The

Golden Whistler

Volume 7 Number 8 August 2018

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Many thanks to all of you who helped to make our

indoor meeting at HIRL in August such a good

event. Special thanks to Samantha for organising

the event and to all those who helped serve the

afternoon tea. Inka Veltheim provided us with some

interesting facts about our local Brolga and their

movements, but as she readily admits there is still

so much to learn so it is important for all of us to

keep watching out for them and reporting sightings,

especially those with tags, to her at

inka.veltheim@gmail.com. We had great support

from the Hamilton Field Nats and other locals

interested in our local wildlife.

Inspired by this event Frank and I went driving

across to Mt Gambier during the next week, and up

around Wilaura last week, but not a brolga to be

seen. Pied Oystercatchers and terns were busy at

Port MacDonnell but no migrant waders yet. We saw

a couple of Avocets at Wilaura Golf Club, but little

on the wetlands other than the more common ducks

and swans.

When we put our program together we thought our

next outing would be clashing with the cross border

event, but due to there being five Saturdays this

month we will be able to enjoy two outings; with

Pallisters at Orford on the 22nd and the Cross Border

Camp at the Little Desert Lodge the following

weekend. Hope we get some good weather to enjoy

the goodies on offer.

I look forward to seeing you

Charlotte

NEXT OUTING

SEPTEMBER

DATE: 22nd September

MET: 457 Masons Road, Orford

TIME: 10am

VENUE: Pallisters Reserve, Orford

BRING: morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, you

might also need a chair and wet weather footwear

CONTACT: Julia Schlapp M 0427 778 265

CHANGE OF VENUE

OCTOBER

Camp weekend cancelled due to lack of

accommodation available in Harrow

DATE: Saturday 27th October

MET: Apex Park, Balmoral

TIME: 9am for 9:15 start

VENUE: Black Range

BRING: morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, you

might also need a chair and wet weather footwear

CONTACT: Dot Callander M 0434 348 757

ALL VISITORS WELCOME

Outings will be cancelled on days of

Total Fire Ban, Extreme Heat and

other Hazardous Weather condition

CONTENTS:

2. Brolgas in South West Victoria

3. Sightings

4. Up Coming Events & Quiz

5. Spring Information

6. Local Birding Course

BirdLife Hamilton monthly newsletter, Editor Samantha Greiner 0428 395 773

mailto:inka.veltheim@gmail.com

Movements and habitat use of Brolgas in South West Victoria

2 August 2018

Project Background

The primary objective is to develop a rigorous and

scientific framework for understanding and assessing

the potential impacts of the wind energy industry on

the south-west Victorian Brolga population including

the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. To achieve

this, the following activities will be carried out:

Melbourne University has developed and will

administer a Population Viability Assessment (PVA)

model for the project. The PVA is a systematic,

quantitative population model that integrates all

possible sources of information (e.g. results of studies

and expert opinion) to predict the population

consequences of theoretical impact, mitigation and

offset/management scenarios. PVA is a widely

accepted tool used for the assessment of risks to

populations or species.

The Project aims to progressively improve the

quantitative estimates that make up the PVA model.

To do this, the Project has funded a comprehensive

research program to be conducted by a PhD student at

the University of Ballarat. The research program will

be field-based and investigate life history parameters,

flight behaviours, foraging and nesting behaviour and

habitat utilisation. Information acquired from the

research program will be used at the discretion of the

Scientific Panel to progressively refine the assumptions

that make up the PVA, thereby increasing the value of

the PVA.

In addition, the valuable data being collected by

individual proponents at the project-specific scale,

both pre and post-construction will be collected to

augment the information being collected by the

research program, at the regional scale.

Some of the most important data will be collected

through the capture and fitting of satellite transmitters

to up to 25 Brolgas. These transmitters will provide

information on the daily location and movements of

the individual birds for up to two years.

Brolgas will be caught in nets at their summer flocking

sites and the transmitter attached as a backpack,

sitting between the wings of the bird. This is a

standard method of measurement used by

conservation movements around the world. The

backpacks will not impact the birds’ natural

movements. They will eventually biodegrade and fall

off the Brolga.

Brolgas will also be fitted with a uniquely coloured and

numbered leg band, so that they can be individually

recognised. This will allow the collection of more

detailed information on the movements of the marked

birds and resightings after the satellite transmitters

have ceased operation.

www.swifft.net.au/cb_pages/about_the_research_project.php

Key research findings to November 2011:

Seasonal movements between non-breeding and

breeding sites

Eight individual brolgas provided data on seasonal

movements. These birds departed the non-breeding

grounds of Willaura and Penshurst in late May to early

July in 2010 and 2011. Seven of these moved

approximately 100 km west and south west to an area

near Casterton and Dartmoor. One individual also

moved to this area, but flew back north east and

settled near the Grampians.

Seasonal movements of adult & juvenile Brolga

Picture captured by C. Davis @ presentation by I. Veltheim

HIRL 25.08.18

Dispersal of chicks from breeding grounds

Leg band mounted transmitters were fitted on 11 pre-

fledged brolga chicks between November 2010 and

March 2011. All survived to fledging and dispersal.

Nine of these have survived to date. Two individuals

died shortly after leaving their breeding site.

Most of the chicks remained near their breeding

grounds through the flocking period. The first

fledglings began leaving their breeding area in March,

with most fledglings leaving between June-August.

Two individuals still remained near breeding sites in

August.

Habitat use, home ranges and spatial

requirements

Up to four GPS locations per day are being logged for

each individual, providing detailed information about

feeding and roosting habitats. Analysis of this data will

begin in early 2012.

Survival of chicks, juveniles and adults

Nineteen pre-fledged chicks have been banded during

the project, 11 of which have been fitted with

transmitters. All these chicks survived to fledging and

dispersal, indicating that chick survival can be high if

breeding sites have water for the duration of the

hatching to fledging period.

The data from birds fitted with transmitters indicate

that adult and juvenile survival is also generally high.

www.swifft.net.au/cb_pages/key_findings.php

Sightings

August 2018 3

Annie & Jenny

1 Painted Button-quail, which fell at their feet near an

arteason filled lake near Barcaldine, QLD, 22.08.18

Steve Clark

1 Pallid Cuckoo, along Hartwick's Road, Hamilton, 15.08.18

1 Fan-tailed Cuckoo, at Freshwater Lake, Victoria Valley, 25.08.18

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, calling Cooks Road,

Dunkeld, five pairs Scarlet Robin in bush adjacent to Cooks Road, Dunkeld, 25.08.18

One calling Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Church Hill, 25.08.18

1 White-winged Triller, at Agriculture Victoria Research Farm, Hamilton, 29.08.18

1 Black-eared Cuckoo, Deep Lead Flora and Fauna

Reserve, Stawell, 1 Peaceful Dove & Tawny-crowned Honeyeater calling, 1 Rufous Whistler & 4 Hooded Robin Devil's Garden State Forest, 01.09.18

3 Blue-faced Honeyeater, in a park at Stawell, 01.09.18

2 pairs Red-capped Robin, Deep Lead Flora and Fauna

Reserve, Stawell, 01.09.18

2 Pied Currawong, Church Hill, Hamilton, 07.09.18

Pied Currawong, one or more calling distantly in the forest, Mount Napier SP, 14.09.18 Samantha Greiner

1 Wedge-tailed Eagle, Arborline Nursery, Hamilton,

10.08.18

4 Varied Sittella, Arborline Nursery, Hamilton, 13.08.18

1 Pied Currawong being hassled by 2 Australian Magpies and 2 Little Raven, Patterson Park, Hamilton, 19.08.18

1 Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo calling Arborline Nursery, Hamilton, 22.08.18

1 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, Arborline Nursery, Hamilton, 06.09.18

2 Pallid Cuckoo & 1 Wedge-tailed Eagle being seen off by the local Masked Lapwings, Australian Magpies and Little Ravens who all have babies, Arborline Nursery, Hamilton, 07.09.18

Jean & Peter Humphries

Two Tawny Frogmouths resting in the trees above the

picnic area, Freshwater Lake, Victoria Valley, 29.08.18

From mid August

We have for some time been puzzling over a new early morning call which sounds very much like a parrot tinkling sound. A three note piping call ringing tunefully.

Not easily distinguished as a known call. The call would

start soon after 6.30 am and continue for an hour or so. The bird which was making that sound has not been easily tracked. The call has been changing as time passes. Now we are hearing more notes which indicate perhaps a young bird "just learning to sing", practising

over and over again.

A young magpie perched on TV antenna or high in the

Liquidambar tree is the suspect. From his early tones, it seems that it will take a little longer to master the true "warbles". Dave Nichols

Spotted Harrier on Victoria Point Rd, Dunkeld, 18.08.18

Larry Storer

1 leucistic Red Wattlebird, Hensley Park Rd, Hamilton,

29.08.18

Activities & Quiz

4 August 2018

LOCAL CALENDERS

BIRDLIFE HAMILTON

OCTOBER

29th-1st October

BirdLife Nhill CROSS BORDER CAMP

Little Desert Lodge, Nhill

Saturday 6th

Panyyabyr Landcare Group Woodland Bird Surveys

Dunkeld Info Centre 8.30am

Contact Dave Nichols 0407 321 747

NOVEMBER

Camp Weekend

November 24th & 25th Port Macdonnell/Nelson

Please make your own bookings at Kywong Caravan

Park, 92 North Nelson Rd, Nelson contact (08) 8738

4174 kywongcp@bigpond.com

Peter would like to hear from those wishing attend

ASAP 03 5572 3413.

BIRDLIFE WARRNAMBOOL

OCTOBER

Saturday 6th

LAKE CONDAH

Meet at Heywood Post Office at 10.00 am

Peter & Rhonda Barrand 03 5527 1712

NOVEMBER

3rd & 4th

Western Treatment Plant & You Yangs Regional Park

Caravan park in Geelong will be booked and

advertised. Details in future editions of Twitterings

Graeme & Heather Saunders 0409 166 384

Thursday 8th

Green Line Survey

Meet 9.00 am public toilets/picnic area

Penshurst Warrnambool Rd, Hawkesdale

Peter Barrand 03 5527 1712

BIRDLIFE HORSHAM

NOVEMBER

4th

Glen Isla/Wartook Area

18th

Christmas break-up and AGM

Please contact Deidre Andrews on 0402 317 142

Please bring morning tea and lunch, binoculars and

wear appropriate outdoor gear. Please note subject

to change due to seasonal variability

BRAIN TEASER OF THE MONTH

THIS MONTH’S QUESTION: can you work out which bird this is by the translation of its Latin

name; 'flower-fancier with little fleshy bits'. They are residents to southern Australia but not Tasmania

THIS MONTH’S ANSWER: Swift Parrot by George

Raper 1789? Sourced from A Brush with Birds

Australian Bird Art from the National Library of

Australia 2008

BIRDSWING BIRDING & WILDLIFE TOURS

PORT FAIRY PELAGIC TOURS 2018

Tour Cost: $180.00 per person

Taking bookings now for:

Sunday:

28th October

18th November

16th December

Number of Passengers: 21

BYO Lunch, morning tea available on board &

proper fitted toilet

Contact Neil Macumber

Web: www.birdingwildlifetours.com.au

Email: birdswing@bigpond.com

Mobile: 0413 628 306

https://www.google.com.au/search?source=hp&ei=B4pcWuSILc3O8wW2y7LYCQ&q=kywong+caravan&oq=kywong+caravan&gs_l=psy-ab.3..35i39k1j0l2j0i22i30k1l5.1535.6961.0.7163.24.17.2.0.0.0.460.2382.2-2j4j1.8.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..15.9.2344.6..0i20i263k1j0i131k1j0i10k1.280.QA0Y5OA0WS0https://www.google.com.au/search?source=hp&ei=B4pcWuSILc3O8wW2y7LYCQ&q=kywong+caravan&oq=kywong+caravan&gs_l=psy-ab.3..35i39k1j0l2j0i22i30k1l5.1535.6961.0.7163.24.17.2.0.0.0.460.2382.2-2j4j1.8.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..15.9.2344.6..0i20i263k1j0i131k1j0i10k1.280.QA0Y5OA0WS0mailto:birdswing@bigpond.com

Info from BirdLife Australia

August 2018 5

LEAVE THAT CHICK ALONE!

RESIST THE ‘CUTE FACTOR’

Seeing a helpless baby bird stranded out of its nest

tugs at the heart-strings of most people, but there

is a simple message—leave that chick alone!

Spring is a time when many birds breed, which

inevitably results in plenty of fluffy chicks in the

neighbourhood, and some of them give a good

impression of being abandoned and helpless when

they’re on the ground.

However, don’t be fooled—you should resist the

urge to rescue the bird, because usually they don’t

need your assistance at all. Most just need to be left

alone, and removing a baby bird from its

environment is not always in its best interests.

People should ignore the ‘cute factor’ and

dispassionately assess whether the bird really needs

your help. Ask yourself these questions: Is the chick

visibly injured? Is it in real danger of being killed or

injured? If the answer is no, leave it alone—it’s the

best thing to do.

Sometimes baby birds land on the ground when

they’re learning to fly, but that doesn’t mean that

they need your assistance. Usually their parents are

nearby, waiting to feed and look after their young

once you’ve left the scene.

If you find a nest that’s been blown onto the

ground, replace it and its contents in a nearby

shrub or tree so that the parent birds can continue

to attend it. They will find it.

If you find a young Tawny Frogmouth on the

ground, simply replace it in a nearby tree. It’s the

safest place for it.

If you find a baby Masked Lapwing or plover on the

ground, leave it where it is; after all, the ground is

where they live. Its parents will be nearby (they’re

probably swooping you right now).

If you find a chick on the ground and it is (1) clearly

unattended by its parents (watch this from a

distance for some time so you’re not keeping them

away); and (2) it’s in imminent danger from cats,

dogs or traffic; and (3) it can’t be left in a safe place

nearby: do not attempt to look after the bird on

your own. Place it in a dark, warm, dry place (such

as a cardboard box with plenty of air holes, and

padding such as a towel inside), keep it safe from

the family cats and dogs, and then contact your

local wildlife rescue shelter or vet straight away.

Remember, cute is not the same as helpless

3/09/2018 birdlife.org.au/media/leave-that-chick-alone/

IT'S SPRING SURVEY TIME! PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

The spring is sprung, the grass is rizz, I wonder

where the birdies is. I bet they’re in the garden.

Conduct a survey this September & October and

find out.

Head over to Birdata and get your Birds in

Backyards Spring Survey in today.

Getting started is easy. If you don't have a Birdata

account, sign up for one today. Then read the

instructions or watch the video.

If you've submitted your survey via the Birdata

app, please make sure to log in on the web version

and complete your site details. You'll only have to

do this once (unless you change anything in your

site). A full version of the Birds in Backyards survey

on the Birdata app is on it's way!

Prizes up for grabs

By completing a Spring survey you also go into the

draw to win a fabulous prize. Three lucky people

chosen at random will each win: a set of 5

delightfully backyard-themed BirdLife Australia bird

pins (comprising a Superb Fairy-wren, Powerful

Owl, Galah, Australian Magpie, and an Eastern or

Western Spinebill - depending on your location)

PLUS a great Birds in Backyard fridge magnet PLUS

a copy of our new Nocturnal Birds identification

booklet featuring the Owls, Frogmouths and

Nightjars of Australia. Get your surveys in!

It's counting season!

With the weather warming up comes lots of birdie

action and very busy season of surveying. This

year, the Birds in Backyards Spring Survey will

overlap with the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count

held this October 22-28. We encourage you to get

involved in both surveys, but just remember they

are submitted in two different places and serve

different purposes (but work together to build a

complete picture).

Dr Monica Awasthy www.birdsinbackyards.net/content/article

http://birdata.birdlife.org.au/https://birdata.birdlife.org.au/http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/Instructions%20for%20BIBY%20birdata%20entry_FINAL_1.pdfhttp://www.birdsinbackyards.net/sites/www.birdsinbackyards.net/files/Instructions%20for%20BIBY%20birdata%20entry_FINAL_1.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT2-Mkx1yl4http://www.aussiebirdcount.org.au/http://www.aussiebirdcount.org.au/

Local Projects

6 August 2018