Lyrebird Tales

Volume 25 Number 1 March 2016

Central North West

By Manfred Hennig

Back from a long drive up to the North and West of Australia,

I have been sorting through my bird photos. While it wasn’t

specifically a Twitcher Trip, I used “Birds of Australia” by

Thomas, Thomas, Andrews & McBride and “Finding Australian

Birds” by Dolby & Clarke as my locations guide. Both books

are very comprehensive and are based on yearlong surveys,

often by locals. As a tourist quickly passing through, you can

be lucky – or not.

At the Olive Pink Botanical Gardens in Alice Springs we found

a Western Bowerbird right next to the car park. He was a

beauty, totally involved in performing – to a tree branch!

Western Bowerbird Photo © Manfred Hennig

In the same Gardens we also saw a fierce stand-off between

an Australian Ringneck Parrot and a Grey crowned Babbler.

Australian Ringneck Parrot & Grey-crowned Babbler

Photo © Manfred Hennig

In Kakadu National Park, Yellow Waters was a hot spot for

Flycatchers: Shining, Paperbark, Broad-billed, and Lemon-

bellied. Kingfishers, too: Azure, Little, Forest, Sacred, Red-

backed, and Mangrove Kingfishers. And not forgetting the

White-bellied Sea Eagles and Whistling Kites.

Thanks to Dolby & Clarke’s precise directions, at Nourlangi

Rock in Kakadu we saw several Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon.

Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon Photo © Manfred Hennig

Contents 1 – 3. Central North West by Manfred Hennig

3. No Buts about it by Glenn Mawson. What bird is that?

4. Vale Bruce Osborn. Vale Murray Bourchier.

Notice of AGM May 2016. Koel Video. Committee

5 & 6. Interesting Bird Observations by Glenn Mawson

6. Cooee Cooee – Where are you by Alma Mitchell

7. Interesting Sightings. Farewell to the Peper Boys.

7 – 11. Reports of Meetings and Outings

12. Calendar of Events

Lyrebird Tales

2 Lyrebird Tales

Also in Kakadu at the Marmukala Bird Hide we observed

Magpie Geese, Whistling Wandering Ducks, Jacanas, and a

Pied Heron snatching a large frog for breakfast. Expertly it

twisted, turned and positioned the frog head first to swallow

down its gullet. Yum, eh?

Pied Heron Photo © Manfred Hennig

Fogg Dam just outside Kakadu was a fantastic place to watch

birds by the thousands (Herons, ducks, Magpie Geese…). We

didn’t walk along the dam wall as it was well guarded by a

large saltwater crocodile.

At Howard Springs near Darwin I saw a Rainbow Pitta but no

Arafura Fantail nor Red Headed Honeyeater. Oh well, maybe

next time.

Directed (by Dolby & Clarke) to Timber Creek on our way to

the Kimberleys I photographed a Red Headed and a Black

Headed Gouldian Finch as well as Double Barred, Crimson,

Zebra finches. Other finches we saw around the grasslands

were Star, Long Tailed, Masked, and Painted Finch.

We saw approximately ten different kinds of Honeyeaters,

special treats being the Yellow-plumed, Dusky, White-

throated, and Rufus-throated ones. White-plumed, Singing,

and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters were most abundant.

Around Wyndham we watched Brolgas dance among the

Boab trees, and we also saw Jabiru /Black Necked Storks

quietly resting. Interestingly, males’ eyes are black and

females’ eyes gold. While we were looking for Spinifex

Pigeons, hundreds of Black Kites circled overhead, with more

Black Kites just sitting on the ground. They were everywhere

in the Northern Territory. South of Derby we finally saw three

Great-billed Herons, completing my Heron wish list.

In Yandi Gorge at the Cape National Park (Ningaloo Reef) I

was photographing a pair of Ospreys renovating their 3

metre high nest on the cliff face across the water, and I

heard a Cuckoo chick in a bush behind me. I turned and

focused on the noise and at that moment a Singing

Honeyeater came to feed its baby. Click!

Singing Honeyeater and baby Cuckoo

Photo © Manfred Hennig

Another special Ningaloo treat was a pair of Australian

Bustards crossing in front of us and posing for their portrait.

Actually they were too intent on mating to take much notice

of us at all.

Two nights camping at the Broome Bird Observatory, too

early for the waders and my binoculars weren’t strong

enough to identify the few early birds. There were plenty of

Striated Mangrove Herons about at low tide on the mudflats.

Right next to our campsite a large bower overflowed with

enticingly arranged white treasures including shells, crumpled

tissues, and plastics. Bottle green glass shards delicately

encircled the base of the bower walls. A masterpiece!

I asked The Ranger about Oriental Pratincoles – and found

out you could only see them if you took a $100 tour to the

Roebuck Plains. But for free at Broome’s Cable Beach we

witnessed about thirty Masked Boobies offshore diving for

fish.

Between Broome and Shark Bay the wildflowers were

spectacular, the landscape bursting with colour and bird

song. Small birds rocketing around the shrubs were so hard

to photograph. Invisible Chiming Wedgebills were calling

everywhere – frustrating! I did manage to snap a male

Crimson Chat. And a Thick-billed Grass Wren at Monkey Mia

car park.

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March 2016 3

Crimson Chat Photo © Manfred Hennig

Thick-billed Grass Wren Photo © Manfred Hennig

To top it all off, returning East across the Nullarbor Plain we

drove to the Head of Bight National Park and what a sight!

From the elevated boardwalk we looked forty metres down

onto four female Humpback whales nursing their calves. I

complained about my binoculars before but I still managed to

spot another twenty whales resting further along the rugged

coastline.

Back home in Toolangi, people keep telling me about the

coldest winter in a decade and no, I’m not sorry we missed it.

Some statistics: 18,000 km. Only 3 days of rain. Forty new

birds.

Thanks Manfred, it sounds like you a great trip and

took fabulous photos. Manfred and Margaret recently

made a beautiful photo book of their trip.

No Buts About It ..by Glenn Mawson

While spending a weekend at the Warrenmang Winery Resort

near Avoca in Central Victoria (a highly recommended

activity), we managed to get in a bit off bird-watching

between sampling the fine wines and superb food. Many of

the birds on the resort's list were successfully ticked,

however we were unsuccessful in our pursuit of the elusive

Butt-rumped Thornbill.

What Bird Is That?

Answer on page 6

Lyrebird Tales

4 Lyrebird Tales

Vale Bruce Osborn

13.08.1929 - 24.12.2015

We were saddened to learn that Bruce had passed away on

Christmas Eve. Bruce was a valued member of the Yarra

Valley Branch Committee having been the Treasurer from

May 1998 to October 2012 when he resigned due to his

health problems.

He regularly attended our meetings and outings and his love

and appreciation of the birds in the Yarra Valley were

evident. He was very proud of the birds in his garden,

particularly the Satin Bowerbird which built a bower in his

veggie patch.

Seven BirdLife Yarra Valley members attended Bruce’s

funeral on 30 December at the Uniting Church, Healesville.

More than 160 family and friends were there to farewell

Bruce, who had battled with cancer for 28 years. We learnt a

lot about Bruce’s early life as a Minister in the Methodist

Church and later as a teacher.

Bruce was instrumental in founding H.I.C.C.I. (Healesville

Interchurch Community Care Inc) a group which helps the

needy. He was a Healesville Sanctuary Guide for a number

of years.

Farewell Bruce, we will miss you.

We extend our sympathy to Gwen and her family.

Vale Murray Bourchier

20.2.1933 - 29.12.2015

We were saddened to learn that Murray had passed away

after battling with cancer for many years.

He joined the B.O.C. (Bird Observers Club) in 1955 and soon

found a niche with other members who were conducting

surveys. Murray was a founding member of V.O.R.G.

(Victorian Ornithological Research Group). His keen interest

in the Hattah Lakes National Park saw him doing surveys

there for many years. Murray belonged to the Friends of the

Hooded Plover at Point Nepean National Park for 13 years

and was also Activities Co-ordinator of the Friends of French

Island. He was Vice-President of B.O.C. for 6 years and was

also a Trustee for several Club properties before B.O.C. was

incorporated.

In 1960 Wilma and Murray moved to a property in Park

Orchards adjoining a pristine bushland area. In 1972 plans

to subdivide and develop the area were announced. This

spurred Murray into action and he fought to have the area

preserved. This a now the unique bushland area in the

middle of suburbia known as The 100 Acres.

The 200+ family and friends who attended his funeral on 6

January at St. Gerard’s Church in Warrandyte heard of

Murray’s many other interests, including bushwalking and

long distance walking in Australia and overseas.

Farewell Murray, you were a modest, quiet achiever. We will

miss you.

We extend our sympathy to Wilma and her family.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

2016

The A.G.M. of BirdLife Yarra Valley will be held on Tuesday 10

May at 7.45 p.m. in the Badger Creek Hall Meeting Room.

Nominations will be received for all positions on the

Committee before or at the meeting.

Agenda: Minutes of the 2015 A.G.M.; Reports from

Convenor and Treasurer; Election of Committee for 2016-

2017. Any other business for which 14 days' notice is

required.

Video of a Common Koel

Alma Mitchell in Healesville was able to capture a short video

of a Common Koel in her garden which had been calling for

days when it perched outside her door on December. Apart

from its usual call it was also making a different call by

vibrating its neck. Alma showed her video to BirdLife Yarra

Valley members at the meeting in January.

BirdLife Australia Yarra Valley Branch

P.O. Box 1172, Healesville Vic. 3777

email: yarravalley@birdlife.org.au

Committee

Convener: Glenn Mawson

Vice-Convenor: Peter Fowler

Secretary: Alma Mitchell

Treasurer: Maggie Smith

Librarian: Linda Bullen

Conservation Officer: Michael Feller

Other Members: Manfred Hennig, Jim McMinn, Kevin

Mason

Lyrebird Tales

March 2016 5

Interesting Bird Observations

By Glenn Mawson

Interesting Observation 1

Over four days in early October 2015 at Chum Creek a pair of

White-browed Scrubwrens was observed building a nest in

our hammock on the back verandah. The nesting material

was being collected from the leaf litter under the nearby

camellias, all within two metres of the hammock. Most of the

work, possibly all, seemed to be being done by one bird only,

with the other going about its own business while keeping an

eye on proceedings. Some of the items the bird was

collecting were quite large in comparison to its diminutive

size and you had to wonder how it had the wing strength to

carry them. The birds seemed largely unperturbed by my

presence, continuing the nest building unabated - not taking

time out to use the hammock for its intended purpose.

However on occasions they would disappear into different

sections of the garden for several hours before returning and

continuing where they left off. After four days the nest

building ceased and despite not disturbing it, the birds did

not return.

White-browed Scrubwren photo © Glenn Mawson

White-browed Scrubwren Photo © Glenn Mawson

Photos © shown above and below by Glenn Mawson

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6 Lyrebird Tales

Interesting Observation 2

Observed at Chum Creek in September 2015 was a Pied

Currawong flying past with a small bird in its beak. The Pied

Currawong landed about 5 metres up in a Silver Wattle,

promptly wedged the small bird between a fork in the

branches and commenced taking pecks at the still alive bird.

A quick grab of the binoculars revealed the unfortunate bird

to be an adult Red-browed Finch. The Currawong continued

to peck, dislodging feathers, for about 3 minutes before

flying off, leaving the finch still alive and captured in the fork.

Half an hour later the Currawong had failed to return. When

next checked two hours later, the finch had gone. There was

no evidence of any bird remains and only minimal feathers.

After reading of Glenn’s account about the Pied Currawong I

was reminded of similar behaviour I had read about in an

article on the Loggerhead Shrike in North America. The

Loggerhead Shrike is a passerine and behaves in a similar

manner to the Australian Butcherbirds. Its prey is often

insects such as grasshoppers and spiders but they are also

known to take lizards, mice and small birds. They attach their

prey to the nearest spiky object to their nest, usually sharp

pointed vegetation but they also widely use the sharp hooked

lines of barbed wire. In fact they are so keen on using this

method that they have a nickname “the barbed wire bird”.

The article asked why the bird didn’t just swallow its prey

instead of hanging it out to dry. It concluded that it is the

behaviour of the male Loggerhead which is looking for a mate

and is trying to attract a female in order to start a family.

The male Loggerhead has been known to decorate its prey

with feathers to try to impress a female flying by…Valerie

Gee Whistlers

Golden Whistler Photo © Glenn Mawson

Not a bad view from the study window! Sure beats looking at

the computer screen! The male and female Golden Whistler

hung around outside the window for a couple of days,

showing great interest in a nearby tree fern. But they didn't

build a nest there, apparently opting for somewhere else

nearby as they are consistently seen and heard close by.

Answer to What Bird is That? 2 White-winged Choughs

Cooee Cooee – Where are You?

By Alma Mitchell

Since 16 October 2015 there have been numerous reports of

a Common Koel in the Yarra Valley. The locations have been

far apart and we are thinking that there is probably more

than one bird in the east of Melbourne.

Date Location Observer/s

16 October East Warburton Heather Arnold

31 October Mont Albert Geoff Deason

7/8 November Eltham Lin Bullen

9-20 November Healesville Alma Mitchell

21-22 November Toolangi Bob Pockett, Manfred Hennig.

28-29 November Healesville Kevin Mason, Alma Mitchell

(feeding in a Fejoa tree on the 28th in Kevin’s garden)

30 November Healesville Kevin Mason, Alma Mitchell

1 December Healesville Kevin Mason

15 December Healesville Kevin Mason, Alma Mitchell

15 December Toolangi Bob Pockett

16 December Healesville Kevin Mason

16 December Toolangi Bob Pockett

30 December Healesville Kevin Mason

1 January Healesville Kevin Mason

6 January Healesville Kevin Mason

(date unknown) Kilsyth Gilda Arblaster

The reports in Healesville have come in from various

locations:

Alma Mitchell Farnham Road

Kevin Mason Don Road (opposite the cemetery)

In the town area behind the shops and along the Watts River

in Coronation Park.

Near the Sports Complex in Don Road from the man who

delivers papers starting at 4 a.m.

When we asked Andrew Silcocks, Atlasser, whether there

have been other reports of Koels in the Melbourne area we

received the following reply:

“We’ve also been getting a good number of reports of Koels

from across Melbourne and surrounding areas. We’ve had a

quick look at the data and birds have been reported from

around 40 sites. Undoubtedly some of these will be the same

individuals, however, it does indicate that a reasonable

number of birds are involved. It’s likely many others would

have gone unreported.

Each year we have been getting more reports of Koels in

southern and central Victoria, only this year there have been

Lyrebird Tales

March 2016 7

inundated with reports. It appears they are becoming a well

established and regular summer migrant. Other east coast

species such as Channel-billed Cuckoos and Figbirds are also

being reported slightly more frequently in recent years, but

not to the same extent as Koels.”

Interesting Sightings

6-11-15 Masked Plover Pair raised 1 young in Clegg Rd

Roundabout Mt. Evelyn Doug Pocock

7-11-15 Satin Flycatchers (pair) Milner Rd Launching Place.

Carol Taylor

9-11-15 Koel (heard) Farnham Rd Healesville. Alma Mitchell

10-11-15 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos (3) Healesville. Alma

Mitchell

10-11-15 Koel (heard) Newgrove Rd Healesville. Kevin Mason

Early Dec, Koel Yellingbo. David Ap-Thomas

Early Dec, Cicadabird, Badger Weir, Healesville. David Ap-

Thomas

Dec 2015 Painted Button Quail St. Andrews. Dace Fitton

21-12-15 Whistling Kite, RACV Healesville. Manfred Hennig

8-1-16 Latham Snipe, RACV Healesville. Manfred Hennig

15-1-16 Sacred kingfisher St Andrews. Dace Fitton

Note: as there have been numerous reports of the Koel

please refer to the article Cooee Cooee for further records.

Farewell to the Peper Boys!

Herman and Gerard have migrated northwards to settle in

their new home near Bundaburg. They will be sadly missed.

Our loss is BirdLife northern branches gain.

On their last meeting with BirdLife Yarra Valley they were

presented with a card and a delicious cake made by Leah.

Herman and Gerard Photo © Peter Smith

Reports of Meetings and Outings

Tuesday 10 November - Meeting – Peper Boys in South

Africa

Hoopoe at nest Photo © Herman & Gerard Peper

Finally we had the long awaited presentation from the Peper

brothers about their 6 month trip driving through southern

Africa. We were entertained by funny and sometimes

outrageous tales accompanied by their lovely photos of birds

and animals.

We were originally introduced to their travels by enticing

snippets written by Herman as they travelled, these were

included in previous Lyrebird Tales. Now we heard a fuller

version of the highlights and memorable experiences of their

trip.

Preparing for their trip they researched and planned an

itinerary to include as many different habitats and birds as

possible. They spent the following number of days in each

country: South Africa 144 days, Namibia 25 days, Botswana

9 days, Zimbabwe 4 days and they drove 23077 kilometres

in total (127 kms/per day). The trip started in Cape Town,

continuing to Etosha National Park, along the border of

Angola, Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls), Okavango Delta, and then

back to South Africa. They returned to Cape Town via

Pilanesberg N.P. Kruger N.P. Durban, Pretoria, Augrabies N.P.

Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth.

Herman and Gerard have a set of rules when counting birds

for their list which requires that both of them to see the bird

and a photo be taken of the species before it can be counted.

So when they flew into Cape Town and the first bird for the

trip was spotted at the airport where they could not

photograph, they therefore could not put it as the first bird

on their list. They did however see and photograph the

Blacksmiths Plover later in the trip.

We were introduced to some of the more common birds of

South Africa: Hadeda Ibis, Southern Double-collared Sunbird,

Malachite Sunbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape White

Eye, Three-banded Plover, African Spoonbill, Red-billed Teal

and Egyptian Geese which are often seen resting in town

fountains.

Lyrebird Tales

8 Lyrebird Tales

Red-billed Oxpeckers Photo © H & G Peper

Herman and Gerard saw a small Mongoose at the Penguin

colony where Penguins are able to be seen all day long. At a

large farm Gerard had the opportunity to safely pat a captive

Cheetah; later in the trip they photographed wild ones in the

game parks.

At the Cape of Good Hope they were reminded of home after

seeing a sign saying Sydney 11,642km.

Their well researched and planned trip did not always go to

plan, some roads were very difficult and some impossible.

They had to divert from their route when a Landrover driver

told them the road ahead was a wrecker so instead the road

followed had a series of 4 rickety timber bridges; three of

which were under water. Herman said it is not always

advisable to follow a navigation device in the vehicle as they

were taken up a back road which Herman described as the

worse road ever! But they were rewarded by seeing big

groups of Blue Cranes and White Storks. In January their tent

was blown away in a storm so they had to resort to staying in

cabins.

Blue & Crowned Cranes Photo © H & G Peper

On their trip Gerard and Herman saw lots of birds and

wildlife, a few of which are included here. Some of the

species (mainly finches) have been bred in Australia and

Herman gave us an idea how much they would sell for.

Finches: Redheaded finch, Violet-eared Waxbill, Bronze and

Red-backed Manakins, Blue-billed Firefinch and Pink-throated

Twinspot.

Weavers: they saw 16 species including Red-headed Weaver,

Holub’s Weaver, Forest Weaver (large bird), Yellow Weaver,

Red-billed Buffalo Weaver and Sociable Weavers (with nests).

Also Long-tailed Paradise Whydah (long tail), but missed out

on the Chestnut Weaver.

African Grey Hornbill Photo © H & G Peper

Hornbills: Grey Hornbill, Trumpeter Hornbill, Southern

Ground Hornbill, Yellow-billed Hornbill (nicknamed the flying

banana) and the Red-billed Hornbill (commonly known as the

flying chilli).

Kori Bustard Photo © Herman & Gerard Peper

Rollers 5 species in South Africa: Lilac-breasted Roller,

Purple Roller, European Roller, Broad-billed Roller but missed

out on Racket-tailed Roller.

Lyrebird Tales

March 2016 9

Pearl-spotted Owlet Photo © H & G Peper

Owls, they saw lots of Owls: Pearl-spotted Owlet, which has

plumage which looks like eyes in the back of its head, also

Southern White-faced Owl, African Scops Owl, Spotted Eagle

Owl and Barred Owlet. In the 6 months in Africa they

saw more owls than in the previous 40+ years in

Australia.

Raptors: Verreaux’s Eagle, Pale Chanting Goshawk, African

Fish-eagle (saw 200 approx), Little Banded Goshawk which is

the size of a Blackbird, Amur Falcon the size of a swallow.

African Harrier Hawk, Long-crested Eagle and Crowned Eagle.

Pied Kingfisher Photo © Herman & Gerard Peper

Birds with unusual names: Bokmakierie, Hamerkop, Crested

Francolin, White-backed Mousebird, Bateleur, Long-tailed

Widowbird, Cape Longclaw, Red-knobbed Coot, Yellow

Rumped Tinkerbird, Cape Sugarbird

Herman had previously seen a Grey Go-away-bird (Lourie) in

an aviary in Holland and had always wanted to see a wild one

but he soon realised they were aptly named as they soon

became a nuisance.

Birds similar to Australian species: Black Shouldered Kite,

Black-winged Stilt

Knysna Turaco Photo © Herman & Gerard Peper

Animals: Damara Ground Squirrel, Black-backed Jackal,

Spotted Hyena, African Hunting Dog, Buffalo, Elephants,

Cheetahs, Giraffes and Rhinos.

They didn’t see many snakes, one was photographed in a

tree hollow, another was a Spitting Cobra and a Green

Mamba was in a bird hide.

Herman remarked how numerous bird species were present

in their camping areas; just sitting by the tent 10 – 20

species could be seen in half an hour. In one camp just 20

metres from the front of the tent, a Black-collared Barbet had

its nest with the opening visible.

They took a boat trip on the Zambezi which could hold 64

passengers but were glad there were only 12 passengers

making photography easier.

They wanted to take a photo of a Marabou Stork at a local tip

but the attendant told them “no photographs”, Herman

thought she was embarrassed by the state of the tip and

assured her that it looked just like a tip in Australia so he got

his picture.

Southern Black Korhaan Photo © H & G Peper

Lyrebird Tales

10 Lyrebird Tales

One day arriving back at camp in the afternoon the boys

shared their sighting of a Painted Snipe, one birdwatcher

listened with great interest as he had not seen one before.

After ascertaining its position, he looked at his watch and

calculated the time it would take to reach the site and time to

find the bird. Deciding he had just enough time to return

before the gates closed for the nightly curfew he set off in

pursuit but unfortunately he didn’t find it. The boys had a

great photo of a Painted Snipe standing between the legs of a

Zebra.

Herman said it was all about timing to see wildlife, often a

sighting would be just a flash of a Leopard as it crossed the

road in front of them so it was necessary to have the camera

ready at all times. In Kruger National Park there are 1200

Leopards and are much more commonly seen than Lions.

Pin-tailed Whydah Photo © H & G Peper

In Kruger National Park a woman came around the camping

area with a questionnaire so the Pepers asked her about the

best birding spots which she said were the bird Hides,

meeting up with her again whilst out bird and wildlife

spotting she informed them she had seen a Cheetah 2km

back up the road but the tour operators had been notified.

The boys had the beast to themselves for 10 – 20 minutes

before the first tour arrived.

Whilst driving they saw some Swallows resting on the road

and also rescued a Pygmy Kingfisher off the road which was

stunned; it recovered and flew away.

They were approached by a guide offering to take them to

look for the Green Barbet whose distribution is restricted to

the Ongoye Forest for $50 but they were a bit sceptical and

offered to pay $100 if they found and photographed it but the

guide would get nothing if unsuccessful. The guide was not

interested (perhaps because it’s a plain green bird which

forages in the canopy).

Herman was frustrated by tours arriving at bird hides where

they did not follow the rules allowing too many people in at

one time. He said their noisy clients had expensive cameras

and lenses and scopes, their basic camera was dwarfed in

comparison.

Perhaps their worst bird hide experience was where they

were looking at an African Baillon’s Crake with a lady when in

came a man who upon seeing the bird, started talking in a

noisy voice, phoning up several mates to inform them that

the crake was still present. He showed no consideration to

other birdwatchers in the hide. Herman became frustrated

and lost his cool and told the man off in no uncertain terms;

later he found out the man was president of the local bird

club.

Herman said it was frustrating when they were out

birdwatching as vehicles would pull up thinking they were

looking at an animal consequently scaring off the bird. They

saw a sign in the back of a car saying “We stop for birds,

please pass” commenting it was a good sign for birdwatchers

around the world.

Southern Carmine Bee-eater Photo © H & G Peper

Many of the birds mentioned here were but a small example

of the photos we saw and the species recorded by the Peper

brothers. Herman and Gerard have one last piece of

homework to complete, identifying a mystery immature bird.

Thanks Herman and Gerard for sharing your travels and

lovely photos with us (from the hundreds of images you

took). We had a very enjoyable evening which bought back

memories for some and inspired many of us to continue

travelling to new countries and live life to the full.

Saturday 14 November – Outing – Coranderrk

Bushland

The weather was perfect for the second biannual bird survey

at Coranderrk Bushland. As usual the birds were numerous

near the bush hut and a Christmas bush was almost ready to

burst into flower which is a bit early for the season. We were

pleased to hear several Sacred Kingfishers calling although

only one was seen.

On the lake 24 Blue-billed Ducks and 22 Eurasian Coot were

counted, but missing was the Darter usually seen in the

November surveys. There were 9 Little Black Cormorants and

only 2 Reed Warblers. The predominate bird species was

Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and numerous Grey Fantails and

White-naped Honeyeaters. There were no Bell Miners calling.

Lyrebird Tales

March 2016 11

Some summer migrants were present: Rufous Whistler, Satin

Flycatcher, Shining-bronze Cuckoo and Olive-backed Oriole.

In the area where we always look hoping for a Powerful Owl

there were several feeding stations monitored by a camera.

Further on in an area of threatened vegetation the same as

Yellingbo (Sedge-rich Eucalyptus camphora Swamp), the

cumbungi had been cleared and the area partially replanted;

unfortunately in one section more than half the plants had

already died.

Total species for the day was 65

Wednesday 25 November – Outing – RACV Healesville

– cancelled Total Fire Ban

Sunday 13 December – Christmas Break-up – Yellingbo

Twenty members arrived for our traditional Christmas Break-

up and were met at the gate by Glenn who was on duty

there. We wish to thank Glenn for making the arrangements

with Parks Victoria and the Friends of the Helmeted

Honeyeater for us to hold our break-up near the Work Shed

where we were able to use the facilities. We also wish to

thank Miles, the Ranger in Charge at Yellingbo and Bob,

Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, for their help in

organising our visit.

The weather was very pleasant on the day in contrast to our

scheduled outing on 25 November which was cancelled due

to a Total Fire Ban.

We walked along the creek following the usual path taken by

the Melbourne Branch on their first Sunday outings. At the

turn around point near Shaw Road we came across a group

of Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater volunteers working.

They were surprised to see birdos on the second Sunday and

not the first Sunday and they thought they had come on the

wrong day! I am sure they were joking. It was a very

pleasant walk and we recorded forty-five species on the day.

There were large numbers of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and

White-naped Honeyeaters, six Dusky Wood Swallows, two

Satin Flycatchers and a White-plumed Honeyeater (very

rarely seen in this area). After lunch and a chat we all set off

for home after a most enjoyable day.

Saturday 8 January – Outing – Breakfast with the Birds

– Maroondah Reservoir Park

The weather was kind to us and those members who arrived

at 8.30 a.m. for breakfast enjoyed the peace and quiet

before the crowds of visitors arrived. However, at 9.30 a.m.

another batch of birdos arrived with cups of coffee in hand.

The group of twelve members set off around the circular

drive to a favourite spot in the far corner where we stopped

by the river for a look around. It was here that a Whipbird

was heard and Valerie said a Cicadabird was calling.

However, nobody else heard it. One of the good sightings of

the day was a Rufous Fantail bathing in the river and flying to

a nearby perch to preen and dry off. We then walked to the

top of the wall and admired the very colourful Flowering

Gums in full bloom. Some members took a short cut back

through the gardens while another group took the Scenic

Walk. On arriving back in the car park, which was full of

visitors by now, we found the best shady spot and sat down

for lunch. It was warming up by this time and after a chat

most of the group decided to go home. However, just as I

was about to leave I walked over to Peter and Valerie, who

were planning another short walk in the afternoon, when we

all stopped in our tracks – calling quite plainly was the

Cicadabird!! This is very rare in the Yarra Valley, but is listed

in Birds of the Yarra Catchment and Where to Find Them as

having been recorded in Healesville. Well, that knocked that

elusive Common Koel off its perch after it had been dodging

around in Healesville since mid-October! Other highlights

were six Satin Bowerbirds and seven species of parrots –

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Galah, Sulphur-crested

Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Australian King Parrot, Crimson

Rosella and Eastern Rosella.

It was a great day’s birding recording 43 species and well

worth the early start. Alma

Tuesday 12 January – Meeting – Video Night.

The video titled ‘A blue wonder – a parrot in peril’ told the

story of one of the world’s most endangered and largest

parrot the Blue (Hyacinth) Macaw and one man’s mission to

save it from extinction. With a lucrative illegal industry taking

young birds from the wild, hunting and loss of habitat the

species is in decline.

Dave a parrot breeder from Minneapolis had been actively

promoting the plight of the Blue Macaw and wanted to

become more involved with saving the species. He travelled

to the Pantanal (Brazil) where 75% of the wild Blue Macaws

survive to understand the threats that were causing their

decline. He hoped his trip would reveal the solution to safe

guarding their future. Here he meets scientists and

conservationists who in a unique program to boost the birds’

numbers removed any weaker chicks from the nest, fed them

up for a few days then replaced the now healthy individual

with another struggling chick in another nest. The

conservationists also built shelters over exposed holes and

provided new nest boxes. They recently were fitted with

remote cameras allowing the scientists an insight into their

nesting behaviour and to monitor the progress of the chicks.

Dave was able to compare the plumage condition to that of

captive birds, making suggestions for improvement.

Dave learnt of a program to re-educate convicted poachers to

value wild Macaws, exploiting them in a sustainable way for

the tourist industry providing an income for future

generations. He also met the community of Boorowa Indians

who traditionally hunt Macaws for food, used their plumage

for ancient costumes and the feathers were still used today

to welcome a new born child and on the coffin at funerals.

Returning to Minneapolis he had a great idea to help preserve

the species. Regularly attending parrot shows, conferences

and sales and with 8 million pet parrots in the world he

wanted to encourage their owners to collect the naturally

moulted feathers. By becoming a feather dealer he could

send them to Brazil for the communities which traditionally

use the feathers saving the lives of the wild birds.

Lyrebird Tales

12 Lyrebird Tales

BirdLife Yarra Valley

email: yarravalley@birdlife.org.au

Postal address: Birdlife Australia, Yarra Valley Branch, P.O.

Box 1172, Healesville, Vic. 3777. Meetings are held in the

Badger Creek Hall Meeting Room at 7.45 p.m. Badger Creek

Rd. Badger Creek (next to CFA). Melway Edn 39 278 F8.

Meetings and Outings automatically cancelled on days

of Total Fire Ban. Central Fire District unless otherwise

stated. No outings on days of strong winds.

Calendar April to June 2016

April

Saturday 9 – Outing to One Tree Hill, Christmas

Hills/Sugarloaf Reservoir at 9.30 a.m. Entrance to One Tree

Hill from Eltham-Yarra Glen Road is very hard to see and is

almost opposite driveway with white stones. Look for

BirdLife Yarra Valley signs. Melway Edn 39 265 C12.

Tuesday 12 – Meeting – Speaker and subject TBA

Wednesday 27 – Outing Warburton Trail - Wandin – Mt.

Evelyn at 9.30 a.m. Parking is near corner of Warburton

Highway and Railway Parade, Wandin North. Melway Edn. 39

119 B10.

May

Tuesday 10 – Meeting: AGM & Members’ Night

Saturday 14 – Survey at Coranderrk Bushland at 9.30am.

Directions: Gate 1 Badger Avenue, Badger Creek, opposite

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

sharp participants will be required to follow the leader until

the survey is completed.

Wednesday 25 – Outing to RACV Healesville Country Club

at 9.30am. Healesville-Yarra Glen Rd, Healesville.

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

just inside the entrance.

June

(No Meeting – Winter Recess)

Saturday 11 – No outing – Queens Birthday Weekend

Wednesday 22 – Outing to Wittons Reserve, Warrandyte

State Park at 9.30am. Directions: Park in car park at end of

Reserve Rd, Wonga Park Melway Edn. 39 24 K6

Calendar July to September 2016

Basic dates only – check June newsletter for further

details.

JULY

Saturday 9 – Outing – Sherbrooke Forest (Ridge Track).

Meet at Grants Picnic Ground for carpooling at 9.15am.

Directions: Melway Edn 39 75 K4

(No meeting – Winter Recess)

Wednesday 27 – Outing – Outing to The Hundred Acres, at

9.30 a.m. Meet in Domeny Reserve car park Knees Rd, Park

Orchards. Melway Edn. 39 35 E9

AUGUST

Tuesday 9 – Meeting – Speaker and subject TBA

Saturday 13 – Outing – Bird Surveys in Toolangi at 9.30am.

Meet at the corner of Sylvia Creek & Myers Creek Roads

Melways 610 R11. See June Lyrebird Tales for details.

Wednesday 24 – Outing - Spadonis Reserve, Yering at

9.30am. Park at end of Victoria Rd. Melway Edn 39 274 E8

SEPTEMBER

Saturday 10 – Outing - Outing to Baluk Willam Flora

Reserve, Denham Rd, Belgrave South at 9.30 a.m.

Directions: Melway Edn 39 84 D5.

Tuesday 13 – Meeting – Speaker and subject TBA

Wednesday 28 – Outing - Boomers Reserve, St Andrews at

9.30am. Directions: Melway Edn 39 264 D4/5 park in Blue

House Rd (approx 75m along).