Red-necked Avocets - Hardy Inlet

Transcription

1 A country group of BirdLife WA since 2005 Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin Issue 45 July/August 2018 Spectacular Seabirds Point Picquet Articles Page 7 Photos Ian Wiese Photos Clockwise from Top Right Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross; Blackbrowed Albatross; Hutton s Shearwaters; Seabirds and Bronze Whaler Sharks after baitfish; Shy Albatross; immature Australasian Gannet CONTENTS Program Cockatoo Capers Cape to Cape Chatter Cool School Sightings Bird Photo Gallery Birding beyond the Capes PAGE

2 Red-necked Avocets - Hardy Inlet 31 May Photo Roger Crabtree 6 June Photo Nigel Oh 6 June Photo Christine Wilder 10 June Photo Jenny Kikeros 12 June Photo Mary Whittall 2

3 A wonderful performance piece will be touring the South West in September 'Where Song Began is a musical celebration of Australia s birds and how they shaped the world Inspired by leading ornithologist Tim Low s award-winning book, this performance explores the Australian origins of songbirds, the birds that can sing. Such is their evolutionary significance, one may ask whether human music would have reached the heights it has, had the first songbird not sung in an Australian rainforest. Accessible for all ages, this work encourages the audience to contemplate the origin of birdsong and the importance of Australia's rich and colourful bird history. The program includes music spanning 300 years, from Johann Heinrich Schmelzer and J.S. Bach to Arvo Pärt and new Australian works, enhanced by a film of evocative landscape stills, moving images and bird call field recordings sourced from the Cornell Ornithology Lab. About the performers: Simone Slattery was recently awarded a PhD in Music Performance from the University of Adelaide and performs regularly with Australia s finest ensembles. Anthony Albrecht is an Australian graduate of The Juilliard School s Historical Performance program and is now based in London. Tickets and information at BirdLife Australia is assisting in the development of a photography exhibition by Muneer Al Shanti and guest presentations by acclaimed author and ornithologist Tim Low to complement this tour - to be confirmed Tour Dates: Bunbury - Tuesday 18 September, 7:30pm Manjimup - Wednesday, 19 September, 7:30pm Pemberton - Thursday, 20 September, 7:30pm Denmark - Friday 21 September, 7:30pm Albany - Saturday, 22 September, 11:00am Bridgetown - Sunday, 23 September, 11:00am Margaret River - Sunday 23 September, 7:30pm Darlington - Monday 24 September, to be confirmed Fremantle - Tuesday 25 September, to be confirmed

4 PROGRAM Jarrahdene Photo Christine Wilder Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Capes Hooded Plover Volunteer Project Watch this space for details of Workshop scheduled for mid-september in Margaret River Tawny Frogmouths at Rotary Park, Margaret River (In low peppermint tree by the exercise equipment) Photo Chris Spiker Sunday 26 August Half-day excursion New River, Busselton Meet at 8.30am at the car park next to the Aboriginal Garden (on Peel Terrace, adjacent to Pries Avenue). We will walk a section of the New River Wetland Walk and sections of the New River West Trail (east and west sides of Queen Elizabeth Avenue). Expect bush and water birds. with Christine Taylor, Conservation Officer - South West Region, Department of Parks and Wildlife Dr Grainne Maguire, Coast and Marine Program Manager, (Beach Birds Project) BirdLife Australia Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association Shining a Light on Birds Spring events planned at Capes Attractions Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Jewel and Mammoth Caves Bring morning tea/chair. Leader: Gillian Richmond BirdLife s Aussie Backyard Bird Count Saturday 15 September Half-day excursion Forest Grove National Bird Week - Monday 22 to Sunday 28 October Identify and count the birds in your garden or at your favourite birding site Meet at 8.30am. Look for number 3.92 on post next to farm gate (and a BirdLife sign) on the north side of Forest Grove Road, when arriving from Bussell Highway. Drive into the property to car park. This is the first time our group has been invited to spend a morning birdwatching on this private property. SWCC Snapshot A Case Study (short version online) Wear sturdy footwear. Bring morning tea/chair. Leader: Barry Darnell Sunday 28 October Half-day excursion Jarrahdene Meet at 8.30am at the new DBCA Jarrahdene Campground. Entrance is sign-posted off Caves Road, Boranup (east side). Continue down the access road till you see the BirdLife sign indicating where to park. Come along and join our Aussie Backyard Bird Count (ABBC) to round off BirdLife s National Bird Week. There will be prizes. Wear sturdy footwear. Bring morning tea. Leader: Christine Wilder The Latest on Hooded Plovers Hooded Plovers in the south west capes region BirdLife s Winter 2018 Report 19 Word about the Hood Online or cwilderone@yahoo.com.au to obtain BirdLife s Report or a complete copy of the SWCC snapshot 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). For details of any of the excursions or meetings please contact: Christine Wilder cwilderone@yahoo.com.au Boyd Wykes majyx@iinet.net.au 4

5 Cockatoo Capers BirdLife Workshop Great Cocky Count/CockyWatch Individuals can make a difference Citizen Science, especially with a focus on birds, can lead to discoveries that would not be possible for scientists working alone. And it creates opportunities for like-minded people to share observations and have fun at the same time Keeping track of black-cockatoos is interesting during winter months when random sightings are less frequent. A Great Cocky Count/CockyWatch Workshop held at the Augusta- Margaret River Shire Chambers on 21 June was well-attended by counters who contribute their valuable time to these projects. BirdLife s Rebecca Boyland and local co-ordinator Shapelle McNee provided results of the 2018 Great Cocky Count, information on the CockyWatch Project and an up-date on black-cockatoos in the region. Christine Wilder Sunday 10 June - 11:00am 9 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos feeding on jarrah nuts near Jack French Park, Augusta. Thursday 14 June - 12:10pm Mike and I were on the track that leads to Deadfinish and ~80 White-tailed Black-Cockatoos flew south, parallel with the coast. Jenny Kikeros At the end of June I was with a group of walkers when we flushed at least 20 White-tailed Black-Cockatoos near the Flinders Bay end of the old rail track, at about 5.00pm. Helena and I went back at the same time the next day but there was no sign of them. A few days later we were down at Skippy Rock in the afternoon and saw about 80 White-tailed Black-Cockatoos feeding in the low marri above the road. Roger Crabtree Tuesday 17 July - 11:00am 3 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos feeding in marri in garden off Hermitage Drive, west Margaret River. 2:35pm 3 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos tearing branches from and finding green berries on Snottygobble in Fearn Avenue, Margaret River. Thursday 19 July - 10:00am 8 White-tailed Black-Cockatoos obviously feeding, oblivious to traffic, on verge of Busselton Bypass, near Fairway Drive. Thursday 26 July - 3:30pm 5 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos flying north along Railway Terrace (close to the Margaret River). Christine Wilder All photos of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos by Joop van den Ouweland 5

6 Elegant Parrot, Scott River farm Photo Colleen Grugeon Is it an Elegant or Rock Parrot, two, three or more, flitting in and out of the bush, into our paddock and also seen on shrubs on road verge on Milyeannup Coast Road? Around our house we have lots of Laughing Kookaburras to wake us usually in the very early a.m. They are super noisy in the summer months. On most days they disappear for the main part of the day and when they go the little birds move in, protected by our garden shrubs. Is this usual for the little birds to come when the kookaburras have gone elsewhere for the day? Perhaps it's the reverse 'little bird territory' invaded by kookaburras? We are delighted that we recently have seen some Splendid Fairy-wrens. Well we think they are blue wrens, with a blue tail sticking straight up. Above Rock Parrots Deadfinish 9 June Photos Jenny Kikeros During the day we have lots of what we call Chippidees (think they are Yellow-rumped Thornbills) flitting around in the peppermint trees and a couple of other tiny birds that are too quick for me to "catch" with my camera. For years we've had thornbills resident here. We are so pleased to see the small birds. Perhaps we'll need to plant more dense shrubs to encourage them here. Colleen Grugeon Elegant Parrot, Margaret River Photo Steve Castan 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. Rock Parrot, entrance to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Photo Nigel Oh 6

7 7 August Hutton s Shearwaters (about 1,000) were flying low and fast 1-2km out from the coast from Point Picquet. The flocks probably averaged 30 birds and there was a flock going past every couple of minutes. They flew in a similar manner to the pied oystercatchers (without the noise!) ie low and fast. One image included the Swan Wreck buoy in the background that is 2.2km out. 8 August Still small flocks of shearwaters passing. In about an hour and a half I photographed about different albatrosses (those that were in focus! A lot more weren t!), a seal, an osprey and some White-tailed Black-Cockatoos. Then it started raining! Mostly they were Indian Yellow Nosed Albatrosses and a Black-browed Albatross and two Shy Albatrosses. 13 August I photographed Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses from Eagle Bay. I have photographed Wandering Albatrosses from Point Picquet but not this year so far. Almost daily there are Australasian Gannets and when they are diving on fish it is fun to try to catch them (on camera) as they enter the water! Last year in October there were large numbers of Flesh-footed and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters travelling south (thousands an hour). This migration lasted for a few days. There is plenty to see but the conditions are usually awful and photographing these birds is off the scale in difficulty when they are 1-2km out to sea. Ian Wiese The Hutton s Shearwaters pass the south-west capes in large numbers around this time of year on return to their New Zealand breeding grounds. I have a high count of 10,500 passing Cape Naturaliste in 3.5 hours on 13 August 2011 and several other counts in the thousands. They start to pass around mid-july, passage appears to peak around this time of year in mid-august, continues fairly strongly into September, dropping off into October (though I don't have that much sea-watch data for the month of October as yet). John Graff, BirdLife WA Sightings That's great that you are able to include some of Ian Wiese's images in this issue. One can expect to see a number of species in the winter/spring (July-Nov) period? Three months of decent seawatching still lie ahead, and the species to be seen over these months vary as winter turns to spring. From memory, amongst his thousands, Ian has images of the following seabird species taken from Point Picquet over the past year or so: Wandering Albatross Great-winged Petrel Shy Albatross Australasian Gannet Black-browed Albatross Brown Skua Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross Pomarine Skua (Jaeger) Southern Giant-petrel Arctic Skua (Jaeger) Northern Giant-petrel Caspian Tern Hutton's Shearwater Crested Tern Wedge-tailed Shearwater Bridled Tern Flesh-footed Shearwater The best passages are obviously in the worst weather. Last year 100 kph north-westerlies gave us great numbers and variety. But we also had interesting observations in calmer weather, including, for several days last October when there were large shoals of baitfish north of Sugarloaf Rock, a feeding frenzy which featured albatrosses, hundreds of Flesh-footed Shearwaters, skuas, terns, gulls, Bronze Whalers, dolphins and a Minke Whale. As a Pom, addicted to sea-watching in the worst of weather, the potential for exciting seabird records and recording off WA's south-west, is the most exciting aspect of birding in the Cape to Cape region. Hence I'm so enjoying Ian's pictures, which bring me closer to the seabirds than binoculars or telescope. ID from singleframe shots, though, can be tricky! David Mills Above Hutton s Shearwaters Photos Ian Wiese Left Above and below Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses Photos Ian Wiese 7

8 A quiet time. We have a Cape Leeuwin Wattle (Paraserianthes lophantha) in the garden in Augusta that has been flowering irregularly for a long period this year attracting honeyeaters and others. One morning there were Brown and New Holland Honeyeaters, Western Spinebills and a Gilbert s Honeyeater, Silvereyes and Inland Thornbills in it together. Breakfast was knife, fork and binoculars. Tree Lucerne grows to about the same size and shape as the wattle and flowers in September here, and also seems to attract Brown Honeyeaters. On 8 July a Wedge-tailed Eagle was seen drifting over the edge of town, to be seen off by a couple of Australian Ravens. Later that week I saw a group of Hoary-headed Grebes on the inlet just north of the caravan park. There used to be a group regularly present but I have not seen them for a couple of years. Perhaps conditions are right with the high tides. The Nankeen Night-Herons are still present in the cypresses on Hardy Street and up to 22 July the Red-necked Avocets were still present in spite of being chased by kids on the sandbar during the school holidays. Some have been seen feeding on the water s edge on the end of the spit by the Colourpatch Cafe. Banded Lapwings at Vasse Photo Jill Cornes The Banded Lapwings are back in Vasse and appear to be nesting on both sides of the Vasse Bypass. We counted seven one day and one bird on its nest. Jill and Roger Cornes The tidal flow creates turbulent spots on both sides of the outlet, presumably concentrating food items. An Eastern Great Egret frequently takes advantage of this. At the beginning of August an Eastern Osprey was seen flying inland from the Deadwater over Colourpatch holding a bundle of sticks that looked like nest material. Shortly after two birds were seen hunting over the outlet, without success. Several Caspian Terns were also trying their luck although the water was very turbid with a strong southerly wind. The Red-necked Avocets were absent from the sandbar, possibly sheltering elsewhere. Banded Lapwing on nest Photo Jill Cornes Talking about absent, I have noticed that Splendid Fairywrens seem to have almost disappeared from the bush around here, and Red-winged Fairy-wrens have taken over. Perhaps some changes in vegetation or weather patterns too subtle for me to notice! It used to be predominantly splendids and this change has occurred over the last couple of years. The New Holland Honeyeaters were obviously breeding in the early winter as there were lots of juveniles around in early July, but the resident adults (presumably) have seen the youngsters away now. Eucalyptus leucoxylon Rosea street plantings are starting to flower and the usual influx of Red Wattlebirds are the dominant sound outside, busy harassing everything else. Our resident Common Bronzewings must be aware that spring is coming as there is a fair bit of hooting and bowing going on, not to mention taking things further occasionally. Roll on spring. Roger Crabtree Mac s Mystery Bird. Test out your id skills. Do you know what bird it is? Photo sent in by Mary Craigie 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. 8

9 Splendid Fairy-wrens, Boranup Gallery Photo Bernie Masters A surprisingly good place to see several species of birds, including fairy-wrens and honeyeaters, is in the gardens of the Boranup Gallery (off Caves Road). Bernie Masters Brush Bronzewing, Yallingup garden Photos Jill Cornes Above 2018, Below 2014 On 22 June I found the Southern Boobooks in the peppermint tree at the top of our Gnarabup driveway, as four or five Australian Magpies were making a tremendous fuss underneath the tree. Jane Scott We were re-reading the newsletter and saw the article on Brush Bronzewings. We have had them in our garden in Yallingup. The photos include most recent from 19 June 2018 and from We saw the bird for five weeks up to 10 July, often on its own, but sometimes two together and occasionally there was a Common Bronzewing close by. Prior to those sightings we saw them for five weeks in March and April 2018 and from June to August They feed on the lawns, presumably on small seeds. They mainly seem to visit our garden in June and July. Jill and Roger Cornes New Holland Honeyeater, Boranup Gallery Photo Bernie Masters Right Southern Boobooks Photo Jane Scott Splendid Fairy-wrens Photo Joop van den Ouweland 9

10 Flock at Busselton Beach Photo Gillian Richmond Stilts at the Busselton Jetty Photo Gillian Richmond This recent sighting may be of interest as I think it a bit unusual. On 11 July while at Busselton Beach I saw a large flock of black and white birds (more than forty) circling round and round over the water about 500m off shore and making their way up the beach toward the jetty. I knew they weren t the regular gulls, terns or cormorants that frequent the beach but couldn t see what species they were. I took some photos, and zooming in, I was surprised to see they were Pied Stilts. Many Pied Stilts have been around the Busselton wetlands for the past few months, although not too many since the winter storms and higher water levels. I ve never seen stilts flying over the seawater before. I suppose they may have been in transit to a new place to settle. Although they flew in large circles they didn t land or dive to look for food as is common with the regular birds flying over beach waters. I added the sighting on Birdata and ed Tegan Douglas in BirdLife WA office to ask if this was unusual. Tegan indicated that they are not often sighted at the beach, instead preferring wetlands. However, they do fly over the ocean to migrate but are more often on the move at night so my sighting is not unexpected given how they move across the landscape but it is something that probably isn t observed that often. Gillian Richmond It s amazing how the landscape changes now the winter storms have filled the wetlands with water level at capacity. Birds have returned to both sides of Queen Elizabeth Avenue Pacific Black and Musk Ducks, Grey Teal and Australasian Shovelers as well as Eurasian Coot, Dusky Moorhen, White-faced Heron, Little Pied and Little Black Cormorants. On the west side a pair of Black Swans was tackling the rise in water level when they were building their nest. I was pleased to see the pair now have six cygnets. The two Masked Lapwings are still around. With the high water level they have moved to a spot where I have seen them several times over the past month. Another spot with noticeable change is the wetland at the Malbup Bird Hide which had been completely covered in lime green algae with only Pied Stilts and Black-fronted Dotterels walking over it to feed. After the storms, the water is now completely cleaned out and has lots of Black Swans, possibly breeding nearby. Vasse River at Rotary Park on Peel Terrace, a strange bright colour during late summer, presumably due to blue-green algae, now has clean water. Gillian Richmond Pied Stilts at Busselton Beach Photo Gillian Richmond Willie Wagtail Photo Roger Crabtree 10

11 Tawny Frogmouths Photo Bernie Masters Since February we've had a pair of Tawny Frogmouths spending the day in various trees around our home at Peppermint Grove Beach, present every three or four days. About the beginning of June they chose to spend the day, and have returned twice since then, sleeping on our solar PV inverter, possibly because about 3% of the electricity generated by the solar panels is turned into heat within the inverter. The inverter is under our front veranda and, just to be different, this morning (18 June) we found them for the first time under our back veranda. Bernie Masters Australian Shelduck and ducklings following (in centre) Photos Steve Fairbairn A pair of Australian Shelducks nested in one of the trees by our house at Redgate. The photos were taken on the evening of 29 July prior to the adults kicking out a dozen ducklings next morning and running them down to our creek. The nest was six metres up. Not very clear pictures as we didn t want to frighten them by getting too close. The whitish mass in the centre of one photo is the ducklings. Steve Fairbairn At the beginning of June, when showing new arrivals around the Busselton area, I visited the eastern end of the Vasse Estuary and the number of Black Swans and ducks was very impressive. Bernie Masters Red-winged Fairy-wren, Carbunup Photo Joop can den Ouweland For Sale 1. Lowepro Complete Backpack - includes Bird Spotting Scope/Unipod/Camera/Binoculars 2. Kowa Bird Spotting Scope TSN-823M Flourite Lens and cover 3. First Horizon Tripod 8115 and cover Contact: Julie Margaret River Right Swans and other waterbirds, Vasse Estuary Photo Bernie Masters 11

12 3 August Bush School Day Margaret River Independent School Despite inclement weather, enthusiastic Year 2 students undertook a variety of outdoor activities including bird-watching along the nature trail, honky nut chew pattern identification, nest making, colouring-in Hooded Plover and Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo sheets, an animal quiz and soil testing. Photos are of some of the nests decorated with flair by the students. Christine Wilder Galah Photo Joop van den Ouweland Sightings Thank you for sending articles, photos, unusual/interesting sightings from the capes region (or beyond) for inclusion in newsletters. All contributions are acknowledged. Send photos as jpeg (no more than 1mb each), maximum five photos each , confirm photographer. DON T EMBED photos/articles in please, but send as attachment, articles preferably as docx/pdf. to: cwilderone@yahoo.com.au Christine Wilder - Editor Here are the reported sightings: A recent report of ~10,000 Banded Stilts further north at Lake Preston may be of interest to readers from BirdLife Peel-Mandurah Group Stubble Quail 1, Samworth Street garden, west Margaret River, over June Rod Whittle Crested Pigeon 3 birds present for two years; nest building in dense tree, Low Road, Rosa Glen Connie Dyer Hooded Plover 3 in front of White Elephant Café, Gnarabup, 8/6/18 (horrendous weather and virtually no beach left) Mike Evans Banded Lapwing 2 on vacant block opposite the Busselton Pioneer Museum, 27/6/18 Sue Abbotts Square-tailed Kite 1 being harassed by wattlebirds, Merchant Street, west Margaret River, 2/7/18 (usually migrate north) Christine Wilder White-bellied Sea-Eagle 1 perched on an exposed branch overlooking the Deadwater, Augusta, 22/6/18 (evening), 23/6/18 (early morning) Christine Wilder 1, flying low over the Broadwater, Busselton, 11/7/18 Christine Wilder Galah 73, noisy, with some aggressive behaviour while chewing on grass roots on Gloucester Park Oval, Margaret River, 6/8/18 Christine Wilder Rock Parrot 4, Deadfinish Augusta, 15/6/18 Jenny Kikeros Yellow-rumped Thornbill 16 in bird bath, west Margaret River garden, 8/7/18 Jennifer Hunt Australian Magpie 1 (leucistic), Kevill Road East waterfall, west Margaret River, 18/3/18 Linda Kent 1 (leucistic), (four months later - presumably the same bird) in a Kevill Road East garden, 21/7/18 Claire Timmons White-breasted Robin Fledged young at Swallows Welcome, first week of August Patricia Negus 12

13 Bird Photo Gallery Common Bronzewing, Witchcliffe Photo Nigel Oh Red-capped Plover, Deadfinish, 30/5/18 Photo Jenny Kikeros Little Corellas Photo Joop van den Ouweland Spotted Pardalote, Carbunup Photos Joop van den Ouweland Spotted Pardalote, Busselton Photo Gillian Richmond Red-necked Avocets Photo Gillian Richmond Left Leucistic Australian Magpie, west Margaret River Photo Claire Timmons (Bird nick-named Whitey by neighbours at Kevill Road East) 13

14 Banded Lapwing Photo Chris Spiker Leschenaultia Nine Banded Lapwings were counted on the flat grasslands east of the highway at Leschenaultia (north of Bunbury). That's the first time for a long time I have seen so many lapwings together in the south west. Chris Spiker Red-capped Robin, Yellow-Plumed Honeyeater Photos Alfred Lau York/Talbot and Wandoo National Park Hidi and I came back from York/Talbot after a brief visit to Wandoo National Park. The photos are of a Red-capped Robin and the Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters in breeding plumage. Alfred Lau Banded Stilts and Red-necked Avocets Photo Terry Scott Ongerup We finally made it to Ongerup to see and photograph Malleefowl in the enclosure at the Yongernow Malleefowl Centre and were very pleased about that. Other birds photographed in the area were Banded Stilts and Red-necked Avocets feeding together and Regent Parrots and a variety of honeyeaters. Terry Scott Malleefowl, Ongerup (Captive breeding program) Photo Terry Scott Regent Parrots, Ongerup Photo Terry Scott 14