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Mornington Peninsula
Birdlife
Volume 9 Number 3 September 2020
Blue-winged Parrots, photographed in salt marsh on French Island by Andrew Browne
LOOK OUT FOR ORANGE-BELLIED PARROTS
Moonlit Sanctuary has been in touch to ask all Western Port
surveyors [and other birders] to pay extra attention to any For more information on the identification of Neophema
neophema parrots you see around Western Port. The parrots, a brochure is available online at:
Sanctuary has released twelve Orange-bellied Parrots this http://www.birdlife.org.au/documents/OBP-idbrochure.pdf
autumn, made up of four juveniles and five adults. Seven
have been fitted with radio transmitters. The release site was Andrew Silcocks, BirdLife Australia Birdata Project Manager
in the northern part of the bay, but some of the birds aren’t
being recorded regularly, which suggests they may be
moving around a fair bit.
In addition to the twelve autumn release birds, an excellent
breeding season at Melaleuca means that there should be Contents
good numbers of Orange-bellied Parrots migrating to Victoria
this winter, so you may be lucky enough to see one of those 1. Branch news
birds. Getting the band combinations is crucial as the whole
4. Outings
population carries a unique combination of bands (colour on
one leg, colour and letter on the other leg). 7. Refugees from Croajingolong?
If you are lucky enough to see an Orange-bellied Parrot, 8. Birding in Boodjamulla National Park
please report the sighting to Ash Herrod (0408 661 286) and
10. Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys
Jon Fallaw (0439 825 872). They’d be interested in all
confirmed, probable or even possible sightings, as they’ll be 13. Our trip to Southern Africa 2019
keen to follow up. They have requested you don’t post any
Orange-bellied Parrot records on social media at this stage. 14. Observations
Branch news
CONVENORS REPORT
The year continues to be plagued by the COVID-19 virus and
our bird activities have been limited to our local areas and
gardens. The committee called for projects we can fund and
two have emerged as possibilities. We plan to approach local
reserves managers with a view to install nest boxes to
improve the breeding potential for our hollow nesting birds.
The second project is looking at reviewing and subsequently
reprinting our book “Where to Find Birds around Frankston
and the Mornington Peninsula”; this book is still popular in its
current form. The committee is not meeting at this stage but
is still working behind the scenes for the benefit of our
beautiful birdlife.
Max Burrows
Penny at Tullamarine Airport, 2019;
Gemsbok at Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana, 2019
MEMBER PROFILE
National Park in Queensland. That night I heard, but could
not find, the Marbled Frogmouths. We will be back. Northern
Penny Gillespie Territory birding is also great.
Lives at Bittern Overseas, Southern Africa holds a special place for me. It’s
so easy to see so many wonderful birds such as the
How did I start birding? Secretary Bird or the many brightly coloured finches and the
flocks of beautiful Glossy Starlings.
Good question. I’ve always loved birds, wanting a pet budgie
at about age seven. My grandfather was an amateur Memorable birding moments
conservationist and we were very close. He and my mother
taught me to listen to the magpie’s chorus very young. A Forty-seven Crowned Cranes in Liuwa Plain National Park,
teacher started a Gould League club at primary school when I Zambia, last year. I think that is the first and only time I’ve
was eight. Mum encouraged us to look at the birds in our been speechless with wonder.
garden in Murrumbeena. Back in the 1970s I remember we The Olive-backed Oriole pair that migrates to our place every
had Red Wattlebirds, Little Ravens, White-plumed year, using and renovating the same nest, only to lose their
Honeyeaters, Silvereyes, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikes, as well chicks to Laughing Kookaburras or Noisy Miners, successfully
as blackbirds, doves and Common Mynas living in our giant raised one in 2018.
liquid amber trees. We had the early Readers Digest book of
birds and I used to read that book cover to cover regularly Birding ambitions
and copy the pictures with my Derwent pencils. I got my first I plan to travel to some great bird spots in the next few
budgie when I was 10, then started to breed them a few years such as the Galapagos Islands to see the boobies and
years later, a hobby that continued into my twenties when Iceland to see puffins. I hope that by doing my small bit in
travel and then babies took over. supporting the BirdLife Mornington Peninsula Branch I can
I got my first binoculars for my 21st birthday from my help raise awareness of the plight of birds especially in
university friends; I was a casual birder, just having a look. young people, and the need for habitat conservation.
I didn’t really start keeping records until I lived in South Other interests
Africa in the early 2000s where species diversity abounds. I I’ve never lost my love of budgies, and their colour genetics.
remember once in Kwa Zulu Natal recording eight species of I currently have about 120. I’m also an avid gardener, with a
small birds in a shrub less than a metre round. I was big veggie patch and small orchard and a labrador that loves
amazed. I had a great mentor there and when I returned to to eat the lot. My husband and I love travelling in Australia
Australia I got right into it here. and to the less touristed wild places overseas: last year a
Peninsula birding spots six-week solo African safari, this year (now next year
maybe) Canada.
Any bushland reserve, including my 2 acres of manna/
peppermint woodland. Walking in Devilbend Reserve or
Coolart you can see so many different species, and so many
of them. Balbirooroo wetlands is wonderful. Surprisingly, the Newsletter hard copy
Hastings Foreshore is often a good place to see a range of
water birds at low tide as well as woodland birds. If you want a quarterly hard copy of this newsletter this
financial year, please follow the instructions in the June
Other favourite spots newsletter. Everyone will receive a link to the online
version via their emailed E newsletter. If paying by bank
At the Kingston on Murray camp ground you can camp right
transfer please ensure that you put your name on any
next to the river and feel you are in amongst the water birds.
bank deposits so we can add your details to the mailing
The local winery also has a wonderful walk.
list.
On an eight-week trip to Cape York in 2016 I recorded over
Penny Gillespie, Treasurer
50 species in one hour sitting by our tent in Lakefield
2 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Branch news
STORM BIRD Conservation Report: Devilbend Reservoir KBA
Thermal long-johns under jeans,
a wheat pack on my lap to thaw
my fingers between slurps of soup.
The bay window, newly mended, leaks anew.
Hail hammers on the glass,
bursting to come in.
Last night
our heater died
of exposure.
No repairers to be had in this record-breaking
visit from Antarctica.
Everyone at home, hiding from the plague
finding heaters ailing.
A Crested Pigeon that
raised her chick in our garden is
tumbled by squalls. But somehow
Occurrence of Hoary-headed Grebe, Great Crested Grebe and Australasian
lands on our birdbath
Grebe at Devilbend Reservoir KBA from May 2004 till May 2020
rocking wildly for a moment ---
that see-saw bum-in-the air
that pigeons do. Here we are in June and after some autumn rain, the water
level at Devilbend and Bittern Reservoirs is pretty good. It is
The next squall barrels in, Black Swan breeding season so their numbers are down as
But under tree and over water, you might expect. Eurasian Coot numbers are high. But what
the bird endures, has interested me recently is the low numbers of grebes of
Leunig topknot and pink-blue breast unruffled. all three species relatively to the earlier monthly counts.
Red feet grip warm against the cold.
Topaz eyes survey her kingdom, Occurrence of Hoary-headed Grebe, Great Crested Grebe
emeralds and amethysts lie quiet along her wing. and Australasian Grebe at Devilbend Reservoir KBA from May
Our dove of peace inside the storm. 2004 till May 2020.
Gillian Barnett, Dromana Hoary-headed Grebe: The highest number recorded was
550, averaging 300 between June 2012 and January 2013.
Numbers varied greatly throughout the recording period, but
Jenny and Brian Thomas were lowest in the periods 2009 – April 2010 and 2015 till
present 2020. High number peaks occurred in any month as
Best wishes on your retirement from all at BirdLife did low numbers.
Mornington Peninsula. You have always looked after our
Great Crested Grebe: The highest numbers recorded were 34
branch, with any of our requirements always met with a
smile and co-operation. As members of our branch we really in Jan 2008 and 32 in Dec 2006. Great Crested Grebe
numbers did not vary significantly from May 2004 till Sept
appreciated the interest and knowledge you imparted on our
members. The flora and fauna at Coolart have benefited 2009 averaging 14 birds during this period. The average
between Oct 2009 and April 2016 was 5 birds. There have
hugely from your influence and dedicated service.
Have a long happy and healthy retirement; we will miss been no Great Crested Grebes recorded since April 2016
your presence at Coolart. Australasian Grebe: The numbers of this species usually
Max Burrows varied from zero to about 12 birds. On one occasion the
number was considerably more (60 birds on Sept 2012). No
On behalf of the Committee and Members of BirdLife.
Australasian Grebes have been recorded since Sept 2019.
Thoughts for comment: It would be interesting to check what
studies have been done about grebe variations in abundance
Newsletter contributions and occurrence of these highly mobile species that
presumably move to where they can consistently obtain food
Thanks for the articles and photos for your newsletter. and during the breeding season find suitable breeding
habitat. What has been the effect of continuously adding
Deadline for December edition: 8 November 2020.
salmonid fish fingerling species to Devilbend Reservoir KBA?
Earlier articles appreciated.
They would compete strongly for available food I would
Val Ford, 5981 1445, fordandreid@gmail.com think. We need to research what feeding ecology studies
have been done for these three species that behave so
differently and location preference at Devilbend.
Contacting BirdLife Mornington Peninsula What affect does the presence of fisher people have on the
grebe occurrence? Do the left-over hooks in failed catches
President Max Burrows; 9789 0224
have an effect?
21 Moorhen Cres, Carrum Downs, Vic 3201
Send your thoughts to me at ornithology3@yahoo.com.au
mornington@birdlife.org.au
www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-mornington-peninsula Roger Richards, Somers
September 2020 3
Outings
EVERYBODY’S WELCOME 1. Wear name tag (write emergency contact name and
phone number on the reverse side)
Outings are held on the second Wednesday and third Sunday 2. Wear suitable footwear i.e. closed shoes or boots
of the month, except in January, and are cancelled on total 3. For areas where snakes are likely, wear gaiters
fire ban days. 4. Always carry items you may need e.g. water, snacks,
personal first aid kit, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, your
Newcomers, beginners and visitors are welcome and name and residential address and, if you have one, a mobile
members will help you with the birds. Binoculars for casual phone with battery charged
use are available on every outing. Bring lunch (optional) and 5. Remain with the group at all times and advise leader or
a folding chair for bird call and chat. whip if you intend to leave before the walk ends.
To ensure the health and safety of everyone at outings, For more information about an outing contact David
participants need to take responsibility for their personal Ap-Thomas on 0429939036 or the leader listed.
safety. To assist with this, the Committee provides the
following guidelines. David Ap-Thomas, Outings Coordinator
All BirdLife Mornington Peninsula outings have been You will be notified when any of the outings listed below will
suspended until further notice. go ahead.
Date Time Locality Meeting place and other information Leader Phone
Wed 9 Sep 9.00 Gordon Rolfe Reserve, Somerville Meet 9.00 at gate in Yaringa Rd off Whitneys Rd from either Keith Caldecott 0407534243
Bungower or Pikes Rds. Mel 149 J8. Outing on formed tracks.
Sun 20 Sep 9.00 Blind Bight Coastal Reserve, Blind Meet 9.00 at car park opposite. Fishermans Drive in Blind Bight Susan Clark 59757409
Bight Road, accessed from Baxter/Tooradin Road and then off Warneet
Road. Mel 143 C10. Outing on formed tracks.
Wed 14 Oct 9.00 Tootgarook Wetland, Boneo Meet 9.00 at car park equestrian centre, entrance off Boneo Road David Ap-Thomas 0429939036
after Rosebud Country Club and before Browns Road (equestrian
centre entrance). Mel 170 A9. Outing on formed tracks.
Sun 18 Oct 10.00 Frankston Reservoir Frankston Meet 10.00 at car park in reserve; enter Lawson Avenue off Neil Shelley 0438557178
Moorooduc Highway turn left into Water Way then right into
Jeremy Way. Mel 102 F10. Outing on formed tracks.
Wed 11 Nov 9.00 Duells Road Private Property, Meet 9.00 at the end of the Mornington Peninsula Freeway turn left David Ap-Thomas 0429939036
Rosebud at this roundabout into Jetty Rd drive 1.7Kms to Duells Road, turn
left and proceed to BirdLife sign at property entrance. Mel 170 K8.
Difficult walk with no formed tracks and hilly.
Sun 15 Nov 7.00 Western Treatment Plant, Werribee Meet 7.00 at the Baxter Tavern car park; enter off Baxter/Tooradin Max Burrow 0429947893
Road. We will proceed in convoy to the plant. If going independent John Barkla
meet at corner of Paradise Road and Point Wilson Road Bookings
desirable. Mel 107 B4 (Baxter Tavern). Car viewing limited walking
Sun 29 Nov 9.00 Dunns Creek Winery Red Hill Meet 9.00 at property gate 137 McIlroys Road. Bring plate to share Max Burrows 0429947893
Christmas Outing after bird walk. Mel 191 D1. Hilly location.
Wed 9 Dec 9.00 Main Ridge Flora & Fauna Reserve Meet 9.00 at gate to reserve on Mornington/Flinders Road south of David Ap-Thomas 0429939036
Shands Road intersection. Mel 255 D3.
Undulating walk on formed tracks.
Blue-winged Parrots in salt marsh
On 20 June during our BirdLife/Friends of French Island
Westernport Wader Survey (three surveys per year) in the
salt marsh south of Tankerton Jetty we sighted a small flock
of fourteen Blue-winged Parrots. For us on French Island a
great sighting as we only usually see them occasionally over
the summer months in breeding pairs. I’ve attached an
image, although technically not great. [See front page].
We checked out the flock on watch for some of the northern
Westernport recently released captive bred Orange-bellied
Parrots, but none in this flock.
Not too many waders to see on this winter survey as assume
most migrated north. Always happy to see the New Zealand
winter migrants, Double-banded Plover.
Double-banded Plover on French Island. Photo by Andrew Browne
Over summer on French Island we have at least three
confirmed pairs of White-bellied Sea-Eagles breeding, and
also three pairs of Peregrine Falcons. Thankfully they are in Mornington Peninsula members on our Westernport Wader
isolated and well hidden sites. Survey days.
Once COVID-19 has settled always happy to host BirdLife Andrew Browne, Mornington
4 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Outings
BIRDLIFE CAMP
Leader: David Ap-Thomas
Wedderburn, November 2019
Heat, hot wind, parched land, all gasping.
There’s a grass fire near-by.
At hot days end, exhausted, welcome bed.
Soft dawn rain, a splash, a flash, a pause,
Then thunder crack overhead.
Heavy rain pounding on roof.
For parched earth and all earth kind, relief.
Trees engulfed in morning fog, mysterious.
Male Crimson Chat.
Birding in the usual haunts unspectacular.
Campers hunkered down, no-one about.
And the birds, few to be found in the wet droop of leaves.
Wet feet, wet hair, wet binoculars.
Yet morale high with expectation whilst birding.
Ants swarm up legs as we look to the treetops,
Not at the ant nest under our feet.
Frantic, stomping dance to be rid of the blighters.
Three kangaroos lollop past undeterred.
Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters, Variegated Fairy-wrens,
Mistletoebird flutters down for a grub.
Birds in abundance, unperturbed by our presence, Female Crimson Chat.
Agog with excitement as evening clouds turn to pink.
“Has everyone seen the Crimson Chats?”
Elusive like the trees in the mist.
Waiting, waiting, hoping. And then,
Oh, the thrill of a first sighting and what a stunner.
Strutting amongst the scrubby grass,
Scratching with his mate for some tasty bug.
Crimson red head, breast and rump, white throat,
black wings and face.
The excitement, the rewards of watching birds.
Clear blue morning sky and birds calling, busy
Corellas a quarrelsome “Chip, chip”
The salacious “Slurp, slurp” of springtime Galahs.
Kookaburras add their cacophonous cackle.
Nankeen Night-Heron.
“Georg-ee, georg-ee” calls the Painted Honeyeater,
Heard but not seen, but still very special.
Then a cackle, perhaps a Babbler.
But it’s another first sighting,
An Orange-throated Gilbert’s Whistler.
Not so spectacular but just as exciting.
We stand and watch till it tires of our watching,
And moves deeper into the scrub out of sight.
We learn of the Mallee Eucalypt, green, blue and bull.
And the hybrid bred to produce more oil.
Eucalyptus oil used by our indigenous ones,
Now adapted for modern use,
We gaze at the production methods both old and new.
Brown Falcon motionless part of the fence post.
Nankeen Kestrel, wings flapping rapidly,
Hovers then dives into the scrubby grass. David Ap-Thomas and campers at bird call. Photos by George Sawenko
Comes up with nothing, time and time again.
Whistling Kite wheeling and soaring over lake, searching.
Black Kite, tail twisted, circling over salt pan. Driving home in heavy rain, visibility poor.
Hail stones pounding the windscreen, yet happy.
Both seeking prey, “Can you hear their whistling call?”
Nankeen Night-Herons, napping during the day. Birds seen or heard, there’s a thrill in the hunt,
Alert in the moment, mind meditatively free.
Roosting high in their tree, they are hard to find.
How many? “Is it two, three or twenty?” Barbara Goldfinch, Lilydale
September 2020 5
Outings
WEDNESDAY WANDERINGS
The 3-year program of bird walks entitled “Wednesday
Wanderings – Warrandyte to Westgate, Exploring the Yarra”
came to a fitting end when we cruised down the river from
Docklands on board the historic Nepean on a recent winter
morning. Commencing in June 2004 the walks aimed at
exploring the numerous reserves and parks, creeks and
billabongs along the Yarra River between Warrandyte and the
Westgate Bridge. The outings were voted a great success by
Melbourne birders who were looking for bird walks within a
24 km radius of the City. The average size of the group was
25 members, proving that local, morning-only walks are
popular.
An article in the April 2004 The Melbirdian predicted that, as
well as observing many bird species along this meandering Some of the fifty-six attendees, Celia in the centre front, at Jumping
stretch of the river, we would also see kangaroos and Koalas, Creek Reserve at the start of the second series. Photo by Janet Hand
Platypus and possums, Common Wombats and Short-beaked
Echidnas, lizards and snakes. And indeed we did!
would have been expected. The closer we got to the City, the
A walk led by Marlene Lyell at Parks Victoria’s Glynn’s shorter the bird lists and, naturally, more exotic birds were
Reserve in North Warrandyte produced a great bird list of 49 seen and fewer native species. Sadly, Eastern Yellow Robins
species as well as three snakes, several rabbits, three weren’t sighted after the Bellbird Picnic area in Kew and Grey
Eastern Grey Kangaroos and one Common Long-necked Fantails weren’t observed after the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Tortoise. An Australian Owlet-nightjar peeping from a nest The reserve which yielded the most bird species was Bulleen
box was the highlight of that walk. Park which included Little Bolin and Bolin Bolin Billabongs.
Sixty-three species were observed here in February 2006
Longridge Farm, Warrandyte was opened especially for us by and the list included three Latham’s Snipe in Little Bolin
Parks Victoria, and yielded another Koala, five Eastern Grey Billabong. Surprisingly, this park beat Banyule Flat’s score of
Kangaroos and a good list of birds. The layout of this 58 species.
peaceful reserve is most impressive with its attractive
riverine camping ground and excellent facilities which, Thirty-seven birders arrived at Como Landing in February
unfortunately, caters for tents only. this year for the ‘voyage’ across to Herring Island, opened
especially for us by Parks Victoria. We conducted a bird
The walk at Tikalara Reserve, Templestowe on 2 February survey and the list was forwarded to Parks Victoria following
2005 will be long remembered for its torrential rain all the excursion. Despite the very small area and the drought,
morning. (This may have been the last time some of us can the morning turned out to be far more successful than was
remember a really good downpour!) Despite the rain, ten predicted and the bird list of 35 species was pretty
members birded with umbrellas from Beasley’s Nursery to remarkable—almost one per member. One member joked
the confluence of Mullum Mullum Creek and the Yarra, and that two people weren’t really trying! A highlight was good
managed to log 25 species including an Azure Kingfisher. views of a Nankeen Night-Heron seen on our return journey
Staff at the nursery tearooms weren’t too happy when ten across the river by punt.
bedraggled birders sloshed in at lunchtime looking for hot
soup! In February! The Royal Botanic Gardens were visited in March this year
and, combined with a walk along the Yarra into the City
At Sweeneys Flats Reserve, Eltham, a Peacock was added to afterwards, yielded 40 species which was a pretty good effort
the bird list of 37 species; we also saw a Buff-banded Rail, for a warm, blustery morning. Sadly, no Superb Fairy-wrens
five ‘roos and a Koala at this little known and surprisingly were seen on this visit to the gardens.
pleasant reserve where we walked downstream to Griffiths
Park. Perhaps the highlight of the series was the cruise on board
the Nepean from Docklands down the Yarra past the
In April 2005, 38 members walked from Westerfolds Park Westgate Bridge and round the top end of Port Phillip Bay on
upstream towards Candlebark Park, crossed the river by the 6 June. Thirty BOCA members thoroughly enjoyed the 3 hour
new footbridge and enjoyed some peaceful birding from the boat trip during which 33 bird species were listed and we
new observation platform at Lenister Farm on the north bank enjoyed lunch on board the vessel. It was most pleasing to
of the Yarra. Forty-five bird species were listed on that welcome three country members on this trip; Val and Peter
occasion. Blake from Warrnambool and Marlene Lyell from Axedale.
Tawny Frogmouths were observed on no less than 13 (out of I would like to thank all who attended the 34 walks for
34) walks; usually spotted by Geoff Deason who has eagle making them so successful and my special thanks also to
eyes (or should it be ‘frogmouth’ eyes?) for this bird. guest leaders who stepped in when I was away or
Australian Wood Duck 32/34; Pacific Black Duck 33/34. indisposed: to Geoff Deason who led three walks, Anthea
Stunning views of Azure Kingfishers were enjoyed on four Fleming for two walks, Marlene Lyell, Lyn Easton and Andrew
walks. Other birds of note were a Barn Owl at Banyule Flats, McCutcheon who led one each. The total bird list for the 34
a female Rose Robin at Fairfield Park and a Pied walks is 123.
Oystercatcher seen from the Nepean in June. Due to popular demand the series of Wednesday Wanderings
Two Australian King-Parrots were observed at Banksia Park, was repeated, commencing in February 2008.
Bulleen in November 2005 - much further downstream than Celia Browne, Capel Sound
6 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Refugees from Croajingolong?
GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOOS ON
THE NORTHERN MORNINGTON
PENINSULA IN 2020
Glossy Black-Cockatoos have frequented areas south-east of
Melbourne since April this year and were still present into
late July. It appears that there are three birds, a lone male
and a pair. The first published report on eBird was posted by
David Thompson of a ‘red-tailed’ Black-Cockatoo at Braeside
Park on 22 April. Subsequently a single adult male Glossy
Black-Cockatoo was seen there by several observers in the
period extending to mid-May. At about the same time reports
of one in the Springvale/Keysborough area (likely the Maurie
Jarvis Woodland) were posted on iNaturalist. Then Kerri
Parkes reported on Birdata that she had seen a pair on 6 and
7 May at the Langwarrin Fauna and Flora Reserve. They have
since been seen at The Pines Fauna and Flora Reserve in
Frankston and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Cranbourne. As The lone male Glossy Black-Cockatoo at The Pines on 25 June 2020.
this is believed to be the first recorded occurrence in central Photo by Mike Carter
Victoria since 1992, it is thought they are refugees from the
fire that ravaged East Gippsland last summer.
The 1992 report was from Jack Bethune who observed five
‘red-tailed’ Black-Cockatoos near his home at Seville in the
Dandenong’s on 25 February 1992. It was published in ‘Bird
Reports series 94’ of The Bird Observer No 720, June 1992.
Found only in the south-eastern quadrant of our continent,
this endemic species is widespread but rare. Having very
specific habitat requirements, in recent times it has been
restricted to suitable areas of Kangaroo Island in South
Australia, the Gippsland region of far eastern Victoria, coastal
and some inland areas of eastern NSW and south-eastern
Queensland. In Victoria, it has also been recorded near
Wangaratta but is thought formerly to have extended west
throughout Gippsland to Port Phillip Bay. Victorian birds are
of the nominate subspecies Calyptorhynchus l. lathami.
An essential component of Glossy Black-Cockatoo habitat is
the presence of allocasuarinas. Thus it is not surprising that
all the sightings on this occasion were in or near Black She-
oaks Allocasuarina littoralis, many of which were less than
2 metres tall. Observations were usually of the birds feeding Female Glossy Black-Cockatoo at The Pines, Frankston on 25 June 2020.
on the fruit of that species, extracted from the cones. Photo by Stephen Garth
It is estimated that between 50 and 100 people have
observed these birds, facilitated partly by their persistence at
certain sites, most notably, The Pines.
HANZAB describes the demeanour of the Glossy Black-
Cockatoo as tame and unobtrusive and the behaviour of our
birds is certainly testimony to that. We have been able to
watch the birds for periods that exceed one hour from a
distance of 6 metres. They chew the cones, systematically
working down from the top of the shrub until all fruit on that
one plant are devoured. This dependence on a single food
source makes the species vulnerable to habitat loss. Thus it
was listed as a ‘Threatened Species’ in the Victorian Flora
and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Its current status is
‘vulnerable’ but is likely to be up-graded.
I thank David Stabb, Andrew Silcocks, Sean Dooley, Stephen
Garth and Dawn Neylan for their help in the preparation of
this report.
Mike Carter, Mornington
The paired male Glossy Black-Cockatoo at The Pines on 8 July 2020.
Photo by David Stabb
September 2020 7
Birding in Boodjamulla National Park
PURPLE-CROWNED FAIRY-WREN
BREEDING OBSERVATIONS
It is always a thrill when on holiday away from home
territory when a special bird cuts across your path. This
happened to me in September 2019 when staying in
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, 350km north-west of
Mt Isa. After being there a couple of days I noticed a
photographer squatting near the canoe hire booking table.
Naturally I watched what was happening for a while and then
to my surprise, and delight, a Purple-crowned Fairy-wren
(Malurus coronatus) hopped out of the reeds to feed on the
ground nearby. What a thrill. A conversation ensued and it
turned out that there was a pair breeding right there. They
were completely habituated to people coming and going for
the canoes. What an opportunity to study these delightful
and stunning little birds.
Over the next week I spent several hours sitting under a fan
Purple-crowned Fairy-wren habitat at Boodjamulla NP
palm watching the pair of birds come and go as they fed their
(nest in the pandanus on the right).
tiny offspring in their nest, low down in a Pandanus, the
typical site for a nest. When I first came across the pair, the
female was still incubating the eggs I suspect, given the
lengthy periods she would be in the nest and that the male
only came nearby to sometimes feed her and sometimes to
accompany her away for short periods. Having the female as
the sole incubator is consistent with known breeding records.
At this stage, her tail had a marked curve to it as it had been
bent around within the domed nest. But it soon became
obvious the chicks were out and needing a feed.
My observations were based on several periods where I
logged every prey that was brought in, by which parent and
the time intervals between feeds. Whilst I realise this is not
comprehensive and only a snapshot over a couple of days,
this showed several things to me:
Just watching behaviour for a limited time can be
misleading in terms of extrapolating the data as the first
period implied the male did most of the feeding, but this
changed over the second period.
Both parents shared the feeding (42% male to 57%
female, or 1.3:1), although the female brought more
food items than the male. This is not as marked as Male Purple-crowned Fairy-wren bringing a spider to the nest.
previous documented ratios where primary female to
male ratios were between 2:1 and 10:1, although in both
those cases there were other group members helping.
Maybe the alpha male drops his work-rate when there
are other helpers around?
Only the male was observed removing faecal sacs, which
occurred three times during my observations. Whether
this is the task of the male or it was due to the relatively
short period of observation that I didn’t get to see the
female carry one out I cannot say (conscious of point
one above).
Prey consisted of spiders (10), caterpillars (9), moths
(3), pupae (2) and other unidentified invertebrates (25).
Prey was brought to the nest on average every 3.4
minutes. This is consistent with similar documented rates
for multiple chicks of a few days age, which is what I
believe was in the nest I was monitoring.
The period between visits varied from one minute to
21minutes for the female and 1-16 for the male. It
seemed that the only limit to feeding was the ability of Male Purple-crowned Fairy-wren foraging.
one of the adults to find prey and bring it to the nest.
8 Mornington Peninsula Birdlife
Birding in Boodjamulla National Park
Interestingly, HANZAB states that the food supply is virtually
all insectivorous, with beetles (wet years) and ants (dry
years) dominant. It may be that the unidentified prey the
birds brought were ants, as the small size was often the
reason for non-identification. The other reason was that they
quickly appeared at the nest site with their back to me so I
didn’t get a chance to see it. This happened more often with
the female than the male.
I only ever saw the two parents coming to the nest. I was
very confident there were only two birds because in catching
the spiders (they were all daddy long-leg spiders) they were
getting cobweb tangled on their legs and head making them
very identifiable when they returned. This was the most
disappointing aspect to my time with these birds as there
should have been more group members helping them if the
population was fit and healthy. In the ten days I was camped
there, this was the only pair I saw along the creek but people
have told me of visits in the past when there were several
family groups readily observed along the creek. With
territories only being 2-300m long, I would have thought I’d
see some other birds in my travels along the creek, both on
foot and in a canoe, if they were around. This species is
Female Purple-crowned Fairy-wren bringing a spider to the nest.
incredibly tight in its territory and they are not observed
more than about 10m from the water, mainly due to their
favoured habitat of Pandanus and Canegrass being contained
to that zone.
Another interesting observation was when a Buff-sided Robin
(Poecilodryas cerviniventris) followed the female back to the
nest area and actually swooped at the female when she
approached the nest. The female diving into the nest
chamber was the only thing that saved it from a physical
attack by the robin. Whilst birds have been reported to evade
attack by Brown Goshawk, Collared Sparrowhawk, Yellow-
tinted and White-gaped Honeyeaters and Northern Fantails,
HANZAB (written about White-browed Robin before Buff-
sided were split off) does not note the Buff-sided Robin as an
aggressor toward this species, though it does say that these
robins chase intruders. When I mentioned this attack to one
of the rangers, I was told that the Buff-sided Robin is a
renowned aggressor in the park. In relation to the attack by
the robin, it shook the female fairy-wren up, she was visibly
agitated and she called very loudly and extensively after she
emerged from the nest.
A pair of Crimson Finches were nesting about 10 metres from Female Purple-crowned Fairy-wren in agitated stance
the fairy-wren nest, across the narrow section of creek, but after attack by Buff-sided Robin.
there was no interaction observed between these species.
What a wonderful opportunity. I was fortunate to have
stayed at the camp for ten days, allowing several chances to
monitor the birds. Many other fascinating encounters were
also had at this delightful national park.
Note: I was very conscious of the ethics of observing and
photographing nesting birds and I believe these birds were
not impacted by my presence. They freely came and went
without any obvious sign of distress. They fed on the ground
in front of me and searched for food in the tree above my
head. When I observed the birds from further away, their
behaviour was unchanged. Due to the presence of the canoe
hire within ten metres of their nest, which was there before
they nested, they were very used to people being around.
HANZAB Vol 5: 261-269 Purple-crowned Fairy-wren (Malurus coronatus)
HANZAB Vol6: 812-818 White-browed Robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa)
Rog Standen, Mt Eliza
Buff-sided Robin. Photos by Rog Standen
September 2020 9
Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys
WATERBIRD DIVERSITY AND
ABUNDANCE LOW AT ETP
23 February 2020: Seventy-seven bird species were logged
of which forty-five were wetland dependant, (ten were
shorebirds), four were raptors and twenty-eight were non-
wetland dependant.
30 May 2020: Sixty-four bird species were logged of which
twenty-nine were wetland dependant, (only four were
shorebirds), seven were raptors and twenty-eight were non-
wetland dependant.
Good late summer and autumn rainfall has resulted in high
water levels throughout the Plant. Most water bodies are full
and deep, resembling lakes. Marshland and shorebird habitat
is scarce. Baillon’s Crake on EHB6. Photo by Alison Kuiter.
Waterbird diversity and abundance is exceptionally low (not a
single Pink-eared Duck was seen). Presumably the good rains
have filled many of Australia’s inland ephemeral wetlands so
being spoilt for choice, have gone elsewhere. The locally
breeding Chestnut Teal are still here in good numbers (460
counted today) and two pairs of Black Swans have nested
early. One pair had six fluffy white cygnets not more than
two weeks old today. A highlight was a single Common
Greenshank, a species that is becoming increasingly rare
locally. Conversely the variety of raptors has improved.
Among the seven species seen today were a Peregrine Falcon
and two Little Eagles (one dark morph and one pale morph).
Eleven White-plumed Honeyeaters and 73 White-fronted
Chat were among the bush birds recorded.
Musk Duck (male) at the ETP on 30 May. Photo by David Stabb
28 June 2020: Sixty-four bird species were logged of which
thirty-two were wetland dependant, (only three were
shorebirds identified to species), five were raptors and
twenty-seven were non-wetland dependant.
Waterbird diversity and abundance remain low but are
improving. Pink-eared Duck have reappeared, but so far
there are only five. Highlights included three Australian Reed-
Warblers (on Basin 6) that were spasmodically uttering short
bursts of song no-doubt inspired by the glorious weather.
Mid-winter records in southern Victoria are rare. Also unusual
in winter were two each of Fairy and Tree Martin. One Little
Eagle (pale morph) is still here. Royal and Yellow-billed
Spoonbill and Great Egret were seen. Beautiful weather
Peregrine Falcon at the ETP on 30 May.
ensured that high numbers of passerines (mostly bush birds)
Photo on left by David Stabb, on right by Alan Stringer
were recorded.
Mike Carter, Mornington
Australasian Grebe; one of 90 at the ETP. Photo by Alan Stringer Australian Shelduck, female, at the ETP. Photo by Alan Stringer
10 Mornington Peninsula BirdlifeEastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys
LATE STAYING SHARP-TAILED
SANDPIPERS AT BANYAN
16 February 2020: Thirty-eight species (twenty-three
wetland-dependent and raptors) were logged here today. The
highlights were the number of waterfowl especially Australian
Wood Duck (100) and a White-necked Heron.
17 May 2020: Fifty-four species (seventeen wetland-
dependent, five raptors) and thirty-two non-wetland species
were logged here today. Although not seen today, the
presence of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers until at least 8 May is
very unusual. The excellent diversity of bush birds, most
notably the presence of two Yellow Thornbills, the first on the
ETP since 1997, was very welcome. Spiny-cheeked
Honeyeaters and Flame Robins have returned, and Eurasian Swamp Harrier at Banyan on 17 May. Photo by Alan Stringer
Tree Sparrows were seen for the first time at this site only a
week ago.
13 June 2020: Forty-four species (seventeen wetland-
dependent and raptors and twenty-seven non-wetland
species) were logged here today. Highlights included the
continued presence of Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters (4) and
Flame Robins (8). Diversity and abundance of waterfowl and
raptors was exceedingly low today.
LITTLE EAGLE AT BOGGY CREEK
16 February 2020: Fifteen species of bird, of which nine were
wetland dependent, were logged here today. A lowlight was Sharp-tailed Sandpipers in breeding plumage on a flooded area of the
the presence of a domestic ‘farmyard’ duck. Paddock on 8 May. Photo by Andrew Silcocks
According to Hayman et al ‘Shorebirds’, these are all females
17 May 2020: Twenty-six species of bird of which nine were
but HANZAB says sexes are similar.
wetland dependent and four raptors were logged here today.
Highlights included a dark morph Little Eagle, a Brown
Goshawk, five Australasian Shovelers, a Striated Pardalote
and a Grey Shrike-thrush.
DOUBLE-BANDED PLOVERS AT
SERPENTINE
16 February 2020: Fifteen species of birds were logged here
today, (compare twenty-three last month) of which only five
were wetland dependant or raptors. This site is
disappointingly barren; almost devoid of birds. No highlights.
Black-fronted Dotterel, one of 24 logged on 13 June at Serpentine.
Photo by Alan Stringer.
13 June 2020: Thirty-three species of birds were logged here
today of which thirteen were wetland dependant or raptors.
Highlights included three Double-banded Plover, five Red-
capped Plover, 24 Black-fronted Dotterel, three Red-necked
Stint, two Common Bronzewing, three Spiny-cheeked
Yellow-billed and Royal Spoonbills, Australian White Ibis Honeyeater, 29 White-fronted Chat and 11 Flame Robin.
and Great Egret on the SEHB. Photo by David Stabb
Mike Carter, Mornington
September 2020 11Eastern Treatment Plant wetland surveys
COUNTING WITH MIKE
Eastern Treatment Plant Bird Count, 23 February
Four joined the monthly bird count conducted by Mike Carter
at the Eastern Treatment Plant in Bangholme. A total of 11
observers took part. The count took place from 9 am to
about 5 pm, and involved driving in convoy around the
facility, stopping to count birds in the myriad ponds and
basins. For us the site became a bit of a blur - we soon lost
track of where we were - was this the opposite end of a basin
we'd already seen, or a different one? The old hands of
course new exactly where we were. By the end of the day we
were full of admiration for the dedicated team (Mike, Dawn,
Alison and David) who do this every month - as well as
separate counts on surrounding wetlands.
Counting Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at the Eastern Treatment Plant.
Mike produces and distributes a comprehensive report listing
counts of all species sighted; a summary report appears in
the BirdLife Mornington Peninsula newsletter.
The report summary states:
77 bird species were logged of which 45 were wetland
dependant, (10 were shorebirds), 4 were raptors and 28
were non-wetland dependant. Water levels on the Plant were
further boosted by good rainfall in late January & first half of
February. With the exception of WEHB (Western Effluent
Holding Basin) which is drying and mostly has a muddy base,
all basins are completely full. Waterfowl numbers continue to
fluctuate wildly. Glossy Ibis have now vacated the Plant. A
Baillon’s Crake has joined Australian Spotted Crakes and a
Buff-banded Rail on the Plant. Wood Sandpipers now number
a remarkable 7. All are together on the top pond of the
Golden Triangle. Our first Pectoral Sandpiper of the season Wood Sandpiper.
was seen today and the first Common Sandpiper one week
ago but not today.
Numbers ranged from one Baillon's Crake to 2100 Sharp-
tailed Sandpiper to 4780 Eurasian Coot. The raptors were
Black-shouldered Kite (5); Whistling Kite (4), Brown
Goshawk (3) and Swamp Harrier (8).
Highlights for me included the Wood Sandpipers, which I had
not seen before; Red-necked Avocets (60); Australasian
Shoveler (135), close views of Great Crested Grebes and
Blue-billed Duck; and a Black-fronted Dotterel performing its
"broken wing" act in front of our car. My personal tally was
67 species, so there were ten I missed. I believe that all but
one of us missed the Baillon's Crake (well done Rog) and the
Red-browed Finches (well done again Rog). Unfortunately I
didn't spot a single one of the 180 Pink-eared Ducks either!
The weather was fine and warm, mostly still - a gusty wind
sprang up at one stage but didn't last long - so we had the
best possible conditions. Black-fronted Dotterel performing its "broken wing" act in front of our car.
The regular team can experience much worse weather, but Photos by Lee Denis
carry on as best they can - when the freezing wind is
violently shaking their scopes it gets "difficult" they said.
There were only a couple of locations - the Aeration Ponds -
which were a bit smelly (wind your windows up around there
we were told). A very enjoyable day. Thanks to Mike and his
team.
Lee Denis, Peninsula Field Naturalists Club Newsletter March
2020 www.peninsulafieldnaturalists.org.au
At the ETP everyday; on the left a drake Chestnut Teal. Photo by Alan
Stringer. At right, a Grey Teal. Photo by Sonja Frei
12 Mornington Peninsula BirdlifeBirding in Africa
OUR TRIP TO SOUTHERN AFRICA
2019
Our family, comprising me, Robin and our two boys, had the
privilege of living near Cape Town from 1999-2003. At the
end of our work contracts in 2003 we packed up the kids and
camping gear into our Isuzu ute and trekked north through
Namibia and into Zambia, Malawi and back to Johannesburg
through Mozambique on our great fourteen week “Journey of
Discovery”.
Flying into Joburg in July 2019, Robin and I finally returned. White-fronted Bee-eater; Lilac-breasted Roller, fluffed in 5oC temperature,
We picked up our fully camp kitted Toyota Hilux and headed at Linyati Swamp, Namibia
into Botswana, then Zambia, and back to Joburg via the
Central Kalahari in Botswana- a six-week drive in heaven!
Unlike South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, camp grounds
in Botswana and Zambia are not fenced, meaning our roof
top tent was all we had to protect us at night from the
prowling lions and other wild animals. Sometimes we stayed
in national park camps such as the Moremei Game reserve in
the Okavango delta and the Luanga Plains in far Northern
Zambia. Otherwise we were camping in private game parks
or community camps, owned and managed by the nearby
village. Elephants, monkeys and baboons were the usual
camp visitors with honey badgers, hyenas and various buck
species (impala, springbok and others) wandering through
the bushes nearby. 2018 and 2019 have been exceptionally
dry years so the animals and birds were concentrated near Scarlet -breasted Boubou, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Botswana;
what was left of rivers, wetlands and lakes. Violet-eared Waxbill, Kubu Island, Botswana
Our day would start with an early visit to the local water hole
to watch the animals and birds come in for a drink. In
Botswana especially, you can expect to see large numbers of
elephants, hippos, warthogs, buck, Ostriches, Secretary
Birds, bustards, pigeons and finches. We would then go for a
game drive, stopping frequently to look at the vast array of
birds, and, hopefully, a lion sleeping in the shade. You should
not get out of your car in the wilds as you never know if
there is an opportunistic hungry leopard or lion in the
bushes. Also, the animals are used to vehicles but don’t like
people so much. Elephants are more likely to charge you if
you are wandering around and you spook them.
Back for lunch and an afternoon book or crossword before White browed Robin-Chat, Kasane Botswana;
heading out again about 5:00 for another drive, taking the Carmine Bee-eater, Linyati Swamp, Namibia
makings of G&T etc with us. We would find a good spot to
stop and watch life go by, enjoying our sundowners. Then
back to camp to cook dinner in the dark, listening to the lions
roaring as they patrolled their territories (in which we are
camping of course) and the hippos grunting in the river.
There were so many highlights in this trip from seeing a full
pride of lions, to watching elephants stroll through camp
metres from our tent, to listening to the big male lion roaring
at us from 100 metres across the stream. Seeing a large
flock of Crowned Cranes in northern Zambia and
photographing beautiful little finches (I’m an amateur) in
long grass. Camping in the Central Kalahari Desert in
Botswana, we truly felt on our own, hours from the nearest
village (and doctor) which was totally exhilarating. I listed
over 300 species of birds, mostly in Botswana.
I can highly recommend such as trip and I’m happy to talk to
anyone interested in going.
Penny Gillespie, Bittern Crowned Cranes at sunset at Liuwa Plain National Park, Zambia.
Photos by Penny Gillespie
September 2020 13Observations
INTERESTING SIGHTINGS
These reports, some from Birdline Victoria, are not authenticated records. Researchers are advised to check with the
observers before citing. Please report your sightings to Val Ford: 5981 1445 or fordandreid@gmail.com Report White-
throated Needletail and Fork-tailed Swift sightings to Val Ford and Mike Tarburton tarburton.m@optusnet.com.au
Date Species Location Comments Observer
23.3.20 Double-banded Plover (20) Flinders Penny Johns
14.4.20 Powerful Owl (2) Main Ridge One heard and seen, other calling in the distance. Steve Castan
24.4.20 Swift Parrot (2) Mt Martha Kilburn Grove; flying over very fast, seen and heard. Jeremy Little
11.5.20 Blue-faced Honeyeater (5) Mt Martha Lempriere Ave; observed and heard. Jeremy Little
13.5.20 Double-banded Plover (1) Gunnamatta Beach Neil Shelley
15.5.20 Yellow-tail’d Black-Cock’too (14) Capel Sound Flying over my villa at Village Glen. Celia Browne
15.5.20 Cattle Egret (~15) Mt Eliza Keeping the cattle company in Kunyung Rd for the past week. Rog Standen
21.5.20 Pacific Black Duck (1+9 young) Mt Eliza Adult and just hatched ducklings crossed Kunyung Road. Rog Standen
21.5.20 Double-banded Plover (10) Flinders Mushroom Reef beach; four with orange leg flags, one FXD. David Ap-Thomas
Sooty Oystercatcher (10)
22.5.20 Blue-faced Honeyeater (1) Mt Martha On my back deck in Glamorgan Crescent. Keith Hepburn
22.5.20 Little Raven (~100) Safety Beach All of these species seen while driving along Island Drive. P Hearn & A Niedra
Little Corella (~200) Two large groups, each about 100 birds, ploughing the lawns.
Australian Wood Duck (30)
23.5.20 Powerful Owl (1, f) Mt Eliza Called 4 or 5 times then silent for the rest of the night. David Ap-Thomas
26.5.20 Fan-tailed Cuckoo (1) The Briars, Mt Martha Val Ford
1.6.20 White-bellied Sea-Eagle (2) Capel Sound Over the Village Glen retirement village. Ian Miles
4.6.20 Wedge-tail Eagle (1) Red Hill Seen feasting on a dead rabbit in McIlroys Road. H Stuart-Andrews
9.6.20 Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 1) Western Port Bay Mark Lethlean
Shy Albatross (15)
11.6.20 Yellow-tail’d Black-Cock’too (20) Mt Martha Flew over Martha's Point Retirement Village. Janet Dalzell
11.6.20 Yellow-tail’d Black-Cock’too (11) Point Nepean NP Flew overhead. Val Ford
17.6.20 Eastern/Crimson Rosella hybrid Capel Sound In my front yard. Val Ford
17.6.20 Cape Barron Goose (2) Balnarring On property adjacent Balbirooroo Wetlands. H Stuart-Andrews
20.6.20 Blue-winged Parrot (14) French Island On salt marsh south of Tankerton jetty. Andrew Browne
21.6.20 Glossy Black-Cockatoo (3) Frankston The Pines Flora & Fauna Reserve. D & M Honeyman
21.6.20 Eastern Barn Owl Capel Sound Heard it screeching outside by villa at the Village Glen. Val Ford
23.6.20 White-bellied Sea-Eagle (1, juv) Rye Back Beach L Greene, J Hansen
24.6.20 Yellow-tail’d Black-Cock’too, 200 Devilbend Reservoir At least 200. A magnificent sight. Bette Mitchell
25.5.20 Australian King Parrot (2, m & j) Bittern In my garden in Pozieres Street; occasional visitors. Simon Westfold
27.6.20 Fan-tailed Cuckoo (1) Tyabb Heard and seen. Keith Caldecott
5.7.20 Flame Robin (1, m) Safety Beach Perching on a fence in Island Drive. Susan Clark
9.7.20 White-bellied Sea-Eagle (1) Point Nepean NP L Greene, J Hansen
13.7.20 Emu (2) Boneo On a property adjacent to Limestone Road riding trail. Val Ford
17.7.20 Crested Shrike-tit (1) Red Hill Mark Lethlean
17.7.20 Little Eagle (1) Balnarring Flying over. Brian Thomas
17.7.20 Collared Sparrowhawk (1) Mt Martha Killed a Spotted Dove in our garden. Lynn Murdoch
19.7.20 Peregrine Falcon (2) Cape Schanck Hunting along the Cape Schanck/ Fingal Beach cliff face. Wilga Kottek
21.7.20 Sooty Oystercatcher (1) Mt Eliza Flew past Earimil Point; first for us along this part of the bay. David Ap-Thomas
27.7.20 Cape Barron Goose (2) Balnarring Nesting by the large lake beside Balbirooroo Wetlands. Peter Gower
28.7.20 Black-shouldered Kite (1, imm) Langwarrin Food begging call but parents nowhere in sight. Max Burrows
2.8.20 White-bellied Sea-Eagle (1, juv) The Briars In a dead tree in the main wetland area. Sue Brabender
6.8.20 Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (1) Langwarrin In Romina Drive; first for season. Max Burrows
7.8.20 Powerful Owl (2) Boneo In Peninsula Gardens Bushland Reserve. Mark Lethlean
9.8.20 Scarlet Robin (2, m & f) Boneo In Rogers Road/Limestone Road area. Steve Castan
14 Mornington Peninsula BirdlifeObservations
Female Grey Butcherbird at our window
Grey Butcherbirds were constant companions when we lived
at Mt Eliza but they have been aloof and scarce here at
Mornington. Then two days ago in the late morning the
female in the attached photos landed on the kitchen window
sill and stared Tricia down. It waited until we thawed out
some beef mince. Twenty minutes later, I approached
cautiously with a mince ball in my fingers. It flew at me and
seized the mince. I gave it some more and then more still.
She quickly realised that I emerged from the house by a door
at the rear so moved to sit on the fence near the door to
reduce her waiting time. She ate about half of my offerings
immediately but flew off in various directions to stash the
remainder. This went on all afternoon. When dusk
approached we drew the curtains to keep the cold out
thinking that she would go to roost somewhere. We peeped
through the curtains to check that she had gone to sleep. But
no, as we closed the curtains again she seemed to get quite
frantic coming right up to the door so that she was
illuminated by the artificial light. Finally we gave her a big
ball of mince and said ‘goodnight’.
Next morning, yesterday, I expected to find her waiting
outside the door but she didn’t reappear until about noon and
then periodically throughout the afternoon. Her demeanour
was more relaxed. It’s now a bit after 1.00 o’clock and
haven’t seen her yet today. I guess whomsoever normally
fed her has returned home. I do hope she doesn’t abandon
us.
The two most obvious plumage features that tell me that she
is a female are the white loral spot that extends to the area Female Grey Butcherbird. Photos by Mike Carter
under the eye and the grey wash that covers the belly, lower
breast and most notably the flanks.
Mike Carter, Mornington
Postscript: she now visits us perhaps four times daily. She is
now more sedate, not desperate for food.
Powerful Owls within 5km of home
Had an amazing find on 7 August, thanks to some local
council workers I know who were doing some bush work in
Peninsula Gardens Bushland Reserve; a pair of Powerful Owls
in a Blackwood, and one of the pair roosting over a Ringtail
Possum kill from the previous night.
Quite amazing that in 20+ years of roaming the local bush I
get to finally photograph the species in stage 4 lockdown and
within 5km of home!
Powerful Owls in Peninsula Gardens Bushland Reserve.
Mark Lethlean, Red Hill Photo by Mark Lethlean
Cape Barren Geese at Balbirooroo
On 27 July we saw the two Cape Barren Geese that have
been there for a while (by the large lake next door). Both
appeared to be sitting on nests a couple of times we went,
but today only one was. The second bird looked to be on
guard duty near the nesting bird.
Got back to Balbirooroo on 29 July. First, we noticed that the
Cape Barren Geese were not on their nests. When we found
them, they were with five chicks, adorable! They were a long
way away, but the photo shows them reasonably clearly.
Peter Gower, Balnarring Cape Barren Geese with chicks. Photo by Peter Gower
September 2020 15Observations
Blue-faced Honeyeater on my back deck
Just wanted to share this photo, taken on 22 May of a Blue-
faced Honeyeater on my back deck in Glamorgan Crescent Mt
Martha.
He/she was here again on 2 June but seemed a bit spooked
as there's a rather willing turf war going on between the local
magpie families and I live right in the border so therefore in
the middle of their war zone.
Based on a few old books it seems to have wandered far
away from home. Maybe with the Covid situation it came
down here and isn't allowed back over The Murray.
Keith Hepburn, Mt Martha
Blue-faced Honeyeater on my back deck. Photo by Keith Hepburn
Powerful Owl love calls
We have Powerful Owls calling at the moment on our
property. Last night, 14 April, this one flew for a few minutes
before heading off into the bush after more calls were heard
in the distance from a second bird
Steve Castan, Main Ridge
I heard a Powerful Owl in Bittern on 19 May. Don’t hear them
very often hear but saw one once a few years ago.
Penny Gillespie, Bittern
Going to bed last night, 23 May, I heard a bird call, opened
the window and heard a female Powerful Owl call 4 or 5
times then silent for the rest of the night. Got my phone and
checked the call and it was exactly what I heard.
Not bad for suburban Mt Eliza. First time i have heard it here.
Probably at the business college. Powerful Owl at Main Ridge. Photo by Steve Castan
David Ap-Thomas, Mt Eliza
Love calls of powerful owls ring out along eastern Australia:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-04-19/love-calls-of-powerful-
owls-ring-out-along-eastern-australia/12132824
Australian Hobby or Peregrine Falcon
Whilst doing the Devilbend Bird Count the other day with
Roger Richards, we saw a falcon-like bird pass overhead
followed by some other birds. It was too quick to get my
camera ready to photograph it but Roger said it was a
Peregrine Falcon. As I had photographed an Australian Hobby
in Warringine Wetlands recently Roger then went on to
explain the differences between the two birds and later
writing the following.
Some differences between an Australian Hobby and a
Peregrine Falcon (adults)
Size: Hobby 30-35cm, Peregrine 35-50cm.
Eye ring and cere: Hobby blue, Peregrine yellow. Australian Hobby at Warringine Wetlands. Photo by Michael Mann
Tail: Hobby tail proportionally longer and narrower with
sharper bend on trailing edge.
Body: Hobby body sleeker narrower wings, Peregrine bulkier eyelevel in the Hobby.
with broader wings. In flight look for bulk and wing width and for size compared
Bib: Hobby has no distinct bib, Peregrine has larger white or to any other birds nearby. Have a look at the bird books,
pale buff bib. eg Morcombe or Slater.
Mask: Hobby, mask appears not as big as Peregrine with In both females are larger.
curvey base collar. Peregrine, black head and face straighter
Now I want to get a good photo of a Peregrine Falcon!
base to "mask".
Check how the white collar goes back and up towards Michael Mann, Hastings
16 Mornington Peninsula BirdlifeYou can also read
