R.gbt-d by NUMBER 57 A u s h l h k a MARCH 1991M b nNo.WBHl463

Western Australian Bird Notes

Quarterly Newsletter of the W.A. Group Royal Australaslan Ornlthologlsts Unlon

The Gull-billed Tern are again nesting on a small island in the unnamed lake within the Stirling Range National Park, the same location as in 1988 (reported in W.A. Bird Notes number 49. March 1989).

On the 24 November 1990 I visited the unnamed lake and waded through 300 millimettes of water tothe island. At first Silver Gull began to harrass me, but shortly afternardsa few 'Gull-billed Tern were overhead.

In 1988 the tern nests were located at the western end of the island. This year 6 nests were located in the centte, on the north side of the island. There were also 6 nests in 1988. Two nests were amongst small patches of dry grass and both of these made extensive useof chygrassas nesting material. The other 4 nests were constructed of small granite chips with a very small amount of grass usedas lining. Five nests had 2 eggs and one had one chick and an egg half a metre away.

A total of 8 adult Gull-billed Tern were seen in the area The use of different amounts of grass and granite chips

seemed to be determined by the closeness of the actual nest sites to either dry grass clumps or granite rockon the island.

It may be that this island is a regular breeding site for the Gull-billed Tern when sufficient water surrounds the island.

A. RoEe

Please send details of sightings to 'Observations Officer' at the W.A. Office of the RAOU. Please provide details of number. location, date and other relevant notes. Unusual sightings should be accompanied by field notes.

Preliminary checking of the following observations has been undertaken but further scrutiny should be given prior to inclusion in any official or technical report. This list of observations mainly covers the period from October 1990 to January 1991.

Compiled by Rodney Vervest.

DOWN SOUTH Hoary-headed Grebe - 600,18112190, Lake McLarty - MCr Red-tailed Tropicbird - 4,9112190, Pelsaert Island - DM Pacific Heron - 25,3/12/90, Lake Forrestdale - TK * 1,

At 0715 hours on the 30 October 1990 a thump was heard on the front window of our house in the Stirling Range National Park. When I looked out of the window a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo was lying on the verandah and to my surprise a Yellow-rumped Thornbill was standing on topof it, pecking at it and very vocal. Another Yellow-rumped Thornbill in a nearby Eucalyptus wandoo was also very noisy. The cuckoo was dead.

The Yellow-rumped Thornbill had a nest in the Wandoo near the verandah and I assumed that the Shining Bronze- Cuckoo(lateridentified as a female Shining Bronze-Cuckoo) was attempting to parasitis the Yellow-rumped Thombill nest

The cuckoo had a well developed brood patch and later inspection revealed a pale blue egg in the oviduct

The cuckoo's wing length (104mm). tail length (70mm) and head bill (35.2) measurements were taken, but eye colour was not

A. Rose

23/12/90. Alfred Cove -TP,CW Great Egret - 85,311191, Lake McLarty -JH.TK Eastern Reef Egret - 1,20/1/9 1, Lake Joondalup South -RN, F'T Rufous Night Heron - 60.4/1/91, Kogolup Lake - DJ Little Bittern - 1,27112190, Thomsons Lake - MCr Sacred Ibis - 200+, 29/10/90, Manjimup - AM Freckled Duck - 2 pair with 5 and 4 downy runners respec- tively, 4/9/90, Scots Lake, Watheroo - PS * 1,13/10/90, The Spectacles-DJ *6,28/10/90,GibbsRoad Swamp -DJ *2,191 12/90, Gibbs Road Swamp - PH * 1, 2311191, McCarleys Swamp -FD Chestnut Teal - 2 with 6 downy young, 2019190, Carra- bunyup NR (Peel-Harvey) - JS, HS * 1 male in eclipse plum- age, 12/1/91, Thomsons Lake - JH et al

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RAOU 0mcc ln WA:

Telephone: RAOU Birdlng Hothe Chairman:

Editor:

Room 218,15 Ogilvie Road, Canning Bridge W.A. 6153 (09)364 6202 (09)364 7349 B Wilson. 46 Farrant Smet, k e b u r y Hill 6076 Telephone(09) 293 1094 Bruce Buchanan. P 0Box 10, Wannatnal6505

The Editor requests contributors to note the following -

* copy concerning W.A. birds may be published; sightings etc in respect of birds outside W.A. willnot normally be in-cluded.* write legibly or type,DOUBLESPACED.* use RAOU recommended English names for W.A. birds -a list is available at the W.A. RAOU Office. * copy will be edited w h considtrcd appmpriate.

DEADLINE FOR JUNE 1931 ISSUE IS FRIDAY 19TH APRIL 1990

Square-tailed Kite - 1,25111/90,Wungong Gorge - BB et al * 2,26/1/91, Martin - RS Brown Goshawk - nesting, 5/12/90, Kings Park - PH * 1.61 12/90, Riverton Bridge - JH Collared Sparrowhawk - 1,6/12/90, Riverton Bridge - JH Little Eagle - 1 pair (1 light and 1 dark phase), 6/12/90, Riverton Bridge - JH Peregrine Fakon - 1,21/10/90, Blue Gum Lake, Booragoon - MC et a1 * 1,29/11/90, Herdsman Lake - FO * 1, 14/1/91, Wesfeeds Silo Bentley - JH * 1,28/1/9 1, The Esplanade Perth - GL, IL * 1,10/2./91, Wesfeeds Silo Bentley - JH Malleefowl - 1 pair, 1411 1/90, Dryandra - BB, MC et al Buff-banded Rail - 1 pair with young, 6/12/90, Riverton Bridge - JH Baillon's Crake - 10,27/12/90, Thomsons Lake - MCr Spotless Crake -2 immatures, 25/12/90. Perry Lakes - SF,AF * 22,27112/90, Thomsons Lake - MCr Red-kneed Dotterel - 19,3/1/91, Amarillo Pool - JH, TK Hooded Plover - 14 nests with eggs, 2311 1/90, Station Lake, Esperance - BM Red-capped Plover - 1500, 21/12/90, on beach near Mill Point Road Freeway turnoff - MO Eastern Curlew - 3,23/1/91, Australind - GL Wood Sandpiper - 1, 23/12/90, Herdsman Lake -RN,PT * 60, 27112p0, Lake McLarty - MCr * 51, 3/1/91, Lake McLarty - JH, TK Grey-tailed Tattler - 1,28/12/90, Cooclanup area(Peel Inlet) - DM Terek Sandpiper - 1,2011 1/90, Attadale foreshore - JD Black-tailed Godwit - 3,16/1/91, Thomsons Lake - PH Bqr-tailed Godwit - 250,511 1/90, Alfred Cove - FO *400+, 3-4/12/90, Peel Harvey Inlet - FO Pectoral Sandpiper - 1,4/1/91, Kogolup Lake - DJ * 2,161 1/91, Kogolup Lake - PH Long-toed Stint - 2,3/12/90. Lake Forrestdale - TK * 11, 22/12/90, Lake Forrestdale - TK, DJ * 24,3/1/91, Amarillo Pool - JH, TK *29,5/1/91, KogolupLake - DJ * 10,16/1/91, Kogolup Lake - PH Sanderling - 11,3/1/91, Two Rocks - DM Arctic Jaeger - 1,20/1/91,Woodman Point - RN

Pomarine Jaeger - 3,15/1/91, Point Anne, Fitzgerald River N.P. - SN Common Tern - 17,28/12/90, sea wall at Mandurah - DM Fairy Tern - 2 breeding colonies, North Mole - LH Brush Bronzewing - 2,26/12/90, Molloy Island - BF, DJ Little Corella - 75+. 2011 1/90, Maddington -ML * 200+, 2711 1/90, Lilac Park Cricket Oval AM Regent Parrot - 49, 20111190, Wandi - MU * 7,411U90, Moora - CM I

Budgerigar - 6 at Bluff Kndl turnoff in Stirling Range N.P. i - AR * 200,411U90, M- - CM 1 Crimson Rosella - 1 Male, 18llp 1,Wungong Gorge - BMc Mulga Parrot - 3.22/11/90, Mt Harding-NR- PJ 1 Pallid Cuckoo - large young in Willie Wagtail's nest, 22/11/ I 90, Mt Harding NR - PJ Southern Boobook - 2 juveniles, 12/11/90, Dryandra - BB, MC etal Fork-tailed Swift - 10-12,8/1/91, Burns Beach -MR Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike - 20,21/12/90, Kelmscott - GM White-winged TriUer - severalpairs, 22/11/90, Mt Harding NR -P$ White-browed Babbler - family party, 2211 1/90, DuckPo01 N MeenaarHill -PJ * family party, 22/11/90, Mt Harding NR - PJ Rufous Songlark - 1 singing male, 2211 1/90, N MeenaarHill - PJ White-winged Fairy-wren - 2,14110190, Lake Joondalup -MBr Southern Emu-wren - 3,26112/90, Molloy Island - BF, DJ * 1 pair, 27/12/90, near Margaret River - JHu, CW Red Wafflebird - 2 feeding on bees, 8110/90,21/10/90, Lake Joondalup - NH Varied Sittella - 6,8110/90, Lake Joondalup - NH Spotted Pardalote - 2 feeding young, 511 1/90, Applecross garden - FO Zebra Finch - 11,30/12/90, Kelmscott - GM Black-faced Woodswallow - 200+ in small groups, 3/12/90, Mumy/Wmna Shires - FO

UP NORTH Black Bittern - 1, 14/11/90, Crossing Pool, Millstream Chichester N.P. - JB Bush Thick-knee - 1, 16/11/90, Snake Creek, Millstream Chichester N.P. - JB Ruff - 1, 14/11/90, Camp Curlewis Sewerage Farm, Mill- stream Chichester NS. - JB Rufous-efiraaed Em~t-wren - 3, July 90,Well 49 - Canning Smk Route - BMe Red-browed Pardalote - 1,2611 1/90, Argyle Minesite - FO

KEY TO OBSERVER CODES AM - A Malcolm JHu - Jenny Hunt AR - Allan Rose JS - John Start BB - Bryan Barrett LH - Les Harris BF - Bryony Fremlin MBr - Mary Bremner BM -Bob Malone MC - Margery Clegg BMe - Barbara Meredith MCr - Michael Craig BMc - Bill McRoberts ML -Mark Lane CM - Claire Mercer MO -Margaret Owen CW - ChrisWilder MR - Mavis Russell DJ - David James MU - Murray Unkovich DM - Dusty Millar NH - Neil Hamilton FD - Frank Doyle PH - Peel Howden FO - Frank O'Connor PJ - Peter Jacoby GL - Graham Little PS - Paul Sinderberry GM - Greg Marston PT - Patricia Todd HS - Helen Start RN - Richard Nowotny IL - Ingrid Little RS - Rod Smith JD - Jack Donohoe SN - Simon Nevill M - Jack Hunt TK - Tony Kukby

TP - Thelma Palmer

A number of people have already registered for the Congress.

A surcharge of $5 fur late registration is now applicable.

further details are required please contact the RAOU (WA Group).

I If you intend to be at theCongress Iplease register soon.

SC OPEWEST Greetings to all SCOPEWESTERS

As I write this, the last batch of January 91 data is being entered and once again full coverage of SCOPEWEST sites hasbeen achieved. Many small wetlands were dry in January 91 and larger, more permanent wetlands have been markedly lower than the previous January count

Spectacular concentrations of waterbirds at some metro- politan wetlands have resulted, i.e. 18J00 individuals counted on ThomsonsLake. Several lakes in the study areaheld more than 2000 waterbirds.

Some 1500 surveys have been achieved so far with up to 150 people involved. Analysis of thedam has yet to begin in earnestsostatistics of waterbird usageonindividualwetlands is not readily available yet. I hope to enter major SCOPE-WEST sites onto my PC soon and generate user-friendly tables. If at any stage you would like summary information fur your site asites nearby, please ring me at the office and I will endeavour to providedetails.

A diary of special waterbird surveys is currently being drawn up and will be posted out with the April allocations. SCOPEWEST participants are encouraged to attend these outings which will specialise in field survey techniques. The first of these -am@r survey of the Vasse-Wonnerup Estuary

conducted by tbetime youreceivethis issue of WA Bird Notes.

Please ring and book your place on future surveys some of which will have limited numbers.

ANNUAL WATERFOWL COUNT Data have been entered for the November 90 count and I

would especially like to thank Rose Jones and Chris Wilder for helping out at short notice.

The tally for individual waterfowl species from 980 wet- lands amass to a total of ca. 195,000 birds (*see note below). The count is a record for any November count thus far and is possibly a reflection of earlier widespread breeding activity. Rainfall in the winter months preceeding the count was average to above average in the southern half of W.A. provid- ing good breeding opportunities. Temperatures were gener- ally above average throughout the study area in September1 November 90. A comparison of evaporation rates between November 89 and November 90 (see Meteorological Bureau Reports) show a marked increase in 1990. This may have

resulted in an early contraction of birds (Black Swan, Grey Teal and Eurasian Coot) to wetlands in late November 90, hence a larger total. The increase in the number of Hardhead (almost double) may be the result of influx from outside the study area. The low number of Blue-billed Duck appears to be a decnxsein representation in theirmost significant region (Gingin) though data are still to come in.

Preliminary f~uresfor November 90 (including previously established November totals) are presented below:

NOV 90 NOV89 NOV88

Black Swan FkckledLhack Australian She1dlIc.k PacificBhck Duck Grcy Chestnut Teal Awtnhcim Shmelcr PinL-carcdDuck Hudhead M d D u c k Bluebilled Duck Musk Duck exotic ducks unidentified ducks h i a n Coot

The 199 1 March Count (9th - 17th) is the last count under the present contract with CALM. Many observers have ex- pressed dismay at the prospect of discontinuing the duck counts. We do however have another p.oposalwhich isnow being considered and I hope to be able to report on progress with it soon.

Fur those of you active in the waterbird research program me, I would like to takean opportunity to askyou to enour- age at least one other person to become involved with RAOU research activities. This is a meaningful and effective way of expssing your conservation initiative - while we encroach on every corner of our natural heritage, our native birds depend on i t

* Data sheets are still outstanding and I urge participants to send them in assoon as possible so we can adjust our figures for the Report

Rodney Vervest Waterbirds Officer

BROOME BIRD OBSERVATORY All readers will be aware that Gail and I plan to leave

Broome Bird Observatory halfway through April and go back to more-or-less "normal" living. We have been Wardens for a little over four years. In the main we have enjoyed the experience and we have certainly met a lot of wonderful people and have made many friends. We take this opportu- nity to thank all the members of the RAOU (WA Group) for their support and kindness and in particular the past and present members of the State Committee for their assistance. expressed in a multitude of ways.

3

As Wardens we expect to seethe unexpected in the realm of bird sightings. We believe Bmme will see and record a number of unusual birds in the coming years. Nevertheless we were amazed on the 26th November, 1990 when banding in a garden on the northern edge of Bmme townsite to catch an adult Rosecrowned Fruitdove in our nets. Our first thought was that it was an escapeefrom the Wildlife Park, but an enquiry proved that it was not. S m (1980) states that small numbers are sometimes found at Cygnet Bay - about 200 km to the north. It seems likely that birds were forced further south to look for food after our nuu drought condi- tions. Rosecrowned Fruitdoves eat a high proportion of purple and black berries(upto90%)andcan live in very small areas of rain forest (as small as 2 &tarts) according to the Atlas of Australian Birds [Blakers et al(1984)l. There is a significantarea of Tenninalia trees (both petiolaris and ferdi-nandiana) in Hidden Valley adjacent to our banding area.

Asecondbird that must be considered out of the onlinaryis a young Ruff, first seen at the Broo~nesewaagepondson 3rd December.Subsequently it was seen on the 4th and 5th. No- one visited the pondsagainuntil we took Rod Smith and Ih. G d Boere there on 1st January 1991. We were pleased when Gerard was able to confirm our find as an immature Ruff. a bird he had banded many times in the Netherlands. It was still p m n t on 18th January as .was the Little Ringed Plover at the Wildlife ParL.

In closing we wish to recordour heartfelt thanks to all those who worked onRod Smith's T-shirt and tentowel teams. We don't know who all of you are, but you have our sincere thanks. If we add a little extra for Rod and Norma for their extra efforts we are sure all will understand.

G. and B. Wells

References: Storr G M (1980), Birds of the Kimberley Division, Western Australia, WA Museum, Special Publication 11, Perth. Blakers M, Davies S J J F & Redly P N (1984), TheAtlas of Australiun Birds, Melbourne University Press,Victoria

EYRE BIRD OBSERVATORY Eyre hasbeen a hive of activity since the beginning of our

Christmas course. Most of our visitors were not experienced bird watchers so we had the pleasure of introducing them to the joys of bird watching. On our day hip to Twilight Cove we were rewarded with sightings of six species of wader, including over 50 SootyOystamtcher,ova30 a h &Pled Oystercatcher, Silver Gull and Crested Tern, two White- bellied Sea-Eagle and two Whiskmed Tern. In the cave was the Southern Boobook and soaring above the cliffs were eight Wedge-tailed Eagle. By the end of the week the visitors had seen a Pygmy Possum, observed the banding of some birds and c o l l d seedsand spread them over the dunes.

Our attention &then became focussed on thenightsky.It was time for the Star Gazing course andeven though there was a full moon at the beginning of the week we all had a goodlook through the telescope at the various constellations. To see Jupiter with four of its moons was particularly exciting.

For the past two weeks we have had a large group of busy workers collecting seed and spreading it over the shifting sands. We're not quite sure whether the increased number of Pink Cockatoo is related to the availability of water or the recently spread seed

This year's course brochure is now available. Please tele- phone if you'd like a copy. We look forward to hearing from you.

G. and G. Goodreid

Qualified banders, traineesor interested birdos, or students wishing to acquire or extend their bird-banding experience, areinvited to join P e q on banding trips to the study area near Kellerbemn.

Field trip dates for 199 1 are: -18-22 March 15-26 April 13-17 May 17-2 1 June 15-19 July 1620 September 04-08 November

Transport and accommodation on field trips is provided free of charge. A Field Allowance of $lO/day will be paid to volunteers except for the April expedition, which will be ~ ~ structumd. yd Thcmaxiinom number of volaateers patripisthree.

EnquirfaembadiractQdt0:-Perry de Rebeira CSIRO LMB 4, PO MIDLAND WA 6056 AUSTRALIA Telephone: (09) 252 0107 Fax: (09) 252 0134

BIRD BANDING PROGRAMME KELLERBERRIN Thisis an outline of the work carried out by the Division of

Wildlife and Ecology of the Commonwealth Scientific and IndushialResearch- . .

(CSJRO), and pmvi&s some details of the bird banding programme at Kellerbesrin. TheDivision's laboratory in Western Australia is studying

the effects of habitat reduction and fragmentation on the distribution and abundance of native animals in the grain producing area of Western Australia. This work is based at Kellerbemn in the central wheatbelt, 200 km east of Perth. Over 93% of the local original woodland, mallee and heath vegetation has been cleared for farming. Our research pro- gramme focuses on the ecology of remnants of native vegeta- tion to see if they constitute a conservation network.

The avian population study is supervised by Dr. Denis A. Saunders, Officer-in-Charge of our regional laboratory at Helena Valley, near- I am the Senior Technical Officer respmdblefmcanduCtingbfrd-bandingin the 6 s square km studyarea. The aim is to identify the habitat requirementsand movement patterns of individual species in a patchy environ- ment. Some species are confined to isolated "islands" of remnant bush while others utilise a range of seasonally avail- able resources, using road verge corridors to move around the region. This is one of the few studies of birds at landscape level.

The banding programme began in March 1985 and has continued with Cday banding sessions each month between March and November inclusive. Low catch rates and high temperatures preclude banding during summer months.

I have been working with volunteer assistants since 1987. Some of these are skilled amateur banders but the majority had no prior experience of handling birds in mist nets. I have deviseda teaching procedure that enables beginners to quickly become proficient with safe handling techniques of birds and equipment. Volunteers are not left unsupervised and are expected, in fact encouraged, to recognise limitations and to request assistance should difficulties arise. The welfare of the birds is my first priority; all else flows from that

To date over 5,000 birds have been banded with a recovery (retrap) rate of about 18%. Mortalities are low, less than 0.4% and I strive to have it lower. None of these casualties can be attributed to handling error.

The most commonly encountered species arehoneyeaters. Because trapping is confined to the use of 3Omm mist nets, most of the birds caught weigh less than 300gm. This means that a lot of small to medium sized pasdnes are banded, occasionally panuts and, rarely, nightjars, swallows, martins, cuckoos and kingfishers. We have netted only one raptor - a Brown Goshawk.

An attempt is made to find nests. To date very few pulli havebeenbanded. Observationsof colour-banded birds sup plements our retrap data, and a bird List is recorded for each mdy site used.

The dates for 1991 field frips aregiven. The most produc- tive times are April to June and August to October, the latter being thebest time for wildflowers in W.A.

Field tripscommence with departmfrom Helena Valley at about 0830 hrs on a Monday morning with 3 volunteers who arrbdm AS10 rdlo- per by . aa-V ~ l ~ n t e a s ptcted tosupply their bwn food,beddingand p d gear. Beds,mamcssts, cutledy, crochay, cooking failitits and cold storage areall provided on sitek eof charge; foodcost-sharing canbe amangal

Arrival at the field station, 40 km north of Kellerbemin is about midday. After sorting gear and eating lunch the team will set nets at a chosen study site and operatethere until dusk, when the nets will be furled and tied before returning to the field station for the night.

Lights on is about 45 minutes before dawn - 0430 to 0545 hrs depending on the season. Bmkfast is simple with the least noise possible. Other research teams share the field station and some of them work late at night, sothey appreciate a sleep-in.

Nets areopened before sunrise and areoperated until about 1100hrs, when they are closed, packed and the site cleared before lunch at the field station. After lunch a new study site is used. This pattern is repeated each day with time set aside on Friday to clean the field station before departure to Perth at about 1400 hrs. Arrival at Helena Valley is about 1630- 1700hrs.

Transport to and from Helena Valley isthe responsibility of volunteers.

Should you have any further questions about the pro- gramme, conditions and facilities, please do not hesitate to let me know. Perry de Rebeira

Senior TechnicalOfficer

1.Which grebehas recently wlonised NCWhaland? 2.Which WA bird occasionally catches rain in its bill for drinking? 3.Which mainly f ~ h eating bird in WA can throw fish into the air to catch head first to swallow? 4.Do Pacific Herons nest colonially or solitarily? %Which heron may follow Sacred Ibis. defend the ibis against attack and even peck the ibis if it stops foraging? 6.What is the difference in usage by Black Swanof their nests when colonially nesting rather than when using a single territorial nest? 7.Which. if any, of Great, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorant possesses a crest? 8.What is theusual sizeof territory defended by Australian Shelduck when rearing a brood? 9 . h Pink-eared Duck form life-long monogamous associations? 10. At what time of day do Pacific Black Duck usually feed?

My association with Harley dates back to the 1920's when we were both in the same year at Bunbury High School. Harley may have been a foundation member of the school. I came from the eastem statesin 1924. Theschool was founded in 1923.

We were later associatedwhen teaching in Collie. He was Headmaster of theWilson Park -Collie School when I was at the Collie Primary School. We both applied for theposition of Headmasterof the Albany Primary School. He was suc-cessful,andwent on to rediscover theNoisy Scrubbird (Ihad alreadyencounteFedtheRufous Scrub-bird on the Lamington Plateau).

Later he introduced my elder son,Lindsay, and I, to the Noisy Scrubbird. Harley went aheadbreaking mb,Lindsay followedand Ibrought up the rear. Liodsay picked up a nest which Harley had dhmhd Hhley said "Give it to your father. Heisimpafienttofeel the inside!" Ifelt the inside and encountered the 'papier meche' lining of thenest. This was thefirstnest located, and is described in the "W.A. Natural- ist",Vol. 9.para 1. The Rufous Scrubbird alsolinesits nest with 'cardboard', which was what Harley had in mind.

Harley made a considerable contribution to the mithologi- cal literature in both 'Emu' and 'W.A. Nahrralist'.

Eric H. Sedgwick

This has been an interesting year, with most activity di-rected towards supporting the Lesueur Forum of which the W.A. Group is a member. The Forum consists of a number of conservation groups and others, hying to persuade the State Government to refuse the application by CRA to establish an open cut coal mine and electricity generating station on a large part of an area at Mt Lesueur which lies near the coast about 200 kms north of Perth and close to Jurien. In recogni-tion of its richness in plant lifeand to a lesser extent of birds, the area has for many years been recommended as a National Park,but has not been declared.

The Lesueur Forum lobbied hard throughout the year and was partly successful, in that the State Energy Commission has on economic grounds, rejected the proposal for a power station there. The Environmental Protection Agency has rec- ommended that open cut mining be prohibited there and that the area be declared a National Park. The Minister for the En- vironment, who apparently will decide the matter, hasnot yet done so. In the meantime, CRA and the mining lobby are pressing the theme that the area with the coal deposits should be excised from the proposed National Park. It happens that this is precisely the part richest in flowers and woodland, and therefore of greatest value for birds. I've gone into some detail about this because it's one of the biggest conservation issues to come our way and we still await the outcome. Members have supported our efforts spendidly and I am most grateful for the help. I and other members of the Committee have attended meetings of the Lesueur Forum throughout the Year.

Still on the subject of conservation, there was a call at the AGM in 1990 for the W.A. Group to be associated with the proposed Yehgonga Regional Park, north near Wannem. By arrangement with the Deptment of Planning and Urban- Development, Mike and Mandy Bamford were engaged to make a study of bird life in the area and to provide material to help the Department in producing a management plan. We still await the plan.

Comments were sent to various Departments on draft man- agement plans for a number of places including Shark Bay Marine Park and Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, Shoalwater Islands Marine Park,Swan Estuary Marine Park. More recently, a letter was sent to the W.A. Premier, asking that the Government's recent approval of mining in three National Parks should be withdrawn and that the grant of approval for mining exploration in Class A nature reseaves should in future require the agreement of both Houses of Parliament and not just that of two Ministers. The Prtmler's reply did not accept these requem and went no further than stating that "no mind expkxaticm will taLcplace in areas of outstanding conservation value". It is a pity that this apparently does not apply to Mt Lesueur.

Our computerised databan4 of bird lists in National Parks. name reserves and other well-defined areas continues to mount, under the direction of Clive Napier, with help from volunteers who alsostaff the Canning Bridge officeon week- day mornings. Without their willing help and that of Wendy Napier, who organism theroster, the office simply would not function. The fact that theoffice is soneat and tidy, despite the cramped conditions is a tribute to Rose Jones, the office manager, who works long hours.

In the course of the year the Committee approved the pur- chase of 16 pairs of binoculars for use by students in bird walks conducted by members for schools. This is part of our drive to encourage students to take an interest in birds and to join the RAOU.

Earlier in the year, we thought we wen well on the way to obtaining larger and cheaper premises atLotteries House, to replace our present office at Canning Bridge. However, it turned out that the new premises wen far from ready and that other applicants may in any case have a prior claim. So our application waits on ice.

Bruce Buchanan. the editor. continues to D X ~ U C ~W.A.

procedure for getting WA Bird NO& printed handed ov& the job to Rod Smith. He is incidentally looking into the possibil- ity of getting WA Bird Notes printed on recycled paper in future.

Regular outings and carnpouts for birdwatching continued during the year organised by Ron Van Delft and usually well patrgnised by members. One innovation was a monthly meeting held in Albany over the long weekend in June. Monthly meetings normally takeplace in the Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre. The object of the change was to indicate that the W.A. Group isn't solely for the benefit of Perth members, but is equally for members elsewhere in the State. Following this principle, arrangements are in hand for another monthly meeting and excursion to Geraldton in June.

Monthly meetings have generally been well attended, with a variety of speakers on topics of interest. Jeremy Talbot, who arranges these speakers is lining them up for the rest of the year. The Committee has approved purchase of a public address system with amplifier, for use by speakers whose bird calls are low in volume.

Financially we've kept our head above water and managed fairly well, thanksto the Trading Table which has provided the major part of our income. The Trading Table took part in a dozen or so fairs and festivals in and around Perth, mostly in the run-up to Christmas. In past years, most income came from participation in the King's Park Wildflower Festival, but in 1990the King's Park Board felt unable to invite us and this is likely to be the case in future. However, a possible substitute may be Garden Week in Perry Lakes. Our bird cards have proved as popular as ever, but we shall not be producing new ones this year since we have enough left over from past years to tide us over till next year when we can reconsider.

A Sub-committee under Rod Smith has worked throughout the year on arrangements for the RAOU Congress which will take place in Perth in September.

We continue to provide bird books for sale as a service to members, at a modest profit and so offer books at less than therecommended netail price in shops. Allan Jones hastaken over responsibility f a b9aks.

The W.A. Minister for the Environment has recently exer- cised ministerial powers to ban duck shooting in 1991. Be-cause these powers allow him toban for only a year at a rime, he attempted to put the matter beyond doubt by introducing legislation toban duck shooting permanently. Unfortunately, the Liberal and National Wes in opposition saw maners otherwise, defeated the legislation and are likely to reintro-duce duck shooting if they get into power.

Finally, I must pay tribute to the members of your Commit- tee for their support and cooperation during the year, and in particular to Chris Wilder, the Secretary, for her remarkable efficiency and energy, not only in the direct execution of her job but also in other matters like arranging the Christmas breakfast. She has served us faithfully and well and we look forward to more of the same. For refreshments at meetings we must thank Claire Mercer who does a marvellous job.

For the coming year. we shall strive for interesting outings and monthly meetings; success in conservation issues, in particular the declaration of the whole of Mt Lesueur as a National Park and a happy membership increasing in num- bers, especially in the younger generation.

Brian Wilson

The bibliophile birdo has been well served recently. First came ThreatenedBirds ofAustralia :anannotated list

RAOU Report Number 68. This covers 59 species, with notes on a further four. For each species there is a summary, distribution, population, habitat and threats, conservation measures taken and proposed and list of references and each arecategorised as extinct, endangered, vulnerable, rare, inde-terminate or insufficiently known.

Extinct means "species not definitely located in the wild during the past fifty years" which is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (TUCN) and the International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP) definition. This is a little unfortunate as the editors also use "extinct" and "extinction" in their common meaning. The IUCN and ICBP with the example of the coelacanth before them may be correct to adopt a cautious definition, it is a pity they did not adopt another word for it.

The book is full of fact and interest. As at least ten of the listed birds may be observed relatively easily in Western

Australia (and more with great difficulty), it is clear the bibiophile birdo can also contribute to the preservation of these species.

The book deals with "full species that are threatened on a global basis" (p.163) and then lists subspecies of secure endemic species, endemic Australian subspecies of secure species and Australian populations of secure subspecies, grappling with which headings adds pleasure (and some con- fusion) to an excellent publication.

Then came Rowley's Behaviowal Ecology of the Galah in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. By comparison with his Bird Life, a must for every birdo bookshelf, the Galah (the short title) appears rather more a scientific report, with tables, statistics and many facts in a short space. If all scientific reports were as interesting, read as easily and had the same light touches of humour, scientific reports would reach a wide public.

Rowley'sbookdeserves to do so. It is readable, informative and well illustrated in both colour and black and white. The fruit of seven years study, it involved nest inspection by vel%icb-ted ladders (for nestsup to eleven metres above groundandropeladdersandclimbing for thehigher nests,) so a good head for heights was obviously a prerequisite. Also involved were the monitoring of up to 125nests each year, 24 hour observation periods and the gaining of an abundance of findings on behaviour, vocalisation, social and breeding be- haviour. All required persistent observation, careful tecord-ing and dedication to the task that allgood reporting of natural phenomena requires. The Galah is found to be a "vigorously expanding species thriving alongside humans" (p.6).

It is unlikely the Galah will be surpassed for many years. While it is apparent Rowley was able to deploy resources via CSIRO unavailable to the average bird observer, his work, results and presentation in this book have an inspirational quality to encourage the "average observer" to strive for more significant outcomes.

Next HANZAB, the Handbook ofAustralian New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume One. The two parts A and B which comprise Volume One are finely presented and illus- trated. The majority of the work is presented in an abbrevi- ated or staccato style which saves space while remaining easily readable, but does tend to increase the sense of W i g overwhelmed with facts. A work aiming to provide an accu- rate and comprehensive synthesis of knowledge of the birds described must contain a considerable quantity of material.

The first Volume, parts A and B covers 96 species and hybrid ilucb,Emu toA u c W Merganser. Inevitably in a volume of such scale therearetypographical errorsand there are some questions and irrimtions. The first irritation is that the division of Volume One into Part A and B has stranded the contents of Part B at the start of Part A which makes usage awkward. Another irritation is that the pages throughout have only the Latin scientific name at their head, although the text generally uses both scientific and English names. The vol- umes would be easier to use if both were at the head of each page, as well as promoting familiarity with the scientific nomenclature.

Some of the nomenclature raises questions. Two RAOU recommended names for Australian Birds (The Emu. Vol77 Supplement May 1978). to which we areusually pointed, are changed. The Lesser Broad-billed Prion reverts to its scien- tific (Pachyptila Salvini) as Salvin's Prion and the Sacred Ibis, not only becomes the cumbersome and unappealing Australian White Ibis (which tends to support the view that scientists lack sensibility and poetry),but the scientific namc is also changed to Theskiornis molucca from Threskiornis aethiopica.

Those who thought scientific names were essentially immutable (unless following re-description and "official" change) will be surprised to learn that no less than ten other scientific names previously used by the RAOU in the Emu Supplement and "the Atlas" Blakers et al(1984) arechanged. usually without argument being advanced. Some argument is put forward for altering the four Egretta to Ardea, but it is a surprise to find the literature quoted in support of this is dated prior to the Emu Supplement of 1978.

Ifnamesare to be changed, simply making such changes in a new publication without other notice is an odd approach. If the names are not to be changed by the RAOU, then the alterations made in HANZAB Volume One simply creates confusion. As there is also alteration of the previous RAOU taxonomic order (for example the grebes are reversed, Aus- tralasian, Hoary-headed, Great-crested) clarification by the RAOU of both nomenclature and taxonomic order is urgently needed.

The HANZAB gives explanation of the scientific names, which is welcome, as only one other current bird book does so. However where the Latin is derived from theGreek, the Latin is not translated but the Greek is given and translated, which seems at variance with usual etymological practice and is not as helpful as could have been, a full understanding requiring the ability to read Greek. There is also a strange didactic flavour to some of the translations. For example, we are told the use of an English name is "wrong", that some slightly complex looking Latin "merely means .....''and that a Latin name "specifically" translated has a meaning - when it would be assumed all the translations are specific.

Nearly two pages are given over to definitions of habitat description soreaders will understand what is meant by dam, creek, rip, salt lake, volcano d wet season (for example). However no meanings at all are given toornithological terms - for example, scutellate, ossicles, protoptile or to the parts of birds. By searching six pages of clear and useful illustrations of birds, feathers, head, beaks and feet etc. it is possible to see what is (for example) naricorn, vermiculation, tomia and ungues, but it would help the more general reader, to whom surely encouragement should be given, to define the ornitho- logical terms, rather than giving space to informing such &rs what is meant by "dam". Perhaps the ornithologists areso specialised it is they who need explanation of everyday terms.

The greatest irritation lies with the illustrations. These are splendid in themselves but they contain no direct clue as to which birds are shown. Consequently to detennine which bird, age and sex is itlustrated, it is necessary to look at an adjacent black and white miniature to determine the illustra- tion number and then to look ata thirdsection which gives the key to the numbers. This makes looking at the illustrations (which are not numbered sequentially left to right, top to bottom of page, a kind of obstacle course or short term memory exercise, which has no obvious advantage and is a real irritation. (It is better thana previous RAOU publication which not only used the same approach but put the keys on outlines only on entirely different pages). If numberscouldbe placed on the miniatures then surely they could be placed on the main illustrations and avoid the difficulties, while saving space.

HANZAB is another book not to be without - finances permitting. More fact on each bird isgiven in a small compass than many other books, papers and articles put together, as the references witness and HANZAB has the advantage (particu- lary if all volumes are purchased) of being a growing asset financially as well as informationally.

Also to hand recently was the Shorebird Studies Manual, a

"compendium of techniques for budding shorebird research- ers in Asia". It covers conservation, birds likely tobe seen. plumage pattems and moult, identification, note-taking, equipment, survey methods, banding, feeding ecology,all in a well illustrated clear and readablepresentation. A valuable featureisan annotated bibliography for each section covered.

There is an Australian countcapart audience and for them the book provides sound clear andmare than basic infma-

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In the year 1 July 1989 to 30 June 1990 forty two visits were made to the Pelican Point Reserve. Crawley. Perth in all months and during forty weeks.

During the year five new species were added tothe Reserve bird list. These were Australasian Orebe, regularly seen on the lagoon July to October; Brown Goshawk, flying over the Reserve and being attacked by a Black-shouldered Kite; Black-fronted Plover, on the edge of the lagoon during b m b e r , White-winged Triller, a single bird sitting on the boundary fence, and Purplecrowned Lorikeet. Three lo-rikeets were seen in December at very close range in a eucalyptus tree alongside the boundary fence, then flying in typical fast and noisy fashion over the reserve and returning to the same tree. A few weeks later twelve birds were seen in the Dalkeith reserve located to the west of Pelican Point (see WA Bird Notes No53). Asaresult of these additions, the bird list for the Pelican Point Reserve rises to 83 species recorded since 1 July 1983.

Most of the visits were made at 1730 hours, but during the winter at other times. It is usual for several people to go round the reserve as a group. This means that new or uncommon species are invariably seen by more than one person and the likelihood of misidentification reduced.

As Pelican Point is one of the three sites in the proposed Swan Estuary Marine Park it is interesting to note the absence from the list for the 12 month period of three previously regular shorebirds. These were Bar-tailed God- wit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red-necked Avocet. My records. back to 1978. show all three speiies have been rccorded every year other than the Sharp-tailed Sandpiper

Brouwer J and GarrettS (1990). Threatened Birds of Austrcr- lia, An AnnotaredList, RAOUReportNo. 68,RAOU Moonee Ponds, Victoria Rowley I(1990). Behavwwal Ecology of the Galah Eoluphrrs roseicapillus in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia, Surrey Bearty & SonsLtd, Chipping Nadm, NSW Marchant S and Higgins P J (C-)(1990), H a d -book ofAustralian,New Z c a l a d a d Antarctic Birds, Oxford University Prcss, Austmlia Howes J andBakewell D (1989). Shorebird Studies M d Asia Wetland Bureau Publication No. 55, Kuala L u m p .

All communications for the Editor of WA Bird Notee should be addressed to:- B. Buchrman

POBox 10 WANNAMAL WA 6505

COMMITTEE 1991 Chairman B Wilson Vice-chairman J Blyth Committee.Members A Burbidgc A Jones

C Napier B Ncwbey P Robutson R Smith T Stoneman (co-opted) C Wilder

Is any member resident in Perth willing to act as Secretary or Treesurer for the current year? Secretarial duties include taking minutes at monthly committee meetings, attending general meetings and answering correspondence and enquir- ies directed to the office. The Treasurer's duties consist of keeping the books, paying accounts and attending monthly meetings. About a couple of hours a week. If you can help please telephone the office (weekday mornings) on 364 6202 or Brian Wilson (any time) on 293 1094.

FROG INFORMATION WANTED DrRobert Baker, University of Adelaide, is co-ordinating

a study to investigate the concern that frog populations are in serious decline. To facilitate these investigations a provi- sional questionnaire survey has been developed which seeks help from biologists, naturalists and concerned members of the public.

RAOU members who wish toparticipate should write or fax Dr Baker, Department of Zoology. University of Adelaide. GPO Box 498, Adelaide SA 5001.

which was not seen in 1981. It is my view that in the last decade there has been a steady decline in the number of wadem using the Reserve. Thereis no longer any guarantee that species such as Red-necked Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Red Knot and Grey Plover will be seen when visiting the area. The ever-increasing use of the Swan River. particularly in the Nedlands/Crawley area for recreational purposes (windsurfers being the latest addition) must be presumed to be the major cause.

M.Bailey et al

Bird species showingnumber of weeks present 40Silver Gull ) 35 PacificBlack Duck 1 35 CaspianT a n 1 35 Lpughing Turtledove ) seen >75% of weeks visited 33 Greeted Tun 1 32 Black-winged Stilt )

28 Singing Honeycater ) 27 Little Pied Connorant ) 27 Welcome Swallow 1 22 Grey Tcal ) men50-75s of wcckn visited 21 Australian Pelican ) 21 Little Black Cormorant ) 20 Common Sandpiper )

19 Great Cormorant ) 19 Red-capped Plover 1 18 Pied Oystercatcher ) 18 Grey Plover ) 17 Tree Martin 1 15 Red-necked Stint ) seen 2530% of wccks visited 12 Rainbow Bee-eater ) 12 Brown Honeyeater ) 11 Australian Shelduck 1 11 Grccnshank ) 10 Darter ) 10 Variegated Fairy-wren )

7 Australasian Grebe )7 Sacred Ibis ) 8 Fairy Tern 1 8 Galah )8 Red Wattlebird ) seen 10-25% of weeks visited 5 White-faced Heron 1 5 Curlew Sandpiper ) 4 Great Knot ) 4 Rainbow M e e t )4 Port Lincoln Ringneck 1

. \

3 Pied Connorant ) 3 Rufous Night Heron 1 3Black-shouldered Kite ) 3 Australian Raven ) seen 5-10% of weeks visited 2 Great Egret ) 2 Australian Hobby 1 2 Red Knot )

1Australasian Shoveler ) 1Brown Goshawk ) 1 Australian Kestrel ) 1Mongolian Plover ) 1Black-fronted Plover ) see 4 % of weeks visited 1Banded Stilt ) 1 Terek Sandpiper ) 1 Spotted Turtle-dove 1 1White-tailed Black-Cockatoo)

Total of 57 species over 40 weeks of visits Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May June

visited

PRE-ROOST BATHING BY CRESTED TERN TheWellsteadEstuaryat Bremer Bay contains a number of

low tide sand banlrs which are utilised by a range of sea and shorebirds. The most numerous in December each year are Crested Tern. They breed nearby on Glasse Island.

Crested Tern come to the estuary roostsatall times of the day (tides permitting) but more usually early in the evaing 4.30 pm onwards (some in the morning before 7.00 am). The Crested Tern coming to roost virtually always bathe ex- tensively in the shallows next to their roost befm pining others of their species(or even if the hrst to arriue). Bathing takes a good deal of vigout, ducking the head beneath the water at least 20 times with wing splashing and preening intermingled When thest"preparations" arecomplete, the birds rise from the water and settle at their roost

Usually only two Crested Tern will bathe at the same spot at the same time and if more Crested Tern arrive they wait on the wing close to the bathing spot until a "vacancy" occurs by a bather joining the roost. At the roost preening occurs prior to settling.

It seems possible that the estuary is used by separate groups ofOestcdTern,as at times two groupshave fonned separate roosts, each with its own adjacent bathing spot Oncoming to most a Crested Tern which fmds itself in the "wrong" bathing spot will move to the correct one for bathing, although I have seen bathing in one spot with roosting at another, but this seemsunusual.

Has this bathing phenomenon been seen elsewhere? B. Buchanan

SPOTLESS CRAKE AT BEAUFORT RIVER I first saw a Spotless Crake on August 19th 1990at Beaufort

R i m . An unusual single yappingsound, like a ddog's bark, npeatedevery few secondShad caught my attention. I satquietly and eventually was rewarded by the sighting of a Spotless Crake. It was in a patch of teatree, Cumbungi bulrush and thick grass in a shallow, fresh water swamp near the Beaufort River.

Two weeks later I found what looked like old nests among the Cumbungi rushes, possibly from previous years.

On October 12th I found a well hidden nest in a thick clump of bullrush, growingin deeper water and mudin a tractor constructed soak. Thedry leaves had been pulled down and formed into a saucer-shaped nest 15 cm in diameter. The nest, about one metre above the water, could not be seen without pulling the reeds apart.

The nest contained two eggs, light beige in colour with slightly darker specksall over. The eggs looked very large for the size of this smallish bird.

Four eggs were in the nest when I checked on October 18th and they were still thereon October 30th. A week later, November 6th. the nest was empty.

Two other Spotless Crake were seen and heard at another swamp about a kilometre away.

W. Zadow

[These sightings were ma& in a 1 degree block from which Blakers et a1(1984) received no reports and are an ex-tension of known territory. However Blakers et al(1984) comment "it is probably common in many places but overlooked because it is the shyest of the crakes and always feeds within cover" (p.132).Ed] Reference: Blakers M, Davies S J J F, Reilly P N (1904), The Atlas of Australian Birds, Melbourne University Press, Victoria.

NECTAR SHARING BY MARSUPIALAND BIRD At 7.30am in morning drizzle on 30thDecember 1990 on

a track through Flinders Peninsula near Albmy, the Eucalyptusangulosa (about2metrestalland 2metresbroad) was a mass of creamy yellow flowers.

We were brought to a halt by the sight of three honey possums a metre away systematically poking their long pointed snouts once only into each flower on a Eucalyptus an@-

Over a paid of 15 minutes whilst observing these tiny possums spineing from branch to branch with the help of their prehcasiletail,the same mallee was visited by at least ten New Holland Honeyeater$. Tbe possnms and bon-eyearcrstook theangulosanectaroftenwithin 30cms ofeach other and appeared quite oblivious ofone another.

Just aswc w a e leaving two SouthemEmu-wrensflewinto the lower branchesagain without disturbing the possum.

M. Bremner

A NESTROBBER At the beginning of November my husband and I attended

a most enjoyable campout at Woodanilling (see excmion repom). We enjoyed theouting so much that we stayed an extra night. On theMonday morning we again looked at a Common Bronzcwing nest and saw a Grey Shrike-thrush in the process of raiding i t It was eating one egg and it flew away with another which we later found to contain a partly formedembryo.

L. Davies

WOODANILLING WEEKENDCAMPOUT I invited a visiting birder from South Australia to join the

Woodanilling weekend commenting thatit was definitely one of the highlights in my diary. Hea reaction was that I was exaggerating the number of nesting species on previous campouts. Woodanilling again lived up to its reputation and my fiend's doubts were dissolved.

RayGamoncandWayneZaQwkeptusonthegoall w e e k e n d c 0 v e r i n g s e v G s a l a r c a s i a ~ a r o l l l n d W ~ .

The main attraction was the golf course, conveniently alongside the caravan park. Attempting to walk down the nearest fairway early on Saturday morning I found it difficult to know where to look as there was bird activity in every direction with small groups of Part Lincoln Ringneck and Regent Pam,ts flying overhead, Elegant Parrot and Western Rosella feeding on the grass, a pair of Redcapped Robin feeding a young bird, Western Gerygone building a nest, Restless Flycatcher with young, Whitebrowed Babbler car- rying material, a male White-winged Triller displaying and several Rufous Treecreepe?- and all thisbefore breakfast!

During the moming Ray and Wayne showed us many birds including a lone male Crested Shrike-tit calling in the canopy above us, a Jacky Winter high on a tiny nest in a bare and vulnerable fork, a Common Bronzewing on a sparsestick nest in quite a low tree hollow, three young Willie Wagtail almost overflowing their nest, an Owlet Nightjar in the hollow of a fallen tree only about one metre above the ground, a nest of White-fronted Chat containing three eggs, Rainbow Bee- eater nesting on the fairways and the tail only of a Brown Goshawk seen protruding from its nest, only a short distance

from the nest of a Little Eagle. When at Woodanilling I always wonder why there is such a great concentration of birds and variety of species at the GolfCourse, with over 60 speciesseen and 32species breeding on this visit

Aftexlunch we moved to Rifle RangeReserve, the highlight therebeing good views of a Southem Boobodr disturbedfrom its roost

During the weekend there were many interesting birds and nests seen. Themost memorable sighting for me was of Ban, Owl. Ray had told us that Barn Owl had been seen there pre-viously, soseveral of us decided to brave the mosquitoes and focus our binoculars an three possible nesting boles in a particularly largeWandoo. We sat in the stillness for over an hourenjoying the sounds of the day birds as they prepared to roost, the last to settle being the Laughing Kookaburra Just on sunset, a scratching could be heard deep inside the trunk andafews4condslatertheheadofaBamOwlappearedatone of the hollows. Thebird moved up to its edge, took flightand I watched it fly over us into some trees. Whta I turned,back a second bird emerged fn#n the same hollow and fie% in another direction chased by Laughing Kookaburra The fol-lowing evening several members of the excursion watched again. On thisoccasion only one Bam Owl was seen leaving the hollow.

A week after this campout I retumed to Woodanilling with othermemberswhenconditions werehot(approx40de~) and vey windy during the day. Once again wewererewarded with both owls merging one after the other from the same hollow and atapproximately the same time of evening when thehotwindhaddropped.

Many thanks to Ray and Wayne for their enthusiasm in sharingtheir knowledge about the area. We especially appre- ciated Ray's easy manner in answering many questions and Wayne's skill in tree climbing.

C. Wilder

FLYNN ROAD, THE LAKES Despitc the early start, around 30people enthusiastically

awaited Bryan Barrett to show us the area known as Flynn Road.

On this particular excursion we visited Sections 1 and 2 (refer WABN No. 56 p.5). 40 species were seen during our visit

At our fmt stop for themorning it was a srnpria for some of thepartytob~etwoBudgerwfedoagsidsEle gantParrotaadyoung. Thesebirdsappearadintheirnatural colours so it was thought they were likely to be wild birds. HoodedRobin were seen in this area also. One particular fledgling bird caught our attention as we

tried to put a name to it. Its parent, a Western Yellow Robin, very obligingly appeared to feed the young bird before the two flew to another eucalypt

At the next areawe managed tosee quiteanumber of Dusky Woodswallow breeding, some still incubating and adding to nests, others caring for fledglings.

There did not appear tobe much honeyeater activity in the two areasvisited.

After lunch a Brown Goshawk was spotted and was be- lieved to be feeding on nestlings. It perched at the top of a eucalypt to feed on its prey before being mobbed by Dusky Woodswallows.

It was an enjoyable outing and enabled us to view the area's birdlife in the dry conditions of early summer.

Thanks to Bryan Barrett for showing us the area he has studied for some time now.

J. Pegler 10

EXCURSION CONVENOR'S NOTES The next two quarters (June toDecember) include the breeding

season of many bird species and the influx of migrants, which can lead to increased intcrcst in birdwatching. In my opinion, the next two quarters should be the busiest both for birdwatching and introducing new people to the fascinating world of birds.

I am keen to runscveral "introductory bird walks" during the coming months and seek volunteers to lead them. Such excursions are easy to lead as new birdwatchers get great excitement from seeing species which are common in themetropolitan area. such as Port LincolnRingneck.

Any offers to lead introductory walks or excursions should be directed to Ron Van Delft on 279 9913 (h);

EXCURSIONS PROGRAMME

9th to 17th March - Annual Waterfowl Count Weekend 16-17 March

Waterbird counts- Capel Wetlands Many wetlands in the Cape1 Region need to be surveyed as part of the Annual Waterfowl Count. Join Frank Doyle in a team-based effort in the wetlands of thisarea. Team members arc likelyto visit some of the special swamps in the region, such as Ibis Swamp. Please contact Frank on (097) 272 675 afterhours for funher details.

Saturday 23rd March Half day Excursion - Mount Claremont

This area has recently been found by the Perth Wildlife Watch project to be an arca different to the adjoining Bold Park, both in vegetation and bird species present. The arca was recognised in the System 6 report (see Recommendation M46). Meet at 7.30 am the western end of Fortview Road. Mount Claremont. bader: Boyd Wykes

Monday 25th March Meeting - Herdsman Lake WUdlUe Centre, 8pm

Birds of the NW Kimberley and Offshore Islands. Illustrated talkby Kevin Coate.

March 29-31 Easter Long Weekend Campout Dwellingup

At Jan and Rob Hill's pmperty near the Murray River. State Forest and theBibbulmun Track, enjoy birdwatching,bushwalking.canoe-ing and swimming. Self sufficient camping, with water, shower and toilet available. For details contact Jan or Rob Hi11450 1563.

Wellingup @nerd store

Sunday 7th Aprfl Half day excurslon - Grove Farm Reserve

'Ibis reserve is along the Swan River. Several birdwatchers have noted the interest of this area (including the WA RAOU former waterbirds officer. Roger Jaensch) where 3040species have been seen on visits. Tom Delaney has bem birdwatching at this site regularly and will lead the excursion. Meet at 7.30 am at the entrance to Pany Field Baseball stadium which is off Stoneham Street. Belmont. I.& TanDelwey

Sunday 21st AprU Day excurslon - Wandoo forests near Christmas Tree Well

Wandoo forest consistently contains species which arc uncommon in the Perth Metfopolitan area, such as Dusky Woodswallow and Crested Shrike-tit. The excursion will take in an area where Jarrah and Wand00 forest meet, so a wide variety of birds are likely to be seen. Meet at the southern junction CanningRoad and Brookton Highway at 8 am sharp. Please note the birding site is about 45-60 minutes drive from this meeting place. Leader Simon Nevill

Monday 22nd AprU Meeting - Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre, 8pm

Reports from the 20th International Ornithological Congress held in Christchurch. New Zealmd. on 2-9 Decanber 1990. DrGeoff Shannon and DrAllan Burbidge.

Sunday 5th May Full day excurslon - Jullmar Forest

Some will remember the last Julimar junket or perhaps you have not been to this area of WanQo and Marri woodland east of the Great Northern Highway between Bullsbrook and Bindoon. Crested Shrike-tit and many species of honeyeater may be sctn there. Meet at 8.30am at Bullsbrook where the Chittering Valley Road diverges to the right from Great Northern Highway. Bring your lunch and drinking water as there are no supplies after we leave Bullsbrook. Leader Clive Napier

Saturday 11th May Half day excurslon - Normda Open Space

This bushland area is at the edge of the Perth Metropolitan area and is connected to a large area of bushland to the north (which is likely to be developed at some futuretime). There have already been some changes since the area was surveyed during the Metropolitan Bud Roject Meet at 8 am at the comer of Kelly Place and Widgee Rd. Noranda. Leader: Ron Van Delft

Weekend 18-19 May Duck bandlng - Capel Wetlands

No experience is needed to assist in this RAOU project which aims to better understand how ducks use wetlands. This is to enable design of thebest possible artifiiial wetlands. Thehandling of ducks allows a much better appreciation of their size. plumage and physical features. Please contact Frank Doyle on (097) 272 675 after hours for further details.

Saturday 25th May Half day excursion - E l k Brook

Les Harris birdwatches at a number of sites around Perth and has offered tolead anexcursion to Ellis Brook, whichheconsiders is one of the better sites for bushbirds near Perth. Several species which are not often seen in the metropolitan area are likely to be present. An impressive mistletoe is to be seen on the road in to the site. Meet at 8 am at the comer of Gosnells Rd and Bygum Lane. Martin. Leader: Les Harris

Monday 27th May Meeting - Herdsman Lake Wfldlife Centre, 8pm

Rodney Vervest and others will speak about the RAOU remote wetland expeditions of 1986-88. Those expeditions took their members to Shark Bay, Lake MacLeod, the lower reaches of the Fitzroy River, the Parry Floodplain near Wyndham and Lakes Argyle and Gregory to survey the waterfowl of those areas.

LONG WEEKENDMEE=TING/CAMPOUTGERALDTON

S8tud.y lstJlme M&hg - M~ll~lilll ,Marine Terrace, Gtraldton

(0pp.Ydlarr Submarine)

630-730pm -lay of RAOU pjacts. with mcmbcrs available to answer questicm. C d . boob. crr s t i h mdother items may be pm:huedfxwnths~trbledUringthistime. 730-Pat2 -I)r.DeslirS.uada-"Thedfect~fhrbitrt

f n g n d man regionalbird popllatiaw- lessam fxwnthe WA whutbelt"

Sunday 2nd June Film - 'WiIdcrncuRegcrinrd? HourmanAbmUos" RemeationRoom,Chcnough River Cmvan Parkat 7.30 pm. This-film,poduoedmddirectadbyBobmdAnmOoodalc. dealswith thshistoryof wildlife on the Llmdr. its interaction with man md ito impwedprospects today. A ~ l r y o f p o p d s m d ~ t r b l e w i l l b b e f d i n t h e Northgate Shopping Cantre in Chapman Street during Friday and Saturdry. To coincide with theaGnldtonmeeting, a campout and excur- simpgrammehasbeenamngedfa thelong weekend. asfol-lows:-Campout at the CkcmughRiver Caravan Park.8 hsouthof Gcraldtonoff the MidlandsRod (Highway 1). telephone (099) 215 845 awrite toJudy h e y to nanmy ( ~accommodation (get in early as thia in pcrkholidayamson). Rates fa2pemons f a accommodation .re$9 non-powered campsite. $10 pow- ered site. $22 ansite canvan. Other typesof accommodation .reavailable in Gualdton. For M e r inf~mc~tion phone ChrisWilder 401 -8329.

Saturd.y lst June Half day excursion - Qmpman River. Mectat 1 prnatthecaravmprk.

Sunday 2nd June Pullday wcursim - E l l d c Pool M e c t a t 8 a m a t t h e ~ a n p m k . ElldePoolLapprox.40 h south w t of W d t o n . Fliry Mllrtinhavebbenseenhere andPeregrineFalcon have beenrccaddbmedingaE l l d e Bluff. We may visit other inteasting sites nearby. Bring ywr lunch along.

Monday 3rd June Half day excursion Meetat8amatthecaravanpark. Thisexcursionwillbetoa nature rcsave just north of Gcraldton.

All enquiries regarding this weekend should be directed to: G d d t o n - Alex Scarff - Telephone: (099) 214 264 Path - Chris Wilder - Telephone: (09)401 8329

Monday 24th June Meeting - ,Herdsnun W e WlldllfC Centre, 8pm

Last year Clive and Wendy Napier visited East Africa and Zim-babwe. among other places. and Clive will be talking about the birdlie they encountered in those parts of Africa.

Weekend 29-30 June Treelshrub planting - Capel Wetlands

Note in your diary. Further detail will be provided in June. News- letter or before that time contact Frank Doyle (097) 272 675 after horn for M e r information.

Monday 22nd July Meeting - Herdsman Lake Wlldllfe Centre, 8pm

Mike Bamford, who has done a considerable amount of field-work in the Kakadu National Park,will be telling us about the birds to be found in this interesting part of tropical Australia.

F1IEEmABlRD HOUDAYS

7 ' h e c c l p + Y o r k B l t d b r g ~ t t r OordarRB.rutdrm

1991 - 1992PROGRAM CAPEYORE BIRD WEEE

our atrbli8hed trndltional Bird Week SatLoday4/1/92 toSaturday 11/1/92

L h U 3 O p e r m

IRON RANGE Fly in, full accommodation,

no camping out Monday 30/9/91 to Sahdag 5 / 10/91

Monday 18/11/91 toSatLcrday23/11/91 Limit lopersons

BUNKER/CAPRICORN ISLANDS -w -tt* HUmgtavc, Heron and otherWredr

~ d U y 9 / 1 1 / 9 1toSahaday 16/11/91 Limit 20 p e r m

CAPEYORE TRAVERSE (innm8ochtionwith

Unlverrity ofQld-TrrreleunAurt) C.irnr,AthertanTablelmdr,

MlChaelmmm Cy a p e l'rsbdation, cook^, wefield N.P. EdwadRirsrWeflmdm

h Golden-mhoulderedPurot habitats. Land travel.

Saturday 31 /8/91 to ntursclay 12/9/91

T H E G U I P C O ~ Fly in, full accommodation,

no camping out. 1 1 /4/92 to 18/4/92

SPECUL We are p h m b g a rpecinl cruise of Reefbird wands, Imn Range

and Cape York Stoporem plro troplcalm.ngnnes.

Luxury fully air conditioned vwsel N1details available on request

Umlt30 persons

For Colour Brochure & full pPrticulPrn write: Gordon R Beruldsen

Free-&A-Bird H o l i d a ~ ~ PO Box 387

Kenmore QLD4069

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