A Regional Group of BirdLife WA since 2005 Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin

Issue 64 April 2020

Hooded Plover and Sanderling, Kilcarnup – Photo Mick Cross

‘wherever you go there are birds to watch’ However, due to social distancing,

this issue features photographs and notes of our more common birds closer to home in the capes

BirdLife Australia’s #BirdingAtHome and #CuppawiththeBirds

‘Birding at Home’ page https://www.networkbirdlife.org/birding-at-home ‘Birds in Backyards’ activities (record observations on Birdata)

‘There’s nobody about, so we don’t have to rush across’ – Photo Christine Wilder

CONTENTS Page Program 2 From the Editor 3 Hoodie Happenings 4 Cockatoo Capers 5 Capes Osprey Watch 6 Leeuwin Marine Charters Seabirds 7-8 Injuries to birds 8 Two Oceans Watch 9 Cape to Cape Chatter 10-18 Sightings 19

Is your name on the list for future seabird charters

when permitted LEEUWIN MARINE CHARTERS

Augusta Boat Harbour cwilderone@yahoo.com.au

Galahs – Photo Dean McFaull

Note: All the local excursions/campouts/meetings are for BirdLife Australia members and the general public. The leader will always be present at the meeting place and will decide whether or not to proceed. In the event of threatening weather, those planning to attend an excursion (particularly if travelling some distance) are welcome to check conditions with the leader prior to the excursion (use individual mobile contact if given).

Convenor – Christine Wilder cwilderone@yahoo.com.au Deputy Convenor – Jennifer Hunt

Past Issues Visit ‘birdlife western 2ustralia publications’ Go to ‘Regional Group Newsletters’ – ‘Capes’ Website – http://birdlife.org.au/locations/ birdlife-western-australia/publications-wa

Cape to Cape Bird Group PROGRAM

Cape to Cape Bird Group No group activities planned

until further notice

Red-capped Parrot – Photo Dean McFaull

Western Rosella on rosemary – Photo Jill Cornes

Photographs in this publication are the property of individual photographers or BirdLife Australia.

Permission is necessary to reproduce any photographs.

2

Editor’s update

Photo Denise Ewen

‘Watching’ closer to home Restrictions for gatherings were placed upon us towards end of March, giving a new perspective on why we’ll enjoy watching birds at home this year. In the last couple of weeks, I was overwhelmed with photographs and notes of the more common birds visiting capes gardens. It has been satisfying spending more time in my garden watching birds and putting this newsletter together.

For something different: Natural History Books: www.AndrewIsles.com And from Sue Kalab, Convenor, Bunbury Regional Group:

“Bob loves Birds” https://youtu.be/itgh9U2kX2c

At the time of writing, BirdLife Australia and BirdLife WA projects, meetings and activities have been postponed until further notice – BirdLife staff continue to work from home.

Enjoy the variety of birds here in the capes and keep taking those fantastic photographs and recording observations about local birds. Warmest regards to everyone.

Christine Wilder

A very Splendid Fairy-wren – Photo Claire Timmons

Gilbert’s Honeyeater – Photo Claire Timmons

Vale Richard (‘Rick’) Grenfell Richard Grenfell passed away on 6 March. Well-known to some residents of Margaret River, Rick was a dedicated advocate for local wildlife, especially the Hooded Plover.

In 1996, Rick and others formed the Margaret River Regional Environment Centre (MRREC), with their first office in the infant health building in Memorial Park. Rick was co-ordinator for many years and MRREC continues to be active in our region. I got to know Rick as I was a volunteer with Birds Australia (now BirdLife Australia) and with other members of MRREC and Department of Conservation and Land Management (now DBCA Parks and Wildlife), we all participated in early Hooded Plover surveys here in the capes, were members of the Hooded Plover Management Committee in the Margaret River region, organised the original beach signage and raised awareness in the community through publicity in local newspapers.

Because of initial work by environmentalists such as Rick, public education about the plight of shorebirds remains in the spotlight in our region, nowadays with the collaboration between the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Parks and Wildlife Division) and BirdLife Australia for workshops, volunteer training, beach monitoring, reporting on the BirdLife Beach Nesting Birds portal, erection of signage, shelters and fencing by DBCA rangers, and publicity through social media, school visits, displays and in this newsletter.

Sincere condolences to Rick’s family. Christine Wilder

Welcome Swallow – Photo Dean McFaull 3

Hoodie Happenings and other shorebirds

Sanderlings and gulls, Sewers, 3/4/20 – Photo Jann Lane (taken on phone)

23 March – Our son Randall saw 2 Hooded Plovers at Karates, 2kms south of South Point.

24 March – 2 Hooded Plovers feeding at Ellensbrook Beach. Twice now we have seen Hoodies happily feeding there.

2 April – 2 Hooded Plovers feeding north of the Gnarabup boat ramp, along with 2 Red-capped Plovers and 23 Sanderlings.

6 April – Randall saw 2 Hooded Plovers at Karates, sitting high up on the beach. 8 April – I visited Ellensbrook Beach in late evening, saw 2 Hooded Plovers feeding next to a person fishing, but there was no sign of unusual behaviour by the birds. It was almost dark when I noticed the hoodies were nestling down into the large amount of seaweed wrack, looked like they were going to spend the night there. A piper stood on the dune playing ‘Scotland the Brave’ on his bagpipes.

Jennifer Smith 25 March A friend and I recently did another leg of the Cape to Cape walk, Cowaramup to Margaret River. On the beach leading up to Ellensbrook Homestead saw a Hoody doing the broken wing trick so presume there were young or eggs. Only saw the one but suspect there were a pair. On the north end of Kilcarnup just past Joey’s Nose saw another pair of Hoodies and on the south end of Kilcarnup near where the track leaves the beach saw a group of four with Sanderlings. None of the birds I saw had leg tags.

Mick Cross 28 March Mike and I went for a walk and saw two Hooded Plovers at Quarry Bay. We did not see them when we first went on the beach but on our return, they were just south of the steps, very calm and continued to forage and walk towards us. The only tracks on the beach that were fresh were from a bike. I recorded the information on the BirdLife Beach Nesting Birds portal.

Jenny Kikeros

Sooty Oystercatcher, Deere beach, 3/4/20 – Photo Jenny Kikeros

Juvenile Hooded Plover, Quarry Bay, 28/3/20 – Photo Jenny Kikeros

Common Sandpiper, south Deere Beach, 1/4/20 – Photo Jenny Kikeros

Sooty Oystercatchers, Hamelin Bay – Photo Christine Wilder

If you see Hooded Plovers on any beach please report them, especially if you find a nest or adults/chicks. Also check for leg flags – Last year two birds were released – one with a yellow BA flag, one with a blue BA flag.

Email BirdLife WA: wa@birdlife.org.au

4

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo – Photo Graham Edwards

“The cockies are still around. Go out to your garden and hear their beautiful calls in these tough times, your spirits will be lifted by it” – Adam Peck

It was with great sadness that I informed everyone that this year’s Great Cocky Count (GCC) would not go ahead. The announcement of Covid-19 restrictions on 30 March made it almost impossible to do the surveys and be compliant.

As most will know, gatherings of more than two are not permitted and many older people or people with health issues are advised to stay at home whenever possible. We could not go ahead with this survey and ask people to go against government advice and more importantly we could not risk the health and wellbeing of our volunteers and the wider community. Unfortunately postponing the event is also not possible, since the data need to be gathered in April to enable comparison with previous years.

I have been planning the GCC since November 2019 and it is the highlight of my year, so I am naturally devastated to get so close without a result. However, I’d like to look on the bright side. I’m so proud of another great volunteer turn out (692), many of whom I’m sure will be back in 2021. This event is so popular and important that it will keep going. Many people have spent time checking their sites before the day and will obviously be disappointed, but the cockies are still around.

Most importantly, please stay safe and well through this period. BirdLife’s volunteers are our lifeblood and we couldn’t do our work to protect birds without you. I’d like to thank Wes Cooper for all his help sending allocation emails. You were great Wes, well done!

All the best for the rest of 2020 and I hope to hear from you next year.

Regards, Adam Peck, Black-Cockatoo Project Coordinator BirdLife Western Australia

Black-Cockatoo pre-count in the Margaret River region – 15 March A black-cockatoo pre-count, organised by Shapelle McNee, was undertaken by volunteers in the Margaret River region on 15 March. Shapelle reported a preliminary total of 270 White-tailed Black-Cockatoos counted by 26 observers at 16 roost sites and a total of 4 Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos at one of the sites. Three new night roost sites were located, with cockatoos possibly moving to one of the new sites, from a known site further north.

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo at garden bird bath – Photo Eleanor Bollam

Over Christmas we camped at Yallingup for two weeks and approximately 20 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos were feeding at Caves House.

Alan and Caroline Burdett 1 April - Carbunup We watched a small group of max 20 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos earlier this week eating the seeds from Banksia Grandis. 5 April - Carbunup Adrian and I enjoyed the opportunity to continue being active citizen scientists (GCC) as we are fortunate to live so close to our site. We counted 24 White-tailed Black-Cockatoos roosting, we heard some birds leaving the roost at 6:15am next morning and then on our daily walk we observed them feeding in Marris near the river at 8:45am. We counted only 4 birds when we participated in the pre-survey at the same site. Last year’s GCC the same site also had 4 birds.

Janean Robinson 19 March - Augusta Continuing my search for a cockatoo night roost, I first saw two cockatoos feeding in a Marri on the verge of Leeuwin Road, then I heard more in another Marri, then birds over the road. The noise from the nuts dropping was loud and constant. A truck passed by and suddenly the trees were alive with cockatoos. 85 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos took off together in a noisy cloud and flew west towards the airstrip in the late evening. 20 March - Augusta Tonight 4 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos flying north of Hillview Road. 26 March - Augusta No black-cockatoos when Mary and Herbie Whittall and I went searching for them down the track from the Volunteer Sea Rescue hut in Flinders Bay. 27 March - Augusta 2 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos flying towards main street in late evening. 30 March - Augusta 6 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos feeding in Marris on Leeuwin Road in evening.

Christine Wilder 27 March - Augusta A gathering this morning of only 5-6 White-tailed Black-Cockatoos departed after their morning drink at our garden bird bath in Flinders Bay.

Mary Whittall 1 April - Augusta Went for a stroll to the airstrip road around 10:30am. At the north end there were a bunch of cockies, Baudin’s from call and long bills. They were feeding in the lower branches and on the ground. There must have been 50+ flew off to the west side of the airstrip. Did not see another person, spider webs over tracks, wind still, and silent, a bit spooky but also nice. 3 April - Augusta A good mob of probably 40+ cockies, feeding in the Marri at the north end of the airstrip, between the runway and Hillview Road. They seemed to have less problem with being disturbed as I was able to walk quietly and let them fly overhead and settle close to me. Only other birds seen were Galahs and a Scarlet Robin.

Roger Crabtree 4 April - Augusta ~100 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos at the Augusta Civic Park.

Deb Perry 4 April - Augusta Estimated there was 30 Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos on a track between Allnut Terrace and the airstrip road.

Jenny Kikeros

5

Capes Osprey Watch

Four Ospreys at roost, 2/4/20 (taken on phone) – Photo Christine Wilder

Turner Caravan Park Augusta Osprey roost site monitoring Osprey roost site check approx. 5pm. This has become my favourite activity on my evening walk. The caravan park is shut. When the ospreys are roosting in the karri, they look down at me and one will often give a contact call. They even look like they are distancing, but they don’t perch in the same positions on the branches each time. 19/3/20 – 3 ospreys 23/3/20 – 0 ospreys 24/3/20 – 3 ospreys 27/3/20 – 0 ospreys 28/3/20 – 3 ospreys (3pm from my deck – 4 ospreys above caravan park) 29/3/20 – 0 ospreys 30/3/20 – 0 ospreys (3 ospreys flying over river-mouth) 31/3/20 – 0 ospreys 1/4/20 – 0 ospreys 2/4/20 – 4 ospreys 3/4/20 – 2 ospreys (plus 2 ospreys flying over river-mouth) 4/4/20 – 4 ospreys 5/4/20 – 4 ospreys (checked by Mary Whittall and Christine Wilder) 8/4/20 – 0 ospreys (checked by Neil Daetwyler and Christine Wilder – when walking to site, observed 2 ospreys perched on pine trees at Colourpatch and 1 osprey flying past them) 9/4/20 – 0 ospreys (checked by Jacqui Graves and Christine Wilder) 10/4/20 – 4 ospreys 12/4/20 – 0 ospreys

Christine Wilder

Eastern Osprey with Mullet – Photo Ray Heslewood

Eastern Osprey, Quindalup – Photo Lulu Paxton

3 April Mike and I walk the dog to the Blackwood River mouth. For the last three days ospreys have been active just south of the mouth, catching fish and then having a dispute in the air. They then land on the sandbar - one to eat and one to look.

7 April A very exciting day on the beach at Deere Street. No osprey action at the river mouth but along Deere Beach it was all go. I spotted 6 raptors in the sky. I took a few snaps of the ospreys, a Whistling Kite and a juvenile White-bellied Sea-Eagle. Then as I was checking to see if the Common Sandpiper was still about a juvenile Pacific Gull and Silver Gull had a dispute.

Jenny Kikeros

Juvenile White-bellied Sea-Eagle and Eastern Ospreys

Photos Jenny Kikeros

6

LEEUWIN MARINE CHARTERS St. Alouarn Island, Flinders Islands,

South east Rocks and Seal Island and open ocean south west of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse

Sanderlings and Ruddy Turnstones feeding on Flinders Island platform

Black-browed Albatross

Black-browed Albatross

3 Black-browed Albatrosses and 1 Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross

All photos on this page were taken by Wendy Eiby on the seabird charter on 14 March (reported in March issue).

White-faced Heron on St. Alouarn Island platform

Australasian Gannets flying in formation

Bridled Terns on Flinders Island

Seabirds following the boat

7

Black-browed Albatrosses

Seabird Charter – Leeuwin Marine Charters Augusta Boat Harbour and return – 14 March

Updated Bird Species List (Alphabetrical Order) This list has been updated since photographs confirmed the identification of the shorebirds seen on Flinders Island. Australasian Gannet 6 Adults, 3 Juveniles Australian Pied Oystercatcher 4 (flying over harbour) Black-browed Albatross 4 (2 Adults, 2 Imm.) Bridled Tern ≥200+ Crested Tern 41 Flesh-footed Shearwater 25 Hutton’s Shearwater 1 Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 1 Pacific Gull 4 (3 Adults, 1 Juvenile) Pied Cormorant 2 Ruddy Turnstone 5 feeding on rock platform Sanderling 17 feeding on rock platform Silver Gull 9 Sooty Oystercatcher 3 White-faced Heron 1 (on St. Alouarn Island)

NZ Fur Seals 50 approx.

Australasian Gannets and Flesh-footed Shearwater Photos above taken by Georgia Clifford on 14 March

Injured by lure hook line rope

Pacific Gull – Photo Brian Trainer

19 March I first saw the young Pacific Gull at Curtis Bay. It then took off. I didn’t see the problem then but could see it was having problems. Found it again about 200 metres east. Only saw the lure around its legs when it was about 10 metres in flight. The bird was salivating ... wondered afterward if fishing hook had damaged the gull’s beak first. Eventually re-found the gull three kilometres away at Whalers Cove.

Suzanne Strapp (FAWNA) drove from Busselton to help but the bird was too quick, and it headed towards Quindalup. An alert was posted on FAWNA.

Brian Trainer

28 March I saw this Australasian Darter at the end of Deere Street, Augusta with fishing rope caught in its bill. I rang Kerry Bell (FAWNA) and Dave Bell came down but by the time he arrived the bird had gone. I have been keeping an eye out, but I haven’t seen it since. I do hope it has not drowned, since it can’t preen, or died from lack of food. I have not recorded a darter at Deere Street beach before this.

We have had lots of weed and high tides. The strong south easterlies brought in so much weed and we now have westerlies, so the pelicans, ducks, gulls and other birds are having a great time. There were 9 pelicans at the end of our street.

Jenny Kikeros Note: Australasian Darters have occasionally been seen by Roger Crabtree at Deere Reef beach. Ed.

Australasian Darter – Photo Jenny Kikeros

8

Two Oceans Watch

Deepdene, Outer Deere Reef and south of Augusta Boat Harbour

Nine juvenile Australasian Gannets

Outer Deere Reef

Juvenile Australasian Gannet

Outer Deere Reef

Juvenile Australasian Gannet

Outer Deere Reef

Australasian Gannets Photos above taken by Hayley Muller on 12 April

Adult Shy Albatross with shearwater, 19/3/20 – Photo Dave Muller

19 March Shy Albatrosses (1 adult and 1 immature) seen 7 nautical miles west of Deepdene.

20 March 4 Australasian Gannets seen out of Augusta Boat Harbour.

12 April 9 juvenile Australasian Gannets and 3 Flesh-footed Shearwaters seen off Deere Reef.

Dave Muller

Adult Shy Albatross, 19/3/20 – Photo Dave Muller

Immature Shy Albatross, 19/3/20 – Photo Dave Muller

‘birdlife western australia bird guides’ Featuring local bird lists & birding sites

‘Busselton’ – Supported by City of Busselton ‘Augusta/Margaret River’ – Supported by

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River Check them out on the BirdLife WA web page

9

Birds closer to home

Western Spinebill (male), Yallingup garden – Photo Therese Sayers

While we remain in our homes, the birds continue to go about their routines in our yards.

I have noticed, following a huge exodus of Red Wattlebirds, that Western Spinebills have moved into my Augusta garden. Spinebills have not been recorded by me before this. I see the occasional Red Wattlebird on the powerlines now, but the smaller Western Spinebills seem to be in a frantic state, calling constantly for minutes at a time, not staying in one spot for long, darting in and out of the bushes in the front garden. Robyn Gordon grevilleas, hibiscus and tacoma are in flower and the birds are constantly feeding there.

A pair of Scarlet Robins too have been visiting the bird baths since February, White-breasted Robins, Red-winged and Splendid Fairy-wrens feed out the back and Grey Butcherbirds call close by.

Christine Wilder

In our garden in Margaret River, I spotted this Silvereye, not searching for fresh fruit, but cleaning up this shrivelled quince after a parrot made a meal of it.

Terry Scott

Spotted Pardalote, Yallingup garden – Photo Jill Cornes

26 March I know – only a few days – and we have cabin fever already. At least the birds are free. It seems as if the bronzewings are quarantining as well as us in our Augusta garden with eight to ten pigeons most days and they are staying around. The New Holland Honeyeaters are emptying one tiny water pot several times a day.

Roger Crabtree 29 March Too bad all is shut down, but life is pretty good all the same. The birds were a bit quiet around here in Margaret River, but the recent bit of drizzle and cooler weather has made a difference.

One is never alone with birds around. This morning I was having breakfast in a ‘Covid information overload stupor’ when I noticed activity in the bird bath. The next half hour was rush hour there with the following pecking order: Red Wattlebird, Australian Ringneck (lots of yellow on chest), three New Holland Honeyeaters, White-breasted Robin, Brown Honeyeater and two Silvereyes. A Western Spinebill male had four very quick dips and I was so excited I nearly choked. What a start to the day. Not had this much luck ever before!

Joan Sharpe

New Holland Honeyeater, Augusta – Photo Roger Crabtree

Left – Silvereye, Margaret River – Photo Terry Scott

10

Australian White Ibis – Photo Warwick Stenson

30 March Strange times indeed. I have attached a photo of an Australian White Ibis last week at my place in Boranup. The Western Rosellas and Australian Ringnecks are enjoying the weeds I have let go to seed. So nice to see them around and quite a few smaller birds out and about with the cooler weather.

Warwick Stenson

31 March I think we’ll have to get used to this. Red-winged Fairy-wrens are really elusive when they see a camera. Went for a walk out the back through the bush and on the way saw fairy-wrens, a nice mob of Silvereyes (I always seem to see them in hakeas), bronzewings hooting, butcherbirds calling, but not much else.

Roger Crabtree

Red-eared Firetail, Gnarabup garden – Photo Jane Scott

Red-eared Firetails, Margaret River – Photo Claire Timmons

Australian Ringnecks (Twenty-eight Parrots) – Photo Claire Timmons

31 March Good idea for the garden birds feature – I always have the camera set up just as they flit off – had a beautiful male Western Rosella in my sights a couple of days ago, but as soon as I crept to the window with camera at the ready, he was gone! The spinebills on the woolly bush have been superb but they definitely don’t sit still! Never mind, plenty of time now so I’ll keep trying ....

When I trolled through all my photos I actually have quite a few bird photos from our Witchy and Tamala gardens!

From Witchy – New Holland Honeyeaters in bird baths … and Silvereyes, always fun. We used to have Spotted Pardalotes visiting their reflections all the time (one of the things I miss about living there). Western Rosellas enjoyed the Olearia axillaris flowers and a White-breasted Robin nested in the Hoya on the verandah.

From Tamala – I found young Southern Boobooks in a peppermint on the driveway after some indignant clamouring underneath from a group of magpies. The Dusky Woodswallows are my favourite visitors at Tamala and the Red-eared Firetails are more often heard than seen, except when I relent and scatter a bit of seed.

Jane Scott

Southern Boobooks, Gnarabup garden – Photo Jane Scott

Opinions, statements or views in this newsletter are those of the Editor or individual contributors and may not be those of BirdLife Australia. Every effort has been made to check the accuracy of content. If you notice any errors or inaccuracies please contact the Editor.

11

Social distancing doesn’t come naturally to some of us! Claire Timmons

Splendid Fairy-wrens, Margaret River

Photos above Claire Timmons

Right – New Holland Honeyeater – Photo Claire Timmons

New Holland Honeyeater, Common Bronzewing – Photos Roger Crabtree

One of three Grey Currawongs flying over Caves House gardens, Yallingup

Photo Alan Burdett

12

Red-winged Fairy-wren, Yallingup garden – Photo Jill Cornes

Willie Wagtail – Photo Dean McFaull

Our version of bin chickens – Photo Roger Crabtree

Red-capped Parrots, Augusta – Photo Roger Crabtree

Female Splendid Fairy-wren, Yallingup garden – Photo Therese Sayers

Western Whistler – Photo Dean McFaull

New Holland Honeyeaters, Margaret River – Photo Claire Timmons

13

These martins look like they’re distancing – Photo Claire Timmons

Australian Ravens, front garden – Photo Roger Crabtree

Scarlet Robin – Photo Roger Crabtree

New Holland Honeyeater – Photo Roger Crabtree

BirdLife Australia’s ethical birding guidelines promote the welfare of birds and their environment, where observers are encouraged to practice minimum disturbance to nesting birds and birds in general, and be aware of the impact photography, camera flash and playing bird call apps can have on birds.

White-faced Heron, front garden – Photo Roger Crabtree

1 April We have had constant traffic go through Carbunup the last few nights, all night! Hopefully will quieten down now with borders in place. We have neighbours that chopped down large Marri trees in their garden (just after our gathering with you all on 12 March). They don’t like leaves, yet chose to live near a reserve, and they love leaf blowers, lawn mowers, hedge clippers and pretty much anything that makes a loud noise.

Anyway … luckily the birds still come in-between to visit our back garden (one of the few with some shrubs/trees). Yesterday we watched a Grey Shrike-thrush very close to us, tame as anything, hop around as it ate lots of insects under that big ‘naughty’ tree we have! We have also been observing a pair of Western Rosellas and a juvenile hang out in that tree and along the power line area quite regularly.

All we need now is for Joop to be here to take some spectacular close-up photos. We will certainly keep looking out and thank you again for keeping us motivated with your wonderful newsletters.

Enjoy the peace, birds and nature. They will keep you well. And I hope that with these new times more people around us will discover that there is more to do in this world than drive motors and grow lawns.

Janean Robinson 11 April This morning the ‘Cowaras’ (Purple-crowned Lorikeets) are here in our gardens in Cowaramup. The tree next door to us is full of white blossoms and that has attracted them.

Geoff and Judith Bull

Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Cowaramup garden – Photo Geoff Bull

14

Western Rosella, Spotted Pardalote, Gilbert’s Honeyeater and Silvereyes

Photos Jane Scott

White-breasted Robin (juvenile) – Photo Dean McFaull

White-breasted Robin, Witchcliffe – Photo Jane Scott

Square-tailed Kite, over West Busselton garden, end March

Photo Gillian Richmond

Western Rosella – Photo Dean McFaull

15

Photos Clockwise from above right Western Spinebills (Male and Female) and Red-winged Fairy-wren

Photos Claire Timmons Juvenile New Holland Honeyeater, Cowaramup garden Juvenile Red Wattlebird, Cowaramup garden (note small wattle and yellow on belly)

Photos Geoff Bull Brown Honeyeater and Red-capped Parrot

Photos Claire Timmons

16

Little Tern

PGPs, GPs, Little Tern

20 March Had a wonderful afternoon with 21 Pacific Golden Plovers (PGPs) on the Blackwood River, Augusta. Half of them were changing into breeding plumage with one nearly fully changed. They are a beautiful sight to see.

28 March The last few trips back home in the boat have been very productive with plover sightings. It has helped that the tide has been close to full, thus reducing the mud islands down to only one in the sticks and water deep enough for the larger waders, but too deep for the Sanderlings and Red-necked Stints etc.

I was sitting in the little 10-foot dinghy counting Red-necked Stints and Sanderlings at the mud island in the sticks when 21 PGPs came flying over and started feeding just close to me. They are normally very wary, but it seems to be better watching from the boat rather than sliding along the mud on one’s stomach. It is better for me because I can just put my feet over the side of the boat and push it along silently closer to the birds. They don’t seem to recognise this as a danger and normally just keep on feeding or preening.

Out of the 21 PGPs, 9 had started to colour up and one was in nearly full breeding plumage. A couple of days later there was a small flock of Grey Plovers (GPs) and 3 or 4 of them had just started to get the black feathers on their tummies. I didn’t see any GPs changing last year.

There has only been the odd Great Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit, so maybe they left Australia before the borders got shut down. It would be nice to see another Red Knot as last year.

7 April I think the tern is a Little Tern because of the colour of the legs and black on the wings. It was with GPs and Caspian Terns but was more flighty than them.

I saw a White-bellied Sea-Eagle chasing a Silver Gull, then a Whistling Kite took over the chase. The poor gull had to go so high but finally got away.

Dean McFaull

Note: Yes to the Little Tern - a non-breeding adult and the darker outer primaries distinguish it from a Fairy Tern.

Vicki Stokes – WA Program Manager BirdLife Western Australia

PGPs

GPs

Australian White Ibis and Yellow-billed Spoonbills

(one spoonbill showing staining)

All photos with this article taken by Dean McFaull

17

Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos, end of airstrip – Photo Roger Crabtree

Adhering to the two person rule in Augusta

Six days and I hadn’t ventured far from home, so on 4 April I met up with Roger Crabtree for a walk (keeping the required distance for exercise) to the BMX track, golf course, ponds and to the northern end of the airstrip road, to see if any black-cockatoos were about. This small area comprises predominantly Marri and Karri, open grass areas on the fairways, water at the ponds and the forested northern end of the airstrip road.

Once we reached the golf course, we heard black-cockatoos calling and plenty of nuts dropping, and noticed lots of large fresh green honkey nuts on the ground had been chewed in a way that most of the green seeds remained inside. The chew pattern resembled red-tails. We were bombarded with nuts from one Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo above us and all the dropped fresh green nuts collected were chewed in the same way. We estimated at least 50 birds were scattered around the bushland dividing the fairways. Roger thought perhaps the cockatoos were getting hungry and able to break open the green capsules without too much effort or risk of damage to their bills but feeding on the seeds that are not so ripe and maybe missing many.

A check of the ponds revealed two Australasian Grebes on the lower pond.

On reaching the airstrip road, we immediately heard young black-cockatoos constantly begging and discovered a créche of about 14 birds, and they didn’t move, even when we were right beside them. A little further on at least fifteen Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos were feeding amongst the Marris.

We didn’t see anyone else, but saw 19 bird species without effort, and plan to hold an official bird excursion there once we are free to do so.

Christine Wilder

Woodland at golf course – Photo Christine Wilder

Northern end of airstrip road, fairway, lower pond

Photos Christine Wilder

Bird list for the walk: Common Bronzewing Red Wattlebird Australasian Grebe Gilbert’s Honeyeater Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo Spotted Scrubwren Galah Inland Thornbill Red-capped Parrot Western Whistler Australian Ringneck Australian Magpie Western Rosella Grey Fantail Elegant Parrot White-breasted Robin Splendid Fairy-wren Silvereye New Holland Honeyeater

Fresh green honkey nuts – Photo Roger Crabtree

18

Have you observed Brush Bronzewings

anywhere in the capes recently?

The last two sightings of Brush Bronzewings reported within the capes region were:

3 June 2019 “I know there are a couple of records from Augusta, but this Brush Bronzewing is the first I have seen here. It was on the track behind our garden around 9:30am on 3 June 2019.”

Roger Crabtree

4 January 2020 “Brush Bronzewing male and female feeding on the dirt track which connects the end of Sebbes Road with the road to the Boranup Gallery and Café. I’m pretty sure it’s my first ever sighting in the Margaret River area.”

Richard Nowotny, with Diana Bryant

Brush Bronzewing – Photos Roger Crabtree

One of three Nankeen Night-Herons at Hardy Street, Augusta, 3/4/20

Photo Rachel Seal

● Sightings ●

Thank you for sending articles, photos, unusual/interesting sightings from the capes region (or beyond) for inclusion in newsletters. All contributions are acknowledged. To ensure megabytes are kept to a minimum when attaching to emails, please send photos as jpeg (NOT MORE THAN 1MB EACH), maximum three photos each email or if large numbers of photographs send via Dropbox. DON’T EMBED photos/articles in email but send as attachment, articles preferably in Word. Confirm photographer. Email to: cwilderone@yahoo.com.au

Christine Wilder - Editor

Here are the reported sightings:

Pacific Black Duck 24 feeding on seaweed wrack on very high tide, Loch Street beach, Augusta, 30/3/20 – Christine Wilder

Masked Lapwing 2, Queen Elizabeth Avenue, West Busselton (on edge of road near New River), 12/4/20 – Gillian Richmond

Whimbrel 1, flying from Quarry Bay towards lighthouse, 21/3/20 (5:45pm) – Kieran Dearle, Christine Wilder

Common Sandpiper 1, on seaweed wrack, Loch Street beach, Flinders Bay, 21/3/20 – Kieran Dearle, Christine Wilder 1, southern side of boat ramp at Gnarabup, 18/3/20 – Jennifer Smith 1, on seaweed wrack, south Deere beach, Flinders Bay, 1/4/20 – Jenny Kikeros

Nankeen Night-Heron 4, Hardy Street, Augusta (roosting in cypress), 27/3/20 – Christine Wilder 3, Hardy Street, Augusta, 3/4/20 – Rachel Seal

Brown Goshawk 1, Leeuwin Road, Augusta, 3/4/20 – Christine Wilder

White-bellied Sea-Eagle 1 adult flying above the Augusta Hotel, 28/3/20 (8:00am) – Christine Wilder 1, perched, East Augusta (opposite Colourpatch) 12/4/20 – Neil Daetwyler

Southern Boobook 1, calling, Leeuwin Rd, Augusta, 29/3/20 (10:00pm) – Christine Wilder 2, calling, Leeuwin Rd, Augusta, 30/3/20 (9:45pm) – Christine Wilder 1, calling, Leeuwin Rd, Augusta, 7/4/20 (8:30pm) – Christine Wilder 1, calling, Leeuwin Rd, Augusta, 8/4/20 (7:20pm, Super Moon) – Christine Wilder 1, calling, Leeuwin Rd, Augusta, 11/4/20 (7:30pm) – Christine Wilder 1, calling, Leeuwin Rd, Augusta, 13/4/20 (8:55pm) – Christine Wilder

Rufous Whistler 1, female, Carbunup, 5/4/20 – Janean Robinson, Adrian van den Ouweland

19