Compliments of the season happy birding in 2019

Transcription

1 A Regional Group of BirdLife WA since 2005 Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin Issue 48 December 2018 Compliments of the season happy birding in 2019 Thank you to volunteer surveyors, leaders, participants, contributors and readers Black-tailed Native-hen, Quindalup Siding Road - 17 November Photographer Robert Pickard To view/download this newsletter and past issues Visit website birdlife western australia publications Go to Regional Group Newsletters - click on Cape to Cape Website birdlife-western-australia/publications-wa CONTENTS PAGE Program Cockatoo Capers Hoodie Happenings.. 4 Capes Sea Watch Excursion Reports Other activities Cape to Cape Chatter Backyard Bird Gallery.. 13 Birding beyond the Capes Sightings Annual Bird List

2 PROGRAM Cape to Cape Bird Group Grey Butcherbird, west Margaret River Photo Claire Timmons Saturday 19 January Half-day excursion Stirling wetlands, Capel Wedge-tailed Eagle, Vasse Photo Steve Castan Cape to Cape BirdBlitz Recording birds seen on/from the Cape to Cape Track The Cape to Cape Track is a well-known destination within the capes. During 2019 bird group excursions will be conducted on sections of the track to blitz the birds and record them in Birdata. Excursion details and periodical BirdBlitz reports will be included in this newsletter. A BirdLife Birdata Workshop is planned for Margaret River. Blitz Bioblitz A sudden concerted effort to deal with something Intense period of biological surveying in an attempt to record all the living species in a designated area Did you know WA s very first Bioblitz was held in the Wheatbelt in 2002? Note: All the local excursions/campouts/meetings are for BirdLife Australia members and the general public. The leader will always be present at the meeting place and will decide whether or not to proceed. In the event of threatening weather, those planning to attend an excursion (particularly if travelling some distance) are welcome to check conditions with the leader prior to the excursion (use individual mobile contact if given). Convenor Christine Wilder cwilderone@yahoo.com.au Deputy Convenor Boyd Wykes majyx@iinet.net.au Meet at 8:30am on Ludlow Road North, about mid-way between Peppermint Grove Road and Mallokup Road, where there is a gate with a shed opposite (paddocks one side of the road, Tuart Forest NP on the other). Water levels may change by mid-summer if waders are present we will survey for Shorebirds An invitation has been extended to BirdLife Bunbury Group to join in this outing. Wear sturdy shoes, bring telescope (if you have one), a chair, morning tea and lunch if you wish to stay on. Leaders: Christine Wilder Excursions planned for early next year North West Bay, Redgate Beach, Quinninup, Molloy Island For your Diary BirdLife s Hooded Plover Annual Surveys 9-10 February BirdLife s Great Cocky Count Sunday 7 April at sunset National BirdLife Photography Conference Fremantle September Tawny Frogmouth family, between Hairy Marron and Barrett Street weir (southern side of river), 3/12/18 Photo Mike Evans BirdLife Australia s ethical birding guidelines promote the welfare of birds and their environment, where observers are encouraged to practice minimum disturbance to nesting birds and birds in general, and be aware of the impact photography, camera flash and playing bird call apps can have on birds. Pied Stilt, Quindalup Siding Road Photo Robert Pickard 2

3 2018 BirdLife WA s Great Cocky Count: results and more The Great Cocky Count (GCC) was another great success in This year 750 registered volunteers surveyed 416 sites across the southwest of WA. The total count was 20,316 white-tailed blackcockatoos (14,731 in the Greater Perth-Peel region and 5,585 in regional areas) and 5,497 Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos (FRTBC) (5,060 in the Greater Perth-Peel region and 437 in regional areas). The combined count means we counted between 40 and 50% of all black-cockatoos in the southwest of WA! Trend analysis showed some interesting results. After many years of decline the Perth-Peel Carnaby s population has stabilised in the last two years. This is great news but should be viewed in context with an overall decline of 42% between 2010 and In the next few years the Gnangara-Pinjar-Yanchep pine plantations will be cleared without any current revegetation plan. This could result in a return to decline for this population, with a gap in food resources predicted between 2020 and The news was less rosy for Baudin s. We estimate that 70% of white-tailed black-cockatoos in the Darling Scarp and Plateau are Baudin s. This population has declined by 12% per year since If this trend continues and is representative of other parts of its range, this species may become critically endangered in the next years. FRTBC have continued their trend of moving to the city. Their numbers have increased by 44% per year since 2014 on the Perth- Peel Plain. We think this is seasonal redistribution of birds from forested areas, coming to coastal areas in summer and returning to the forest in winter. This is backed up by data from a count in October where very few FRTBC arrived at roosts which normally contain many cockies in April. We believe the main reason for this redistribution is Cape Lilac foraging, but it is not currently known whether lower availability of native foods is also a factor. Baudin s Black-Cockatoo Photo Keith Lightbody Unfortunately we don t have enough data to give population trends for regional areas, but we hope to do this in future years. This year 35% of all surveys took place in regional areas. This continues a trend of increasing survey effort in the regions. BirdLife has done this by fostering closer links with other regional groups such as Nature Conservation Margaret River Region (in collaboration with BirdLife s Cape to Cape Bird Group and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River) and also with GCC campouts. Campouts took place at Cheyne s Beach and the Stirling Range, with volunteers from Perth and other areas travelling to do coordinated surveys. We hope to continue this in the future. BirdLife WA would like to thank all the volunteers and land owners who took part in this year s GCC or gave us access to their property to survey. We couldn t do it without you! In particular the efforts of Christine Wilder, Boyd Wykes and Shapelle McNee should be applauded. They spent countless hours doing reconnaissance of potential roost sites within the capes prior to the GCC. Cocky legends! And Christine received a bronze medal for participating in six GCCs. The next GCC will be on Sunday April 7, 2019 Carnaby s Black-Cockatoos feeding on pelargonium along the capes coast Photo Hank Durlik When you re out and about this summer why not consider doing a CockyWatch survey or two? If you re anywhere in the southwest region (from Geraldton to Esperance) then any time you go for a walk or cycle that s at least 2 kilometres long, or for a drive that s 10 kilometres or more you can do a CockyWatch survey. Surveys are easy to do and you ll be making a valuable contribution to black-cockatoo conservation. Visit to find out exactly what details you need to record, and to download the easy-to-use data sheet. Adam Peck Carnaby s Black-Cockatoo Project Co-ordinator BirdLife WA 3

4 Hoodie Happenings and other shorebirds Common Sandpiper, Augusta foreshore Photo Gary Wright Hooded Plover Photo Steve Castan 23 November at 5.45am Watched our local Hooded Plover pair doing what looked like preparing for nesting at Gnoocardup beach. The female (I assume) did a lot of fussing around, digging and sitting, the male then came over to investigate and they both checked it out. Then they both walked away the female did some shaking and maybe a bum flash and they both flew off. Steve Castan 12 November I walked to the end of Deere Street and found Ruddy Turnstone, Red-necked Stint and Red-capped Plover. 15 November A Red-capped Plover was sitting on a nest with two eggs. Parks and Wildlife put up signs and it is a very good point of discussion and education. The fishers have been very positive and so far everyone is taking care. 26 November I could not see the plovers or the nest. The tide has been high and it looks like the nest may have washed away. 4 December A second Red-capped Plover nest discovered higher up the beach. Jenny Kikeros 17 December a Hooded Plover feeding at Gnarabup boat ramp along with three Red-capped Plovers and 20 Sanderlings. One Red-capped Plover was continually moving its tail up and down at 6.30am and when I returned from my walk an hour later it was still doing the same thing continuously - a strong movement. They're always bobbing their heads but this was unusual. Jennifer Smith Recently we have been visited by a group of four Bar-tailed Godwits. They have been roving the old Dunsborough shoreline for the last two weeks of November when not hassled by rambunctious dogs! Michael Sayers Shorebirds at low tide on Blackwood River Photos Dean McFaull Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper juvenile, Terek Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit (confirmation by Marcus Singor) Bar-tailed Godwits, Dunsborough Photos Therese Sayers 4

5 Capes (Sea) Osprey Watch Osprey chick, Meelup Photo Bruce King Meelup Bruce King has been photographing the osprey nest. The two adults have been busy and now have a single chick, seen with its head popping over the edge of the nest and stretching its wings. We look forward to the new arrival fledging and adding to the osprey community! Michael Sayers Eastern Osprey with catch, Meelup Photo Ian Wiese A passer-by at Meelup when there are no albatrosses and shearwaters to photograph This is one of a pair of Eastern Ospreys nesting at Meelup. Their nest from last year fell down when the branch supporting it broke in a storm and they had to rebuild. The female tried but the branches she used just fell out of the tree and the male didn t help. They came back later and built this nest. 17/18 November - An egg was precariously hanging on the outside of the nest, I assume an osprey egg. 19 November - I noticed the egg was gone and I couldn t find it on the ground but saw the white top of a head poking just above the rim of the nest. 25 November - The birds were still enlarging the nest. The adults are harder to see when they are in it and you can only see the white feathers on their heads. 30 November - I saw three ospreys in the nest, so there must be at least one chick. Ian Wiese Molloy Island A recent report, received from Dean McFaull, of noise and activity in the osprey nest on the Molloy Island tower. It is difficult to see what is happening and further monitoring is necessary to confirm if there are any chicks. Last year Australian Ravens were seen harassing the ospreys at the nest. Hardy Inlet Early in December Roger Crabtree reported an osprey carrying nest material, flying from Colourpatch, Augusta towards Flinders Bay. Gnarabup During the past month or so an osprey has been regularly visiting the Gnarabup boat ramp area, flying from the south and flying away towards the south. The photo was taken on 4 December. Keith Mann Eastern Osprey, Gnarabup Photo Keith Mann Egg on side of nest Photo Ian Wiese Eastern Ospreys at nest, Meelup Photo Bruce King Eastern Osprey, Flinders Bay Photo Christine Wilder 5

6 Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Vasse River Delta Bird Hide Photo Alan Burdett Excursion Report Busselton Wetlands - 17 November Birders an unusual breed wander suburban streets for sheer enjoyment. No tourist haunts for us, but vacant blocks, street trees, rank grass and typha-fringed tracks. On a particularly warm November morning the wetlands in Busselton looked to be in good shape, slowly drying after winter rains. A total of 56 species was recorded in the block from the rear of Rotary Park to Ford Road. Honeyeaters were scarce and not a single Australian Ringneck or Black Swan in sight. The adult Banded Lapwings and their two offspring were present on the vacant block. Behind Rotary Park a Pacific Black-Duck and five young chicks relaxed in the sun, with a White-necked Heron and an obliging Nankeen Night-Heron amongst spoonbills, swamphens, ducks and ibis. Bird numbers at the Vasse River Delta Bird Hide can vary and on this visit there were ducks of various species, mainly around 500 Grey Teal. Yellow-billed Spoonbills and White-necked Herons put on a show balancing on the melaleucas. Little Grassbirds were heard, one near Carey Street and the other at Ford Road. Likewise Australian Reed-Warblers were close but remained well hidden with their loud easily recognisable calls heard at Carey Street and Ford Road. There were unconfirmed sightings of an Australian Hobby, Brown Goshawk, Chestnut Teal and Buff-banded Rail and other species seen earlier in the day were Galah, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and Grey Butcherbird. Christine Wilder White-faced Heron, Vasse River Delta Bird Hide Photo Caroline Burdett BIRD LIST 17 November Walk behind Rotary Park, Vasse River Delta Bird Hide, Carey Street and Ford Road Blue-billed Duck Little Pied Cormorant Australian Shelduck Little Black Cormorant Hardhead Australasian Darter Australasian Shoveler Swamp Harrier Pacific Black Duck Whistling Kite Grey Teal Laughing Kookaburra Musk Duck Little Corella Australian Wood Duck Red-capped Parrot Australasian Grebe Splendid Fairy-wren Hoary-headed Grebe Brown Honeyeater Rock Dove New Holland Honeyeater Common Bronzewing White-cheeked Honeyeater Crested Pigeon Red Wattlebird Shining-bronze Cuckoo Striated Pardalote Purple Swamphen Western Gerygone Dusky Moorhen Yellow-rumped Thornbill Eurasian Coot Inland Thornbill Australian Pied Oystercatcher Rufous Whistler Banded Lapwing Australian Magpie Silver Gull Willie Wagtail Australian Pelican Grey Fantail Nankeen Night-Heron Australian Raven White-necked Heron Magpie-lark Great Egret Little Grassbird White-faced Heron Australian Reed-Warbler Australian White Ibis Tree Martin Straw-necked Ibis Welcome Swallow Yellow-billed Spoonbill Silvereye White-necked Heron, Vasse River Delta Bird Hide Photo Alan Burdett Buff-banded Rail, Prevelly, 2/12/18 Photo Steve Castan 6

7 Mammoth Cave 25 November Rainbow Bee-eaters at Glenbrook Photo Caroline Burdett Birders Get-together Glenbrook Country Retreat, Margaret River 8/9 December Western Golden Whistler Photo Joe Buters (with zoom) An enjoyable morning was had by eight of us on the Mammoth Cave track, a narrow pathway with a creek crossing through beautiful Karri forest rising to Marri and peppermint. The rain ceased just before we started out and the weather was perfect. A list of 22 species recorded for this Birdata shared site. It wasn t long before we heard and saw what was to be a nice variety of birds including Baudin s Black-Cockatoo, Western Rosella, Red-winged Fairy-wren and White-breasted Robin. The start of the walk was a little slow but near the end we were treated to some magnificent displays, getting close up views of a just-fledged Western Golden Whistler when it flew onto a branch and remained completely motionless with several very vocal adult whistlers further down the track and we were lucky to watch Varied Sittellas foraging on a Marri branch, at close range for a few minutes. This site never ceases to amaze as there are always birds chirping away in the bush or at the bird baths near the cave entrance. All in all it was an excellent walk with great company along a most spectacular trail. Rusty Rouse Your Margaret River Region - margaretriverattractions.com Eighteen gathered for the end of year get-together at Glenbrook Country Retreat. Afternoon tea was followed by a late afternoon bird walk along a mosaic of walk trails in the well-managed forest and a pair of Buff-banded Rails with a small chick seen crossing the track by the creek. Some stayed on for a barbecue and a nocturnal walk, hearing an Australian Owlet-nightjar calling its soft contact call, seeing a Red Wattlebird sleeping very soundly and spotlighting a number of possums (both species). A few participants camped overnight. 37 species were recorded in between cups of tea and glasses of wine. Thanks to Jason, campground manager, for his attention to detail and the new gas barbecue, Terry Scott for providing a generator to boil the billy and Betty, John and Cherie for allowing us to explore their beautiful property. Christine Wilder BIRD LIST Glenbrook Country Retreat Australian Shelduck, Australian Wood Duck, Common Bronzewing, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Buff-banded Rail, White-faced Heron, Strawnecked Ibis, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Rainbow Bee-eater, Laughing Kookaburra, Nankeen Kestrel, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Baudin s Black-Cockatoo, Carnaby s Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Western Rosella, Australian Ringneck, Red-winged Fairy-wren, Splendid Fairy-wren, Brown Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Striated Pardalote, Western Gerygone, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, Western Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Butcherbird, Willie Wagtail, Grey Fantail, Australian Raven, White-breasted Robin, Tree Martin, Welcome Swallow, Silvereye Getting together on a bird walk Photo Christine Wilder Habitat around Mammoth Cave Photo Christine Wilder 7

8 Scarlet Robin, Margaret River walk trail Photo Greg Skyles In the All of a Twitter group of fifteen only one person had walked the river trail from Kevill Road West where Rainbow Beeeaters perched on the powerlines, giving the group good targets for their initial binocular test. Baudin s Black-Cockatoos, a Collared Sparrowhawk, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Splendid Fairy-wrens and a male Scarlet Robin provided a variety to observe. Photos Shannon Trent Images Year 6 students setting up spotting scopes to view the bay 16 November - Cowaramup Primary School s Say G Day to the Bay Day Gracetown The second week s meeting place was the Shire reserve in east Witchcliffe, another unknown destination for most. The birds were vocal but not easily seen. Grey Fantails were abundant, Carnaby s Black-Cockatoos flew past, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes perched on dead trees and a pair of Western Yellow Robins clung to a tree trunk. Once again a Scarlet Robin remained quite still for everyone to see. A third walk from Barrett Street Weir to Rendall Close Weir and beyond, started with not much twittering at all, then a Little Eagle circled and a mixed feeding flock of whistlers, robins and gerygones turned up (all flying low or on the ground). All three Black-Cockatoo were seen and by the track a pair of Western Thornbills carrying food. The group identified a great variety of local birds by habitat, behaviour and calls with 39 species recorded, mostly bush birds, during the three day U3A course. Christine Wilder Rainbow Bee-eater Photo Claire Timmons Group at the Rendall Close Weir Photo Christine Wilder Western Thornbill with food Photo Claire Timmons 8

9 2018 Aussie Backyard Bird Count Final Results Australia-wide 2,751,113 birds counted 77,000 counters 610 species WA count 211,719 top three species counted in WA Australian Raven, New Holland Honeyeater, Rainbow Lorikeet Above and Right Black-tailed Native-Hen, Quindalup Siding Road Photos Jill Cornes Black-tailed Native-hen Birdata reaches Augusta We found a Black-tailed Native-hen at the southern end of the large pond on the east side of Quindalup Siding Road on 7 November. With the sun in the west its bright yellow/green bill really glowed. The bird had a real brown overall look to its feathers, bright pink/red legs, yellow/green bill and for us, most startling was the bright yellow eye. Its tail was quite cocked up, flicking often. It wasn t as huge as a swamphen and did not have any white in the tail like a Dusky Moorhen. Walked up the track behind our house in Augusta on 14 November and found a group of four Varied Sittellas, two with very pale heads. I took the photo of Galahs behind the house. It is very quiet now so probably the young ones are departing. There are too many of them around here. I confirmed our sighting in the Australian Bird Guide. I hope someone else can confirm the sighting with a photograph, and can get a look at that bright yellow eye! Carl and I returned to Quindalup at about 3.30pm on 15 November and the native-hen was still in the same place and on 28 November the bird was still there, strutting around and pecking at the grass! Roger Crabtree I sent a 2ha/20min survey to Birdata from near Turner Caravan Park that included possible nesting Little Corellas, very interested in a hole in an old Marri just by the Turner cellar. A large flock has been around Augusta for many years. Judy Uehlein Christine Wilder told us of Judy s initial sighting of the Black-tailed Native-hen. On the 13 November Roger and I visited the Quindalup Siding Road wetland and almost the first bird we saw was the Black-tailed Native-hen, plus five White-necked Herons and three Yellow-billed Spoonbills. The native-hen was still around on 2 December. Jill Cornes An irruptive/dispersive species, Black-tailed Native-hen are not often reported within the capes. Ed. Reference: Menkhorst, P., Rogers D., Clarke R., Davies G., Marsack P., and Franklin K. (2017). The Australian Bird Guide. (CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, Victoria). Galahs, Augusta Photo Roger Crabtree Little Corellas at Turner Caravan Park Photo Roger Crabtree Southern Emu-wren, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Photo Gary Wright 9

10 Southern Boobook with centipede Photo Steve Castan Southern Boobook catches centipede Elegant Parrot, Burnside Photo Steve Castan Stubble Surprise After more than a week of stalking shy, well-camouflaged birds in a field in Burnside, I finally scored a decent view of the elusive Stubble Quail on 15 November. There are only a few species of bird in our area that I have not seen or photographed and this is one of them. It was just pure luck... I was driving past the field when I heard an unusual call. I checked a bunch of calls of quails, as the call was emanating from the long grasses that have sprung up, which confirmed that indeed it was Stubble Quail. Kneeling in a field of tall grass, 40+ White-tailed Black-Cockatoos flew overhead distracting me. I swung the camera up and fired off a couple of shots of the cockatoos flying past, practising their synchronised formation techniques. I lost concentration on the quail when four Elegant Parrots flew in and landed in front of me. They soon left except for one hanging around for a long time. I even heard the call of the Painted Button-Quail while the Stubble Quail called - and had Stubble Quail shoot out right in front of me before I knew they were there. Steve Castan On the evening of 15 November a Southern Boobook swooped down into my car headlights. Luckily I was not driving fast, as I was out on the hunt for owls. When I got out of the car and had a look I could see what the boobook had in its talons. It flew from one tree to another and was very happy to munch on the centipede which took a few goes before swallowing. Steve Castan Inlet to Lighthouse There were plenty of birds to be seen when Gary Wright and I spent a morning in Augusta on 8 November. At Flat Rock all was quiet but for a pair of Western Golden Whistlers and a Western Spinebill, two Common Sandpipers along the track to town, an Australian Hobby at Ellis Street Jetty (one often perches there), an Eastern Reef Egret exploring the rocks by shore, a White-bellied Sea-Eagle overhead and 107 Red-necked Avocets roosting on a sandbar. No Nankeen Night-Herons at the cedars (or partridge in a pear tree). At the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse ten Rock Parrots dangled off the weeds and at least five Southern Emu-wrens took advantage of very calm conditions to perch longer on tops of the low bushes at the lookout not their usual behaviour at all. Christine Wilder Rock Parrots, Cape Leeuwin Photo Gary Wright Stubble Quail, Burnside Photo Steve Castan Opinions, statements or views in this newsletter are those of the Editor or individual contributors and may not be those of BirdLife Australia. Every effort has been made to check the accuracy of content. If you notice any errors or inaccuracies please contact the Editor. 10

11 Blackwood Bounty In November I made visits up the Blackwood River, Augusta, through the sticks, photographing the wading migrants from Siberia and other birds. There were Whiskered Terns, Red-necked Avocets, White-necked Herons and at least four different wader species mixed in with the normal ibises, White-faced Herons, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, Australian Pelicans, Caspian Terns and Silver Gulls. The other night on the way home in the boat I saw a small mud island with about 12 Fairy Terns on it and I was lucky enough to be able to anchor the boat and claw and slither up to get these pictures of them in flight, bathing, offering each other gifts of food and mating. It was amazing as I was able to slither up on my stomach to about 7 metres away. They all got frightened off about half way through, but circled around and became accustomed to me. They are such small and streamlined little terns and seem to be quite social. It was one of those once in a lifetime moments that I will treasure. The Whiskered Terns retreated at haste they seemed very flighty and didn't want to be crept up on. Dean McFaull White-necked Herons Fairy Terns Whiskered Terns Photos Dean McFaull (Thanks to John Graff [BirdLife WA Sightings] for his comments on the photo of Whiskered Terns) Fairy Tern Yellow-billed Spoonbill Terek Sandpiper Photos Dean McFaull 11

12 Rainbow Bee-eaters west Margaret River I took these photographs of Rainbow Bee-eaters in November. For completeness I thought I would send the single photo (above left) from the only other time I have seen a Rainbow Bee-eater in Kevill Road, west Margaret River. The bird was here last year and the lack of throat markings concerned me, but I now know this is normal for a juvenile. An enormous hollow branch came crashing down from an old Karri two months ago and it had a huge bee hive inside. We have been hearing an intense buzzing noise over the years and now we know why. Anyway all those wild bees may have been part of the attraction to the bee-eaters! Claire Timmons Photographs by Claire Timmons 12

13 Backyard Bird Gallery Clockwise from above right Red-capped Parrots Spotted Pardalote Australian Ringneck White-browed Scrubwren Common Bronzewing and Western Rosella Silvereye All photos taken by Terry Scott 13

14 BIRDING BEYOND THE CAPES Wherever you go there are birds to watch Great-crested Grebe Photo Therese Sayers White-faced Storm-Petrel Photo Keith Lightbody Perth On a trip to Perth in November, Therese and I visited an old birding haunt at Herdsman Lake and amongst the usual water birds spied a single Freckled Duck (very shy and difficult to photograph!). There were also numerous Great Crested Grebes - many with chicks. Michael Sayers Great-crested Grebe with chicks Photo Therese Sayers Wilson s Storm-Petrel Photos Keith Lightbody Freckled Duck Photo Therese Sayers Bremer Bay Well I hadn t noticed this when taking the photo of the sand bar at Bremer Bay. On the right of the Australian Pelican standing in the middle, is a bird with an unusually shaped black hood, compared to the other birds? Terry Scott Left Birds roosting at Bremer Bay Photo Terry Scott 14

15 Coral Bay and Shark Bay Caroline and I returned in early November from a two week trip to Coral Bay, travelling up from Bunbury on the inland road through Moora. We recorded 115 birds on our way up and back and of those 16 were new to us. We watched two Rainbow Bee-eaters taking insects to their young in a burrow. At the Carnarvon Caravan Park a Whistling Kite was in pursuit of a Nankeen Kestrel with a lizard in its talons. The kestrel dropped the lizard and I was lucky to be able to take some action shots of these birds of prey in flight together. Other species included Crimson Chat, Pied Honeyeater, Rufous Fieldwren, White-browed Babbler, Budgerigar, Tawny Frogmouth, Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Australian Hobby, Brown Falcon, our first Cockatiels and a Red-capped Robin and Mistletoebird at the Jaringamai cave site near Watheroo. Alan Burdett Clockwise from above Magpie-larks, Whistling Kite and Nankeen Kestrel with lizard, Striated Pardalote, Nankeen Kestrel, White-winged Triller, Budgerigars, Ground Cuckoo-shrike All photos this page taken by Alan Burdett 15

16 Sightings Thank you for sending articles, photos, unusual/interesting sightings from the capes region (or beyond) for inclusion in newsletters. All contributions are acknowledged. To ensure megabytes are kept to a minimum when attached to s, please send photos as jpeg (no more than 1mb each), maximum five photos each and confirm photographer. DON T EMBED photos/articles in please, send as attachment, articles as docx/pdf or similar. to: cwilderone@yahoo.com.au Christine Wilder - Editor Here are the reported sightings: Tawny Frogmouth 1 adult with two chicks on nest, Glenbrook Retreat, 5/11/18 Christine Wilder (via Jason) Australian Owlet-nightjar 1, calling, Glenbrook Retreat, 8/12/18 Cape to Cape Bird Group Buff-banded Rail 1, behind Rotary Park, Busselton, 22/11/18 Jan England, Christine Wilder Pair, Carey Street Wetlands, Busselton, 22/11/18 Jan England, Christine Wilder 1, Prevelly, 2/12/18 Steve Castan Pair with a chick, Glenbrook Retreat, Margaret River, 8/12/18 Cape to Cape Bird Group Black-tailed Native-hen 1, Quindalup Siding Road, 7/11/18 Judy Uehlein Hooded Plover 1, Gnarabup beach, 4/11/18; 2, Gnarabup beach, 12/11/18 Gary Wright 4 adults, Gnoocardup beach, 11/12/18 Steve Castan 1, feeding in seaweed (with two Red-capped Plovers), Gnarabup boat ramp, 12/12/ pm Christine Wilder Sanderling 12, Gnarabup, 5/11/18 Gary Wright Common Sandpiper 2, Gnoocardup beach, 11/12/18 Steve Castan Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 3, Injidup, 2/11/18 Gary Wright White-necked Heron 1, on pond (Caves Road between Bushby and Chapman Roads, 8/11/18 Roger Crabtree, Helena Blom 5, Quindalup Siding Road wetland, 13/11/18 Jill Cornes, Roger Cornes 1, farm dam about 3km east of Kudardup, 3/12/18 Roger Crabtree, Helena Blom 1, Railway Terrace, west Margaret River, 14/12/18 Christine Wilder Straw-necked Ibis 80, alongside Poole Road, Kudardup, 2/12/18 Roger Crabtree, Helena Blom Australian Gannet 4, Contos beach, 3/11/18 Gary Wright Wedge-tailed Eagle 2, Scott River Road, East Augusta, 12/11/18 Judy Uehlein Collared Sparrowhawk 1, Colourpatch foreshore, Augusta, 4/12/18 Christine Wilder, Helena Blom, Roger Crabtree Southern Boobook 2, calling near northern end of Augusta airstrip, 7/12/ pm Roger Crabtree Sacred Kingfisher 1, Scott River Road, East Augusta, 12/11/18 Judy Uehlein 1, Ellensbrook Road (near sand pit), 3/12/18 Steve Castan Australian Hobby 1, perched in pine next to Post Office, Busselton, 22/11/18 Christine Wilder White-tailed Black-Cockatoo Flock c.100, 4/11/18 and 5/11/18, east side Caves Road (near Margaret River Venison) Gary Wright Baudin s Black-Cockatoo 30-40, feeding mainly on Dryandra sessilis, along the Gnarabup ridge, 11/12/18 (for past two weeks) Jane Scott Carnaby s Black-Cockatoo 12, Prevelly, 29/10/18; 12, Contos beach, 3/11/18; 30, Redgate beach, 11/11/18; 30, Prevelly, 12/11/18 Gary Wright 1, flying over spit, East Augusta, 4/12/18 Christine Wilder, Roger Crabtree, Helena Blom Group feeding in the dunes, Margaret Rivermouth, several times in December Clare Smith Regent Parrot 2, in garden off Railway Terrace, west Margaret River, 11/12/18 Christine Wilder Elegant Parrot 6, Scott River Road, East Augusta, 12/11/18 Judy Uehlein Grey Currawong 8, Jarrahdene Campground, 27/10/18 Christine Wilder 1, Giants Cave car park, 8/11/18 Helena Blom, Roger Crabtree Little Grassbird 1, behind Rotary Park, Busselton, 22/11/18 Jan England, Christine Wilder 1, Carey Street wetlands, Busselton, 22/11/18 Jan England, Christine Wilder Australian Reed-Warbler 1, Carey Street wetlands, Busselton, 22/11/18 Jan England, Christine Wilder White White-browed Scrub-wren Zac Webb (via Wayne Webb) told me about a white bird at Bunker Bay - so I had to go and have a look. I met up with Wayne and Toni and spent forty minutes chasing this little oddity around - with a flock of usual looking scrubwrens - quite happy to hop past but wouldn t sit out on an open branch. Partial albinism or leucism? Steve Castan Photos above taken by Steve Castan Left Carnaby s Black-Cockatoo Redgate Beach Photo Rachel Kerr 16

17 Red-winged and Splendid Fairy-wrens Photos Gary Wright Cape to Cape Bird Group Yearly Bird List January-December species A=Abba River/Capel/ Malbup Hide 7/1/18 B=Beenup Wetlands 10/3/18 C=Glenbrook Country Retreat 8/12/18 F=Karri inland from Flinders Bay/Hardy Inlet G=Forest Grove 15/9/18 J=Jarrahdene 28/10/18 M=Margaret River-mouth/Cape Mentelle/Kilcarnup 25/2/18 N=New River, Busselton 26/8/18 O=Owling 6/5/18 V=VRD Bird Hide/Busselton wetlands 17/11/18 Compiled by Christine Wilder Australasian Darter (NV) Australasian Grebe (ABNV) Australasian Shoveler (ABNV) Australian Gannet (M) Australian Magpie (ABCFGJNV) Australian Owlet-Nightjar (CO) Australian Pelican (ABV) Aust Pied Oystercatcher (FMV) Australian Reed-Warbler (V) Australian Ringneck (ABCFGJN) Australian Shelduck (ABCFV) Australian Raven (ABCFGNV) Aust White Ibis (ABGMNV) Aust Wood Duck (ABCGNV) Banded Lapwing (V) Baudin s Black-Cockatoo (CJ) Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (ABCGJN) Black-fronted Dotterel (M) Black Swan (ABN) Blue-billed Duck (V) Brown Honeyeater (ACGNV) Buff-banded Rail (AC) Carnaby s Black-Cockatoo (CG) Caspian Tern (F) Chestnut Teal (A) Common Bronzewing (ACFNV) Common Greenshank (A) Common Sandpiper (N Crested Pigeon (ANV) Crested Tern (FM) Dusky Moorhen (NV) Eastern Osprey (FM) Elegant Parrot (B) Eurasian Coot (NV) Fan-tailed Cuckoo (A) Galah (ACFN) Gilbert s Honeyeater (FG) Great Cormorant (B) Great Egret (ABV) Grey Butcherbird (ABCN) Grey Fantail (ABCFGJNV) Grey Shrike-thrush (G) Grey Teal (ABNV) Hardhead (V) Hoary-headed Grebe (ABNV) Inland Thornbill (ABCFGJNV) Laughing Kookaburra (ACFGJV) Little Black Cormorant (ABMNV) Little Corella (NV) Little Eagle (AB) Little Grassbird (BV) Little Pied Cormorant (ABFMNV) Magpie-lark (V) Masked Lapwing (N) Masked Owl (O) Musk Duck (BNV) Nankeen Kestrel (ABCG) Nankeen Night-Heron (V) New Holland Honeyeater (CFGJNV) Pacific Gull (FM) Pied Cormorant (BFM) Pink-eared Duck (N) Purple-crowned Lorikeet (BF) Purple Swamphen (ABNV) Pacific Black Duck (ABFMNV) Rainbow Bee-eater (AC) Red-capped Parrot (GNV) Red-capped Plover (A) Red-necked Avocet (AF) Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (CJ) Red Wattlebird (ACFGJMNV) Red-winged Fairy-wren (CGJ) Rock Dove (NV) Rufous Whistler (ANV) Scarlet Robin (AJ) Shining-bronze Cuckoo (ABJNV) Silvereye (ABCFGJMNV) Silver Gull (AFMNV) Sooty Oystercatcher (M) Southern Boobook (O) Southern Emu-wren (M) Splendid Fairy-wren (ABCFGMNV) Spotted Pardalote (G) Straw-necked Ibis (ABCNV) Striated Pardalote (ACGJV) Stubble Quail (B) Swamp Harrier (V) Tawny Frogmouth (O) Tree Martin (ABCNV) Wedge-tailed Eagle (AC) Weebill (A) Welcome Swallow (ABCGMNV) Western Gerygone (ACGJNV) Western Golden Whistler (ACFGJMN) Western Rosella (CG) Western Spinebill (N) Whistling Kite (ABNV) White-bellied Sea-Eagle (AB) White-breasted Robin (CGJ) White-browed Scrubwren (ABFGJMN) White-cheeked Honeyeater (V) White-faced Heron (ABCFMNV) White-headed Stilt (A) White-necked Heron (V) White-tailed Bl-Cockatoo (AFG) Willie Wagtail (ABCGNV) Yellow-billed Spoonbill (ABV) Yellow-rumped Thornbill (ACGV) A decoration of Dusky Woodswallows Photo Alan Burdett 17