A regional group of BirdLife WA since 2005 ● Birds are in our Nature ● Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin

Issue 72 December 2020 / January 2021

Photographs and artwork in this publication are the property of individuals or BirdLife Australia. Permission is necessary to reproduce any photographs or artwork.

When reading this newsletter you can enlarge it by clicking on the three dots to enjoy the quality of the photographs in a larger format.

Learning through art

The Hooded Plover

Tania Davey Margaret River

Art and Environment Page 5

Cover - Students’ Hooded Plover artworks

Splendid Fairy-wren – Photo Michael Richardson

CONTENTS Page Program 3

From the Editor 4 Connecting through Birds 5 Hoodie Happenings & other shorebirds 6-7 Cockatoo Capers 8 Capes Osprey Watch 8 Two Oceans Watch 9 Excursion Report 10-11 Sightings 11 Leeuwin Marine Charters Seabird Charter 12 Cape to Cape Chatter 13-14 Bird Photo Gallery – Rottnest 15 Birding beyond the Capes 16 Yearly Bird List 17 BirdBlitz the Blackwood Bird List 18 BirdBlitz the Wadandi Track Bird List 18 Leeuwin Marine Charters Seabird Lists 19

We may be emerging from Covid lockdown, but if you are feeling unwell on the day of an activity, please do not join in, and if you do attend and subsequently fall ill, please notify the Cape to Cape Bird Group or BirdLife WA. Although the group size can now be up to 100, at this stage we are still required to keep 1.5 metres apart where possible.

Diary Reminders 6-7 February:

BirdLife’s ‘Australian Shorebird Monitoring 2021’ Capes Summer Beach Count (includes Hooded Plovers) Capes beaches, Hardy Inlet, Vasse-Wonnerup Wetlands

28 March (Registrations open until 7 March: BirdLife WA’s ‘Great Cocky Count’ (at sunset)

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Australian Pelicans, Seine Bay – Photo Christine Wilder

BirdBlitz 2021

● BirdBlitz the Ridge 2021 ● Recording birds along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge

The ridge is an awesome sight from many vantage points on land and sea. On days of clear visibility, Cape Naturaliste can be seen from Bunbury’s back beach and at the southern tip, Cape Leeuwin can even be seen from as far down the coast as Point D’Entrecasteaux. Impressive,

with its many wild places, the ridge will be visited to blitz the birds in 2021.

The ridge, Green Hill/Hillview, Augusta Half-day excursion – Monday 1 March (Public Holiday) Meet at 8.00am near the Augusta Civic Park offices in Alnutt Terrace. We will travel a short distance to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park (karri/marri/heath). Bring morning tea/chair. Christine Wilder 0427 312 848

Seabird Surveys - Leeuwin Marine Charters Keep in touch with seabird charters in 2021

Seabirds, marine life, spectacular coastal scenery Augusta Islands Group, Cosy Corner, Hamelin, Black Point

Details will be sent to those on the notification list once we know the ten-day forecast (weather dependent) To put your name down contact: cwilderone@yahoo.com.au

Photo Brad Keyser

Note: All the local excursions/campouts/meetings are for BirdLife Australia members, supporters and the general public. The leader will always be present at the meeting place and will decide whether or not 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 (if mobile no. provided).

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

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

PROGRAM

Indian Peafowl, Rottnest Island – Photo Claire Timmons

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Weekend of 6 and 7 February

BirdLife Australia’s ‘Australian Shorebird Monitoring’ We are seeking new volunteers for BirdLife’s Australian Shorebird Monitoring (includes counting Hooded Plovers). Last year an impressive 28 volunteers turned out for the annual counts in the capes and we had almost full coverage of beaches. You may already be a volunteer monitor, an annual surveyor or have ‘Adopted a Beach’ or maybe you haven’t participated in previous surveys and can volunteer to walk a local beach for a couple of hours. You don’t have to be a shorebirds expert to participate. To register please email the capes co-ordinator:

Christine Wilder cwilderone@yahoo.com.au

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY Sunday 7 February

BirdLife Shorebirds/Waterbirds Survey Vasse-Wonnerup Estuaries

It’s time again for counting shorebirds/waterbirds at the Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands. Anyone interested, please let us know, and details will be sent of start time, where to meet, what to bring. The usual format is to split into groups led by at least one experienced shorebird counter (novices are always welcome) to undertake surveys of species/numbers at designated sites around the estuaries. If you have a telescope that would be useful. Bring footwear suitable for possibly getting muddy.

Hidi and Alfred Lau alfredhidi@gmail.com

Karri Forest on the ridge at Green Hill – Photo Christine Wilder

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From the Editor

Happy 2021 everyone!

On 1 December the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation and Lower Blackwood Landcare held their annual forum in Augusta, on water quality and programs to improve health of the Hardy Inlet and to launch the Scott River Action Plan, providing, as always, an interesting update to a large audience. On 8 December just as we were heading off on holidays, Natalie Bell invited me to join St. Thomas More Catholic Primary School at the Margaret River-mouth. These field trips are intended to raise environmental awareness with the younger generation and working with the students is fantastic fun. Nat and I met around 100 students – three groups of Years 1-2, four groups of Years 3-4, three groups of Years 5-6, participating in activities in rotation, discussing beach nesting birds, threats birds face, bird app, fences/signs on the north side of the river. Students were introduced to binoculars and spotting scope to check on the birds. Birds identified on the day: Australian Pied Oystercatcher, Australian Pipit, Australian Raven, Caspian Tern, Eastern Osprey, Greater Crested Tern, Great Pied Cormorant, Nankeen Kestrel, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull, Square-tailed Kite and Wedge-tailed Eagle. Our membership has grown enormously in the past twelve months and this newsletter now reaches every corner of the globe. Newcomers have volunteered, especially to train to monitor beaches safely, some on a daily basis over summer. The usual annual bird lists are at the back of this issue with 125 species identified and other species reported, meaning more than 130 species were recorded in the capes in 2020. Official projects – ●DBCA Capes Hooded Plover Monitoring Program 2021 (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - Parks & Wildlife and BirdLife Australia) ●BirdLife’s Australian Shorebird Monitoring 2021 – 6-7 February Includes Capes beaches, Hardy Inlet and Vasse-Wonnerup wetlands (shorebirds, waterbirds and Hooded Plover count) ●BirdLife WA’s Great Cocky Count – 28 March (at sunset) Here’s some of the other activities planned for this year (some may be cancelled due to covid unknowns) – ● BirdLife Australia’s ‘Birds in Schools’ (If you can assist with school groups in 2021 please get in touch) ● BirdLife Australia’s beach nesting birds (a ‘BirdLife Dogs Breakfast’) ● Pop up bird displays in Augusta, Margaret River and Busselton ● Augusta River Festival display with Tangaroa Blue (festival cancelled) ● Augusta Whalesong Festival and Blessing of the Fleet (tentative only) ● Bird walk, Margaret River (Saturday 27 March-Bioblitz) ● BirdBlitz Ambergate Reserve with the Busselton Naturalists Club (Full day from 9:00am Sunday 18 April – details closer to the date) ● Surveys for the City of Busselton and Friends of Reserves groups ● 2021 BirdBlitz the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge ● Seabird survey charters with Leeuwin Marine Charters And our usual excursions in national parks, reserves and walk tracks in the capes. The new year brings with it a wish for continuing safe conditions for activities here in the capes. Looking forward to catching up.

Christine Wilder

Jenny Kikeros and Christine Wilder, BirdLife pop up display, IGA Augusta

Students using binoculars at the Margaret River-mouth

Photo Christine Wilder

VOLUNTEER SKILLS FORM – BIRDLIFE WA Thank-you for volunteering with BirdLife WA - your time and efforts on behalf of our birds is greatly appreciated. We want to know more about our volunteers and would like to develop a database of our volunteers and the skills they have. We would really appreciate you taking the time to complete the volunteer registration form. All you need to do is request a form – cwilderone@yahoo.com.au Double click on the form to open it on your computer or device. Fill the form out on your computer. Use the "File - Save As" option to save the completed form. Email your completed form to – wa@birdlife.org.au If there is more than one member of your household who volunteers with us please complete a form each. Thank you.

Annette Park, WA Office Manager, BirdLife Western Australia

Christine Wilder and Shapelle McNee

Selfie smiles after another season of blue gum surveys for BirdLife

Left – Christine with binoculars, spotting scope and pop up beach display Photo Natalie Bell

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Connections through birds

Tania Davey in her studio in Margaret River – Photo Christine Wilder

Margaret River Art and Environment is a local business focussed on educating children about their environment through hands on creative projects.

This business has been running out of the home studio of Tania Davey for the past four years. Tania runs classes for children aged between 6 and 15 years, twice a week after school and Friday mornings for home school students. Each term they focus on a local environmental theme from which all the work is inspired. The students are exposed to projects using a variety of art media including print, clay, painting, recycled art, sculpture, mandala, chalk pastels and textiles.

Term four in 2020 the class focussed on the shoreline as the environmental theme. The Hooded Plover was one of the class projects. Children were given facts on the life-cycle, nesting habits, feeding, predators and environmental threats which put pressure on this species. The class worked in clay to form a Hooded Plover which was fairly anatomically correct (see art works on cover) and then after a bisque fire in the kiln the students painted the plumage onto the birds and speckled three eggs with underglaze. Once the work was glazed and fired a small nest was made from a recycled plastic container filled with beach sand and camouflaged with seaweed and beach debris.

Tania works in local schools and festivals developing community arts projects with local organisations with a focus on raising awareness of the protection needed for our local species and habitats.

If you have a project which requires a creative professional dedicated to environmental education, please contact Tania at Margaret River Art and Environment and discuss your vision.

Tania Davey

Margaret River Art and Environment

Find me on facebook or contact

taniadaveyart@gmail.com 0437 486 730

What a fantastic project and thanks Tania for two clay Hooded Plovers with eggs, which will be on show at our annual pop up beach nesting birds displays at shopping centres in Augusta, Margaret River and Busselton.

Unique Bird and Wildflower Photography Book

90 pages of colourful images with tips on how to approach and photograph birds and flowers

without the technical jargon.

Only $25 + $6 P&H Email: info@haveagonews.com.au

Alan Burdett and Caroline Burdett – Photo Christine Wilder

Tania Davey’s donated Hooded Plover art

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Red-capped Plovers – Photo Liz Noordhoek

22 December I was very happy to see these Red-capped Plovers on the beach in Dunsborough/Quindalup this morning. Not sure how they survive at this time of year with all the people and dogs. Liz Noordhoek

Hooded Plover – Photo Jenny Kikeros

Ruddy Turnstone – Photo Mick Cross

Right – Ruddy Turnstones, Sarge Bay, 31 December – Photo Jenny Kikeros

If you see Hooded Plovers on any beach please report them, especially if you find a nest or adults/chicks. Check for leg flags. Two birds were released in 2019 -

one with a yellow BA flag one with a blue BA flag

Email BirdLife WA: wa@birdlife.org.au or cwilderone@yahoo.com.au

Hooded Plovers – Photos Mick Cross

2 December My sister Jackie and I completed our last leg of the Cape to Cape Track walk (153km in total). The last leg from Cosy Corner to the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (22km) was one of the most scenic. Leonie and Stephen Stone accompanied us. We saw Hooded Plovers twice, a Ruddy Turnstone and a lot of Rock Parrots on the lawns around the lighthouse. The Hoodies were on the beach section between Cosy Corner and the lighthouse, about half-way along, at low tide. They were feeding on the rock shelf near the water’s edge.

Mick Cross

Articles in latest “Australian BirdLife” magazine For those who do not receive the national magazine, the latest issue has some interesting reads. ● Project Twinkle Toes – Unlocking the secrets of Hooded Plovers ● Marna Banggara: Healthy Country for Hoodies ● Farewell Shorebirds 2020 For details (online/hard copy) go to BirdLife Australia’s web page.

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Hooded Plovers, one with food – Photos Jenny Kikeros

31 December I spotted nine Ruddy Turnstones today at Sarge Bay. They were high on the beach at the base of the dunes, sheltering. When they first came down to the water’s edge, they walked like hoodies but then I realised what they were. Their tracks appear to be a bit larger than hoodies but similar.

14 January At Foul Bay, there was a juvenile Sooty Oystercatcher with its parents, the first evidence I have seen of these oystercatchers breeding this season. I also recorded an Australian Pied Oystercatcher and the first Sanderling for this season.

Jenny Kikeros

Recorded at Vasse-Wonnerup Gallinago Snipe sp. and Asian Dowitchers above

and an Eastern Curlew (not pictured) Photos Christine Taylor

Curlew Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwits, Sanderlings – Photos Dean McFaull

The birds are back in town. On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day I got my best counts of shorebirds in the Blackwood River so far this season.

There is a group of 17 Grey Plovers being joined by about 10 Red Knots and 3 Great Knots with the odd Bar-tailed Godwit thrown in for good measure. It is so nice seeing the Curlew Sandpipers also starting to arrive but they seem to like to keep to themselves at the moment. The flock of 94 Red-necked Stints was certainly a pleasure to see. Six Fairy Terns were flying and sitting in with the Caspian Terns and Australian Pied Oystercatchers. On New Year’s day I saw my first Common Sandpiper of this season at Flinders Bay just in front of the caravan park.

Dean McFaull

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Twigs laden with nuts – Photo Mike Evans

6 December - For the best part of two weeks now an almost daily occurrence has been the presence of Red-Tailed Black-Cockatoos in our garden in Riverslea, feeding on our scented lemon gum. Always early in the morning anywhere between one to five birds at a time have been feeding on the gum and in the process bringing down twigs of varying sizes laden with nuts. I attach a photo of the biggest twig today. This size is by no means unusual.

Mike Evans 8/12/20 – Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos return to our neighbour’s paddock every summer in Cowaramup. Anne Bowerman 12/12/20 – 16 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos perched on stag, Kudardup.

Christine Wilder 13/12/20 – Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo pairs observed investigating and using mature Karri hollows, Augusta. Michelle Keppel 15/12/20 – ~40 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos behind Cape Mentelle Vineyard, Margaret River. Hank Durlik 16/12/20 – 21 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos in Marris in garden off Leeuwin Road, Augusta. Christine Wilder 29/12/20 – 10 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos at the sportsground, Augusta.

Alan Burdett, Caroline Burdett, Christine Wilder December – Pair of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos with two chicks, Augusta.

Kate O’Hara and John Lukins

Black-Cockatoos Cowaramup Photo Anne Bowerman; Margaret River Photo Hank Durlik

Capes Osprey Watch

Eastern Osprey hunting at Pt. Picquet – Photo Gary Tate

November 2020 – some osprey observations by Joe Pearce An osprey approaching its nest was attacked in mid-air by a Caspian Tern. We see caspians (some are juveniles) roosting on the sand bar at the Blackwood River-mouth, but unusually we don’t encounter any on seabird charters when close to the islands (more than 25 trips) with no random capes sightings reported.

When the ospreys were away from the nest, Joe checked and saw a young chick, also two eggs that did not look similar, one white and one darker with many splotches? Later when watching from a distance, an osprey flew to the edge of the nest with a fish, the chick roosting on the opposite side of the wide nest. The adult landed and the chick slowly made its way across the nest, the adult then flew off with the fish. The chick then made its way back to its original position. This was repeated several times. Joe also saw an adult osprey fly in, pick up a large stick from the nest and fly off with it. 17 December - Some good news! The osprey pair at Wallcliffe House has a chick. Their initial nesting earlier was disrupted a bit by another male osprey, but things settled. Last year sadly they were not successful, although they tried. Jake said it is difficult to see into the nest. One head is up at this stage. Jake also noted a pair of Western Rosellas had reared three chicks successfully in a tree hollow nearby. 30 December - Jake was working at Wallcliffe House and said the baby osprey was perched on the nest rim stretching its wings. Thankfully both parents were either side of the chick. It is a bit of a fall from the chimney with brick rubble everywhere. So more good news to start the new year!

Sandy Thomas

Turner Caravan Park, Augusta 9 January 7:30pm – One juvenile Eastern Osprey. 12 January 7:40pm – Two adult Eastern Ospreys and one juvenile. The ospreys are roosting in the same tree as last season. The vegetation and road are covered in white droppings and a fish was found underneath the roost.

Christine Wilder

Fish species (perhaps spine foot or rabbit fish – David Muller)

under osprey roost at caravan park Photo Christine Wilder

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Two Oceans Watch

Hamelin Island/Foul Bay from White Cliff Point lookout – Photo Joe Pearce

Black-browed Albatross – Photo Blake Muller

29 December I recorded the following birds approximately 5.5 nautical miles west of Deepdene at a depth of 50 metres with strong south east winds: 2 Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross (not fully mature) 3 Shy Albatross 12 Flesh-footed Shearwater 5 Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

8 January 2021 I recorded the following birds approximately 5.5 nautical miles west of Deepdene at a depth of 50 metres with strong south east winds: 4 Black-browed Albatross 1 Shy Albatross More than 20 Flesh-footed Shearwater 3 Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

David Muller

Nankeen Night-Heron, Busselton Jetty, 8/12/20

Photos Helena Nicholson

Interesting observation: I love the shearwaters on the seabird charters out of Augusta. I noticed that as they turn in flight, they skim the edge of the lower wing against the water. It reminded me of surfers – I think they touch the water to lower their centre of gravity. Maybe they learn from watching the birds!

Christine Painter

Shy Albatross – Photo Blake Muller

Left – Pacific Gull and Shy Albatross (St. Alouarn Island) Photos Brad Keyser

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Excursion Report End of year get together – 12 December

Doyle Place to Laurel Court and return

Margaret River

Western Yellow Robin – Photo Terry Scott

This year’s get together was fast-tracked (due to delays in the newsletter appearing on the web site) but a core group turned out for a walk alongside the Margaret River. Surprisingly, I was the only person in the group to know about this walk track.

Despite the morning warming up early, plenty of birds were heard, seen and counted. This section of the Margaret River is spectacular and the river was flowing although the vegetation was noticeably dry alongside the track. The Shire of Augusta-Margaret River’s revegetation looked to be successful with healthy plantings.

A pair of Rainbow Bee-eaters and the Western Yellow Robin pair were in their usual territories. Western Whistlers were calling throughout our walk and a Grey Shrike-thrush was identified. Apart from one Brown Honeyeater and one Red Wattlebird, no other honeyeaters were heard or seen. Baudin’s and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos flew overhead.

At the river bend car park a Little Pied Cormorant was seen perched on a log, a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo was calling and a White-breasted Robin in the fringing vegetation.

Morning tea was enjoyed under the shady peppermints and the year’s events were discussed. A total of 29 species was recorded.

Christine Wilder

At the river bend car park – Photo Christine Wilder

Group at the old Marri along the track – Photo Jill Cornes

Bird List – The Margaret River – 12 December Doyle Place to Laurel Court and return 2 Common Bronzewing 2 Striated Pardalote 1 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 2 Western Gerygone 1 Little Pied Cormorant 2 Spotted Scrubwren 2 Rainbow Bee-eater 2 Yellow-rumped Thornbill 4 Laughing Kookaburra 3 Inland Thornbill 4 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo 5 Western Whistler 1 Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo 1 Grey Shrike-thrush 2 Galah 1 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 1 Red-capped Parrot 2 Australian Magpie 1 Western Rosella 4 Grey Fantail 1 Australian Ringneck 1 Australian Raven 1 Red-winged Fairy-wren 2 Western Yellow Robin 2 Splendid Fairy-wren 2 White-breasted Robin 1 Brown Honeyeater 2 Silvereye 1 Red Wattlebird

At the river’s edge – Photo Christine Wilder

Looking at Western Yellow Robins – Photo Christine Wilder

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From top – Looking at robins – Photo Terry Scott

The track along the edge of the valley; morning tea in a shady spot Photos Christine Wilder

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.

House Crow, Gnarabup beach, 14/12/20 – Photos Jennifer Smith

(from India, probably ship assisted)

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: Pallid Cuckoo 1, Willmott Avenue, Margaret River, 10/12/20 – Joan Sharpe Nankeen Night-Heron 3, roosting, Hardy Street, Augusta, 13/12/20 – Christine Wilder Black-fronted Dotterel 7 (5 adults, 2 juveniles), Augusta Water Treatment Plant, 29/12/20 – Caroline Burdett, Alan Burdett and Christine Wilder Square-tailed Kite 2, hawking over dunes, Margaret River-mouth, 8/12/20 – Christine Wilder 1, Wallis Road, Witchcliffe, 5/1/21 – Christine Wilder Wedge-tailed Eagle 1, in thermal above the Boodjidup Road roundabout, Margaret River, 12/12/20 – Christine Wilder 2, circling above Augusta town, 29/12/20 – Caroline Burdett, Alan Burdett and Christine Wilder Swamp Harrier 1 with ~50 Little Corellas, Boodjidup roundabout, 9/1/21– Christine Wilder Australian Hobby Pair screaming across Augusta garden, 5:30am, 9/1/21 and at Turner Caravan Park (pair roost in Toy Place), 7pm, 9/1/21 – Christine Wilder Sacred Kingfisher 2, West Bay (breeding), 6/12/20 – John Lukins and Kate O’Hara Purple-crowned Lorikeet 2, Leeuwin Road, Augusta, (very little blossom) 3/1/21 – Christine Wilder Regent Parrot 3, Chapman Road, Karridale, 5/1/21 – Christine Wilder 8, near Ellensbrook Road, Margaret River, 7:00am 3/1/21 – Jennifer Smith Western Wattlebird 2, Leeuwin Road, Augusta, 5/1/21 – Christine Wilder Grey Currawong ~10, Green Hill, 29/12/20 – Caroline and Alan Burdett, Christine Wilder Restless Flycatcher 1, Boranup Forest Drive (karri), 19/12/20 – Brad Keyser, Christine Wilder 1, Bovell Avenue, Margaret River, recently remained for several days (first thought it was a Willie Wagtail, then realised it was totally different) – Peter Coffey (Restless Flycatchers are rarely reported in the capes but frequently seen in karri forest around Pemberton, eg Gloucester Tree)

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Trip Report – 17 January 2021 LEEUWIN MARINE CHARTERS

To St. Alouarn Island, Flinders Island and South East Rocks, to open ocean,

and return past the lighthouse and Seal Island to Augusta Boat Harbour

Enthusiastic birders at the harbour – Photo David Muller

Living by the ocean in Augusta means regular checks on the weather and wind direction and leading up to each seabird charter, we refer to online ten day forecast several times a day. We are lucky because we can choose trip alternatives due to the wind direction – west coast for a south easterly/easterly and east/south of Cape Leeuwin if from the west. The wind and swell combination can turn out to be totally different on the actual day. This trip started with waves and no chop and by the time we were in the lea of St. Alouarn Island the ocean had flattened. There had been three weeks of gale force winds during the Christmas period and then another week of it just prior to the trip.

The first bird seen was a Welcome Swallow flying between the mainland and St. Alouarn Island. We spent some time next to St. Alouarn Island watching hundreds of Bridled Terns on and around it, diving for food, perched and flying into the many caves and crevices. Further out, amongst the Flesh-footed Shearwaters we counted seven Little Shearwaters and three looking like Hutton’s Shearwaters. But where were the albatrosses and gannets? Only one immature Black-browed Albatross joined the shearwaters and no others seen at any time in the distance. Two flying fish put on a short exhilarating show too, glistening in the sun as they ‘flew’ some distance.

Near the lighthouse, there was a raft of shearwaters on the water. We stopped to see what they were up to, there were some bait fish jumping and the birds were diving for them and three adult Australasian Gannets flew by in formation, perhaps to check out the action.

Details for the trip: Total distance travelled: – 21 nautical miles to depth of 45 metres and 5 nautical miles SSW of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Wind 17 knots ESE; Swell 2.5 metres

Thanks to all the photographers on board and David Muller for another absolutely brilliant trip out.

Christine Wilder

Flesh-footed Shearwaters – Photo Christine Painter

Seabird charter from Augusta Boat Harbour and return – from 8:30am 17 January 2021 – Bird species (Alphabetical Order) Australasian Gannet 3 adults Black-browed Albatross 1 immature Bridled Tern ≥300STA, ≥50F, ≥50SI Crested Tern 6STA, 8F, 67SI Flesh-footed Shearwater ≥100 (25 around the boat) * Great Pied Cormorant 8STA, 22SI Hutton’s Shearwater 3 Little Shearwater 7 adults Pacific Gull 6STA, 6adults,1juvenileSI Silver Gull 2STA, 5SI Sooty Oystercatcher 2F Welcome Swallow 3H, 1 between mainland and STA Flying Fish sp. 2 NZ Fur Seals 7 (on and around Flinders Island) F-Flinders Island, H-Harbour, SI-Seal Island, STA-St Alouarn *Hundreds of shearwaters as far as the horizon (difficult to count)

Bridled Terns, St. Alouarn Island – Photo Christine Painter

Bridled Tern – Photo Claire Timmons

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Little Penguin, Quindalup – Photo Michael Sayers (from phone video)

Little Penguin at Quindalup

21 November Just a quick note to let you know that I had a rather unusual fishing companion - a Little Penguin. I didn’t get any still shots, but I managed a short phone video just to savour the moment!

I was doing my usual fishing, wading the shallow water at Quindalup, when this little fellow popped up beside me. I had to stop fishing for a while as he/she was just a bit too interested in my fishing lure. After a few minutes it was back to solo fishing for both of us.

Michael Sayers

New Holland Honeyeater – Photo Gary Tate

Right – Australian Ringneck, Margaret River garden – Photo Terry Scott

Red-capped Parrot – Photo Roslyn Hanlon

Red-capped Parrot

1 December I found this Red-capped Parrot in my garden today and sad to see such a beautiful bird deceased. I looked over the fence (I live near the reserve at Geographe) and there were several chest feathers on the fire break. Not sure what has happened. I’m extremely frustrated to see up to six adult domestic cats that use the reserve as their back yard. One resident releases his cats early each morning, then whistles for their return mid-morning and releases them again in the afternoon and whistles for them to come back early evening. It is concerning given that I have not sighted any bandicoots since seeing one dead in the reserve in March 2019.

Roslyn Hanlon

Black Swans at the beach

On New Year’s Day Jeremiah Stanlake reported a Black Swan at Melaleuca Beach, Gracetown. Swans are unable to fly when moulting, they can also rest on the ocean and there is a video circulating of swans even surfing. At the time there were gale force winds and the swan may have been recuperating from that. Next morning a second observer Jack reported a swan on the edge of the water in the same place. According to Jack the swan didn’t appear to be distressed or unwell. During holiday season that beach is crowded and a dog exercise area with many dogs off lead. I contacted Kerry and Dave Bell, who promptly travelled to Gracetown, assessed the bird and delivered it to Cassy in Vasse, who was looking after five swans of similar age. I also advised the on-duty Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Ranger.

Although the bird group is not directly involved with caring for sick or injured birds, it was a great outcome thanks to concerned beachgoers and dedicated rehabilitators Kerry and Dave Bell.

On the 7 January Jennifer Smith reported a Black Swan on the Gnarabup bike track and a passerby looked after it.

Christine Wilder

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Rock Parrot – Photo Mick Cross

Nankeen Night-Heron – Photo Michael Richardson

Birds seen near Turner Spring

The first day of 2021 and Helena Blom, Roger Crabtree and I explored around Turner Spring, a favourite location for over twenty years. Birds heard and seen – Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Grey Currawong, Grey Fantail, New Holland Honeyeater, Red-winged Fairy-wren, Spotted Scrubwren, Spotted Pardalote, Western Gerygone, Western Whistler and White-breasted Robin.

Christine Wilder

Purple-crowned Lorikeet found dead on beach

On 6 January I visited the Blackwood River-mouth in my dinghy “Teaspoon” and found a Purple-crowned Lorikeet dead on the East Augusta ocean beach at the mouth of the river. I thought it was quite unusual to find a land bird dead on a beach. We had very strong south east winds, at times gale force, for the preceeding couple of weeks.

Deb Perry

Musk Duck with marron – Photos Sean Blocksidge

Menu - Marron and a glass of Margaret River water

5 January Thought you might like these photos of a Musk Duck catching a marron in the Margaret River today. It swam directly under the canoe chasing that marron! Sooooo awesome to watch as the marron darted left and right. The Musk Duck then separated it into two halves and promptly ate it and washed it down with a glass of Margaret River water.

Sean Blocksidge

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo – Photo Gary Tate

Left – Vegetation around Turner Spring – Photo Christine Wilder

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Bird Photo Gallery

Birds of Rottnest Island end November 2020

Photos Claire Timmons

Ospreys, terns, stilts, chat, plover

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Great Crested Grebe (one with chick),

and Freckled Duck, Herdsman Lake, Perth 11/12/20 – Photos Mick Cross

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

Rainbow Bee-eaters, Perth, 1/2 December

Photos Graham Edwards

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What a great effort by everyone. Despite lockdown for several months this year in the capes, we recorded an outstanding 125 bird species on excursions, birdblitzes and charters.

(Not including several other species, including migratory shorebirds, reported by individuals during 2020)

CAPE TO CAPE BIRD GROUP EXCURSIONS – YEARLY BIRD LIST – January to December 2020 – 100 species – Alphabetical Order

● BW=Busselton Shorebird Workshops – 11/12/20 & 12/12/20 ● CR=Carbunup Reserve – 12/3/20 ● CV=Creekview Reserve, Quindalup – 28/9/20 ● GB=Glenbrook Country Retreat – 27/1/20 ● MI=Molloy Island Wildlife Workshop – 2/10/20 & 3/10/20 ● MR=Margaret River (end of year get together) – 12/12/20 ● NP=Nilgup Park – 31/10/20 ● OP=Old Police Reserve, Quindalup – 29/2/20 ● PR=Old Police Reserve, Quindalup; QE=East of Quindalup Siding Road; QW=West of Quindalup Siding Road – 16/8/20

Australasian Darter (BW) Australasian Grebe (BW, NP, QE) Australasian Shoveler (BW, NP, QE, QW) Australian Hobby (MI) Australian Magpie (BW, CR, GB, MI, MR, NP, OP, PR, QE) Australian Pelican (BW, MI, NP, PR) Australian Pied Oystercatcher (BW) Australian Pipit (GB) Australian Raven (BW, CR, GB, MI, MR, NP, OP, PR, QE) Australian Reed-Warbler (BW) Australian Ringneck (BW, CR, CV, GB, MI, MR, NP, OP, PR, QE) Australian Shelduck (BW, NP) Australian White Ibis (BW, NP, OP) Australian Wood Duck (BW, MI, NP) Banded Lapwing (BW) Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo (CV, MI, MR) Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (BW, MI, MR, NP, OP, PR) Black Swan (NP, PR, QE, QW) Blue-billed Duck (BW) Brown Goshawk (MI) Brown Honeyeater (BW, CV, GB, MI, MR, NP) Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (BW, GB, MR) Caspian Tern (BW) Cattle Egret (NP) Chestnut Teal (MI) Collared Sparrowhawk (PR) Common Bronzewing (BW, MI, MR, NP, OP) Crested Pigeon (NP) Dusky Moorhen (BW) Dusky Woodswallow (NP) Eastern Great Egret (BW, QW) Eastern Osprey (MI) Elegant Parrot (BW) Eurasian Coot (BW, NP, QE) Galah (BW, MR, NP) Gilbert’s Honeyeater (GB) Glossy Ibis (NP) Great Pied Cormorant (BW, CV, NP) Grey Butcherbird (CR, CV, GB, OP, PR, QW) Grey Fantail (BW, CR, CV, GB, MI, MR, NP, OP, PR) Grey Shrike-thrush (CV, MR) Grey Teal (BW, NP, QE, QW) Hardhead (BW) Hoary-headed Grebe (BW, NP) Inland Thornbill (BW, CR, CV, GB, MI, MR) Laughing Kookaburra (BW, CV, GB, MI, MR, PR) Little Black Cormorant (BW, QW) Little Corella (BW, OP) Little Eagle (BW) Little Egret (PR) Little Grassbird (BW) Little Pied Cormorant (BW, MR, NP, PR, QE, QW) Magpie-lark (BW, NP, QE) Marsh Sandpiper (BW) Musk Duck (BW, QW) New Holland Honeyeater (BW, GB, MI, OP, PR) Pacific Black Duck (BW, NP, QE, QW) Pied Stilt (BW, NP, QW) Pink-eared Duck (BW, NP) Purple-crowned Lorikeet (GB) Purple Swamphen (BW, QE) Rainbow Bee-eater (MR, NP) Red-capped Parrot (BW, CR, MI, MR, NP, PR)

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (CV, GB, MI) Red Wattlebird (BW, CR, CV, GB, MI, MR, NP, OP, PR, QE) Red-winged Fairy-wren (GB, MI, MR) Regent Parrot (BW) Rock Dove (BW) Rufous Whistler (NP) Sacred Kingfisher (BW, NP) Scarlet Robin (GB) Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (BW, CV, MR, NP) Silvereye (BW, GB, MR, NP, PR) Silver Gull (BW, MI, NP) Splendid Fairy-wren (BW, CV, GB, MI, MR, NP, OP) Spotted Pardalote (BW, NP) Spotted Scrubwren (BW, CV, GB, MR, OP) Square-tailed Kite (CV) Straw-necked Ibis (BW, NP) Striated Pardalote (BW, CV, MI, MR, NP) Stubble Quail (BW) Swamp Harrier (BW) Tree Martin (BW, NP, OP, QE) Wedge-tailed Eagle (BW) Weebill (CV) Welcome Swallow (BW, GB, NP) Western Gerygone (BW, CR, CV, GB, MI, MR, NP, OP, PR) Western Rosella (MI, MR, QW) Western Spinebill (CV, MI) Western Whistler (MI, MR) Western Yellow Robin (MR) Whistling Kite (BW, NP) White-bellied Sea-Eagle (BW) White-breasted Robin (GB, MI, MR) White-faced Heron (BW, NP) White-necked Heron (NP) White-tailed Black-Cockatoo (CR, NP) * Willie Wagtail (BW, NP, OP, QE) Yellow-billed Spoonbill (BW, NP) Yellow-rumped Thornbill (BW, GB, MR, NP)

Hooded Plover – Photo Jenny Kikeros

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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BIRDBLITZ THE BLACKWOOD 2020 – 59 species – Alphabetical order ● AF=Augusta Foreshore (Victoria Parade to Yacht Club) – 23/2/20 ● BR=Blackwood River-mouth (River-mouth to Hardy Street) – 1/2/20 ● EA=East Augusta; EAT=East Augusta Timber Reserve; SR=Scott River – 18/7/20 ● HI=Hardy Inlet on the Augusta River Tour – 24/10/20

Australasian Darter (AF) Australian Magpie (AF, BR, SR)) Australian Pelican (AF, BR, EA, HI) Australian Pied Oystercatcher (BR, EA, HI) Australian Raven (AF, EA, EAT, SR) Australian Ringneck (BR, SR) Australian Shelduck (HI, SR) Australian White Ibis (BR, HI) Australian Wood Duck (BR Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo (AF) Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (SR) Black Swan (AF, BR, HI, SR) Black-tailed Godwit (EA) Brown Falcon (SR) Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (HI) Caspian Tern (BR, EA, HI) Common Bronzewing (AF, BR) Crested Pigeon (SR) Dusky Woodswallow (SR) Eastern Great Egret (EA, HI) Eastern Osprey (AF, BR, EA) Elegant Parrot (SR) Emu (SR) Galah (AF, BR, EA) Great Cormorant (HI) Greater Crested Tern (AF, BR, EA, HI) Great Pied Cormorant (BR, EA, HI) Grey Butcherbird (EA, EAT, SR) Grey Fantail (BR, EA, EAT) Inland Thornbill (AF, EA)

Laughing Kookaburra (SR) Little Black Cormorant (AF, BR, HI) Little Corella (BR) Little Pied Cormorant (AF, BR, HI) Magpie-lark (SR) Musk Duck (HI) Nankeen Kestrel (SR) Nankeen Night-Heron (BR) New Holland Honeyeater (AF, EA) Pacific Black Duck (AF, BR, EA, HI) Pacific Gull (BR, EA, HI) Red-necked Avocet (EA, HI) Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (AF) Red Wattlebird (AF, BR, EA, EAT, HI, SR) Red-winged Fairy-wren (AF, EA, EAT) Sacred Kingfisher (AF) Silvereye (AF, BR) Silver Gull (AF, BR, EA, HI) Splendid Fairy-wren (AF, BR, SR) Spotted Scrubwren (AF, EA) Straw-necked Ibis (HI) Welcome Swallow (AF, SR) Western Rosella (EA) Western Whistler (EAT) Whistling Kite (AF, BR, EAT) White-breasted Robin (EAT) White-faced Heron (AF, BR, HI, SR) White-tailed Black-Cockatoo (HI) * Willie Wagtail (SR) Yellow-billed Spoonbill (AF, EA, EAT, HI)

BIRDBLITZ THE WADANDI TRACK 2020 – 65 species – Alphabetical order ● C=Cowaramup; P=Parkwater Estate – 2/8/20 ● F=Flinders Bay – 13/9/20 ● W=Witchcliffe – 30/8/20 Australasian Grebe (C, P) Australasian Shoveler (P) Australian Magpie (C, F, P) Australian Pied Oystercatcher (F) Australian Pipit (W) Australian Raven (C, F, W) Australian Ringneck (C, F, P, W) Australian Shelduck (P, W) Australian White Ibis (C, P, W) Australian Wood Duck (C, F, P, W) Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo (C) Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (W) Black-faced Woodswallow (W) Black Swan (W) Blue-billed Duck (P) Brown Honeyeater (F, W) Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (F) Caspian Tern (F) Common Bronzewing (P) Crested Pigeon (W) Dusky Woodswallow (W) Eastern Osprey (F) Elegant Parrot (W) Eurasian Coot (P, W) Galah (C, F, P, W) Gilbert’s Honeyeater (P) Great Pied Cormorant (F) Grey Butcherbird (C) Grey Fantail (C, F, P, W) Grey Teal (P) Hardhead (W) Hoary-headed Grebe (W) Inland Thornbill (C, F, W) *Not counted in the total number of species

Laughing Kookaburra (P, W) Little Corella (P) Little Eagle (W) Magpie-lark (W) Musk Duck (P, W) New Holland Honeyeater (C, F, P) Pacific Black Duck (C, F, P, W) Pacific Gull (F) Purple Swamphen (P) Red-eared Firetail (P) Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (C, W) Red Wattlebird (C, F, P, W) Red-winged Fairy-wren (C, F) Rufous Whistler (C) Silvereye (C, F, W) Silver Gull (F) Sooty Oystercatcher (F) Southern Emu-wren (F) Spotted Pardalote (F) Spotted Scrubwren (F) Straw-necked Ibis (W) Swamp Harrier (P) Tree Martin (C, W) Welcome Swallow (F, W) Western Gerygone (F, W) Western Rosella (C, W) Western Whistler (C, F, W) White-breasted Robin (F) White-faced Heron (C, P) White-fronted Chat (W) White-tailed Black-Cockatoo (W) * Willie Wagtail (F, P, W) Yellow-rumped Thornbill (W)

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LEEUWIN MARINE CHARTERS – Seabird charters 2020 – Alphabetical Order

ABH – Augusta Boat Harbour and Return AH – Augusta Boat Harbour to Hamelin Bay Whale Watch AH ABH ABH ABH ABH ABH ABH ABH ABH ABH Bird species 18 Jan 15 Feb 14 Mar 18 Apr 10 May 23 May 20 June 1 Aug 8 Aug 28 Nov Australasian Gannet - 1 6A,3J 6A,6J 6A 8A,2J 12A 1A 6A,1I 1A Australian Pied Oystercatcher - - 4(FOH) - - - - - - Australian Raven - - - - - - - 1(H) - - Black-browed Albatross - - 2A,2I 1A - - 6(A+I) 2A,2I 1 - Bridled Tern 40+ ≥200+* ≥200+ 16 - - - - - 13 Brown Skua - - - - 2 1 - 1 - - Eastern Osprey - - - - - 1(CC) - - 4(FOH) - Flesh-footed Shearwater 15 24** 25 40 22 - - - - 10 Giant Petrel sp. - - - - - - - 1 - - Greater Crested Tern 5 42 41 157 5 54 24 46 3 2 Hutton’s Shearwater - - 1 - 1 2 - - - - Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross - 3 1 6 3 6 - - 6 - Nankeen Kestrel - - - - 1(H) - - - - - Pacific Gull 5 4A,2J+3(S) 3A,1J 7A+4A(FOH) 3A,2J 1A+2A(H) 1A 3A,2J 15A 9A Pied Cormorant 14 2+3(S) 2 3 3 1 32+40x(S) 7 23 21 Ruddy Turnstone - - 5(F) 8 - - - - - - Sanderling - - 17(F) 13 - - - - - 9 Short-tailed Shearwater (unconfirmed id) - - - - 1 - - - - - Shy Albatross 1 - - - 2 - - - 2 3 Silver Gull 20 5+2(S) 9 8+3(FOH) 2 3+31(H) 86 17 23 11 Sooty Oystercatcher - 4 3 6 - 2(H) 2 1(H) - - South Polar Skua - - - 1Sa - - - - - - Unidentified skua sp. - - - 1 - - - - - - Wedge-tailed Shearwater - - - - 2 - - - - - Welcome Swallow - - - - 6(H) 3(CC) - 4(H) - 4(H) White-bellied Sea-Eagle - - - 1J(FOH) - - - - - - White-faced Heron - - 1(ST) - - - - - - - Willie Wagtail - - - - 1(H) - - - - - Wilson’s Storm-Petrel - - - 12 - 2 - - - - A=Adult; CC=Cosy Corner Islet; F=First Year Bird; F=Feeding on rock platform; FO=Flying over; FJ=Fresh Juvenile; H=Harbour; HI=Hamelin Island; I=Immature; J=Juvenile; N=Numerous; NE=Nest; R=on Rocks; S=Seal Island; Sa=Sub-Adult; ST=St. Alouarn Island *as well as occasional unidentified terns, probably the same species, seen flying throughout entire trip **round boat, plus many more shearwaters unidentified on the horizon throughout entire trip x20 pairs in breeding colony – Seal Island

Observations compiled by Christine Wilder

Seal Island – Photo Christine Wilder

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