and George leading the charge back to morning tea.
Photo by Danny Vits
the first record of this species in the BirdLife Mornington
Peninsula database for The Briars. Another species that has
been registered for the first time on outings at The Briars is
an Australian Hobby that made a brief over-flight at the
visitors centre as people were leaving the AGM.
Larry Wakefield, Mt Martha
Outings
September 2017 9
TYABB BUSHLAND RESERVE, TYABB
Danny Vits: Sunday 21 May
Species recorded: 41
On Sunday 21 May 2017 Danny Vits led us on an outing at
the Tyabb Bushland Reserve. This is a new location for an
outing, recently discovered by Danny and it was well worth
visiting. It doesn’t seem to be anywhere near Tyabb and is
closer to Pearcedale.
At the entrance gate to the reserve there is a turning circle
where we parked and studied the birdlife on the large dam
just over the fence. Australasian Shoveler was the pick of the
birds, there were at least four. Pacific Black Duck and
Chestnut Teal were in the company of a couple of white
ducks, a Muscovy cross and a Black Duck/Mallard cross.
Eurasian Coot and Dusky Moorhens busied themselves
around the pond and Purple Swamphens foraged on the
grass. A White-faced Heron flapped laboriously away.
The reserve has a lot of old gum trees, some dead, some
dying but many in good condition. It also had plenty of Bell
Miners although we noticed that these were mainly in the
centre area and the other birds were closer to the edges. At
the end of one of the tracks we looked out across grape vines
with a great collection of little birds. The bird of the day was
the Flame Robin. A pair perched on the wires and flew down
to collect a tasty morsel then back up to the wire. The orange
front of the male was brilliant in the sunlight. Yellow-rumped
Thornbills, Red-browed Finches, Silvereyes and Superb Fairy-
wrens kept us busy.
Spotted and Striated Pardalotes called from the trees and
occasionally perched on a dead twig and gave us a sighting.
A male Spotted Pardalote was in magnificent plumage, so
colourful. Red Wattlebirds were in good numbers and calling
loudly. We also had Little Wattlebirds. The Rainbow Lorikeets
screeched loudly all around us and were seen checking out a
nest hollow; were they late for last season or early for the
next?
At the far end of the reserve we came across a hot spot of
honeyeaters. New Holland, Yellow-faced, White-eared and
White-plumed Honeyeaters all congregated in a couple of
trees keeping us busy trying to sort them out. Grey Fantails
and Eastern Spinebills added to the bird activity. In the
distance a Grey Butcherbird let us know that he should be on
the bird list.
A total of forty-one species was recorded, an excellent count
for a relatively small area. This is one place we will certainly
be returning to. Thanks very much to Danny for leading us to
this great reserve.
David Ap-Thomas, Mt Eliza
Birdlist: Chestnut Teal, Pacific Black Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hardhead,
Australasian Shoveler, Australian White Ibis, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian
Coot, Masked Lapwing, Rainbow Lorikeet, Eastern Rosella, Superb Fairy-
wren, Brown Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote,
Striated Pardalote, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-
eared Honeyeater, White-plumed Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Little
Wattlebird, New Holland Honeyeater, White-naped Honeyeater, Black-
faced Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Shrike-thrush, Grey Butcherbird, Australian
Magpie, Grey Fantail, Willie Wagtail, Little Raven, Magpie-lark, Eastern
Yellow Robin, Flame Robin, Silvereye, Bell Miner, Welcome Swallow,
Common Blackbird, Common Myna, Common Starling, Red-browed Finch.
Peter Gerdsen leading the way at Tyabb bushland reserve.
Photo by Danny Vits
Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike, Stony Creek Road outing.
Photo by Con Duyvestyn
STONY CREEK ROAD RED HILL
David Ap-Thomas: Wednesday 14 June
Species recorded: 45
A chilly and foggy start to the day driving to Red Hill. We
were greeted by our outing leader, David Ap-Thomas,
characteristically clutching his morning coffee near the road
intersection. He directed us up the dirt road to Pardalote Rise
where we were to park. The road is bordered by picturesque
rural properties, descending to a dense fern gully, then rising
to some near-pristine bush of tall Eucalypts and shrubby
understory. We passed Con who was parked beside the road,
but discovered later that he was photographing three
Wedge-tailed Eagles perching low in roadside trees! Twenty-
three people parked and gathered, watched by some curious
Alpacas in the nearby paddock.
We headed off back down the road, and were amazed at the
representation of parrots in the tall timbers - Little Corellas
and Sulphur-crested Cockatoos flew noisily together, Eastern
and Crimson Rosellas fluttered about, and King Parrots were
calling to each other. We had some good views of the King
Parrots feeding out in the open on some Mistletoe. Later on
we could see a pair of Galahs high up, with one doing some
excavation on a tree hollow. Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets
were seen feeding in the tree-tops.
Outings
10 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
A few small birds were seen and heard in the shrubbery;
Brown and Striated Thornbills, acrobatic Grey Fantails, and
Spotted Pardalote and White-throated Treecreeper. Also on
the day an Olive-backed Oriole was seen (heard here before
on a previous outing), and a Grey Currawong was heard.
The three Wedge-tailed Eagles were seen later circling above
in the (now blue) skies. It had warmed up a little, and the
breeze had stiffened, but we found patches of sunlight to
stand in along the road! Honeyeaters were represented by
Noisy Miner, Red Wattlebird, and Yellow-faced. A male
Golden Whistler was also spotted on the way back. A list of
new birds recorded for the area (including the Wedge-tailed
Eagles, currawong and oriole already mentioned) – Crested
Pigeon, Little Wattlebird, Mistletoebird, Red-browed Finch.
David advised that as he left, a Willie Wagtail appeared on a
vineyard fence, so it was included too! The total of birds was
a most-satisfying forty-five - not bad for a cold wintry
morning.
Thanks to David for leading us, and to the rest of the birders
for providing great company.
Pam Hearn, Mt Martha
POINT LEO RESERVE, POINT LEO
Denis Goss: Sunday 18 June
Species recorded: 35
On a sunny, clear and calm morning fourteen of us (including
visitors) had the perfect conditions for winter birding at this
very attractive reserve.
From the car park opposite the General Store, Denis led us
down to the boardwalk alongside East Creek where Eastern
Yellow Robins were quietly hunting in the undergrowth. We
heard the calls of Brown and Striated Thornbill, Yellow-faced
Honeyeater and Spotted Pardalote. Red Wattlebirds were
there too (and everywhere else throughout our walk). Grey
Shrike-thrushes were about but we generally heard just a
single clear note. (Before meeting the others, I spied two
Common Bronzewing in the adjacent campground). Over to
the beach with its lovely views across to Phillip Island, a gust
of Silvereyes flew over. An Australasian Gannet cruised in the
distance, highlighted by the sun. On the rocky shelf were
Little Pied Cormorant, Silver Gull, just one Crested Tern and
a White-faced Heron further away. A group of campers had
the perfect sunny spot on a sheltered grassy area adjacent to
the beach. Looking up the treed slope we glimpsed, and
heard, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters. We also admired the
beautiful rich brown flowers of the sheoaks.
Walking up from the beach we heard Brown Thornbill and the
soft calls of Striated Pardalote. Two Crimson Rosellas flew
over, as well as two Australian White Ibis. A Golden Whistler
was also heard nearby.
The vegetation here includes banksias, melaleucas,
eucalypts, casuarinas, sheoaks and wattles, some of which
were in flower or had flower spikes waiting to burst forth. At
various points surfboard-shaped information signs were
installed highlighting the geology (this is a basalt coastline
with old lava flows) surfing, wetlands, animals, birds.
Approaching the small wetland we encountered Rainbow
Are Cheryl, Pam, Geoff and Barbara rugged up enough for birding
at Stony Creek Road? Photo by Danny Vits
Crested Pigeon, Stony Creek Road outing. Photo by Con Duyvestyn
Lorikeets flying and feeding in eucalypts and Noisy Miners in
the open grassland. In and near the small reedy wetland
were Grey Butcherbird, Magpie-lark and Masked Lapwing.
Eastern Rosellas flew over, as did one Musk Lorikeet.
We wound our way along gravel and sandy paths through
the quiet and grassy campgrounds, observing from a
vantage point surfers waiting for a wave and a stand-up
paddleboarder catching one. More Welcome Swallows swirled
around here. Further on, a bouncing group of Superb Fairy-
wrens appeared and we heard Crescent and Yellow-Faced
Honeyeater. Returning to the car park, on the roadside
verges were some Australian Wood Ducks, a little group of
Galahs, and a Masked Lapwing. A few Rainbow Lorikeets flew
over.
At Birdcall we recorded thirty-five species.
The five of us who had lunch in one of the picnic areas were
pestered by two juvenile Australian Magpies whose
persistently loud calls were such that we had to raise our
voices to be heard. Despite not being given any food, they
wouldn't give up. A Grey Butcherbird with strikingly sharp
colours, also swooped down, snapped up something from a
nearby table and flew off with it.
This was a terrific winter outing in ideal conditions and we
thank Denis for turning on such a good day.
Susan Clark, Mornington
Outings
September 2017 11
COOLART RESERVE, SOMERS
Max Burrows: Wednesday 12 July
Species recorded: 31
Thirty members arrived for our annual Coolart in-house talk
preceded by morning tea in the observatory. David Coutts
who has been the manager of BirdLife Australia’s Clarkesdale
Sanctuary at Linton in Victoria’s central district for over
twenty years presented this year’s talk. David gave us a
history of the property and how it became a bird sanctuary
and ultimately a BOCA reserve and now a BirdLife property.
The original owner Gordon Clarke was a pastoralist who was
a very keen bird lover and he ensured that the property was
managed to promote the districts flora and fauna. The
property has camping facilities and is managed jointly by
BirdLife, Parks Victoria and Trust for Nature and is open to
the public. We thanked David for his talk and we proceeded
to the bird hide at the lagoon for a bit of bird watching.
A total of thirty-one species seen, the highlights being
Australian King-Parrots flying in the general area of the
mansion and a report of a Crested Shrike-tit seen in the
adjacent woodlands. Other birds of note were a flock of Red-
browed Finches, Australian Ravens, Brown Goshawk and
Swamp Harrier. Some of us then adjourned for lunch whilst
most departed for warmer conditions.
Max Burrows, Langwarrin
BALDRY CROSSING, MAIN RIDGE
David Ap-Thomas: Sunday 16 July
Species recorded: 33
It was a typical Melbourne winter’s day, cold, windy, cloudy
and nine hardy souls attended the Baldry’s Crossing outing.
Actually, we all enjoyed the walk and good company and we
did see the occasional bird. There were lots of fungi to
admire and we all enjoyed the grasstrees and other
vegetation.
As we gathered at the crossing a pair of Australian Wood
Ducks was making their amorous mewing calls on a large
tree in the adjacent paddock. A Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
flew away with much ado and then we were able to hear the
Rainbow Lorikeets squabbling noisily in the trees. A few Musk
Lorikeets and Galahs flew over. Keith showed us the nest
where an Olive-backed Oriole had nested last summer. As we
walked along the creek, a group of Yellow-tailed Black-
Cockatoos moved restlessly in nearby trees with a juvenile
continuously squawking to let his mother know that he was
hungry. Striated Thornbills were very busy going through the
treetops in search of food whilst a few Brown Thornbills and
Grey Fantails searched lower down. A pair of Australian King
Parrots gave us time to get a good look before they flew
away.
Further down the track Superb Fairy-wrens were present in
good numbers and White-browed Scrubwrens skulked in the
Female Australian King Parrot at Coolart.
Superb Fairy-wren at Coolart. Photos by Con Duyvestyn
undergrowth. Eastern Yellow Robins put on a good show for
us although their colour wasn’t very bright at this time of the
year.
Honeyeaters were hard to see but we did hear White-eared,
Yellow-faced and Eastern Spinebills. Even the Red
Wattlebirds were strangely quiet and a lone Little Wattlebird
was seen. A Grey Currawong called a few times but stayed
hidden. A Common Blackbird scolded us near the end. A
Mistletoebird did one call every minute or so making it very
hard to find him/her in the mistletoe in the treetops.
As we ate our lunch at the end of the walk a flock of Little
Ravens flew over and a lone Straw-necked Ibis. These birds
took our total species to thirty-three, a very creditable
number for a cold winter’s day.
David Ap-Thomas, Mt Eliza
Baldrys bird list: Australian Wood Duck, Straw-necked Ibis, Yellow-tailed
Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow
Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Laughing
Kookaburra, White-throated Treecreeper, Superb Fairy-wren, White-
browed Scrubwren, Striated Thornbill, Brown Thornbill, Spotted Pardalote,
Eastern Spinebill, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater,
Little Wattlebird, Red Wattlebird, New Holland Honeyeater, Black-faced
Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Shrike-thrush, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong,
Grey Fantail, Little Raven, Eastern Yellow Robin, Common Blackbird,
Common Starling, Mistletoebird.
Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys
12 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
THREE SPECIES OF EAGLE AT ETP
28 May 2017: Many mounds of overburden and harvested
waste have been removed. Seventy-three bird species were
logged of which thirty-four were wetland dependant, (six
were shorebirds), eight were raptors and thirty-one were
non-wetland dependant.
Highlights included three species of Eagle, (one White-bellied
Sea-Eagle, two Wedge-tailed Eagles and our first Little Eagle
of the winter), present on the same day. Spiny-cheeked
Honeyeaters have arrived for the winter and Yellow-faced
Honeyeaters (two) put in one of their rare appearances.
Hirundines were conspicuous with both Fairy Martins (four)
and Tree Martins (three) joining at least 500 Welcome
Swallows over the Aeration Ponds and adjacent Sludge
Drying Pans. Waterfowl were sheltering from the wind behind
vegetation and levy banks.
25 June 2015: Sixty-seven bird species were logged of which
twenty-nine were wetland dependant, (six were shorebirds),
nine were raptors and twenty-nine were non-wetland
dependant. Highlights included a Little Eagle and a pair of
Collared Sparrowhawks. In general waterfowl numbers are
well down. The numbers of wintering Black-fronted Dotterels
now exceeds 100. As usual in these conditions (strong cold
wind) bush-birds were difficult to find.
23 July 2017: Sixty bird species were logged of which
twenty-seven were wetland dependant, (six were
shorebirds), six were raptors and twenty-seven were non-
wetland dependant. Windy conditions and rain meant that
birds retired to the protection of thick vegetation where they
could not be seen. Waterfowl numbers are down again with
some species (e.g. Pink-eared Ducks) totally absent.
Hoary-headed Grebe in non-breeding (winter) plumage at Boggy Creek.
Photo by Alison Kuiter
Hoary-headed Grebe winter plumage
Note that the generally brown rather than grey plumage and
especially the reddish tones on the breast, at first glance
suggest that this could be an Australasian Grebe. However,
the lower border of the dark cap passing below the eye is
diagnostic of Hoary-headed Grebe.
Mike Carter, Mornington
Two of three juvenile Black-shouldered Kites at the ETP on 28 May.
Because they are newly fledged we believe they were reared locally.
Photo by Alison Kuiter
White-faced Herons at the ETP. Photo by Andrew McCutcheon
Golden-headed Cisticola at Boggy Creek. Photo by Alison Kuiter
Brown Falcon at ETP. Photo by Andrew McCutcheon
Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys
September 2017 13
AVOCETS, DOTTERELS AND DARTER AT BANYAN
14 May 2017: We accessed all areas. No cattle present.
Forty-eight species were recorded of which twenty-three are
wetland-dependent or raptors. Highlights were two Red-
necked Avocets and fourteen Red-kneed Dotterels.
11 June 2017: Forty-five species were recorded of which
twenty are wetland-dependent or raptors. The highlight was
a near adult White-bellied Sea-Eagle. Fairy Martins usually fly
north for the winter but two were still present today. An
Australasian Darter resting on the shore of the Paddock was
a first for there.
9 July 2017: Thirty-five species were recorded of which
eighteen are wetland-dependent or raptors.
Excavator has progressed in a downstream direction clearing
reeds etc. from Rossiter Drain (depositing spoil on top of
northern bank) as far as western boundary of Paddock,
opening-up choked drain. The western section of the Paddock
now excised and fenced off as an extension to the Turf Farm
has been totally cleared of gorse and other vegetation, burnt,
ploughed in and levelled. A pair of Common Bronzewing was
feeding under the dividing fence.
AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN AT BOGGY CREEK
14 May 2017: Only fifteen bird species (thirteen of which are
wetland dependant or raptors) were logged here today.
Wetland bird numbers are way down; e.g. last month there
were forty-two Eurasian Coots but none today. After a dry
period, late autumn has been fairly wet. Perhaps
accumulated pollutants from EastLink have been washed into
this cleansing wetland.
11 June 2017: Only eleven bird species (seven of which are
wetland dependant or raptors) were logged here today.
Variety and abundance are at very low levels. We suspect
one contributing factor is that this wetland is very
overgrown.
9 July 2017: Seventeen bird species (eleven of which are
wetland dependant or raptors) were logged here today.
Variety and abundance continue to be at very low levels
probably because it is very overgrown. An Australasian
Bittern was seen flying up from Boggy Creek by Alison Kuiter
(a regular counter here) as she drove past on the Mornington
Peninsula Freeway just as Dawn and I were exiting Banyan
PEREGRINE FALCON AND COMMON BRONZEWINGS AT SERPENTINE
14 May 2017: Shorebird habitat is available on the
Serpentine; harvesting of sludge drying pans continues.
Thirty-nine species of birds were logged of which eighteen
are wetland dependant or raptors. Diversity of wetland birds
is stable but abundance has decreased. A Peregrine Falcon
was a highlight and Common Bronzewings are back.
Red-necked Avocet at the Banyan Paddock. Photo by Mike Carter
Yellow-billed Spoonbill feeding at the Serpentine. Photo by Dawn Neylan
Eurasian Skylark at Banyan. Photo by Mike Carter
11 June 2017: Thirty-six species of birds were logged of
which nineteen are wetland dependant or raptors. Diversity
is stable but abundance of wetland birds has decreased. The
highlight was the good variety of raptors (7) including Little
Eagle and Collared Sparrowhawk.
9 July 2017: Shorebird habitat is available on some full and
fallow sludge drying pans where rainwater has collected.
Thirty-four species of birds were logged of which fourteen
are wetland dependant or raptors. The highlights included
three Red-necked Stints and two Tree Sparrows. All the
hirundines that were on the external wetlands today, which
included two Fairy Martins, were here.
Mike Carter, Mornington
Birdwatching/photographing in Queensland
14 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
OSPREYS AND OTHER BIRDS
Since the last Mornington Peninsula Birdlife newsletter I have
had the good fortune to be able to visit two regions in
Queensland that offer excellent birdwatching and
photographing opportunities.
The first trip consisted of a month-long visit to the Sunshine
Coast, essentially a family holiday, but with access to many
great birding locations. Our residence was near the Mountain
Creek, a tributary of the Mooloolah River and the locals have
been active in preserving a strip along this creek as a reserve
which has recorded over 100 species of birds, including
kingfishers, many parrots, waterfowl etc. Walks through the
reserve presented different observations and photo
opportunities each time.
However, the most exciting activities related to a family of
Eastern Osprey that occupy a man-made platform at the
Mooloolaba spit. At present this family consists of two adults
and a young from last breeding season. I was able to spend
time with these birds on a number of days and learned a lot
about their behaviour. The immature bird was obviously still
very much in the learning phase and spent most time on the
platform, usually with the female at hand while the male
seemed to spend little time there. The nest had been
completely blown away by cyclone Debbie so I was able to
witness the female bringing in material to slowly restore it,
presumably for the next breeding season. The only time I
saw all three birds together was at a group bath-time in the
shallows of the river. As I observed the birds it gave me
some capacity to anticipate behaviours, both on the platform
and in flight patterns and this led to some exciting
photographic sessions, including shots of the female catching
a fish and of actions around the platform, which I could
photograph from a knoll amongst the trees.
The second trip was a dedicated birding week with Tim van
Leeuwen covering Cairns, Julatten and the Daintree areas.
We spent five days at Kingfisher Park, Julatten, where the
hosts, Carol and Andrew Iles have set up a reserve designed
to attract birds and other wildlife. I estimate that in the first
two days there I recorded at least twenty ‘lifers’. One of the
outstanding sites at this park is a fallen tree that has an
indentation in its trunk that is kept filled with water. This tree
is close to both low and high level shelter for birds so that
they can approach safely, have a quick bath, and then
disappear again, and many species make use of it in the
latter hours of the day. From a photographer’s point of view
it is a dream setting, (it was about 20 metres from my tent)
as we could set up our cameras on tripods, sit back with a
drink, and wait for the birds to arrive. This scenario gave me
lots of opportunities to practice flash photography, something
I had not done much of before with birds. Whilst here we
also made a day trip to the Daintree where we spent more
than three hours on the river with Ian (Sauce) Worcester and
also managed to drive up to Cape Tribulation to see the
mandatory cassowaries – we saw a single female and a male
with three juveniles.
As is always the case, the times were too short and we rued
all the missed shots. However, being able to experience so
much of our living heritage in such a short time made me
even more appreciative of the wealth that we have in this
vast land and thirsty to be able to experience and share
more of it in the future.
Con Duyvestyn, Mornington
Eastern Ospreys, immature and adult, at nest.
Eastern Osprey with fish.
Double-eyed Fig-Parrot; Macleay’s Honeyeater.
Whimbrel. Photos by Con Duyvestyn
Observations
September 2017 15
INTERESTING SIGHTINGS
These reports, some from Birdline Victoria, are not authenticated records. Researchers are advised to check with the
observers before citing. Please report your sightings, for example arrival and departure dates of migrants, to Val Ford: 5981
1445 or [email protected]
Hooked by a fishing line
At Devilbend on 18 May about 1530 I notice that a Black
Swan has one of its legs hooked by a fishing lure attached to
fishing line and cannot free itself. Presumably freed a bit
later by a couple I encountered one of whom was equipped
with a boxcutter knife as wildlife rescue volunteer Jenny
Bryant could not find the bird about 1630. Let’s hope so as it
would have been easy prey for a fox during the night.
Not a nice encounter on an otherwise fine afternoon.
Danny Vits, Mornington
Large number of black cockatoos
On our way home from the survey at Cranbourne on 29 June
Liz and I saw a large flock of fairly large dark birds as we
were coming through Hastings. Our immediate reaction was
a big flock of Straw-necked Ibis, but we soon realised that
the closest half dozen were cockatoos.
As I looked more closely I realised they were all Yellow-tailed
Black-Cockatoos. I estimate that there were at least 200
Black Swan, hooked by fishing line at Devilbend. Photo by Danny Vits
birds, possibly up to twice that number. The flock was rather
a ragged affair, with small groups dispersing out from the
main group and a second large group in the distance to the
west. It was quite a sight.
Peter Gower, Balnarring
Date Species Location Comments Observer
Jan Satin Flycatcher (1, m) Cape Schanck Stayed at 123 Cape Schanck Road for two weeks. Stuart Cousland
April Mistletoebird (2, m & f) Cape Schanck Stayed at 123 Cape Schanck Road for all of April. Stuart Cousland
6.5.17 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (3)
Wedge-tailed Eagle (2)
Rosebud
Red Hill
Perched in tree over the road from our house.
Flying over the trees at Red Hill Market.
Rosalba Catena
8.5.17 Powerful Owl (1) Tyabb Low in a Tea-tree at Gordon Rolfe Reserve. Keith Caldecott
9.5.17 Olive-backed Oriole (1, imm) Cape Schanck At 123 Cape Schanck Road. Second oriole sighting in 22 years. Stuart Cousland
10.5.17 Flame Robin (7) Greens Bush Two males and five females or immatures. Mark Lethlean
15.5.17 Ruddy Turnstone (7) Rye Ocean Beach Rosalba Catena
24.5.17 Barking Owl (1) Blairgowrie Asleep in a tree in our backyard. Bob Dunball
30.5.17 Cattle Egret (30) Mornington In paddocks north of Tyabb Rd near on-ramp to Pen Link. Pam Hearn
31.5.17 Hoary-headed Grebe (12) Rosebud beach Often seen in Port Phillip Bay at this time of the year. Val Ford
31.5.17 Flame Robin (1, m) Portsea Golf Course They arrive every year at this time. Bob Dunball
May Crescent Honeyeater (1) Cape Schanck At 123 Cape Schanck Road for all of May. Stuart Cousland
3.6.17 Long-billed Corella Mornington With a large group of Little Corellas. Mike Carter
6.6.17 Australian King-Parrot (1, m) Langwarrin At Parkvalley Crescent. Max Burrows
7.6.17 Little Egret (1) Portsea Golf Course Sue Dunball
8.6.17 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (5) Mt Martha Feeding in a Hakea just outside our bedroom window. Pam Hearn
10.6.17 Ruddy Turnstone (8) St Andrews Beach Mixing and getting on well with the Hooded Plovers. Ross Brewer
20.6.17 Australian King-Parrot (2) Flinders Seen whilst I was playing golf. Bob Dunball
22.6.17 Powerful Owl (1) Devilbend Opposite Bittern Reservoir car park. Denis Goss et al
29.6.17 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo Hastings Flock of 200 to 400 birds. Peter Gower
1.7.17 White-necked Heron (2) Tuerong Have been visiting a friend’s private property in recent weeks. Danny Vits
5.7.17 Cattle Egret (60+) Moorooduc Derril/Eramosa Roads. Biggest flock I have seen on peninsula. Max Burrows
24.7.17 Red-browed Finch (35) Barragunda, Cape Schanck It’s very unusual to see a flock of that size in this district. Stuart Cousland
Observations
16 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Birding at The Mornington Village
Australasian Grebe and Dusky Moorhen on our lake
Knowing of my interest in birds, one day in mid-May, my
neighbour Carol Jones, told me that during her regular early
morning walk she had seen an unusual bird on ‘The Lake’.
From her description, because she told me that it was diving
under the water and because it is a relatively small body of
water, I suspected that it was probably an Australasian
Grebe. Thereafter she saw it almost daily.
On 2 June, I found some time to check it out for myself. It
was indeed an Australasian Grebe, an adult in breeding
plumage. It had joined the resident Pacific Black Ducks,
Eurasian Coots and Australian Wood Ducks. And another
stranger was also there, an immature Dusky Moorhen. Both
are welcome visitors to our Village.
Mike Carter, Mornington
Birding at The Village Glen
Butcherbird doing what the books say
Although the May morning was cool and overcast for most of
the time, thirteen attendees enjoyed birding in windless
conditions. Thirty-four species were seen, not counting two
egrets which flew overhead. They were probably Little
Egrets, but identification was not confirmed.
The highlight of the morning was the sighting of three
Wedge-tailed Eagles high in the sky out over the swamp
beyond the golf course. One was being harassed by a raven.
There was also one Australasian Grebe on the golf course
lake and a group of eight Hardheads. We all had very good
looks at the Hardhead’s plumage and the differences
between the males and females before we went home to
consult our bird guides for more information.
Celia had a youngish Grey Butcherbird in her garden on 14
May. She watched it with prey, probably a small brown frog
which it wedged between the angle of two small branches
about six inches from the ground, while it tried to eat some
before flying off, still with the prey in its beak. Only her
second time seeing a butcherbird doing just what the books
say!
Three eucalypts beside Val’s villa have been flowing since the
beginning of May. From first light until dusk Red and Little
Wattlebirds are seen and heard feasting on the nectar rich
flowers. Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets come and go
throughout the day. When the wattlebirds land on a Silver
Birch between feeding bouts young birds were observed
which indicates they are still breeding.
Perfect birding weather
Six birders had great views of forty-one species on our June
birdwalk. The weather, sunny and no wind, was perfect. Out
the back of the village, whilst looking into and over
Tootgarook Swamp, beautiful Golden-headed Cisticolas gave
us wonderful ‘look at me’ moments as they zipped through
and above the reeds.
At Hub Lake a raven was observed collecting small feathers
from the grass to line its nest with. Elsewhere thornbills and
other birds were seen chasing each other.
Australasian Grebe on The Mornington Village lake.
Immature Dusky Moorhen on the lake. Photos by Mike Carter
A Crested Pigeon was heard taking off, but not seen. Have
you heard a startled Crested Pigeon take off with a
characteristic whistling sound, which is produced by air
passing over a modified primary feather on the wing?
Raven gathering sticks and a Mistletoebird enjoyed
One of the most delightful colours in nature is the brilliant
lime green on the rump of an Eastern Rosella. Recently I was
afforded a wonderful close up of an adult male as it fed on
the grass in full sun just a couple of feet from me as I sat in
the car. This small parrot with its red, white, green, black,
blue and yellow colours must surely be one of Victoria's most
underappreciated birds.
On 24 July a Little Raven was observed carefully gathering
thin, even length sticks near the Sports Building before flying
off with a beak full. Slowly lengthening days trigger a nest-
building response in many species - so keep your eyes open
for nesting activity as spring approaches.
The July walk was very successful with thirty-six species
identified in the Village. The best sighting was arguably a
real gem - a Mistletoebird spotted in a tree near the Hub.
Celia Browne and Val Ford, Capel Sound
Observations
September 2017 17
Birding at Braeside
Braeside Park has for many years been a favourite birding
venue for me. Whilst not part of the Mornington Peninsula it
is within very easy access from my Mornington home thanks
to Peninsula Link and the Frankston freeway. In the 1990’s I
lived closer still in the Carrum/Patterson Lakes area and
following an “episode” in 1994 Braeside Park became part of
my rehabilitation program. Initially jogging the 5kms circuit
was followed by the easier options of cycling then walking
and finally birdwatching pace.
During the Millennium Drought most of the wetlands, as
elsewhere, dried up and the park lost most of its
birdwatching appeal.
Today, 22 May 2017, the situation is much better and it
being a glorious autumn day I decided on a morning visit.
Typically for this time of the year it was very, very quiet.
Only the Noisy Miners being well, noisy. My first encounter
was of a Cattle Egret and a Rainbow Lorikeet sharing the
same dead tree. Plenty of Chestnut Teal, Eurasian Coot, a
few Pacific Black Ducks, half a dozen Blue-billed Ducks one of
whom I mistook for a female Freckled Duck, Little Pied and
Little Black Cormorants, a couple of Pelicans, Black Swans,
an Eastern Great Egret and an Australasian Darter with what
appeared like some detritus stuck on the end of its bill.
There was a working bee of about six or seven volunteers
busily rebuilding the viewing platform that collapsed last
year. That is the viewing platform from which we spotted the
Australasian Bittern on our last Braeside outing.
In the paddocks adjoining the industrial estate the local
resident Swamp Harrier was circling around for a morsel. And
then in the dried out cut grass three Flame Robins, two
males and a female. Always a pleasant sight. Further along in
some bushes, Red-browed Finches and Superb fairy-wrens.
After leaving I reflected on the fact that I had neither seen
nor heard any Sulphur Crested Cockatoos usually the first
bird you hear or see at Braeside.
Danny Vits, Mornington
Seen from Edithvale Wetlands bird hide
Swamp Harrier takes coot
This event was amazing to watch. The harrier dropped onto
the coot and held it under water trying to drown it, but
obviously the water is cold and harrier didn't need wet
feathers so it took off and then attempted to drown it again,
with same outcome. Next time it tried to carry the coot off,
but dropped it before it got to shoreline.... and then gave up.
Hope it got dinner eventually.
Alison Kuiter, Friends of Edithvale Seaford Wetlands
Facebook page
Hobby takes grebe
On Sunday 9 July 2017 we observe that the water birds are
once again disturbed and assume the disturbance has been
caused by a Swamp Harrier doing a regular flyover.
Then with eyes glued to the left hand side of the hide we
watch an Australian Hobby quickly and sharply descend and
pull out of the descent before hitting the water, then fly up
Flame Robin at Braeside Park.
Australasian Darter at Braeside Park. Photos by Danny Vits
Swamp Harrier takes Eurasian Coot at Edithvale Wetland.
Photo by Damian Huss
and repeat the dive and pullout. On the third attempt it picks
up a Hoary-headed Grebe and flies off with grebe in its
talons. When it was at the top of its dive cycle it hovered
when getting itself ready for another dive.
When I volunteered for bird hide duty at Edithvale wetlands I
hadn’t realised that I would be getting the best seats to the
greatest shows in town!
Val Ford, Capel Sound
Observations
18 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Tree and Fairy Martins
Both Tree and Fairy Martins usually move north into warmer
climes for winter but when surveying ETP on 25 June 2017
we had both.
On an annual basis, overall in Victoria these species are
about equally abundant. However, in summer at the ETP,
Fairy Martin is by far the most common. This is because that
species likes to nest under bridges and culverts over water
whereas Tree Martins nest in tree hollows. At the ETP, we
have more bridges and culverts than tree hollows.
Mike Carter, Mornington
Wedge-tailed Eagle family
The Wedge-tailed Eagle family, male female and one juvenile
was sitting in trees along Stony Creek Road as we arrived for
the outing. The juvenile spent a lot of time begging from the
female which was in the same tree.
Unfortunately there was a fair bit of fog which made it
difficult to obtain clear images. This was probably the reason
for their presence; I suspect they were waiting for the light
to improve before setting off for the hunt. Once the light
improved they took off.
I have had to work these photos up in Photoshop, hence they
are not as sharp as I would have preferred.
Con Duyvestyn, Mornington
Spring is sprung
Tis only the beginning of July and spring is sprung, according
to the Wood Ducks around our back yard.
Two males and a female flew into the dead tree where they
nest every year. While the two males jostled, pecked each
other and made that strange mewing call, the female looked
on in a bored fashion. Then in flew another male. Popular girl
I thought.
When I went outside I saw another male and another female
on the back of the tree and another pair flying round. Looks
like it’s the tree hollow (which we can't see from our
house) that is the main attraction.
David Ap-Thomas, Mt Eliza
Stunned pardalote
We found a Spotted Pardalote on the footpath in Green
Island Avenue Mornington. It was motionless and did not
move when approached. We were thinking of calling wildlife
rescue when it walked off into shrubs very dazed; it then
appeared to come good. We assumed it may have hit a
window and dazed itself. It was good to have a close up look
at this beautiful bird.
Roger Skipsey, Mornington
Tree Martin at ETP. Photo by Alison Kuiter
Magpie-lark harassing male; juvenile on the right.
Photos by Con Duyvestyn
Kitchen window birding
You can get a lot of pleasure from watching birds out of the
kitchen window. This morning, 31 May, I threw the remains
of the leg of lamb on to the back lawn. Mr Australian Magpie
swooped down on it, almost before it had hit the grass,
closely followed by Mrs Magpie. She was closely followed by
the Little Raven gang (Mr, Mrs and junior) and Mr Raven
promptly claimed sole rights to the lamb. The other two
ravens stood a few steps away as he tucked in. Mr Magpie
stood defiantly tall, about a metre away and proclaimed
loudly to everyone exactly what he thought of the raven
bullies. It did him no good. When Mr Raven had had his fill
he flew off and junior rushed in to have a go but was very
swiftly repulsed by his mother and put back in his place.
Meanwhile, another group of three magpies flew in,
comprising a male, female and young one. The juvenile
landed and his mother landed alongside and apparently
reprimanded junior so he promptly turned on his back and
lay there in a submissive pose. Mother took no notice of him
and waddled off. The sun was shining so junior just lay there
for a while warming his belly. Eventually junior realised how
silly he looked, got back on his feet and was looking round to
see what was happening when his parents flew off and he
reluctantly followed. One raven was left trying to extract the
marrow from the bone but decided it was all too hard and
peace descended on the back yard again.
David Ap-Thomas, Mt Eliza
Observations
September 2017 19
Powerful Owl at Gordon Rolfe reserve
The Powerful Owl was observed roosting in a Tea Tree on 8
May 2017 at Gordon Rolfe reserve Tyabb. It was there for
the day although I don’t think it’s a regular roost due to the
fact there was no splash or pellets present. However, there is
plenty of roosting habitats in close proximity to where it was
sighted.
The reserve always seems to produce some good birds. Also
in May there have been regular Brown Goshawk, Swamp
Harrier, Nankeen Kestrel, Collared Sparrowhawk and White-
bellied Sea-Eagle sightings with an appearance of a Little
Eagle on 12 May, a Fan-tailed Cuckoo and a Sacred
Kingfisher on the 13 May. A group of three Varied Sittellas
are regularly seen.
I have found three Koalas, identified as different individuals
by their nose patterns. I believe them to be one male and
two female
Keith Caldecott, Somerville
BOOK REVIEW
The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman
We humans tend to take birds for granted. They are just
there, flying about, perched in trees, hanging around the
cafes, waiting to scavenge the leftovers. But do we
appreciate what these products of 300 million years of
evolution from their dinosaur ancestors are really capable of?
Jennifer Ackerman’s book, “The Genius of Birds” shows that
we do not and that it has taken numerous decades of dogged
research to uncover some of the workings of the avian mind.
As a science journalist, Ackerman has the knack of
translating heavy scientific prose into something that is
digestible to the ordinary reader. She has a lyrical
conversational style and takes the reader on her journey of
discovery into the bird world. Ackerman urges us not to
compare bird intelligence with our own, but to see birds as
having evolved along a different route to become sentient
beings. She points out that “birds learn. They solve new
problems and invent novel solutions to old ones. They make
and use tools. They count. They copy behaviours of one
another. They remember where they put things.”
Successive chapters delve into various aspects of the
workings of the bird mind from tool making, social behaviour,
singing, navigation and adaptation in our rapidly changing
environment. The examples are predominantly from the
northern hemisphere, so some of the impact is lost since
most of us in the southern hemisphere can’t conjure up the
image of, say a black-capped chickadee and its antics, while
reading Ackerman’s colourful description of that bird. But
there are some Australian examples, such as the lyrebird and
its amazing mimicry and the architectural-marvels and
intricate courting behaviour of our bowerbirds.
This is a book that reveals how far we have come in
understanding the intricacies of the bird mind that drives
such complex behaviour. It makes us appreciate that the
derogatory phrase “bird brain” is certainly not correct for
birds. Far from it.
Larry Wakefield, May 2017
Powerful Owl at Gordon Rolfe reserve. Photo by Keith Caldecott
Little Eagle on left, Nankeen Kestrel on right, at Gordon Rolfe reserve.
Photos by Jeff Maltman
Australasian Grebes on Balcombe Creek
Yesterday, 10 June 2017, I saw a pair of Australasian Grebes
on Balcombe Creek, Mt Martha on the south bank between
Augusta Street footbridge and Uralla Drive footbridge.
Neither was in breeding plumage and they startled and dived
underwater when a White-faced Heron took off over their
head. It is the first time I've seen them on the creek.
Bronwyn Street, Mt Martha
Observations
20 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Corellas around Mornington
There must be 600-800 Corellas around Mornington at the
moment and 100 Cattle Egrets. Spent some time today, 3
June, photographing the corellas and was surprised at the
number of Long-billed Corellas with the Little Corellas and
how hard I found it to tell them apart.
Around the 1980’s there was a population of 20-30 Long-
billed Corellas in Dandenong just east of the CBD and nearby
at Lyndhurst. We’d see them occasionally at the ETP. During
a drought at the turn of the century Little Corella’s arrived.
Below is a piece I wrote for The Bird Observer in 2001.
Little Corellas: The Mallee moves to
Mornington
First it was the Galahs. They arrived on the Mornington
Peninsula in southern Victoria at about the same time as I
did, in 1964.
Then came the Crested Pigeons. They are now quite common
in the south-eastern Melbourne suburbs. We’ve had up to 36
together at the Edithvale Wetlands where they come to drink
after feeding on the adjacent golf courses. A flock of over 60
was reported from another nearby golf course. The species is
spreading slowly southwards and reached Mt Martha last
year. The Atlas of Victorian Birds published in 1987 had no
records of this species around or south of Melbourne.
Now it’s the turn of the Little Corella. In the middle of
February this year, Sean Dooley found a flock in a horse
paddock at Moorooduc. In that paddock on the 19 February
2001, I counted 110 Little Corellas, 11 Crested Pigeons and
70 Galahs. They were feeding on grain put out for horses.
Before 1950, Little Corellas were very rare anywhere in
Victoria. There were no records for the Peninsula when Peggy
Mitchell produced her list in 1978 and none in the 1987
Victorian Atlas. Scattered reports east and southeast of
Melbourne are usually of small numbers accompanying Long-
billed Corellas. Perhaps the three I saw at Edithvale on 26
April 2000 were scouts for the current, unprecedented
invasion.
Mike Carter, Mornington
Little Corellas.
Long-billed Corella. Photos by Mike Carter