Banded Stilts, Flinders Island

Hi all,
On the 5th December 2012, Dr Sue Robinson (DPIPWE) and myself observed approximately 2000 Banded Stilts at the northern end of Logan Lagoon, Flinders Island (55G 609616 E, 5552961 S). Feeding in a typical line formation in shallow water near the centre of the lagoon they were later disturbed by an unidentified raptor and seen flying in a large mixed flock with 100s of Australasian Shelducks.
Since our first sighting in February 2012 (see below), it is of note that there has been only one other sighting of Banded Stilts on Flinders Island, that of 17-19 October 2012 (DPIPWE). I spoke with the Flinders Island PWS Ranger and he was unaware of any reports and had not seen the stilts personally during the intervening period. It is unclear whether the stilts remained on the island or in the interim, they moved on. The absence of sightings may be simply due to the lack of survey effort/observations.
The previous report from 24/25th February this year is reprinted here from Yellow Throat 63, BirdLife Tasmania:
“Two thousand Banded Stilts (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus) were observed in the north-eastern bay of Logan Lagoon, Flinders Island (55 G 610615 E, 5553839 S) on 24 and 25 February, 2012. They were seen roosting in a straight line approximately 10 birds deep, 100 metres offshore, in shallow water. When feeding they moved as one group in a line, wading in the shallows. The flock was a mixture of adults in breeding and nonbreeding plumage with some juveniles. No other wader species were seen in the flock. In 2003, between 1000 and 3000 Banded Stilts were seen in this area, travelling around Cameron Inlet, Logan Lagoon and Adelaide Bay from approximately mid-January through till March–April. All other Tasmanian sightings of Banded Stilts have been in numbers fewer than 10. The observers were Liz Znidersic and Dr Sue Robinson (DPIPWE).”
Kind regards,
Liz

 some pics of Feb 2012 sighting here
http://birdobserversnortheast.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/banded-stilts.html 

Further reading http://birding-aus.org/

St Helens Point, including St Helens Light, Beerbarrel Beach

St Helens Point is a reserve set on a mostly granite headland situated approximately 12 kms nor'-nor'-east  of St Helens township overlooking the South Pacific Ocean

Bird List:

BRUSH BRONZEWING	Phaps elegans
GREAT CORMORANT	Phalacrocorax carbo
PIED OYSTERCATCHER	Haematopus longirostris
SOOTY OYSTERCATCHER	Haematopus fuliginosus
HOODED PLOVER	Thinornis rubricollis
CRESTED TERN	Sterna bergii
KELP GULL	Larus dominicanus
SILVER GULL	Larus novaehollandiae
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO	Calyptorhynchus funereus
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN	Malurus cyaneus
TASMANIAN SCRUBWREN	Sericornis humilis
BROWN THORNBILL	Acanthiza pusilla
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD	Anthochaera chrysoptera
WHITE-FRONTED CHAT	Epthianura albifrons
CRESCENT HONEYEATER	Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
GREY BUTCHERBIRD	Cracticus torquatus
GREY FANTAIL	Rhipidura albiscapa
FOREST RAVEN	Corvus tasmanicus
SILVEREYE	Zosterops lateralis
WELCOME SWALLOW	Hirundo neoxena
COMMON BLACKBIRD	Turdus merula
COMMON STARLING	Sturnus vulgaris

Briseis Race, Branxholm

Attached is the bird list from our Wednesday walk. It was a beautiful day and worth the drive to this area.

Best birding wishes,

Liz


Bird List:

Platycercus caledonicus    GREEN ROSELLA
Chalcites lucidus    SHINING BRONZE-CUCKOO
Cacomantis flabelliformis    FAN-TAILED CUCKOO
Acanthiza ewingii    TASMANIAN THORNBILL
Sericornis humilis    TASMANIAN SCRUBWREN
Acanthornis magna    SCRUBTIT
Pardalotus striatus    STRIATED PARDALOTE
Pachycephala pectoralis    GOLDEN WHISTLER
Colluricincla harmonica    GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH
Strepera versicolor    GREY CURRAWONG
Rhipidura fuliginosa    GREY FANTAIL
Corvus tasmanicus    FOREST RAVEN
Melanodryas vittata    DUSKY ROBIN
Zosterops lateralis    SILVEREYE
Sturnus vulgaris    COMMON STARLING

PIc courtesy Google via Shannon at Forestry Tas

Scamander

Hi all,

What a great morning birding and luckily the weather was favourable apart from a few wind gusts! Thanks to all with the beach clean up, we will have the fence put up around this area within the next week.

Thanks to Jo and Ted for leading the day and providing a friendly venue for morning tea.

Kind regards,

Liz

Scamander Golf Club to River bird list:

BLACK SWAN	Cygnus atratus
LITTLE PIED CORMORANT	Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT	Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
BLACK-FACED CORMORANT	Phalacrocorax fuscescens
EASTERN GREAT EGRET	Ardea modesta
WHITE-FACED HERON	Egretta novaehollandiae
AUSTRALIAN PIED OYSTERCATCHER	Haematopus longirostris
MASKED LAPWING	Vanellus miles
SILVER GULL	Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
GREEN ROSELLA	Platycercus caledonicus
FAN-TAILED CUCKOO	Cacomantis flabelliformis
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN	Malurus cyaneus
TASMANIAN SCRUBWREN	Sericornis humilis
BROWN THORNBILL	Acanthiza pusilla
SPOTTED PARDALOTE	Pardalotus punctatus
STRIATED PARDALOTE	Pardalotus striatus
EASTERN SPINEBILL	Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER	Lichenostomus flavicollis
WHITE-FRONTED CHAT	Epthianura albifrons
CRESCENT HONEYEATER	Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus
NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER	Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
BLACK-HEADED HONEYEATER	Melithreptus affinis
BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE	Coracina novaehollandiae
GOLDEN WHISTLER	Pachycephala pectoralis
GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH	Colluricincla harmonica
DUSKY WOODSWALLOW	Artarnus cyanopterus
GREY FANTAIL	Rhipidura fuliginosa
FOREST RAVEN	Corvus tasmanicus
FLAME ROBIN	Petroica phoenicea
DUSKY ROBIN	Melanodryas vittata
SILVEREYE	Zosterops lateralis
WELCOME SWALLOW	Hirundo neoxena

Scamander Sand Spit bird list:

BLACK SWAN	Cygnus atratus
AUSTRALASIAN GREBE	Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN	Pelecanus conspicillatus
EASTERN GREAT EGRET	Ardea modesta
SWAMP HARRIER	Circus approximans
AUSTRALIAN PIED OYSTERCATCHER	Haematopus longirostris
RED-CAPPED PLOVER	Charadrius ruficapillus
FAIRY TERN	Sternula nereis
CASPIAN TERN	Hydroprogne caspia
CRESTED TERN	Thalasseus bergii
PACIFIC GULL	Larus pacificus
SILVER GULL	Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
WHITE-FRONTED CHAT	Epthianura albifrons
WELCOME SWALLOW	Hirundo neoxena

New Holland Honeyeaters from Annette

Such busy birds, darting from one honey-filled flower to the next, and using their long curved beaks to suck out every little drop of honey. When there's no honey at hand, little bits of left over fruit are to their liking too. 

At times they don't mind sharing space with the sparrows, but their arch enemy - especially in spring time - is the Yellow Throated Honeyeater. Both species being rather aggressive and chasing each other at incredible speed. 

They often arrive with a partner, but once the fledglings arrive the whole family stick together for quite a while.  Took this photo when at least 5 were having a lovely dip in the birdbath. 

A very intense and joyful time, both for the birds and for us
bird-watchers! One after the other dives in and when they come out  a lot of shaking with a shower of water droplets flying everywhere. 

Their favorite flowers seems to be the Hebes, probably a lot of honey inside and they get really involved with half their head disappearing inside the flower. Got one lucky shot showing the beautiful  yellow patterned wing pattern when he flew away.
Yes, New Holland Honeyeaters are birds we love having around our garden. 

Story and Pics by Annette

 

Trout Creek into the evening

Hi all,

What a great night it was, a big crowd of nocturnal birdos, a BBQ dinner, great company, the winter chill on the face and the excitement of what may be lurking in the bush......
Unfortunately no owls were around, perhaps because it was a near full moon, who (who who who!) knows? Anyway, we will be doing this again. The highlight was the juvenile White-bellied Sea Eagle being pursued by the Wedge-tailed eagle just before sunset and the many Black-headed Honeyeaters.

Thanks once again to Annette and Nick for organising the BBQ and Des for the bird list. The attached photos are also from Annette :)

Best birding wishes,
Liz

 the List
 

WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE
Haliaeetus leucogaster
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE
Aquila audax
MASKED LAPWING
Vanellus miles
PACIFIC GULL
Larus pacificus
GREEN ROSELLA
Platycercus caledonicus
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN
Malurus cyaneus
TASMANIAN SCRUBWREN
Sericornis humilis
YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER
Lichenostomus flavicollis
CRESCENT HONEYEATER
Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
YELLOW WATTLEBIRD
Anthochaera paradoxa
BLACK-HEADED HONEYEATER
Melithreptus affinis
GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH
Colluricincla harmonica
BLACK CURRAWONG
Strepera fuliginosa
FOREST RAVEN
Corvus tasmanicus
HOARY-HEADED GREBE
Poliocephalus poliocephalus

Cloud 9 and Surrounds

Hi all,

Sounds like it was a nice winter walk last week with some new species seen, of note, the Cattle egrets!

Next month for something different, we will meet at Trout Creek between 3.30-4pm for a short afternoon walk before a BBQ dinner. Then the spotlights will come into use as we search for nocturnal birds which could bring us sightings of Masked Owls.

So, for carpooling, meet at the Bayside carpark at 3pm on WEDNESDAY 1ST AUGUST. Bring along something for the BBQ, a torch, warm clothing and a sense of winter adventure.

See you then!

Best birding wishes,

Liz

Bird List from Des

CATTLE EGRET	Ardea ibis
GREEN ROSELLA	Platycercus caledonicus
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA	Dacelo novaeguineae
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN	Malurus cyaneus
TASMANIAN SCRUBWREN	Sericornis humilis
YELLOW-RUMPED THORNBILL	Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
BROWN THORNBILL	Acanthiza pusilla
EASTERN SPINEBILL	Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER	Lichenostomus flavicollis
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD	Anthochaera chrysoptera
YELLOW WATTLEBIRD	Anthochaera paradoxa
STRONG-BILLED HONEYEATER	Melithreptus validirostris
BLACK-HEADED HONEYEATER	Melithreptus affinis
GOLDEN WHISTLER	Pachycephala pectoralis
GREY-SHRIKE THRUSH	Colluricincla harmonica
GREY BUTCHERBIRD	Cracticus torquatus
GREY FANTAIL	Rhipidura albiscapa
FOREST RAVEN	Corvus tasmanicus
SCARLET ROBIN	Petroica boodang
FLAME ROBIN	Petroica phoenicea
SILVEREYE	Zosterops lateralis

After the Solstice on Cloud 9

With return of the warmer weather the last couple of days, the birds are all very busy and thankfully give me plenty of opportunity to get more photos. 
As you can see from the way he looks up the Grey Shrike Thrush was very intrigued when Nick started whistling to him, at one stage he can right up to the windowsill, but never answered back. 

 At least 3 Grey Fantails were extremely busy fluttering around catching insects. And the acrobats of today are the Green Rosellas - we never stop watching and enjoying their antics!

 The one with his/her back to the camera had been in an argument a couple of weeks ago and we noticed the tailfeathers are still out of plum.

Today lots of different birds making quick visits. Put some Mandarin segments on the lawn, only the Silvereyes and Grey Shrike Thrush were interested.

The Blue Wren that was changing into his blue mating suit has not appeared for the last 5 days. His mates were here, counted 11 this morning.
A Tasmanian Thornbill landed on the Weeping Cherry tree, quickly hopped on the gutter and flew away before I could take a photo. Haven't seen him come back yet but know he is around hiding somewhere.
No doubt Des will spot him on Wednesday!

The big Candle Cassia is still honey-sucking favorite for several birds. Lovely to see it!

Eastern Spinebill

Happy bird watching!

Annette and Nick.

Blue Wrens beginning to moult

We noticed one of the Superb Fairy Wrens is already moulting. We thought this was rather early in the season. Is this so? Annette

 Superb Fairy Wren from Annette

 Noticed the exact same thing out here on the 22 June, Don't know past history of moulting times for the East Coast but wikipedia and Disjunct Naturalists mention changes of colour during the first breeding season. John

Video from John

Heard a bird song before seven the last couple of mornings, I think it may be a Bassian Thrush, any suggestions?
Two confirmations, indeed a Bassian Thrush, male and only in winter, usually  during twilight john

Update from Annette's Graden

More interesting happenings with our Yellow Wattlebird. As the appeltree is now bare, the apples we put out in the birdhouse are his target. Poor Green Rosellas, after all those freeloading years they are suddenly personae non gratae in their old happy feeding grounds! Good to see that although they fly away when chased by this newcomer, it's no permanent deterrent as they keep coming back! 

Interesting to see that when the Green Rosellas all suddenly scattered in panic - as they do for one reason or other, or no reason at all! - the Yellow Wattlebird was just as quick to join them and go for safe cover - and did not return until the Rosella were safely back.

Apart from the ones of the Yellow Wattlebird, also a photo of the Currawong, sitting on his favorite perch singing in the rain.

Happy birdwatching to all!

Annette and Nick Amse

Grants Lagoon

 Here is the bird list from a beautiful winter morning at Binalong Bay and Grants Lagoon (thanks Des). The morning tea was a taste of winter....Des's seafood chowder, cakes and BBQ sausages. Annette took some lovely photos too!

Next month our walk will be at CLOUD 9, Ansons Bay Road (Nick and Annette's property) on WEDNESDAY 4TH JULY. Meet there at 9.00am or the Bayside 8.45am for carpooling.

Best birding wishes,

Liz

Bird List

LITTLE PIED CORMORANT Microcarbo melanoleucos GREAT CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo AUSTRALIAN PELICAN Pelecanus conspicillatus WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE Haliaeetus leucogaster BROWN FALCON Falco berigora AUSTRALIAN PIED OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus longirostris HOODED PLOVER Thinornis rubricollis MASKED LAPWING Vanellus miles PACIFIC GULL Larus pacificus SILVER GULL Larus novaehollandiae SUPERB FAIRY-WREN Malurus cyaneus TASMANIAN SCRUBWREN Sericornis humilis BROWN THORNBILL Acanthiza pusilla EASTERN SPINEBILL Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER Lichenostomus flavicollis LITTLE WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera chrysoptera YELLOW WATTLEBIRD Anthochaera paradoxa CRESCENT HONEYEATER Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER Phylidonyris novaehollandiae GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH Colluricincla harmonica GREY BUTCHERBIRD Cracticus torquatus GREY FANTAIL Rhipidura albiscapa SILVEREYE Zosterops lateralis WELCOME SWALLOW Hirundo neoxena BLACKBIRD Turdus merula

King of the Appletree from Annette

This might be interesting to some of our bird observers on the Blog.

Our late bearing absolutely loaded apple tree is a great attraction to lots of birds.  It started with the Green Rosellas, Silvereyes and Blackbirds, then in moved the Yellow Throated Honeyeaters, Crescent Honeyeaters and New Holland Honeyeaters. Lovely to watch them hang just about upside down and inside out picking at the apples.   Next came Black Currawongs, but only for a short while as they are now being chased out by Yellow Wattlebirds, who definitely think they own all the apples, and will not share their pickings with any of the other birds. As soon as one dares to land in the tree, they are immediately attacked and with a lot of screeching and clapping of wings chased out!

The small birds have all but given up, but the Black Currawongs fight back. All to no avail, every argument and some real fights with feathers flying everywhere, are won by the Yellow Wattlebird who now seems to have proclaimed himself KING OF THE APPLETREE!!
While none of the other birds is even allowed to land in the tree but banished to left-over pickings on the ground, the Black Currawongs are not even allowed that anymore. Obviously black-banned! 
Interesting to see the Rosellas never give up, there's always one brave one who flies into the tree, and since there are often about a dozen of them, the feisty warrior does not get much time to eat.
We also have some clever free-range chickens - saw one chase a rabbit away from the apples! - and they too are tolerated by the self-proclaimed Apple King, either they are too big to tackle or because don't bother to fly up into the tree.
All interesting behavior and very entertaining! No need to feel sorry for the Currawongs though, late in the afternoon when all others have disappeared they return in force to have a peaceful apple-picking feast all by themselves with no interference from those bullying Yellow Wattlebirds!

Hereby some photos I took yesterday of some of our visitors.

Kind regards!
Annette 

 

Ramsar wetland site, Jock's Lagoon

Even though it rained on Wednesday, we had a great crowd of birders for our Ramsar site walk at Jock's Lagoon. For those interested or who missed the walk, there is a website with a virtual tour of the lagoon.
http://www.environment.gov.au/water/topics/wetlands/database/virtual-tours/10-vt/index.html



Bird list, thanks Des:

PACIFIC BLACK DUCK	Anas superciliosa
HOARY-HEADED GREBE	Poliocephalus poliocephalus
WHITE-FACED HERON	Egretta novaehollandiae
WHITE-BELLIED SEA-EAGLE	Haliaeetus leucogaster (juv)
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO	Calyptorhynchus funereus
GREEN ROSELLA	Platycercus caledonicus
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN	Malurus cyaneus
BROWN THORNBILL	Acanthiza pusilla
SPOTTED PARDALOTE	Pardalotus punctatus
EASTERN SPINEBILL	Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER	Lichenostomus flavicollis
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD	Anthochaera chrysoptera
CRESCENT HONEYEATER	Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus
NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER	Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
GREY BUTCHERBIRD	Cracticus torquatus
GREY FANTAIL	Rhipidura albiscapa

Happy hour In the Bird Garden with Annette

Noticed the Blackheaded Honeyeater is back - even having a bath in the birdbath. We usually get quite a few so are looking forward to their return. 

A couple of weeks ago Pam - a fellow birder - joined us for happy hour, sitting facing our 'open air aviary' in about half an hour we spotted:
Blue Wrens, Firetail, Silver Eyes, Scarlet Robin, Yellow Rumped Thornbill, Green Rosella, White faced heron, Forest Raven, Grey Fantail, 3 unidentified fly-overs and a bit later a long lovely concert by a happy Eastern Spinebill. One of the most enjoyable 'happy hours' ever! Enclosed 2 photos I took that time and 2 closer up from before.

Happy Easter from just me, as Nick is still on Royden Island eradicating noxious weeds.

Cheers!
Annette 

Dianas Basin

 Dianas Basin is located 8 km south of St Helens beside the Tasman Hwy

Pic courtesy Google Maps

Bird List:

MUSK DUCK	Biziura lobata
BLACK SWAN	Cygnus atratus
HOARY-HEADED GREBE	Poliocephalus poliocephalus
LITTLE-PIED CORMORANT	Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
AUSTRALIAN PELICAN	Pelecanus conspicillatus
WHITE-FACED HERON	Egretta novaehollandiae
WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE	Aquila audax
BROWN FALCON	Falco berigora
PIED OYSTERCATCHER	Haematopus longirostris
RED-CAPPED PLOVER	Charadrius ruficapillus
HOODED PLOVER	Thinornis rubricollis
RED-NECKED STINT	Calidris ruficollis
PACIFIC GULL	Larus pacificus
SILVER GULL	Larus novaehollandiae
BROWN THORNBILL	Acanthiza pusilla
EASTERN SPINEBILL	Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER	Lichenostomus flavicollis
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD	Anthochaera chrysoptera
WHITE-FRONTED CHAT	Epthianura albifrons
CRESCENT HONEYEATER	Phylidonyris pyrrhopterus
NEW HOLLAND HONEYEATER	Phylidonyris novaehollandiae
GREY BUTCHERBIRD	Cracticus torquatus
GREY CURRAWONG	Strepera versicolor
GREY FANTAIL	Rhipidura fuliginosa
FOREST RAVEN	Corvus tasmanicus
SCARLET ROBIN	Petroica boodang
WELCOME SWALLOW	Hirundo neoxena
SILVEREYE	Zosterops lateralis

Musselroe Bay with Annette

Yesterday we went to Musselroe Bay with an overseas visitor hoping to spot, amongst other animals, a living moving Wombat. 

No such luck, wrong time of the year, but to our delight we spotted a Brown Falcon not too far away and a majestic fly-over by a Wedgetailed Eagle.
 

And I cannot help myself, but  I have included my favorite photo of the year: Wasp on a Gumtree flower. (OK, it's not a bird, but it has wings!)
 

and a Grey Butcherbird!! Wow, such a  great musical genius, keeps us enthralled all day long with his beautiful song. 

Kind regards,
Annette Amse.

Banded Stilts (thousands) on Logan Lagoon

Approximately 2000 Banded Stilts were observed in the north- eastern bay of Logan Lagoon, Flinders Island (55G 0610615 E 5553839 S) on 24th_25th February 2012. 

They were observed roosting in a straight line approximately 10 birds deep, 100 metres offshore in shallow water. When feeding they moved as one group in an ever changing line.

The flock was a mixture of adults in breeding and non-breeding plumage with some juveniles. No other wader species were seen in the flock. In 2003, between 1000-3000 Banded stilts were also observed in this area, travelling between Cameron Inlet, Logan Lagoon and Adelaide Bay from approximately mid- January through till March-April. 

All other Tasmanian sightings of Banded Stilts have been in numbers less than 10.


Observers: Liz Znidersic and Dr Sue Robinson (DPIPWE).

 Pictures (C) Liz Znidersic

Whitethroated Needletails gathering

On sunset Thursday 23rd Feb I was a amazed to see lots and lots of fast moving birds high in the sky. There must have been more than fifty at any one moment, but because they were travelling so fast in different directions it was difficult to count.
A call to Liz identified them as probably being Whitethroated Needletails, similar to Swallows in shape but bigger and without the telltale forked tail, preparing to migrate to their winter breeding sky somewhere in northern Asia.
 http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=682

Composite photograph by John H

More sightings from Pam

"I have on two occasions this month watched large flocks of needletailed swifts milling around in the sky above Scamander, so high they looked like a swarm of mosquitoes at times. They would suddenly disperse, then equally suddenly reappear, gathering from every direction and even swooping low over the beach and the river. The low sun lit up their white throats."

Gardens to The Marshes fire trail

Attached is the bird list from last Wednesday (thanks Des). Great location, excellent company and quite a few birds. Thanks to Nick and Annette for hosting a superb morning tea with delicious chicken soup!

Before next month flies around, does anyone have any ideas for our next walk?

Best birding wishes,

Liz

Cheeky Dwingfie

Bird list:

WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE	Aquila audax
YELLOW-TAILED BLACK-COCKATOO	Calyptorhynchus funereus
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA	Dacelo novaeguineae
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN	Malurus cyaneus
SPOTTED PARDALOTE	Pardalotus punctatus
BROWN THORNBILL	Acanthiza pusilla
TASMANIAN THORNBILL	Acanthiza ewingii
YELLOW WATTLEBIRD	Anthochaera paradoxa
YELLOW-THROATED HONEYEATER	Lichenostomus flavicollis
EASTERN SPINEBILL	Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
SCARLET ROBIN	Petroica boodang
GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH	Colluricincla harmonica
GOLDEN WHISTLER	Pachycephala pectoralis
GREY FANTAIL	Rhipidura fuliginosa
BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE	Coracina novaehollandiae
DUSKY WOODSWALLOW	Artamus cyanopterus
GREY BUTCHERBIRD	Cracticus torquatus
GREY CURRAWONG	Strepera versicolor
FOREST RAVEN	Corvus tasmanicus

Activities Jan-Feb 2012

Sunday 29^th January
 

The Gardens- Bay of Fires

10.30am-12.30pm (2 Hours) Aboriginal Heritage walk with Gloria Andrews.

Join Gloria and Discovery Ranger Liz on a walk and talk about the rich Aboriginal heritage in the Bay of Fires. Free bus from St Helens (call 0409 123322 for bookings) or meet at thee Gardens car park.

Thursday 2^nd February

International Wetlands Day

2.00-4.00pm (2 Hours) Wetland Wonder at Winfred Curtis.

Join Discovery Ranger Liz and Paul Frater (Trustee of the reserve and flora expert) on a leisurely wander around the wetland side of the amazing Winifred Curtis Reserve. This reserve was devastated by the 2006 bushfires and now back flourishing as a coastal haven.  Meet at the entrance opposite Upper Scamander Road, Scamander.







Tuesday 21 February 2012


The Moulting Lagoon Bird Count

7.15am to 3pm
On Monday 20 Feb 2012 Join us for dinner & briefing at Iluka Tavern Conference Room at 6pm.
On Tuesday 21 Feb meet nice and early at 7.15am at the Freycinet Visitor Centre then we're off to Moulting Lagoon to count the birds


Contact Fiona Everts, PWS 6256 7011

The Perfume Gardens & Moulting Bay

Well.... after the strong wind nearly stopped our monthly birding adventure, the sewage ponds came to the rescue and not only treated us to clean odourless air, we also bagged 23 species before we knew it. Then off to the sheltered Moulting Bay for another walk and some more birds.

Attached are some photos Annette took (thank you) and also a preliminary list . Thanks  to Des for recording the birds of the day. I am still having a look at the photos of the whistler? bird.....to be continued.......

Update 18/01/12: The mystery bird from our last walk is a juvenile Satin or Leaden Flycatcher. We will need to head back at some stage, or if anyone is interested in finding out which species I am sure the adult birds are around the same area. Thank you to Ian May for identifying and confirming  this species from the photos!

Next month WEDNESDAY 1ST FEBRUARY we will do the walk from this month, weather permitting. Meet at the Bayside at 8.30am to go to the trail between Ansons Bay road and The Gardens. The turn off is opposite Chaplins road.

Best birding wishes,

Liz

Windward of The Perfume Gardens

AUSTRALIAN PELICAN	Pelecanus conspicillatus
LITTLE PIED CORMORANT	Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
GREAT CORMORANT	Phalacrocorax carbo
LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT	Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
HOARY-HEADED GREBE	Poliocephalus poliocephalus
BLACK SWAN	Cygnus atratus
AUSTRALIAN SHELDUCK	Tadorna tadornoides
PACIFIC BLACK DUCK	Anas superciliosa
GREY TEAL	Anas gracilis
CHESTNUT TEAL	Anas castanea
HARDHEAD	Aythya australis
TASMANIAN NATIVE HEN	Tribonyx (Gallinula) mortierii
WHITE-FACED HERON	Egretta novaehollandiae
GREAT EGRET	Ardea modesta (alba)
PIED OYSTERCATCHER	Haematopus longirostris
MASKED LAPWING	Vanellus miles
SILVER GULL	Larus novaehollandiae
PACIFIC GULL	Larus pacificus
FAIRY TERN	Sterna nereis
CRESTED TERN	Thalasseus (Sterna) bergii
SWAMP HARRIER	Circus approximans
WHITE-FRONTED CHAT	Epthianura albifrons
WELCOME SWALLOW	Hirundo neoxena

Moulting Bay

WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE	Aquila audax
GREEN ROSELLA	Platycercus caledonicus
PALLID CUCKOO	Cacomantis (Cuculus) pallidus
LAUGHING KOOKABURRA	Dacelo novaeguineae
SUPERB FAIRY-WREN	Malurus cyaneus
BROWN THORNBILL	Acanthiza pusilla
YELLOW WATTLEBIRD	Anthochaera paradoxa
LITTLE WATTLEBIRD	Anthochaera chrysoptera
SCARLET ROBIN	Petroica boodang
GREY SHRIKE-THRUSH	Colluricincla harmonica
GREY FANTAIL	Rhipidura fuliginosa
BLACK-FACED CUCKOO-SHRIKE	Coracina novaehollandiae
FOREST RAVEN	Corvus tasmanicus
GREY CURRAWONG	Strepera versicolor