A Regional Group of BirdLife WA since 2005 Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin

Issue 57 September 2019

Red-capped Parrot (juvenile), Augusta garden – Photo Roger Crabtree

CONTENTS Page Program 2 Shorebird Workshop 3 Hoodie Happenings 4 Cockatoo Capers 4 Capes Osprey Watch 5 Seabird charter 6-8 Two Oceans Watch 8 Ngilgi Cave Bird Walk 9 From the Editor’s Desk 10 Cape to Cape Chatter 10 Bird Photo Gallery 11 Sightings 11 Birding beyond the Capes 12-14

Wherever you go there are birds to watch

● Shorebird Workshop ● Leeuwin Marine Charters – September Trip The St. Alouarn Islands ● Capes Osprey Watch ● Two Oceans Watch

Photographs in this publication are the property of individual photographers or BirdLife Australia.

Permission is necessary to reproduce any photographs.

Cape to Cape Bird Group PROGRAM

Left to Right – Dr Grainne Maguire, Lindall Kidd and Christine Taylor

Parks and Wildlife, Margaret River

Celebrate BirdLife’s National Bird Week Monday 21 to Sunday 27 October

National Twitchathon 26-27 October The Aussie Backyard Bird Count is on again

Saturday 26 October Half-day excursion: BARRETT STREET TO DARCH BROOK Meet at 8.30 am at the Barrett Street Weir Car Park, Margaret River (off Willmott Avenue). This outing coincides with BirdLife’s National Bird Week and the Aussie Backyard Bird Count (ABBC). A bird count will be conducted along the walk track, with results entered on ABBC. Bring morning tea and a chair. Prizes will be presented for: A sighting of a Crested Shrike-tit or a Square-tailed Kite Best bird species seen on the day Best bird image photographed on the day

● Cape to Cape BirdBlitz - 2019 ● The seventh BirdBlitz walk will be held in November

Cosy Corner/Foul Bay - details in October issue The sixth BirdBlitz walk from the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Precinct car park south along the “Access for More Trail” turned out to be a great morning’s birding. A BirdLife Birdata Workshop is planned for Margaret River. 2020 BirdBlitz – Hardy Inlet, Augusta Spit and Flinders Bay.

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 to proceed. In the event of threatening weather, those planning to attend an excursion (particularly if travelling some distance) are welcome to check conditions with the leader prior to the excursion (use individual mobile contact if given).

Convenor – Christine Wilder cwilderone@yahoo.com.au Acting Deputy – Jennifer Hunt

For Past Issues - Visit ‘birdlife western australia publications’ Go to ‘Regional Group Newsletters’ - ‘Capes’ Website – http://birdlife.org.au/locations/ birdlife-western-australia/publications-wa

Looking south from Surfers Point at sunset – Photo Christine Wilder

Foul Bay Lighthouse – Photo Roger Crabtree

Ensure you are on the list for notification of trips aboard LEEUWIN MARINE CHARTERS

Surveying seabirds around the St. Alouarn Island group Usually early to mid-month

Contact: cwilderone@yahoo.com.au

Wild ocean off Augusta – Photo Fran Jackson

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Dr Grainne Maguire speaking at the workshop – Photo Christine Wilder

By all accounts BirdLife WA’s Shorebirds Forum held in Perth on 7 September was a great success.

Christine Taylor, DBCA Bunbury and BirdLife WA’s Cape to Cape Bird Group made the most of the opportunity to invite visiting speakers from BirdLife Australia, Victoria to present a workshop on Shorebirds of the Cape to Cape Region at AMR Council Chambers. Dr. Grainne Maquire (Coastal Birds Program Leader) last visited Margaret River in 2011 and it was fantastic to welcome her back, along with Lindall Kidd (Migratory Shorebird Program Officer).

Lindall introduced the shorebirds, talking about differences when observing each species (migratory and resident) and the flyways used by migratory shorebirds worldwide, followed by Grainne speaking about Hooded Plover behaviour and advances made over a number of years, to engage the public into re-thinking how they share beaches with shorebirds. Then Christine Taylor spoke about the successful release of Blue Tag and Yellow Tag, after three eggs were found floating close to shore in Augusta, with the two chicks raised by dedicated carers Kerry and Dave Bell.

Around 26 people from Perth, Dunsborough, Yallingup and Augusta attended, along with locals from Margaret River and DBCA staff members, and it was good to meet potential new recruits for this season’s DBCA/BirdLife WA Hooded Plover Monitoring Program, already underway.

There was positive feedback too, one comment from David Novy – “I found the speakers impressive with a great depth of knowledge. It was worth going for the information provided.”

Christine Wilder

Right – Christine Taylor (DBCA) speaking about capes Hooded Plovers Photo Christine Wilder

Looking for Hoodies at Cowaramup Bay

Grainne with a floating egg demonstration – Photo Christine Taylor

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Hoodie Happenings and other shorebirds

30 August This afternoon I rushed down (before the next shower/drenching of rain) to see what was about. The two Red Capped Plovers that spent a day at the end of Deere Street have disappeared (no beach until the tide went out) and the bank is really getting eaten into. An Australian Pied Oystercatcher is still on the nest on the sand bar. Deb Perry went over in her dinghy the other day (she didn’t know it was nesting) and said there were two eggs. Let’s hope they have success. There were Red-necked Avocets also.

Jenny Kikeros 4 September I walked to the river-mouth thinking nothing much happening along Deere Beach and saw over 100 Little Black Cormorants fly over the river-mouth towards Swan Lake followed by around 30 Pelicans. The Little Black Cormorants then flew back and dispersed over the estuary. The pelicans did not return. An Australian Pied Oystercatcher was still on the nest.

Jenny Kikeros

As I was searching for Pink Fairy Orchids along the dog walking track that goes through the shrub at the Blackwood River-mouth I saw a Red-capped Plover looking suspiciously like it had a nest. Not far away from the edge of the bush on the open sand beside a small patch of seaweed there were two darkly speckled eggs. I came back the next day and the female was very protective this time actively defending the nest. I did what was suggested at the Shorebird Workshop recently held in Margaret River and backed away slowly. I was about ten metres away and the bird returned to the nest and settled down on the eggs, such a lovely sight to see.

The following day there was no evidence of eggs or anything, the eggs must have hatched and all that was left was a little patch of footprints. Go brave mothers, especially in areas where dogs and children frequently play.

Dean McFaull ___________________________________________________________

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If you see Hooded Plovers on any beach in the south west please check for leg bands – Two birds were released at Bob’s Hollow – One bird has a yellow BA flag, one with a blue BA flag. Blue flag was seen at Quinninup in July. If you notice these birds please report sightings to -

BirdLife WA at wa@birdlife.org.au or (08) 9383 7749

2019 Great Cocky Count Report Dear Great Cocky Counter BirdLife WA launched The 2019 Great Cocky Count Report recently. This was the tenth consecutive count so a special cake was made for the occasion. The report highlighted the plight of Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, whose Perth population has declined by 35% in the last decade. The main reason is the ongoing clearing of critical feeding and roosting habitat in pine plantations north of Perth.

To counteract this clearing and put pressure on the state government to revegetate the area, BirdLife Australia and the Carnaby’s Cockatoo Action Group have joined forces to start revegetation next winter with a crowd funding campaign called RevegGnangara. Please donate and share this link as widely as you can!

I’d like to thank all the volunteers and land-owners who have helped us out with the GCC over the years. The following people will have GCC certificates winging their way to them: Rachel Walmsley 6 counts 1191 cockies Jack Williams 6 counts 1129 cockies Sheryl Wilson 6 counts 912 cockies John Hudson 6 counts 777 cockies Nathalie Casal 6 counts 728 cockies Ciara McIlduff 6 counts 702 cockies John Mullen 6 counts 510 cockies Linda Borrison 6 counts 499 cockies Jean Halse 6 counts 332 cockies Katrina Zeehandelaar-Adams 6 counts 244 cockies Tina Thorne 6 counts 217 cockies Cher Rapanaro 6 counts 141 cockies Wendy Lee 6 counts 42 cockies Matt Mulder 6 counts 5150 cockies Ian Morley 6 counts 27 cockies Ben Millar 6 counts 26 cockies

Joan Haliczenko 6 counts 1 cockie Robyn Poore 6 counts 0 cockies

Most Cockies counted John Clarke 6 counts 15489 cockies Allan Burbidge 4 counts 14901 cockies Laura Parker 4 counts 14651 cockies Warwick Boardman 9 counts 12120 cockies Alasdair Bulloch 3 counts 11530 cockies Best workshop 2019: SWCC (Gelorup Community Centre) Site co-ordinators: Alice Bishop (Chapman Valley) Sue Pedrick (Gingin) Leah Knapp (Murdoch Uni) Shappelle McNee (Capes region) Brendan Kinsella (Cheyne’s Beach) Lynley Davey and Jen Sumpton (Jurien Bay) The next GCC will be on Sunday April 5, 2020.

Adam Peck Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Project Coordinator

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Capes Osprey Watch

10 September Meelup Osprey with its catch. Ian Wiese

7 September I checked the Osprey nest at Old Wallcliffe House.

Keith Mann

Can you help? Are you interested in osprey nest monitoring within the capes? If so, please contact Christine – cwilderone@yahoo.com.au

Ospreys on Osnaburg Tower, Augusta, 2/10/19 – Photo Judy Coles

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Excursion Report – 7 September LEEUWIN MARINE CHARTERS

around the St. Alouarn Island Group

Returning to the harbour – Photo Fran Jackson

National Threatened Species Day was an appropriate date to venture out to count seabirds. With nine on board, we headed into a moderate breeze and swell. We stayed long enough near the islands to see a Sooty Oystercatcher, Ruddy Turnstones and Crested Terns on the rocks, along with the usual fur seals, and then headed for the open ocean, travelling further south than on previous trips, into spectacular sets of waves.

Up the front, Blake and I spotted albatrosses and shearwaters in the distance, but the birds weren’t coming in too close. Eventually a shearwater flew in and then more appeared along with several Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses. Finally, a Shy Albatross joined the other birds and we were surrounded. The shearwaters were almost flying under the canopy of the boat, agile and pretty impressive to watch dipping between the waves, especially when a number of them fly in together. We returned via lighthouse passage, with a view of tourists on the walkway at the top of the lighthouse, and the lightkeepers cottages. Thank you to the photographers, for so many spectacular photos, making it difficult to choose just a few to accompany this report, and it was great to welcome Graeme Pateman on board too. Thanks also to Dave Muller and Blake Muller for an exhilarating trip once again.

Christine Wilder

Flesh-footed Shearwater – Photo Ian Wiese

First Year Shy Albatross – Photo Blake Muller

Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross and shearwater

Photo Fran Jackson

Crested Tern – Photo Fran Jackson

Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross – Photo Fran Jackson

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First year Shy Albatross and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses

Photos Fran Jackson

Ian Wiese and Christine Wilder – Photo Fran Jackson

Map – Cape Leeuwin Track for seabird charters

© Leeuwin Marine Charters

Bird List – St. Alouarn Island Group – 7 September Sooty Oystercatcher 1 (on rocks) Ruddy Turnstone 6 (on rocks) Silver Gull 11 Pacific Gull 3 Crested Tern 16 (14 roosting on rocks) Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 4 (adult, imm, at least 1 juv

with square base to bill) Shy Albatross 1 (First year bird) Flesh-footed Shearwaters ~25 Australasian Gannet 2 Pied Cormorant 3 (on rocks) Note: The albatross is a first year Shy Albatross. It could be confused with a juvenile Black-browed or Campbell Albatross, but grey (as opposed to blackish) upperparts, much more extensive white underwing linings (rather than mostly black) and the bill markings are the most distinctive diagnostic features.

David Mills

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse – Photo Christine Wilder

Left – Looking towards Flinders Island – Photo Christine Wilder

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All photos below taken by Ian Wiese during the seabird charter

Crested Terns on rocks

First year Shy Albatross

Flesh-footed Shearwater

Passing by the Lightkeepers cottages

Two Oceans Watch

Wedge-tailed Shearwater – Photo Ian Wiese

11 September I was hoping for a stronger blow, but it seems a few Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses were caught in Geographe Bay. I saw perhaps six. There was not really enough wind for them, they were having to flap their wings and most stopped for a rest after doing this. A bit further out were shearwaters I thought, probably Flesh-footed, as that is what we have been seeing. Very hard to tell at these distances, but last year we were also seeing Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at the time. There were not large numbers – although I did see one flock of about twenty. Mostly they were in ones and twos. One of the photos was of a different bird with a much larger wingspan. It seemed to have a lighter coloured underbelly.

Ian Wiese

18 September A front is passing through with strong NW winds. It seems that when this happens the seabirds get swept into the bay, but by the end of the first morning of strong NW winds the numbers drop. This morning there were 400-500 shearwaters an hour with an occasional Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross. By lunchtime the numbers had dropped right off. I am not sure about the shearwaters – whether they were wedge-tailed or flesh-footed. I went out again in the afternoon and there was only an occasional shearwater. The yellow buoy you can just see behind one bird is 2.7km out, hence the poor quality of images and the rain doesn’t help.

Ian Wiese

It looks as though most of your shearwaters were Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. They're in the Bay much earlier than in previous years; they mostly appear from mid-October onwards.

David Mills

Wedge-tailed Shearwater with yellow buoy in background

Photo Ian Wiese

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André Courtis with Christine Wilder at Ngilgi Cave – Photo Brad Keyser

Shining a Light on Birds Ngilgi Cave Walk

These bird walks, organised by André Courtis from the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association, continue to be very popular, and a large group of enthusiastic birders met for a walk around the Ngilgi Cave area on the 30 September.

On the first part of the walk, heading up towards the lookout, the birds remained very quiet, however once we followed the track down to the lower gardens of Caves House, the birds began moving about. The first really great sighting was of a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo perched for some time in a dead tree, allowing everyone to observe the brilliant green-bronze sheen of the plumage and hear its distinctive call. A Grey Currawong gave a variety of calls from the top of the limestone cliff, a Brown Goshawk was calling, then flew off and a Fan-tailed Cuckoo was also calling in the distance. White-breasted Robin, Red-winged Fairy-wren, Western Whistler, Inland Thornbill and Spotted Scrubwren were all seen with a final total of eighteen species.

Once again thanks to André who organised a great walk and special morning tea for us.

Christine Wilder

On the Ngilgi track – Photo Christine Wilder

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo and Splendid Fairy-wren – Photos Brad Keyser

Group at lower gardens, Caves House – Photo Christine Wilder

Who’s watching? – Photo Christine Wilder

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Two oceans – Judy Coles from Queensland with Christine

From the Editor’s Desk - September

I recently shared my first week in my new home with interstate birders from Northern NSW and the Sunshine coast in Queensland. Birders from around the world make instant connections as most are social creatures, and I caught up with BirdLife happenings on the east coast, where I once lived and birdwatched. In return I showed the visitors some birding hotspots around the capes with Southern Emu-wren and several endemic species seen.

The Brookfield Spring Garden Market, at Yahava Koffeeworks at Doust’s Corner, Margaret River, attracted a big crowd this year. There is always something to talk about with birds and plants and the walks around the garden covered a range of topics, with surprisingly more than ten bird species seen.

School visits were on the agenda for September and as usual lots of fun. The students are excited to try out the binoculars and talk about birds in the school grounds and in their own backyards.

At Margaret River Independent School, Forest Grove, Year 5 students discussed black-cockatoos and brain-stormed requirements for monitoring of artificial hollows erected at the school, developing their own form for recording information, with regular monitoring now in place using the school’s go pro camera/pole and monitor.

If anyone wishes to assist with school groups, please contact me. Before commencing school visits, a ‘Working with Children Check’ is required by BirdLife Australia. This is quite easy to obtain, with assistance from Annette in our BirdLife WA Office in Perth.

Christine Wilder

Birdwatching at Margaret River Primary School – Photo Richard Dowling

Pied Cormorant with fish – Photo Ian Wiese

Pied Cormorant and fish

23 September A cormorant biting off more than it can chew and actually it did manage to get it down in the end.

Ian Wiese

Cormorant swallowing fish – Photo Ian Wiese

Yallingup to Three Bears

24 September We were staying in Yallingup for a few days, walking and surfing. During today's walk (Yallingup to 3 Bears) we saw a pair of Sooty Oystercatchers and a Square-tailed Kite as well as a selection of the usual common species.

Iain Hensby

Vegetation loss, but birds still visiting

We recently had a huge eastern states acacia and grevillea felled in our back garden in Willmott Avenue, Margaret River and feared we would have no birds, not even the bossy boots New Holland honeyeaters. So happy when a family of Red-winged Fairy-wrens with gorgeous male were in there amongst the shrubs in the sun the next morning.

Joan and Rob Sharpe

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White-breasted Robin – Photo Ray Heslewood

Greater Sand Plover, Gnarabup, 28/9/19 – Photo Steve Castan

Musk Duck pair – Photo Judy Coles

White-breasted Robin – Photo Judy Coles

● Sightings ● Thank you for sending articles, photos, unusual/interesting sightings from the capes region (or beyond) for inclusion in newsletters. All contributions are acknowledged. To ensure megabytes are kept to a minimum when attaching to emails, please send photos as jpeg (NOT MORE THAN 1MB EACH), maximum three photos each email or if large numbers of photographs send via Dropbox. DON’T EMBED photos/articles in email but send as attachment, articles preferably in Word. Confirm photographer. Email to: cwilderone@yahoo.com.au

Christine Wilder - Editor

Here are the reported sightings:

Greater Sand Plover 1, Gnarabup Beach, Margaret River, 28/9/19 – Steve Castan Nankeen Night-Heron 4 adults, 1 juvenile, Hardy Street, Augusta, 2/10/19 – Denise Ewin, John Ewin and Christine Wilder Square-tailed Kite, 1, coursing low over Marris, Willmott Avenue, Margaret River, 17/8/19 – Joan Sharpe and Rob Sharpe 1, flying over vegetation inland of blow holes, Cosy Corner, 19/8/19 – Joan Sharpe and Rob Sharpe 1, deliberately crashing into thick shrubs, where honey-eaters were nesting, garden in Hereford Place, west Margaret River, 10/9/19 – Jennifer Hunt 1, flying at waist height along length of verandah, Hereford Place, west Margaret River, 16/9/19 – Jennifer Hunt 1, flying above service station, Witchcliffe, 7/10/19 – Christine Wilder Southern Boobook 1 heard in Kathleen Street, Margaret River, 27/8/19 – Joan Sharpe and Rob Sharpe Brown Falcon 1, flying low over Calgardup crossroads, 7/10/19 – Christine Wilder Little Corella 18, Augusta Boat Harbour, 6/10/10 – Christine Wilder and Judy Coles Elegant Parrot 1 on grass walkway, Riverslea, 16/8/19 – Joan Sharpe and Rob Sharpe Rock Parrot 6, just north of Deepdene beach, 19/8/19 – Joan Sharpe and Rob Sharpe 8, on rocks near Cosy Corner (could have been the same group of birds), 19/8/19 – Joan Sharpe and Rob Sharpe Crested Shrike-tit Pair calling in garden, Hereford Place, west Margaret River, 13/9/19 – Jennifer Hunt 1, perched in ornamental pear tree, Hereford Place, west Margaret River, 18/9/19 – Jennifer Hunt

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.

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BIRDING BEYOND THE CAPES Wherever you go there are birds to watch

White-winged Fairy-wren, War Rock near Morawa – Photo Geoff Bull

Grey Fantail, Depot Hill (new Mingenew) – Photo Geoff Bull

Nest inspection by pair of Galahs, Norseman – Photo Bill King

Right – Splendid Fairy-wren, Norseman – Photo Bill King

White-winged Fairy-wrens, War Rock near Morawa – Photos Geoff Bull

Red-capped Robin, Depot Hill (near Mingenew) – Photo Geoff Bull

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Part 2 - Two weeks in the Northern Territory

When camping at Mary River we walked along the banks and noted some birds that we had been seeing in other places but had not known their names. They included Spangled Drongo (love that name) and Bar-breasted, Black-chinned and Brown Honeyeaters. On our departure we walked along the lawns adjacent to the drying billabong and viewed a beautiful male Mistletoebird and two male and four female Red-winged Parrots for the first time! What a feast of colour for the eyes!! They were feeding on the red/orange eucalypt blossom (NT Woollybutt). We then went on a monsoon walk and added the Blue-winged Kookaburras and Pied Butcherbirds to our growing list. The following day found us at Mamukula. The billabong did not reveal anything else we hadn’t seen earlier, but did confirm for us what that it was the Whiskered Tern that we had been viewing at all the other wetlands, diving into the water to pluck its prey. When flying it looks so pure silvery white, but of course it is not. Walking around the billabong we heard a mass of swamphens within the mangroves (again a different sub-species!). Adrian also noted the Rufous Whistler close to the car park. Later the same day we ended up at Lake Jabiru. Something to add to our list here were the many Double-barred Finches, feeding alongside many Crimson Finches in the pandanus on the bridge and we also confirmed that we had been viewing many White-throated Honeyeaters along the way! We camped that night at Kakadu Lodge campsite. How wonderful to hear the pair of Barking Owls calling and then to find them the next morning just outside our window sitting side by side in a big old jacaranda looking tree. This trip is the only holiday Adrian and I usually have together every year to mark our anniversary date (10 August), so listening and capturing on camera those lovely pair perched and winking was something quite special. We then camped at Cooinda. At the water’s edge, when spotting a Blue-faced Honeyeater, we met another couple of birders. They put Adrian onto the Pizzey & Knight bird app … so now he is totally hooked! We now just need a camera that is a bit more special than our mobile ones to capture what we see in the field! We tried to walk the home billabong walk there but it is now closed except for a small walkway at the end where the jetty to the Yellow River tour leaves. We viewed some more of the beautiful Blue-Winged Kookaburras. We had to book a day ahead for the early morning tour. Nowadays they run four tours a day and four boats each time! We had nothing to add to our list at this point, although I should appreciate learning the difference between Plumed and Wandering Whistling Ducks!! The fascination with crocs and buffalo, instead of birds, by most of the tour, had us bemused. We captured some more Black-necked Storks close up, many juvenile jacanas, Pied Herons, darters and a pair of White-Bellied Sea-Eagles. One real highlight though was to view a pair of Brolgas feeding in the pasture beyond the limited banks that this tour now ventures, due to the crowds. The next day at Cooinda campground, we again noted the Great Bowerbirds, both on the ground and flying around and the Little Friarbirds begging. The bowerbirds featured big time when we stayed at Pine Creek campground. That is because the male was putting on his big show right opposite the tavern/shop/petrol station! We had been told by a local to look out for his bower and indeed it was a highlight. The male was parading around, stick and saliva in bill, pink crest up, green berries being plucked and placed, all the while the female inspecting him and his bower … pretty impressive!!

We later observed more bowers at Litchfield Caravan Park (again close to amenities) but alas no male doing his dance thing … just the very flashy pearly shells and the green and cream bits including plastic, wine bottle tops and scrunched up shiny food wrappings! It is breeding season after all! So guess ‘she’ was busy now building the more important nest. Whilst at Pine Creek we also observed the beautiful Hooded Parrots (nest in termite mounds), Masked Finches, White-Bellied Cuckoo-shrikes and a striking flock of Cockatiels flying overhead. Our last few days on the way back to Darwin were also a highlight because we chose to camp at the Tumbling River Caravan Park close to Berry Springs. Here we visited the billabong because the manager of the park invited us to view the Gouldian Finches coming to drink each morning. On the way, I viewed some White-Breasted Woodswallows lined up on a dead branch, puffing out their beautiful white breasts. Adrian also spotted a Varied Triller. We were then, together with a few other birdie/campers, treated to a lovely morning visit by approximately twelve red and purple-faced Gouldian Finches and juveniles … firstly drinking and then resting in the tops of a dead paperbark on the banks. The next morning, I also disturbed a Pheasant Coucal in among the grasslands adjoining the river. Maybe nesting, I like to think so, especially after reading that it is the only cuckoo in Australia that builds its own nest. Our final road bird treat was a visit to the Territory Wildlife Park (now 30 years old) at Berry Springs. Here we watched performing and feeding on cue to trainer (‘Jack’) a Bush Stone-curlew, Barn Owl, Osprey, kite and a kneeling Emu and finally a Black-breasted Buzzard cracking open the Emu egg … apparently a trick it had brought into the park itself. We also caught another glimpse of the Figbird, whilst in the car park, that we had viewed earlier at Pine Creek. On our final day (14 August) in Darwin again, we took a walk along Vesty’s Lagoon and continued onto the NT Art/Gallery Museum. I watched a solo Lesser Sand Plover (non-breeding) bobbing its tail continuously along Fanny Bay and many Straw-necked Ibises feeding along the dry lawns. The museum had some interesting bird displays to confirm what we had or had not seen during our fortnight adventure. This trip has again confirmed for us the incredible significance of birds, their songs and their place in our lives. It has also made us appreciate our own WA birds, the drying climate and the significance of a healthy surrounding habitat. Adrian still hasn’t been able to tick the beautiful Rainbow Pitta off his list … so we plan on returning to the Top End again, maybe after it has had more rain! Hopefully some of you SW birders are willing to join us in this quest.

Janean Robinson

Beach Stone-curlew – Photo Janean Robinson

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Javan Munia – Photo Dean McFaull

BALI

I went to Bali as an excited father whose son was going to have his traditional Balinese wedding on September 4. It was not a dedicated bird trip, as the wedding was the focus, but we did see beautiful birds. When I was leaving Bali, I found a bird book at the airport with over 1000 species just of Indonesian birds, something I should have purchased before travelling. It would have saved much googling to try to ID the new birds I was seeing. We stayed in the Tabanan and Penarukan areas and had lovely walks through the rice fields. There are many little finches (Javan Munia, Scaly-breasted Munia) and grass dwelling birds who get plenty of food and shelter there. The Black-winged Kite was the only day time bird of prey we saw, and the Savanna Nightjar came out and sang it's peculiar song just on sunset, ready for its night hunting session. The Purple Heron, Intermediate Heron, Cattle Egret, Javan Pond Heron along with the White-breasted Waterhen all found plenty to eat in the rice. Common Iora, Olive-backed Sunbirds, Yellow-vented Bulbul, Spotted Turtle Dove, Peaceful Dove (Kitiran) and many sorts of swallows visited the backyard and trees around the house. Probably the most spectacular birds were the Javan Kingfisher (especially in flight), the little Blue-eared Kingfisher and the Long-tailed Shrike. I will not be so ignorant on my next visit to Bali and will try to dedicate some quality time to finding many more of their exotic birds.

Dean McFaull

Javan Kingfisher – Photo Dean McFaull

Scaly-breasted Munia – Photo Dean McFaull

Scaly-breasted Munias – Photo Dean McFaull

Left – Olive-backed Sunbird – Photo Dean McFaull

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.

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