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Contact Call
Newsletter of BirdLife Northern Queensland Volume 6 Number 3 August 2017
Helmeted (Hornbill) Friarbird. Image by Patrick De
Geest Birding & Wildlife Tours www.eyesonwildlife.com.au
To read more about Helmeted Friarbirds go to page 13
National Twitchathon OCTOBER 28TH AND 29TH
Twitching helps birds where it matters most.
BirdLife Australia’s annual Twitchathon, a national race
to count the most bird species in a set period of time
takes place on the 28th and 29th of October. It derives
its name from Twitchers, an endearing term for
birdwatchers nervously looking for rare species to tick
off their bird list. Ironically, while Twitchers love rare
species, the Twitchathon is all about making birds less
rare. Each state has chosen its own threatened birds to
support, most focussing on species in BirdLife’s Key
Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). Identified using global
scientific criteria, KBAs are Australia’s environmental
Crown Jewels and the places that matter most to our
wildlife. It is great that you can help look after them
doing something as fun and exciting as a Twitchathon.
It is easy to take part in the listing, for instance join
the 3 hour race with your kids or go the extreme 24hrs
non-stop birding. Use BirdLife Australia’s birdata app
to record all the species. But be warned: twitching is
addictive!
Find all you need to know on how to take part here:
http://birdlife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/national-
twitchathon
If you want to play it safe and rather not get too close
to the feathered dinosaurs prowling our
neighbourhoods, you can still be part of the action by
sponsoring a team (and saving threatened birds): Stay
tuned for more details.
The winners and the longest lists will be announced in
November 2017 Australia-wide, so mark the dates in
your diaries and monitor the webpage for updates!
Contents National Twitchathon October 28-29th 2017
Convenor’s report
Cairns Variety Night
Mission Beach Community Cassowary Festival
Recent Literature about North Queensland Birds
Honeyeaters and Musky Rat Kangaroos feeding
from flowers of a root parasite
Bird Islands save lives
Cats a concern
Inland Dotterel, Mt Isa
Book review: My Australian Bird Obsession
Volume One - The Wet Tropics – Queensland by
Lynette Ensor
Crane Count 2017
Observations in the Okavango
Helmeted Friarbirds
Learn about Cassowaries
Interesting Birds of Africa
Book Review: The Australian Bird Guide
Noticeboard
BirdLife Northern Queensland 2017 Activities
BirdLife Northern Queensland
2 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
The Convenor I’ve just arrived back from spending five weeks in
western Queensland, searching for Carpentarian
Grasswrens. Most years since 2008, we have
conducted these surveys, under the intrepid leadership
of Graham Harrington. Each year, we have a distinct
set of objectives, and this year found our teams not
only in western Queensland, but also over in Northern
Territory, to check on the species’ status there where
it has not been reliably reported for several years. The
results were very encouraging and will lead to more
work later this year - I’ll let Graham inform us about
these future developments. But what continuously
amazes me is the amount of support we have received
from volunteers not just from Queensland, but from all
over Australia. Numerous of our volunteers are repeat
participants, who just cannot seem to get enough of
chasing grasswrens over some of the most beautiful
and normally inaccessible parts of northern Australia.
We have both young and old volunteers, with varying
levels of birding experience. Some are avid birders,
some are bushwalkers who enjoy walking all over our
beautiful country, but are prepared to stop and listen
and look for grasswrens. And at the end of long days,
we have the company of these wonderful people, who
spend so much energy, time and money to help us
keep track of our endangered species - a big thank you
to all our volunteers for yet another successful
grasswren survey!
I’ve also been impressed by the numbers of people
who are coming to hear our presentations, at both
Malanda and Cairns. We are obviously reaching many
non-members - people who are interested in and
prepared to spend time, and even money to help
protect our unique birds. The recent national annual
report has shown that our member and supporter base
has grown to be close to 100,000 people! If we keep
this up we might rival the RSPB in the UK! Our
national office is busily converting this support into
improved funding and increased pressure on our
decision-makers to protect the health of our
environments and birds. To this end, your committee
has recently decided to increase our efforts in being
present at community events, to promote not only the
protection of our birds, but to improve our group’s
recognition. We will be looking for volunteers to help
us with these events. We will post a list of such events
with a call for volunteers. But if you know of an
upcoming community event, which you think we
should be at, please let us know. Contact either
Martin Willis at [email protected] or Renee Cassels
A reminder that in October, we have two important
national events - the Great Aussie Bird Count in our
backyards and beyond, and the Twitchathon to raise
money to protect endangered bird species.
More details about these will be available on our
website, and we will also email details to our
members. Please consider joining in with these, or
support your friends and fellow birders who will be out
twitching again! Happy twitching, Kath Shurcliff
Taking a break from grasswrenning at a beautiful waterhole,
Calton Hills
BirdLife Northern Queensland Committee
Committee Name Contact details
Convenor and Cape
York Area
Coordinator
Kath Shurcliff Email
and phone: 07 4069 6595
Deputy Convenor Martin Willis Email: [email protected]
and phone: 07 40966581
Secretary Renee
Cassels
Email:
Treasurer Wendy
Cooper
and phone: 07 40968272
Cairns Area
Coordinator
Tom Collis Email: [email protected]
and phone: 0401783795
Conservation
Coordinator and
Tablelands Area
Coordinator
Peter
Valentine
Email:
and phone: 07 40966171
Stickybeak
Coordinator
Golo Maurer Email:
KBA Coordinator Graham
Harrington
Email: [email protected]
and phone: 07 40965051
Members Coordinator Sam Willis Email: [email protected]
and phone: 07 40966581
Website Manager Mikey Kudo Email: [email protected] and
phone: 0402343610
Committee member Ray Pierce Email: [email protected]
Newsletter Editor and
Cassowary Coast Area
Coordinator
Ceri Pearce Email:
m and phone: 0488131581
Contact Call
August 2017 3
Tom Collis introduces Murray Hunt to the stage.
Cairns Variety Night
At the Birdlife Northern Queensland meeting in Cairns
on May 27th, around 30 people were treated to a
series of short presentations about birds and birding
by local birding stars.
The Daintree Boatman, Murray Hunt, started the
evening off with insights into the Secret life of Great-
billed Herons. This included interesting findings from
camera traps placed near a nest.
International fishing guide Tina Redmond, shared her
experiences of Birding in Africa, identifying great
places to go as well as some of the other amazing
animals that might also be encountered.
Hidetoshi (Mikey) Kudo gave a fascinating presentation
about Night birds and katydids, which included
evidence of predation on katydids by frogmouths and
owls in the Centenary Lakes area of Cairns, as well as
tantalising minibeast soundscapes and lesson on how
to tell katydids apart by their calls (and from crickets).
Star young presenters Hoshi Zemek and his little sister
Biwa, presented on Birding in Japan, including which
birds were their individual favourites. Their talk was
illustrated with their own photographs in a superb
PowerPoint presentation.
Image from left to right:
Biwa (8 years old), Hoshi
(12 years old) and Maru
Zemek (10 years old)
after the meeting where
Biwa and Hoshi
presented on Birding in
Japan. The three are
wearing shirts that were
given to them by their
guide and friend, a
representative of their
Bird club chapter in
Japan and Biwa is
showing us their field
guides to the Birds of
Japan.
Young Brown Booby on-board near the Lacepede Islands,
Western Australia. This bird from a nearby breeding colony
landed on the vessel accidentally and probably out of
curiosity. We had to help it get off the boat as it was quite
confused in its new environment. This bird was keen to go!
Image and caption courtesy of Tom Collis
Wilson's Storm Petrel being released from boat in the
Kimberley. The Storm Petrel landed on the boat during the
night and one of the crew found it in the morning sitting on
the back deck. The bird was quite relaxed and showed little
fear when we picked it up for release. It probably would have
stayed on the boat longer if we had left it alone. Image and
caption courtesy of Tom Collis
Tom Collis gave an entertaining presentation about
accidental and deliberate Feathered Stowaways on
Boats. Tom told us some tales about different land and
seabirds that have landed on the tourist boats he
works on occasionally. Some odd land birds have
appeared onboard including a White-browed Crake,
Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike and a Bar-shouldered Dove.
Many thanks to the presenters for sharing their
knowledge and images, and to Tom Collis for
organising the event.
BirdLife Northern Queensland
4 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
Cassowary Recovery Team
If you see a cassowary in trouble and in urgent need of assistance such as an injured bird, an orphaned
chick, or a bird in clear distress (e.g. sick or starving), please call the 24 hour hotline,
Phone 1300 130 372
After hours, this number goes to the Northern Region duty officer at the Wildlife Management Unit.
Cassowary Coast locals and tourists came together at the Mission Beach Community Cassowary Festival on June 3rd to
raise awareness about cassowaries and their conservation. BirdLife Northern Queensland was there too.
Cassowary
artwork made
by talented
locals
Sandra Christensen, chatting about bird watching, conservation and surveys
with the locals at the BirdLife Northern Queensland information booth at the
festival.
Cassowary
warden signage
Cassowary
artwork from
the parade
The Drumming of the Cassowary grand parade Talking about BirdLife The kids have a ball in Stripey’s Tent
Great day out for families Local personalities getting into
the Cassowary spirit
The Cassowary Recovery Teams vehicle and purpose built
cage that is used during call outs to cassowary incidents
Mission Beach Community Cassowary Festival
The Cassowary Recovery Team
Contact Call
August 2017 5
Recent Literature about North Queensland Birds
COMPILED BY DON FRANKLIN
Cassowaries and roads
It hardly needs stating to this audience that roads and
Cassowaries often don’t mix well in the Mission Beach
area. Using road strike data for 1992-2012 (88 cases)
from records of the Department of Natural Resources
and Mines and sightings data for 1999-2012 (4,427
sightings) compiled by the Community for Coastal and
Cassowary Conservation group, Dwyer et al. (2016)
presented an analysis of patterns over time and space
and an assessment of possible contributing factors.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, the strongest correlate of road
strikes was the spatial patterns of sightings – where
there are more Cassowaries there are more road
strikes. There was also a positive relationship over
time, with more strikes when there are more sightings.
There were more sightings in 1 x 1 km grids where
there is more rainforest. Other possible contributors
were not statistically demonstrable, including a variety
of road attributes (road width, visual distance, distance
to cover and speed limit). This doesn’t mean these
don’t contribute, but that if they do their contribution
is much weaker than the overall spatial and temporal
effect. Maps of strikes and sightings, arranged in 1 x 1
km cells, are provided.
The authors note that the placement of warning signs
along roads “appears to be random, with many
occurring along stretches of road where few or no
cassowary traffic strikes have been recorded and
where sightings were low or non-existent”, and that
this risks unnecessary ‘warning fatigue’. A key and
very practical recommendation is that signage be
better targeted at areas with frequent sightings.
Dwyer RG, Carpenter-Bundhoo L, Franklin CE, Campbell HA.
2016. Using citizen-collected wildlife sightings to predict traffic
strike hot spots for threatened species: a case study on the
southern cassowary. Journal of Applied Ecology 53: 973-982.
Kalkadoon Grasswren
Surveys by BNQ members now analysed and
published. Abstract in full:
“In this paper we discuss the results of the first
comprehensive survey of the range and habitat of the
Kalkadoon Grasswren Amytornis ballarae. This
grasswren is of particular interest because (1) It is not
classed as a Restricted Range Species by BirdLife
International although we show that it occupies <50
000 km2; (2) This species lives in a fire prone
environment, and the habitat is unsuitable for at least
3 years after fire. The movement and fate of the birds
in these circumstances is unknown; (3) It is sympatric
with the Carpentarian Grasswren A. dorotheae over
part of its range, raising questions about competition
between the species; and (4) The spatial and
behavioural separation from the closely related Dusky
Grasswren A. purnelli is not well defined. In 2008 and
2009, we visited 195 locations in fire scars of known
age within the known range of the Kalkadoon
Grasswren and played calls of Kalkadoon and
Carpentarian Grasswrens at 6–10 sites in each,
totalling 1491 survey sites. We encountered 81 groups
of Kalkadoon Grasswrens. They showed a marked
preference for metamorphosed sandstone and marble.
They were almost always found on rocky hills, but if on
flat areas they were within 300 m of hills. Spinifex
Triodia spp. dominated the ground-layer at all the sites
where Kalkadoon Grasswrens were located. Ground-
cover by spinifex increased annually after fire and
plateaued after 6 years. Kalkadoon Grasswrens had
returned to 30% of 3- and 4-year-old fire scars, but
occurred in 90% of locations surveyed which had not
been burnt for ≥10 years. No grasswrens were
encountered in surveys between the currently
published ranges of the Dusky Grasswren in the
Northern Territory and the Kalkadoon Grasswren in
Queensland. This paper provides a distribution map,
and defines the habitat variables for the Kalkadoon
Grasswren. Our mapping shows that the range of the
Kalkadoon Grasswren is ~40 000 km2, which qualifies
it as a BirdLife International Restricted Range Species.
We argue that an Important Bird Area should be
declared for conserving and monitoring this species
alone, where it is not sympatric with the Carpentarian
Grasswren.”
Harrington G, McKeown A, Venables B. 2017. The range and
habitat of the Kalkadoon Grasswren Amytornis ballarae.
Australian Field Ornithology 34: 12-17.
Pied Imperial-pigeons nesting on the
mainland
Another local volunteer project reaches fruition, and
again Brian Venables name features. Good on you,
Brian.
The expansion of the breeding range of the Pied
Imperial-pigeon from islands on to the mainland may
indicate a positive population trend overall, but might
also be the result of damage by cyclones to island
breeding habitats. How are these mainland breeders
faring? Over three breeding seasons, 1,240 nest
attempts of the species were documented around
Cairns, and 76 mainland nest-attempts were
documented elsewhere along the Queensland coast
from near Iron Range south to Mackay.
Mainland nests were often semi-colonial (as is so on
islands) with some cases of multiple nests in the one
BirdLife Northern Queensland
6 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
tree. A little over half of nest attempts were estimated
to yield a fledgling, which is considerably lower than
more than three-quarters estimated for an island
colony, and lower even in the best of the three
mainland years (66%). The cause of most nest failures
is uncertain, but losses were recorded due to predation
by other birds, as a result of trimming of trees, and
from collisions of adults with vehicles and windows.
Hazel J, Venables BL. 2017. Can island specialists succeed as
urban pioneers? Pied imperial-pigeons provide a case study.
Wildlife Research 44: 40-47.
Beach scavengers
At 12 beaches from Cardwell to Mossman,
experimental fish carcases monitored by motion-
sensitive cameras were scavenged mainly by raptors
(Brahminy Kite, Whistling Kite, White-bellied Sea-
eagle). In contrast, at 13 beaches in Victoria,
scavengers were mainly gulls and the Red Fox.
Huijbers CM, Schlacher TA, McVeigh RR, Schoeman DS, Olds AD,
Brown MB, Ekanayake KB, Weston MA, Connolly RM. 2016.
Functional replacement across species pools of vertebrate
scavengers separated at a continental scale maintains an
ecosystem function. Functional Ecology 30: 998-1005.
[comparison of beach scavengers.
Calls of the Palm Cockatoo
The varied repertoire of this remarkable species differs
among sites on Cape York Peninsula. Those at Iron
Range have the most distinct set, with some calls that
weren’t found elsewhere and fewest calls in common
with elsewhere.
Keighley MV, Langmore NE, Zdenek CN, Heinsohn R. 2017.
Geographic variation in the vocalizations of Australian palm
cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus). Bioacoustics-The
International Journal of Animal Sound and its Recording 26: 91-
108.
Metallic Starling nest colonies as biological
hot-spots
The ground below Metallic Starling nest colonies in the
Lockerbie Scrub near the tip of Cape York Peninsula is
enriched by their droppings, creating a hot-spot for
invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.
Using direct surveys and monitoring with motion-
sensor cameras, Daniel Natush and colleagues found
“that bird-derived nutrients massively increased
densities of soil invertebrates and mammals (primarily
wild pigs) beneath trees, year-round. Flying
invertebrates, nocturnal birds, reptiles, and
amphibians congregated beneath the trees when
starlings were nesting (the wet-season). Diurnal birds
(primarily cockatoos and brush-turkeys) aggregated
beneath the trees during the dry-season to utilise
residual nutrients when the starlings were not
nesting.” Other birds that were notably more frequent
under nest colonies than under random trees included
(from most to least frequently observed) the Brush
Turkey, Palm Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo,
Emerald Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove and Orange-
footed Scrub-fowl.
Feral Pigs were among the beneficiaries, with
interesting flow-on effects for ground-foraging birds.
“Analysis of camera-trap records shows that the
presence of feral pigs [under starling nest trees] is
associated with an absence of birds (cockatoos and
brush turkeys), presumably reflecting behavioural
avoidance (pigs pose a direct danger to birds).
However, bird numbers increase as soon as pigs
depart, then fall if pigs are absent for long periods.
Feral pigs thus displace native birds ... but by turning
over the soil and enhancing the birds’ access to food,
the pigs also have a positive impact on food
availability”.
Natusch DJD, Lyons JA, Brown G, Shine R. 2016. Communally
nesting migratory birds create ecological hot-spots in tropical
Australia. PLoS ONE 11: Art. No.: e0162651. [Metallic Starlings,
Lockerbie Scrub]
Natusch DJD, Mayer M, Lyons JA, Shine R. 2017. Interspecific
interactions between feral pigs and native birds reveal both
positive and negative effects. Austral Ecology 42: 479-485.
Red-backed Fairy-wrens
The Herberton (Wondecla) Fairy-wrens continue to
contribute to the world of science. One of these studies
(Dowling & Webster 2017) showed that old coloured
males concentrate more on obtaining matings with
females from other territories, whereas paired plain
males concentrated on guarding their mates, with
young coloured males adopting an intermediate
strategy. These yielded similar levels of reproductive
success for all age/colour classes of males.
Dowling J, Webster MS. 2017. Working with what you've got:
unattractive males show greater mate-guarding effort in a
duetting songbird. Biology Letters 13: Art. No. 20160682.
Lindsay WR, Barron DG, Webster MS, Schwabl H. 2016.
Testosterone activates sexual dimorphism including male-typical
carotenoid but not melanin plumage pigmentation in a female
bird. Journal of Experimental Biology 219: 3091-3099.
Other recent literature
Buelow CA, Baker R, Reside AE, Sheaves M. 2017.
Spatial dynamics of coastal forest bird
assemblages: the influence of landscape context,
forest type, and structural connectivity.
Landscape Ecology 32: 547-561. [study sites
were along the coast from Cairns south to just
beyond Mackay]
Frith CB. 2016. Bowerbird display site
nomenclature: The court case for the Tooth-billed
Contact Call
August 2017 7
Bowerbird. North Queensland Naturalist 46: 108-
114.
Frith CB. 2017. ... it's a court .... response to
Harrington. North Queensland Naturalist 47: 8-9.
[Tooth-billed Bowerbird]
Harrington G. 2017. If it smells like a bower and
functions like a bower then … response to Frith.
North Queensland Naturalist 47: 6-7. [Tooth-
billed Bowerbird]
Leach EC, Burwell CJ, Ashton LA, Jones DN,
Kitching RL. 2016. Comparison of point counts
and automated acoustic monitoring: detecting
birds in a rainforest biodiversity survey. Emu
116: 305-309. [Eungella]
Neate-Clegg MHC, Morshuis EC, Banks-Leite C.
2016. Edge effects in the avifaunal community of
riparian rain-forest tracts in Tropical North
Queensland. Journal of Tropical Ecology 32: 280-
289.
Nguyen JMT, Hand SJ, Archer M. 2016. The Late
Cenozoic passerine avifauna from Rackham's
Roost site, Riversleigh, Australia. Records of the
Australian Museum 68: 201-230.
Perry JJ, Vanderduys EP, Kutt AS. 2016. Shifting
fire regimes from late to early dry-season fires to
abate greenhouse emissions does not completely
equate with terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity co-
benefits on Cape York Peninsula, Australia.
International Journal of Wildland Fire 25: 742-
752.
Rechetelo J, Grice A, Reside AE, Hardesty BD,
Moloney J. 2016. Movement patterns, home
range size and habitat selection of an
Endangered resource tracking species, the Black-
Throated Finch (Poephila cincta cincta). PLoS
ONE 11: e0167254.
Russell R. 2016. Koel response to a small python.
North Queensland Naturalist 46: 115-116.
Valentine PS. 2016. An observation of Black-
necked Stork hunting and eating an Australasian
Grebe. North Queensland Naturalist 46: 86-89.
Zdenek CN. 2017. A prolonged agonistic interaction
between two Papuan Frogmouths Podargus
papuensis. Australian Field Ornithology 34: 26-
29.
PIPWATCH
Monitoring Torresian Imperial Pigeons
Dr Julia Hazel at James Cook University is
researching TIP/PIP breeding ecology and
population dynamics, coordinating citizen-
science data collection and maintaining the
PIPwatch website (https://www.pipwatch.net/).
PIPwatch is seeking volunteers, to register the
first time PIPs are seen in local areas, as well as
nesting PIPs and to help with coastal PIP
counts.
To participate in a coastal count, pick your own
date(s) in November, December and January.
The count only needs 2 hours. If you counted
your site previously, it’s ideal to count again
near the same day of the month. Optionally you
might like to synchronise with BirdLife
Northern Queensland on 18 November 2017, or
near that date. For more information go to the
website (https://www.pipwatch.net/) or contact
Dr Julia Hazel at [email protected]
BirdLife Northern Queensland
8 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
Honeyeaters and Musky Rat Kangaroos feeding
from flowers of a root
parasite
Many of you will have seen the root parasite
Balanophora fungosa (Balanophoraceae) of
Queensland rainforests and perhaps remarked on its
similar looks to a fungus. It is however an animal-
pollinated flowering angiosperm, but little is known of
its ecology. Encouraged by a former colleague who
worked on an ecological analogue in NZ, I set up
motion-detecting cameras at flowering clumps of
Balanophora at my Speewah property. The results
were unexpected with Musky Rat Kangaroos being one
of the leading visitors to male flowers of the root
parasite, returning to apparently take nectar several
times each day. There were night visitors too,
including rat species and Long-nosed Bandicoots. Of
ornithological interest were several species of
honeyeaters apparently feeding on the nectar -
Macleay’s, Yellow-spotted, Graceful and Dusky
Honeyeaters were frequent visitors to this ground
plant. Clearly the nectar and/or pollen they are
gleaning is of high value to the honeyeaters, otherwise
this fairly risky feeding station on the floor of the
rainforest would not be favoured. It is planned to take
these observations to the next stages and examine
pollination questions. The preliminary results are
written up as a paper by Ray Pierce and Colin Ogle in
North Queensland Naturalist www.nqnat.org where
more photos and details of video viewing are available.
Article and images by Ray Pierce
Bird Islands save lives Sometimes tech inventions are just plain simple. "Bird
Island” is a safe landing pad and climb-up-from-
drowning float, made for tanks and troughs. An
extrudable plastic solution from the North’s Gough
Plastics designed by Tablelands local bird enthusiast,
Del Richards and launched at the FNQ Field Days in
May. For more information contact:
http://www.gough.com.au/
Inland Dotterel, Mt Isa
While showing some Newcastle birdos, around our
Lake Moondarra birding haunts today (25/6/2017), we
came across this solitary, Inland Dotterel.
This is only the second of these species, I have seen in
Mount Isa. The other, was many years ago, in a local
park, whilst walking my dog.
These two guys were rapt, it certainly topped off their
week. After them getting, both endemic Grass Wrens,
Grey Falcon, etc. There were high fives, all around
today.
Rex Whitehead
Inland Dotterel, Lake Moondarra
A Musky Rat
Kangaroo feeding
from male
flowers of
Balanophora
fungosa
A Macleay’s
Honeyeater
feeding from
Balanophora
fungosa
flowers
Contact Call
August 2017 9
Cats a concern
Long-term observations by me at our property at
Kuranda show a steady decline in the number of
Musky-rat Kangaroo, Antechinus, and Bandicoot, and
an increase in the number of Domestic cats Felis catus
present. These two would appear to be correlated but
it is difficult to prove this. Photographs taken in a
camera trap and direct observations by me reveal
several individuals (cats), in a variety of colours, are
present and that some are collared and others are not.
On May 31st I photographed an incident that was both
informative and disturbing. I was working on our 3 m
high veranda that provides an excellent view into the
surrounding rainforest. My attention was drawn to
activity on the forest floor and an Australian Brush-
turkey emerged and rapidly climbed a diagonal-leaning
branch. I took a series of images with my camera. The
bird then climbed into dense foliage. Two minutes later
a cat emerged from the understory and also climbed
the same diagonal-leaning branch. However, it stopped
when it realised I was present and after a few
moments, turned and retreated down the branch. It
was at this time I took another image and it was
apparent that the cat was wearing a collar. The cat
dropped into the understory and eight minutes later
the Brush-turkey emerged from the foliage and walked
down the branch and into the understory; at no time
during the proceedings did either animal make any
sound.
I have little doubt the cat was stalking the Brush-
turkey. Predation of native wildlife in Australia by cats
is a major conservation issue and it is distressing to
see how many cats are roaming both day and night in
residential areas and that some of them are collared
and presumably are ‘pets’ of the residents.
Gary W Wilson
BirdLife Northern Queensland
10 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
Book review: My Australian Bird
Obsession Volume One
- The Wet Tropics –
Queensland BY LYNETTE KAY ENSOR
One of our members, Lynette Ensor, has just published
her first book! This is the first in a series of volumes
that will eventually cover all the bird species found on
mainland Australia and Tasmania. This series of books
results from her personal ambition to photograph
every bird species in Australia.
I have had volume one for a few weeks now and really
enjoy the photos as they are taken in our area
depicting the North Queensland colour variations. The
descriptions are full and much information has been
included making this book a great reference guide. I
really like the little interesting information section at
the end of each species listing. It’s almost like a little
HANZAB without all the numbers, references and
brackets intruding on the text making it easy to read.
The good quality photos mostly depict the male,
female and juvenile bird. Many of them also show the
nest. The birds are divided into their families and a
comprehensive family description precedes each
section
In this first volume, 65 species that inhabit the Wet
Tropics region of Queensland are included. Not all the
birds of the Wet Tropics are included as they can be
found in other parts of Australia and will be included in
later volumes covering other areas.
I carry this great reference guide in my vehicle whilst
on tour for the use of my guests whom have all found
it very helpful and informative. A tremendous amount
of effort has gone into producing this book and it’s well
worth getting a copy for your reference library. I look
forward to volume two!
Review by Doug Herrington
JOIN US AT PALUMA FOR THE
OCTOBER LONG WEEKEND
30th Sept – 2nd October
Come along and join us exploring the Paluma area
for birds. We will meet at 7.30am on Saturday and
Sunday at the Paluma Village Green at 10 Smith
Crescent.
Note Paluma is ca 300km from Cairns.
Participants will need to self-cater and arrange
own accommodation.
Accommodation options (please note this is a
long weekend so book early to avoid
disappointment).
Mist Haven Units (www.misthaven.com.au)
07 4774 7300
Paluma Rainforest Cottages
Palumarainforest.com.au or Phone 07 47708690
Paluma Rainforest Inn
rainforestinnpaluma.com or 07 4770 8688
Camping sites are available at Lake Paluma
which is 12 km along a dirt road from the
Paluma Village
Camping is also available at the Big Crystal
Creek camping area (go to npsr.qld.gov.au for
further information on facilities, booking and
camping fees.) Note this site is also around 25 -
30 km from Paluma Village
Hidden Valley Cabins
(hiddenvalleycabins.com.au or phone 07
47708088) Note this site is about 20 km west of
Paluma Village.
There may be other options e.g. B&Bs etc.
For further information contact Ceri Pearce,
Phone: 0488131581 or Sandra Christensen,
Phone: 0448845842
Contact Call
August 2017 11
Observations in the Okavango
In April, my wife, Dr Robyn Wilson, and I attended a
10-day training course at Kwapa Camp in a Restricted
Area in the Eastern Okavango. The area was in
excellent condition following recent rains but the
annual flood from the north had not yet percolated
through the Delta this far south. Johan van Jaarsveld,
a raptor-expert and Botswana Government–accredited
trainer, conducted the course. It covered a range of
material but we had the opportunity to make some
ornithological observations and recount some of them
here.
Robyn and I recorded 110 species we were confident in
identifying (Avibase records 483 species for the
Greater Okavango). We had a particular interest in
hornbills (to compare and contrast with our work in
Asia) and in vultures, and given Johan’s encyclopaedic
knowledge of raptors, they featured strongly. Almost
all of our observations were of diurnal species as no
field activities or spotlighting was allowed after dark;
this was because the area is being used for the re-
introduction of rhino and two adjacent Anti-Poaching
Units (APUs) closely monitor any suspect activity. In
addition, due to the variety and intensity of our
activities we had little time to work on the smaller
passerines.
We monitored a pride of lions and located its kills by
watching the vultures. These carrion feeders are in
desperate straits throughout the Old World due to the
use of the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs), particularly diclofenec, in treating pain and
inflammation in cattle. It is extremely toxic to raptors
and its use in the 90s wiped out >90% of the vulture
population in South Asia (where it is now banned for
use on cattle but not humans; we know it as Voltarin).
Seven species of vultures occur in Botswana, all except
the incidental and specialist Palm-nut Vulture
Gypohierax angolensis, have an IUCN status of
Endangered or Critically Endangered. The reason for
this is a loss of habitat and secondary poisoning from
NSAIDs. The images in Figures 1 and 2 show a tagged
and poisoned Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres
(Endangered) we collected in the Limpopo Province
during our travels in South Africa. In addition,
deliberate poisoning to prevent vultures drawing
attention to poaching activities has also been
documented.
We regularly saw four species of vultures on kills,
including the Critically Endangered White-backed
Vulture Gyps africanus (Fig. 3) and White-headed
Vulture Trigonoceps occipitalis (Fig. 4), and the
Endangered Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos
(Figure 5).
Figures 1 & 2 Tagged and poisoned Cape Vulture Gyps
coprotheres.
Figures 3 Critically Endangered White-backed Vulture Gyps
africanus & Figure 4 White-headed Vulture Trigonoceps
occipitalis.
Figure 5 The Endangered Lappet-
faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos
BirdLife Northern Queensland
12 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
Figure 6 & 7 Marabou Stork Leptotilos crumenifer
Another but unrelated avian species frequently on kills
was the Marabou Stork Leptotilos crumenifer; it grows
to 1.5 m in height and 8.5 kg in weight and the naked
head and neck (Figs. 6 and 7) is indicative of its
feeding habits.
A staggering 56 species of raptors, including the
vultures, are recorded for the Okavango and we were
particularly impressed by the Bateleur Terathopius
ecaudatus (Near Threatened) (Fig. 8), a specialty of
our leader Johan. It is monotypic with the genus name
from the French for ‘street performer’, specifically
tight-rope walkers, who wave their arms while
maintaining balance, alluding to the wing-rocking of
this species as it quarters over huge areas, up to 650
km2, each day. In common with other species,
including the impressive and monotypic Martial Eagle
Polemaetus
bellicosus
(Vulnerable)
also present,
the Bateleur
is now more
common in
conservation
areas than
the wider
landscape –
given the
foraging area
of both
species, this
emphasises
the need for
extensive
protected
areas.
The second taxa of particular interest were the
hornbills. Six species occur and the Ground Hornbill
Bucorvus leadbeateri was on the bucket list. However
we dipped on it and had to be content with Southern
Yellow-billed Tockus leucomelas (Fig. 9), Southern
Red-billed T. rufirostris (Fig. 10) and African Grey
Hornbill T. nasutus. It was interesting to see how much
more tolerant the birds were of close approach than is
our experience in SE Asia, and how common the first
two species were.
There were many other species of interest and I
shall mention a few of them here. The first is the
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta (Fig. 11), the
monotypic species in the Family Scopidae. This
mid-sized stork-like bird occurs across Africa and
Madagascar and the gliding and soaring flight
resembles that of a raptor. The second is the
Grey Go-Away-Bird Corythaixoides concolor; it is
in the Turaco (Musophagidae) family that is
endemic to Africa and while this species is
common and widespread, it is conspicuous in its
habit of perching at the top of shrubs, and I
enjoyed its slightly whimsical appearance. The third
and last is Swainson's Spurfowl, Pternistis swainsonii
(Fig. 12). This and the unrelated but initially-similar
Double-banded Sandgrouse Pterocles bicinctus were
common at Kwapa and frequently burst up from the
track in front of the vehicle. I particularly enjoyed the
subtle colours of the Spurfowl in the late afternoon
light.
Figs. 9 & 10 Southern Yellow-billed Tockus leucomelas and
Southern Red-billed T. rufirostris
The above are but a few thoughts on some of the birds
we saw at Kwapa, there were many more and many
more stories to tell. The lasting impression of the
Okavango, and of the several locations we visited in
southern Africa, was the diversity and richness of the
flora and fauna. This is despite the presence of
hominids (and an increasing number of them, and of
poachers, and the increase in the taking of ‘bush
meat’) in the
landscape for
millions of
years. The
contrast with
Australia where
we are so used
to seeing exotic
species of
animals
grazing on
exotic pasture
species was
striking.
Fig. 8 Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus
(Near Threatened)
Fig. 11 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Contact Call
August 2017 13
Fig. 12 Swainson's Spurfowl, Pternistis swainsonii
We had a stimulating and interesting time in the
Okavango; camping out with lions roaming around the
campsite, having an evening aperitif surrounded by
more than 100 Elephant, watching a Giraffe shepherd
a new-born, and walking up onto a Cape Buffalo were
all highlights. However, it was the birds that most
captured our attention and most likely to draw us
back. Article and images by Gary Wilson
Join us for the annual
”
The 2017 National Bird Week will take place between
Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th October.
Celebrate National Bird Week by taking part in the
Aussie Backyard Bird Count — you will be joining
thousands of people from across the country who will
be heading out into their backyards, local parks or
favourite outdoor spaces to take
part.www.aussiebirdcount.org.au
To check out the results from the 2016 Aussie
Backyard Bird Count go to
http://aussiebirdcount.org.au/2016-results/
Stay tuned to hear about upcoming local events either
on our webpage: http://birdlifenq.org/, or join us on
Helmeted (Hornbill) Friarbird. Image by Patrick De Geest
Birding & Wildlife Tours www.eyesonwildlife.com.au
Helmeted (Hornbill1) Friarbird Friarbirds are so called because they have bald heads.
However, three of Australia’s four species of friarbirds
actually have feathers on top of their heads! One of
them, the Helmeted Friarbird, is a common resident in
the Wet Tropics. They’re often seen in tall trees in city
parks and gardens, as well as further afield in open
forests and woodlands, and even in mangroves. Being
a bird of the lowlands, they never occur too far from
the coast.
Their loud and repetitive call, sometimes rendered as
“poor devil, poor devil”, or “white animal, white
animal”, is often heard coming from the treetops. It’s
been called the characteristic bird call of the tropical
lowlands”, and is sometimes so loud that it’s been
heard by people on ships out to sea!
Of course, the more birds there are calling, the louder
it becomes, and when these friarbirds form flocks of
100 or more, the effect is deafening for anyone
nearby. Such flocks gather where there is abundant
food, usually where trees have many flowers in the
canopy, which the friarbirds probe to extract the
nectar with their special brush-shaped tongues. These
rowdy congregations may also include other species of
honeyeaters, and Helmeted Friarbirds often divide
their time between feeding and chasing the other birds
away. They are particularly feisty, especially when
chasing smaller honeyeaters.
They’re also pugnacious when breeding, and vigorously
defend the area around their nests from predators and
nest parasites, such as kookaburras and koels, and
have even attacked people who ventured too close!
Article by John Peter
1 Note: the IOC does not recognise the Hornbill Friarbird as a
species separate from the Helmeted Friarbird. Ebird, and
Pizzey and Knight do recognise the Hornbill Friarbird as a
separate species.
BirdLife Northern Queensland
14 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
Situated 1½ hrs north of Cairns in Tropical North
Queensland we offer accommodation in self-contained
units – – single or two bedroom – and bunkhouse
rooms. The property is a rainforest wildlife sanctuary
catering for birdwatchers and naturalists.
We are central to a variety of habitats and provide bird
species lists, area maps and Wi-Fi internet access.
Guiding is available by arrangement.
We offer packages for individuals and small groups.
Carol and Andrew Iles
RN6, Mt. Kooyong Road
Julatten QLD 4871
Ph: (07) 4094 1263
Email: [email protected]
www.birdwatchers.com.au
Contact Call
August 2017 15
Cool facts about Cassowaries
The name cassowary comes from two Papuan
words, ‘kasu’ meaning horned and ‘weri’
meaning head, referring to the prominent
casque on its head.
Cassowaries can’t fly. They are ratites –
flightless birds with no keel on their sternum
(breast bone).
There are three species of cassowary worldwide.
The Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)
is found in northern Queensland, Australia. It is
also found in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
It is the largest of the three species.
At 1.5 – 2 metres tall the Southern Cassowary is
also the third-tallest living bird in the world
(after the Ostrich and Emu), and the second-
heaviest!
The other two species of Cassowary, the Dwarf
Cassowary, Casuarius bennetti, and the
Northern Cassowary, Casuarius
unappendiculatus, are both found in New Guinea
and Indonesia.
Cassowaries feed mostly on fruit that has fallen
to the ground. They will also eat anything from
snails to small dead mammals.
Once a cassowary has digested the flesh of the
fruit, the seeds remain intact and are deposited
on the ground in lumps of dung. Often the first
sign that a Cassowary is around is the tell-tale
piles of droppings. Because the seeds are
deposited in their own blob of fertiliser, they are
able to germinate quickly, and through this
action, cassowaries assist with the regeneration
of the rainforest.
The female Southern Cassowary selects a male
to mate with and then lays a clutch of large
green eggs in a scrape in the ground lined with
plant material.
Once the eggs are laid, the male is left in charge
of incubation and chick-rearing duties, while the
female moves away, and may even breed again
with another male.
During the breeding season, the parental males
can be aggressive, and attacks on humans have
been recorded at this time.
Cassowaries can live for 30 to 40 years in the
wild.
http://www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profile/southern-
cassowary
Learn about Cassowaries
CHECK OUT YOUTUBE
‘The Cassowary Family’ by Hi5. Suitable for children
under the age of 5 years. 5 mins. Go to:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Omh89q0Enw&t
=82s
‘Curious cassowary facts.’ (Queensland’s rainforest
gardener), a short video (1.5 mins). Go to:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GztoIsNk3n8
‘About Cassowaries’ A BBC documentary narrated by
David Attenborough (49 mins). Go to:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzUbgYT1yIU
‘Inside Natures Giants - The dinosaur bird.’ This
documentary is not for the feint hearted. It does
include scientists dissecting a cassowary to learn more
about how cassowaries are like dinosaurs. If you don’t
mind that, it is excellent. 47 mins. Go to:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqNR4xLAUBY
BirdLife Northern Queensland
16 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
Interesting Birds of Africa
Have just returned from a holiday to Namibia and
Zambia looking at some of the beautiful birds and
animals of Africa. Whilst I was amazed at the different
birds it was also fascinating to see the similarities of
many of the birds. It is clear to see that the Gowanda
ancestors and similarity in habitat and climate have
given rise to birds in Africa we would readily recognise
in Australia.
Some of these include some of the Cuckoos, Coucals,
Wheatears, Cisticolas, Pipits, Sparrows and Finches.
The similarity of habitat and birds often made us feel
like we were in Cape York or Western Queensland.
Then there are birds that are completely different and
exotic that mesmerise you through the binoculars. You
wonder how such impossibly beautiful colours and
forms could evolve given the common ancestry.
We downloaded the “SASOL Birds of South Africa” on
the IPad as a reference, but discovered its
shortcomings in Zambia when we could not find one of
the rarer birds we sighted in Kafue National Park, the
Chaplin’s Barbet, named after Sir Francis Drummond
Percy Chaplin a former colonial Governor and keen
birdo. A lovely little Barbet restricted to quite a small
range in central Zambia. There were also a number of
other birds not in this book as we travelled slightly
north of South Africa.
I would definitely take the “Birds of Africa South of the
Sahara” by Ian Sinclair & Peter Ryan next time. It is a
much more comprehensive book of the birds you are
likely to see in Central and Southern Africa.
We did a camping trip around Namibia for about 3
weeks which enabled us to get out both early and late
to see the many birds of this dry region of Africa. The
big difference from Australia is that we do not have the
large range of things that can eat you if you stray too
far or in the wrong areas. As they say though “you just
have to be able to run faster than the person with you”
to get away. Scenery is arid and stunning and evokes
images of Mars and the Moon with the total lack of
vegetation and water in some areas.
Zambia is mostly savanna fed by 3 main rivers that
run through it. In the wet season there are vast flood
plains that start to dry in May. We were very lucky to
get a great Bird Guide in Makumbi Lodge, Kafue
National Park that made the trip both rewarding and
enjoyable. It saves you the 3 hour search through the
other books and apps to try and identify the bird you
have just seen, while 20 more different birds land in
the trees nearby. The raptors are really terrific in this
area.
If you get the chance I would say go and be amazed.
Crimson Breasted Shrike (Laniarius atrococcineus)
Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roses)
Chaplin’s Barbet (Lybius chaplini)
Giant Kingfisher (Megaceryle maximus)
Article and images by Bill Brookes
Contact Call
August 2017 17
Book Review: The Australian Bird Guide
After eight years in the production stage, the much
awaited The Australian Bird Guide has arrived. The
final product is a large, rather weighty volume (almost
1.5 kg — the Pizzey guide weighs 1.17 kg) and more
like a mini handbook than a field guide. However, size
and weight become almost irrelevant when one delves
into the book.
Overall, it is an impressive publication and a credit to
those involved. Illustrations in their entirety are the
most accurate ever produced – the result of collection
and careful examination of hundreds of thousands of
digital images. In nearly every case, juvenile plumage
has been added, thanks to digital photography. Colour
accuracy in the printing process is near perfect.
Admirably, the authors have resisted the temptation to
follow the ever changing taxonomical order. With the
current upsurge in splitting of species, this order
should never change in future editions as happened
annoyingly in previous guides. The order used groups
all similar species, genera or larger groups together
commencing with seabirds followed by waders,
waterbirds and land birds. This has enabled
superficially similar groups such as swifts and
swallows, quail and button-quail, falcons and accipiters
to be placed together.
Users of the guide will appreciate more detailed
identification tips which are included both in the text
and on the plates, something which was scant or
missing in the older guides.
In our own north Queensland area, species have been
covered well with only a few minor inaccuracies. e.g.
Fernwren is given as "down to 350m in wettest areas"
but it can be found at near sea level in places such as
Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation. Graceful
Honeyeater is given as occurring up to 800 m on the
Atherton Tableland (which it doesn't – it rarely gets
above 400 m). The old myth that the female Little
Bronze-Cuckoo has a greenish eye-ring is perpetuated.
Another is that Buff-breasted Button-quail is
sometimes seen in coveys – they never are (mostly
singles, sometimes a pair). Two of the most important
features to distinguish Broad-billed Flycatcher have
been missed e.g. the prominent flat forehead and the
large white lower section of its eye-ring.
Some notes on separation of the three yellow-spotted
honeyeaters are not accurate e.g. some emphasis is
placed on the feathered extension of the gape under
the eye. Examination of many properly identified
photographs shows that this feature is variable and is
of little use in separation of the three species.
Text is placed in two columns adjacent to each plate a
trend in northern hemisphere bird guides e.g. the
Collins Guides. The format used by older guides with
text in a single wide column opposite each species is
much more user friendly.
There are a few noticeable shortcomings though, some
of which hopefully will be rectified in future editions.
Strangely size of species has been omitted and
substituted with wing and bill length plus weight. This
caters for the scientific community but not for a
general audience. Many average birders, who must
form a considerable part of the buying public often
need body length. This is a major oversight.
The index is far from friendly. More like a list than an
index, birds are listed with their full name e.g.
"Macleay's Honeyeater" under "M", mixed with full
scientific names. There are no headings e.g.
"Honeyeater" with each species listed below. This
makes it difficult for many with a limited knowledge of
birds and current names to locate relevant species
despite the inclusion of two quick reference guides.
My biggest grievance is that species from the far flung
political Australian island territories e.g. Christmas
Island and Cocos-Keeling Islands in the mid Indian
Ocean which have nothing to do with the Australian
region have been included and placed throughout the
Australian species. About 60 species are included. Most
are Asian vagrants and overshoots migrating
southwards to escape cold winters. This will satisfy the
small group of competitive twitchers attempting to
achieve a large total of "Australian" species seen but it
must produce a major problem in future updates as
species lists from these territories grow considerably
each year when new Asian vagrant (lost) species
arrive.
Overall though, this is an outstanding guide for those
who have a reasonable understanding of birds. Those
with a lesser understanding including the general
public who simply want to identify species around
them will often struggle and are probably better off
with one of the older, more simpler guides. However,
anyone with a deeper interest in birds MUST have a
copy. Book review by Lloyd Nielsen
By Peter Menkhorst,
Danny Rogers, Rohan
Clarke, Jeff Davies,
Peter Marsack, Kim
Franklin
Published by CSIRO
Publishing, Clayton
South, Vic, 2017.
566 pp. AU $50, ISBN:
9780643097544
BirdLife Northern Queensland
18 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
Noticeboard
From the Editor
To save paper and trees, this newsletter is now
distributed electronically. That is there are no longer
paper versions distributed by BirdLife Australia. If this
disadvantages you, please let us know by emailing
[email protected] or by phoning
0488131581.
This newsletter is the third issue for 2017. Thank you
to all contributors. Please do send in you stories,
observations, reviews and images to
[email protected] for the next edition.
Please note, there is no need to format a document
(combine images and text) when they are sent in.
Separate text and images are easier for the editor to
place into the newsletter template.
Final newsletter deadline for 2017
October 10th for the December Edition
Want to advertise in Contact Call?
Advertisements and sponsorship help support the local
BirdLife group in Northern Queensland. Any profit is
used for education and conservation projects in our
region. The advertisements must be relevant to
BirdLife Northern Queensland members and compatible
with BirdLife Australia objectives and fund raising
guidelines.
Quarter page advertisements for four issues can be
purchased for $80 plus GST, or $25 plus GST for
single-issue advertisements. Contact the Editor of
Contact Call for further information.
Activities
Check out the BirdLife Northern Queensland activities
lined up for 2017 in the event calendar. The list of
events is also available at our website
http://birdlifenq.org/
Please do come and join us. You do not have to be a
BirdLife member or an expert birder. Most of us are
still learning and keen to share the fun. Everybody is
welcome.
For more information about an event, contact the
leader listed or check the website or details:
http://birdlifenq.org/, or join us on Facebook
Join us on Facebook
DO YOU WANT MORE?
Birdlife Townsville is not far away
For a list of their activities and campouts go to:
http://www.birdlifetownsville.org.au/Activities.html
Cairns Birders
Cairns Birders is a local informal birding network that
hold regular birdwatching walks at Centenary Lakes on
the first Sunday of every month and a field trip to
various locations on the third Sunday of every month.
Please note that while this group if not affiliated with
Birdlife Australia, many of its members are Birdlife
Australia members too. Contact
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD SURVEY
BIRDLIFE NORTHERN QUEENSLAND is
conducting a survey of Golden Bowerbirds
this year and is looking for volunteers.
Volunteers do not have to be bird experts – they
merely have to be able to hear well. Golden
Bowerbird “song” is so distinctive that a few
minutes training is all that is required.
THE FIRST SURVEY IS FROM DANBULLA TO
MT. EDITH ON SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER.
Surveys are planned for other sites during the
breeding season between September and
December.
For further information or to volunteer for this
interesting and important activity contact …
DOMINIC CHAPLIN
Phone: 0419 028 077
Also go to http://birdlifenq.org/pdfs/NQ-
GBB%20survey%20News%20No1.pdf for more
information.
Contact Call
August 2017 19
CRANE COUNT 2017 – THE 21ST ANNUAL CRANE COUNT
Put Saturday September 2nd in your diary.
We do a day count of the birds feeding in the fields from midday to 2pm and then a roost count in the late
afternoon. You do not have to be an expert birder to participate and enjoy this event.
Day Count
We divide the tablelands into prescribed routes. We need to get all the routes covered so please let me
know if you are interested in taking part. We will give you a map and a record form. The importance of
this data is to see if the numbers feeding are similar to those roosting and to see which crops are most
important for the cranes.
Afternoon Roost Count:
Meet at Hastie’s Swamp bird hide at 3pm to be assigned your roost. The meeting is essential because
every year we get the record forms filled in incorrectly so do please get to Hastie’s by 3pm for the briefing.
Also please let us know that you are coming so that we can plan in advance.
Dinner, results and an entertaining speaker:
Meet at the Malanda Hotel, 7pm for dinner. We will count the cranes and compare the results with the last
20 years. Yes it has been that long since the first CRANE COUNT.
CONTACT: This year the COUNT is being organized by Graham Harrington and David & Margaret Merrall.
Contact via email: [email protected] or phone 07 4096 5051 or 0448 055 077.
BirdLife Northern Queensland 2017 Activities Date Time Locality Meeting place and other information Contact the leader
Saturday 26th August
6pm Cairns Centenary Lakes
Sticky Beaks Family Group Spotlighting Centenary Lakes Chinese Pagoda Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
Sunday 27th August
2pm-6pm Cairns Esplanade
Welcome Wader Return to Cairns Celebrate the arrival of waders with friends, locals and visitors
Hidetoshi Kudo Mikey Phone: 0402343610 or email [email protected]
Saturday 2nd September
Malanda area Crane Count 12 pm – 2 pm Day Count - Volunteers needed 3pm Volunteers meet at Hastie’s Swamp bird hide for briefing 4-6.30pm Counting at crane roosts 7pm Dinner at Malanda Pub. All volunteers to contact Graham Harrington
Graham Harrington Phone: 0448 055 077 or email: [email protected]
Saturday 9th September
Golden Bowerbird Survey Mt Edith Rd, Lake Tinaroo Survey different altitudes along the length of this road as part of the Wet Tropics Golden Bowerbird Monitoring project. For further details go to page 14 in this newsletter. All volunteers to contact Dominic Chaplin
Dominic Chaplin Phone: 0419 028 077 or email: www.pinecreekpictures.com.au
Thursday 14th September
7.30pm Malanda Hotel
Tableland BirdLife NQ Meeting Guest speaker: Ian Boyd, will be talking about Night Birds. The presentation will provide a comprehensive coverage of our nocturnal species, their habits and where found across Queensland, but especially northern Queensland.
Peter Valentine Phone: 4096 6171 or email [email protected]
Saturday 30th September
Sticky Beaks Family Group Visit a Golden Bowerbird bower Please register your attendance by the Friday before.
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
BirdLife Northern Queensland
20 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 3
Date Time Locality Meeting place and other information Contact the leader
30th Sept – 1 October
Paluma area, near Townsville
Paluma for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend This weekend we will be birding at a number of locations across this rainforest to dry country transition zone. Participants are to arrange their own accommodation. Further details are on page 10.
Ceri Pearce, Phone: 0488131581 or email: [email protected] or call Sandra Christensen, Phone: 0448845842
23rd – 29th October
National Bird Week and Aussie Backyard Bird Count Go to www.aussiebirdcount.org.au Local details to be announced
http://BirdLife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/bird-week/
Saturday 28th October
11am Muddy’s on the Cairns Esplanade
Sticky Beaks Family Group Aussie Backyard Bird Count Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
28th -29th October
National Twitchathon Weekend This is not a race – or is it? Join us in raising money for Bird Conservation and have a great time participating
http://www.BirdLife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/national-twitchathon/
Saturday 4th November
Members Bowerbird search Details to be announced
Graham Harrington Phone: 0448 055 077 or email: [email protected]
8 – 11th November
Geelong, Victoria
Australasian Ornithological Conference Will be held at Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Geelong, Victoria.
For details monitor http://www.BirdLife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/aoc/
Thursday 9th November
7.30pm Malanda Hotel
Tableland BirdLife NQ Meeting Details to be announced
Peter Valentine Phone: 4096 6171 or email [email protected]
Saturday 18th November
4–6pm Any coastal area
2017 Synchronised regional coastal PIP Count For further details go to page 7 in this newsletter.
Julia Hazel Phone: 0407 431 382 or email: [email protected]
Saturday 25th November
Sticky Beaks Family Group Details to be announced Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
Early December
Challenge Count http://www.BirdLife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/challenge-count/
Saturday 14th December
5pm 129 Figtree Close, Malanda
BirdLife NQ Christmas party at Martin and Sam’s place. BYO plate of food to share, drinks and Chrissie cheer
Martin and Sam Willis. Phone: 07 40966581 or email: [email protected]
Saturday 16th December
3:30pm Kewarra Beach, BBQ area
Sticky Beaks Family Group Christmas BBQ and TIP Count Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]