Issue 44 June Owl Diary April 2018 South East of Busselton CBD Barn Owl roosting in a peppermint tree above a farm fuel tank

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1 A country group of BirdLife WA since 2005 Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin Issue 44 June 2018 To view this and other BirdLife publications Search birdlife western australia publications Website birdlife-western-australia/publications-wa Go to Country Group Newsletters for Cape to Cape Owl Diary April 2018 South East of Busselton CBD Barn Owl roosting in a peppermint tree above a farm fuel tank CONTENTS PAGE Program Cockatoo Capers.. 3 Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse 4 Excursion/Meeting Reports 5-7 Cape to Cape Chatter Sightings Bird Photo Gallery Birding beyond the Capes All Cover Photos Terry Scott Thanks to Philip Pain for commenting on the photos

2 PROGRAM Cape to Cape Bird Group Splendid Fairy-wren, Dunsborough garden Photo Eleanor Bollam Note: White-browed Scrubwren Photo Terry Scott No Excursion in July All the local excursions/campouts/meetings are for BirdLife Australia members and the general public. BirdLife s Great Cocky Count Results Follow-up Workshop Thursday 21 June 5.30pm Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Council Chambers Rebecca Boyland will present the results of the 2018 Great Cocky Count Contact info@natureconservation.org.au (08) Bookings essential 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 Weebill Photo Gillian Richmond 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. Striated Pardalote Photo Gillian Richmond 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. 2

3 Cockatoo Capers BirdLife s CockyWatch Project In February, BirdLife launched its new citizen science project, CockyWatch, which aims to find out more about the Black-Cockatoos that call Australia s south west home. It was developed in partnership with the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions. Even though WA s iconic Black-Cockatoos (Carnaby s, Baudin s and Red-tailed) are threatened at both a state and national level, it s difficult to work out just how many of these birds are left. This is because they range over such a large area, from north of Kalbarri to east of Esperance and they are able to travel easily across this landscape. So we need better estimates of how many Black-Cockatoos there are in order to know how best to help them. The information gathered through CockyWatch will help to find how the abundance of Black-Cockatoos changes across different habitats and different regions from year to year. In the long term, we hope to get enough information to estimate minimum population sizes for all three Southwest Black-Cockatoo species. We re hoping to have CockyWatch surveys carried out all across the Southwest, but are particularly keen to find out more about the area around the Margaret River region. Every survey matters, so if you can only do one that s great! Or if you want to pick a route to survey regularly, that s fantastic! Every little bit helps. It s easy to do, just lace up your shoes, jump on your bike or in your car and record your start details (start time, GPS point and odometer reading). Then walk or cycle for at least 2km or drive for at least 10km and note down details about any Black-Cockatoos you see and where you saw them. It s really important that you travel during this survey so that we can estimate your survey effort. Chance sightings of these birds won t work for this particular method, but can be recorded in Birdata. When you have surveyed more than 2 (or 10) kilometres and you re ready to finish the survey, record your finishing time, GPS point and odometer reading. Then send your data sheet into: rebecca.boyland@birdlife.org.au. Even if you didn t see any Black-Cockatoos, please still send us your data sheet it s still really useful information for us. To participate in CockyWatch, please go to: to download the instructions and data sheet. This project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government s State NRM Program which is supported by Royalties for Regions. Rebecca Boyland, Southwest Black-Cockatoo Project Coordinator, BirdLife WA Rebecca.Boyland@birdlife.org.au Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Photo Alfred Lau CockyWatch from a mountain bike I have been surveying a 4.7km section of the Wadandi track from within the Margaret River township south through varied forest and farmland to Gnarawary Road. I conduct the survey slowly on my mountain bike in one direction and then enjoy the scenery on the way home. I decided to conduct three surveys per month to provide an idea of variation. Here is a summary of my results to date. January: 3 surveys 4 White-tailed Black-Cockatoos on one day, in town flying overhead without calling March: Survey 1 2 Baudin s Black-Cockatoos flying out of forest Survey 2 3 Baudin s Black-Cockatoos flying out of remnant bush in town, 2 nearby digging into marri trunk for grubs, 6 flying and calling in forest Survey 3 2 pairs of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo in forest, one of which was nest prospecting in a chimney hollow of an old marri April: I rode my 4km route for my April count without any cockatoos. Boyd Wykes CockyWatch from a vehicle My first CockyWatch survey was an experiment to see how vehicle surveys would work. I drove along Jalbarragup Road from Mowen Road to Jalbarragup (approx. 20kms). Then on 22 February I conducted a second survey covering 50.5km from Sabina Road along Sues and Mowen Roads to Yahava Coffee Café on Rosa Brook Road, Margaret River. I didn t see any Black-Cockatoos on either of these trips (but I still sent in my data sheets!). While these random one-off surveys are always useful to provide information, I decided I wanted to do regular surveys along the same route. I m now doing regular CockyWatch surveys on trips along Bussell Highway between Margaret River and Vasse (38kms each way). This way I can see if I can pick up any changes over time along the route. Using this method means I do two CockyWatch surveys in one day, one on the trip there and one on the way home. Caution is necessary when stopping on this busy road however it s not always necessary to stop, if you can note a nearby landmark, you can look up the GPS point on Google Maps later. So far I ve not recorded many Black-Cockatoos. Christine Wilder 3

4 On a classic autumn morning in the Easter school holidays, a group of thirty took to the trails at Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. It was very inspiring to see so many young birders with such great enthusiasm and knowledge! Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Photo Christine Wilder After a quick introduction from Christine, the group headed out onto the grassed picnic areas to survey the Splendid Fairy-wrens, White-browed Scrubwrens, Silvereyes and Grey Fantails. The first lap was a bit quiet with the strong winds, restricting the movement of smaller birds. A handful of species were seen and heard including a White-breasted Robin at the spectacular new lighthouse viewing platform. After morning tea, the winds dropped, the sun warmed and the birds came out. A few pools of water seeping from the tanks behind the lighthouse keeper s cottages provide an excellent water source for cape birds. A well-known birding spot, here watchers were treated to Western Spinebills and Silvereyes drinking, while Grey Fantails and White-browed Scrubwrens enjoyed a quick bath. As Spotted Pardalotes performed laps overhead, we observed a Red-eared Firetail landing in nearby bushes. At one stage individual observers in the group were watching different species in the one tree Spotted Pardalote, Western Gerygone, Inland Thornbill and at the very top, looking down on all of us, a male Southern Emu-wren. Yellow-rumped Thornbills and a Grey Shrikethrush were spotted in the adjacent bushes. The greatest lesson from the event is to always start with morning tea and the birds will come! With the assistance of Tegan Douglas from Birdlife WA, we have recently set up Birdata shared survey sites at all the MRBTA attractions across the capes region. We have a diverse set of landscapes for birding and look forward to organising more events in the near future. Thanks to Christine Wilder and the Cape to Cape Bird Group for their support and to all those who participated. André Courtis Education Officer Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association Male Southern Emu-wren Photo Claire Timmons Western Gerygone Photo Gillian Richmond Male Southern Emu-wren Photo Claire Timmons 4

5 CCBG EXCURSION REPORT Owling 6 May It was a great turn out for the owling excursion in Margaret River on 6 May with Birdlife members travelling from Bunbury, Mandurah, Perth and Boyup Brook, to join local birders, spotlighting for Margaret River s famed night birds, including (hopefully) the elusive Masked Owl. The day had been blustery and raining on and off but by 6:00pm it was clear skies with some wind. The group gathered at a private property (the first of four sites). Due to the large number of observers it was decided to split into two groups with one group staying at the property while others moved on to a second site. Masked Owl was high on everyone s list but there were no guarantees. Boyd Wykes and I have found and tracked Masked Owls in the Margaret River region for over a year now and it can take many cold nights of seeing very little before success. Of course we didn't want to let anyone down, particularly those who had travelled up to 300kms for the excursion. At the first site we lucked out on a Masked Owl which had been seen a week before, but lucked in with fantastic views of a very obliging Tawny Frogmouth and an endangered Western Ringtail Possum. The frogmouth was perched on a branch by the side of the road as we left the property and everyone got close views with minimal disturbance to the bird. At the second site the groups joined up to hear an Australian Owlet-Nightjar, but no owls. We headed off to the third site, again hearing an owlet nightjar close by, but again no owls. Not even a Boobook calling. Masked Owl Photo Gillian Richmond Running behind schedule and down to our last site closer to Margaret River town-ship, we had our fingers crossed for some action. After short playback of calls, just as we were going to leave, the distinctive drawn out hissing call of a Masked Owl was heard quite far away and the excitement in the group was palpable, despite everyone maintaining their silence. A few minutes later I was positive I heard a faint call and I wondered if the bird had left the area. Then without warning, hidden in the trees right next to the group, the bird let out a loud, long clear hiss, which really gave everyone an idea of how fierce these largest of our night predators can be. The bird then flew across our heads but alas didn t stay around to be viewed - which was hardly surprising given our numbers. Everyone was excited and appreciative to have heard one call and for some a glimpse of the bird overhead. On the way back to the cars a Common Brushtail Possum was spotted high in a tree before most people headed home. The hard core stayers headed into town for a pizza, a glass of wine and a chat about owl experiences. The consensus was that everyone had a great night and for many their first experience hearing and seeing the elusive south west Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) in the wild. Christine Wilder reported a Southern Boobook just as she arrived home. Thank you to everyone who attended and to Christine and Boyd for organising the excursion. Masked Owl Photo Steve Castan Steve Castan 5

6 CCBG MEETING REPORT Bird Photo Afternoon 20 May On Sunday 20 May, Christine and I hosted the first bird photo afternoon in the Margaret River Community Centre function room, attended by a small but very keen group of Cape to Cape Bird Group (CCBG) enthusiasts. Carnaby s Black-Cockatoos tucking in to sticky balls Photos Graeme Moore I contacted six photographers who regularly contribute spectacular bird photographs for Christine s fantastic CCBG newsletter and two photographers with prior commitments assured me they wish to participate in future bird photo afternoons. The photographers that selected their favourite fifteen pics were Claire Timmons, Alfred Lau, Gillian Richmond, Steve Castan and Terry Scott. We were treated to birds in aerial displays, small and shy, unusual, not often seen, bush birds, raptors, waterbirds and owls. During the showing each exhibitor briefly described the where and how their subjects were photographed. Afterwards over a cuppa everybody agreed they enjoyed the afternoon. After some discussion the conclusion was that we host a bird photo afternoon approximately every twelve weeks, with a different group of six photographers each time, with future arrangements advertised in this newsletter. The afternoon concluded at 4:00pm. Thank you to the photographers and to Steve Castan for donating nibblies and wine. Terry Scott Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Photo Boyd Wykes Top Right Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Bushy Yate Photo Christine Wilder Right Tawny Frogmouth Photo Steve Castan 6

7 Lower vegetation Photo Terry Scott CCBG EXCURSION REPORT Augusta 9 June With a cold front threatening it was great to see a total of eight birders turn up, especially as the Cape to Cape Bird Group activities often involve considerable travel distance. Purple-crowned Lorikeets were seen at the assembly point and later (12 birds in one flock), although there seemed to be no crown flowering. A group of Australian Shelducks were seen roosting on the piano key markings on the end of the airstrip. Walking in through low Marri-Jarrah forest, a lone White-tailed Black Cockatoo was seen with a honky nut firmly stuck on its bill, making positive identification difficult. Birds were proving rather elusive, with the occasional White-browed Scrubwren, Inland Thornbill, Grey Fantail, Australian Raven, Red Wattlebirds and Splendid Fairy-wrens, and a pair of Western Golden Whistlers added one highlight to an otherwise quiet morning. With the front approaching we retreated to the rivermouth and examined the sandbar. Present were Silver and Pacific Gulls, Caspian and Crested Terns, Pied Cormorants, Australian Pied Oystercatchers, White-faced Heron and a flock of birds sheltering behind some debris which, after discussion, we decided were Red-necked Avocets. A group of about 70 have been present for several days to date. An Eastern Osprey demonstrated its fishing skills without success. As a squall closed in the group moved to the nearby Colourpatch Café for coffee and talk to end a very pleasant morning. Roger Crabtree Osprey and other birds sheltering Photo Jenny Kikeros Bird List Augusta Australian Shelduck Galah Pacific Black Duck Australian Ringneck Common Bronzewing Purple-crowned Lorikeet Australian Pied Oystercatcher Splendid Fairy-wren Red-necked Avocet New Holland Honeyeater Silver Gull Gilbert s Honeyeater Pacific Gull Red Wattlebird Caspian Tern White-browed Scrubwren Crested Tern Inland Thornbill White-faced Heron Western Golden Whistler Little Pied Cormorant Australian Magpie Pied Cormorant Grey Fantail Eastern Osprey Australian Raven Laughing Kookaburra Silvereye White-tailed Black-Cockatoo Red-necked Avocets Photo Jenny Kikeros Red-necked Avocets, 6/6/18 Photo Christine Wilder An area of karri, peppermint and banksia Photo Christine Wilder 7

8 Little Tern Photo Gillian Richmond On 30 March Gillian Richmond photographed a Little Tern at Elmore Lagoon, Dunsborough. I sent Gillian s photo to John Graff (BirdLife WA Sightings), for confirmation, with my comment Fairy Terns are occasionally reported singly or in small numbers in the capes. I think this is more likely a Little Tern - dark loral stripe to bill, black tip on bill. I was surprised as I know these smaller terns are difficult to separate sometimes and Little Terns hardly ever recorded around the south-west, especially the capes. Christine Wilder John s reply Correct on all counts, this is a breeding adult Little Tern and they are typically very rare in the south-west, though tracking data shows at least a few Taiwanese breeding birds make it down this far to "winter". However, in the last month or so there have been a large number of records from coastal areas around Perth and as far north as Geraldton, mostly involving adults in partial or full breeding plumage like this one - this is the first I've heard of from further south though. These records began just after the passage of the ex- Tropical Cyclone in late March and are suspected to be birds that were brought down by that weather system. A few Common Terns also showed up which may also have been brought down, and there was also a small influx of Greater Sand Plovers in breeding plumage, and a few Streaked Shearwaters (we saw eight from Cape Naturaliste during the rough weather weekend of April) which may also have come down with it, but less certain. Western Wattlebirds Photos Terry Scott Near home in Margaret River on 12 May I heard a bird begging and on closer inspection I spotted a young Western Wattlebird being fed. It was a surprise as breeding season is normally around the warmer months, but maybe with the seasons becoming gradually warmer and recent marri then karri flowering has triggered the urge to breed. When photographing the New Holland Honeyeaters bathing, quite a few had been pushed out. It was humorous to watch and the din from them calling was so loud. Terry Scott John Graff BirdLife WA Sightings Correction Cape to Cape Bird Group Newsletter Issue 43 page 5 Two photographs of Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos were attributed to Janean Robinson. Janean did send in the photographs but they were in fact taken by Joop van den Ouweland. Apologies to Joop. Right A congregation of New Holland Honeyeaters Photo Terry Scott 8

9 Roger and I have so much enjoyment from watching the birds bathing in our bird baths in Yallingup, and recently we have had a Spotted Pardalote visit, which I was very excited to see. It made me wonder how many of the eighty species we have recorded for our block actually visit the bird bath and I think it is 35 species. I'm sure most of the people who read your newsletter have baths of their own, but for those who don't, the pleasure the birds and their watchers get from them is immense. I send photos to show that all birds, small and large, just love a bath. Jill Cornes Photos Clockwise Spotted Pardalote, Grey Fantail, Brown Honeyeater, Silvereye, White-browed Scrubwren, Inland Thornbill and Laughing Kookaburra All photos by Jill Cornes 9

10 Left Australasian Darter and Little Black Cormorant Vasse River Delta Bird Hide Photo Joop van den Ouweland On 20 May, on the morning before the bird photo afternoon, Hidi and I visited the Malbup and Vasse River Delta bird hides to check out the birds. At Wonnerup I captured my closest shot of Pied Stilt and some Blackfronted Dotterels and Australian Shelducks were around too. We spent a couple of minutes looking around the car park and found heaps of Splendid Fairy-wrens at the entrance of the trail. I visited a few locations around Busselton during May and enjoyed the following bird sightings: Estuary View Drive, Geographe 300+ Grey Teal including one with partial leucism, one Chestnut Teal, 40+ Hoary-headed Grebe, 100+ Black Swan End of Webster Road, Geographe 100+ Red-necked Avocet, 20+ Pied Stilt, Black Swan, Blackshouldered Kite Layman Road, Geographe 1 Common Greenshank, Pied Stilt, White-faced Heron, Nankeen Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite Malbup Bird Hide (the water was low and covered in algae) 20+ Black-fronted Dotterel, 10+ Pied Stilt, White-faced Heron, three White-bellied Sea-Eagles, Australian Ringnecks Bush next to car park at Malbup Bird Hide Varied Sittellas (a first sighting for me), Scarlet Robins, Rufous Whistlers, Silvereyes, Grey Fantails, Yellow-rumped and Inland Thornbills, Western Gerygones, Splendid Fairy-wren Sabina Reserve 12+ Red-capped Plovers, 100+ Pied Stilts, 30+ Banded Stilts, 100s of Grey Teal and Pacific Black Ducks Ambergate Reserve Scarlet Robin, 15+ Baudin s Black-Cockatoos, Red-capped Parrots, Australian Ringnecks, Dusky Woodswallows, Western Gerygones, Brown Honeyeaters, Inland Thornbills, Silvereyes, Grey Fantails At Vasse River Delta bird hide, we were impressed by the Yellow-billed Spoonbills busy having their breakfast. We also spotted a Swamp Harrier quite a distance from the left hand side of the bird hide, appearing to sit on top of the water. We thought it was catching (holding) a fish but suddenly, after almost ten minutes, it took off with its catch (a waterbird, maybe a coot, not sure). It was too quick. I was not expecting its take off. Missed the photo shot. On our way back to the car we saw Grey Fantail, Silvereye, Western Whistler and some other bush birds. It was a wonderful birding morning at Busselton and a great photography sharing session too with kudos to Terry. Alfred Lau A pair of Hooded Plover observed on the beach in front of the White Elephant Café at Gnarabup on the morning of 28 May. They are possibly the same birds I saw in the same spot at 2:00pm on 22 May (still there at 3:00pm) and on 15 May at 10:20am (still there at 11:20am). There seem to be a lot of oystercatchers around at the moment, both pied and sooty, in the week up to the 22 May at Gnarabup and the Margaret River-mouth. Mike Evans New River 12+ Black-fronted Dotterel, 20+ Pied Stilts, 10 Black Swans (including mating dance), 2 Masked Lapwings, Pacific Black Ducks, Grey Teal, White-faced Herons, Tree Martins, Welcome Swallows Vasse River Trail (Southern Drive - at end of Busselton Bypass) Several Western Yellow Robins, Spotted Pardalotes, Western Golden Whistlers, Rufous Whistlers, Red-capped Parrots, Western Rosellas, Grey Fantails Eucalypts around Busselton Community Garden (Roe Terrace) Weebill (first sighting for me, so tiny, some had flecked throats and others more yellow), Spotted and Striated Pardalotes, Splendid Fairy-wren, Silvereyes, Grey Fantails, Western Gerygones, Gilbert s Honeyeaters Australian Pied Oystercatchers at Margaret River-mouth Just before sunset on 21/5/18 Photo Keith Mann Gillian Richmond 10

11 Crested Shrike-tit, Margaret River Photo Claire Timmons 23 May, another perfect day for our last caffeine powered bird-watching. What fun we had with great views of many of the anticipated species and a few I did not dare to think we would jag. We started with a long look at two pairs of Australian Ringnecks, confirming that they were pure-bred 28s and the differences between the sexes. There is always more to discover through close observation. Rufous Treecreeper, Margaret River Photo Claire Timmons Heading up the hill to Wharncliffe Mill, on a new route for most, we had the thrill of finding a pair of Regent Parrots, the male on guard with the female inside a hollow very high in a Karri. Returning back along Bramley Brook, parallel to the Wadandi Track, we were thrilled to have good, although not close views, of a group of three Rufous Treecreepers. Indicative of high quality, long unburnt Karri forest, these are not often encountered in our district, particularly close to town. Further on, I could hardly believe my ears, when hearing the chortling of a Crested Shrike-tit. But there they were a pair at head height on a strip of fallen Karri bark in the bushes next to the track. As they called, one was quivering half extended wings in a display similar to that of a begging immature, but in fact courtship between an adult male and female. Crested Shrike-tits are one of the least seen species in the south west, and although known from Wharncliffe Mill, not observable on a reliable basis. Gilbert s Honeyeater, Busselton Photo Gillian Richmond Coffee was calling us to the Hairy Marron Café. Boyd Wykes Bird List: Red-tailed Black Cockatoo White-browed Scrubwren Regent Parrot Inland Thornbill Australian Ringneck Crested Shrike-tit Purple-crowned Lorikeet Australian Magpie Rufous Treecreeper Dusky Woodswallow Red-winged Fairy-wren Grey Fantail New Holland Honeyeater Australian Raven Gilbert s Honeyeater White-breasted Robin Spotted Pardalote Silvereye Right Australian Ringneck, Yallingup bird bath Photo Jill Cornes 11

12 Remains of osprey nest after wild weather, Meelup Photo Bruce King Eastern Osprey at nest, Meelup Photo Bruce King Here is an unfortunate up-date on the osprey nest at the upper car park at Meelup Beach. Sadly the nest was destroyed in the wild weather that hit the capes on May. A friend sent this beautiful photo of a Western Spinebill. The bird was dazed from flying into a window it was groggy but sat long enough for a photo before it flew off a happy story. Terry Scott As the nest was set high in branches of an old dead tree the wild winds broke off the main supporting limbs and the nest is now just a pile of debris on the ground the before and after photos taken by a friend Bruce King. Hopefully the resident pair of ospreys will maintain their title to the Meelup locality and a new nest design lodged with the local architects!! Michael Sayers On the morning of 19 May at 9.30am I observed and counted 86 Musk Ducks on the Blackwood River, Augusta. Western Spinebill Photo sent in by Terry Scott I was on Flat Rock, the visibility was clear and I was using my binoculars. There they were all spread out on the river in front of me. Some of them were out in the middle of the river however there was no mistaking them due to their shape and behaviour. I don t really know if this is an unusual sighting or not. For me it was great to see so many Musk Ducks. We have lived in Augusta for three years and I often hear and see the odd Musk Duck on the river but never in big numbers. Deb Perry Little Pied Cormorant, Deere Street, Augusta, 24/5/18 Photo Jenny Kikeros Left - Red-necked Avocets (count of 69 on the day) The Deadwater sandbar at Augusta, 31/5/18 Photo Roger Crabtree 12

13 Rock Parrot, Sarge Bay Photo Jenny Kikeros Crested Terns at Hardy Inlet Photo Roger Crabtree SIGHTINGS White-tailed Black-Cockatoos have been seen in May around Cape Leeuwin. Monday 14 May Around 10:30am Mike and I were checking the Cape to Cape Track and we heard some cockies in the Banksia sessilis trees north of Skippy Rock Road between the road and the track. I taped them on my phone, but they were only chatting softly, no loud screeching. Tuesday 15 May Around 10:00am three White-tailed Black-Cockatoos flew over our house in Deere Street, north to the Norfolk Pines that are between Knight Place and Chaudière Street. Around 1:30pm we were pruning the Cape to Cape Track south of Skippy Rock Road and 30+ White-tailed Black- Cockatoos flew over between the road and track a most beautiful sight. Wednesday 16 May Around 11:00am five White-tailed Black-Cockatoos flying north of Quarry Bay. Jenny Kikeros Note: Black-Cockatoos occasionally drink at the Waterwheel. Ed. White-tailed Black-Cockatoos at Quarry Bay Photo Jenny Kikeros Thank you for sending articles, photos, unusual/interesting sightings from the capes region 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 or articles in please, but send as attachment, articles preferably as PDF. to: cwilderone@yahoo.com.au Christine Wilder - Editor Here are the reported sightings: Emu 21 at Wallis Road, Margaret River, 6/6/18 Nigel Oh and Christine Wilder Australian Shelduck 45 at entrance to Swallows Welcome (Wallis Road), Margaret River, 3/6/18 JK and BQ Quek and Christine Wilder Crested Pigeon Several on Palmdale/Jane Road corner, Augusta, 3/6/18 Roger Crabtree Sooty Oystercatcher 27, Sarge Bay, Augusta, 6/6/18 Nigel Oh and Christine Wilder Eastern Osprey 1 on debris on sandbank at entrance to Deadwater, Hardy Inlet, Augusta, 7/5/18 and 1 sheltering at the back of the bar, Augusta, 31/5/18 Roger Crabtree White-bellied Sea-Eagle 2 soaring over spit, Augusta, 7/5/18 Roger Crabtree 2 sheltering at the back of the bar, Augusta, 31/5/18 Roger Crabtree Southern Boobook 1, Todhunter Place garden, west Margaret River, 6/5/18 and 22/5/18 Christine Wilder Sacred Kingfisher 1, Flat Rock, Augusta, 6/6/18 Nigel Oh and Christine Wilder White-tailed Black-Cockatoo ~80 flying over Sues Road (from pine trees), 29/5/18 Roger Crabtree Regent Parrot 8 at Vasse Roundabout, 3/6/18 JK and BQ Quek and Christine Wilder 6 at Cowaramup, 3/6/18 JK and BQ Quek and Christine Wilder Rock Parrot 3 at Sarge Bay, Cape Leeuwin, 17/5/18 Jenny Kikeros 1 at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, 6/6/18 Nigel Oh and Christine Wilder 4 at Dead Finish, Augusta, 9/6/18 Jenny Kikeros and Christine Wilder 2 at Quarry Bay, Augusta, 9/6/18 Jenny Kikeros and Christine Wilder Crested Shrike-tit 1 in karris on corner of Hereford Place, west Margaret River, 16/5/18 Christine Wilder 2 in karris in Hereford Place garden, west Margaret River, 29/5/18 and 30/5/18 Jennifer Hunt Grey Currawong 3 on Caves Road, just north of the southern entrance to Boranup Drive, 30/5/18 Roger Crabtree Western Yellow Robin 2 birds, one flew and perched on observer s head, Ashton Street garden, west Margaret River, 19/5/18 Jennifer Hunt 13

14 Bird Photo Gallery Little Eagle, at lookout near Meelup Photo Eleanor Bollam Nankeen Kestrel Photo Eleanor Bollam A Grey Teal looking very sun-bleached (partial leucism), Geographe Photo Michael Sayers Chestnut Teal, Geographe Photo Gillian Richmond Red-eared Firetail, Dunsborough garden Photo Eleanor Bollam Black-fronted Dotterel, New River Photo Gillian Richmond Waterbirds at Estuary View Drive, Geographe Photo Gillian Richmond Left Western Yellow Robin, Vasse Photo Gillian Richmond 14

15 Bird Photo Gallery Swamp Harrier, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Pied Stilts All photos above Alfred Lau Left Red-necked Avocets, Grey Teal, Pied and Banded Stilts All photos Gillian Richmond 15

16 Photos clockwise Rainbow Lorikeets (Perth Introduced) Singing Honeyeater (Mandurah) Grey-tailed Tattler (Mandurah) Tawny Frogmouths (Perth) White-faced Heron (Bunbury) Eastern Osprey (Bunbury) Spotted Dove (Perth Introduced) All Photos Alfred Lau 16

17 Grey Goshawk (white morph) Photo Therese Sayers Tasmanian Sojourn In late April, Therese and I embarked on a two week trip to Tasmania to visit relatives and friends, together with some touring (and birding), mostly south of Hobart and along the east coast. We enjoyed wonderful weather, despite snow the week before we arrived and torrential rain and gale-force winds a week after we left. A birding highlight was sighting the white morph of a Grey Goshawk in Tassie s southern-most town of Southport. The white variant is the only morph seen in Tasmania and this bird was loneperched in a paddock, together with a small flock of Sulphurcrested Cockatoos scattered in nearby trees. I suspect the Goshawk was trying to blend in with the cockies to better its hunting chances. Red-kneed Dotterel and Red-necked Avocet Photos Herbie Whittall The Coorong Thought I would send some pictures of Red-kneed Dotterel, Rednecked Avocet and Red-necked Stint, as we have been birdwatching in the Coorong National Park, where the birdlife (mainly waterbirds) is fantastic. Herbie and Mary Whittall A short stay in the Bay of Fires area in the north east corner of Tasmania provided numerous sightings of the Tasmanian endemic Green Rosella. Our accommodation had a feeder tray that was well supported by the rosellas, the occasional Grey Shrike-thrush and the ubiquitous Noisy Miner. On many of the road verges and in bush-edged paddocks we saw plenty of the Tasmanian endemic Tasmanian Native-Hen, very similar to our Black-Tailed Native- Hen, but a little larger. Birding should be included on any Tassy itinerary! Michael Sayers Red-necked Stint Photo Herbie Whittall Tasmanian Native-Hen - Photo Therese Sayers Green Rosella Photo Therese Sayers 17