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Contact Call
Newsletter of BirdLife Northern Queensland Volume 6 Number 2 May 2017
PIPwatch Report Please visit
https://www.pipwatch.net/reports/cc_report.html to
access the Pipwatch Coast Count Report via an
interactive map.
Count results shown on this map were provided by
many Coast Count volunteers. Grateful thanks to all!
The map displays markers near count sites, in most
cases not at the exact location.
For information about Pied / Torresian Imperial
Pigeons in Queensland, go to the Pipwatch website
https://www.pipwatch.net/.
Many thanks to all counters
Julia Hazel
Birdlife Northern Queensland will be having a stall at
the Cassowary Festival in Mission Beach, June 4th
2017.
Come and join us and celebrate nature.
http://www.cassowaryfestival.com/
Join the sticky
beaks
family
group
Come and join the
BirdLife Australia
Sticky Beaks Family
Group - All welcome
Saturday 27th May :
9:00 hrs – 11:00 Cattana Wetlands. Meet at BirdLife
Info Board just inside the wetlands.
What’s that bird? Bird ID activities for all ages.
Bring Binos, Hat, Water, Sunscreen and Mosquito
Repellent, a bird book if you have it.
RSVP Patrick DeGeest Email or 0439 817 214
Please register your attendance by the Friday before.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/362094987191145
/events/
Contents Pipwatch count report
Convenor’s report
Wild Wings and Swampy Things Nature Refuge,
Daintree
Freckled Ducks arrive in Mt Isa
Indigenous Rangers go birding
Shipton’s Flat and Cooktown Outing - April 2017
What is normal in Normanton?
Establishing a mangrove exhibition
Wave the Waders Goodbye 2017
Learn about Golden Bowerbirds
Noticeboard and 2017 BirdLife Northern
Queensland 2017 Activities
BirdLife Northern Queensland
2 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 2
From the Convenor Our very well-attended AGM has now passed, and we
welcome a new committee member, Dr Ray Pierce.
Those of you who attended his recent presentation in
Cairns will be aware that he has done extensive
conservation work on some endangered South Pacific
birds. He has started off his work on the committee
supporting Graham with our grasswren surveys, and
has already developed two grants requesting funds for
this ongoing work - a welcome addition to our
committee!
I recently was able to host an extended outing to
Cooktown and Shipton’s Flat district, and had the
chance to showcase not only some out-of-the-way
birding locations that we have up here in far northern
Queensland, but also some of our incredible local
experts. I would like to thank all of you who turned up
to provide us with some great companionship and
good birding highlights. No event like this can work
without the assistance of our locals, who enabled us to
visit normally inaccessible places, so a big “thank-you”
to Lewis, Nick and Huon for their expert guidance and
assistance.
As noted in the AGM, we have several conservation
priorities, and we are developing actions to take over
the next year. Two of our most advanced projects
are:
Grasswrens - This year we will attempt to answer
the question are there 3 distinct populations of
Carpentarian Grasswrens, or are there resident
birds within the apparent “gaps”. We anticipate
members from all over Australia participating, so
why not consider joining us as well.
Altitudinal surveys of bowerbirds - Starting in
September, we will do systematic searches for
bowerbirds at regular intervals along mountain
roads in the Tablelands. There is a call for
volunteers in this newsletter.
Sticky Beaks for our younger members has a full
monthly program for the year - congratulations to our
organiser Golo Maurer and the other willing parents
who organise and lead these innovative outings.
If you would like to see more excursions, short or
extended, then we are always on the look-out for
members who are willing to lead these to some of your
own favourite patches. Just contact your local Co-
ordinator - Tom, Peter, Ceri or Kath, and they will help
you with this.
I am sometimes told that members are tired of
constantly receiving requests to donate money, or that
they are receiving too many emails from national
office. Well, do you know that you can control alot of
the communications items sent out? Just log in to
your members page, and under “update my profile”,
there is item “6. Electronic
Communications/Volunteer”. Just tick off the items
you want to receive and untick the ones, such as “e-
Appeals”, that you do not want to receive. If you do
not yet have a members page, then just register.
But remember before you unclick the box to receive
“e-Appeals”, that our birds depend upon our support!
A few years ago, almost 60% of BirdLife Australia’s
funding came from governments. In 2016, 60% is
now coming from us - members and supporters! So
protecting our unique birdlife is not just about having a
nice time doing social birding! It is about digging deep
and helping out in whatever ways we can! So before
you unclick “e-Appeals” think about making a regular
donation. Remember - it is not about us, but about
our birds! Kath Shurcliff
BirdLife Northern Queensland Committee
Committee Name Contact details
Convenor and
Cape York Area
Coordinator
Kath
Shurcliff
Email [email protected]
and phone: 07 4069 6595
Deputy Convenor Martin
Willis
Email: [email protected] and
phone: 07 40966581
Secretary Renee
Cassels
Email: [email protected]
Treasurer Wendy
Cooper
phone: 07 40968272
Cairns Area
Coordinator
Tom Collis Email: [email protected] and
mobile phone: 0401783795
Conservation
Coordinator and
Tablelands Area
Coordinator
Peter
Valentine
Email: [email protected]
and phone: 07 40966171
Stickybeak
Coordinator
Golo
Maurer
Email: [email protected]
IBA Coordinator Graham
Harrington
Email: [email protected] and
phone: 07 40965051
Members
Coordinator
Sam Willis Email: [email protected] and
phone: 07 40966581
Website
Manager
Mikey Kudo Email: [email protected] and
mobile phone: 0402343610
Committee
member
Ray Pierce Email: [email protected]
Newsletter
Editor and
Cassowary Coast
Area Coordinator
Ceri Pearce Email:
and mobile phone: 0488131581
Contact Call
May 2017 3
Wild Wings and
Swampy Things Nature
Refuge, Daintree
APRIL 29TH 2017
Late afternoon, returning from the orchard with some
fruit in my hands, I heard a faint ‘peep’ and stopped to
peer through the trees. Spotted Whistling ducks with
young had been seen on the Daintree River by Murray
Hunt (Daintree Boatman) a couple of days prior, but
this duckling sounded much younger. As I scanned
around I heard another ‘peep’ and saw a ripple on the
water and there, only 10m away, hidden under
branches low over the water, I could just make out
ducks with young. A few more seconds to confirm
they were definitely Spotted Whistling ducks with tiny,
fluffy ducklings and I was hurrying back to the house
to get Allen plus camera and binos. The light was
really too poor for photos and the adult ducks were
doing an excellent job of shepherding their 6-8
ducklings across the pond taking advantage of the
cover provided by sedges, water lilies and several
species of Persicaria. It was, nonetheless, a new
highlight for the property.
The following day neither of us could find any sign of
Spotted Whistling Duck. We looked and listened from
every vantage point around our various ponds on and
off during the day. There are many places for
waterbirds to hide which at times like this can be
frustrating but it does make good waterbird habitat.
MAY 1ST 2017
Late morning sitting at my desk and suddenly Allen is
on the verandah calling me to the bird hide looking
over Graham’s pond for some wonderful views of a
Spotted Whistling duck family.
Two adults with eight fluffy, striped ducklings were
moving through water lilies and Persicaria attenuata.
A third adult, perched on a post in the water, we
presumed was a scout. However, when the family
group later gathered at the base of the perching post
and ‘the scout’ flew down to the water it was chased
away and eventually left the pond.
The ducklings appeared to be feeding on Persicaria
seed which had dropped onto the water lilies. What a
delight to watch these little ducklings running across
the lilies as the adults slowly moved around feeding.
We just couldn’t keep the smiles off our faces – one of
those special, unforgettable birding occasions to
remember and enjoy many times over.
Barbara Maslen & Allen Sheather
BirdLife Northern Queensland
4 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 2
Freckled Ducks arrive
in Mt Isa Here is a shot of Freckled Ducks, which are exotic to
the Mount Isa area. I last saw Freckled Ducks in this
area more than thirty years ago. There was a small
flock of them on a private, cattle station dam. At a
guess there would have been about 30 of them. This
isn't to say, that they are not regular visitors. If they
are, they sure keep a low profile.
This photograph was taken a couple of weeks ago
(early March 2017) at the Mount Isa Sewerage
Treatment Plant (STP). There were 4 four of them
amongst the Pink-ears, Hardheads, and Grey Teal.
Unfortunately, the Mount Isa STP, is now a restricted
access area, due to upgrade construction work, being
carried out on site. And that thing, public liability,
raises its ugly head. I don't know if access to the STP
will ever be permitted, as it has been previously. Rex Whitehead, Mt Isa
Indigenous Rangers go
birding
Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers from all over
Queensland gathered at Paradise Palms on the
Northern Beaches of Cairns for a conference in March.
About one hundred indigenous rangers attended the
event held by Queensland Department of Environment
and Heritage. Part of the program for the event
included an afternoon of outdoor activities in the
Cairns area. Birdlife NQ was requested to see if they
could assist with a bird-watching session for interested
rangers. About fifteen rangers joined Tom Collis at
Centenary Lakes on Wednesday 8th March and
managed to see quite a few birds, including a newly
hatched family of Magpie Goose goslings. The
indigenous rangers were from Stradbroke Island,
Laura, Yarrabah, Cardwell, Injinoo and Torres Strait.
Several of them have had previous involvement with
Birdlife surveys and are in good locations to assist in
future monitoring of bird species. Golo Maurer (Birdlife
Australia’s Key Biodiversity Area’s Co-ordinator) has
been involved with several of these Indigenous Ranger
groups and would have been at this event except that
he was in Nhulunbuy NT with another Indigenous
Ranger group, Dhimirru Land and Sea Management. Tom Collis
Contact Call
May 2017 5
Shipton’s Flat and Cooktown Outing -
April 2017
Cooktown is in an unique position, being between the
Wet Tropics and Cape York Peninsula. Over the last
few years, while residing in Cooktown, I have noticed
that even if we share many of the same species with
Cairns and the Tablelands, we often have different
subspecies than what are commonly found down there.
The Endeavour River in Cooktown is often noted as the
boundary/barrier between different subspecies of
passerines. So for a birding outing up here, I thought
it would be best if we could combine a few days of the
northern most section of the Wet Tropics, with the
southern section of Cape York.
The timing of the event, at the end of April, would also
allow us to find not only the resident species, the wet
season visitors, but also a few of the passage
migrants. So Dave and I, with the help of our local
experts, planned a pretty full outing to sample the
range of habitats the Cooktown district has to offer.
These included both lowland and higher elevation
rainforests, gallery rainforests along the rivers,
wetlands, coast and mangroves.
Over twenty willing souls signed up for the 3 and half
day “event”. We started off at the very northern edge
of the Wet Tropics, on the track that leads up to the
Big Tableland. This is the most extreme northern end
for many of the Wet Tropics endemics. We followed
the remains of an old vehicle track which led to the
abandoned tin mines and settlement at the top. Our
main target bird species that morning was to check out
the scrubwrens. Tropical Scrubwrens occur in the
Cooktown area, Large-billed in the Wet Tropics. So
which one occurs up our track, or are they hybrids
with features of both, as has been previously
recorded?
We steadily trekked from around 200 m in elevation up
to the track’s crossing of the O’Keefe Creek at nearly
600 m, so it was a steady climb all morning. We
passed the Hidden Falls (aptly named from our
perspective), and eventually reached the beautiful
creek crossing. As it was very windy this morning, we
did not see too many birds until we reached the creek
and then on our homeward walk. That morning, we
saw at least four separate groups of scrubwrens. And
our verdict? Most seemed to have the distinctive
double chevrons on the shoulder, and pale eye-ring of
the Tropical, but several of these same individuals
seemed to have all black bills, a feature of the Large-
billed. There were others which did not have the
chevrons - were they juveniles?
Unfortunately, juvenile plumages are not well known.
So perhaps the two species do hybridise in this
locality. We later investigated the gallery rainforests
along the Annan River and found similar species as
along the Hidden Falls track.
Unlike locations on the Tablelands, the only way of
getting into the higher elevation rainforests of
Shipton’s Flat is to walk. This area has one vehicle
road which took us to the base of Mt Misery, where
there is a disused, but relatively clear track up the
ridge. Under the expert guidance of legendary Lewis
Roberts, we had a full day’s excursion up on Mt Misery
to search for the higher elevation specialists. We
crossed the upper headwaters of the East Normanby
River and steadily climbed up the track towards the
lower slopes of the mountain ridge.
It wasn’t long before we had our first speciality of the
day - Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo. Those prepared to
plunge into the forest with Lewis were able to see good
views of this cryptic bird - we estimated there were 4
birds at this spot. Lewis indicated that he can usually
find all the usual higher elevation species along this
track, but we only ended up with Chowchilla, Yellow-
throated Scrubwren and Barred Cuckoo-shrike for the
day. We all agreed that the scrubwren here was
Large-billed, with no indications of Tropical in their
field features. Spotted Pardalotes were calling around
us, but they refused to provide good views. The only
monarchs we had for the day were a few Spectacled
and one White-eared, along the river where they are
often found. No signs of any Black-faced, so they
must have all left the area for the winter. Later we
tried for Black-winged in Cooktown, but they must
have left as well.
We also made several stops in the eucalypt forests
along the ridges on the way to and from the Mt Misery
track. At one place we went in search of Bennett’s
Tree-kangaroo, following along a steep gully where we
could peer into the upper canopy almost at eye level.
An amazing rainforest gully amongst the eucalypts -
but no tree-roos! In the more open eucalypt forests
with some flowering, we stopped for White-streaked
Honeyeater.
BirdLife Northern Queensland
6 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 2
They were there alright, as predicted by Lewis.
Our wetlands locations included two dams at the
Shipton’s Flat tin mine and Keating’s Lagoon at
Cooktown, where we were joined by one of the local
National Park rangers who opened the park especially
for our visit. There were not many waterbirds present
except for jacanas, grebes, pygmy-geese and black-
fronted dotterels. This time of the year most of the
area’s dams and lagoons have few waterbirds, as they
are all dispersed further afield. Our ongoing surveys
at Keating’s show that most leave at end of January,
and don’t return in any numbers until about July-
August each year. And it seems that the Spotted
Whistling-ducks have departed, or are being more
secretive with breeding perhaps? It won’t be long
before we have breeding records down our way.
Despite
very
strong
winds, the
coast at
Archer’s
Point
produced a
real treat -
a Black
Noddy.
This bird
has been
here now for about a week - first discovered by Lewis.
As the winds have been consistently strong during that
period, the noddy has been content to stay around and
fish in the small tidal pools left behind with outgoing
tides. There were several reef egrets of both colour
forms, and a large number of tattlers - all Grey-tailed.
The ever present Varied Honeyeaters performed their
duets, and the three resident Beach Stone-curlews
eventually came to see us.
Our last habitat to visit was the mangroves of the
Endeavour River. Again, there is limited access to the
mangroves along the river from land, so we took to
Varied Honeyeater. Image courtesy of Doug Herrington
White-streaked Honeyeater, Endevour River. Image courtesy
of Doug Herrington
the water. Nick Davidson and “The Nautilus” took us
on a breakfast cruise up to the further reaches of the
Endeavour. We spotted and heard more than 50
species while in sheer luxury over an extended 4-hour
cruise. It was not hard to imagine how Banks and
Solander must have felt as they had often rowed up
the Endeavour on their numerous collecting sojourns.
All in all, we saw about 115 species for the extended
weekend, while exploring some of the special
surprises that we have to offer in the Cooktown
district. Hope to see you all up here soon to make
some of your own discoveries!!
by Kath Shurcliff
Contact Call
May 2017 7
What is normal in Normanton?
I have had an opportunity to spend multiple lengthy
work periods based in Normanton in the recent while:
a week in September, all of October and a month late
November to mid-December last year and just now all
of April. This a town that most birders seemingly
dismiss en route to the many prizes which await in
mangroves or wetlands at Karumba 75km further on.
Analysing the e-bird lists I noted that they were pretty
scanty and those that did submit seemed to do so
around fuel and lunch stops. It seemed no one had
ever bothered to survey the town comprehensively.
Then again, it is not the sort of place that attracts
people for visits of a few days, unless perhaps you are
a historical train-nerd (which I also am). Fair enough.
Birding late in 2016 was pretty unrewarding. Hot,
humid and dusty. Every housefly in the land had
headed there. There was no ground water to speak of
apart from some meagre amount in 2 dams in the
town which were previously used for general supply.
The town drinking supply from the Norman River
sourced upstream of tidal reaches was threatening to
dry up. The WTP was hard to get a look into and
unfortunately had rubber over the bunds. I did
discover a burst pipe near it which supplied the sports
grounds watering system and this had obviously been
damaged for many years as there was almost a vine
thicket appearance to the small area and some very
tall woodland which was out of place but quite a good
habitat (see later) to frequent in the mornings.
Karumba was also bone-dry. A weekend trip to
Croydon turned up much the same with Lake Belmore
virtually a muddy puddle. A few Varied lorikeets were
noted there among the Rainbows as mangoes were
everywhere but that was about it.
There were no finches or pardalotes. Virtually no
waterfowl anywhere. No nightjars. Black-faced
woodswallows were in small numbers in the bush (with
White-breasted WS in Karumba), and among the
honeyeaters: Yellows, a few Rufous-throated, Blue-
faced, Little friarbirds and the odd Brown honeyeater,
and Yellow-throated miner were all that was on offer.
Presumably these are always present in small
numbers. The mangroves in Karumba produced the
usual suspects but it took me many trips to nail them
all down. The mangroves north of the airstrip were
completely dead (as is the case for thousands of kms
in the Gulf according to local professional fishermen)
and this set an eerie backdrop as I sat inside rock
formations on the beach there waiting for the tide to
bring the shorebirds up for close viewing. When the
mud was covered these birds roosted in the dead
mangroves. It was all very weird.
By September even the Grey Nomads had thrown in
the towel.
Still, the list for the town rapidly grew with very
obvious sightings. In between times I would sit on the
balcony, swat the flies and watch the Apostlebirds fight
and wrestle over who knows what. They were
everywhere in the yard and around town.
The most curious thing that I saw at that time was a
pair of Mangrove robins in the thick bush near the WTP
with immatures being fed. The nearest part of the river
was over a km away with paperbark along its course,
no mangroves. The adults are still there. Then 3 or 4
Wood sandpipers turned up in October and worked
their way around a dam right in town. The fact that
kids were swimming, throwing cast nets for bait, dogs
were splashing and that there was a lengthy
construction going on to make the dam much bigger
didn’t seem to bother them one bit. True town birds.
One was still there early April when the water was well
up into the bush and appeared to leave around Anzac
Day.
Local experts tell me that the wet had been “about
average” but the place to my eye had totally
transformed. Bitumen road damage in many parts en
route to Karumba and Burketown told a tale. What was
previously a dirt patch now had weeds and “grass”
knee-high in my yard. There followed a fruitless search
for a decent mower apart from a rusty old push
version. There was inundation next to roads and often
as far as the eye could see in some parts, especially
about 10-20km from Karumba. Zebra and Double-
bared finches were everywhere in the bush and towns.
Magpie lark, Willie wagtail (all adults – presumably
heading north), Rufous-throated honeyeater (many
immatures) numbers had exploded. Striated
pardalotes were calling all through the bush and town.
Pacific swifts were seen in good numbers early in April
for a few days then they were gone. White-winged
triller was around in big groups (mainly non-breeding
plumage). Golden-headed and Zitting cisticola were
now noted in Karumba and Normanton in very big
numbers now that suitable habitat was about and
White-browed and Masked woodswallows added to the
mix. Bushlarks were starting to come in.
Apostlebirds, Georgetown.
BirdLife Northern Queensland
8 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 2
Black-throated Finch, Georgetown
An Easter trip to Croydon and Georgetown threw up
wetlands all around the towns but Lake Belmore and
Cumberland Dams were too high into the bush and
had virtually no birds. Lake Durham was packed with a
variety of waterfowl however. I did see a Ground
cuckoo-shrike in grasslands at Croydon and
Georgetown Racecourse produced Black-throated finch
making the trip worthwhile.
Back at the Gulf, waterfowl were present in enormous
numbers, often in the many hundreds and probably
thousands per species at a single location, especially
near Karumba, with huge records of Black-tailed native
hen indicating an irruption (not reported in the SE Gulf
before) and also Whistling ducks, Grey teals, White-
eyed (briefly) and Pink-eared all mainly immatures.
Pied herons, Royal spoonbills and Glossy ibis were in
huge flocks at times. One could survey a wetland and
a few hours later the dominant species will have
completely changed but still thousands of birds present
– they were obviously spoilt for choice. Some smallish
wetlands had 5,000-plus birds; it was impossible to
give accurate counts and they extended too far back to
see what was there. When they flushed they were
occasionally so thick I didn’t realise they were on
water until vacated! I was very lucky to glimpse some
Little curlews and a group of Orange chats (range
extension?) seen whilst driving had me screeching to a
halt. Towards the end of April a huge number of
Australian pratincoles turned up plus a few Orientals.
In the bush, Cockatiels, Diamond doves and Spotted
nightjars at night (and often flushed in the day) were
in now very big numbers, even in town. One morning I
found a dead nightjar next to my driveway! There
were now no flies or mozzies but cricket and cicada
numbers were huge especially near water.
One morning I noted a male Indian Peafowl wandering
on the town fringe. Surprisingly, extensive enquiries
failed to turn up an owner - a bit odd for a loud, large
exotic. I seriously doubt it had flown in from the sub-
continent!
There was effectively no blossom about the bush but I
did manage to scrounge up the odd White-throated
and Yellow-tinted honeyeater (Croydon/Georgetown
only) but only in single figures to expand the pre-wet
list. I didn’t bother to bird the mangroves in Karumba;
I just didn’t have the time or inclination with all the
waterfowl and cisticolas. And some good news: the
mangroves at the airstrip all appear to be
regenerating.
I quite like living in Normanton so I’ll be back there for
June and August and hope to make further interesting
observations and comparisons. I’ll let you know how I
go and I’ll also report on the mysterious “Duck
disease” in kids I was asked to solve by the shire
wearing both my professional and birding hats! If
anyone is passing by and needs a few tip-offs please
give me a shout.
Rob Reed
Birds are
in our
nature
Situated 1½ hrs north of Cairns in Tropical North
Queensland we offer accommodation in self-
contained units – – single or two bedroom – and
bunkhouse rooms. The property is a rainforest
wildlife sanctuary catering for birdwatchers and
naturalists.
We are central to a variety of habitats and provide
bird species lists, area maps and Wi-Fi internet
access.
Guiding is available by arrangement.
We offer packages for individuals and small groups.
Carol and Andrew Iles
RN6, Mt. Kooyong Road
Julatten QLD 4871
Ph: (07) 4094 1263
Email: [email protected]
www.birdwatchers.com.au
Contact Call
May 2017 9
Establishing a mangrove exhibition
It has been almost one year since the discovery of the
Bruguiera hainesii and the news release on TV and in
local papers. Now you can see it growing in Centenary
Lakes! On 23-03-2017, the Cairns Botanic Gardens
planted B. hainesii (new to Australia) and B. cylindrica
(known range extension from Cooktown) along with
several other mangrove species under the supervision
of David Warmington (Cairns Botanic Gardens
curator). The exact location is just on the east side of
the wooden foot bridge over the Saltwater Lake (-
16.902768, 145.751892).
This is the very first attempt of establishing a
mangrove exhibition to show all mangrove species
around Cairns. I am hoping that this mangrove
exhibition will send the message that our rich
mangroves are not so noticeable but are playing very
important roles to keep the Wet Tropics and the Great
Barrier Reef healthy!
Those seedlings were collected by Brian Venables and
myself from Chainman Creek with special permission
last year and they have been looked after at the back
of the Botanic Gardens. The seedlings are still very
small (20-30 cm tall). I have a vision that B. hainesii
will grow even bigger than the existing Grey
Mangroves and show us great knee roots and produce
flowers throughout the year in the future. I would like
the readers to remember that one day we will have
opportunities to see the interactions between these
mangrove species and local birds. Particularly we don’t
know much about the pollination of B. hainesii, it is
definitely our roll to correctly identify what species of
birds are feeding on the flowers. Since B. hainesii is
new to Australia, any interactions with Australian birds
are new to science! I am also asking my birding friends
to check for any damages to our baby mangroves
when they walk past the bridge. If needed, I will
provide protection for them.
Mangrove species planted on the same day
(23/03/2017)
Bruguiera hainesii
Bruguiera cylindrica
Bruguiera parviflora (previously only one tree
known in Centenary Lakes)
Bruguiera exaristata (new to Centenary Lakes,
but common in Cairns)
I am also including a picture of Brown Honeyeater
feeding on B. hainesii in Chinaman Creek.
by Mikey (Hidetoshi Kudo)
BirdLife Northern Queensland
10 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 2
Wave the Waders Goodbye 2017
A successful event was held Saturday March 25th.
Thirty-five people attended the presentations at the
Cairns City Library and there were many new faces in
the audience as well. Thanks to Golo Maurer and Paul
Fisk for two very interesting presentations. Following
the Library event about fifty people gathered at the
Esplanade to see the shorebirds. There were a good
numbers of waders present with several species to see
(Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Lesser Sandplover, Great
Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit, Terek Sandpiper, Red-necked
Stint). Many of the Lesser Sandplovers were in full
breeding plumage.
Tom Collis
Whimbrel
Pondering collective
names
If the collective name for cormorants is a flight,
gulp, sunning or swim of cormorants; and
The collective name for coots is a cover of coots;
and
The collective name for lapwings is a deceit of
lapwings; and
The collective name for plovers is a congregation
of plovers; and
The collective name for terns is a cotillion of
terns; then,
The collective name waders and/or shorebirds
seems less than perfect given that some don’t
wade much or come anywhere near a shore.
What do you think?
Did you know the collective name for small
sandpipers and plovers is peeps?
Contact Call
May 2017 11
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD CROSSWORD
1 2
3
4
5 6
7
Across 1. Used to build a bower 4. A good month to see a male bowerbird at the bower 5. Eaten by bowerbirds 7. Used to decorate a bower
Down 2. Performed at a bower by the male bowerbird 3. Structure built by a male bowerbird 6. Structure built by a female bowerbird
Answers are on page 12
Learn about Golden Bowerbirds
FUN FACTS
Did you know Golden Bowerbirds
are Australia’s smallest bowerbird,
and yet they build the biggest bower
(up to 3 metres high).
The male bowerbird builds a bower
to stage courtship performances to
attract a female mate.
The best time to see the male is
between September and January,
near his bower
MORE ABOUT GBB
Golden Bowerbirds are a medium
sized birds, about 23-25 cm in
length. They are only found in north
Queensland between Townsville and
Cooktown, in the mountains usually
above 700m. They are found in our
Wet Tropics. They feed on fruits
and occasionally insects.
To build a bower, the male
bowerbird arranges sticks around
two saplings that are side by side.
Finally to decorate the bower he
places moss, lichen, fruit and
flowers on it. The female bowerbird
selects her mate based on how
splendid the bower is, as well as by
the male’s courtship display.
After mating, the female builds a
nest and raises the chicks alone.
Colour in the Golden
Bowerbirds being
sure to label which is
male and female
BirdLife Northern Queensland
12 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 2
Noticeboard From the Editor
This is our first electronic only issue of Contact Call.
From an editor’s perspective, that makes it a little
easier to format, no more having to have pages that
are mutiples of 4, or page limitations to 20 pages. And
the timeline for delivering four times a year is more
flexible, which is great for a busy volunteer. Having
said that, we only received a reply from one person
who found that the shift to electronic only delivery
significantly disadvantaged them. If you fit into this
category, please do let us know. In the meantime, we
have another bumper newsletter for you thanks to a
‘host’ or is it a ‘parliament of congress’ of contributors.
Thanks once again to them all.
Please email images, articles, observations, activity
and trip reports and reviews to
[email protected] for the next edition.
Please note, there is no need to format a document
(combine images and text) when they are sent in.
Separate text and images are easier for the editor to
place into the newsletter template.
Newsletter deadlines for 2017
July 10th for the September Edition
October 10th for the December Edition
Want to advertise in Contact Call?
Welcome to the Green House Environment Shop, the
latest advertiser supporting Birdlife Northern
Queensland.
Advertisements and sponsorship help support the local
BirdLife group in Northern Queensland. Any profit is
used for education and conservation projects in our
region. The advertisements must be relevant to
BirdLife Northern Queensland members and compatible
with BirdLife Australia objectives and fund raising
guidelines.
Quarter page advertisements for four issues can be
purchased for $80 plus GST, or $25 plus GST for
single-issue advertisements. Contact the Editor of
Contact Call for further information.
Activities
Check out the BirdLife Northern Queensland activities
lined up for 2017 in the event calendar. For a complete
list of events please go to the website
http://birdlifenq.org/
Please do come and join us. You do not have to be a
BirdLife member or an expert birder. Most of us are
still learning and keen to share the fun. Everybody is
welcome.
For more information about an event, contact the
leader listed or check the website for details:
http://birdlifenq.org/, or join us on Facebook
Join us on Facebook
DO YOU WANT MORE?
Birdlife Townsville is not far away
For a list of their activities and campouts go to:
http://www.birdlifetownsville.org.au/Activities.html
Cairns Birders
Cairns Birders is a local informal birding network that
hold regular birdwatching walks at Centenary Lakes on
the first Sunday of every month and a field trip to
various locations on the third Sunday of every month.
Please note that while this group is not afiliated with
Birdlife Australia, many of its members are Birdlife
Australia members too. Contact
[email protected] for details
PAGE 11 CROSSWORD ANSWERS:
Across 1 Sticks. 4 October. 5 Fruit. 7 Lichen.
Down 2 Courtship. 2 Bower. 6 Nest.
Contact Call
May 2017 13
Birding in the Paluma area for the
October Queen’s Birthday Long
Weekend
30th Sept – 2nd October
This weekend will include a hunt for bowerbirds
and their bowers, as well as birding at a number of
locations across this rainforest to dry country
transition zone.
Note Paluma is ca 300km from Cairns. Participants
must be self-catering and arrange own
accommodation.
Accommodation options (please note this is a long
weekend. Book early to avoid disappointment).
Mist Haven Units (www.misthaven.com.au) 07
4774 7300
Paluma Rainforest Cottages
Palumarainforest.com.au or Phone 07 47708690
Paluma Rainforest Inn rainforestinnpaluma.com
or 07 4770 8688
Camping sites are available at Lake Paluma which
is 12 km along a dirt road from the Paluma Village
Camping is also available at the Big Crystal Creek
camping area (go to npsr.qld.gov.au for further
information on facilities, booking and camping
fees.) Note this site is also around 25 -30 km from
Paluma Village
Hidden Valley Cabins
(hiddenvalleycabins.com.au or phone 07 47708088)
Note this site is about 20 km west of Paluma Village.
There may be other options eg B&Bs etc
For further information contact Ceri Pearce, Phone:
0488131581 or Sandra Christensen, Phone:
0448845842
GOLDEN BOWERBIRD SURVEY
BIRDLIFE NORTHERN QUEENSLAND is
conducting a survey of Golden Bowerbirds
this year and is looking for volunteers.
Golden Bowerbirds appear to be on the decline.
We are not sure if this is true or if so, what may
be causing it, so we are inviting interested
people to join us in a formal survey.
We intend to station observers at intervals along
forest roads, which rise from about 700m to over
1200m in altitude. They will listen intently for
the call of the Golden Bowerbird. Three hours is
all that will be required and then we will all have
lunch together and compare notes.
Volunteers do not have to be bird experts – they
merely have to be able to hear well. Golden
Bowerbird “song” is so distinctive that a few
minutes training is all that is required.
THE FIRST SURVEY IS FROM DANBULLA TO MT.
EDITH ON SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER.
Surveys are planned for other sites during the
breeding season between September and
December.
All volunteers will get to see a bower.
For further information or to volunteer for this
interesting and important activity contact …
DOMINIC CHAPLIN
Phone: 0419 028 077
Also go to http://birdlifenq.org/pdfs/NQ-
GBB%20survey%20News%20No1.pdf for more
information.
BirdLife Northern Queensland
14 Contact Call Volume 6 Number 2
BirdLife Northern Queensland 2017 Activities Date Time Locality Meeting place and other information Contact the leader
Wednesday 17th May
7.00pm Malanda Hotel
Tableland BirdLife NQ Meeting KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS TALK Please be advised that the Key Biodiversity Areas talk presented by Golo Maurer and Graham Harrington has had to be rescheduled to 17 May 2017. Dinner is available from the Hotel from 6:00pm at own cost.
Peter Valentine Phone: 4096 6171 or email [email protected]
Saturday 27th May
9:00 – 11:00am
Cattana Wetlands.
Sticky Beaks Family Group Meet at BirdLife Info Board just inside the wetlands. What’s that bird? Bird ID activities for all ages. Bring Binos, Hat, Water, Sunscreen and Mosquito Repellent, a bird book if you have it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/362094987191145/events
RSVP Patrick DeGeest Phone: 0439 817 214 Please register your attendance by the Friday before.
Saturday 27th May
7:30pm Cominos House, Greenslopes St. Cairns
Cairns BirdLife NQ Meeting Short presentations by Birdlife Members. It is time to bring out some of those great photographs and birding tales and share them with other members. Members are invited to put together a short (max 15 minute) presentation to share on the night. We are aiming for six presentations (and possibly more if the interest is there). If you wish to participate contact Tom Collis.
Tom Collis, Phone: 0401 783 795 or email: [email protected]
Saturday 24th June
8am Kuranda Envirocare Nursery, 284 Myola Road
Sticky Beaks Family Group Join the Community Tree Planting. Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
10-30th June
QLD and NT Survey of Carpentarian Grasswrens from Mount Isa to Borroloola in the Gulf of Carpentaria To secure your place in this special event, contact Graham Harrington Also go to http://birdlifenq.org/pdfs/NQ-CGW%20NEWSLETTER%20No1%20final.pdf
Graham Harrington Phone: 0448 055 077 or email: [email protected]
Thursday 13th July
7.30pm Malanda Hotel
Tableland BirdLife NQ Meeting Speaker to be confirmed.
Peter Valentine Phone: 4096 6171 or email [email protected]
Saturday 15th July
7:30pm Cominos House, Greenslopes St. Cairns
Cairns BirdLife NQ Family Trivia Night. Come along for a fun night testing your knowledge of all things relating to birds.
Tom Collis, Phone: 0401 783 795 or email: [email protected]
Saturday 29th July
3pm Machan's Beach
Sticky Beaks Family Group Beach Scouring Machan's Beach, end of Cinderella Street by Barron River Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
Saturday 26th August
6pm Cairns Centenary Lakes
Sticky Beaks Family Group Spotlighting Centenary Lakes Chinese Pagoda Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
Saturday 2nd Sept
Malanda area Crane Count 12 pm – 2 pm Day Count - Volunteers needed 3pm Volunteers meet at Hasties Swamp bird hide for briefing 4-6.30pm Counting at crane roosts 7pm Dinner at Malanda Pub.
Graham Harrington Phone: 0448 055 077 or email: [email protected]
Saturday 9th September
Mt Edith Rd, Lake Tinaroo
Bowerbird survey Survey different altitudes along the length of this road as part of the Wet Tropics Bowerbird Monitoring project.
Dominic Chaplin Phone: 0419 028 077 or email: www.pinecreekpictures.com.au
Contact Call
May 2017 15
Date Time Locality Meeting place and other information Contact the leader
Thursday 14th September
7.30pm Malanda Hotel
Tableland BirdLife NQ Meeting Speaker to be confirmed.
Peter Valentine Phone: 4096 6171 or email [email protected]
Saturday 30th September
Sticky Beaks Family Group Details to be announced Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
30th Sept – 1 October
Paluma area, near Townsville
Paluma for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend This weekend will include a hunt for bowerbirds and their bowers, as well as birding at a number of locations across this rainforest to dry country transition zone. Participants are to arrange their own accommodation.
Ceri Pearce, Phone: 0488131581 or Sandra Christensen, Phone: 0448845842
23rd – 29th October
National Bird Week and Aussie Backyard Bird Count Go to www.aussiebirdcount.org.au Local details to be announced
http://BirdLife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/bird-week/
Saturday 28th October
11am Muddy’s on the Cairns Esplanade
Sticky Beaks Family Group Aussie Backyard Bird Count Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
28th -29th October
National Twitchathon Weekend This is not a race – or is it? Join us in raising money for Bird Conservation and have a great time participating Further details to be announced
http://www.BirdLife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/national-twitchathon/
Saturday 4th November
Members Bowerbird search Details to be announced
Graham Harrington Phone: 0448 055 077 or email: [email protected]
8 – 11th November
Geelong, Victoria
Australasian Ornithological Conference Will be held at Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Geelong, Victoria.
For details monitor http://www.BirdLife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/aoc/
Thursday 9th November
7.30pm Malanda Hotel
Tableland BirdLife NQ Meeting Details to be announced
Peter Valentine Phone: 4096 6171 or email [email protected]
Saturday 18th November
4–6pm Any coastal area
2017 Synchronised regional PIP Count Julia Hazel Phone: 0407 431 382 or email: [email protected]
Saturday 25th November
Sticky Beaks Family Group Details to be announced Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
Early December
Challenge Count http://www.BirdLife.org.au/get-involved/whats-on/challenge-count/
Saturday 16th December
3:30pm Kewarra Beach, BBQ area
Sticky Beaks Family Group Christmas BBQ and TIP Count Please register your attendance by the Friday before
Golo Maurer Phone: 0467 444 114 or email [email protected]
BirdLife NQ Christmas party somewhere for grown-ups too. Details to be announced