Life Membership Award Blue-billed Duck Ebird News Great Western

Official Newsletter of Illawarra Birders Inc.
No 027 August 2014
Life Membership Award
Blue-billed Duck
Ebird News
Great Western Woodlands
Philippine Birding
Cover photo: Blue-billed Duck Michelle Rower
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Spring is just around the corner and that means we should be seeing the return of our
spring migrants. I always look forward to the return of these birds, for me it means that the bushland is
once again filled with bird song, the cold and short winter days will soon be behind us and I can look
forward to spending my afternoons after work looking for birds. I hope that members will enjoy this
newsletter, this is my first attempt at doing this, I have been handed the job of editor because Martin
and Penny Potter are overseas for a few months. I did not realise the amount of work that Martin has to
put into the production of the Newsletter. Penny skills in organizing have also been greatly missed, but
the club is very lucky that Michelle has been looking after the committee. I also wish to thank Lorraine
who is standing down as treasurer, Lorraine has done an excellent job over the past four years at
keeping our financial accounts in order, from our early days when we barely had enough money to pay
for the hall hire, to the present day when our club is able to make donations to bird conservation. All of
the committee members work hard trying their best to make Illawarra Birders a great club, and at our
September meeting, which is our AGM, they will be standing again for another year, so this means that
members can come along to that meeting without the fear of being nominated for a position on the
committee, that is, unless you wish to be nominate of which you would be most welcomed. Our speaker
at the August meeting is Ken Griffiths who will be speaking on the Frogs and Reptiles of the Sydney
region. Ken is also a great wildlife photographer and he will also show a number of his wonderful bird
photos as well. Remember it is now that time of year that our membership fees are due, they can be
paid directly into our bank account or at any meeting. I look forward to seeing you all at the next
meeting.
Happy Birding, Terrill
NOTICE OF SEPTEMBER AGM
Illawarra Birders give notice of it’s annual AGM at our September monthly meeting. All committee positions will be made vacant on the night. All financial members may vote on the night or by proxy. Any
financial members may nominate for any of the vacant positions below.
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Editor & Education Officer:
Records Officer:
Conservation Officer:
Webmaster:
Committee member 1:
Committee member 2:
BIRD OF THE MONTH
BLUE BILLED DUCK
by Paul Nesbitt
The male Blue-billed Duck is a diminutive duck (36-44cm) with a dark glossy head and neck, a chestnut
body and dark tail, as the name suggests the bill is blue in the warmer months fading to a dark grey
over winter. The female is a dark brown with very fine bars across it’s body. The duck has a very low
profile in the water, the tail is held flat so as almost to appear that it finishes under the water whereas
during display the male’s tail is held upright giving rise to the alternate names “Stiff-tailed Duck” or
“Spine-tailed Duck”. The Hardhead may be confused with the Blue-billed Duck however it is a larger
duck (45-60cm) and the Blue-billed duck lacks the white feathers under the tail and has a rounder head.
The female Musk Duck also bears a resemblance to the female Blue-Billed duck but lacks the dished
profile of the bill and the barring is not as fine.
The Blue-billed Duck lives in swamps, lakes and dams with access to deep water in the Southern parts
of Australia, most common along the Murray-Darling basin however as the recent breeding event in the
Illawarra demonstrates they are certainly not confined to that system. They also occur in Tasmania
and Southern Western Australia, with sporadic records from Queensland and the Northern Territory.
The Blue-billed Duck is almost completely aquatic, the majority of their diet comes from feeding on the
bottom, they can also be seen stripping seeds from vegetation overhanging the water and dabbling.
The Blue-billed Duck is almost as equally ungainly on land as it is adept in the water and is rarely, if ever
observed out of the water.
The Blue-billed Duck being one of the smallest ducks that occur in Australia makes it high up on the list
for anything that may decide to predate upon them. It is therefore understandably very shy and is best
observed by remaining sedentary or from behind cover. At the first sign of danger it will dive almost
without creating a ripple, I watched a Blue-billed Duck dive on Khancoban pondage whilst trout were
sipping midges from the surface and the ripples left were indistinguishable from those of the trout. The
duck can stay under water for 30 seconds and can resurface 50 metres from where it submerged.
Breeding occurs from September through to March and although more commonly prior to December
the presence of juveniles the Illawarra in May demonstrates that the entire breeding season is
utilised when conditions allow. Nests are located in densely vegetated areas of swamps or the shallow
margins of lakes, the nests themselves are well hidden amongst the vegetation.
Photos from Wikipedia
The nest is dish shaped 25cm wide made out of trampled vegetation and have been known to
have a “roof” of living vegetation bent over the nest. Pairing is short, generally long enough to
ensure the success of the brood. The species disperses to breed and join together in large
flocks in open water lakes during the non breeding season and can be seen forming rafts of several hundred individuals overnight, dispersing to feed during daylight hours.
In NSW the Blue-billed duck is listed as vulnerable with the main threats being damage to habitat
created by draining swamps to reclaim land.
References: Pizzey & Knight – The field guide to birds of Australia, Morecombe - Field Guide to Australian Birds, Readers Digest – Complete Book of Australian Birds, Birdlife Australia – Birds in Backyards.
Editors Note
The breeding record at Tallawarra Ash Ponds is a first for the Illawarra region. According to A Handbook
of Birds found in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and adjacent Tablelands, Blue-billed Ducks are listed as rare
and nomadic within the region with only nine records since May 1985. They were first recorded in the
Sydney region during April 1980 and I was unable to find any breeding records for Sydney or the
Illawarra.
Photo: Blue-billed Duck with young Michelle Rower
Chris Brandis awarded Illawarra Birders first Life Membership Award
It was with great pleasure that I was able to present too Chris Brandis at our July meeting
our first Life Membership award. Chris is leaving the Illawarra and moving down to Ulladulla to be close
to his family, his birding talent and all over nice guy will be greatly missed by all our members. He has
been always been willing to assist anyone with an interest in birds and over the years he has become
the authority within our region. He has represented the conservation of birding in the Illawarra for
great a number of years and has also co-authored Birds of the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Adjacent Tablelands, as well as publishing a number of papers on birds. The committee and members of Illawarra
Birders wish Chris and his family the best of luck in his new home.
Below is a email I received from Chris after the July meeting.
Thankyou and all the best
I would like to thank the Club for the generous gesture in making me the first life member, a proud moment for me. Since the Club’s shaky formation it has been going from strength to strength with great active members promoting birding and conservation and has gone from strength to strength. I will miss the
friendly birders I have known and birded with and the active discussions that keep improving our identification skills and interest.
I wish the Club all the best into the future and may you all find a crippler each year and I will follow the
Club development into the future. As the area north of Ulladulla is in the IBInc. Area, I will still report
sightings of interest via Eremaea/Ebird.
Chris Brandis
Terrill Nordstrom club president presents to Chris
his Life Membership award.
ILLAWARRA
BIRDERS
NEWS
STURT NATIONAL
PARK 2015
The club is holding a camp in September 2015 to Sturt
National Park in the far corner of NSW.
DATES: The dates are as follows:
Lake Cargelligo (565km from Wollongong): 20th 21st, 22nd September
Cobar (256km from Lake Cargelligo): 23rd September
White Cliffs (354km from Cobar) 24th 25th September
Mount Wood (291km from White Cliffs) 26th September – 2nd October (6
NIGHTS)
The camp will conclude in Sturt National Park approximately 1,500km from
Wollongong so sufficient time needs to be allowed to travel home safely 2-3
days at least is recommended.
More information is available on the club website.
CONSERVATION
NEWS
Michelle Rower
Hunter Economic Zone (known as HEZ) – In May the club committee approved and emailed letters to
each of the individual councillors from the Cessnock Council. We asked them to consider the bird
watching community and expressed concerns on behalf of the members of Illawarra Birders at the proposed developments. Part of the letter we sent reads as follows: “The HEZ is located within the largest remnant
of lowland woodland on the Lower Hunter Valley Floor. This area also holds an amazing diversity of both vegetation
communities and wildlife. It is essential that the council does further research before they become responsible for a loss of
wildlife that cannot be replaced. Australia’s wildlife species are unique and as Australians we have an ethical responsibility to
protect them from harm and preserve them for future generations.
We also believe there are alternative sites available on degraded lands but none of these have been investigated.
Illawarra Birders visit the Hunter Region and have visited as a group in 2013 where we used accommodation and other
services the region has to offer. Several of our members have knowledge of and have visited parts of the area in question. We
look forward to a response from the council members addressing the concerns we have raised. We would support the
application to have this area declared a National Park”.
We have already received positive responses from some of the council members and hope that we can
influence their voting in relation to this issue.
Letter to the Government re-the EPBC (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation) Act
We were asked at BIGNET to write letters to the government in relation to the ineffectiveness of the
EPBC Act. The club sent a letter on behalf of it’s members in early June. We said there are four main
areas that concern us:
1. EPBC Approval seems to be too easily given, in some cases, even given without sufficient documentation to prove that an
area scheduled for development is not utilised by protected or endangered species. There are cases where approvals have
been given based on mis-information. What controls are in place to ensure this does not happen? When/if it does happen
what measures should be sought to rectify mistakes if they have occurred?
2. Approvals or exemptions are given where threatened species are said to not be present and projects stall. Projects can
then begin years later and no further approval needs to be sought. Habitats can change over the time projects are delayed.
There needs to be a use-by date for approvals or some sort of appeals process if an area proves to be environmentally
significant before development begins.
3. Compensatory lands or wetland areas that are provided or built to offset developments need to have some monitoring
done independently of the developer or council responsible after the developments are completed. Costs for this monitoring
should be factored into the development application.
Approval for a project is often granted that is adjacent to an area of environmental significance. If large scale
development occurs in close proximity to a wetland or forest area it can have a major impact on the species which
utilise the area. Currently we have a local area approved for development and a road will be constructed right beside
a wetland utilised by Pink-Eared, Blue-billed (currently breeding and with young), Freckled Ducks and Australian
Shoveler’s. The road and the urban development beside it will impact the wetland significantly and the species that
utilise it.
Letter to Environment Minister re-Game Birds
In early June the club sent another letter to the government (following up on previous letters
on the issue of some birds being declared ‘game species’) We were disappointed with the
generic response all clubs who had written letters received and that the questions we had asked had
not been adequately answered. Our letter asked 9 specific questions.
“Could we please request a response to each of the questions we have in relation to our concerns. Our questions are:
1. How and for what purpose was the decision made to declare some birds as ‘game’ species?
Can this decision be justified for EACH bird and if so please explain what data, research or surveys were conducted for
each species so that informed decisions were made?
2. What does the decision to declare the bird ‘game’ mean for the bird? Can it be shot, trapped or killed with no penalty
and if so under what conditions can this occur?
3. How will this be controlled/ enforced?
Some birds such as the Brown and Stubble Quail and the Common Bronzewing Pigeon can be easily confused with very
similar birds – many quail are hard to distinguish from one another in the field and the Common and Brush
Bronzewings are also very similar. With these birds their ranges also overlap and Brush Bronzewing and some of the
other quail are classified as Uncommon or Rare. What is being done to prevent these, very similar birds, from being
harmed?
4. Was this problem (Question 5) anticipated and addressed when this decision was made (to declare the list of nonnative birds)?
5. What research studies were conducted into effective methods of duck control before the decision was made to allow
farmers to shoot certain ducks as a method of pest control?
6. What research was the decision based upon to list the exact species of ducks that appear on the list? Were studies
conducted to show these particular ducks as a problem?
7. Why are other birds that can be pests in agricultural crops, such as Black Swans, not placed on the list?”
Crown Lands Submission – The State Government invited submissions relating to their proposed
changes to how Crown Lands are administered and the club was invited to make a submission. The club
wrote a submission in mid-June that talked about the Illawarra area Crown Lands and what they meant
to us as birdwatcher’s and people who appreciated our natural bushland, foreshore and recreational
areas. Our letter talked about such places as Lake Illawarra, Killalea and Wollongong Harbour and
mentioned some of the important sightings recorded in these areas over the past few years.
Leard State Forest
The club sent another letter in early June to assist those protesting over the mine expansion near
Boggabri that is set to see thousands of hectares in this pristine forest area felled.
If any club member would like to view a full version of any of the clubs letters sent re-conservation
please see Michelle, Nerida or Terrill (Our club conservation officers) and they will be happy to email or
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE
Payment can be paid at any club meeting or paid direct into our bank account.
BSB 814-282 Account number 31042020
Single: $30.00
Couple/Family: $35.00
Senior: $25.00
Student: $15.00
ILLAWARRA BIRDERS POWERFUL OWL DONATION
At our June meeting a cheque of five hundred dollars was donated to Dr David Bain for the Powerful
Owl project. The money will be used in finding the location of all breeding pairs in the greater Sydney
region, from Newcastle in the north to Kiama in the south. It is the aim of our club to donate money
which we raised at our monthly raffles towards local conservation projects. The next project which we
intend to donate to at the end of this year will be the Hooded Plover Shorebird project.
Dr David Bain receives Cheque
ILLAWARRA BIRDERS PHOTO COMPETITION
Each year we hold a members photo competition for birds found within the Illawarra region. We
have a number of members with a great interest in bird photography, many of them have the latest
cameras with telephoto lenses, so to make the competition fair it was decided last year to hold a new category. Each year we will pick a common
bird that should be easy to photograph, with any type of camera, even the
one on your phone. Last year it was the Silver Gull and we received some
great photos. This year it will be the Australian Pelican. The details of the
competition will be advertised in a later Newsletter, so in the meanwhile
start looking for Pelicans and get snapping.
EBIRD NEWS
With more members now using eBird to record their observations I have a few pointers to make things a
bit easier. I have an ulterior motive here - The better your lists are the less work I have to do as a
reviewer. More time to go birding!
1. In addition to the "core" site, http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ , eBird also has an Australian Portal
called Eremaea eBird, http://ebird.org/content/australia/. This home page has articles and notifications
of relevance to Australian birders, as well as a Recent Visits list for each state. I use this as my main
entry point to eBird, but check the core page regularly to see the articles etc. that are there.
2.
The eBird help section has a lot of information, but it is not always where you would expect to find
it. As well as the "Getting Started" section you should also have a look at the topics under the
Hotspots and Data Quality sections.
3.
Locations used for club outings and field trips should be Hotspots. Personal Locations are just that
- Personal. Despite the name a Hotspot is not meant to signify a " Great Place to go Birding" but is
just a shared location where all observations for the site are available as part of the public data
such as Hotspot Explorer, Bar Charts etc. Please consider proposing all your observing locations as
Hotspots, except those special ones such as your own backyard. When you propose a Personal
Location as a Hotspot the reviewer may change the name to comply with the Hotspot Naming
conventions. This new name will then replace the previous name in your "My Locations" list but
you can change it back if you like the previous name better. Be aware that when you share a
checklist that uses one of your Personal Locations then you also share the location and it will
appear on the other party's My Locations list. If you propose the PL as a Hotspot then any edits the
reviewer makes will flow through to the other party's Locations list, as it is now a Hotspot. It is
probably better to only share Checklists from Hotspots. If you enter data for a personal location,
propose it as a Hotspot and wait for it to become a hotspot before you share it.
4. Reviewers may also move a Hotspot when accepting it. Locations near land/water boundaries are a
prime candidate for this. The Google maps are not always accurate and it is better to use the
satellite view to place the marker.
5. If you are entering data on your computer or using BirdLog, please check to see if there are any
Hotspots that could be used before making a new Personal Location. If you need to create a new
Personal Location you should then propose it as a Hotspot.
6.
BirdLog recognises Four-letter Codes for species, which speeds up data entry. Usually the first two
letters of a two-word name gets a hit or a short-list. AUMA for Australian Magpie. For three word
names try the first letter of the first two words plus the first two letters of the third word. PBDU
for Pacific Black Duck.
When compiling a checklist please make use of the "Add Details" to record information such as numbers
for males, females and juveniles, breeding codes etc. Such information is accessible to the various database search tools used by eBird. This is not the case if it is just recorded as a note. For something to do
when it's too cold to go birding you can go back through your records and add the information if you
have it there as a note, or recorded elsewhere.
Rogar Giller
NEW BIRD SPECIES FOR ROYAL NATIONAL PARK
It is not often that a new bird is recorded in Australia’s oldest National Park but one of our
members has done just that. On the 12th of July while birding at Wattle Flat in Royal National Park, Roger Giller was checking out one of his favourite haunts for Azure Kingfisher when he observed a single
Pink-eared Duck. Roger then check his copy of Steve Anyon-Smiths excellent book “Bird watching in
Royal and Heathcote National Park” which has a checklist in the back of the book, but the Pink-eared
Duck was not listed. Roger then contacted Steve who then advised him that at far as he was aware it
was not on the Parks list. Further checks by Roger on Ebird, the Birdlife Australia Atlas and the Atlas of
Living Australia found no records. He also contacted Allan Morris from Birding NSW who could not find
any records for the Park. It looks like Roger has a first on his list, a Pink-eared Duck for Royal National
Park.
Story from email received from Roger Giller
RARE AND INTERESTING BIRD REPORT
If you are out birding and observe a rare or unusual bird what do you do? First you should
take notes, such as colour of plumage, shape of bird and it’s habits, time and place ect. If you have a
camera try and take a photo, this must be done without disturbing the bird ( remember the birds welfare comes first ). Next you should REPORT IT, on Ebird, Birding Aus, Birdline and to David Rower so he
can send out an SMS to all of our members.
LAKE ILLAWARRA SHOREBIRDS
Volunteer are needed for the next breeding season of Little Terns, Pied oystercatchers for the Lake
Illawarra region. This area was being monitored by Chris Brandis but since Chris is now leaving us he
has handed the job over to Paul Nesbitt. During the breeding season volunteer monitored the area
reporting any nesting of the two above species. If any birds nest then Jodie Dunn from the National
Parks will signpost and fence the area so that the birds are protected. If any member is interested
please contact Paul Nesbitt on [email protected]
STOP THE PRESS STOP THE PRESS STOP THE PRESS
ILLAWARRA BIRDERS PELAGIC
Due to the rough weather the pelagic which was to be held last Friday ( 18th July ) was cancelled, but
not all is lost. We have reorganise the trip for Friday 29nd August weather permitting. If you are unable
to make it on the day your money will be refunded.
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR CHRISTMAS AUCTION
At our December 2014 meeting we will be holding a auction to raise money for the Hooded Plover
project and we need donations ( bird related bird books, gifts etc.) so we can auctioned them on the
night. If you have anything that you wish to donate please bring it along to any meeting.
NEW TO ILLAWARRA BIRDERS
BIRDERS
Embroidered Cloth Badges
SHOP
What every well-dressed birder is wearing
this season, embroidered cloth badges.
Photo shows a sample only.
Available for Sale at Meetings
$8.00 each
Club Name Badges
$10:00
Everest Polo Fleece Jackets
Men’s and Ladies Navy with three zippered pockets $45:00
Oceania Polo T Shirt
Men’s Sand
$30:00
Polo T Shirt
Men’s Grey Marl
$20:00
Ladies Sand
Ladies Grey Marl
Clothing is available at the club meetings,
name badges are ordered on request.
ILLAWARRA BIRDERS JULY DONATION
The committee decided that one hundred fifty dollars from the July raffle will be
donated to the Nature Conservancy to help protect this unique habitat. The money means that
Illawarra Birders will adopt three acres of the Great Western Woodlands.
Members who are interested in donating can find the link below.
The Great Western Woodlands
From the ‘Birdlife website’
BirdLife Australia has joined forces with The Nature Conservancy to embark on a bird research
and conservation project in the Great Western Woodlands. This huge area is still relatively
poorly surveyed for birds, and much of the survey work has been ad hoc and concentrated
around roadsides and the more accessible
south-western areas.
The Great Western Woodlands (GWW) is a 16 million
hectare swath of woodlands and heathlands
interspersed with salt lakes which represents the
largest intact remaining Mediterranean habitat in the
world. It is home to more than 20% of all Australia’s
known plant species and remains a unique haven for
a community of animal species that are now
threatened elsewhere in Australia. One of these is the
community of birds typically found in temperate
woodlands. As a direct result of habitat destruction
and fragmentation, woodland bird communities have been in decline in many parts of Australia,
but they can still be found in the Great Western Woodlands. This provides an opportunity to
Better understand the functioning of temperate woodland bird communities, which has
implications for the management of woodlands as a whole.
Although the Great Western Woodlands remains a largely intact ecosystem predominantly
located on public lands, only small portions of the area are currently under protection. Today,
despite its rich biological and cultural values, this wilderness is threatened by poor fire
management, feral animals, weed encroachment, and human activities including road
construction and mining. Yet the region also represents a part of the country where
conservation opportunities still exist at an enormous scale.
From the Nature Conservancy Website
How Can You Help Save Australia's Gondwana Link?
When you give today to the Adopt an Acre® program, you will help the Conservancy protect
and restore one of the world's most extraordinary yet highly threatened regions.
You can also call 1-800-84-ADOPT to donate.
With your $50 donation per acre to the Adopt an Acre® program, you will receive:
 Personalized certificate with signature photo of Gondwana Link commemorating
your generosity

Colorful fact sheet about Gondwana Link

Adopt an Acre® Australia magnet set
 Four issues of Nature Conservancy magazine to keep you informed all year about the
many places the Conservancy is working to protect. (Plus, we'll rush the current magazine issue along with your personalized certificate!)

An invitation to create a personalized nature homepage on nature.org
Great Places E-Newsletter subscription filled with local and global conservation updates,
enviro-tips you can use and stunning nature photography.
Best of all, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing you're helping to protect this extraordinary wild
habitat now and for future generations. Please Adopt an Acre today!
Give Adopt An Acre as a Gift
You can also give Adopt an Acre® as a gift. Your friend or loved one will adore this one-of-akind nature gift benefiting Australia and enjoy it throughout the year. View all the benefits your
gift recipient will receive.
- See more at: http://adopt.nature.org/acre/australia/#sthash.ELpFv49b.dpuf
Fungus release to control Crofton Weed
The CSIRO has just released a naturally occurring fungus in the Illawarra Escarpment in the hope of
controlling a noxious weed. Crofton weed escaped from ornamental cultivation around 1900 and it has
spread into local bushland and can be found beside roads and in creek lines. The weed can tolerate
shade and is fast growing, it competes with native vegetation where it reduces the ecological value of
that bushland. Crofton weed (Ageratina adenophora) or Sticky Snake Root is a native of Mexico, it
grows around two metres high and has dark leaves and white flowers. It has spread throughout the
world from India, Hawaii, United States, New Zealand, and too many other countries. It is commonly
found on Mount Keira where it can be found in any disturbed areas, along the edges of Stafford Farm
track large areas have been overtaken by this weed. Crofton weed is poisonous to horses and that is
why it is classified as a noxious weed. Dr Louise Morin from the CSRIO released the fungus in the
Illawarra as the climate at this time of year is cool and misty and this should help with the spread of the
fungus. Dr Morin hopes that the fungus will help in the control of this ecologically damaging plant.
References:
N.S.W. Department of Primary Industries.
Report ABC Radio
CURRENT and FORTHCOMING CLUB EVENTS
Sunday 3rd August, Wader Survey
8-30 am Leader Martin Cocker Mobile 0418 429 132
Meet under the pines by Windang Surf Club. This count is part of
the national, “Shorebirds 2020 programme. Bring morning tea.
Tuesday 5th August Evening Meeting
7-30 pm Ken Griffiths, Frogs and Reptiles of the Sydney and some
bird photography. Ken Griffiths has published several field guides on frogs and reptiles of the Sydney
region and also a book on nature photography. He now mostly concentrates on wildlife photography
with a special interest in bird, reptile and frog photography.
Thursday 7th August, Lunchtime walk in Wollongong Botanic Gardens
12-30-1-30 pm Leader Martin Cocker Mobile 0418 429 132
Lunch time bird walk. Meet at Discovery Centre. We have permission to use the nearby car park on
Madoline Street, (off Irvine Street). Passes no longer required.
Sunday 10th August, Field trip Bargo River.
Leaders: Nerida Hudspith, Michelle Rower. Mobile 0421 335 037
Access from Bargo River Road ( Off Remembrance Driveway ). Turn into Bargo River Road and cross the
railway line. Take the next turn left-Fire road and park on the grass beside the river on left.
Tuesday 12th August, Survey for Wollongong Council, Perkins
Beach
8 am Leader: Terrill Nordstrom Mobile 0420848713
Wollongong Council Survey at Perkins Beach Windang.
Sunday 17th August, Blackbutt Forest.
8.00-9.00 am Leader: Paul Nesbitt
Meet in the car park at Blackbutt Forest, which is accessed via Woodlands Drive.
Sunday 17th August, Survey of Myimbarr Wetlands.
9.00 – 9.15 am Leaders: David and Michelle Rower Mobile 0421 335 037
We will be surveying Myimbarr Wetlands immediately after the
Blackbutt walk (above). Members are invited to come and assist us in
surveying this newly developing wetland area. Survey takes approximately 1-2 hours.
28th-31st August Bush Camp at Coobang National Park
Leader: Jill Molan
A joint campout with the Dubbo Field Naturalist Club at Wanda Wandong camping area in Goobang
National Park. Illawarra Birders activites will commence at 2pm Thursday the 28th.
Tuesday 2nd September Evening meeting-Conison Community Centre
7.30 pm Michelle Rower- Kangaroo Island.
Club member Michelle talks and shows pictures of a recent trip to Kangaroo Island,
Gluepot Reserve and the Western Deserts.
Thursday 4th September Lunchtime walk Wollongong Botanic Gardens
12.30-1.30 pm Leader: Martin Cocker Mobile 0418 429 132
Lunch time bird walk. Meet at Discovery Centre. We have permission to use the near by car park on
Madoline Street (off Irvine Street). Passes no longer required.
Sunday 7th September, Wader Survey.
8.30 am Leader: Martin Cocker Mobile 0418 429 132
Meet under the pines by Windang Surf Club. A count that is part of the national “Shorebirds 2020” programme. Bring morning tea.
Sunday 13th September, Field Trip Budderoo National Park
8.30 am Leaders Nerida Hudspith / Michelle Rower 0424 417 484
Meet at the car park for Budderoo Fire Trail approx. 2.6km past the turn-off to
Barren Grounds along Jamberoo Mountain Road.
Wednesday 17th September Survey Mount Brown.
8.00 am Leader: Terrill Nordstrom Mobile 0420848713
Meet at 8am near gate Gentles Ave walk will take approx. 1-2 Hours
Sunday 21st September, Bunnings BBQ
8-am-3.00 pm Leader Paul Nesbitt Mobile 0429 031 905
Meet at Bunnings Warehouse Warrawong. Money raised
from this fundraising will go towards the conservation of
the south coast Hooded Plover project.
Sunday 28th September, Atlassing at Croom
Reserve.
8.30 am Leader: Martin Cocker Mobile 0418 429 132
An atlas survey of this Illawarra Birders adopted site, about 2 hours duration. Meet at the oval car park
at the end of the Tennis Court entrance on Croom Road, Albion Park Rail.
No
DATE
Musk Duck
SPECIES
2f
14-May-14
Freckled Duck
258
07-Jul-14
Freckled Duck
12
14-May-14
Freckled Duck
4
Black Swan
LOCATION
HABITAT
OBSERVER
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
lake
Graham Barwell
Flat Rock Dam (West Nowra)
Dam
Illawarra Birders
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
lake
Graham Barwell
07-Jun-14
Jerrara Dam
lake
Graham Barwell
500
07-Jul-14
Lake Wollumboola
Estuarine
Illawarra Birders
Black Swan
1
20-Jun-14
Darcy Dunster Reserve--Macquarie Rivulet
Riverine
Paul Nesbitt
Black Swan
8
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Pink-eared Duck
3
07-Jul-14
Lake Wollumboola
Estuarine
Illawarra Birders
Pink-eared Duck
29
14-May-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
lake
Graham Barwell
Pink-eared Duck
3
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Australasian Shoveler
c20
14-May-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
lake
Graham Barwell
Australasian Shoveler
8
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Blue-billed Duck
6+
14-May-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
lake
Graham Barwell
Blue-billed Duck
8
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Hoary-headed Grebe
4
13-Jun-14
Jerrara Dam
Dam and Bush
Paul Nesbitt
Hoary-headed Grebe
46
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Hoary-headed Grebe
2
03-Jul-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
Hoary-headed Grebe
2
27-Jun-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
Common Bronzewing
1
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Bar-shouldered Dove
1
07-Jul-14
Orient Point Wetlands
Wetlands
Illawarra Birders
Bar-shouldered Dove
6
13-Jun-14
Jerrara Dam
Dam and Bush
Paul Nesbitt
Bar-shouldered Dove
1
05-Jul-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
Barbary Dove
1
27-Jun-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
Wonga Pigeon
X
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
Brown Cuckoo-Dove
2
13-Jun-14
Jerrara Dam
Dam and Bush
Paul Nesbitt
Brown Cuckoo-Dove
4
12-Jul-14
Bangaleee Reserve, West Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Black-browed Albatross
5
06-Jul-14
Windang Island
Coastal
Illawarra Birders
Australasian Gannet
2
14-Jun-14
Windang Island
Coastal/Estuarine
Paul Nesbitt
White-necked Heron
1
13-Jun-14
Jerrara Dam
Dam and Bush
Paul Nesbitt
White-necked Heron
1
13-Jul-14
Croom Sporting Complex
Parkland
Martin Cocker
Striated Heron
1
20-Jun-14
Darcy Dunster Reserve--Macquarie Rivulet
Riverine
Paul Nesbitt
Little Egret
3
07-Jul-14
Orient Point Wetlands
Wetlands
Illawarra Birders
Eastern Reef Egret
1
09-May-14
Windang Island
rock platform
Graham Barwell
Eastern Reef Egret
1
15-Jun-14
Windang Island
rock platform
Graham Barwell
Nankeen Night-Heron
6
07-May-14
Illawarra Yacht Club
lake edge
Graham Barwell
Royal Spoonbill
6
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Eastern Osprey
1
14-May-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
overhead
Graham Barwell
Eastern Osprey
1
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Black-shouldered Kite
1
09-Jul-14
Woonona Beach
Coastal
Nerida Hudspith
Black-shouldered Kite
1
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Black-shouldered Kite
1
03-Jul-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
Black-shouldered Kite
1
05-Jul-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
Pacific Baza
2
06-May-14
Highlands Parade, Bulli
overhead
Graham Barwell
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
1
07-Jul-14
Orient Point Wetlands
Wetlands
Illawarra Birders
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
1
14-Jun-14
Windang Island
Coastal/Estuarine
Paul Nesbitt
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
1
09-Jul-14
Woonona Beach
Coastal
Nerida Hudspith
Whistling Kite
2
07-Jul-14
Orient Point Wetlands
Wetlands
Illawarra Birders
Whistling Kite
2
07-Jul-14
Lake Wollumboola
Estuarine
Illawarra Birders
Whistling Kite
2
14-May-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
perched
Graham Barwell
Whistling Kite
1
07-Jun-14
Jerrara Dam
overhead
Graham Barwell
Whistling Kite
1
20-Jun-14
Darcy Dunster Reserve--Macquarie Rivulet
Riverine
Paul Nesbitt
Whistling Kite
1
14-Jun-14
Windang Island
Coastal/Estuarine
Paul Nesbitt
Whistling Kite
2
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Grey Goshawk
1
03-May-14
Highlands Parade, Bulli
overhead
Graham Barwell
Grey Goshawk
1
18-Jun-14
Highlands Parade, Bulli
overhead
Graham Barwell
Brown Goshawk
1
09-Jul-14
Mangerton Park
Bush
Nerida Hudspith
Spotted Harrier
1
05-Jul-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
Swamp Harrier
1
03-May-14
Princes Highway, Gerringong
overhead
Graham Barwell
Swamp Harrier
1
03-May-14
Agars Lane, Berry
swamp
Graham Barwell
Wedge-tailed Eagle
2
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
Nankeen Kestrel
1
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Peregrine Falcon
1
15-Jun-14
Lake Illawarra Estuary, South side
Estuarine
Martin Cocker
Peregrine Falcon
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Australian Pied Oystercatcher
1
12-Jun-14
Princes Highway, Bulli
perched
Graham Barwell
1
07-Jul-14
Orient Point Wetlands
Wetlands
Illawarra Birders
16
15-Jun-14
Windang
sandspit
Graham Barwell
Sooty Oystercatcher
2
16-Jun-14
Windang Island, Lake Illawarra
Estuarine
Nerida Hudspith
Sooty Oystercatcher
2
14-Jun-14
Windang Island
Coastal/Estuarine
Paul Nesbitt
Double-banded Plover
45
15-Jun-14
Lake Illawarra Estuary, South side
Estuarine
Martin Cocker
Double-banded Plover
11
16-Jun-14
Windang Island, Lake Illawarra
Estuarine
Nerida Hudspith
Double-banded Plover
27
14-Jun-14
Windang Island
Coastal/Estuarine
Paul Nesbitt
Black-fronted Dotterel
2
20-Jun-14
Darcy Dunster Reserve--Macquarie Rivulet
Riverine
Paul Nesbitt
Black-fronted Dotterel
2
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Bar-tailed Godwit
34
07-Jul-14
Lake Wollumboola
Estuarine
Illawarra Birders
Eastern Curlew
1
27-Jun-14
Fred Finch Park, Berkeley
Lakes
David Winterbottom
Grey-tailed Tattler
2
07-Jul-14
Orient Point Wetlands
Wetlands
Illawarra Birders
Grey-tailed Tattler
1
07-Jul-14
Lake Wollumboola
Estuarine
Illawarra Birders
Grey-tailed Tattler
1
09-May-14 Windang Island
rock platform
Graham Barwell
Grey-tailed Tattler
1
15-16 June Windang Island
rock platform
Graham Barwell
Sanderling
2
14-Jun-14
Coastal/Estuarine
Paul Nesbitt
White-fronted Tern
2
23-May-14 Wollongong Pelagic
ocean
Graham Barwell
Kelp Gull
1
16-Jun-14
Estuarine
Nerida Hudspith
Musk Lorikeet
2
24-May-14 Maddens Plains
heathland
Graham Barwell
Australian King Parrot
7
07-Jul-14
Bangalee Reserve North Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Australian King Parrot
1
03-Jul-14
Cordeaux Heights
Bush Garden
Nerida Hudspith
Australian King Parrot
1
02-Jul-14
Farmborough Heights
Suburban
Andrew Wood
Australian King Parrot
1
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Australian King Parrot
7
12-Jul-14
Bangaleee Reserve, West Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Australian King Parrot
2
09-Jul-14
Mangerton Park
Bush
Nerida Hudspith
Australian King Parrot
2
05-Jul-14
Mt. Keira Ring Track
Bush
Nerida Hudspith
Swift Parrot
2
24-May-14 Maddens Plains
heathland
Graham Barwell
Southern Boobook
1
16-May-14 Cope Place, Bulli
under house
Graham Barwell
Superb Lyrebird
3
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
Superb Lyrebird
1
12-Jul-14
Bangaleee Reserve, West Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Superb Lyrebird
2
05-Jul-14
Mt. Keira Ring Track
Bush
Nerida Hudspith
White-throated Treecreeper
2
07-Jul-14
Bangalee Reserve North Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
White-throated Treecreeper
3
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
White-throated Treecreeper
3
12-Jul-14
Bangaleee Reserve, West Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Green Catbird
2
05-May-14 Lower Slacky Creek, Bulli
forest
Graham Barwell
Green Catbird
4
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
Variegated Fairy-wren
2
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Southern Emu-wren
2
24-May-14 Maddens Plains
heathland
Graham Barwell
Southern Emu-wren
1f
20-Jun-14
Barren Grounds
heath
Graham Barwell
Eastern Bristlebird
X
09-Jul-14
Woonona Beach
Coastal
Nerida Hudspith
Large-billed Scrubwren
1
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
Large-billed Scrubwren
1
12-Jul-14
Bangaleee Reserve, West Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
White-eared Honeyeater
2
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
2
07-Jul-14
Flat Rock Dam (West Nowra)
Dam
Illawarra Birders
Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
2
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Brown-headed Honeyeater
1
24-May-14 Maddens Plains
heathland
Graham Barwell
White-plumed Honeyeater
call
28-Jun-14
Macquarie Rivulet Arboretum
riverside
Graham Barwell
White-plumed Honeyeater
3
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
White-plumed Honeyeater
3
20-Jun-14
Darcy Dunster Reserve--Macquarie Rivulet
Riverine
Paul Nesbitt
Bell Miner
4
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Noisy Miner
1
02-Jul-14
Farmborough Heights
Suburban
Andrew Wood
Noisy Miner
2
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Noisy Miner
4
27-Jun-14
Tallawarra Ash Ponds
Dam/Bush
Paul Lynch
Crescent Honeyeater
2 m&f
20-Jun-14
Barren Grounds
banksia scrub
Graham Barwell
White-cheeked Honeyeater
many
24-May-14 Maddens Plains
heathland
Graham Barwell
Windang Island
Windang Island, Lake Illawarra
Australian Logrunner
4
21-May-14 Lower Slacky Creek, Bulli
forest
Graham Barwell
Australian Logrunner
2
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
Crested Shrike-tit
1
12-Jul-14
Bangaleee Reserve, West Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Grey Shrike-thrush
1
07-Jul-14
Bangalee Reserve North Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Grey Shrike-thrush
2
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
Grey Shrike-Thrush
1
13-Jun-14
Jerrara Dam
Dam and Bush
Paul Nesbitt
Grey Shrike-thrush
2
12-Jul-14
Bangaleee Reserve, West Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Australasian Figbird
6
03-Jul-14
Cordeaux Heights
Bush Garden
Nerida Hudspith
Restless Flycatcher
1
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Jacky Winter
2
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Scarlet Robin
1
13-Jul-14
Croom Sporting Complex
Parkland
Martin Cocker
Golden-headed Cisticola
1
14-Jun-14
Windang Island
Coastal/Estuarine
Paul Nesbitt
Golden-headed Cisticola
1
03-Jul-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
Red-whiskered Bulbul
X
03-Jul-14
Cordeaux Heights
Bush Garden
Nerida Hudspith
Red-whiskered Bulbul
4
20-Jun-14
Darcy Dunster Reserve--Macquarie Rivulet
Riverine
Paul Nesbitt
Red-whiskered Bulbul
1
13-Jun-14
Jerrara Dam
Dam and Bush
Paul Nesbitt
Red-whiskered Bulbul
2
09-Jul-14
Woonona Beach
Coastal
Nerida Hudspith
Bassian Thrush
2
07-Jul-14
Bangalee Reserve North Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Bassian Thrush
2
21-Jun-14
Mt. Kembla Ring Track
Bush
Michelle Rower
Bassian Thrush
3
12-Jul-14
Bangaleee Reserve, West Nowra
Bush
Illawarra Birders
Common Blackbird
1
06-Jun-14
Integral Energy Park, Dapto
woodland
Graham Barwell
Common Blackbird
call
28-Jun-14
Macquarie Rivulet Arboretum
riverside
Graham Barwell
Common Blackbird
1
22-Jun-14
Recreation Ground Wilton NSW
Parkland
Paul Nesbitt
Common Blackbird
2
20-Jun-14
Darcy Dunster Reserve--Macquarie Rivulet
Riverine
Paul Nesbitt
1m
06-Jun-14
Integral Energy Park, Dapto
woodland
Graham Barwell
Mistletoebird
Beautiful Firetail
1
24-May-14 Maddens Plains
heathland
Graham Barwell
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
1
30-Jun-14
Barrack Heights
Garden
Martin Cocker
Australasian Pipit
3
05-Jul-14
Coomaditchie Lagoon, Port Kembla
Dam
Paul Lynch
WHAT COST OF PROGRESS
I find it hard to believe that in 2014 we are still destroying wetlands in Australia. In January 2013 myself
and members of our club stood on the edge of a field, it was a warm summer afternoon and we were
looking through a cyclone fence at a Painted Snipe, which was resting on the edge of Shellharbour
Wetland. This week I stood by myself at the same spot looking through that fence, but this time there
was no Snipe, no waterbirds of any kind, the wetland is now gone. They say that progress cannot stand
still, that without it humankind would still be living in caves. I wonder was cost there will be to us when
we will no longer be able to see, or be part of the natural world, when all that is left is what we decide
to leave. Terrill
BEFORE
NOW
PHILIPPINE BIRDING
By Chris Brandis
In February 2014 on a trip to the Philippine organized by Chris Chafer, which I tagged along with Roger
Truscott and two others, we visited the islands of Luzon, Palawan, Cebu and Bohol which had a range of
both local endemic and Asian bird species. Although not a very popular past time there we had good
guides with drivers at all sites which are needed as maps are almost nonexistent and most places require
local knowledge and pre-arranged permission.
Our first site was the water catchment area for Manila and,, although a very popular outing area for the
locals, we managed to see the stunning Spotted Wood-Kingfisher and both Hooded and Red-bellied
Pittas. That afternoon we moved to Mt Makling where we used small motor cycles to travel up and down
the steep mountain road and later saw the resident Philippine Nightjar in the nearby university grounds.
In the botanic gardens we spotted both the Scale-feathered and Red-crested Malkohas, hard to spot in
the canopy for birds that are over 400 mm long. There were swifts at all sites but they are very difficult
to identify being mostly all dark and wizzing around at all heights at great speed.
We then travelled to Palawan for nearly a week with the laid back capital, Puerto Princessa, being a
change from the hectic Manila and one of the better birding spots being inside a penal colony where we
were lucky to spot the rare Palawan Flycatcher as well as Chestnut-breasted Malkoha and a small flock
of Pink-necked Green-Pigeons. We travelled to the sleepy seaside village of Sabang where the famous
Underground River flows out of the surrounding limestone cliffs into the sea and has an easily seen rare
lone Peacock Pheasant that lives about the small village. Around the town there were gardens at many
of the lodges where we finally found the Little Spiderhunter as well as several species of Bulbuls,
Flowerpeckers and Sunbirds, some of which have been split into the specific island species as they do
not travel far and have evolved in isolation. Much of the birding was done from cleared sites over looking rainforest and we were fortunate to see Great Slaty Woodpeckers and Blue-headed Racket-tail parrots fly through. In some of the dense rainforest we followed local paths and were lucky to call up a
skulking Ashy-headed Babbler but missed on the Facellated Babbler.
We next went to Cebu which is very modern with a large population and after travelling by
car early next morning for an hour then 30 minutes across cleared hill sides in the dark to the
Taboan Forest, the last remaining patch of rainforest and only about 1 km square in size. We perched
on a limestone outcrop for several hours waiting to see the Cebu Flowerpecker, which had not been
seen for about a year and is probably gone extinct, but we did see the rare and endemic to Cebu Black
Shama.
Next morning we caught an inter island ferry to Bohol, another more lay back island, which had been
affected by a recent earthquake that had damaged some of the old Spanish buildings around the town.
We stayed at a butterfly sanctuary which had good gardens and friendly staff and close to the birding
spots, including a national park with rainforest which was quite hard birding with most birds high in the
canopy. There was also a small stream nearby where the black and white Silvery Kingfisher lived and a
coconut plantation that had flowers that attracted several Sunbird Species and just up the road was a
sanctuary for the tiny nocturnal primate Tasier.
We then flew back to Manila and spent a few days at Subic Bay where the US Navy left large areas of
untouched rainforest where birding along the roads can be very rewarding birding wise including the
only Whiskered Treeswift that we sighted and a Blue-throated Bee-eater colony.
For the last few days we travelled to the Bangkoon Khao Valley staying at a lodge overlooking the rainforest and then on to the coastal forests of Rizal where we found the rare Philippine Trogon.
We saw some 260 species, depending on the taxonomy, but as much of the main Philippine islands are
heavily populated and intensely developed many of the species are becoming endangered but those remaining habitat pockets are very interesting and well worth the effort and hopefully encourage a greater
local appreciation of their bird life.
Downtown Visit
I don’t observe many birds living in the heart of Wollongong, most of the birds that I do
see are flying overhead, so I was surprized to see one morning a pair of Wood Ducks land on the building
next to mine. They seemed to be looking around, I believe they may have been looking for a nesting
hollow and after a few minutes they flew to the high rise across the road. You never know when, or
where you might see birds. Terrill
ILLAWARRA BIRDERS COMMITTEE
Martin Cocker Records Officer, [email protected]
Nerida Hudspith Committee Member, [email protected]
Paul Nesbitt Vice-President, [email protected]
Terrill Nordstrom President, [email protected]
Lorraine Pincus Treasurer, [email protected]
Penny Potter Secretary, [email protected]
Martin Potter Editor & Education Officer,
[email protected]
Michelle Rower Conservation Officer [email protected]
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