BASS COAST FLYER - BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA
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Bass Coast Flyer
Summer 2020
Coronavirus update Contents
Coronavirus update .................................................... 1
Our outings resumed briefly in June and July and then
Convenor’s report ...................................................... 1
had to be cancelled again as the restrictions due to
the second wave of coronavirus hit. Vale Bob Baird and Anwyn Martin ................................. 2
We have developed the program for next year, and Unusual sightings....................................................... 3
are hopeful of an uninterrupted outing program in Outing reports ........................................................... 4
2021. Correction from last newsletter .................................... 5
Convenor’s report
Pelicans zooming ....................................................... 6
Phillip Island Wildlife Plan ............................................ 6
More Morwell ............................................................. 6
Although the rural community seems to have fared
better than our city counterparts, it certainly has been Birdlife Bass Coast Program 2021 ................................. 7
challenging times for the club. The initial lockdown
seemed to inspire lots of idle people to contact the complex at Coronet Bay, and the Council voted not to
club for support for various projects, appeals and allow the proposal to rezone farmland at Mahers
general information. landing at Inverloch to allow a marina and residential
Unfortunately, there have been quite a few development to proceed. The club does its best to
applications for planning permits that would be protect our birds but we are desperate to fill the
detrimental to the environment and birds in our area. position of Conservation Officer.
The major one is from AGL for a gas processing plant It is with regret we announce the passing of two club
at Hastings. Fortunately, there has been an amazing stalwarts Anwyn Martin and Bob Baird, see separate
response from the community in trying to save article by Penny Manning.
Western Port from this project.
The few outings we were able to hold were well
There has also been an application for a private attended and it is pleasing to see the increasing
ultralight airfield at Bass which is a major concern to number of new members. The requirement of pre-
us, particularly for noise disturbance to the migratory registration has been an improvement as we know
waders at the Ramsar site in this area. exactly who is coming, so we don't wait around in case
Recently Dandy quarries have put in an application to someone is running late. It also makes it easy for the
amend an existing permit for their quarry near leader to contact those that were registered if an
Grantville. They want to now: outing has to be cancelled. In the past the leader had
to go out anyway if an outing was cancelled in case
• operate from 6am to 2am at least 5 days a someone turned up.
week, slightly lesser hours on Saturdays
• mine below the water table The club is always keen to encourage new members,
• clear bush land to this end the committee is trialling a special juniors
• have the option for altering Deep Creek. outing at the Shearwater housing estate next March
Birds in this area include Powerful Owl, Whipbird, and a special beginners outing at Inverloch next
Scarlet Robins, White-browed Treecreepers and October.
recently a Banded Lapwing was sighted at the mouth The club has assisted the local Sentinel Times
of Deep Creek. newspaper with a very good article they did on the
Of better news was the withdrawal of a planning deaths of owls caused by secondary poisoning from
permit for the development of an international hotel some rat poisons.
Printed by Jordan Crugnale MP
Funded from parliamentary budget
BirdLife Bass Coast Flyer – Summer 2020
The club has been lucky for Peter Ware to allow us to those years. She joined friends on birding outings over
modify his Drouin bird pamphlets to produce the years, many with BLBC but also with others
something similar for the Bass Coast area. This was interstate. Her garden was full of small bush birds
done at the request of the West Gippsland library as which gave her great delight.
they wanted local bird identification pamphlets to give
When she was unable to return home after surgery,
out. I also did a live pelican feed for the library via
she asked me to collect books and a quilt from her
Zoom, see separate article, ‘Pelicans zooming’.
home in addition to the BLBC paraphernalia that she
On the bird front there have been reports of Scarlet was storing. She gave me her book on raptors and a
Honeyeaters in our area. Most bird species seemed to beautiful patchwork quilt embroidered with birds made
have very good breeding seasons, myself and a lot of for her by Elizabeth Shaw, another enthusiastic
my friends seemed to have birds constantly attacking member of BLBC. No photo can do justice to this quilt
their reflection in house doors, windows and car and I treasure it.
mirrors. A Magpie-lark is the culprit at my house.
As always, happy birding.
Gil Smith
Vale Bob Baird and
Anwyn Martin
BirdLife Bass Coast lost two stalwarts for the
environment in 2020. Both were long standing
members of BirdLife Bass Coast (BLBC), formerly
Wesboc (Western Port Bird Observers and
Conservationists). Tributes have been paid to both in
local media reflecting their outstanding contributions to
the community. My tribute is a personal reflection of
the parts they played in my life.
A small part of one of the panels on the quilt - Photo Penny Manning
Anwyn Martin. Died 23 July, 2020 aged 86 She found life in Banfields difficult at first and enjoyed
years. going out to lunch with me regularly. The last book I
remember her reading was “A Birdman’s Wife” by
I remember meeting Anwyn on a birding outing to the Melissa Ashley, a historical novel about Elizabeth
Wonthaggi Heathlands. I was a novice birdo and I Gould, wife of John Gould. She was jealous of
quickly understood that I would need to learn quickly if Elizabeth who had painted birds that she, Anwyn, had
I was to befriend Anwyn. We did become good friends never seen. There was always more she wished to
over the years but she lost patience with me regularly achieve in life.
when I could not remember the ducks and was, and
still am, hopeless with raptors. Thank you Anwyn for your friendship and for your
amazing contribution to the Bass Coast community.
She and I were on a committee for Western Port
(never Westernport Bay for Anwyn) for many years PS. I also took from Anwyn’s home 17 beautiful spice
and we travelled to and from Grantville together every containers to save them from the skip. One of them
two months to Pakenham or Cranbourne. Anwyn had a price tag of “5d”. They were emptied of their
always had to stop for breakfast – a hearty one of unidentifiable contents and donated to the Bass Coast
bacon and eggs and toast and marmalade, as she Health Op Shop.
hated cooking. During these drives I learnt about her
Bob Baird. Died 27 July 2020, aged 92
life as an industrial chemist in Melbourne and her
ultimate move to Corinella with her late husband Bill. years.
She was actively involved in many organisations in the Only in recent years could I keep up with Bob. He
local community – academic, historical, political, introduced me to Hooded Plovers and other beach-
cultural and environmental, and was recognised as nesting shorebirds. He helped establish Hooded Plover
Bass Coast Citizen of the Year in 2003 for her work. Watch on Phillip Island in the 1990s. I have walked
She was an ardent protector of and advocate for with him to Observation Point and along the south
Western Port. coast of Phillip Island on “counting” exercises several
Anwyn was a committee member of BirdLife Bass times. He showed me my first Oystercatcher nest and
Coast since its formation and treasurer for many of the Peregrines on the cliffs. I was happy to be an
2 Summer 2020
BirdLife Bass Coast Flyer – Summer 2020
observer and scribe at Observation Point while Bob Australian King Parrot – Unusual Behaviour
counted the different species. I do not see these birds
often enough to recognise many of them. Bob lived, An Australian King Parrot was photographed
with his wife Pat, in Rhyll overlooking Observation attempting to breed on the ground in Wonthaggi
Point. He knew much about the waders, their numbers recently. It laid two eggs in a depression and was seen
over time, when to expect them to arrive and when incubating them.
they would usually leave. He observed the threats to
the feeding and roosting of these birds from his home.
He was always happy to share his knowledge.
On one of our trips on the south coast, Bob told me
about his research into solar panels. When he decided
to get them he rang me and suggested that his contact
visit me and see if my home was suitable for their
installation. Bob’s was among the first homes on Phillip
Island to install the panels and mine was not far
behind.
Bob moved to the Shearwater Estate in Cowes. Again
he had a home that looked over water. If asked he
Female King Parrot sitting on two eggs - Photo Sue Woolley
would delight in telling visitors about the recent
sightings of crakes, rails and snipe and anything The bird and eggs disappeared from the nesting site
unusual. More recently, I would drop off Bob’s copy of after five days, and it is unclear what happened. King
the Phillip Island Conservation Society Newsletter and Parrots normally nest in tree hollows, so it was very
over a cup of coffee he would read the newsletter with odd to see this one attempting to nest on the ground.
a magnifying glass and discuss the contents.
Crested Pigeon
Bob was a member of the first board of the Phillip
Island Nature Parks. He worked closely with the A pair of Crested Pigeons was recorded in July during a
science staff with research about the Hooded Plovers. Birds On Farms (BOF) project survey at a property
He had all the statistics at his fingertips. He was a adjacent to Screw Creek in Inverloch. Also 14 Crested
water engineer, an artist, a bird watcher and an ardent Pigeons were recorded during a BOF project property
advocate for the environment. He will be remembered survey near Woodside.
and missed by many.
Penny Manning
Unusual sightings
Scarlet Honeyeater
There has been a population irruption of this nectar
nomad into the Bass Coast and Gippsland regions this
spring. Look for them in flowering eucalypts, shrubs
and mistletoe.
Crested Pigeon - Photo Dallas Wyatt
The Crested Pigeon is an example of a species whose
range has shifted south and east in the last 50 years
and is now regularly recorded throughout Gippsland.
This native species was formally restricted to northern
Victoria and inland Australia and is well adapted to
extreme weather, especially heat. They will remain
actively feeding in very hot weather when other
pigeons such as the introduced Rock Dove (Feral
Pigeon) will seek shelter and shade.
Dallas Wyatt
Male Scarlet Honeyeater - Photo Andrew Silcocks
Summer 2020 3
BirdLife Bass Coast Flyer – Summer 2020
Outing reports Morwell National Park – 14 November
With the lifting of covid restrictions Birdlife Bass Coast
resumed bird outings on Saturday November 14th with
Cranbourne Botanic Gardens - 13 June a visit to the 565 hectare Morwell National Park which
After months of lockdown and the cancellation of all is located 16 kilometres south of Morwell in the
Birdlife Bass Coast activities, with the relaxation of Strzelecki ranges. Convenor Gil Smith welcomed 13
restrictions we had our outing to Cranbourne Botanical members and guests who assembled at the Kerry Road
Gardens. The new registration forms were used, and Picnic Area before we spent a pleasant morning birding
we had 16 attend including four new members. The along the well-defined walking tracks. Morwell NP was
strong winds made birding very difficult but we did the 20th declared national park for Victoria in 1966.
manage 22 species. There were a number of interesting sightings as we
Some members had fabulous views of a male moved along the track with a nesting Brown Gerygone
Golden Whistler, others had great views of a Spotted creating a lot of interest.
Pardalote and we also saw a Black Shouldered Kite.
Less impressive was the large flock of starlings.
Gil Smith
Wonthaggi Desalination Plant - 11 July
Despite the dire weather forecast and leader Gordon's
inability to attend due to sudden ill health, the walk
went ahead.
Nine hardy souls turned up including two new faces.
Birds were plentiful for a total of 35 species although
an unidentified crake/rail and a Common Bronzewing
pigeon were seen after the final count.
Highlights included a Black Swan on a nest and lots
White-eared and New Holland honeyeaters. A regular
sighting at the Desal, the Black-shouldered Kite put on
a great aerial display. No Blue-winged Parrots were
seen but two Eastern Rosellas sat very prominently on Brown Gerygone – Photo Sue Woolley
the bird hide. A small flock of Yellow-tailed Black
Brown Gerygone are restricted to damp forest gullies
Cockatoos was also seen. There were three grey
in the Strzeleckis and were only “discovered” in the
kangaroos including one huge male. One keen member
1980s to be in Central and South Gippsland. They are
collected a small dead rodent found by the side of the
a small thornbill-like bird that can be easy overlooked.
track in a small plastic bag to be sent away for
A pair had built a well disguised nest which looked like
identification.
a piece of hanging moss in a low shrub (well spotted
Gil Smith Gil).
The Mouth of the Powlett River - 17 July
Unfortunately with the strict covid restrictions people
missed out on this outing as we could only take ten.
This included more new members. At the last minute, I
filled in as leader. A quick reconnaissance on the
Thursday ruled out the Echidna car park walk due to
the large sand dune that had to be climbed. The
gentler walk was chosen as it was also easier for social
distancing. Two Hooded Plovers were seen.
Unfortunately, on the actual outing no Hoodies were
seen. The weather was very pleasant, 30 species were
seen including 1 Gannet, 2 Royal Spoonbills and a
Hoary-headed Grebe, but the highlight was the 26
Double Banded Plovers.
Gil Smith
Brown Gerygone nest – Photo Peter Hudson
4 Summer 2020
BirdLife Bass Coast Flyer – Summer 2020
Other interesting sightings included numerous Golden
Whistlers calling, a male Gang Gang Cockatoo perched
quietly adjacent to a hollow in a huge Mountain Grey
Gum, a Lewin’s Honeyeater feeding in Mistletoe and a
pair of Rufous Fantails darting in and out of the dense
shrubs flashing their rufous rumps to those who were
quick enough to focus on them. A pair of flycatchers
building a nest in the tall eucalypts adjacent to the
picnic tables created some debate – were they Leaden
or Satin? However we concluded the glossy navy blue
plumage on the male meant they had to be the Satin.
Male Gang Gang Cockatoo – Photo Peter Hudson
Overall it was an enjoyable morning of birding with a
bird call at the conclusion revealing that 35 different
bird species had been recorded.
Dallas Wyatt
Correction from last
newsletter
The bird that was thought to be a Brown Cuckoo-dove
spotted ealier this year in Ventnor on Phillip Island, is
in fact a young Spotted Dove.
Spotted Dove in Ventnor
Summer 2020 5
BirdLife Bass Coast Flyer – Summer 2020
Pelicans zooming
of the community on Phillip Island. These issues have
been widely publicised and acknowledged.
The West Gippsland library contacted me recently as
Your chance to provide feedback
they were having a Zoom meeting with three DELWP are now asking for input from the community
Gippsland nursing homes to promote Birdlife in the form of feedback to the plan. The community
Australia's annual backyard bird count. They wanted consultation period has been extended until 17
me to do a very brief talk on the project. I agreed but January 2021.
indicated that the day they were doing the Zoom I
had to feed the pelicans at San Remo. Tania, the To view the plan and provide feedback, visit:
Librarian, wanted to know if we could Zoom the feed. I https://engage.vic.gov.au/development-phillip-island-millowl-
got permission from Paul, the manager at the San wildlife-plan
Remo fish co op who supply all the fish frames, and
my partner Janice agreed to film/zoom the feed.
More Morwell
As well as the amazing birdlife at Morwell NP, we came
across a very noisy and very active koala. As we were
watching, a Grey Fantail took exception to the koala
being in his tree and made his displeasure felt by
attacking the animal. Not much competition,
unfortunately for the Fantail. You’ll need to look pretty
closely to spot the grumpy bird!
Sue Woolley
Pelicans at San Remo - Photo Sue Woolley
Friday the 16th October was the day of the Zoom, the
weather was perfect and we had 15 pelicans to feed.
They were a bit timid initially, but put on a great show
and the people in the nursing homes got really
involved and asked plenty of questions. Tania is hoping
to do it again next year.
Gil Smith
Phillip Island Wildlife
Plan
The draft Phillip Island (Millowl) Wildlife Plan has been
developed collaboratively, involving representatives
from Phillip Island Nature Parks, Bass Coast Shire
Council, Department of Environment, Land, Water and
Planning (DELWP) and the community.
The aim of this plan is to achieve a balance between
the needs of the community and the Island’s wildlife.
Background
The successful eradication of foxes on Phillip Island in
conjunction with increased habitat, through
revegetation, and improved pastures has contributed
to the strong recovery of high profile species such as
Little Penguins and more common wildlife species such
as Cape Barren Geese, Swamp Wallabies and Common
Brushtail Possums. However, these common species
pose challenges to conservation areas and biodiversity, Koala and Grey Fantail, Morwell NP – Photos Sue Woolley
buildings and assets and on the agricultural practices
6 Summer 2020
BirdLife Bass Coast Flyer – Summer 2020
Birdlife Bass Coast Program 2021
Overview:
Outings are held on the morning of the second Saturday and the afternoon of the fourth Friday of each month.
We suggest that you bring lunch to Saturday outings that are not close to where you live.
Events are cancelled on days of TOTAL FIRE BAN. Events may also be cancelled at the last moment due to bad
weather and we can’t always contact individuals to let you know. Please contact the outing leader if the weather
is wet or windy to check. For your own safety, wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Remember that snakes
and stinging insects share these locations. The times shown in the program are the times that we move off
from the meeting place.
Registering for an outing:
You MUST pre-register to attend an outing so that we can comply with any contact-tracing and social-
distancing requirements that are in place. To register for an outing, please either
email basscoast@birdlife.org.au or text Sue on 0417 139 590 with the following details:
• Names of people attending
• Full address
• Contact phone
• Emergency contact name and phone
This will also allow us to contact you if an outing is cancelled or changed at the last minute.
Covid-safe requirements:
Depending on what Victorian government regulations are in place when the outing is held, you may have to:
• Avoid carpooling with people from outside your household to minimise the risk of prolonged exposure to
the virus.
• Follow the 1.5 metre social-distancing requirements.
• Wear a mask.
Binoculars:
We usually have spare binoculars that you can borrow, but please let us know beforehand if you need them so
that we can ensure that there are some available.
Program changes:
Any changes to the program will be available on our webpage http://www.birdlife.org.au/group-events/birdlife-
bass-coast/ or email basscoast@birdlife.org.au.
2021 Program
January 2021
Saturday January 9th Shearwater Estate, Cowes, Phillip Island
10am - noon Meet in Waterford Street, off Boardwalk Boulevard.
Contact: Gil 0416 118 393 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Friday 22nd January Baxter’s Wetland, Wonthaggi
2pm-4pm Meet at the Guide Park car park at the western end of Graham St, Wonthaggi. We’ll
drive in convoy from there.
Contact Dallas 0428 764 903 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
February 2021
Saturday 13th February Fish Creek Rail Trail and Foster area
10am – 2pm Meet at the carpark in Falls Rd, opposite the Gecko Gallery.
This is a longer outing than normal, so bring lunch.
Gordon 0419 005 424 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Summer 2020 7
BirdLife Bass Coast Flyer – Summer 2020
Friday 26th February The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve
2pm – 4pm Meet at the Gurdies car park on the Bass Highway. If you are coming from the
Melbourne direction, it is on the left just past the Pioneer Bay turn-off. If you are
coming the other way, you will need to drive to the Pioneer Bay intersection and do
a u-turn to reach the carpark.
Contact: Gil 0416 118 393 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
March 2021
Saturday 13th March Mirboo North Regional Park - Hallston Bush
10am - noon Meet on the corner of Forresters Rd and Hallston Rd, Hallston.
Contact Dallas 0428 764 903 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Saturday 20th March Children’s Outing – Shearwater Estate, Cowes, Phillip Island
Meet in Waterford Street, off Boardwalk Boulevard.
Details are still to be finalised.
Please contact basscoast@birdlife.org.au for more information.
Friday 26th March Fishers Wetland, Phillip Island
2pm – 4pm Samuel Amess Drive, Churchill Island. Meet in the parking area on left hand side of
road before you get to Churchill Island.
Contact: Gil 0416 118 393 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
April 2021
Saturday 10th April Bald Hills Creek Wildlife Reserve
10am-noon Meet at the Bald Hills carpark, Bald Hills Rd, Tarwin Lower.
Contact: Gordon 0419 005 424 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Friday 23th April State Coal Mine, Wonthaggi
2pm-4pm Meet in the carpark on the State Coal Mine Access Road, off Garden St, Wonthaggi.
Contact: Nola 0418 348 392 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
May 2021
Saturday 8th May Annual General Meeting, Phillip Island
10am Chisholm Room, Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island Tourist Rd, Phillip Island.
Guest speaker TBA.
Contact: basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Friday 28th May King Rd Water Treatment Plant, Corinella
2pm-4pm Meet at the entrance to the water treatment plant on King Rd, Corinella.
Contact: Penny 0400 591 915 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
June 2021
Saturday 12th June Swan Lake, Phillip Island
10am-noon Meet at the Swan Lake carpark off the Ventnor Road (just before the Penguin
Parade).
Contact: Gil 0416 118 393 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Friday 25th June Kongwak Pioneer Reserve
2pm-4pm Meet at the tennis courts in Kongwak.
Contact: Gordon 0419 005 424 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
July 2021
Saturday 10th July Desalination Plant Wetlands, Wonthaggi
10am – noon Meet in the Desalination Plant car park off Lower Powlett Road, Wonthaggi.
Contact: Gordon 0419 005 424 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Friday 23rd July Powlett River Beach and Bush
2pm-4pm
8 Summer 2020
BirdLife Bass Coast Flyer – Summer 2020
Meet in the Echidna car park (off Tea Tree car park road) to the right off Mouth of
Powlett Road, between Kilcunda and Dalyston.
Contact: Gordon 0419 005 424 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
August 2021
Saturday 14th August Oswin Roberts Reserve, Harbison Road, Rhyll, Phillip Island
10am-noon Meet in the Oswin Roberts car park on Harbison Rd, Rhyll
Contact: Gil 0416 118 393 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Friday 27th August Anderson to Bass Rail Trail
2pm-4pm Meet in the car park at the Anderson roundabout.
Contact: Nola 0418 348 392 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
September 2021
Saturday 11th September Venus Bay and Tarwin Lower area
10am-1pm Meet in the carpark at the boat ramp at the end of River Drive, Tarwin Lower. Car
pooling is possible from there to the Tarwin Lower Flora and Fauna Reserve and
then to the jetty and the bird hide at Venus Bay.
Contact Lorraine 0402 210 020 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Friday 24th September Outtrim area
2pm-4pm Meet in the carpark of the Recreation Reserve, Outtrim.
Contact: Nola 0418 348 392 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
October 2021
Saturday 9th October and Weekend camp - Western Treatment Plant and Serendip Sanctuary
Sunday 10th October Our weekend camp will be in the Werribee area. You are welcome to attend either
Weekend camp one or both days. Saturday will be at the Western Treatment Plant, Werribee, and
Sunday at Serendip Sanctuary at Lara. We suggest staying in North Geelong.
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Please contact basscoast@birdlife.org.au for more
information.
Saturday 16th October Beginner’s outing, Inverloch area.
10am-2pm Details are still to be finalised.
Please contact basscoast@birdlife.org.au for more information.
Friday 22nd October NO OUTING. Phillip Island Grand Prix weekend.
November 2021
Saturday 13th November Korumburra area including Ritchies Reserve
10am-1pm Meet in car park of the (former) Railway Station (behind Kelly’s Bakery) off the South
Gippsland Highway.
Contact: Nola 0418 348 392 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
Friday 26th November Ventnor foreshore – arrival of Short-tailed Shearwaters
6pm onwards Meet at the end of Devon Avenue, Ventnor. Bring a meal to eat (and maybe a chair
or cushion) while watching the Shearwaters come in to their burrows at dusk.
Contact: Gil 0416 118 393 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
December 2021
Saturday 11th December Rhyll foreshore, Phillip Island
10am-noon (bird walk) Meet at end of McIlwraith Rd, Rhyll
Noon onwards (Christmas Contact: Gil 0416 118 393 or basscoast@birdlife.org.au
breakup lunch) Christmas breakup lunch – BYO food, drinks, chairs and join us for a picnic.
Summer 2020 9
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