birdlife melbourne newsletterbirdlifemelbourne.org.au/melbirdian/newsletter 050216 jun16.pdf ·...

MELBOURNE

Continued on p. 4

BirdLife Melbourne NewsletterVolume 5 Number 2 June 2016

sites are allocated to environmental groups, which are responsible for controlling the weeds in their own patch. The BirdLife Melbourne site is in the south east of the park. It is accessible from three-quarters of the way along the 12-km, one-way Great Circle Drive (GCD).

Instead of driving directly to our site on our visits, we stop variously along the way for birding. You Yangs birds vary in size from the tiny Weebill to the magnificent Wedge-tailed Eagle. Species alter seasonally; the Rainbow Bee-eater is a spring and summer breeding migrant, but the Swift Parrot arrives in autumn or winter on its journey from Tasmania. The appearance of other species is less regular; an influx of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows occurs occasionally, and White-winged Trillers might appear one year, but not the next. Species such as the Superb Fairy-wren and Grey Fantail can be found predictably at any time in many parts of the park, while the Mistletoebird is restricted to particular places. Diversity and abundance of groups such as lorikeets and honeyeaters depend largely on the flowering of eucalypts. Sadly, some species, like the once-reliable Hooded Robin, have disappeared.

You Yangs Birding and BoneseedingBy Merrilyn Serong, BirdLife Melbourne memberOnce every three months BirdLife Melbourne members visit the You Yangs Regional Park to observe birds and pull out the invasive Boneseed Chrysanthemoides monilifera in our designated site.

The You Yangs range, 50km WSW of Melbourne, is Wathaurung (Wadawurrung) country. We respectfully acknowledge the culture, heritage and continued presence of the first people of this land. With the arrival of Europeans, use of the You Yangs turned to grazing of stock, timber harvesting and sand mining. These practices altered the environment dramatically. Since 1992, when the You Yangs was declared a Regional Park, the focus has been more on conservation and recreation.

Current planting practice is restricted to indigenous species, but previously, plants from different parts of Australia or the world were introduced. The South African Boneseed was planted in the 1950s for erosion control. It quickly became established. Due to its prolific flowering and fruiting and the well-protected, long-lasting seed, eradication is difficult. However, Parks Victoria staff have employed a number of control methods. These include mechanical destruction, application of chemicals, biological means and manual pulling out of plants. The advantage of the last method is that it targets Boneseed with minimal effects on soil, native plants and wildlife. This method is labour intensive so volunteers are important. Boneseeding

Gravel Pit Tor, You Yangs. Photo by Merrilyn Serong.

2 BirdLife Melbourne Newsletter

Activities Calendar

Saturday 4 June 2016

Boneseeding & Birding

You Yangs Regional Park. Meet at 10am in the car park just past the Park Office, approximately 300m from the Branch Road entrance to the park. Melway Key Map Page 11 C12. Until late afternoon, the day is spent birding and removing the invasive weed Boneseed. Bring all you need for a normal days birding plus gardening gloves and a trowel for Boneseed removal. Contact Merrilyn, 9889 4924 or [email protected]

Sunday 5 June 2016

Yellingbo Birdwalk Note later start time, April to September. Yellingbo Reserve. Melway 305 G11. Take Warburton Hwy to Woori Yallock, turn right to Yellingbo. At Yellingbo, turn right towards Seville, then left into Macclesfield Rd. After 2.5km turn right at large pine trees. Gate opens 10am, walk starts 10.30am. Due to Parks Victoria operational requirements the gate wil be closed at 10.30am and not opened until after Bird Call at approximately 3pm. Toilets available. Bring lunch and gumboots. Contact Maryanne, 0402 283 080 or [email protected]

Thursday 9 June 2016

Carlton Monthly Meeting

Note earlier start time 7.30pm at BirdLife Australia National Office, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton. Plenty of free street parking nearby. Guest speaker: Christine Connelly. Subject: Community listening to birds. Tea and coffee served after the meeting with time to chat with other attendees. Contact Ron Garrett, 98442347 or [email protected]

Wednesday 15 June 2016

Weekdays Outing Jells Park, Wheelers Hill. 10am to 3pm. Leader: John Bosworth. Melway 72 A6. Enter the eastern car park at the far end of Waverley Road. DO NOT use the main entrance to Jells Park. Toilets available. Contact Diane, 9836 8692 or [email protected].


Photography Group Outing

Laverton Creek/Old Saltworks/Truganina Swamp. Leader: Peter Bennett. For details contact Peter, 9435 4249 or [email protected]


Beginners’ Outing Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale. Meet at 10am in the car park off Somerton Road. Melway 178 B6. Contact Hazel, 9876 3712 or [email protected]

Sunday 26 June 2016

ETP Survey Eastern Treatment Plant, Bangholme. Meet at 9am for a survey that will continue until the evening. The survey is carried out by 4WD. Numbers are restricted and booking is essential. Survey date may change at short notice due to operational constraints. Leader is Mike Carter. Contact Mike, 5977 1262 (NB: new number).

Tuesday 28 June 2016

Balwyn Monthly Meeting

8pm at Balwyn Community Centre, 412 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn. Melway 46 F8. Good on-site parking at rear of venue. Guest Speaker: Rohan Clarke. Subject: Pelagic Birding. Member’s Topic: Tim Bawden - Some Victorian owls. Stay for supper and a chat after the meeting. Contact Bill, 9803 1493 or [email protected]

Sunday 3 July 2016


Monday 11 July 2016

Weekdays Outing Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong. 10am to 3pm. Leader: Pat Bingham. Melway 28 B10. From Gordon Street/Van Ness Avenue, turn at roundabout. Park near toilet. Contact Pat, 9898 6080.

Saturday 16 July 2016


Long Forest. For details contact Peter, 9435 4249 or [email protected]

Saturday 23 July 2016

Beginners’ Outing Braeside Park, Braeside. Meet at 10am in the Cockatoo Car Park by Visitor Centre. Melway 88 D8. Contact Hazel, 9876 3712 or [email protected]

Sunday 24 July 2016


Tuesday 26 July 2016


8pm at Balwyn Community Centre, 412 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn. Melway 46 F8. Good on-site parking at rear of venue. Guest Speaker: Ian Stevenson, Chairman, Western Port Seagrass Partnership. Subject: Seagrass and mangrove ecology in Western Port. Member’s Topic & Subject: TBA. Stay for supper and a chat after the meeting. Contact Bill, 9803 1493 or [email protected]

Sunday 7 August 2016


Activities for BirdLife Melbourne June to September 2016This calendar includes field activities for BirdLife Melbourne including the meetings held at Balwyn and Carlton. Should you have any ideas for an activity, or would like to volunteer as a leader, please contact the BirdLife Melbourne Activities Co-ordinator, Philip Peel at [email protected] or on 0499 169 500. Philip organises additional birding activities during some weekends. For further details, please contact Philip directly.

March 2016 3

Activities CalendarThursday 11 August 2016

Carlton Monthly Meeting

Note earlier start time 7.30pm at BirdLife Australia National Office, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton. Plenty of free street parking nearby. Speakers: Australian Waders Study Group. Subject: Banding Birds - Its conservation value. Tea and coffee served after the meeting with time to chat with other attendees. Contact Ron Garrett, 98442347 or [email protected]

Monday 15 August 2016

Weekdays Outing Badger Weir, Badger Creek. 10am to 3pm. Leaders: Rob Grosvenor and Diane Tweeddale. Melway Key Map Page 10 R5/VicRoads 80 B4. Enter park at the end of Badger Weir Road, park near toilets. Contact Diane, 9836 8692 or [email protected].

Saturday 20 August 2016


Western Treatment Plant. For details contact Peter, 9435 4249 or [email protected]

Tuesday 23 August 2016


8pm at Balwyn Community Centre, 412 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn. Melway 46 F8. Good on-site parking at rear of venue. Guest Speaker & Subject: TBA. Member’s Topic & Subject: TBA. Stay for supper and a chat after the meeting. Contact Bill, 9803 1493 or [email protected]

Saturday 27 August 2016

Beginners’ Outing Jells Park, Wheelers Hill. Meet at 10am in the Jells Park East Car Park at the furtherest end of Waverley Road. Melway 72 A6. Contact Hazel, 9876 3712 or [email protected]

Sunday 28 August 2016


Saturday 3 September 2016

Boneseeding & Birding

You Yangs Regional Park. Meet at 10am in the car park just past the Park Office, approximately 300m from the Branch Road entrance to the park. Melway Key Map Page 11 C12. Until late afternoon, the day is spent birding and removing the invasive weed Boneseed. Bring all you need for a normal days birding plus gardening gloves and a trowel for Boneseed removal. Contact Merrilyn, 9889 4924 or [email protected]

Sunday 4 September 2016


Tuesday 6 September 2016

Weekdays Outing Altona area. 10am to 3pm. Leader: Gina Hopkins. Melway 208 K2. From Millers Road turn into Queen Street, then turn into Andrew Park Drive (HD Graham Reserve/roundabout) and park at far end of car park. Toilets at sports club may be available. Contact Diane, 9836 8692 or [email protected].

Friday-Monday 16-19 September 2016


Wyperfeld NP Campout. For details contact Peter, 9435 4249 or [email protected]


Weekdays Outing Pound Bend, Warrandyte. 10am to 3pm. Leaders: Hazel and Alan Veevers. Melway 23 A11. From Heidelberg-Warrandyte Road, take Pound Bend Road to car park at end of left diverge. Park near toilets. Contact Diane, 9836 8692 or [email protected].

Saturday 24 September 2016

Beginners’ Outing Coolart Wetlands, Somers. Meet at 10am in the car park off Lord Somers Road. Melway 193 H9. Contact Hazel, 9876 3712 or [email protected]

Sunday 25 September 2016




8pm at Balwyn Community Centre, 412 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn. Melway 46 F8. Good on-site parking at rear of venue. Guest Speaker & Subject: TBA. Member’s Topic & Subject: TBA. Stay for supper and a chat after the meeting. Contact Bill, 9803 1493 or [email protected]

BirdLife Melbourne CommitteePresident: Ron Garrett ([email protected]) Vice President: Secretary: Alan Crawford Treasurer: Greg Hempenstall Committee Members: Owen Lishmund, Philip Peel, Emily Scicluna, Scot Sharman Activities Coordinator: Philip Peel Conservation Liaison Officers: Emily Scicluna Newsletter and Blog Editor: Adriana Bianchi

All the above can be contacted by email at [email protected]

This newsletter is published quarterly, in March, June, September and December by BirdLife Melbourne – the Melbourne branch of BirdLife Australia. Contributions for the next issue are due 20 July 2016 and can be emailed to [email protected]. Any contributions or ideas for future newsletter stories are welcome.

BirdLife Melbourne is now on Twitter and Facebook. We also have a blog reporting on all BirdLife Melbourne activities and more at [email protected].

birdlife.org.au

Australia’s voice for birds since 1901BirdLife Australia is dedicated to achieving outstanding conservation results for our native birds and their habitats. With our specialised knowledge and the commitment of an Australia-wide network of volunteers and supporters, we are creating a bright future for Australia’s birds.

Continued from p. 1We spend the first hour or two of each visit birding around the Park Office area, where we record more species than anywhere else. For years the resident Tawny Frogmouths were easy to find; we seldom see them now. When the eucalypts flower, Purple-crowned Lorikeets dart, zitting loudly, between the tall trees. Many of the smaller trees and shrubs are indigenous, but some mid-storey species from other parts of Australia were chosen for their bird-attracting qualities. Birds also use the nearby dam. Here the water level clearly reflects the cycles of wet and dry that repeat over several years.

Our first stop around the GCD is at Gravel Pit Tor, where we hope to see a Mistletoebird or Scarlet Robin. Silvereyes, thornbills, and pardalotes are reliable here, where Black Wattles and eucalypts grow above abundant Boneseed plants. Our path leads us through a valley between the Tor and a hill of rocky slopes, where goats are sometimes seen. Wedge-tailed Eagles soar overhead.

Further along the GCD we stop beside a small, irregularly dry dam at Fawcett’s Gully, where we eat lunch, talk and watch for birds. If the eucalypts are flowering, birds are abundant. Otherwise there will still be a Willie Wagtail or an Eastern Yellow Robin. Once a Diamond Firetail perched in a nearby tree. After our leisurely picnic, we walk to the upper, reedy dam. It usually holds water, but in March 2016, the central reeds had died back to reveal dry holes, apparently dug by animals searching for water.

At last we reach our Boneseeding site, a flat area with a dry creek-bed running through it. We park by the road and push through the understorey of Drooping Cassinia Cassinia arcuata that has replaced the Boneseed around the main path through the site. Numerous densely-growing Golden Wattle Acacia pycnantha plants as well as some native ground covers and Greenhood Orchids grow under a cover of eucalypts. We find Boneseed deeper in our site and to the north or south of it. Painted Button Quails benefit from the removal of Boneseed; it gives them space to forage on the ground. White-winged Choughs breed here and forage in large family groups. Recently we found Speckled Warblers, also ground-foragers.

1000 small plants an hour each. The larger plants take a bit longer.

Our end-of-day reward is a walk to the Eastern Flat (Seed Garden). The varied plants growing here were once a source of seed for further planting. Shrubs have increased in density recently, so the area is less open. Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies still use it, but Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Red-rumped Parrots and Common Bronzewings are fewer in number. I hope for Diamond Firetail, but am perhaps living in the past. Jacky Winters hang on while New Holland Honeyeaters are plentiful. In summer Dusky Woodswallows appear and Rainbow Bee-eaters are possible. Red-capped Robins and even Rufous Fantails are seen at times. There’s always a raptor or two.

Over several years 125 bird species have been recorded on our You Yangs visits. Numerous willing volunteers have participated. I can’t imagine how many thousands of Boneseed plants we have removed. We are making a difference, but to keep our site relatively Boneseed free, the project will need to continue well into the future.

Tawny Frogmouth. Photo by Merrilyn Serong.

Check the Activities Calendar for the next scheduled Birding and Boneseeding outings at the You Yangs. If you would like to participate please contact Merrilyn on 9889 4924 or by email at [email protected]

Boneseed flowers and fruits. Photo by Merrilyn Serong.

Our boneseeding method is simple. We pull the plants out, shake off adhering soil and drop them near where they grew, making sure that no roots touch the ground. We don’t use poisons. On return visits we remove any regrowth. Boneseeding for 1½ hours is enough. A participant once estimated that we worked at a rate of

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