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Plains-wanderer
Newsletter of BirdLife Bendigo-Echuca District • Number 104 • October - December 2020
Above: PLAINS-WANDERERS DEPICTED ON A FARM SHED ON VICTORIA’S NORTHERN PLAINS
Photographer: Audrey Dickins
LANDHOLDERS HELP WITH GRASSLAND FLORA AND FAUNA CONSERVATION – PAGE 2
President’s Report
By Ben Goonan
We were sent back into lockdown again as the COVID-19 situation took a turn for the worse in late July and our outings
were put on hold in early August. In October, as things ever so slowly opened up, we again came together (in small groups)
to share bird-watching experiences; see outings reports. Thanks to all our leaders this year, and a quick ‘call out’ to
members – don’t hesitate to contact the committee if you have suggestions for future outings or would like to be a leader.
At this point in the BirdLife Bendigo-Echuca District year, the committee is preparing for the end-of-year function and
Annual General Meeting (a notice of which was recently sent to all members). At present it would seem that this event is
likely to proceed but, as you would expect, if it is unreasonable to hold the event it will be postponed until a more suitable
time.
As always, the committee seeks nominations from members for all positions. This includes both new members and long-
term members who have never been actively involved before. The committee can provide any assistance required to bring
new talent into the fold. If you are wondering what the time commitment is
to be involved in the operation of the group, I can assure you it is very
reasonable and flexible.
Pages 2 - 4: Environmental news
A cursory look across the various sighting and reporting platforms reveals Page 5: Report of EWAG teleconference
many members have been out and about observing birds across our region.
With the particularly good conditions prevailing this year many species Pages 6 - 7: Notice of AGM
seem to be moving around and making the most of it, including many Pages 8 - 11: Outing reports
species breeding well. While not strictly bird related, many members would
Pages 12 - 14: Interesting sightings
have noticed, and I assume appreciated, the abundance of spring
wildflowers. What a sight! Looking forward, and considering the current Page 15: Quizzes and puzzles
medium-term forecast, we can expect things to remain productive well into Page 16: Coming outings and events
the summer.
Environmental news
Above: JUDY AND ANDREW McGILLIVRAY’S GRASSLAND PLAINS-WANDERER PROMOTION Photo: Audrey Dickins
Landholders help with conservation of native grasslands
Plains-wanderer among native birds promoted by Northern Plains landholders
Several landholders on Victoria’s Northern Plains have actively promoted the conservation of the critically endangered
Plains-wanderer - rated as Australia’s most important bird because of its genetic uniqueness – and assisted with the
conservation of the area’s native flora and fauna.
Judy and Andrew McGillivray have engaged an artist to paint a male and female Plains-wanderer (and a Swainsona
plant) on the wall of a farm shed. They have also arranged for erection of signage to promote the bird. An article about
their work appeared in an October issue of the Country Living lift-out in the Weekly Times and in North Central Chat.
Sandra and Bill McGillivray have agreed to a conservation covenant being placed on one of their grassland paddocks to
help protect native flora and fauna. They have even had some trees lopped to increase the area of suitable Plains-
wanderer habitat.
George Pearce has had a conservation covenant placed on a native grassland that has never been ploughed. When
members of the Echuca Moama Australian Plant Society visited in October, the grassland was a rainbow of flowering
native grasses. The visit was organised by Drew Gailey who helped persuade George to preserve the 65 acre grassland.
GEORGE’S PADDOCK – A NATIVE GRASSLAND THAT HAS NEVER BEEN PLOUGHED Photo: Keith Stockwell
Like several local landholders, George has agreed to have a song meter station erected on one of his adjoining
paddocks. The song meter has recorded Plains-wanderer calls.
When the owner of the Mitiamo store, Jill Ramskill, learned that Graincorp would not give permission for Plains-
wanderers to be painted on one of its Mitiamo silos (because “it is an operating silo”), Jill arranged for a local artist to
paint a pair of Plains-wanderers on an exterior wall of her store.
Faye and Andrew Bail are amongst the local landholders who are licensed to graze stock on a grassland section of
Terrick Terrick National Park when requested to do so by Parks Victoria. Sheep and cattle perform a similar role to now
locally extinct fauna. The Bails also sit on committees aimed at protecting the critically endangered Plains-wanderer.
Several local landholders, including the McIllivrays and Bails, are members of the Northern Plains Conservation
Management Network. The network has arranged for song-meters to be placed on several grassland properties, has
assisted landholders to fence according to soil type (the Plains-wanderer prefers to graze on the vegetation of red soils,
although it may sleep in the vegetation of grey soils), and has worked with other organisations to organise grassland
field days. The network has also worked with other organisations to produce a short video about Plains-wanderers. The
video features comments by ecologist Dr David Baker-Gabb (who conducts Plains-wanderer surveys on privately-owned
grasslands) and Parks Victoria Ranger Mark Antos (who leads a team of volunteers who carry out grassland bird surveys
in Terrick Terrick National Park). Landholder Peter Morison greatly assisted with the production of the video. The video
can be viewed online at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RZNJZ2o1qSG3m4guP74VaV2ZoTL_9MXi/view.
PAGE 2 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 PLAINS-WANDERER
Environmental news (continued)
Local birds feature in silo and hotel art
Rochester silos attract tourists
Artists have been engaged to paint murals on some local silos and hotel walls.
A number of birds are featured on a mural painted on an exterior wall of the
Gunbower Hotel. A kingfisher is one of the animals painted by Jimmy D’Vate on a silo
in Rochester. The paintings are visible from the Northern Highway (B75).
Right: KINGFISHER ON A SILO AT ROCHESTER
Environmental water releases
The Pollack, Kanyapella Basin and Barmah receive a drink
Over recent weeks, environmental water has been released into several local
wetlands.
During August, 500ML was released into the Kanyapella Basin. This drought
mitigation area has not contained water for years. Waterbirds were quick to respond.
In August, regulators were opened in the Barmah-Millewa wetlands. These wetlands
are a Ramsar-listed site. Royal Spoonbills and other waterbirds quickly responded.
Moira Grass Plains once covered a large percentage of the forest and were habitat to
Brolga, Bitterns and many other birds. Moira Grass Plains depended on annual
flooding for their survival, but Red Gum has taken over much of the former
grasslands.
The remaining areas of Moira Grass Plains have benefited
greatly from the flooding. Authorities hope that Brolgas may
one day return to Barmah-Millewa. The regulators remained
open through September and October.
The Pollack is an important waterbird breeding area north near
Barham. Environmental water was released into The Pollack
several weeks ago. Several waterbird species soon
commenced nesting. Unfortunately, The Pollack is surrounded
by private property and access is only possible with the
permission of adjoining landholders and of Land Services NSW.
Water storage update
Local storages contain water
As the table to the right (which appeared in North Central
Chat, October 2020) indicates, all the irrigation storages in our
region contained water late in September. Irrigation storages
are often good places to observe waterbirds.
Gunbower members have reported that Kow (Ghow) Swamp
offers great birding.
Some priority wetlands receive environmental water from time
to time. Lake Elizabeth and Round Lake (edge of Lake Boga
township) are never allowed to dry out but are maintained to
supply suitable habitat for the endangered Murray Hardyhead.
These two wetlands always offer good birding opportunities.
Water is also being allocated to Third Reedy Lake near Kerang
to help ensure the survival of the threatened Southern Purple-
spotted Gudgeon. Waterbirds, of course, benefit from such
allocations. If you are in Kerang, it is worth walking along the
nature trail that commences near the Reedy Lakes bird hide.
Look for Grey-crowned Babblers.
Environmental water is also being delivered to the privately-
owned Wirra-Lo Wetland Complex. The owners have created
wetland areas to suit specific bird species, viz. Brolga and
Australasian Bittern. Brolga Swamp and Bunyip Swamp are
sections that are receiving environmental water.
During the year, water was delivered to Johnson Swamp.
Waterbird breeding was evident; darters and cormorants were
amongst the birds nesting. Some water passed through the
swamp to promote native fish breeding downstream of the
swamp. Johnson Swamp is currently being allowed to dry out.
...continued/
PAGE 3
Environmental news (continued)
Water storage update (continued) October at Crusoe Reservoir
Environmental water releases By Ken Dredge
Water will be allowed to flow into nearby Hird Swamp. October was an excellent month for avian activity
Water has been delivered to McDonalds Swamp, but it is now within Crusoe Reservoir and Number 7 parks.
being drawn down and it will be dry by late January 2021. 81 species were recorded. I thank Greg Licence and
Scott Eaton for their assistance.
Richardsons Lagoon has been dry, but the plan is to fill it
during Spring 2020. When it contains water, Richardsons Powerful Owls are both still perched in their regular
Lagoon supports a range of waterbirds. The privately-owned area, but no white fluff-balls, so they haven’t bred.
sandhills inside the horseshoe-shaped lagoon support a range Waterbirds and raptors are still in low numbers. The
of bush birds, including two Babbler species, Diamond Firetail Swans checked us out a while back but haven’t
and Crested Shrike-tit. The sandhills also support some of returned with their young this year. Great Crested
Victoria’s remaining Sandalwood trees. Grebe and a Hardhead also checked us out earlier and
haven’t returned.
Lake Cullen has proven itself to be an important drought
refuge. The suite of birds observed on Lake Cullen varies from White-winged Trillers have been breeding here
time to time, according to water levels. Up to 32,000 regularly but they moved on quickly this spring.
waterbirds were recorded in November of 2019. But it is now Olive-backed Orioles have been breeding near the
drying out. pines. Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens are active again.
Lake Murphy has been allowed to dry out. It is planned to Mistletoebirds have successfully bred at both parks,
deliver environmental water to Lake Murphy in Spring 2021 or and while most of the White-eared Honeyeaters have
Autumn 2022, followed by a Spring fill in 2022. moved on, a pair has nested at Number 7 Reserve.
Whilst some water will remain in Lake Meran, Little Lake Meran Owlet-nightjars are still in nest boxes and hollows.
is being dried out and is likely to remain dry for several years. I haven’t seen any Yellow-footed Antechinus at all this
Nearby Lake Leaghur is receiving environmental water during winter and spring.
2020-21 and is likely to be hold water over summer.
It’s great to see so much bird life and proliferation of
It has been confirmed that Lake Yando is to receive an wildflowers within our park. I never get tired of it.
environmental water allocation during 2020-21. Water should ~ Ken Dredge, 1 November 2020
have already been released into this lake.
Currently dry, Big Lake Boort is unlikely to receive water until September at Crusoe
Spring of 2021. Water remains in Little Lake Boort, a lake that By Ken Dredge
is popular with Boort residents and boaters. September was another great month in the park for
~ KS. Based on information provided to Central Murray EWAG both birds and wildflowers. A total of 84 bird species
members by teleconference, August 2020. There’s a report of was recorded. Some very late arrivals helped the
the teleconference on the next page. tally, namely a pair of Caspian Terns, a Great-crested
Grebe and a Hardhead.
No New Year Camp The raptor tally was good, with several nesting sites
observed.
No BirdLife camps for the remainder of 2020
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, BirdLife’s camp organiser, Most of the spring birds have been in good numbers.
David Ap-Thomas, has decided that there will not be any All five of our region’s cuckoo species were observed.
BirdLife camps this year. For yet another year, the New Year But only one White-winged Triller was recorded.
Camp alongside the Murray River at Jingellic has been There were many honeyeater species and numbers.
cancelled. The Snape Reserve (Dimboola) camp that was Unfortunately, it looks like our Powerful Owls haven’t
planned for earlier this year was also cancelled. bred this season. Both were observed sitting side-by-
Members who reside in rural Victoria may be able to camp at side a couple of days before the end of September.
BirdLife’s Linton camp. However, you must book through the No Crested Bellbird, Red-capped Robin or even Willie
national office and comply with COVID-19 restrictions. KS Wagtail were spotted.
In fact, all Robins were very scarce - only one Scarlet
Challenge Bird Count cancelled Robin and very few Eastern Yellows.
COVID-19 pandemic causes organisers concern The increased usage of the parks, including ranger
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, this December’s Challenge tracks, did not seem to have had any negative impact
Bird Count has been cancelled. on our birdlife.
Camera-buff numbers seemed to be down; we
Superb Parrot Count for locals emphasize ethical birding practices at ALL times.
From Sue Logie It has been a wonderful season for wildflowers within
COVID-19 restrictions have forced Sue’s committee to use only the parks, with a very good variety in some sections.
local residents of the Nathalia District for the count this year, The Echidnas have been very busy again.
with no lunch.
I’m not seeing any of our cute little Yellow-footed
• As indicated in the last issue, both the Echuca Native Flower Antechinus lately.
Expo and the Friends Weekend at Terrick Terrick National Park Keep enjoying the lovely spring weather folks. It’s so
were cancelled. KS great to be able to be out and about.
~ Ken Dredge, 1 October 2020
PAGE 4 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 PLAINS-WANDERER
Report of August EWAG meeting
The North Central CMA advisory group for the Kerang and Boort wetlands met in August via the internet. Information
was provided on the provision of environmental water in 2019-20 and the plans and allocations for 2020-21.
The main issue discussed was the extent of tall marsh vegetation in Johnson Swamp, Hird Swamp and McDonalds
Swamp. A program of slashing has occurred at McDonalds Swamp which has reduced the area of vegetation. There
was some discussion about spraying and controlled burning but considerable planning and further discussion would be
needed.
Lake Cullen, Little Lake Meran and Johnson Swamp have now entered a drying phase so no more watering will happen
there.
Seasonal watering plans and statements are published on the Victorian Environmental Water Holder website. Here are
some extracts of the statements relevant to the Bendigo-Echuca area.
https://www.vewh.vic.gov.au/news-and-publications/seasonal-watering-statements
Authorised volumes
Wetland name Volume (ML)*
Wirra-Lo Wetland Complex 1,000#
Lake Elizabeth 1,500#
Round Lake 1,000#
Third Reedy Lake 10,000#
Hird Swamp 2,800
McDonalds Swamp 1,400
Richardson Lagoon 3,200
Guttrum Forest 800
Total 21,700 ML
Wetland name Volume (ML)
Lake Meran 2,200
Lake Yando 1,200
Lake Leaghur 2,000
Total 5,400 ML
Wetland name Volume (ML)*
Horseshoe Lagoon 200#
Doctors Swamp 500#
Gaynor Swamp 1,000#
Kanyapella Basin 500
Total 2,200 ML
* Water use per site may be varied in consultation with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, but the total volume
authorised must not be exceeded.
# = full year demand
Authorisation to use water holdings
The Victorian Environmental Water Holder Office is authorised to use up to 397,000 ML of water from the Water
Holdings in Barmah Forest and the Murray River. This water is made available by the Victorian Environmental Water
Holder and Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and can be used under the Bulk Entitlement River Murray –
Flora and Fauna Conversion Order 1999 (allocation accounts 068157, 086322, 094003, 043265, 105075, 102506,
108630, 108631, 062294, 091243, 107185, 107193, 043398, 062295), and clause 10 and schedule 6 of the
entitlement held by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder.
This authorisation includes:
• up to 22,000 ML committed by the Victorian Environmental Water Holder, including up to 10,000 ML of the Barmah-
Millewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation
• up to 350,000 ML made in accordance with a decision by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder
communicated through the Commonwealth Watering Schedule – 2020-21 Victorian Murray, executed on 1 July 2020
• up to 25,000 ML of the Living Murray water committed in accordance with a decision of the Southern Connected Basin
Aussie Backyard Bird Count
This year’s Aussie Backyard Bird Count attracted more than 150,000 surveys from all over Australia. BirdLife was
still crunching the numbers when this issue was “put to bed”, but over 4.9 million birds were counted. Although
the count has finished for another year, you can keep on counting by taking part in the Birds in Backyards Spring
Surveys.
PAGE 5
Notice of
Notice of Annual
Annual General
General Meeting
Meeting
BIRDLIFE BENDIGO-ECHUCA DISTRICT
NOTICE OF 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
13/12/2020 – 12.00pm, Echuca Village Public Hall (403 Mitchell Road)
Chair: Ben Goonan
Members are given notice the Annual General Meeting of BirdLife Bendigo-Echuca District will be held at
Echuca Village Public Hall (403 Mitchell Road, Echuca Village), commencing 12.00pm, Sunday 13 December
2020.
Business to be conducted:
• Reports from the committee
• Annual Financial Statement
• Election of office bearers and other positions
Voting by proxy:
A member may appoint another person as a proxy for the meeting to vote and/or speak on their behalf. To
do this, fill out the form below. A proxy form appointing a proxy is of no effect unless it is received no later
than 24 hours before the commencement of the Meeting (i.e. 12:00pm, 12/12/2020). Return to Secretary
in person, by post or via email.
An optional birdwatching walk/drive will be undertaken before the AGM commencing 9:30am.
We will be walking in the Kanyapella Basin reserve and Murray River reserve. These are both attractive
settings and a good range of birds may be encountered, even in hot weather. Standard COVID-19
requirements will apply, see Participant Information Sheet attached.
After the AGM there will be a bring-your-own lunch (no shared food) to celebrate the past year.
Kitchen facilities available: fridge, oven, microwave, cutlery, and crockery.
Register attendance or more information, contact: bendigoechuca@birdlife.org.au
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BirdLife Bendigo-Echuca District Proxy Appointment Form 2020
Name of member:
Name of proxy (may be the Chair or any other person):
Instructions to proxy, or appoint proxy to vote as required:
Signature of member/date (or type name if completing electronically):
Return to the Secretary. A proxy form appointing a proxy is of no effect unless it is received no later than
24 hours before the commencement of the meeting (i.e. 12:00pm, 12/12/2020).
Return form to, or ask a question at: bendigoechuca@birdlife.org.au
Return form by post to: PO Box 28 North Bendigo, VIC 3550
PAGE 6 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 PLAINS-WANDERER
Notice of Annual General Meeting
BIRDLIFE BENDIGO-ECHUCA DISTRICT NOMINATION FORM
2021 COMMITTEE AND NON-COMMITTEE POSITIONS
Nominations are now open for the election of the 2021 committee and to fill other non-committee
positions. Nominations close 15/11/2020, 28 days prior to the AGM. All nominations received at this
time will be advertised to members. For positions without a nomination at this time, nominations will be
called for from the floor of the AGM, but the member being nominated must be present at the meeting. For
positions where only one nomination is received, the nominee is elected unopposed. Only BirdLife Bendigo-
Echuca District members may vote or stand for the committee, however, supporters may stand for other
non-committee positions. The committee can appoint a member or supporter to a position after the AGM if
it remains vacant.
Committee positions include:
• President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• General Committee Member
Committee nomination for position of:
Member being nominated (name, signature and date):
Nominated by (member name, signature and date):
Seconded by (member name, signature and date):
Note: forms completed electronically do not require a handwritten signature, typed name is accepted.
Return email must contain confirmation of the nominee’s acceptance.
Other non-committee positions include:
• Newsletter Editor
• Website Manager
• Conservation Officer
• Facebook Administrator
Non-committee nomination for position of:
Member/supporter being nominated (name, signature and date):
Nominated by (member name, signature and date):
Seconded by (member name, signature and date):
Note: forms completed electronically do not require a handwritten signature, typed name is accepted.
Return email must contain confirmation of the nominee’s acceptance.
Return form to, or ask a question at: bendigoechuca@birdlife.org.au
Return form by post to: PO Box 28 North Bendigo, VIC 3550
PAGE 7
Outing Reports
• Because of COVID-19 restrictions, some outings were cancelled. In order to comply with COVID-19 restrictions,
members had to register to attend those outings that went ahead. For many months during 2020, NSW members were
restricted to a “border bubble” and allowed to travel only a limited distance into Victoria. Ed.
Big Day Out: Boort
By Ben Goonan
Back in July, during the short break in COVID-19 lockdown restrictions (and before they were reintroduced), a group of
six gathered at the Little Lake Boort lakeside car park early on a fresh morning to be briefed on the day’s plan by leader
Malcolm Cousland. The weather was cool and overcast but clearing after overnight rain. Highlights here were Blue-faced
Honeyeater and Musk Lorikeet feeding in flowering gums.
The first stop on our tour of Little Lake Boort was at reed beds on the eastern side of the lake. Here we heard Little
Grassbird and spotted an Australasian Darter among the other usual waterbirds and urban-edge dwellers. Opposite the
reed beds in an overflow pond, currently with open areas of mud and turf, the group was fortunate to have fantastic
views of two Black-tailed Native-hen before they disappeared into the grass. Just around from the reed beds, at another
lakeside stop, we added Black Swan with two cygnets and Pied Butcherbird.
Further around the lake, at the southern end, we observed a male Australasian Darter catch and eventually swallow a
carp (see Lenka’s image). Here we also found two Tawny Frogmouth roosting in a Black Box. These trees are indicative of
the remnant vegetation that once surrounded the wetland and good habitat for many species.
MALE AUSTRALASIAN DARTER SWALLOWING A CARP
Photo: Lenka Schirmer
At our final stop on the western edge we found two Nankeen Night-Heron roosting in an exceptionally large Moreton Bay
Fig. Here we also observed a group of both Long-billed (two only) and Little Corella, many of which were ‘playing’ in two
palms, striping off leaf material.
Species observed at most stops around the lake included Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Crested Pigeon, Tree Martin,
Australian Raven, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Pelican, Purple Swamphen and Eurasian Coot.
A dry-phase Lake Lyndger was the next site we visited. This Red Gum swamp just on the edge of town is a large reserve
and, although it is hydrologically modified, serves as a good example of what many of the wetlands in the area would
have been like before their destruction. Walking east around the southern perimeter through the Black Box woodland we
observed Willie Wagtail, Brown Treecreeper and Grey Shrike-thrush. A highlight at this site was an encounter with a
group of Grey-crowned Babbler.
Before lunch we had a quick look at the Salt Lake on the western side of town, with its remnants of Samphire shrubland,
and were rewarded with clear views of a White-winged Fairy-wren displaying. Also observed were Silver Gull with chicks,
Singing Honeyeater, Black Kite and Whistling Kite.
...continued/
PAGE 8 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 PLAINS-WANDERER
Outing Reports continued
Boort Outing (continued from previous page)
The afternoon saw us heading further north to Lake Meran and Little Lake Meran, another two wetlands that form part of a
string of riverine floodplain waterholes between Boort and Kerang. Here the group observed Great Cormorant, White-faced
Heron and Hoary-headed Grebe. A few Common Froglets were also heard calling. On the south-eastern edge of the lake in
the distance we noticed a White-bellied Sea-Eagle nest and after some observation the group noticed an adult bird sitting
in a dead tree nearby. Here the weather closed in and steady rain developed.
The final stop for the day, in between afternoon showers, was Little Lake Meran. After receiving environmental water
earlier in the year, the water level was now receding, and some Pied Stilt were observed wading in the shallows. We also
got Australasian Grebe and Masked Lapwing. Two woodland species, Grey Fantail and Striated Pardalote, were added to
the list, and another group of Grey-crowned Babbler were heard calling about the southern edge. At nearly three o’clock
the group decided to call it a day.
Sixty-two species were observed across the five sites and everybody had a thoroughly enjoyable day. Thanks Malcolm!
BLACK-TAILED NATIVE-HEN AT BOORT TAWNY FROGMOUTH IN A BLACK BOX
Photo: Lenka Schirmer Photo: Malcolm Cousland
Report these
Please report sightings of the following birds:
• White-bellied Sea-Eagle in Barmah-Millewa Forest to Bruce Wehner
• White-throated Needletail to Michael Tarburton
• Plains-wanderer to
• Regent Honeyeater and/or Swift Parrot to
• Little Raven with leg band/s to Kasun Ekanayake
Members are invited to post details of interesting sightings to our email sightings tree and/or on our “Facebook” page.
Sightings may also be forwarded to Birdline Victoria
PAGE 9
Outing reports continued
DIAMOND FIRETAIL AT MOUNT KORONG
Photo: Murray Chambers
Mount Korong Excursion
By John Lindner
Participants: Scott Eaton (leader), Malcolm Cousland (leader), Murray Chambers, Martin Woodward, Felicity
Woodward, John Connor, Ben Goonan John Lindner
Weather: Sunny, but mostly cool due to the breeze.
Activities: The morning was spent walking along the east side Boundary Road for about 2 kilometres. Short forays
were made off the road to try to get closer to birds like the Gilbert’s Whistler.
After lunch at the picnic area, we drove up the West Boundary
Road for about a kilometre or so before walking along the road and
back. We were able to compile a pretty good bird list, with some
excellent observations of many key species for this area (indicated
by *).
Habitat : The habitat at Mount Korong is ideal for small birds. It
consists particularly of thick clumps of Granite Wattle (Acacia
paucijuga), which was luxuriantly thick with fresh new growth.
There were only a few hints of flowers, but plenty of buds and
green pods from past flowering. There are other shrubs (e.g.
Wallowa Wattle) and trees (e.g. River Red Gum, Yellow Box).
Other important habitat components were open spaces on the
ground; dense masses of Grey Mistletoe (Ayema quandang) on
acacias; numerous dead shrub skeletons amongst and poking
above the cover. Birds perching in this dead material were certainly
easier to see than when amongst living foliage. Some interesting
flowering plants, only in small patches, were Snowy Mint-bush,
Rock Isotome and a tiny, white paper daisy. Generally, however,
the groundcover was dominated by weedy grasses and herbs.
The east side of the Mount Korong massif is less steep and more
open on the slopes, with some wonderfully-sculptured granite
formations. The west side is much steeper and the vegetation very
dense.
Right: PAINTED HONEYEATER AT MT KORONG
Photo: Murray Chambers
PAGE 10 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 PLAINS-WANDERERMt. Korong Report (continued)
FEMALE HOODED ROBIN AT MT KORONG
Photo: Murray Chambers
Bird list
White-browed Babbler (small parties)
Rainbow Bee-eater (mostly passing overhead)
Wedge-tailed Eagle (two birds perched for a while high up on the skyline), Brown Falcon, Brown Goshawk
Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo (heard)
Superb Fairy-wren
*Diamond Firetail (good sightings on both west and east)
*Mistletoebird (hard to see but quite vocal)
Willie Wagtail
Honeyeaters - *Spiny-cheeked (very vocal but often cryptic), Red Wattlebird, White-plumed, *Singing (another bird
which stays concealed a lot), *Painted (only heard on the east side, but finally nailed on the west side by tracking
their loud and quite varied calls, and being very persistent), Black-chinned (heard), New Holland (easily detectable
by their habit of popping up on bare twigs for a look around) and Brown-headed
Laughing Kookaburra and Sacred Kingfisher
Australian Magpie
Spotted Pardalote
Parrots – Galah, Red-rumped Parrot, Long-billed Corella, Eastern Rosella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
*Hooded Robin (good sightings on both sides of the mountain)
Grey Shrike-thrush
Rufous Songlark (heard)
Brown Treecreeper
*White-winged Triller
*Gilbert’s Whistler (a bird with a range of calls, some very loud and persistent, but with a remarkable ability to stay
concealed, assisted by its grey plumage) and Rufous Whistler
*Southern Whiteface (small group of birds, eastern side)
Powlett Swamp
On the way home we made a stop at Powlett Swamp, which is located about 14 kilometres east of Mount Korong.
This is a small Red Gum wetland, which must somehow receive water via old channels in the Loddon River plain.
Birds observed there were as follows:
Rainbow Bee-eater
Peregrine Falcon and Whistling Kite
Pied Butcherbird
Ducks - Pink-eared Duck (1), Grey Teal, Pacific Black Duck
Common Starling
Striated Pardalote
Parrots – Galah, Corella (Little ?), Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cockatiel
Yellow-billed Spoonbill
Below: PEREGRINE FALCON AT POWLETT SWAMP
Photo: Murray Chambers
PAGE 11Interesting sightings
Grey-crowned Babbler A visit to Horseshoe Lagoon
By Surong Gunn
• Despite cloudy weather, the Gunns decided to visit
Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama, on 23rd October 2020. Ed.
We decided to visit Horseshoe Lagoon today despite the
cloudy weather.
The usual birds in the area were very active and
accompanied by other, unusual birds.
One of the highlights was a Dollarbird. It is back in the
area again. Last year I saw two. Today, only one – 100
metres off the walking bridge, high up in the dead
branch of a tree.
The greatest activity was in the swamp area – the
In mid-October, when visiting Judy and Andy McGillivray’s swamp is full. I saw Grey Teal and Pacific Black Duck
grassland (photos on Pages 1 and 2), Audrey Dickins and with young in different stages, generally in clutches of
Jenny Spence sighted a Grey-crowned Babbler. four or six. More exciting was two Australasian Grebes
Source: email from Audrey with young, one each, on one side of the lake. Two Adult
Australasian Grebes with three young were on the side
Hundreds of Brolgas with Cranes near a new footpath: a total of five young ones with four
adult Australasian Grebes.
This is the first year I’ve noticed Little Pied Cormorants
sitting on a nest in a small tree in the middle of the lake.
Some youngsters were nearly full size, begging for
food.
Another bird worth mentioning was a Little Friarbird with
a nest atop a tree, at the end of a small track to the
lake. Two White-breasted Woodswallows were seen.
White-browed Scrubwrens were in good numbers.
White-throated Treecreepers were sharing the forest
with Brown Treecreepers. Superb Fairy-wrens were
Recently, whilst travelling from Normanton to Karumba, running around, chasing each other. A Sacred Kingfisher
Barney Enders observed hundreds of Brolgas, amongst which was seen and calling to announce it was back.
were some Sarus Cranes. The red comes further down the
neck of Sarus Cranes compared to Brolgas, and the cranes
have reddish rather than grey legs. Dollarbirds
Source: email from Barney. Early in November, Bernadette Haywood observed and
photographed Dollarbirds at the Simmie Road Wetlands,
Scarlet invasion of Heathcote Echuca Village, and in Horseshoe Lagoon, Moama.
On 23rd October, Scott Eaton reported that Heathcote had Source: Branch’s “Facebook” page
been invaded by lots of Scarlet Honeyeaters. There were at
least three in Ebden Street’s Ash trees, one near the northern
end of the oval/sports complex near Wright St, and two along
the creek/in oaks at the showground along Caldwell Street.
Source: BirdLife Bendigo Echuca Email Sightings Tree
(BBEDEST).
A bird survey at Kow Swamp
In mid-October, Audrey Dickins and Sharyn O’Brien conducted a bird survey at Kow (Ghow) Swamp. They observed 55
bird species that day. Audrey photographed some of the birds that they observed.
PAGE 12 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 PLAINS-WANDERERInteresting sightings continued
Early in October, Malcolm Cousland and Murray Chambers observed an unusual bird low in the undergrowth in a section
of State Forest near Strathfieldsaye. After some discussion, they determined it to be a juvenile Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
A pair of Chestnut-rumped Heathwrens soon appeared and proceeded to ferry food to the much larger juvenile bird at a
frenetic rate. The process was always very similar. The cuckoo would fly to a low branch in the undergrowth and wait,
often impatiently, for its next meal. The heathwren would approach, usually indirectly, with a series of short flight
bursts, hopping and running. The cuckoo often flew lower to the ground to a more sheltered area to receive its juicy
grub. It would then peck the heathwren on the rump as if to say "Don't hang about; you have work to do; go get me
another grub!"
This process was conducted in almost total silence. Some barely audible contact calling occurred between the
heathwrens. The cuckoo was "visibly" calling for much of the time. However, we assumed the calls to be so highly
pitched as to be inaudible to the human ear. All three birds seemed to be aware of the whereabouts of each other at all
times. Photographing the event was extremely challenging due to the thick and tangled nature of the undergrowth and
the need to avoid unnecessary stress. It was an absolute privilege to be able to witness such an unusual event. We felt
sympathy for the foster parents, knowing that the ungrateful "child" would leave them forever within a few days. Photos
continued over page. ~ Murray Chambers
PAGE 13Interesting sightings continued PAGE 14 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2020 PLAINS-WANDERER
Quizes and puzzles
What bird species am I? Five-question Quiz
Moama’s Mark Tscharke snapped the bird below during his
2020 Queensland visit. Can you identify the species?
Photo: Barney Enders
1. Identify the freshwater bird pictured above.
A Brolga
B Sarus Crane
C Black-necked Stork (male)
D Greater Flamingo
E Glossy Ibis (juvenile)
2. Grus rubicunda is the scientific name for
which of the following?
A Brolga
B Sarus Crane
C Black-necked Stork
D Greater Flamingo
E Glossy Ibis
Photo: Mark Tscharke 3. In which of the following areas is the Sarus
Crane most common?
A Northern Victoria and southern
(Riverina) NSW
B Arnhem Land
C Kakadu National Park
D Cape York and Carpentaria Lowlands
ANSWERS ARE ON PAGE 16 E North-eastern NSW and south-eastern
Queensland
4. In October 2020, which bird species did Scott
Eaton claim to have invaded Heathcote?
5. How many bird species did Audrey Dickins
and Sharyn O’Brien record during their October
2020 bird survey of Kow Swamp?
Cryptic questions
Can you identify the following birds – all of which can be found in
Australia - from these clues?
1 Tony’s mistake
2 Mark’s sarcastic remark
3 Len’s clip H2O
4 Fast average decay
5 Bird with state’s (or queen’s) firearm
6 Practice fighting in line
7 Small William
H A T E
Get the bird!
Use the 16 letters in the table to the right to find a bird (two words). Write your answer on O V E R
the dashed line below:
N I R Y
______ _____ _____
E D E A
PAGE 15Information about BirdLife Bendigo-Echuca District activities
DATE EVENT/AREA MEETING TIME and PLACE LEADER
Sunday 22 nd
Outing: Whipstick Meet 8.50am for 9.00am, George’s Scott Eaton
November Bakehouse Huntly car park, off Burgoyne
Street, Huntly.
Sunday 13th AGM and end-of-year function Meet 9.30am at Echuca Village Hall, Ben Goonan
December Echuca Village Hall, Mitchell Road, for bird walk/drive, then
Kanyapella Basin and AGM/lunch from 12.00pm.
Murray River reserve
Sunday 10th January Outing: Moama Wetlands Meet 7.20am for 7.30am, on elevated Keith Stockwell
2021 walkway opposite Moama Bowling Club
Moama (alongside rail bridge).
Sunday 14th February Outing: Deniliquin Meet 8.50am for 9.00am, opposite Tom Wheller
2021 Deniliquin Town Hall, at entrance to Island
Sanctuary.
Outings are automatically cancelled (without notification) on days where a Severe Fire Danger rating (or higher) or
other Severe Weather Warning has been issued. Check the Bureau of Meteorology and Country Fire Authority
websites.
CONTACT THE SECRETARY bendigoechuca@birdlife.org.au for details.
Program may be updated/changed; please ensure you check the latest version.
Participants must register to attend outings/events. COVID-19 guidelines are on Participant Information Sheet.
FIVE-QUESTION QUIZ
1 B Sarus Crane CRYPTICS
2 A Brolga 1 Abbot’s Booby
3 D Cape York and Carpentaria Lowlands GET THE BIRD!
2 Latham’s Snipe
4 Scarlet Honeyeater Varied Honeyeater
3 Hutton’s Shearwater
5 55 4 Swift Parrot
5 Victoria’s Riflebird
WHAT BIRD SPECIES AM I?
6 Sparrow
Regent Bowerbird
7 Weebill
BirdLife Bendigo-Echuca District aims to serve BirdLife BirdLife Bendigo Echuca District
Australia members who reside in northern Victoria A BRANCH WITHIN BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA
(Campaspe, Gannawarra and Loddon Shires, City of Greater ACN 149 124 774
Bendigo, and surrounds) and southern NSW (Edward River
and Murray River Shires, and surrounding areas).
2020 COMMITTEE
Members with a known email address receive a quarterly Convener: Ben Goonan
newsletter (Plains-wanderer) plus occasional (usually bendigoechucapresident@birdlife.org.au
monthly) email updates.
Join on the internet by visiting www.birdlife.org.au and Secretary: Matthew Comer
clicking on the JOIN button. This branch does not charge a bendigoechuca@birdlife.org.au
separate membership fee. Treasurer: Malcolm Cousland
We have a ”Facebook” page:
www.facebook.com/groups/333219706876981 Committee John Connor
members: Russell Holdaway
Website: birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-bendigo-echuca- Lucinda Moon
district Simon SmithYou can also read
