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YELLOW THROAT The newsletter of BirdLife Tasmania

a branch of BirdLife Australia Number 100, July 2018

General Meeting for July

Life Sciences Building, UTas, Thursday, 12 July, 7.30 p.m.

Matthew Fielding: Raven populations are enhanced by wildlife roadkill but do not

impact songbird assemblages. Future land-use and climate change could supplement populations of opportunistic

predatory birds, such as corvids, resulting in amplified predation pressure and negative

effects on populations of other avian species. Matt, a current UTas PhD candidate, will provide an overview of his Honours study on the response of forest raven (Corvus

tasmanicus) populations to modified landscapes and areas of high roadkill density in south-

eastern Tasmania.

Caitlan Geale: Feral cat activity at seabird colonies on Bruny Island. Using image analysis and modelling, Caitlin’s recent Honours project found that feral cats

used the seabird colonies studied as a major food resource during the entire study period, and

native predators did not appear to have a large impact. This study provides important baseline

monitoring data of key mammal and seabird species that will help predict how different

species may respond to feral cat control on Bruny Island.

Damien Ashlin: Effects of the introduced superb lyrebird on litter loads and fire risk in

Tasmania’s forests. Damien will discuss his current Honours project on lyrebird ecology, why lyrebirds were

introduced to Tasmania, how their foraging behaviours may be influencing leaf-litter

accumulation and what this means for fire ecology in Tasmanian forests. Damien will use

modelling techniques to investigate lyrebird species distribution in Tasmanian and the

potential for lyrebirds to influence aspects of ecosystem fire regimes.

Meeting venue: Life Sciences Lecture Theatre 1, Life Sciences Building, University of

Tasmania, Sandy Bay. Access and parking are from College Road or from the parking

area outside the University Centre via the pedestrian bridge over Churchill Avenue.

Everyone is invited to stay for a cup of tea or coffee after the presentations.

Yellow Throat turns 100!

Editor

This issue is the 100th since Yellow Throat first appeared in March 2002. To mark the

occasion, and to complement the ecological focus of the following article by Mike

Newman, here is a historical perspective, which admittedly goes back a lot further than

the newsletter, and the

organisation!

Originally described

by French ornithologist

Louis Jean Pierre

Vieillot in 1817, and

named Ptilotus

Flavillus, specimens of

the Yellow-throated

Honeyeater were

‘collected’ by John

Gould during his visit

to Tasmania with his

wife Elizabeth in 1838.

This beautiful image

was part of the

exhibition ‘Bird

Woman: Elizabeth

Gould and the birds of

Australia’ at the

Allport gallery in the

State Library earlier

this year. Amazing

how a skilled artist can

make a dead specimen

come to life in such a

glorious way. While the

painting is attributed to

Henry Richter,

Elizabeth was an expert

lithographer and

worked on over 600 of

the images in Gould’s

Birds of Australia,

though she was only

credited with 84. Sadly,

Ptilotus flavillus. Henry Constantine Richter. Vol. 4, Plate 35 in

John Gould, Birds of Australia (1840-48). Reproduced with kind permission of the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts,

Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office.

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Elizabeth died while working on Gould’s mammoth production. According to Gould’s

description of the yellow-throat:

This fine and conspicuous species of Ptilotus is abundant in all ravines around

Hobart Town, and is generally dispersed over the whole of Van Diemen’s Land,

to which island I believe it to be exclusively confined. It is very animated and

sprightly in its disposition, extremely quick in its form, and graceful in its

movements.

The scientific name is now Nesoptilotis flavicollis, after a number of genus

changes to reflect clarifications of its taxonomy.

Back to our newsletter – the image used on the back cover dates to well before the

newsletter’s inception. David Milledge produced the image for the cover of the first issue

of the Tasmanian Bird Report in 1971, and then modified it for the second issue and cards

produced by BOAT. It was used for the first 6 TBRs, then redrawn by Carol Johnston at

the University of Tasmania in 1979, with the bird’s position being reversed. This drawing

was first used on TBR no. 7, and we think it is the image that is still in use on both TBR

and Yellow Throat.

Over the years since it first appeared, the newsletter, thanks to the excellent work

of former editors, has been a conduit for information to members and others about matters

concerning the organisation, activities such as excursions and surveys, conservation issues

affecting Tasmania’s birds, and a wide range of relevant, sometimes entertaining and

always interesting information and experiences concerning birds. Technology has allowed

the format to change over the years, and these days there is less focus on decisions and

activities of committees, but what has remained is the consistently high standard of articles,

snippets and photographs submitted by members and others interested in birds and their

conservation. Unfortunately, what has also remained consistent are the constant threats to

birds through habitat destruction, with BirdLife Tasmania dealing with many, often very

complex, conservation issues every year.

As editor, I welcome members’ submissions and would be happy to receive more,

including letters and observations. Thanks to all former editors and to contributors past

and present.

In celebration of the Yellowthroat Mike Newman

In reflecting on the choice of the Yellow-throated Honeyeater as the branch’s emblem and

the name of its newsletter it is interesting to consider some of the characteristics of this

iconic species. In addition to being charismatic, and uniquely Tasmanian, it is a remarkably

resilient species.

The Yellow-throated Honeyeater is one of four honeyeaters endemic to Tasmania,

and by far the most frequently observed. It is the fifth-most commonly reported species in

Birdata surveys, with nearly twice as many observations as any other honeyeater. Ridpath

and Moreau in their foundational overview of the habitat associations of Tasmania’s

terrestrial birds, published in Ibis in 1965, document its regular occurrence across almost

the full range of habitat types.

A series of articles by Ted Davies in Tasmanian Bird Report 35 (2003) provides

insight into the reason for the species’ success. His studies of foraging behaviour identify

the Yellow-throated Honeyeater as perhaps the ultimate generalist, able to exploit a broad

range of substrates and food resources. This might seem a surprising finding given the

name ‘honeyeater’ suggests that the species is a specialist feeder exploiting nectar-rich

resources, but this is Tasmania, where the rules are broken.

In common with other islands, Tasmania’s bird list is greatly reduced and a

number of species common on the adjacent continental land mass are absent. For instance,

there are no treecreepers and sittellas, species that forage on the trunks and branches of

trees. In their absence, honeyeaters have evolved to exploit these vacant niches, with

Strong-billed and Black-headed Honeyeaters adapting to assume their specialist foraging

roles. The Yellow-throated Honeyeater is also adept at foraging on trunks, but as shown

by Davies it is much less specialised than the Strong-billed Honeyeater and is equally at

home foraging in the canopy and even on the ground.

Yellow-throated Honeyeater. Photo © Ian Wilson 2018 birdlifephotography.org.au

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On the Australian mainland, many honeyeater species undertake spectacular seasonal

migrations, typified by the massive movement of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters northwards

along the eastern seaboard each autumn, and returning at the end of the Austral winter.

However, Tasmania’s ten honeyeater species remain in the state throughout the year,

although some like the Crescent Honeyeater are altitudinal migrants. This suggests that

the Bass Strait acts as an impediment to honeyeater migration, a hypothesis supported by

the distribution of the Yellow-faced Honeyeater. This long-distance migrant is well

distributed in the southeast of the Australian mainland, but it is exceedingly rare for one

to reach Tasmania, with just a few records from King Island and the northwest Tasmanian

mainland. In contrast to other migrants, honeyeater movements are very obvious. They

move diurnally as noisy flocks flying at low altitude.

Yellow-faced Honeyeaters, the most numerous migrant honeyeater, have been well

studied in recent years. A Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) in NSW was nominated because

of the area’s

importance to their

migration through the

Blue Mountains.

Migration watches

within the KBA and

associated green

corridors have

highlighted the

tendency of Yellow-

faced Honeyeaters to

move between

patches of trees,

regularly perching in

the canopy, before

moving on. Where

possible, they avoid

crossing open areas,

probably a wise

strategy as raptors

such as Peregrine

Falcons congregate at

Black-headed

Honeyeater, Bruny

Island. Photo by

Barry Baker.

migration bottle necks. It is easy to understand why Bass Strait could limit the distribution

of species with this migration behaviour. Conversely, this explains why the Bass Strait is

an impediment to honeyeaters leaving Tasmania in the Austral winter. Consequently, the

Tasmanian honeyeaters have evolved strategies for surviving the winter within the state. It

is perhaps not surprising that endemism in Tasmania’s woodland birds peaks in the

honeyeaters, with four of the ten species being endemic.

Inspection of Birdata records not only shows that Yellow-throated Honeyeaters are

more frequently recorded than other honeyeater species across a wide range of habitats,

but that they are common in areas that other honeyeater species find marginal (e.g. the

ridgetops in the South Arm peninsula and the Meehan Range). The variations in Birdata

distributions also suggest the possibility that Yellow-throated Honeyeaters are less

constrained by woodland connectivity than species like the Black-headed Honeyeater.

However, Yellow-throated Honeyeaters, an aggressive territorial species, are deterred by

the presence of colonies of aggressive Noisy Miners.

Yellow-throated Honeyeater pairs maintain their territories throughout the year, often in

aggregations with other pairs. Their penetrating calls often initiate a string of responses

from pairs in surrounding territories. Black-headed Honeyeaters also breed in pairs and

are excluded from Yellow-throated Honeyeaters’ territories. However, a paper by Penny

Slater in Emu describes how post-breeding season flocks of Black-headed Honeyeaters

can reverse the situation, temporarily overwhelming Yellow-throated Honeyeaters and

foraging in their territories.

These insights into the lifestyle of the Yellow-throated Honeyeater reveal the

fascinating complexity of Tasmanian birds. With hindsight the historical decision to adopt

Yellowthroat as our brand was inspired.

Observations of some New Zealand birds, May 2018

Margaret Bennett

In May I travelled to New Zealand with my partner for a three-week driving holiday around

the North Island. Although this was a general holiday I noticed after several days of

travelling in the north island of New Zealand that the bird life was much different to that

of Australia.

There were very few bush birds as we know them. I also noticed that the vegetation

in New Zealand is very different to the Australian flora. Although there is extensive

farming on the North Island the natural vegetation is protected in many areas by reserves.

The vegetation in these reserves is dense, too thick to walk through unless on walking

tracks and very different to the sparse Australian bush. This dense bush limited

birdwatching.

It was easy to understand how the flightless birds thrived in these conditions. They

didn’t need to be able to fly to survive. The New Zealand endemic birds that we saw on

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our holiday were the Dabchick (Weweia), Black-billed Gull (Larus bulleri), Fernbird

(Matata), Variable Oystercatcher (Toreapango), New Zealand Scaup (Papango), a

member of the duck family, Paradise Shellduck (Putangitangi), Saddleback (Tieke), Tui,

Wood Pigeon, (Kererū), the flightless Takahē, and the Little Spotted Kiwi, (Kiwi

Pukupuku).

We didn’t venture out at night to look for the nocturnal Kiwi as they are rare on the

mainland of New Zealand. We went to a Kiwi House where we were privileged to see the

birds feeding in a controlled area in a dark house. While this isn’t an ideal situation, it is a

great place for research, exchange of eggs for genetic diversity in the offspring,

observation of feeding habits and such like. The Kiwi is quite different to most birds in

many respects. It has a long slender bill with nostrils near the tip, not near the cere as with

many other birds. It has whiskers like a cat and two ovaries while other birds only have

one. The two eggs are laid twenty-five days apart, weighing roughly 500 gram each, are

incubated by the male for up to seventy-five days before hatching over a period of six days.

The young are nourished for nine days by the egg sac. During this time the young birds

leave the nest, a hole in the ground, to forage for small gravel and sticks for their gizzards

to help with food digestion. They return to the nest every day during this time but after

nine days are out on their own. Totally independent. As a flightless bird, the young Kiwis

are sitting prey for the introduced stoats, ferrets and weasels which have decimated many

of New Zealand’s birds. Not to mention the Australian brush-tailed possum, which has

been observed eating eggs, chicks and incubating birds in nests in the treetops, a huge pest

Variable Oystercatcher. Photo © Eric Woehler

in New Zealand.

New Zealand has a large number of native birds. Most of these natives have flown

over from Australia. Some of these which I observed, some with different names in New

Zealand, were White-faced Heron, Kingfisher, Spur-winged Plover, Pukeko (Purple

Swamp-hen), Shag, (Great Cormorant), Pied Shag (Pied Cormorant), Australasian

Shoveller, Royal Spoonbill, Pied Stilt, Grey Teal, Welcome Swallow, Grey Fantail and the

Grey Duck, which is known as the Pacific Black Duck in Australia.

There is also, as in Australia, a range of introduced birds, some of which were quite

abundant. These included the Sparrow, Starling, Blackbird, Skylark, Chaffinch, Goldfinch,

Common Myna, Magpie, Spotted Dove, Ringneck Pheasant, Turkey, Peafowl and Mallard.

As we were in New Zealand after the migratory birds had departed, we missed these

although there could have been juveniles about. The northern parts of the North Island had

extensive mangroves which kept the shore out of site in many areas. There are huge tidal

mudflats in many areas, including the estuaries. At the Miranda shorebird centre, the tide

was so far out that observations were out of the question, so I was a bit disappointed not

to have seen the endemic Wrybill.

However, we both enjoyed our visit to the North Island of New Zealand and will

make another trip to explore the South Island at some time in the future.

New Australasian Gannet colony on Hippolyte Rock - An update

Nigel Brothers

The discovery of a newly established colony of Australasian Gannets Morus serrator (aka

Australian Gannet or Tākapu) on Hippolyte Rock, off Fortesque Bay, SE Tasmania (Yellow

Throat No 92, March 2017) is exciting for those of us concerned with seabird conservation.

Based on observation and photography of four advanced nestlings from a boat, it is a

significant Australian ornithological event, even more so if the colony expands

substantially. To me, it’s also personally significant because this old codger has been

impatiently awaiting such news for the better part of 40 years.

The anthropogenic history of gannets in Tasmania is both sad and outrageous. The

extinction of the Cat Island (east coast of Flinders Island) colony in the 1990s was largely

due to a few professional fishermen (yes, no women) relentlessly using gannets as bait for

southern rock lobster over many decades. The considerable, albeit failed, efforts of the

Parks and Wildlife Service to prevent the loss of that colony show how hard it is to

rehabilitate a colony of long-lived, slow-breeding birds once unsustainable hunting

diminishes breeding to be irregular. Imitation gannets made variously of plastic foam and

cement by local school kids were used to attract gannets. Decoys good enough to fool local

White-bellied Sea-eagles Haliaeetus leucogaster were used by volunteer caretakers,

mainly from the RAOU (now BirdLife Australia), to try and deter the eagles from

predating the few gannets there but to no avail and the colony fizzled out. What would be

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incidental predation by eagles on a large colony became overwhelming with a radically

diminished colony. It’s even possible the decoys gave some real gannets a false sense of

security during eagle attacks, making them easier to catch.

One imagines a process of ‘extinction momentum’ builds with long-lived birds

having learned from repetitive local hazards and progressively abandoning breeding.

Birds’ lives, after all, are a string of risk assessments.

Cat Island formerly hosted Australia’s largest gannet colony and the only one in a

position to fully exploit the pelagic marine food resources of east coast Tasmania.

Hippolyte Rock, with suitable gannet nesting habitat of around 5ha, offers potential for

40,000 breeding pairs, a colony which would consume quantities of marine food probably

comparable to what would have sustained the extinct gannet population of Cat Island. This

means the Hippolyte Rock colonisation is more a rehabilitation than an expansion of the

local gannet population.

There is an issue of whether current management of the ‘small pelagics fishery’ of

key gannet prey species (jack mackerel and redbait) makes provision for the local gannet

population to meet its potential (what’s the bet

no fisheries manager has even thought of

seabirds’ requirements). The issue may be

more one of the proximity of commercial

fishing to gannet nesting rather than simply

one of overfishing of the total resource.

To accurately (and cheaply) record the

extent of gannet breeding on Hyppolyte Rock,

on the 5th Jan 2018 I landed by the same ‘tinny’

method (terribly unfashionable in this

helicopter age) I used on a previous landing,

then with Nick Mooney as skipper. Such a

visit involves scaling a 25m cliff to access the

area occupied by gannets. A huge advantage is

that disturbance is far less than when coming

from above with the inevitable fanfare of a

chopper. This nesting area is situated on the

lowest section of the plateau, approximately

15m back from its north-west cliff edge. Being

somewhat decrepit from lack of practice (age

having nothing to do with it) and remembering

past adventures with landing on off-shore

rocks, expedition staff (this time captain Peter

Mooney, coxswain Clyde Brothers and able

seaman Flynn Brothers) recognised that a

glass-calm sea for landing was essential. The

weather forecasts were perused and a day chosen. Our luck held, although the excellent

weather did nothing to ease the precarious cliff ascent.

The descent presented similar difficulty and an alternate route involving a section

of gravity-powered tactical free-fall (ie jumping off) was at one stage considered.

Observed that day were eight gannets incubating eggs and three other adults

standing near the cluster of nests within the nesting area. The nests were typically (evenly)

spaced for gannets. There was one additional nest without an egg and unoccupied, a nest I

think had been used for a recent breeding attempt. Nests were constructed on bare granite

rock interspersed with Tetragonia implexicoma and Carpobrotus rossi. These plants

together with seaweed and guano predominated as nesting materials.

Leaning down to take boots off in order to count past ten, I noticed a glint in my

peripheral vision… a metal band on the leg of a gannet! The band was on the right leg of

one of the three adult birds not associated with a specific nest. The overwhelming

temptation to capture the bird to read its band number was resisted of course, in the absence

of a permit allowing for such activities. Consequently, the band number remains unknown

and was unclear in the photos taken.

Based on information sought

from Naomi Clarke of ABBBS

about the history of gannet banding,

this bird is most unlikely to have

been banded in Tasmania. While

gannets have been banded regularly

at the two Victorian nesting sites,

those banded there on the right leg

generally have also been colour

banded. So New Zealand can’t be

ruled out as the origin of the banded

bird encountered on Hyppolyte

Rock (indeed the band’s bright shine

may well have been due to lanolin

and it did have a funny accent).

Such a pity this banded bird

was not closely associated with a

nest because then it may more likely

have been encountered again, its

provenance settled and insight into

this colony’s origin gained. I may

time another careful visit again to

target nesting in the hope of getting

more information on this or other

banded birds. Some DNA analysis Hyppolyte Rock, Looking SSW over nesting gannets along Tasman Peninsula. Photo

by Nigel Brothers

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may be very fruitful but collecting even feathers would require permits (after all they are

a wholly protected species and it is a national park).

The typical sensitivity of gannets to human disturbance combined with the close

proximity here of nesting Silver Gulls Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae that readily

predate on gannet nests if adults are absent (pers obs at Pedra Branca and Black Pyramid)

necessitates caution during shore visits. In any case the government’s requirements to

adopt OH&S that would inspire NASA, ‘elevensies’ and eating fresh salad lunches with

sunscreen dressing pretty well precludes a low-key, water-based visit by its staff.

Independent, private enthusiasts such as I can more easily do such visits but should of

course pay due regard to biosecurity and the wellbeing of wildlife.

If regular census of the gannets does occur, aerial photography is the proven accurate

and safest method. Appropriate use of UAV’s (aka drones) would be well suited to provide

census information safely and economically. An appropriate drone could be operated from

a boat.

With the documented net expansion of gannet colonies in SE Australia over the past

20 years, it was perhaps inevitable (in fact predicted in 2001) that the birds visiting

Hippolyte (recorded as early as 1980 by myself and local fishers) would eventually

establish a breeding colony there. Based on the numbers confirmed on this most

recent visit, it is considered likely that breeding commenced several seasons prior to

first reporting by Mark ‘Maggot’ Holdsworth in the 2016/17 season.

Although decades ago Hippolyte Rock did present a likely future gannet breeding

site away from expanding traditional nesting localities with birds starting to rest ashore,Ile

des Phoques, an island 78 kms to the north (between Schouten and Maria Islands) was

considered a more likely new site. Perhaps the access to the top of that island by fur

seals negates its potential for breeding by gannets. The Nuggets, a small island group

another 40km north off Freycinet Peninsular, offers another suitable gannet colonisation

opportunity in this east coast region.

Black-faced cormorant. Photo © Eric Woehler.

An increase in gannet nesting on Hippolyte Rock could displace most if not all the

other seabird species that currently breed here (see Tasmania’s Offshore Islands: seabirds

and other features by Nigel Brothers et al 2001), the most significant being the regionally

important Black-faced Shag Phalacrocorax fuscescens population. The tenacity of nesting

gannets is likely to overwhelm even the similarly pugnacious shags. Burrow-nesting

species such as Fairy Prions Pachyptila turtur and perhaps shearwaters are likely to have

their nesting habitat totally destroyed as gannet nesting progressively expands.

Interestingly, following gannet population increase on the island of Pedra Branca off

Tasmania’s south coast, displacement of Shy Albatrosses Thalassarche cauta has

apparently been a consequence. However, such presumably natural processes are of

minimal conservation concern alongside other impacts such species face, although those

apparently minor influences still should be identified and monitored.

I look forward to more adventures with Tasmania’s offshore rocks and most

impressive diving seabird.

Nigel Brothers

Seabird enthusiast and advocate.

A more formal version of Nigel’s article will appear in Tasmanian Bird Report No. 39. —

Ed.

An unusual sighting Ros Skinner and Stephen Walsh While participating in the recent raptor survey run by the Bookend Trust on Sunday 27th

May Hastings in the Far South, Ros Skinner was alerted at around 2.30 pm by a bird call

she didn’t recognise. She had an excellent view of the bird sitting near the top of a leafless

walnut tree, along with 5–6 Black Currawongs and two Green Rosellas, between the

houses at the head of Hastings Bay. It stood out from the other birds as a smaller, slender,

very black bird (in many ways a smaller version of the currawongs) with a long slender

swallow-tail, curved convex on the inside. Its flight (towards her and back to the tree) was

observed to be erratic – similar to a grey fantail that inhabits the area. Ros managed to

observe this bird, moving closer to it (from 30m to 15m), for about two minutes before

deciding to get a camera. When she returned the bird left the tree, flying towards the forest

area to the north and out of sight. It was a perfect winter’s day with no wind.

Hastings is an interesting avian site; a former saw milling town with a sheltered

estuary, with thick groves of tea tree on sawdust, a strip of pasture either side of the main

road, and then tall forest. It is an avian hot-spot for some species. A steady progression of

raptors (resident Wedge-tailed Eagles, sea eagles, Swamp Harriers, goshawks, various

falcons) and many ducks, native hens in abundance, as are sparrows, starlings and

blackbirds but because she did not see it well enough to identify it she had thought no

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more about it. It seems incredible that a Spangled Drongo could occur so far south but

there are records of them in Tasmania. Since the initial observation close neighbours

who are familiar with the drongo call have also heard it call in the forested area at

Hastings.

Hastings hosts seasonal White-throated Needletails and Lathams Snipe in

summer, Great

Egrets, Pelicans

and Cattle Egrets

through autumn

and winter. In the

past there have

been a few unusual

vagrants such as a

Cape Barren

Goose, Magpie

Lark, Spoonbill and

Fairy Prion.

There are

about 20 species of

Drongo spread

through Africa and

Asia but there is

only one in

Australia and it is

mainly found along

the eastern halves

of Queensland and

New South Wales.

In winter some

birds migrate

further afield.

Spangled Drongo,

Toomulla Qld. ©

Gary King 2017

birdlifephotography.org.au

Excursion reports Maureen Duffy

Goulds Lagoon 20 January 2018 A small flock of Wood Duck was foraging by the road as we arrived at the lagoon car park.

Several Hardhead and Freckled Duck were present along with Australasian Shovelers,

Grey Teal and the resident Chestnut Teal. After a short time spent at the hide we

commenced walking clockwise around the lagoon. There were several Great Cormorants

perched in their favourite eucalypt by the water’s edge and as we approached the north end

we could hear several Sulphur-crested Cockatoos making a racket in the tree tops. We were

all very excited to see a lone Glossy Ibis on the mud flat. This was a first for the area and

also for me!

We crossed the road and spotted two Turtledoves in the trees by the railway.

Continuing along the track there were Silvereyes, Brown Thornbills and Greenfinches in

the bushes while a Swamp Harrier flew over. Out on the river as well as the usual Black

Swan we spotted a single Great Crested Grebe close to shore. We completed our circuit

back at the car park with 37 species on a list.

Bird List – Lagoon

Chestnut Teal, domestic duck, Australasian Shoveler, Grey Teal, Freckled Duck,

Hardhead, Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Purple Swamphen, Tasmanian Native-hen,

Masked Lapwing, domestic goose, Glossy Ibis, Great Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant,

White-faced Heron, Kelp Gull, Silver Gull, Great Egret, Australian Pelican, Eurasian Coot,

Swamp Harrier, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blackbird, Welcome Swallow, Eastern

Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Noisy Miner, Grey Butcherbird, Spotted Turtledove, Little

Wattlebird, European Greenfinch, Australian Magpie, European Starling, Silvereye,

Brown Thornbill.

Cornelian Bay 4 February 2018 It was a little cool arriving at Cornelian Bay but it warmed up quickly. Along with the

usual gulls there were several Masked Lapwing and Pied Oystercatchers on the grass and

in the shallows along with a White-faced Heron. We headed east up the path passing

several Sulphur-crested Cockatoos in the pine trees. As we continued along the cliff edge

the bushes were full of Grey Fantails and Brown Thornbills. Entering the cemetery garden

area we found Greenfinches and Turtledoves. Continuing back to the car park via the road

we could hear the Musk Lorikeets in the trees. Heading west around the boat sheds there

were Great and Black-faced Cormorants on the railings. We hoped to see the Striated

Pardalotes that usually nest in this area but without success. Bird count was 23.

Bird List

Silver Gull, Pied Oystercatcher, Kelp Gull, Masked Lapwing, Great Cormorant,

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Blackfaced Cormorant, domestic duck, White-faced Heron, Noisy Miner, Yellow

Wattlebird, Little Wattlebird, Australian Magpie, Welcome Swallow, Superb Fairywren,

Eastern Rosella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Forest Raven, Blackbird, Grey Fantail, Brown

Thornbill, Spotted Turtledove, Greenfinch, Musk Lorikeet.

Dru Point, Margate 4 March 2018 We were greeted by a small flock of Galahs on entering the park while the resident Wood

Duck were feeding on the grass. As we walked north along the water’s edge there was a

Yellow Wattlebird flying around in the tree tops and a Spotted Pardalote could be heard. A

Common Bronzewing was passed in the bushes as we came to the point. On the small

island to the north were a large number of Masked Lapwings, Pied Oystercatchers and a

few White-faced Herons. Continuing around the track we entered the dog-walking area

running behind the sewage ponds where there were Grey Fantails, Brown Thornbills and

Little Wattlebirds. There were not as many species found as is usual at Dru Point but it was

a pleasant walk on a sunny morning.

Bird List

Silver Gull, Australian Wood Duck, Galah, farm duck, Masked Lapwing, Black Swan,

Brown Thornbill – Four Springs Lake. Photo by Michelle Turner.

Australian Magpie, Yellow Wattlebird, Spotted Pardalote, Common Bronzewing, Superb

Fairy-wren, Little Pied Cormorant, Chestnut Teal, Pied Oystercatcher, White-faced Heron,

Great Cormorant, Tasmanian Native-hen, Little Black Cormorant, Grey Fantail, Brown

Thornbill, Little Wattlebird.

Where? Where? Wedgie! – Tasmania-wide bird of prey and white cockatoo survey Clare Hawkins

On 25-27 May this year, more than 220 teams (at least 700 people) surveyed over 230 four

km x four km squares across Tasmania for Wedge-tailed Eagles, other birds of prey,

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Corellas. Their combined effort involved over 372 hours

of eyes to the skies. Additional results are still waiting to be entered!

Primarily inspired by the eagles themselves, this fantastic effort was encouraged

throughout May by Nick Mooney and other raptor experts – along with me, the Bookend

Trust's citizen science coordinator – in workshops hosted across Tasmania. Venues ranged

from farmhouse kitchens to Highfield Chapel. Meanwhile the Bookend Trust’s Andrew

Hughes sparked interest among more than 4000 students from over 50 schools as they

followed his Expedition Class adventures with PhD student James Pay, looking for James’

GPS-tagged eagles.

What with so much being brand new – survey method, app format, web data entry

system – it’s unsurprising that the resulting data needs a little bit of tidying up. But we

took a very ‘belt & braces’ approach with the data entry, enabling us to spot many of the

glitches (e.g. a mis-typed survey-square number) – especially with the help of radio

astronomer Jim Lovell, who has volunteered his time not only to participate in the survey

but also to help us pick these out, so that we can check back with participants.

At this stage we can confirm that Wedge-tailed Eagles were observed in more than

25% of squares. This sounds really encouraging, but may reflect many surveyors’

preference for booking a ‘good square for eagles’ rather than a ‘priority square’! – the latter

being regularly spaced across Tasmania for an even sample. Once we’ve received and

error-checked all the data, it’s over to our wildlife statistician Jo Potts to tease out issues

like this and make the best sense of what we’ve got.

Towards the end of September, we’re planning three public Where? Where?

Wedgie! ‘Expos’ across Tasmania to share the findings and talk over ideas on how to

perfect the method for long-term monitoring of Wedge-tailed Eagles and other species

surveyed this year. Sign up to the NatureTrackers website (https://naturetrackers.com.au/)

and follow us on Facebook (@NatureTrackers1) or Twitter (@Nature_Trackers) so that

we can let you know the dates. We hope very much to see you there.

9

Extinction Matters BioBlitz - Don Reserve, 27th-28th October

In more news from the Bookend Trust – it’s just been announced that, with the

Devonport City Council, they will be running an Extinction Matters BioBlitz. A

BioBlitz is described as a ‘festival of science in nature’, where schools, naturalists,

scientists, organisations and the general community come together in a concerted effort

to discover and record as many living things as possible within a set location over a

limited period of time. This year’s Extinction Matters BioBlitz will take place at the

Don Reserve on 27th-28th October.

This will be the Bookend Trust’s fourth Extinction Matters BioBlitz, run in

collaboration with local councils. BirdLife members have run and assisted with

surveys in all three past events, and we warmly invite everyone's participation in this

one. The website http://extinctionmatters.com.au/ will shortly be

updated; you can also follow the Facebook page

(@extinctionmatters) to get more details shortly.

A Conspiracy of Ravens

Mike Newman

At the May general meeting Calum Cunningham presented the

results of his analysis of Birdata showing a widespread increase

in the Forest Raven in Tasmania. Calum was hoping to relate this

increase to decreases in Tasmanian Devils following the spread

of Devil Facial Tumour Disease. His hypothesis was that there

would be more carrion available for secondary predators like

Ravens in the absence of Devils. Calum experimentally showed

that ravens now consume more carrion in areas where devils

have declined, and using Birdata, showed that the odds of

detecting a raven have more than doubled over the last two

decades. However, Ravens have increased where Tasmanian

Devils have not been affected by DFTD, suggesting that other

factors such as agricultural intensification are also involved in

this increasing raven population.

Alan Fletcher’s recent photograph titled “A conspiracy

of Ravens”, which was taken on Gellibrand Drive, South Arm,

depicts an all-too-familiar scene on our roads. Alan advises that

Gellibrand Drive appears to have several 'permanent' pairs of Forest

Ravens along the entire length, with the photo showing one of those pairs ‘plus a

roving band of others seizing feeding opportunities as they occur and then moving on

– appear to be all adults, perhaps yet to form bonds. The hapless remains are of a

Ringtailed Possum.’

I do regular bird surveys in that area and have been surprised how numerous the

Forest Ravens are in contrast to an area like the Meehan Range – away from roads and

pasture, which provides grazing for marsupials.

It was great to see a sophisticated analysis of Birdata for one of Tasmania’s most

frequently recorded bird species. Appreciating how difficult it is to tease out the

underlying reasons for variations occurring in our bird populations highlights the need

to do bird surveys in a standard manner.

Thanks to Calum for talking to us and Alan for his photograph.

Photo: ‘A conspiracy of ravens’ by Alan Fletcher.

10

Interview with Craig Webb of the Raptor Refuge

Editor

It’s a cold winter’s afternoon and after wandering through lovely native gardens, casting

an eye over some of the aviaries and their residents, I’m invited into the Raptor Refuge’s beautiful (and warm) Education Centre for a chat with Craig Webb.

Craig started his career with wildlife at a vet clinic in the Kimberley, Western

Australia where he gained valuable experience looking after native animals. He came back

to Tasmania to use that knowledge to work particularly with kangaroos, got his licence

from DPIWE and knocked up enclosures with whatever he could find.

‘A few birds came in, then a few more birds so I built more aviaries, then some more

birds, not just raptors, so I build more aviaries,’ Craig tells me. A sea eagle came in, so he

built a larger aviary. Then someone said ‘This bloke does the raptors, and that was it. I

took it seriously and started building, building, building. And it kept evolving.’ Eventually

he built larger aviaries, using netting from a fish farm where he was working. ‘It worked

way beyond my expectations – I got a lot of eagles, and that in itself created a lot of interest.

People wanted to come and visit. So, it evolved in a big way – more large aviaries and

flight tunnels, and the Education Centre. And it’s still evolving.’

All of this was achieved without government funding, from donations and

fundraisers, the most successful being the raptor calendar, now in its twelfth year. From its

humble beginnings the refuge now educates the public, does private walk and talks, school

groups, rescue and release workshops, as well as rescuing and caring for injured raptors.

‘They come in because the need is so great. It’s like a turnstile.’

Craig can’t describe a typical day at the refuge, as there isn’t one. He’s assisted by

volunteers one day per week, and on the others works by himself, with the help of his son.

On the day before our interview, after starting work pouring concrete early in the morning,

he was told that one of the birds, a Peregrine Falcon, was not well. The bird had to be taken

to a vet where it was treated for an injured foot before being brought back to the refuge at

7.00 pm. In the meantime, an aviary with clean perches had to be prepared for it.

The birds are fed early every morning: the smaller raptors are given a variety of

small animals like quail, rats and rabbits; the sea eagles have fish; and the wedge-tails get

primarily roadkill that Craig collects, as well as unwanted roosters that are dropped off

(live) then humanely euthanised. Having been inundated with roosters, and due to the work

involved, Craig now charges $10 each for them. Every 3-4 weeks the smaller birds are

starved for a day, mimicking nature.

Much of the refuge’s work is advocacy: public education, lobbying, attending

meetings and working with organisations such as TasNetworks to decrease the threats to

raptors. Before our interview, Craig had a 45-minute phone call with the Minister’s office.

While Craig is called out less to do rescues these days, with the birds mostly being

brought in, recently he was called out to rescue a Masked Owl with an injured foot – it

was at the top of a roll-a-door at a factory in Moonah. On another memorable occasion,

he was called to a Wedge-tailed Eagle on a rocky beach near Cygnet. As he was trying to

herd the eagle to the thin bush strip between the beach and the water and the

highway, the bird suddenly took off overhead, out over the water. Gradually it flew lower

and lower, until finally hitting the water about 70 metres offshore.

‘Of course, it was winter, so yours truly went out to get him. I got him home – I

was freezing, the bird was freezing, so I jumped in the shower with a wedge-tail to try to

get myself and the bird warm.’

If not much

time has elapsed

since their rescue,

birds are released

in the area where

they came from. If

more time has

elapsed, the refuge

has specific places

it knows that are

suitable for release;

in the case of

eagles, they try to

make sure that

there are no

territorial eagles in

the area. Some can

never be released.

There are

many threats to

raptors: eagles are

still being

persecuted and

shot, as are

goshawks to some

extent as they

take people’s

chickens.

Powerlines are one

of the main threat

to Wedge-tailed

eagles. ‘Wind

farms are just scary,’ Photo: courtesy Craig Webb

11

says Craig, ‘and I don’t want to talk about them.’ Masked Owls are still being poisoned

by rodenticide.

While the refuge looks after injured raptors, Craig’s main message is that we have

to be proactive, stop them being injured in the first place. ‘We have to care about the

environment, care about these birds, stop shooting them, poisoning them, stop them being

injured by powerlines.’

I left feeling in awe of the passion, vision and years of hard work that have gone

into making the Raptor Refuge the magnificent facility it is.

Birdlife Tasmania News and Views

Little Penguins Two items of sad news, and one of very good news…

BirdLife Tasmania issued a Media Release on our concerns regarding the leniency

of the sentence handed to the person who bludgeoned 6 Little Penguins to death in 2016.

The sentence of 49 hours of community service and court costs of $82 was considered to

be manifestly inadequate. Extensive media around Australia and global media coverage of

the story followed over the next few days. BirdLife Tasmania has written to the Minister

for the Environment and to the Attorney General formally asking that the Tasmanian

Government appeals the sentence with a view to increasing it to act as a deterrent for future

acts of animal cruelty. Maximum penalties of up to $31,000 and up to 5 years in jail exist.

BirdLife Tasmania is still awaiting details regarding the cause(s) of death of the 12

Little Penguins found in a bag in a rubbish bin at Low Head in June. The carcasses were

collected by DPIPWE following a report from a member of the public.

Don Knowler wrote a piece on the success of the culverts under the Bruny Island

Main Road at the Neck Colony recently

(http://donaldknowler.com/onthewing/penguins-learn-road-sense/). Our annual

monitoring showed that the colony had increased during the 2017/18 breeding season,

significantly higher than the previous, poor, season. A number of higher-degree students

are working on the penguins and shearwaters in southeast Tasmania, and we are

collaborating with them, integrating our monitoring and survey data into their tracking

and dietary studies.

Winter Gull Count Thanks to everyone who participated in the annual Winter Gull Count. Not all data sheets

have been returned so no report has been prepared. Once the data set is complete, a report

to all counters, PWS, aquaculture and Councils will be prepared and distributed. The report

will be reprinted in the next issue of YellowThroat.

Silver Gulls, Sorell Causeway BirdLife Tasmania is in continuing discussions with the Department of State Growth

(DSG) regarding the ongoing monitoring of the Silver Gull colony on the Sorell Causeway.

The colony is monitored annually to assess the breeding population. DSG has confirmed

the oiling of eggs has ceased following analyses of the long-term data of the colony. The

colony established in the 1970s, and various surveys and monitoring efforts have been

undertaken during the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. All of these data are currently being

collated into a single data set and analysed to look at the colony population over its 40

years.

Prosser River dredging A draft report has been submitted to Marine and Safety Tasmania (MAST), PWS

and Glamorgan Spring Bay Council on the effects of the dredging and channelisation of

the Prosser River mouth at Orford on the resident breeding shorebirds and small terns

during the 2017/18 season. The construction efforts were not completed during 2017, and

will resume in July 2018; it is expected the project will be completed during the 2018

winter. Further surveys and monitoring of the shorebirds and terns in the area, which

comprises the Orford IBA, will resume in September.

Little Penguins coming ashore. Photo © Eric Woehler.

12

Donation received We have received a generous donation that will allow BirdLife Tasmania to sponsor a page

in the 2019 Raptor Refuge Calendar. BirdLife Tasmania supports the Refuge and gratefully

acknowledges the donation.

Robbins Island Windfarm Two reports on the resident shorebirds on Robbins Island and another on the migratory

shorebirds in the Robbins Passage/Boullanger Bay wetlands complex have been prepared

by BirdLife Tasmania. These will be included in the overall environmental assessment of

the project. BirdLife Tasmania has written to the proponents, restating its concerns about

the proposed windfarm on the bird values of the wetlands.

Hobart Airport bird data Hobart Airport staff make regular and frequent inspections of the airport area as part of

the safety protocols to minimise bird strikes with aircraft. Hobart Airport has provided

BirdLife Tasmania with its data from 2000 to present, and will continue to provide data

at regular intervals. Hobart Airport has also expressed an interest in having BirdLife

Tasmania undertake regular 20 minute/2ha surveys within the airport precinct for Birdata

(https://birdata.birdlife.org.au/). If you are interested, please contact Eric Woehler to

discuss.

Fairy Tern. Photo © Eric Woehler.

Biosecurity issues BirdLife Tasmania was represented at a Biosecurity Roundtable in early June. The

session was organised by the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources

and examined the interaction between Federal and State Governments on a range of

biosecurity issues. Recent incursions such as myrtle rust and fruit flies reinforce the

importance of biosecurity measures for Tasmania. Thanks to Dr Steve Klose for

attending the roundtable at very short notice.

BirdLife Tasmania was also briefed on the recent discovery of the soft-shelled

clam at Orford (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-18/soft-shelled-clams-invade-

tasmanian-waters/9882052). This is the first record of the species in the Southern

Hemisphere, and it is believed to have arrived in ballast water from the woodchip ships

at Triabunna. DPIPWE staff are assessing the distribution and abundance of the invasive

species before identifying options available to the government. The potential impacts on

the area as a feeding area for resident and migratory shorebirds and small terns is

unknown, but BirdLife Tasmania will continue to liaise with DPIPWE, PWS and

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council as further information becomes available.

Cambria Estate Special Area Plan BirdLife Tasmania prepared a submission to the Glamorgan Spring Bay Council on the

Special Area Plan (SAP) for the proposed Cambria Estate development at Swansea. The

proposal is planned to include 2 golf courses, 550 rooms, villas and units and other

facilities. Our concerns were centred around the adjacent Moulting Lagoon Ramsar

wetland of international significance. It is expected that the submissions will be

forwarded to the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC) by Council later this year as

the TPC will determine the future of the proposed SAP.

RV Investigator seabird surveys Two more research voyages undertaking seabird and marine mammal observations around

Tasmania have been undertaken by Eric Woehler in the last two months, bringing the total

to seven since the research project commenced in late 2016. The first was a transit from

Brisbane to Hobart that took a week. The highlight of the voyage was the sighting of a

feeding flock of almost 20,000 Fairy Prions south of Maria Island. The second was a

seabed-mapping voyage in Bass Strait for 11 days. The highlight of this voyage was the

high numbers of Fluttering Shearwaters seen near Rodondo Island and Wilson’s

Promontory. A more detailed report of the main results of the seven voyages is in

preparation. The project has secured berths for observers on two voyages later this year,

including one to a number of seamounts to the southeast and east of Tasmania, and another

four until early 2020.

13

Birdlife Tasmania Excursions – South, July to December 2018

Most excursions 2 to 3 hours unless otherwise stated.

Sat 21/07/18 Tolosa Fire Trail – meet at trail start at top of Tolosa St by the far

end of Tolosa Park at 8.30 am. Ring Maureen on 0409 253 834 or

6275 0832.

Sun 12/08/18 Goulds Lagoon – Meet at lagoon car Hestercombe Rd at 8.30 am.

Ring Maureen on 0409 253 834 or 6275 0832.

Sat 08/09/18 Nierrina Creek Trail, Margate – meet at Burnaby Drive end at

8.30 am. Ring Maureen on 0409 253 834 or 6275 0832.

Sun 23/09/18 Botanical Gardens, Hobart – meet at top entrance to gardens at

8.30 am. Ring Maureen on 0409 253 834 or 6275 0832.

Sat 06/10/18 Coningham Nature Reserve – meet at Denison Street car park

Kingston at 8.30 am to car pool. Ring Andrew on 0407 219 599.

Sun 21/10/18 Calverts Lagoon – meet at carpark beside canal corner of South

Terrace and South Arm Rd Lauderdale at 8.30 am to car pool.

Ring Maureen on 0409 253 834 or 6275 0832.

Sat 03/11/18 Peter Murrell Reserve – meet at Huntingfield Ave entrance at

8.30 am. Ring Denis on 6223 1221.

Sat 17/11/18 Kaoota Tramway – meet at Denison St car park Kingston at

8.30 am to car pool. Ring Andrew on 0407 219 599.

Sun 02/12/18 Marion Bay – meet at car park opposite police station Sorell at

8.30 am to car pool. Ring Maureen on 0409 253 834 or 6275 0832.

Links

Bush stone curlews in Canberra:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-20/curlews-popping-up-in-canberra-suburbs-

after-reintroduction/9567094

Another amazing effort to eradicate rodents – by far the largest eradication program

ever:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/09/south-georgia-declared-rat-

free-centuries-rodent-devastation?CMP=share_btn_fb

Another success story!

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/incredible-%E2%80%9Cincubator-

bird%E2%80%9D-be-saved-rat-removal-pacific-island

And more:

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/comeback-kids-five-birds-brought-back-

brink-2000

Audubon’s May newsletter:

http://audubon.stagecoachdigital.com/web-view/6660

EPBC Act threatened species list changes:

http://www.environment.gov.au/news/2018/05/11/amendments-epbc-act-list-

threatened-species.

More dead penguins in northern Tas:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-08/dead-penguins-dumped-in-bin-low-head-

tasmania/9849712

Selection of media coverage of penguin-killer’s sentence:

https://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/5486895/penalty-for-penguin-killings-no-

deterrent/

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/little-penguin-killer-sentenced-to-49-hours-

community-service

https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/penalty-for-killing-little-

penguins-no-deterrent-seabird-expert-says-20180625-p4znlm.html

14

Dr Emily Jateff from the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney was on

board for the transit of RV Investigator from Brisbane to Hobart in late May. Here is

her blog of the trip:

https://anmm.blog/2018/06/01/rv-investigator-a-science-lab-goes-to-sea/

The Secret North Korea Stopover:

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/world/secret-north-korea-stopover-following-

worlds-migratory-shorebirds?ref=emailfriend

Airport-dwelling magpies:

http://theconversation.com/airport-dwelling-magpies-get-in-less-of-a-flap-about-

planes-and-that-could-be-good-or-bad-97177

East Gippsland Wedge-tailed Eagle poisonings:

https://theconversation.com/mass-slaughter-of-wedge-tailed-eagles-could-have-

australia-wide-consequences-98011

Successful campaign to stop mining on Christmas Island:

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/news/bird-paradise-christmas-island-saved-

mining-devastation

Ground Parrot conservation funded by German charity:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/19/endangered-australian-

parrot-relies-on-government-deal-with-german-charity?CMP=share_btn_tw

Reversing the Skylark’s decline:

http://www.birdlife.org/europe-and-central-asia/news/reversing-skylarks-decline-

sweden

Pacific seabirds Plastic in Wedge-tailed shearwaters, remote Lord Howe Is, Tasman

Sea:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06bsxks

Draft Freycinet Peninsula Master Plan is out for public comment until 23 July 2018.

To download draft plan:

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=48519

Long-tailed Jaegers tracked from Alaska to NZ:

http://www.migratoryconnectivityproject.org/seabirds-four-thousand-feet/

Media reports on Cambria east coast development proposal:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-24/huge-development-considered-for-

tasmanias-east-coast/9690496

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/06/fast-tracked-tasmania-

resort-plan-raises-fears-over-chinese-investment 7.30 Report:

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/$100-million-chinese-backed-development-

proposed/9867098

BirdLife Tasmania Directory 2018

GPO Box 68, Hobart 7001

www.birdlife.org.au/tasmania

Chair Dr Eric Woehler <eric.woehler@gmail.com> 0438 204 565

Secretary Amanda Blakney <secretary.birdlife.tasmania@gmail.com>

0407 837 903

Treasurer Sue Drake <sue@zectro.com> 6239 1468 and 0402 741 399

Excursions M. Duffy 6275 0832 <maurdy@intas.net.au>, 0409 253 834.

Shorebird Count Coordinators

South-east S. Drake <sue@zectro.com> 6239 1468 and 0402 741 399

Dr E. Woehler <eric.woehler@gmail.com> 0438 204 565

East L. Znidersic <lizzie_z@hotmail.com> 0409 123 322

North and NE R. Cooper <rabacooper@bigpond.com> 6330 1255

North-west H. Britton <hazpet@bigpond.com> 6425 2785

Database c/- The Secretary, GPO Box 68, Hobart 7001<tasmania@birdlife.org.au>

‘State of Tasmania’s Birds’ report to be compiled annually by a committee.

Chair Mike Newman.

Editors Sharon Moore (Yellow Throat) <sharonm@inaword.com.au> 6297 8321;

Wynne Webber (Tasmanian Bird Report) <wynnew1@bigpond.com>

6267 4963

Library c/- The Secretary, GPO Box 68, Hobart 7001

Equipment c/- The Secretary, GPO Box 68, Hobart 7001

15

Yellow Throat is produced every alternate month beginning in January. Contributions,

including articles, sightings, birdwatching sites, letters and news, are welcome, and will

be published subject to space and interest or relevance to BirdLife Tasmania members,

at the Editor’s discretion. Views expressed in Yellow Throat are not necessarily those of

BirdLife Tasmania, or of the Editor, unless explicitly stated. All photographs remain ©

the photographers. Deadline for September edition: 28th August 2018.

All maps drawn from the BirdLife Tasmania database remain © BirdLife Tasmania.

Please make use of our material, but we ask that you acknowledge BirdLife Tasmania as

the source.

We thank the office of Mr Andrew Wilkie, MHR, for assisting in the

production of Yellow Throat 100.

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BirdLife Tasmania is a regional branch of BirdLife Australia.