The Rainbow Bird

Volume 4 Number 4 November 2015 (Issue 84)

VALE NEIL LEVEY 17.2 1946 - 26.8.2015

Alec Hawtin shares with us his involvement with Neil over

the years.

I first knew Neil, an upholsterer, when we delivered furniture

to his workshop to be altered or repaired for Maples store in

Mildura. We often talked about birds on those occasions and

he was encouraged to join our SUNBOC. Neil had been an

egg collector when he was a young lad in the northeast area

of Victoria like lots of young boys in those days. He became

a friendly and respected member of our club who enjoyed

our meetings and outings. He always looked forward to the

annual Challenge Count and usually came with our crew.

His Dad, Wally, worked at Maples where he managed the

second-hand department. Lyn was an office girl there also.

His brother Arthur, a carpet layer, collected carpet and lino

from Maples consequently I knew Neil and some of his

family as well.

Our thoughts and sympathy go to Lyn and family from all

members of Birdlife Mildura.

Contents 1. Vale Neil Levey

2. Outing to Mallanbool Reserve

3. Outing to Nowingi

4. Birds of Bellbrae

5. A Reminiscent Trip North

6. Visit to The Kimberly National Parks

7. Interesting Sightings

8. Life Returns to the Billabong

9. Club Calendar

BirdLife Mildura P. O. Box 1722, Mildura, VIC 3502

The Rainbow Bird Editor: Rae Jeffers, raelenjeffers@gmail.com

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2 The Rainbow Bird

OUTING TO MALLANBOOL RESERVE - AUGUST 9TH, 2015

The morning started in overcast conditions but progressively cleared during the course of the day. We left the bike hub

at 8.30 and travelled along Deakin Avenue then turned into the 22nd Street Swamp. This swamp adjoins the Koorlong

State Forest and appears to be the semi-permanent home of Blue-billed and Musk ducks. As well as seeing those, we

saw Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead and Australian Shoveler, Grey Teal and Australian Shelducks as well as the other

species listed below. A Swamp Harrier flew around the perimeter of the swamp.

Then we drove through the State Forest to Meridian Road with the idea of seeing a flock of Cockatiels at that junction.

However, they appeared to have left during the preceding week. Instead, we had sightings of White-winged Fairy-

wrens, Australasian Pipit, White-fronted Chats, Brown Songlark and Chestnut-crowned Babblers, amongst other

species.

We travelled south on Meridian Road and then turned into

Ryan Road. Some 3 km along that road there is a spot which usually attracts Black Faced Woodswallows, Pipits,

Rufous and Brown Songlarks and Chats during second half of each year. On this occasion however, of that group, we only

saw two White-fronted Chats.

On the corner of Ryan Road and Pirlta Road a Brown

Songlark pair appears to be nesting. Some members of the convoy saw the Songlark a little way down Pirlta Road as we

journeyed south. At this point Roger stopped to photograph a Red-capped Robin. He, later, made the valid point that

the lead car should have kept an eye on our rear-view mirror and waited whilst he did so. Stopping at the location

of any special bird sighting is, apart from the social and sightseeing aspect of the outings, probably, the main point

of our outings.

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Photo: Allan Taylor

We continued down Pirlta Road, crossed the Millewa Road and stopped for smoko at a spot that had a little mallee

blossom several days earlier. This had gone in the intervening days and we saw only Striated Pardalotes,

Yellow-rumped Thornbills and Weebills at that spot. Further on, we saw Black-faced Woodswallows before turning right

into Cleary Road extension. Our first Mulga Parrot sighting came a few minutes later.

We reached Settlement Road after turning left down an un-named track and very soon had sightings of a Chestnut

Quail-thrush and Babblers – almost certainly White-browed Babblers.

A little after 11.30 we stopped for a "hot spot" of birds –

Grey Shrike-thrush, Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid

Cuckoo and Striated Pardalotes and, a little later, Striped,

Spiny-cheeked and White-fronted Honeyeaters, Jackie

Winter, Australian Ringneck and Blue Bonnet parrots.

At the corner of Settlement Road and Underbool Track we

had lunch, finished off by a slice each of June’s birthday

cake – thanks June! Lindsay left the group to prepare for a

photographing trip north the next day. Alec and Sharon

inspected a nearby Mallee Fowl mound and saw a Crested

Bellbird on the way.

Three kilometres further along Settlement Road we stopped

for two Shy Heathwrens. We only got very quick sightings

as the little birds scurried from bush to bush.

Shy Heathwren Photo: Allan Taylor

At the corner of

South Werrimul

Road we heard a

Rufous Whistler.

The highlight at

Mallanbool Reserve

was multiple

sightings of a male

and female Gilbert’s

Whistler. Dianne

whistled the male up

several times. She

has proved

invaluable as a bird-

caller and bird

species recorder. I

have relied heavily

on her notes in

preparing this

summary. My

thanks, Di – most

appreciated! Gilberts Whistler Photo: A Taylor

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November 2015 3

Before leaving we heard White-browed Treecreepers and Ev.

saw a raptor – most probably a Brown Falcon.

On the way home Pauline, Jayna and I saw a pair of Major

Mitchell's Cockatoos and more Black-faced Woodswallows

and Colin and Dianne saw several Black Kites.

Another 25 species were seen that are not mentioned above

making 65 species in all.

Allan Taylor

Sightings: 65 species

Musk Duck Black Swan Australian Shelduck Australasian Shoveler Grey Teal Pacific Black Duck Hardhead Blue-billed Duck Common Bronzewing Crested Pigeon Eastern Great Egret Black Kite Swamp Harrier Nankeen Kestrel Brown Falcon Purple Swamphen Masked Lapwing

Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Galah Rainbow Lorikeet Crimson Rosella Australian Ringneck Blue Bonnet Mulga Parrot Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Pallid Cuckoo White-browed Treecreeper Brown Treecreeper White-winged Fairy-wren Shy Heathwren Weebill Yellow-rumped Thornbill Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Southern Whiteface

Striated Pardalote Singing Honeyeater White-fronted Honeyeater Yellow-throated Miner Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater White-fronted Chat Striped Honeyeater White-browed Babbler Chestnut-crowned Babbler Chestnut Quail-thrush Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Gilbert's Whistler Rufous Whistler Grey Shrike-thrush Crested Bellbird Black-faced Woodswallow Pied Butcherbird

Australian Magpie Willie Wagtail Australian Raven Magpie-lark White-winged Chough Jacky Winter Red-capped Robin Australian Reed-Warbler Little Grassbird Brown Songlark White-backed Swallow Welcome Swallow Common Starling Australasian Pipit

OUTING TO NOWINGI - SEPTEMBER 5TH, 2015

Ears. Ears are essential for birdwatching, almost as

important as eyes. Some people have very good ears for bird calls and it's thanks to Pauline Bartels for having such

good hearing and knowledge of bird calls that the group had an amazing view of four Mallee Emu-wrens on the Saturday

outing to Nowingi.

As the group of 14, led by Alec Hawtin, were ambling along

a track in the vehicle convoy Pauline actually heard the Mallee Emu-wrens above the noise of the vehicles. A

message was relayed instantly over the CB's so all vehicles stopped. Everyone was then able to see and photograph the

4 emu-wrens moving in and around a couple of clumps of spinifex. A couple of them even emerged above the clumps,

briefly, to perch on branches above the spinifex. After an enjoyable 4 minutes of observing we left them in peace,

thrilled with the sighting so early in the day but also concerned that the emu-wrens may be in an area nominated

for a prescribed burn.

Photo: Finlay Japp

Photo: Peter Dunstan

The day itself was warm and sunny with no wind - an ideal day for bird watching. The drive south to Nowingi was a

picture with white pimlea daisy bushes, wattles and cassias in full bloom along the roadside, and brilliant flowering

canola in the distance. In the reserve amongst the mallee trees were many small plants in flower also, so much so that

some of the group spent more time looking at the ground instead of birdwatching. Sharon even found a greenhood

orchid.

Alec led the group over the railway line in a westerly

direction from the highway. We then stopped at various points to spend a half hour searching the surrounding area

for birds and hopefully finding evidence of Mallee-fowl nests or activity. It was around midday when we came across the

Mallee Emu-wrens.

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4 The Rainbow Bird

Despite seeing a good number of species individual numbers were low, apart from Weebill. They were seen and heard

continuously. Some were fortunate to see Inland Thornbill and Jacky Winter.

Alec selected an area, which had mallee trees on one side of the track and belah on the other side, not far from a

partially filled water hole, to have our lunch.

Photo: Peter Dunstan

Whilst we lunched the birds came to us; White-winged

Choughs, Apostlebirds, Blue Bonnets and Grey Currawongs. Following lunch we spread out around the area. A very

excited group returned from the waterhole with the news that 20 Major Mitchell's Cockatoos had flown to the water.

Wood Ducks were on the water and a Mulga Parrot was also seen.

At a brief stop travelling north along the power line Kestrels were seen at a nest on a power pole. Further on we came

towards the edge of the cropping country. A mud nest of the White-winged Choughs, with young inside, was seen at

this spot and several observed a Pallid Cuckoo feeding another adult Pallid Cuckoo with a large caterpillar.

Photo: Finlay Japp

Hairy caterpillars are a favourite food of Pallid Cuckoos and

the hairs line their stomach's like fur, but why would an adult be feeding another adult?

Australasian Pipit were seen as we travelled beside the crop and White-browed Babblers, Yellow-throated Miners and

Red-rumped Parrots were added to the list at the last stop.

With energy sapping in the warmth of the day it was decided

to head for home after thanking Alec for leading such an interesting and memorable outing.

Rae Jeffers

Sightings: 51 Species

Emu Australian Wood Duck

Rock Dove Common Bronzewing

Crested Pigeon Black-shouldered Kite

Wedge-tailed Eagle Nankeen Kestrel

Black-winged Stilt Major Mitchell's Cockatoo

Galah Crimson Rosella

Australian Ringneck

Blue Bonnet Red-rumped Parrot

Mulga Parrot Pallid Cuckoo

Brown Treecreeper Splendid Fairy-wren

Mallee Emu-wren Weebill

Yellow Thornbill Yellow-rumped Thornbill

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill Inland Thornbill

Southern Whiteface

Spotted Pardalote Striated Pardalote

Singing Honeyeater White-eared Honeyeater

Yellow-throated Miner Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

Red Wattlebird Striped Honeyeater

White-browed Babbler Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Grey Shrike-thrush Grey Butcherbird

Pied Butcherbird

Australian Magpie Grey Currawong

Willie Wagtail Australian Raven

Magpie-lark White-winged Chough

Apostlebird Jacky Winter

Red-capped Robin Tree Martin

Common Starling Australasian Pipit

BIRDS OF BELLBRAE

In the evening, I relaxed in the lounge at the Hepburn Springs Chalet, a quaint retro guesthouse with avocado

green, burnt orange and vintage nostalgia everywhere. After getting lost in a Tretchikoff print on the wall, I

reflected on the day’s journey.

It was the 9th April, 2015, and Dad and I had left Gol Gol

early to allow plenty of time for breaks. A number of bird sightings were recorded along the way. Regent Parrot flew

across the Sturt Highway before Euston. Musk Lorikeet were feeding on eucalypt blossoms adjacent to the Pioneer

Settlement, Swan Hill. A Black-shouldered Kite was perched on a pylon near Kerang.

We had lunch amongst hordes of Little Corella by the Loddon River in Bridgewater. I noticed there was one Long-billed

Corella with them. We visited the Castlemaine Botanic Garden where I saw Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-browed

Scrubwren, Brown Thornbill, Crimson Rosella and a Silvereye with chestnut flanks (race lateralis).

The following day we headed for Geelong. Our journey south saw us pass through the Brisbane Ranges NP where

we stopped at the Stony Creek Reservoir. Despite being overcast and misty, I saw some great birds, including a

young male Flame Robin and Red-browed Finch feeding on the lawn, and a Great Crested Grebe and Male Musk Duck on

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November 2015 5

the reservoir. After reaching Geelong we travelled to Queenscliff and rendezvoused with my sister and niece.

After fish and chips in the park we travelled to Torquay and then to Bellbrae Country Club where we would be staying for

a week. En route, we called into Lake Lorne at Drysdale, where I found Freckled Duck, Blue-billed Duck, Chestnut

Teal, Pink-eared Duck and Australasian Shoveler.

The Bellbrae Country Club is situated in a rural setting,

surrounded by farmland and forest, whilst only being a short distance away from Torquay. It proved to be the ideal

central location. Whilst my sister and niece were with us for a couple of days, my birding pursuits were somewhat

curtailed. Instead of chasing birds I found myself in trendy surfers clothes outlets, looking at cheaply made items that

were fetching huge prices. After only 5 minutes I was getting bored and longed to be looking for birds. My fortune

changed when I saw 2 Gang- gang Cockatoo feeding in a flowering gum in Torquay.

At last I was able to go birding. A trip along the Great Ocean Road took us to Anglesea. I walked along the

Anglesea River estuary to the ocean. I found a flock of Crested Tern bathing in the surf.

Some immature birds had silver bands on their legs.

On nearby rocks I discovered 3 Double-banded Plover in non-breeding plumage. Further along I saw a black Grey

Fantail (race Keasti) normally found in north-east Queensland. We headed inland to the famous Anglesea

Heath. This area has the most richest and diverse vegetation community in Victoria. A quarter of Victorias

plant species can be found. Over 80 types of orchids have

been identified. More than 100 species of bird can be found here, including the Powerful Owl.

Over the next week I found myself returning several times to the Anglesea Heath in search of more bird species.

During my visits I discovered many birds including Golden Whistler, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Yellow-faced Honeyeater,

Eastern Yellow Robin, Eastern Spinebill, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, White-throated Treecreeper, King Parrot, White-

naped Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, Dusky Woodswallow, and Spotted Pardalote.

The only negative was the ALCOA brown coal mine and Power Station in the middle of the heath land. (Since

returning from holidays the coal mine and power station have been closed down after bowing to public pressure. It

was reported that the electricity generated was not enough to keep it open. The area will be partly filled in and made

into a lake).

Other areas that we visited included the Great Ocean Road

to Lorne, Aireys Inlet, Bells Beach, and Point Addis. A couple of Rufous Bristlebird were seen at Bells Beach and

Point Addis. They prefer coastal heath, and I found them darting along the walking tracks, trying to dodge bicycles,

dogs and people. Also, whilst looking out to sea, Australasian Gannet were viewed flying by. The most

numerous bird found in all habitats was the New-holland Honeyeater. Its strident call quickly alerted me to its

presence. At Lorne there were adult and immature Pacific Gull resting on rocks near the pier. They could not look

more different. The adult with its clean grey and white plumage is a complete contrast to the immature, which is

brown. At Anglesea I saw a flock of Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo and a Collared Sparrowhawk. At Aireys Inlet we

had lunch at the ‘Allen Noble Sanctuary’. It is a small wetland which has a rich variety of waterbird. It is worth a

visit. I found a Nankeen Night-heron roosting in the vegetation behind.

After much exploring, it was time to depart and go home to Gol Gol. We had visited some wonderful places and met

some nice people. It was obvious that I needed to return in order to see more birds in this wonderful part of the world

and revisit the Anglesea Heath.

Photos:Pauline Follett. Pauline Follett

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6 The Rainbow Bird

A REMINISCENT TRIP NORTH

In mid August Marilyn and I set off on the Newell Highway to Dubbo with destination Nelson Bay in mind. Forty odd years

ago we took our four small children there and it rained day and night the four days we were there. This time the

weather was perfect, and Port Stephens was great spot to stay for a few of nights.

Spotting a White-bellied Sea-Eagle started our trip birdlist. After a dozen or so birds, including Sooty Oystercatchers,

Little Egrets, and Brown Goshawk we travelled the Hunter River and New England Highway, Tamworth, Armidale etc.

While lunching in a park at Tenterfield, just south of the border, Little and Noisy Friarbirds were feeding on a bush

with Blue-faced and other honeyeaters. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos flew over. Before reaching Toowoomba we added

White-browed and Grey-crowned Babblers.

The crops on the Darling Downs around Dalby looked great,

including a mob of Cockatiels, as we headed for Bunya Mountains. It is a semi-tropical rainforest area with many

large bunya pines and a few hoop pines, with similar birds to Lamington NP. We managed to see Australian Brush-

turkeys, Lewin's Honeyeaters, Eastern Yellow Robins, Bassian Thrush, Buff-rumped Thornbills, Topknot Pigeons

and the Noisy Pita.

He actually said 'hello' with his 'walk-to-work' call to ensure

we didn't pass him by! We 'heard' the Green Catbird, but we missed Paradise Riflebird, Regent Bowerbird and Sooty

Owl! The Ranger assured us they were there! Not for us that day! From there we headed to Bundaberg to fly out to

Lady Elliott Island. Near Bundaberg, on a dam by the roadside,we saw approximately 400 Magpie Geese. We

visited pals of Sharon and Alec's there on their sugar-cane farm. Brown Honeyeaters, Spangled Drongos, Pheasant

Coucals, and Scaly-breasted Lorikeet were amongst the birds they showed us - a nice interlude thanks to the

Hawtins.

Next came the Island. We were greeted by the Buff-banded

Rails, we estimated at 200, on the 30 acre Island and you didn't dare turn your back at the table or you lost some

lunch! There were up to 4-500,000 Black Noddys roosting at night and some by day where we were able to get up

close and personal! They were preparing for nesting and feeding not far past the coral, where at dusk it was a great

sight as they flew in, within metres, and settled on their roosts.

There were Red-tailed Tropicbirds nesting on the ground very close to the accommodation. We also saw Bridled and

Roseatte Terns, and Lesser Frigatebirds. Recommend Lady Elliott! (55th honeymoon!)

We returned to the mainland and headed to Rockhampton - saw Olive-backed Orioles, Australasian Figbirds and Leaden

Flycatchers, then headed West. At a wetland area we saw Black-necked Stork, Brolga and many Plumed Whistling-

Ducks, plus whilst driving, a Black-breasted Buzzard flew over the car! Next, on to Emerald. We went out to the dam

to see the large citrus and grape properties on the way. Many water birds were on the Lake including the two

spoonbills.

From Barcaldine with its "Tree of Knowledge" the drought

became very evident and it got 'worse'! We have never seen so many dead 'roos on the roadsides with at least 500

Black Kites feeding. Longreach was next where we noted the Mulga and bushes are dead and dying.

We travelled on to Winton to see the 'Age of the Dinosaurs' and particularly the Dinosaur 'Stampede' - both were great.

It takes you back 90 million years! We thoroughly enjoyed the visit. Next we headed to Jundah on the way to Welford

NP. Last time we visited this area the wetland was great - not so this time.

It was dry! However we 'heard' then found a Red-browed Pardalote and had a good look at some Red-tailed Black-

Cockatoos, plus four Australian Bustards and Spinifex Pigeons - pretty special birds to spy.

Next stop Quilpie. Next morning we drove to the a lookout area and spied friendly Hall's Babblers and five Little

Woodswallows cuddled up on a dead branch. That particular day we saw 5 of the 6 Woodswallows with Dusky not in the

area. The last 1,000 km we saw lots of small mobs of Budgerigars. From Thargomindah, Tiboorburra, Broken Hill

we noted Crimson Chats, Australian Pratincoles, Spotted Nightjar and Chirruping Wedgbill - a great trip with a total of

around 162 birds! You see some and you miss some! Enjoy your birding.

Marilyn and Ken. Rix

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November 2015 7

VISIT TO THE KIMBERLY NATIONAL PARKS

Our trip on the Ghan to Darwin in August to September this year was certainly very rewarding both in scenery and

birdlife. It was very dry, very hot and also humid but whereever there was water the birds were present.

Truly the finches of Western Australia and the Northern Territory are worth seeing. There were Masked, Double-

barred, Crimson, Long-tailed, Black-throated, Zebra, Star and Gouldian finches. The Gouldians with black faces were a

surprise. We found most birds up in the "top end" to be sub-species.

Gouldian Finches' preferred habitat is very long grasses so we were surprised to see about 40 plus Gouldian finches

where most of the country had been burnt with very few patches of long grass stalks. Nearly all the finches were

feeding on seeds in the burnt ground.

The National Parks we covered were the Gregory N.P., Keep River N.P., Litchfield N.P., Kakadu N.P., Bungle Bungle N.P.

and Fogg Dam N.P. All had a good number of finches however there is one less Crimson Finch. It met its demise

at the beak of a Brown Goshawk. Other notable birds, seen amongst quite a few different honeyeaters found only in this

area, were the White-quilled Rock Dove, flushed out of the Echidna Chasm in the Bungle Bungle N.P., plus a Sandstone

Shrike-thrush with his song resonating through the gorge - absolutely heart-stopping.

Their black-headed Northern Rosella is quite different to

ours, sitting so quietly in the trees. Unless you looked up you would not know they were there.

Photos: Chris Woods Betty, Doug and Chris Woods

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8 The Rainbow Bird

INTERESTING SIGHTINGS

22/04/2015 Cattle Egret (1) Williamsville (Curlwaa). In paddock with sheep P Follett/A Taylor/J Podgorski

23/05/2015 Little Egret (1) Lake Hattah. P Follett/J Podgorski

08/06/2015 Spotted Nightjar (2) Mallee Cliffs State Forest. Sitting on ground at night P Follett/A Taylor/J Podgorski

08/07/2015 Australian King-Parrot (2) Waratah Bay Vic.. Feeding, quite used to visitors I Benning

10/07/2015 Mallee Emu-wren (4) Nowingi Track. Flitting around F Japp/M Keenen

19/07/2015 Major Mitchell's Cockatoo (1) Ontario Ave. Mildura near Golf course. Flying over J Petschel

20/07/2015 Blue-faced Honeyeater (3) At home, West Mildura. Using bird feeder A Campbell

20/07/2015 Black-shouldered Kite (1) Hay. M Mack

20/07/2015 Black Falcon (1) Merbein. Flying South M Mack

22/07/2015 Metallic Starling (600) Cairns. Roosting in palm trees L & R Jeffers

22/07/2015 Red Goshawk (1) Between Kuranda & Cairns. Sitting in tree L Jeffers

23/07/2015 Redthroat (2) Chowilla Station. P Follett/A Taylor

25/07/2015 Black Falcon (1) Twenty-first St. Swamps. Flew over quickly F Japp

25/07/2015 Australian Hobby (1) Twenty-first St. Swamps. Feeding on Starling F Japp/L Modica

25/07/2015 Blue-billed Duck (4) Twenty-first St. Swamps. F Japp/L Modica

27/07/2015 Major Mitchell's Cockatoo (2) At home, Gol Gol. Examining Red Gums along billabong B MacMillan

27/07/2015 Peregrine Falcon (1) At home, Gol Gol. Flying with prey - prob. Crested Pigeon B MacMillan

29/07/2015 Major Mitchell's Cockatoo (10) Pine Plains. In trees, nesting in hollows C MacGillivray

30/07/2015 Common Bronzewing (12) At home, Irymple. Been here since summer J Surman

31/07/2015 White-necked Heron (1) Deakin Ave. Mildura. Flying over S Fisher

01/08/2015 Olive-backed Oriole (2) Speed. In an overgrown garden C MacGillivray

02/08/2015 White-faced Heron (2) At home, Mildura. Sitting in trees at home R Lonsdale

04/08/2015 Brown Falcon (1) Second St. Merbein. Being hassled by Noisy Miners L & R Jeffers

06/08/2015 Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater (1) At home, Mildura. In bird bath I Benning

13/08/2015 Black-eared Cuckoo (1) Pink Lakes. Calling and seen F Japp

13/08/2015 Major Mitchell's Cockatoo (2) Nichols Point Cemetry. Feeding on Pine cones J Petschel

18/08/2015 Little Grassbird (1) Cowanna Billabong - Merbein Common. R Jeffers

20/08/2015 Australian Reed-Warbler (2) Cowanna Billabong - Merbein Common. R Jeffers

20/08/2015 Silvereye (4) Cowanna Billabong - Merbein Common. In saltbush R Jeffers

23/08/2015 Black-eared Miner (8) Bambill Sth Tr.(6) & Pheenys Tr.(2). Feeding M Mack/K McGrath/L & R Jeffers

23/08/2015 Red-lored Whistler (1) Pheenys Track. Sitting in tree & calling M Mack/K McGrath/L & R Jeffers

23/08/2015 Southern Scrub-robin (1) Bambill S Track. M Mack/K McGrath/L & R Jeffers

27/08/2015 Rainbow Pitta (4) Darwin Territory Wildlife Park. Wild and captive A & S Hawtin

30/08/2015 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike (2) 725 Walnut Ave. Sitting in tree P Williams

01/09/2015 Collared Sparrowhawk (1) At home, Mildura. Flew in and out J Greatz

01/09/2015 White-faced Heron (2) At home, Mildura. Have mated R Lonsdale

15/09/2015 Rainbow Bee-eater (3) Australian Inland Botanic Gardens. Flying over A & S Hawtin

18/09/2015 Red-necked Avocet (100) Psyche Lagoon. Feeding vorciously D & B Woods

18/09/2015 Eastern Osprey (1) Iraak. Flying along creek P Follett/J Podgorski

22/09/2015 Square-tailed Kite (1) North Gol Gol. Chased by 2 Magpies P Follett

23/09/2015 Australasian Shoveler (2) Kings Billabong. Swimming in environmental water D & B Woods

25/09/2015 Peregrine Falcon (1) Gol Gol. In dead tree in river B MacMillan

26/09/2015 Whiskered Tern (6) At home, Yelta. Flew over West to East L & R Jeffers

28/09/2015 Sacred Kingfisher (1) Cowanna Billabong - Merbein Common. R Jeffers

29/09/2015 Western Gerygone (2) Wallpolla Island. Making nest in sapling P Follett/A Taylor/F Japp

30/09/2015 New Holland Honeyeater (1) At home, Nichols Point. Feeding in correas C Woods

30/09/2015 Black-breasted Buzzard (1) Darling River. Sitting in nest not breeding P Follett/A Taylor/F Japp/J Podgorski

03/10/2015 Black Kite (2) Lock Island. A Campbell

03/10/2015 Rainbow Bee-eater (2) Kings Billabong. Darting over lagoon B & C Woods

05/10/2015 Australian Shelduck (7) Cowanna Billabong - Merbein Common. M, F and 7 young L & R Jeffers

05/10/2015 Red-necked Avocet (50) Brickworks B'bong - Merbein Common. L & R Jeffers

06/10/2015 Masked Lapwing (4) Gliding Club. Adult and 3 chicks - here a week I Benning

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November 2015 9

LIFE RETURNS TO THE BILLABONG

Curious to see how far the environmental water at Kings Billabong had gone, after seeing Duck Foot Lagoon full again after many months dry, we walked around it to the 0.3 km sign at the crossroads on the 18th September this year. A chorus of

different frog calls gave us an inkling of what was in store for us at the little foot bridge and what a sight it was to behold! The lagoon created looked like it had been there for years with a Black Swan swimming and giving a warning call to an

obviously nesting mate. A couple of Little Grassbirds were calling to each other at the edge.

Ducks; Grey Teal, Australian Wood, Pacific Black, Australian Shelduck, and even a pair of Australian Shovellers, along with

grebes, egrets and White-necked Heron were feeding. Swallows and martins were dipping into the water in long swoops. Bush birds such as Superb Fairy-wrens, Rufous Whistler, Yellow Thornbills and butcherbirds were also evident. The young

box and red gum trees around the edges had a welcome drink as well.

Going home we called in at Psyche Lagoon where hundreds of ducks, mainly Grey Teal, were feeding and 100+ Red-necked

Avocets, which we have not seen for over 10 years, were also feeding voraciously.

Betty Woods

CLUB CALENDAR 2015/16

Nov

Tues 3rd Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm

Sat 7th

Outing - Birdwatching event at Lakes Powell and Carpul.

Free bus transport is available. The bus will pick up and drop off at the bus stop on Eighth Street,

in front of Kmart.

The bus will be departing from the Kmart stop at 8:30am and arriving back at 5pm.

A complementary lunch will also be provided, consisting of sandwiches, water, slice and fruit. If

you have any dietary requirements please advise when registering for the event.

To register for this event please ring 50 514 377 or email susan.saris@malleecma.com.au

Sat 28th / Sun 29th Challenge Bird Count

Dec Tues 1st Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm

Sun 6th Outing - Christmas Get-together at Lake Hawthorn - Regina Ave. picnic area from 6:00pm

Jan Sat 2nd

Outing - Etiwanda Wetlands (AM only) - Leader: Jenny Surman Meet at Bike Hub Pine Ave. at 8:00am

Thurs 28th Committee Meeting

Feb Tues 1st Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm

Sun 7th Outing - Thegoa Lagoon - Leader: Col Stewart Meet at Bike Hub Pine Ave. at 8:00am

March Tues 1st Club Annual Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm

Sat 5th Outing - Waders at Morquong - Leader: Allan Taylor Meet at Bike Hub Pine Ave. at 8:00am

April

Tues 5th Club Meeting at Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Ave, Mildura at 7:30pm

Sat 9th / Sun 10th Campout at Bamera CP. Visit Banrock Station and other local birding sites

Tues 19th Ned’s Corner survey