PO Box 180 Pambula NSW 2549

Volume 23 Number 3

FAR SOUTH COAST BIRDWATCHERS Inc. Affiliated with BirdLife Australia

NEWSLETTER MAY/JUNE 2018

BELL MINER (Manorina melanophrys) and BMAD Barry Virtue I was interested to observe, knowing the reported relationship between Bell Miners and eucalypt dieback, that a colony which I had been aware of for over fifteen years in Bermagui had suddenly disappeared. This had followed extensive poisoning in 2016 by council at the northern end of Bermagui North Lagoon Flora and Fauna Reserve, of Lantana, Cotoneaster and other exotic woody weed species. It had left a canopy of seriously bared eucalypts and a native shrub understorey of Melaleuca, Bleeding Heart, Brush Muttonwood, Pittosporum and Boobialla. There did not appear to be any other events having occurred which could explain the colony’s disappearance, so I had a look on line to see if there was a relationship here. I found a comprehensive report funded by the NSW Environment Trust (2017) which may be of interest to you. It is a systematic review of Bell Miner associated dieback (BMAD) prepared by several government agencies and presented in Knowledge Ecology. It points to 17 relationships in BMAD-affected eucalypt forest, cites 20 case studies and makes recommendations for this form of dieback. It recognises that BMAD is only one form of dieback and a problem from south-east Queensland to Victoria. It describes BMAD as ‘a process where eucalypts enter a cycle of defoliation and regrowth, but if conditions persist large areas of dieback and tree death can occur.’ The main findings are:

Dense Bell Miner colonies facilitate psyllid infestations which lead to dieback;

The catalyst is superior nesting habitat for Bell Miners with more light through eucalypts to the understorey;

Bell Miners show aggressive intra-specific behaviour;

Human activity and high intensity fire increase understorey density of woody weeds favouring Bell Miners:

From improved habitat Bell Miners have various strategies to rapidly increase their population:

Management of woody weeds with splatter guns has shown to be effective and cheap treatment for BMAD.

One of the 20 case studies cited from 2005 was from “Mandeni”, Tura Beach where on private land a Bell Miner colony was culled and the colony removed. After 6-12 months there was no improvement in tree health, but by 2011 there had been a significant improvement. This indicated the need for long term monitoring but also found that removal of Bell Miner does not always result in recolonisation by other avian species. **

IN THIS ISSUE

Meeting Report (April) 2 President’s Message 3 Activity Reports 3 Common Myna news 5 BIGnet report 6 Member Profile 7 New Bird 8 FSCB Directory 8 Sightings Apr/May 9 Coming Events 12

EVENING MEETING Thursday June 14, 2018 Meet in the Uniting Church Hall, Henwood St, Merimbula, for a 7:30 pm start. Guest Speaker will be Chris Lloyd with some news about seabirds, including an update on White-faced Storm Petrels and island restoration up the coast plus news of a penguin project at Eagles Claw at Eden.

Bell Miner photo: Max Sutcliffe

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I intend to continue surveying the site near Keating Drive in Bermagui with interest. Coincidentally a new colony has appeared around the same time in remnant Spotted Gum forest at the SE end of Parbery Avenue, Bermagui about a kilometre away as the Bell Miner flies. The understorey here is good for them. I wonder how long it will be before the eucalypts evidence their presence and how the avian species will change? BV. **Dr Jim Shields who carried out the work at Mandeni and the subsequent monitoring in 2011 comments that removal of Bell Miner does not necessarily result in their recolonisation, but other avian species, extirpated by Bell Miner aggression, rapidly re-colonised the treatment area. A recommendation to remove woody weeds from the understorey of the treatment area, as was carried out at Bermagui, was not taken up by the landowner. After 2011, the Bell Miner began to recolonise the treatment area, and further population control was required to prevent re-establishment of BMAD processes. Jim looks forward to Barry’s further observations at Bermagui.

MEETING REPORT Thursday 12 April, 2018 Liz Allen

Robyn, our President, welcomed 33 members to our meeting on Thursday, 12th April. Unusual bird sightings reported by members included 25 Noisy Miners, a flock of 20-plus White-winged Choughs seen regularly, 20-plus Gang-gang Cockatoos, and a Spangled Drongo reported both at Bermagui and at Kalaru. Roger’s presentation compared Swamp Harriers with Spotted Harriers and was illustrated by a selection of his photos. Most of us are familiar with the Swamp Harrier which is commonly found in our area, particularly at Panboola Wetlands where it breeds some years. It is largely dark brown with a distinctive white rump that can be seen as it flies low over wetlands in search of prey, including carrion. The Spotted Harrier is widespread but sparsely distributed, and is found particularly in arid and semi-arid areas. It is partly nomadic. With its grey upperparts, striking white-spotted chestnut breast and a dark rump, it may be glimpsed in dry habitats hunting slowly quite low to the ground for quail, pipits and small mammals, but rarely eats carrion. The Swamp Harrier nests on a mound low down in reeds or other dense vegetation, while the Spotted Harrier builds a flimsy stick platform in a tree. Alan Scrymgeour once again provided an interesting talk, inspired by his ruminations on the size of a pelican shadow flying over him. After some research into a prehistoric bird whose partial skeleton was found by an Argentinian paleontologist, Alan made a paper model of its wings. Argentavis magnificens … ‘magnificent silver bird’, was among the largest flying birds ever to exist: it weighed in at about 76 - 80kg and had a wingspan of 7.2 m, which Alan said was about the same size as a Cessna 152 light aircraft. ‘Home and Away‘ was the title of Leo’s presentation and yes, it was the life, loves and movements of our local shorebirds. Leo spoke about his extensive beach monitoring showing the map of the coastline and the places where the Critically Endangered Hooded Plovers have nested, and of course noting any other species seen. We followed the map from Bermagui to south of Eden as he told us about the activities of various beach nesting birds. The Shorebird Recovery program has been managed by NPWS for 17-18 years with the help of volunteers, but the flagging of our shorebirds has only taken place in the last 6+ years so now we can follow their movements up and down the coast. To trap the Hoodies for flagging a 30cm square grid with fishing line loops is buried in the sand and the birds are herded along to the area, to be caught, weighed, flagged and a blood sample taken. The flag with a letter and number records where they were flagged; A-M north of Batemans Bay and N-Z south to Nadgee. As a result we learnt that Z8 from Picnic Beach went to Corner Inlet in Victoria for the past two winters; P2 from Wallaga had a new northern friend H0; T1 was paired with Y8 at Quondolo/Pinnacle Beach and then last year, left Y8 to pair up with the resident unflagged male at Haycock after his partner P4 died. Thanks to Leo that we have continual instalments of ‘Home and Away’. This season there were 10 pairs of Hooded Plovers between Bermagui and Wonboyn but only one chick fledged.

Hooded Plover photo: Leo Berzins

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As well as Hooded Plovers there are migratory Little and Fairy Terns breeding most years at Mogareeka, but this year was fairly quiet with no more than ten Little Terns fledging. Other birds that breed at Mogareeka are Red-capped Plovers and Pied Oystercatchers, and visitors to the site include Red-necked Stints, Double-banded Plovers, Bar-tailed Godwits, and occasionally Curlew Sandpipers and Red Knots. Leo also had the recent sighting of two Beach Stone-curlews there briefly. Overhead are regular White-belled Sea-Eagles, an occasional Wedge-tailed Eagle and of course the sometimes predatory Silver Gulls. Leo‘s story of the beaches, from Bermagui to south of Eden, covers a huge area, each beach with different success rates and problems for the birds such as disturbance and predation by foxes, lace monitors, dogs and people. Robyn thanked Leo on behalf of FSCB for his dedication enabling us to know and appreciate the story he brings from beaches that most of us can’t or don’t have the opportunity to visit. Concluding the night, apart from the raffle draw, Max showed photos of the Blackfellows Lake property at Tathra, one of our regular walk venues and badly burnt in parts by the recent fires. He and Barbara have negotiated with the owners a proposal to conduct regular surveys over future years and document recovery of the landscape and the bird population. This received immediate acceptance. A most successful evening finished with supper.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Robyn Kesby As the cooler weather approaches, many birds are on the move to their winter locations in search of better conditions. Flocks of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters in their thousands and Silvereyes have joined the move and we’ve enjoyed watching them fly through. Many of our members also choose the cooler months here to explore new areas or visit friends and family further north. If you’re staying closer to home this is a good time to delve into a field guide, or any of the many great bird books around, to find out more about the birds around you. Whether you are on the move or settling in locally for the sunny days and cosy evenings, I hope you enjoy watching the changes in nature around you.

Activity Reports

WATERY FOWLS, WALLAGOOT Saturday April 14, 2018 Barbara Jones Members kept arriving until we were a group of 27 to be greeted by Cliff Wallis and Sayaka Mihara. Their 100-acre property on the edge of Wallagoot Lake is covered by a Voluntary Conservation Agreement and in twenty years it has seen sheep removed and thousands of plants established, firstly shielded from the numerous kangaroos by wire fencing and now with fences removed, everything lives in harmony. Offering a remnant woodland block; open grasslands; gully plantings; clumped areas of well-established trees and shrubs; tall forest in the adjoining National Park (complete with White-bellied Sea-Eagle nest); scattered waterholes and an extensive wetland with saltmarsh surrounds (sadly totally dry at present); and Wallagoot Lake frontage; there is plenty of scope for finding birds. There was a need to break into two groups. One set off to the woodland block and the other headed for the waterfront, both groups crossing paths at one stage, with some others splintering off into interesting corners of the block. The lunch site was agreed to be in a shady corner near the cars and eventually we all met there. With 170 bird species on Cliff’s property list, (we have recorded 131 from FSCB visits), the challenge was on to find more. Today he was delighted to be able to add Brown Gerygone. Each April sees migrating honeyeaters in a continuous movement north and estimating numbers would require time and a method, but in groups of 20 – 50 they continued throughout the morning – Yellow-faced and White-naped Honeyeaters and smaller flocks of Silvereyes. Rarely did any stop; their focus was on ‘getting there’, we know not where except to say further north. Ignoring a huge Red-bellied Black Snake attention was drawn to a robin, eventually agreed to being an immature Scarlet Robin. A large group of about 70 Hoary-headed Grebes sat together as a raft being pushed around by the wind. Pied and Little Pied Cormorants lazed on a sand spit or on a fallen tree, White-faced Herons sat silhouetted on a power pole, Yellow Thornbills, Golden Whistler, Brown-headed Honeyeaters, Common Bronzewings, Gang-gang Cockatoos heard, Whistling Kite being blown through the sky. All made for an interesting morning. We enjoyed lots of chatter over lunch, then as the wind gained force birding was terminated and we went our separate ways with 56 species recorded for the morning.

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PANBOOLA AUTUMN SURVEY Wednesday April 18, 2018 Robyn Kesby Water levels had been dropping rapidly with windy conditions and lack of rain in the weeks preceding this survey. Lots of muddy edges provided ideal conditions for six Black-fronted Dotterels in Tips Billabong. Our group of 10 observers was pleased to see that the visiting Freckled Duck was still there too, along with the more often seen White-necked Heron. A Golden-headed Cisticola posed beautifully at the top of a reed so that all had a good view. A single Silvereye perched deep in a tree at the racecourse singing its heart out – not the usual observation of this species! A flock of more than 40 Straw-necked Ibis flew over. Large flocks of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters were observed on their migration as expected at this time of year. We counted 57 species on this clear and sunny but cool day.

MIDDLE BEACH and BITHRY INLET, MIMOSA ROCKS NP Sunday April 23, 2018 Barbara Jones Driving up the coast via Tathra was a grim reminder of how badly we need rain. With so many homes and forests burnt we found birds seemed to be scarce even right on the coastline where we walked. From the Middle Beach car park our group of 17 followed the walking track giving easy access to Middle Lagoon with a circular walk returning to the car park via Middle Beach. On the Lagoon 150 swans were scattered, their ‘honking’ wafting from all directions. Little Pied Cormorants, Royal Spoonbills, Australian White Ibis, Great Egrets, a few ducks and a White-bellied Sea-Eagle all made for a peaceful scene.

Continuing through the Southern Mahogany trees, aka Bangalay, we saw wrens, Silvereyes moving north in small flocks, Australian King-Parrots, Rainbow Lorikeets, Eastern Spinebills, Lewin’s Honeyeaters, but no Swift Parrots. No food for them here this year. On the ocean side were three Double-banded Plovers, Red-capped Plovers and a Pied Oystercatcher pair but the Hooded Plovers were not found. Morning tea was followed by a short drive to Bithry Inlet, at the southern end of Wapengo Lake where it enters the sea and where the wind suddenly whipped up. We headed past the walking access beyond the locked gate belonging to the Myer House, with public access to the NP. The property was donated to NPWS in 1976 and is available for weekly rentals. Apart from wonderful views and walking through tall

Spotted Gums plus a Sydney Blue Gum plantation, we found the signage of great interest, depicting the long history of the site. It would be worth spending an hour just looking at these signs, unique in design and presentation. And of course, the birds. As expected there were Bell Miners at each site. At Bithry Inlet we saw similar bush birds to Middle Beach but added Sooty Oystercatcher, Golden Whistler, Pied Currawongs, Crested Tern and Spotted Pardalote. As we ate lunch an adult and an immature sea-eagle soared over our heads. Our bird count was only 41 species but no one was complaining, not even mad keen birder/photographer David, visiting as a hospital locum, and joined by his wife for this walk. We had been able to find seven cooperative Glossy Black-Cockatoos for him the previous weekend though.

TANTAWANGLO to SIX MILE CREEK Saturday May 12, 2018 Roger Heffernan Seven faithfuls turned up but rain caused a retreat to the store for coffee. This trip has been re-scheduled for Sunday June 24, 2018.

Great Egret photo: Leo Berzins

Black-fronted Dotterel photo: Leo Berzins

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MAXWELLS FLORA RESERVE and RAINFOREST Wednesday May 23, 2018 David Merrick The sun was shining as we left Tura Beach in the morning although the wind was cool. However the cloud cover increased as we drove south. While we waited in the cold for the last of 10 members to arrive at the corner of Imlay Road, we observed a Jacky Winter on a nearby fence. An Australian Raven called, a Willy Wagtail appeared and of course a colony of Bell Miners was heard. With some rearrangement of vehicles, we drove on to and down Maxwells Road to the Rainforest Reserve car park. It was still cold and overcast as we walked around the loop track through a beautiful fern gully. The track was fairly rough underfoot and required clambering over a fallen tree at one place. It was very hard to see birds in this dense forest, but a few were identified by sound. After a cuppa we drove up to the Mallacoota Lookout. The view was magnificent and the weather started to brighten up. A few more birds were added to the list. Then back to the rainforest picnic area for lunch. The sun came out and also some birds. The Golden Whistler in the sun was probably the highlight and a tailless Superb Fairy-wren was intriguing. A Yellow Robin moved in to clean up our crumbs as we left the table. Only 21 species recorded today for this site, but certainly a beautiful location. We were very ably led by Max in Barbara’s absence. Thank you Max, it was indeed an enjoyable outing.

BIRD ROUTE NO 3 and ROCKY HALL area Sunday May 27, 2018 Lizzie Simkus After meeting at Wyndham on a cold but sunny morning, 19 members and one visitor, Kim, headed to Pretty Point Bridge. We parked on the southern side and soon saw Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters foraging in the eucalypts and heard an Eastern Whipbird calling further along the creek. It was quite cold in the shade on the northern side of the bridge but we saw four Eastern Yellow Robins and heard White-naped Honeyeaters. Before moving on we saw the only Golden Whistler of the day. Our next stop was New Buildings Bridge where some members saw a single Diamond Firetail and another pair of Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters. As we drove on to Big Jack Mountain there were Jacky Winters and Australasian Pipits along the way and a large flock of White-winged Choughs foraging in a recently ploughed paddock. Just past Rocky Hall a Brown Falcon (dark morph) sat in a dead tree. The breast feathers were uniformly glossy brown and the cheek patches were scarcely noticeable. By the time we stopped for lunch the day was very warm and we enjoyed sitting in the sun, admiring the view across the creek. Bell Miners dominated here but many King Parrots flew back and forth in front of us. On the way back to Wyndham we finally saw Flame Robins on the fence wires and they came close enough for us to see them clearly. This brought the species count to 54 as we finished the day. Thanks to Hayden for leading the outing.

COMMON MYNA TASK FORCE NEWS

Good news from Bemboka. Well done Lizzie Simkus. Her local population has been reduced by 25 previously trap-shy birds. Bad news from Rocky Hall with Max Sutcliffe photographing two there in a ploughed paddock on May 28, 2018. Tony Jarman and Jim Chester reported 8 in same area in May 2010. None since.

Jacky Winter photo: Kim Armstrong

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BIGnet – ‘WETLANDS UNDER THREAT’ Gayle Partridge Robyn Kesby (President) and Gayle Partridge (Conservation Officer) from Far South Coast Birdwatchers attended the recent BIGnet meeting on 21/22 May at Sydney Olympic Park. BIGnet is the Bird Interest Group Network. Members meet twice a year to share information about bird conservation issues. Some items covered across the two days included: Need for migratory waterbird flyway network site manager network and training. Phil Straw (Birdife Southern NSW) Important sites for migratory waterbird conservation have been established in countries along the East Asian – Australasian Flyway – one of the international pathways followed by migratory waterbirds. With increasing pressures from population growth and economic development, these networks are important for the conservation of migratory waterbirds as they provide a chain of sustainably managed habitat along the length of the Flyway. There are over 20 of these sites in Australia. Phil Straw raised concerns about the management of Flyway sites – including low levels of awareness among site managers of their roles and responsibilities specific to waterbird protection. He recommended setting up a network for communication among site managers and that they should receive appropriate support and training. Further information: http://eaaflyway.net/ Coastal engineering to restore coastal wetlands for waterbirds in NSW. Professor William Glamore, (University of NSW). Professor Glamore has worked with a large team of researchers over many years on developing plans for rebuilding tidal rivers and wetlands where they have been drained and infilled through agricultural and urban development. This transformation from wetland to developed land has occurred in the space of one lifetime in areas such as the Hunter River estuary, Manning River, Macleay River, Clarence River. They call these plans “rescues” rather than restoration or rehabilitation – they are major engineering works and have been very successful, creating functioning habitats that support diverse birdlife. Further information: http://www.petercullentrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Individual_Articles/BRIDGINGnewsletterno.12Sep2014Glamore2cestuaries-1.pdf Climate change and wetlands – possible implications for waterbirds. Gayle Partridge (Far South Coast Birdwatchers) The changing climate, including increasing temperatures, altered rainfall patterns (increasing in some places and decreasing in others as well as a tendency towards more intense events) and sea level rise have been recorded in recent years and are projected to continue into the future. The extent of the changes will depend on greenhouse gas emissions and measures taken to mitigate and adapt. Wetland environments (coastal and inland), that sustain waterbird populations across Australia are vulnerable to climate change, being dependent on rainfall and river flow as well as tidal conditions on the coast. On the Far South Coast of NSW, some of the beach nesting birds such as Beach Stone-curlews and Hooded Plovers will continue to be affected by climate change, especially sea level rise and tidal surges. The work of bird clubs, reporting on sightings and raising awareness among members and in the community, is particularly important. Other sessions included:

Murray Darling Basin Watering Strategy (including waterbird targets and outcomes). Tim Hosking and Jennifer Spencer, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. Further information: https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/Summary-Basin-wide-e-watering-strategy.pdf

Riverstone wetlands – a proposed development site that has an amazing array of birdlife. Mark Fuller, Cumberland Bird Observers Club.

Wetlands and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) Dan Weller, Migratory Shorebird Program Managers, Birdlife Australia. Further information: http://birdlife.org.au/documents/SB-MS_CAP_Overview.pdf

If you would like to see the minutes for both meetings, please contact Gayle Partridge partridge.gayle@gmail.com

http://eaaflyway.net/http://www.petercullentrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Individual_Articles/BRIDGINGnewsletterno.12Sep2014Glamore2cestuaries-1.pdfhttp://www.petercullentrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Individual_Articles/BRIDGINGnewsletterno.12Sep2014Glamore2cestuaries-1.pdfhttps://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/pubs/Summary-Basin-wide-e-watering-strategy.pdfhttp://birdlife.org.au/documents/SB-MS_CAP_Overview.pdfmailto:partridge.gayle@gmail.com

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MEMBER PROFILE MIKE HEALEY from Tathra Q. Has watching birds always been an interest for you? Bird watching has only recently become an interest of mine, in the last couple of years, when I picked up my camera and decided I needed to use it more. I found that after almost a year of taking photographs each day, I had generally concentrated on my local birdlife. Q. Joining a group is usually an ‘unknown’. How did you find us and was a birding group what you expected? Searching on the internet when I wanted to take a photo of an emu, I found a post on the FSCB Facebook page. I went to an outing at Mogareeka, and finding the group to be an enthusiastic and fun bunch of people, I became a member. Q. Where does photography fit into your birding interests? Photography is my main interest when it comes to birding. I participated in a birding/photography workshop in Far North Queensland in 2017. I saw many birds I had never seen before, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Green Catbird, Southern Cassowary to name a few. I have also recently returned from Tasmania, where I was lucky enough to photograph and observe a Pink Robin. This tour was more landscape and autumn colour change, but there were a few of us birders on the bus to get excited over discovering the little bird, while others were off photographing fungi! Q. What is your favourite birding spot around Tathra and the Bega Valley? I have a few favourite local spots to look for birds: Mogareeka, Fords Headland. Up until recently I also explored the Bundadung Mountain Bike trails (currently out of action due to bushfire damage). I also like to explore the Glebe and Kisses Lagoons in Bega and Panboola at Pambula for birding opportunities. Q. What is your ‘best birding moment’? My best birding moment is not too tough to answer. It would have to be in FNQ at Mount Hypipamee Crater. We were

photographing small birds flitting around when we were visited by three Cassowaries. A large chick, a juvenile and then an adult male walked out of the bush. It was exciting and a little scary as the big male was walking around casually, then decided we were too close. Much scrambling backwards occurred to give him room! Q. Do you have a favourite bird? As far as a favourite bird, I can't say I have one. I love watching any kind of raptor soaring the sky and I enjoy watching the Superb Fairy-wrens, Eastern Yellow Robins, Red-browed Finches and the occasional Eastern Spinebill cavorting in my garden.

Pink Robin photo: Michael Healy

Southern Cassowary photo: Michael Healy

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A NEW BIRD IN NETHERCOTE May 2018 Barbara Jones After 24 years living on this block at Nethercote and creating bird habitat from a cow paddock I can claim 151 species of birds have either taken up residence or have visited. Finding something new is rare so it was a surprise to have our new neighbour knock at the door holding a bird with the statement “Look what I found.” The grey bird had been floundering on the grass with a dog looking on and was rescued. Easily identified as a Short-tailed Shearwater it’s hard to imagine how it got there as we are 8 km from the sea as the shearwater flies. A call to Wires found there are dozens of young, hungry shearwaters and gannets being brought in at present, so the advice was to put it in a cage with some water and if alive in the morning take it in to be hydrated. One bowl placed in the cage resulted in the bird jumping in to sit in it, so another for drinking was added. Overnight there was lots of noise as the bird was obviously planning to live, so a quick visit was made to Wires for a few pilchards to be stuffed into the throat then off to Merimbula Wharf where it was placed on the edge of the wharf before being blown off, dropping, then regaining height only to land about 200 metres out. Two Silver Gulls came to it and were given a peck and after a couple of minutes it took off from the water and flew out to sea where it is no doubt sharing tales of the inland visit it had made. I’m claiming that as no 152.

FSCB DIRECTORY

President: Robyn Kesby ph 0414 864973 president@fscb.org.au

Vice President: Roger Heffernan ph 6493 2208 naldaheffernan@bigpond.com

Secretary: Barbara Jones ph 6495 7390 secretary@fscb.org.au

Treasurer: Jan Reed ph 6495 6592 treasurer@fscb.org.au

Ass. Treasurer: Hayden Kingston ph 0417 227 467

Website & Newsletter: Leo Berzins ph 6495 2189 web-admin@fscb.org.au

Sub-editor: Sue Romane ph 6495 3930 seromane@hotmail.com

Committee: Alison Hayes ph 6495 0120

Jenny Gotley ph 6495 9410 All mail to PO Box 180 Pambula NSW 2549.

Jenny Morrison ph 6495 9410 Email: fscbirds@bigpond.com

David Merrick ph 6495 9866 Subscriptions due Jan 1 annually: Family $20. Single $15

Conservation Officer: Gayle Partridge ph 0418 429 291 Facebook: click here Far South Coast Birdwatchers Inc.

Supper Arrangements: Jenny Morrison & Pat Neal

Sightings Records: Barbara Jones fscbirds@bigpond.com

Data Entry: David Merrick davidmerrick@bigpond.com

Deadline for August Newsletter: July 26, 2018. Articles and reports to be sent to Sub-editor: seromane@hotmail.com

Lunchtime at Big Jack Picnic Area photo: Kim Armstrong

president@fscb.org.aunaldaheffernan@bigpond.comsecretary@fscb.org.autreasurer@fscb.org.auweb-admin@fscb.org.auseromane@hotmail.comfscbirds@bigpond.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Farsouthcoastbirdwatchers?ref_type=bookmarkfscbirds@bigpond.comdavidmerrick@bigpond.comseromane@hotmail.com

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A SELECTION of SIGHTINGS from April/May 2018

Please report your sightings, especially threatened species e-mail: fscbirds@bigpond.com

THREATENED SPECIES

7/4/2018 Beach Stone-curlew 1 Merimbula Lake, south side via L Allen 12/4/2018 Dusky Woodswallow 4 Panboola P Roberts 18/4/2018 Dusky Woodswallow 8 Panboola FSCB survey 4/4/2018 Eastern Osprey 1 Merimbula L Berzins others observers since then 28/4/2018 Eastern Osprey 2 Merimbula, Marine Rescue P Roberts 26/5/2018 Eastern Osprey 1 Bermagui, Beauty Point D Adams 4/4/2018 Freckled Duck 1 Panboola L Berzins below Smiths Lookout 18/4/2018 Freckled Duck 1 Panboola FSCB survey stayed a few weeks 25/4/2018 Freckled Duck 10+ Cathcart, Black Lake L Berzins 1/4/2018 Gang-gang Cockatoo 20 Candelo Cemetery R Heffernan 14/4/2018 Gang-gang Cockatoo 2 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 18/4/2018 Gang-gang Cockatoo 2 + imm Tura Sapphire Coast Drive C Meslin in bird bath 6/5/2018 Gang-gang Cockatoo 3 Nethercote B Jones daily, first thing in morning 9/5/2018 Gang-gang Cockatoo 10 Pambula Beach E Prosser daily, mainly in reserve 13/4/2018 Glossy Black-Cockatoo 3 Wallagoot, near Bournda NP C Wallis, S Mihara seen several days 21/4/2018 Glossy Black-Cockatoo 7 Mandeni Jones/Sutcliffe/Romane/Fonda 29/4/2018 Hooded Plover 1 Tura Beach L Allen 9/5/2018 Hooded Plover 2 (X0 + X5) Eden, Cocora Beach P Horne seen other days by others 11/5/2018 Hooded Plover 3 Wallagoot Beach C Wallis, S Mihara 14/5/2018 Hooded Plover 2 (P2 + friend) Nth Tura, sth of Bournda Is L Allen 20/5/2018 Hooded Plover 2 (T1 + friend) Haycock Beach L Allen 15/5/2018 Little Eagle 1 Panboola S Burrows photo 3/5/2018 Olive Whistler 1 Mumbulla Mountain M Campbell photos 20/5/2018 Olive Whistler 1 Kalaru D Jones 4th visit to block over yrs 14/4/2018 Pied Oystercatcher 1 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 22/4/2018 Pied Oystercatcher 1 Bithry Inlet FSCB outing 22/4/2018 Pied Oystercatcher 2 Middle Bch Mimosa NP FSCB outing 11/5/2018 Pied Oystercatcher 1 Wallagoot Beach C Wallis, S Mihara 3/4/2018 Scarlet Robin 1 Tura Flora Reserve L Collins 6/4/2018 Scarlet Robin pair Nethercote B Jones 11/4/2018 Scarlet Robin 1 female Pambula Beach home D Waldon 12/4/2018 Scarlet Robin 1 male Panboola P Roberts 14/4/2018 Scarlet Robin 1 imm Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 20/4/2018 Scarlet Robin pair Yurammie R Heffernan 6/5/2018 Scarlet Robin 1 male Candelo/Wyndham Lane D Waldon 27/5/2018 Scarlet Robin 6 Rocky Hall Village area FSCB outing 22/4/2018 Sooty Oystercatcher 2 Bithry Inlet and Myer Block FSCB outing 18/5/2018 Sooty Oystercatcher 3 Wallagoot Beach C Wallis, S Mihara 10/4/2018 Square-tailed Kite 1 Merimbula, Berrambool Drive M Sutcliffe over house 16/4/2018 Square-tailed Kite 1 Nethercote B Jones ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 29/4/2018 Australasian Figbird many Bermagui, CBD S Romane 30/5/2018 Australian Owlet-nightjar 1 Kanoona, Wyndham Lane C Smith 5/5/2018 Australasian Pipit 14 Yurammie R Heffernan 27/5/2018 Australasian Pipit 10 Rocky Hall Village area FSCB outing ploughed paddock 14/4/2018 Australasian Shoveler 6 Bega, Glebe Park Jarman/Simkus/Heffernan 25/4/2018 Australasian Shoveler 20+ Cathcart, Black Lake L Berzins 14/4/2018 Australian Shelduck 2 Bega,, opp Glebe Park Jarman/Simkus/Heffernan standing roadside 14/4/2018 Australian Shelduck 4 Bird Route No 1, first bridge T Jarman 25/4/2018 Australian Shelduck 20+ Cathcart, Black Lake L Berzins 9/5/2018 Australian Shelduck 6 Bega, Glebe Lagoon L Allen 10/5/2018 Azure Kingfisher 1 Berrambool, Merimbula Ck L Collins seen from kayak 17/5/2018 Azure Kingfisher 1 Narooma Boardwalk D Adams 21/4/2018 Bassian Thrush 3 Mandeni Jones/Sutcliffe/Romane/Fonda 26/4/2018 Bassian Thrush 1 Tanja, 'Ngairin' D Bright almost tame, at house daily 5/5/2018 Bassian Thrush 1 Wolumla, Cherry Lane L Davey 11/5/2018 Bassian Thrush 1 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' C Wallis, S Mihara 15/5/2018 Bassian Thrush 1 Nethercote B Jones at house 22/4/2018 Black Swan 150 Middle Bch Mimosa Rocks FSCB outing 18/4/2018 Black-fronted Dotterel 6 Panboola FSCB survey 3/5/2018 Black-fronted Dotterel 4 Tura Golf Club bottom pond L Allen 25/4/2018 Black-winged Stilt 7 Cathcart, Dragon Swamp Rd L Berzins 9/5/2018 Black-winged Stilt 1 Bega, opp Glebe Park B Jones 30/4/2018 Brown Falcon 1 Yurammie R Heffernan dark morph 27/5/2018 Brown Falcon 1 Rocky Hall area FSCB outing dark morph

fscbirds@bigpond.com

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14/4/2018 Brown Gerygone 4 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 18/4/2018 Brown Goshawk 1 Panboola FSCB survey 1/5/2018 Brown Quail 2 Yurammie R Heffernan 14/4/2018 Brown-headed Honeyeater 4 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 18/4/2018 Brown-headed Honeyeater 10 Panboola FSCB survey 8/5/2018 Brown-headed Honeyeater lge grp Tura, Sapphire Coast Drive C Meslin 23/5/2018 Buff-rumped Thornbill 1 Maxwells Flora Reserve FSCB outing photo 12/4/2018 Cattle Egret 27 Yurammie R Heffernan 13/4/2018 Cattle Egret 12 Panboola Anderson/Hibberd 1/4/2018 Collared Sparrowhawk 1 Candelo, Myrtle Mtn Rd R Heffernan 1/5/2018 Collared Sparrowhawk 1 Berrambool home M Sutcliffe sitting on low branch 14/4/2018 Common Bronzewing 4 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 2/5/2018 Common Myna 2 Toothdale, Wyndham Lane R Heffernan 19/5/2018 Common Myna 5 Cathcart CBD H Kingston 26/5/2018 Common Myna 25 trapped Bemboka E Simkus in last four weeks 27/5/2018 Common Myna 2 Rocky Hall area FSCB outing ploughed paddock 14/4/2018 Crescent Honeyeater 2 Nethercote B Jones daily 15/5/2018 Crested Shrike-tit 2 Panboola L Allen 27/5/2018 Diamond Firetail 1 New Buildings Bridge FSCB outing 28/5/2018 Diamond Firetail 2 Rocky Hall S Romane 19/4/2018 Double-banded Plover 3 Tura Beach L Allen 22/4/2018 Double-banded Plover 3 Middle Beach Mimosa Rocks FSCB outing 1/5/2018 Double-banded Plover 3 Tura Beach L Allen 4/5/2018 Double-banded Plover 4 Merimbula, Short Point L Allen 19/5/2018 Double-banded Plover 5 Merimbula, Fishpen L Allen 14/5/2018 Eastern Reef Egret 1 Bournda Lagoon L Allen 15/4/2018 Eastern Reef Egret 1 Turingal Head C Wallis, S Mihara 28/5/2018 Eastern Rosella 7 Rocky Hall Village area S Romane ploughed paddock 6/4/2018 Eastern Rosella 28 Yurammie R Heffernan 27/5/2018 Flame Robin 5 Rocky Hall Village area FSCB outing ploughed paddock 4/4/2018 Golden-headed Cisticola 1 Yurammie R Heffernan 13/4/2018 Golden-headed Cisticola 1 Panboola Anderson/Hibberd 18/4/2018 Golden-headed Cisticola 5 Panboola FSCB survey 27/5/2018 Grey Currawong 1 Bombala D Adams 25/4/2018 Grey Currawong 2 Yurammie R Heffernan 14/4/2018 Hoary-headed Grebe 75 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 27/5/2018 Jacky Winter 10 Rocky Hall Res and Hall area FSCB outing 6/4/2018 Little Corella 150 Yurammie R Heffernan 12/4/2018 Little Penguin 1 Bermagui, Fisherman's Wharf D Adams in light beam at dusk 27/4/2018 Little Penguin 1 Bermagui, Bruce Steer pool D Adams swimming out to sea 12/4/2018 Magpie-lark 16 Yurammie R Heffernan 14/4/2018 Mistletoebird 2 male Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 18/4/2018 Musk Lorikeet 8 Panboola FSCB survey 14/4/2018 Olive-backed Oriole 1 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 17/5/2018 Pacific Gull 1 ad Eden, Cocora Beach S Romane 25/4/2018 Peregrine Falcon 2 Yurammie R Heffernan 14/4/2018 Pied Cormorant 6 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 29/4/2018 Pink-eared Duck 5 Tantawangalo Mtn Rd R Heffernan 14/4/2018 Pink-eared Duck 15 + Bega, opposite Glebe Park Jarman/Simkus/Heffernan 25/4/2018 Pink-eared Duck 100+ Cathcart, Black Lake L Berzins 21/4/2018 Red-browed Finch 120 Mandeni Jones/Sutcliffe/Romane/Fonda 1/4/2018 Red-capped Plover pair + 2 y Merimbula, Short Point L Collins 9/5/2018 Red-kneed Dotterel 4 Bega, opp Glebe Park B Jones 10/5/2018 Restless Flycatcher 1 Nethercote B Jones regular at house 10/5/2018 Restless Flycatcher 1 Bird Route No 1, 1st bridge L Berzins 15/5/2018 Restless Flycatcher 1 Yurammie R Heffernan 14/4/2018 Restless Flycatcher 1 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 12/5/2018 Rose Robin 1 Frogs Hollow A Reed in bird bath. 5/4/2018 Rose Robin 1 Tarraganda T Jarman collecting spiders from webs 11/4/2018 Rose Robin 1 Wallagoot ‘Watery Fowls’ C Wallis 1st for site 17/5/2018 Rose Robin 1 Lochiel, Pambula River S Romane 11/4/2018 Rose Robin pair Tura, Sapphire Coast Drive C Meslin in bird bath 23/4/2018 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 1 Panboola L Berzins not gone yet 29/5/2018 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 1 Tura, Sapphire Coast Drive C Meslin calling 4/5/2018 Short-tailed Shearwater 1 Nethercote C Peters/B Jones landed in grass 24/5/2018 Shy Albatross 10 Bermagui Headland D Adams 22/4/2018 Silvereye 30 Middle Beach Mimosa NP FSCB outing 9/5/2018 Silvereye flocks Bega, Glebe Lagoon L Allen migrating 14/4/2018 Silvereye flocks Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing migrating 28/5/2018 Silvereye (Tasmanian sp) 2 Tura Headland Reserve D Merrick 29/4/2018 Southern Emu-wren 1 Panboola M Sutcliffe 2/4/2018 Spangled Drongo 1 Kalaru K Buckland 11/4/2018 Spangled Drongo 1 Bermagui B Caves via FSCB website

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12/4/2018 Spangled Drongo 1 Bermagui, Beauty Point D Adams 11/5/2018 Spotted Harrier 1 Cobargo to Quaama J Miles dropped low over paddocks 17/4/2018 Spotted Quail-thrush 1 Towamba Rd R Clarke 25/4/2018 Spotted Quail-thrush 1 Towamba Rd Jones/Fonda/Romane 15/5/2018 Spotted Quail-thrush 2 Nethercote Rd - to Eden B Jones two different spots 14/4/2018 Straw-necked Ibis 20 Bega, opposite Glebe Park R Heffernan With Tony & Lizzie 9/5/2018 Straw-necked Ibis 80 Jellat Jellat flats L Allen 18/4/2018 Straw-necked Ibis 45 Panboola FSCB survey overhead 5/4/2018 Striated Heron 1 Merimbula Lake, at bridge S Romane 27/5/2018 Striated Pardalote 1 Rocky Hall at Hall FSCB outing 27/5/2018 Striated Pardalote 2 New Buildings Bridge FSCB outing 11/5/2018 Stubble Quail 3 Yurammie, Heffernan R Heffernan 25/4/2018 Superb Lyrebird 2 ad + 1 y Nethercote Rd D Fonda photos 8/5/2018 Tawny Frogmouth 1 Kanoona C Smith 18/5/2018 Tawny Frogmouth 1 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' C Wallis, S Mihara 9/5/2018 Tawny Frogmouth 2 Pambula Beach E Prosser 24/5/2018 Tawny Frogmouth 2 Wyndham A Taylor there three days 27/5/2018 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 2 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' C Wallis, S Mihara on branch near nest 23/5/2018 White-eared Honeyeater 1 Maxwells Flora Reserve FSCB outing 28/5/2018 White-eared Honeyeater 1 Yurammie R Heffernan 18/4/2018 White-naped Honeyeater 50 Panboola FSCB survey 11/4/2018 White-naped Honeyeater flocks Tura, Sapphire Coast Drive C Meslin migrating 14/4/2018 White-naped Honeyeater flocks Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing migrating 13/4/2018 White-necked Heron 1 Panboola Anderson/Hibberd 2/5/2018 White-necked Heron 1 Toothdale, Wyndham Lane R Heffernan 30/4/2018 White-necked Heron 2 Bermagui, Fairhaven Point S Romane 28/5/2018 White-winged Chough 60 Rocky Hall Village area S Romane ploughed paddock 11/5/2018 White-winged Chough 76 Yurammie R Heffernan good count 14/4/2018 Yellow Thornbill 4 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing 18/4/2018 Yellow Thornbill 4 Panboola FSCB survey 18/4/2018 Yellow-faced Honeyeater 100 Panboola FSCB survey 22/4/2018 Yellow-faced Honeyeater 50 + Yurammie R Heffernan migrating 14/4/2018 Yellow-faced Honeyeater 000s Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' FSCB outing migrating 13/4/2018 Yellow-tailed Bl-Cockatoo 10 Wallagoot, 'Watery Fowls' C Wallis, S Mihara 25/5/2018 Yellow-tailed Bl-Cockatoo 100 Towamba Valley S Skelton flying together 27/5/2018 Yellow-tufted Honeyeater 2 New Buildings Bridge FSCB outing 27/5/2018 Yellow-tufted Honeyeater 5 Bird Route 3, Pretty Pt Bridge FSCB outing

Scarlet Robin photo: Leo Berzins Swamp Harrier photo: Max Sutcliffe

Freckled Ducks photo Leo Berzins

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COMING EVENTS

Held on second Saturday and fourth Sunday of each month and odd weekdays. Evening Meetings on second Thursday of February, April, June, August, October and December.

Information about outings or help with transport contact anyone on committee (see FSCB Directory page 8).

Thursday June 14, 2018 EVENING MEETING Meet in the Uniting Church Hall, Henwood St, Merimbula for a 7:30 pm start. Guest Speaker will be Chris Lloyd with some news about seabirds, including an update on White-faced Storm Petrels and island restoration up the coast plus news of a penguin project at Eagles Claw at Eden. Sunday June 24, 2018 TANTAWANGALO TO SIX MILE CREEK Re-scheduled due to rain on previous attempt. Meet at 9:00 am in the Candelo Park, opposite the shops, for an adventure. Tantawangalo Mountain Road, Six Mile Creek and Summerell Fire Trail. A slow meander up the hill with stops on the way. Food and a chair as usual. Monday July 9, 2018 COMMITTEE MEETING Members are always welcome to attend. Contact Barbara for details. Wednesday July 11, 2018 PANBOOLA SURVEY Meet at 8:30 am at Panboola Centre, Watsons Waterhole, next to Idlewilde Motel in Bullara St, Pambula for the winter survey. Wear sturdy shoes. Carry snack and drink. It could be COLD. Takes about 3 hours. Saturday July 14, 2018 BEGA in WINTER Meet at 9:30 am just inside the Bega Saleyards in Kerrisons Lane, Bega. We always have success in winter at Bega and we will be near the cars all day as we move around to various sites. Lunch possibly near the river. Sunday July 22, 2018 BLACK LAKE and BOMBALA PLATYPUS RESERVE Another tradition is our trip to Black Lake at Cathcart, then Bombala. Meet at 9:30 am in Cathcart CBD, near the store, on the road from Wyndham to Bombala (Mt Darragh Rd). Allow 40 minutes from Pambula. We’ll include the Platypus Reserve at Bombala this trip as well as the hunt for Flame Robins. Bring lunch, but we’ll aim to be in Bombala for bought hot lunch if desired. We’ll be wandering. Friday August 3, 2018 BOURNDA BIRD OLYMPICS Arrangements for this event at the Bournda Environment Education Centre are not finalised yet. Once again FSCB will be donating books as prizes. Thursday August 9, 2018 EVENING MEETING Meet in the Uniting Church Hall, Henwood St, Merimbula for a 7:30 pm start. Guest Speaker will be Paul Whitington, assisted by Kerrie-Lee Harris, presenting “Birds in a Patch of Lowland Shrub Forest”. Check out their website www.southernforestlife.net to get a feel of what’s to come. Saturday August 11, 2018 BEMBOKA Meet at 9:15 am at the Bemboka Football Ground (Colombo Park) on the right below the highway just before entering the township from the coast. Lizzie always has something good lined up in her patch. Bring provisions and a chair if possible.

______________________________________________________________________________ FSCB GOOGLE GROUP and FACEBOOK

Go to the welcome page at http://groups.google.com/group/fscb?hl=en and follow the instructions. If you have trouble contact David on dpadams@gmail.com or Barbara. In the set up process you will be asked to give your email address and a password which will be yours just for the chat line (not your personal email password). You won’t be inundated with email. Maybe one or two a day, then nothing for a week/weeks, but the more people use the service the more useful it will become. Try it and see. Have you seen our FACEBOOK page? Please like the page and share the link with your friends! Or you can view without signing up, by going to https://www.facebook.com/Farsouthcoastbirdwatchers. Also on Twitter: @FSCBirds

www.southernforestlife.nethttp://groups.google.com/group/fscb?hl=enmailto:dpadams@gmail.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Farsouthcoastbirdwatchershttps://twitter.com/FSCBirds