PDF version available here: Vol. 17 No. 2
Journal of the
N.S.W. FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS CLUB
Vol. 17, No. 2 January, 1983
ISSN 0311-8150
Registered by Australia Post Publication No. NBH0790THE N.S.W. FIELD ORNITHOLOGISTS CLUB
OFFICE BEARERS
PATRON A.R. McGill
PRESIDENT A EF. Rogers
SECRETARY C. MacDonald
TREASURER K. Lisser
RECORDS OFFICER T.R. Lindsey
FIELD DAY ORGANISER A Lindsey
CONSERVATION OFFICER R. Manson
EDITOR OF AUSTRALIAN BIRDS T.R. Lindsey
EDITOR OF NEWSLETTER A McBride
COMMITTEE E Hoskin
The object of the Club is to promote the study and conservation of Australian
birds and the habitats they occupy.
Annual subscription rates of the Club (due 1st July each year) are:
Adult Member $10.00
Junior Member (up to 17 yrs) $ 5.00
All members receive a quarterly newsletter and a copy of the quarterly journal
“Australian Birds”. The price of the journal is $2.00 plus postage per issue to
non-members. Club badges are available to club members at $1.40 or $1.70 if
posted. The Club holds a meeting and a field excursion each month.
All correspondence should be addressed to the Hon. Secretary and all membership
fees should be sent to the Hon. Treasurer at
P.O. Box 0436, Clarence Street, Sydney. N.S.W. 2000.
Manuscripts should be sent to the Editor at
Dept of Ornithology, Australian Museum,
6-8 College Street Sydney 2000.33
AlinMUNI
Vol. 17, No. 2 January, 1983
A TRIBUTE TO ALAN MORRIS AS EDITOR OF “AUSTRALIAN BIRDS-
ARNOLD McGILL
I am sure that all of our members were sorry to learn recently that Alan Morris has been
compelled through ill- health to tender his resignation as Editor of Australian Birds. At the risk of
being regarded as “chief contributor of tributes” (I wrote a similar tribute ( Birds 7(1 ): 1-2) when
Laurie Haines handed over the editorial reins to Alan Morris in 1972), it is still a privilege to
write a testimony to Alan, not only because of his sterling contribution as editor for the past ten
years, but also because he has long been a very close friend.
The name of Alan Morris as editor of Birds (our journal’s name at the time) first appeared on
Volume 6, number 6, which was published in May 1972. At that time Alan lived at Old
Toongabbie, but early in 1975 the Director of National Parks and Wildlife Service transferred
him to high office at Coonabarabran, where he now lives. It is praiseworthy that he was able to
continue as Editor for over seven years while the journal was printed in Sydney. However,
recent ill health required hospitalization for some weeks, and on medical advice, Alan has been
reluctantly compelled to relinquish his position as Editor after ten years. am sure all members
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will regret the circumstances that have necessitated this change, and we all wish Alan a speedy
and full recovery to good health. We also pay tribute to Anne for the tremendous support she
has given Alan over the years.
For a few years before and after taking office, Alan Morris contributed an annual record of
sea -birds that had succumbed to the elements and been washed up along the New South
Wales coastline. At that time used to not infrequently mention that if had only two claims to
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fame as an ornithologist, they would be that showed Bill Lane how to put his first band on the
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leg of a bird and that assisted in identification when Alan Morris made his first sea -bird
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beachcombing trek! But Coonabarabran is a difficult place to live and to continue picking up and
writing about stranded pelagic wanderers!34 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (17) 2
Apart from his tremendous assistance to the NSW Field Ornithologists Club as Editor for
ten years, one must also pay tribute to his untiring research of published and unpublished data
when the original draft of the Handlist of Birds in New South Wales was put together,
culminating in its publication in 1981. This work should be in the hands of every member of the
NSWFOC, and is a valuable reference for all students of Australian Birds.
During Alan’s term as editor our journal has improved noticeably both in contents and
compilation. It is now accepted as the equal of ornithological journals of other states ( eg. South
Australian Ornithologist, Australian Bird Watcher, Sunbird). This can be attributed mainly to
Alan’s untiring interest and dedicated work over this period. Moreover, its regularity in
appearance was never questioned, and this while he was actively engaged in time-consuming
work as an officer of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is also noteworthy that during his
lengthy period of editorship he regularly contributed wild life notes to the local press in
Coonabarabran.
Alan is still comparatively young, and we trust he will be associated with our club for many
years to come. His knowledge of ornithology and of the birds of New South Wales has come a
long way since he first came with me on that beachcombing walk along Bate Bay back in
November 1970. I feel sure that his services and detailed knowledge will remain a benefit to us
all.
Arnold McGill, 95 Nuwarra Road, Moorebank, NSW 2170.January, 1983 35
NESTING OF THE SQUARE -TAILED KITE IN THE BARADINE AREA
DAVID JOHNSTON
INTRODUCTION
Evidence suggests that Square- tailed Kites Lophoictinia isura have been nesting in the
Baradine area (30′ 55’S 149″ 05’E) for some years. My first definite local record of the species
was given to me by Arnold McGill, who wrote (in litt): “On 14 November 1974 was driving on
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the Baradine-Kenebri Road, about seven kilometres from Baradine when two interesting birds
of prey flew directly over the road. They were flying lazily at no great height (about 50m) and
tumbled a lot when nearing each other. realised that they were doing some sort of courtship
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and only when a Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides appeared nearby did they change their
lovely display over the road and close by to drive the Eagle away. had them clearly under
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observation for about a full minute”. Identification was confirmed by size comparison with the
Little Eagle as well as by appearance and behaviour.
FIRST RECORDS
My own first sighting was in December 1979, when I saw a single bird flying low over the
Baradine-Kenebri Road; the location must have been very close to that of McGill’s record.
In January 1980 my wife and followed two birds in a car for about ten minutes, as they
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glided slowly over the Baradine township at a height of about50m. We were impressed by their
unperturbed and meandering flight The white area on the crown was at times conspicuous, and
there was a diffuse white area near the end of each deeply fingered wing. The tails were slightly
forked. In November of the same year a pair was seen within five kilometres of Baradine, near
the forest area where the active nest described below was later found.
A farmer adjoining this forestland showed me an old nest 300m from his house, where he
said the kites had nested in 1979 and 1980. On one occasion two birds were shot at the nest
site because the farmer believed that they were taking young sucking pigs from his piggery,
although he later concluded that only dead pigs were removed. It would seem probable that he
and his family had seen a Little Eagle or perhaps a Whistling Kite Ha/iastursphenurus removing
the pigs, as there appears to be no evidence of the Square -tailed Kite taking carrion.
NEST LOCATED
On 9 August 1981 the presence of a Little Eagle led to the discovery of the Square -tailed
Kite’s nest. It is interesting to note that the Little Eagle also played a role, as in A. McGill’s
account. The Little Eagle’s nest was situated some 30m up in a -Rough -barked AppleAngophora
floribunda, and clearly visible from the road. As approached, the eagle at once left the nest,
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and was immediately attacked by a pair of Square -tailed Kites. The kites were later found found
perched beside a half -constructed nest in another Rough- barked Apple, about 300m further
into the forest from the eagle’s nest. It was built on a fairly large horizontal limb 24m from the
ground. The site appeared sufficiently solid to effectively prevent any interference from wind,
while foliage and a heavy limb above the nest provided some shade. Observation of the birds
was made easy by their extreme quietness. They appeared very similar to the photograph in
Reader’s Digest (1 976, Complete Book of Australian Birds, Reader’s Digest Services Pty Ltd,
Sydney). The feathers on the crown presented an almost crest -like appearance, and the black –
tipped wings extended well beyond the tail.36 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (1 7) 2
On 22 August the site w-a s visited again and the following notes taken: “nest somewhat
larger than on previous visit probably nearing completion, although it does not appear to be
as extensive as would be expected for birds of this size. Some green twigs with leaves attached
appear to have been included in the structure. Both birds were soaring overhead at first, one
bird only having an evident white patch at the end of each wing. They presently landed beside
the nest”.
INCUBATION
On 27 August one bird was seen sitting on the nest. From 5 September to 4 October the
site was visited six times, generally in the middle or late afternoon. At no time was food seen
taken to the brooding bird. On one occasion four sticks were added to the nest in a period of 15
to 20 minutes observation, this being done while the other bird was sitting. On another
occasion (at 17:30 hrs) neither bird was present at the site. On two occasions one bird was
sitting and one perched beside the nest, while on the remaining two occasions one bird was
sitting and the other absent.
On 5 October at 1 5:00 hrs I climbed the tree. Both birds were present, but flew from the
nest when was about five metres from it The nest was about 750cm across, and rather scant in
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structure, although some of the sticks used were surprisingly large. A small depression for the
eggs was neatly lined with green eucalypt and angophora leaves. The three eggs were tapered
oval in shape. Generally white in colour, two were sparsely blotched brown over the entire
surface, while the third was heavily blotched at the larger end.
After photographing the nest, I retreated to a limb some four metres away. Within a few
minutes, both birds returned, one settling onto the nest. The other again left the area, returning
some 30 minutes later with a green twig in its talons. It approached the tree several times, but did
not land. The sitting bird remained apparently unconcerned while I climbed out of the tree.
FLEDGLING ACTIVITY
On 7 November the sound of young birds was heard from the nest. I was unable to visit the
site again until 7 December, when two fully- feathered young were seen sitting on the side of the
nest. The only obvious difference between the immature and adult birds was a darker reddish
colour about the head of the former.
On 13 December both young were still present at the nest and again on 20 December. On
this occasion however, both birds flew from the nest encouraged by one of the adult birds. They
returned to the tree after a short flight. From their proficiency, I concluded that they had been
flying for some time. The last sighting of the two young birds was on 22 February 1982, when
they were seen eight kilometres west of the nesting area on the Gulargambone Road.
The inaccessibility of the nest and the irregularity of visits prevented any accurate
assessment of the incubation and fledgling periods.
A careful examination of the area beneath the nest revealed no evidence of discarded
waste from food eaten by the young birds, and only one small pellet was found. I therefore
concluded that only small game such as fledgling birds were being fed to the young, and that
the farmer was mistaken in his opinion that dead suckling pigs were included in their diet.January, 1983 37
DESCRIPTION OF THE NESTING AREA
The area around the nest consists of 25 ha of native forest bordering the Pilliga Scrub State
Forest. Cleared farming land lies on both sides of the forest, and the nearby Baradine Creek
contains several permanent waterholes. For obvious reasons the exact location of the nest has
been withheld.
The upper canopy is dominated by scattered Rough -barked Apple and a few Blakeley’s
Red Gum Eucalyptus blakeleyi. Apple and White Cypress Ca/litris columellaris predominate in
the lower canopy, while young cypress and Black Wattle Acacia po/ybotria provide good cover
for small birds at the lower level. A few Narrow -leaved Ironbarks Eucalyptus crebra, and Bull
Oaks Casuarina leuhmannii are also present.
It is interesting to note that in the immediate area of the Square -tailed Kite and the Little
Eagle nests were many nesting passerines. The following species were proved nesting in the
vicinity (during the period September to November): Speckled Warbler Chthonicola sagittata,
Western Warbler Gerygone fusca, White -throated Warbler G. olivacea (2 pairs), Grey Fantail
Rhipidura fu/iginosa, Southern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis, Brown -headed Honeyeater
Melithreptus brevirostris, Yellow- rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa, Double -barred
Finch Poephila bichenovii, Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris, Jacky Winter Microeca
leucophaea, Grey Shrike -thrush Colluficincla harmonica, and White -winged Chough Corcorax
me/anorhamphus. The following additional species were present and suspected of breeding:
Sacred Kingfisher Halcyon sancta, Kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae, Galah Cacatua
roseicapilla, Red- capped Robin Petroica goodenovii and Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
am grateful to Arnold McGill who made his notes available to me, to Mrs June Chappell
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who typed the manuscript, and to Alan Morris who assisted with the preparation of this article.
David Johnston, Lachlan Street Baradine, NSW 2396.38 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (17) 2
A BRIEF SURVEY OF THE WATER BIRDS IN THE
SHOALHAVEN-CROOKHAVEN ESTUARY
JOY M. PEGLER
INTRODUCTION
On 12-13 December1981, a census of all water birds (see Appendix) was carried out in the
estuary of the Shoalhaven and Crookhaven rivers approximately 120 km south of Sydney, New
South Wales. The aim was to estimate total numbers present, to locate important roosting or
loafing sites, and to identify major feeding areas.
The portion of the estuary surveyed (Fig. 1) consists of the confluence of two rivers, the
Shoalhaven and the Crookhaven. The former rises to the west in the Great Dividing Range,
while the latter, quite a small stream, drains the floodplain slightly inland. The ocean entrances
of these rivers are often separated by sandy Comerong Island; on the survey dates however, that
of the Shoalhaven was closed by a large barrier sandbar, and the river flowed down the
navigation channel on the western side of the island.
METHODS
Between high and low tides on 12 December, 16 observers divided into three teams
simultaneously surveyed three areas: (a) the ocean beach of Comerong Island, (b) the shallow
bay formed in the Shoalhaven River behind the barrier dune, and (c) the navigation channel
between the island and the floodplain. These areas correspond broadly to Zones 2, 3 and 5, and
6 in Table 1, respectively. The navigation channel was covered by boat, upstream on the two
rivers to the points indicated on the map ( Fig. 1). No attempt was made to enter either the
muddy bay on the south-western side of the island or Curleys Bay. The observers noted the
feeding and roosting times of each species. On the following day, roost counts were made at
Greenwell Point and Crookhaven Heads (Zone 1). The onset of heavy rain prevented an attempt
to observe the feeding dispersal of birds from these points.
DISCUSSION
The survey area was divided into six separate zones characterized mainly by differences in
substrate type, water depth, and wave action:
(1) A large rock shelf at the river entrance, below the lighthouse at Crookhaven Heads.
(2) Ocean beach on the eastern side of Comerong Island. The survey area ran between
Shoalhaven Heads and the breakwater at the southern tip of the island.
(3) Riverine sand zone in the bay formed behind the barrier sand dune linking Shoalhaven
Heads with Comerong Island. Alluvial sand, freshly deposited behind the dune, has caused the
formation of a large, unvegetated intertidal zone.
(4) Estuarine bays, consisting of two muddy coves, one on the south-western side of
Comerong Island, the other forming Curleys Bay.
(5) Brackish swamp on Comerong Island has been produced by the seepage of both saline
and fresh waters. The water is shallow, with little apparent tidal movement. Some sedges grow
in and around the edges, whilst other halophytic vegetation, eg. samphire, is also present.
(6) River banks. The banks of the deep water navigable channel are dissected by guttersJanuary, 1983 39
FIG. 1 Shoalhaven and Crookhaven Rivers Estuary
0
Km S oa Jena
1-1E,1173
N
SHOPit-s1 q Vats’ /
PoVait,
GommerkoNc.
SC
_
GA00.4rIAVeni
R.Vg
Fig. 1. Map of the Shoalhaven-Crookhaven estuary showing places mentioned in the text.
Dashed lines indicate upstream limits of the survey. Numbers refer to survey zones (see text).
Asterisks indicate roosting sites.SEICEPS
January, 1983 41
which drain the immediate floodplain. The resulting shallow water provided both feeding and
roosting sites for wading birds.
Table summarizes data on the roosting and feeding behaviour of each species recorded
1
in each of the above zones; also listed is the estimated population of each species recorded.
“Feeding- indicates that foraging was recorded in or on the substrate, or in the nearby water.
Local tidal data is available only for the M.S. B. Jetty at Crookhaven Heads and for
Greenwell Point. Tides at the latter follow the high tide at Fort Denison (Sydney) by45 minutes,
and the low by one hour. However, the observers estimated that the tides in the riverine bay
lagged behind those at Fort Denison by approximately three hours. The barrier sandbar thus
narrowly separates widely differing tidal regimens. There was little indication that waders made
use of this possible extension of feeding time to forage on the open beach (Table 2).
Roosting sites are marked by asterisks in Fig. 1. Waders generally roosted near their
feeding grounds, with the distance covered from loafing to foraging areas often being less than
one kilometre. Examples can be seen in the discrete flocks of Mongolian Plovers, Lesser
Golden Plovers and Bar- tailed Godwits whose activities were centred on the sandbar between
Shoalhaven Heads and Comerong Island. The Eastern Curlew was the most mobile of the
waders. For example, of a flock of 150 roosting at a gutter on the river bank at 11:40 hrs, 50+
were seen flying towards Curley Bay, more than three kilometres away, an hour later. The
remainder of this flock moved to an emerging sandspit at the entrance to the island’s
southwestern bay, presumably as a prelude to feeding nearby.
Table 2. Species feeding on ocean beach (Zone 2) on ebb tide.
Ruddy Turnstone 2 (14)*
Bar- tailed Godwit 100 (300+)
Red Knot 9 (14)
Great Knot (1)
1
Red -necked Stint 51 (300+)
Sanderling (1)
1
Crested Tern numerous beyond breakers
- numbers in parentheses are estimates of the total population of the species in the estuary.
CONCLUSION
Our census was an attempt to assess the population of waterbirds in the Shoalhaven-
Crookhaven estuary over a brief time span in early summer, when most migratory waders have
arrived at their -wintering- grounds. Our results suggest that the most important roost sites in
the estuary are: (a) the rock shelf at Crookhaven Heads (Zone 1); (b) the sandbar area at
Shoalhaven Heads (Zone 3); (c) the samphire flat and the nearby mangroves at the end of
Greens Road, Greenwell Point (Zone 4), and (d) the gutters along the river bank (Zone 6). The
most important feeding area, in both number of species and number of individuals, appeared to
be Zone 3 (riverine sand).42 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (17) 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This survey would not have been possible without the enthusiastic co-operation of those
members of the NSW Field Ornithologists Club who took part: C. Carey, J. Carey, M. Carey, P.
Field, C. Gibson, J. Gibson, D. Hobcroft, K. Lisser, I. McAllen, B. Mannes, H. Mannes, N.
Maxwell, J. Miller, J. Scrivens and L Smith.
Joy M Pegler, 90 Picnic Point Road, Picnic Point, NSW 2213.
APPENDIX
Systematic list of bird species censused in the Shoalhaven-Crookhaven estuary.
Pe/ecanus conspicillatus Australian Pelican
Phalacrocorax carbo Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax varius Pied Cormorant
Phalacrocorax su/cirostris Little Black Cormorant
Phalacrocorax me/ano/eucos Little Pied Cormorant
Ardea novaehollandiae White-faced Heron
Egretta alba Great Egret
Cygnus atratus Black Swan
Tadorna tadornoides Australian Shelduck
Anas superciliosa Pacific Black Duck
Anas gibberifrons Grey Teal
Anas castanea Chestnut Teal
Haliaeetus leucogaster White -bellied Sea -eagle
Haematopus longirostris Pied Oystercatcher
Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher
Vanellus miles Masked Lapwing
P/uvialis squataro/a Grey Plover
Pluvialis dominica Lesser Golden Plover
Charadrius mongolus Mongolian Plover
Charadrius leschenaultii Large Sand Plover
Charadrius ruficapillus Red -capped Plover
Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone
Numenius madagascariensis Eastern Curlew
Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel
Tringa nebularia Greenshank
Gallinago hardwickii Japanese Snipe
Limosa /imosa Black -tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica Bar- tailed Godwit
Calidris canutus Red Knot
Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot
Calidris acuminata Sharp -tailed Sandpiper
Calidris ruficollis Red -necked Stint
Calidris ferruginea Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris alba Sanderling
Larus novaehollandiae Silver Gull
Hydroprogne caspia Caspian Tern
Sterna hirundo Common Tern
Sterna albifrons Little Tern
Sterna bergii Crested TernJanuary, 1983 43
FIRST BREEDING OF THE SACRED IBIS IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
ALAN K. MORRIS
AR. McGill began his meticulous documentation of birds of the Sydney area in 1940.
Living at Arncliffe, he was in easy reach of the tidal areas of Botany Bay and (to a lesser extent)
the Hawkesbury marshes, two localities that Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopica regularly
frequent today. Botany Bay was visited often as regularly as six or eight visits per month,
although the Hawkesbury far less frequently. However, Sacred Ibis rarely featured in his early
records, and in recent addresses to both the NSW Field Ornithologists Club and the
Cumberland Bird Observers’ Club, McGill drew attention to this fact. Subsequently (CBOC
Newsletter 1982, 3(6):3), he stated that in his first 20 trips to the Hawkesbury marshes (1 940-
952), the species was recorded on only four occasions. Nowadays the bird can be seen there
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on every visit and in good numbers.
By 1958, the Sacred Ibis was occurring more regularly and Hindwood and McGill (1 958,
The Birds of Sydney, Royal Zool. Soc. NSW, Sydney) stated that the species “has occurred in
numbers up to several hundred; at other times only a few, or none at all, are recorded”. There
were no breeding records. Morris, McGill Et Holmes, 1981 (Handlist of birds in New South
Wales. NSW Field Ornith. Club, Sydney) say that breeding within the state is confined to the
wetlands of the Murray -Darling Basin.
Since 1978, Sacred Ibis have continued to increase in the Sydney region. In illustration,
Table lists results for this species from regular organized counts conducted by the NSW Field
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Ornith. Club. These data further suggest that, although the species is present all year, numbers
are highest during the winter months.
On 11 August 1982 I was lunching in a small park near the seal ponds at Taronga
Zoological Park on the northern foreshores of Sydney Harbour. Numbers of free -flying Sacred
Ibis were competing for lunch scraps with House Sparrows Passer domesticus, Silver Gulls
Larus novaehollandiae, and Common Mynahs Acridotheres tristis. The ibis were particularly
adept at perching on garbage bins and, with their long bills, probing refuse for food scraps.
Some were in breeding plumage, displaying the characteristic bright scarlet bare patches under
the wings and on the breast, and the pinkish -scarlet patches on the back of the neck.
Table
1
Totals of Sacred Ibis recorded on the Annual Spring and Annual Autumn Sydney Bird Counts,
1978 to date
Spring Autumn
1978 45
1979 111
1980 136
1981 76 728
1982 495 692 - Indicates organized counts not conducted.44 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS ( 1 7) 2
I was sitting beneath a Date Palm Phoenix canariensis and became aware of considerable
commotion in the tree above. Sacred Ibis were seen arriving with twigs which they presented to
their mates, and courtship displays using twigs were noted. Copulation also took place. It was
soon apparent that a number of birds were actually nesting amongst the old palm leaves and
masses of spent date seed branchlets. These latter are strong and wiry and thus very similar to
the lignum branches that the Sacred Ibis uses for nesting out in the western marshes.
From a higher advantage point, was able to count 12 nests in this single Date Palm. One
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nest contained two half-grown young, which were fed by the parents while the nest was under
observation. Other nests held sitting birds, some of which appeared to feed small young.
Nearby, two other Date Palms and two Cabbage Palms Livistona australis also contained nests,
although the Date Palms appeared most favoured and most suitable for nesting. estimated
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between 30-40 nests in this colony. The Zoo contains numerous palms, and it is possible that
other trees held nests, but had no time to search further.
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The following day was at Neilson Park and Rose Bay on the southern shores of the
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harbour. From here Sacred Ibis were seen flying over in a northerly direction towards Taronga
Zoo. Others were heading south away from the zoo. Presumably, these birds were feeding away
from the colony at such places as East Lakes, Centennial Park and Botany Bay.
This colony was apparently established when 6-10 pairs of captive Sacred Ibis were
released from the Taronga Zoo aviaries about ten years ago (John de Hose, pers. comm.), and
seems to have prospered ever since. However, in view of the dramatic population increase
throughout the Sydney region in the past few decades, it seems probable that significant
recruitment from wild birds has also taken place. am not aware of any published record of the
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existence of this colony. These observations thus represent the first breeding records of the
Sacred Ibis in the County of Cumberland, and for eastern New South Wales. As this bird is
becoming more frequent at rubbish tips and picnic spots, it may well be that its future as a
coastal breeding species is assured.
Alan K. Morris, PO Box 39, Coonabarabran, NSW 2357.January, 1983 45
AN ARCTIC TERN IN SUMMER PLUMMAGE AT LONG REEF, SYDNEY
ALAN McBRIDE
At around midday on Sunday, 18 July 982 was watching some first -year White -fronted
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Terns Sterna striata roosting on the southern edge of Long Reef about 10 km north of Sydney,
NSW, when my attention was drawn to a different tern flying over the reef. The bird landed on a
rock about 100 metres away, and at first its identity eluded me. After moving to within 15
metres and setting up a 30x telescope, I identified the bird as an Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
in full summer plumage.
The bird was studied closely over a 90 -minute period, during which time it changed loafing
sites twice, giving flight views totalling approximately five minutes. It was also seen to
advantage by A Foster for a short time. Throughout the period, field notes were taken, from
which the following description is summarized.
DESCRIPTION
Size and jizz: when standing next to White -fronted Terns, the bird appeared more dainty
and hunched in body, and smaller in body size.
Bill: blood red in colour, with a minute dark tip to lower mandible. Estimated about 6mm
shorter than bills of accompanying White -fronted Terns, and more wedge-shaped with a more
pronounced gonys.
Legs: blood red as bill; very short, less than half the length of legs of White -fronted Terns,
belly almost touching the rock, nearby S. striata almost “towering above” by contrast.
Eye: black.
Head: full black cap from base of upper mandible, back over head to upper mantle. Lower
edge of cap straight but for slight extension of black onto ear coverts. Below this a white line
extended from lower mandible and upper chin back around head to fade at nape sides. Cheeks
pale grey as throat.
Upperparts: mantle and back pale grey.
Wing: at rest pale grey on all coverts, the scapulars and tertials with white tips suggesting
fresh plumage. A narrow white line was occasionally visible about the shoulder region.
Primaries pale grey as coverts, with a black line along the entire edge of the outermost; tips of
other primaries blackish.
Tail: upper tail coverts brilliant white, tail similar but with outer streamers edged blackish.
Streamers very long, extending some 40mm beyond the primary tips. The left streamer
appeared damaged, so that it hung down vertically on occasions.
Underparts: lower chin to belly pale grey, vent white. In bright sunlight, the underparts
appeared much paler than the upperparts although of a similar shade under more even light
conditions.
In flight upperwing wholly pale grey with secondaries narrowly tipped white; primary tips
dark, showing as a narrow dark trailing edge of even width on all but inner few primaries.
Viewed from the underside, the primaries and secondaries appeared transluscent with dark
trailing edge of primaries on upperwing repeated below. Extreme leading edge of inner wing
showed white. Tail white, with conspicuous dark outer edges to streamers.46 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (1 7) 2
When loafing, it perched often with up to five White -fronted Terns and one Crested Tern
Sterna bergits but no interactions with these species took place. Remarkably tame, it allowed an
approach to within four metres, and was viewed from little more than one metre by D. Hobcroft
later in the afternoon.
saw the bird again at Long Reef on 23 July, but it was not seen on subsequent visits.
I
The Arctic Tern is apparently a rare visitor to NSW, with records spanning September to
May; its status is uncertain because of the difficulty of distinguishing it from other similar terns
(Morris, McGill and Holmes, 1981. Handlist of birds in New South Wales. NSW Field Ornith.
Club, Sydney). The individual reported above represents an unusual record in that (a) it was in
breeding plumage and hence relatively easy to identify), and (b) it is apparently the first winter
(
record for NSW.
thank D. Eades and T. R. Lindsey for their assistance with earlier drafts of this note.
I
Alan McBride, 26/8 Hardie Street, Neutral Bay, NSW 2089.January, 1983 47
BOOK REVIEWS
HANDLIST OF BIRDS IN NEW SOUTH WALES by Alan K. Morris, A. R. McGill and Glenn
Holmes, 1981. N.S.W. Field Ornithologists Club, Sydney. 79pp. 178 x 235mm.
For each of the 529 species authoritatively recorded from New South Wales, the authors
give an estimate of relative abundance (in six orders of magnitude), ecological status (nomad,
resident, visitor etc.), months in which eggs are laid, distribution ( broadly in terms of the State’s
17 natural regions, more finely with reference to towns and natural features) and habit
preferences. Using telegraphic English and plenty of one -word sentences, the authors have
compressed an enormous amount of information into a small book. Indices are provided for
generic and English names.
The principal source of data was the periodic literature, especially that of the last decade or
two: the Emit however, was searched back to 1925. A considerable amount of unpublished
data was also available. The picture that emerges on bird distribution and abundance in New
South Wales is essentially one of recent times. The reader will find here little hint of the great
changes in distribution and numbers of certain species following the clearing or thinning of
much of the State’s forests, woodlands and scrubs.
It is one thing to gather data and another to detect and to correct or reject errors in identi-
fication. In both of these respects the authors have done well. On the whole they have also done
well in the use they have made of their data. If there is any weakness in their work it is the
occasional failure to deal adequately with migration. For example, the Rufous and Grey Fantails
are almost identical in their movements in eastern Australia, northward in autumn and
southward in spring; yet the first is classified as a migrant and the second as a partial nomad.
Many populations of the Willie Wagtail share in these movements, but the species is classified
as a resident.
This failure is probably due in part to the authors’ methods. suspect that their basic unit of
I
information is the regional or local list. Now it is not always easy for the compilers of such lists
to detect migration, especially its direction; or if they observe movements they are apt to
misinterpret them. For example, a South Queensland observer once concluded that a certain
species in his district moved in winter from the woodlands to the surrounding open country
including towns and around farmhouses. Without a synoptic view of the whole State, he was
not to know that his breeding birds left for the north at about the same time as passage migrants
and winter visitors arrived from southern Australia.
This book is a very worthy successor to A. R. McGill’s A Hand List of the Birds of New
South Wales (1960). There is a place for it in the library of everyone interested in the
distribution and ecology of Australian birds. It can be obtained from the Secretary, N. S.W. Field
Ornithologists Club, P.O. Box C436, Clarence Street, Sydney, N.S.W. 2000 for $7.50 plus
$0.70 postage ($5.00 to members of the N.S.W. Field Ornithologists Club).
G. M. STORR48 AUSTRALIAN BIRDS (1 7) 2
BIRDS OF FIJI, TONGA AND SAMOA by Dick Watling, illustrated by Chloe Talbot- Kelly, 1982.
Wellington Millwood Press. Pp 176, col. pl. 15.
For many years students of ornithology in the South Pacific have relied on Ernst Mayr’s
“Birds of the Southwest Pacific” as a main point of reference. One of the few shortcomings of
this work was its lack of coloured plates and the brevity of the species accounts. With the
advent of Dick Watlings work these problems have been overcome in fine style, at least for the
regions in question. It is a hard book to classify; too large for a pocket guide, too detailed for a
field guide and yet not quite a handbook. It does however provide a comprehensive summary of
known information spiced with new data from the author’s own researches. The presentation is
thorough, attractive and very readable.
The book is divided into five parts. The first contains an introduction to the geography and
vegetation of the region along with chapters on a variety of general ornithological subjects.
These contain a wealth of information; for example on Ornithological History we learn of the
contributions made by such well known names as Titian Peale, Theodore Kleinschmidt and
Edgar Layard and of the achievements of the South Sea Expeditions sponsored by Harry Payne
Whitney and his family. Others discuss the composition and origins of the avifauna, ecological
isolation of closely related indigenous land birds, breeding seasons, moult, conservation and
endangered species. The part concludes with an excellent series of coloured plates illustrating
land forms, habitats and vegetation throughout the area.
144 species have been listed for the region, 85 land birds and 59 seabirds and waders. The
second part comprising 15 coloured plates illustrates all the land birds with the exception of 4
vagrants (all common in Australia) and most of the seabirds. The land bird plates are very
pleasing with the species well figured in lifelike postures. Presentation is spacious and colour
reproduction good. A few of the seabirds are a little disappointing and the waders suffer from
rather too much attention to feather detail. However information on these groups can be
supplemented readily from other sources.
Parts three and four contain the individual species accounts for land and sea birds
respectively under headings of Identification, Flight Voice, Food, Breeding, Habitat and Range.
Remarks and Allied Species and Subspecies. They range up to a page in length and are
accompanied by distribution maps and numerous line drawings. The information and
illustrations of the land birds are undoubtedly the most valuable part of the book since many of
the species are endemic and little studied. The author makes no apologies for his lack of
enthusiasm for seabirds and the fact that much of the information given is based on the
observations of others.
The final part comprising appendicies again demonstrates the comprehensive nature of
the work. It includes a glossary, checklist for the region, a bibliography of 245 titles and three
indicies of names, Scientific, English and Local.
In short, believe this volume will establish itself as the standard work for the region. It
I
provides a concise summary of present knowledge and will serve as an invaluable reference
point for future research. Although it carries a fairly high price tag the content and quality of
production make it reasonable value for money.
A. E. F. ROGERSNOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS
Contributors are requested to observe the following points when submitting articles and notes
for publication.
- Species, names, and the order in which they occur are to be in accordance with” Handlist
of Birds in New South Wales”. A.K. Morris, A R. McGill and G. Holmes 1981 Dubbo:
NSWFOC. - Articles or notes should be typewritten if possible and submitted in duplicate. Double
spacing is required. - Margins of not less than 25mm width at the left hand side and top, with similar or slightly
smaller at the right hand side of pages. - No underlinings and no abbreviations except as shown in the examples.
- Photographs should be glossy finish and not too small.
6 The Style Manual, Commonwealth Government Printing Office, Canberra (1966) and
subsequent editions will be the guide for this Journal. - Diagrams should be on plain white paper drawn with india ink. Any lettering is to be
‘professional style’ or lightly pencilled. - Dates must be written “1 January 1975” except in tables and figures where they may be
abbreviated. - The 24-hour clock will be used, times being written 06:30, 18:30 for 6.30 a.m. and
6.30 p.m. respectively. - Mr, Mrs, Dr are not followed by a full stop.
- In text, numbers one to ten are spelt numbers of five figures or more should be grouped in
threes and spaced by a thin gap. Commas should not be used as thousands markers. - References to other articles should be shown in the text–….B.W. Finch and M.D. Bruce
(1974) stated…’ and under heading
REFERENCES
Finch, B.W. and M.D. Bruce 1974 The Status of the Blue Petrel in Australian Waters
Aust. Birds 9, 32-35 - Acknowledgements to other individuals should include Christian names or initials.Vol. 17, No. 2 January, 1983
AUSTRALIAN BIRDS
CONTENTS
McGill, A R. A Tribute to Alan Morris as Editor of “Australlian Birds” 33
Johnston, David Nesting of the Square -tailed Kite in the Baradine area 35
Pegler, Joy M. A brief survey of the water birds in the Shoalhaven-Crookhaven
estuary 38
Morris, Alan K. First breeding of the Sacred Ibis in the County of Cumberland 43
McBride, Alan An Arctic Tern in summer plumage at Long Reef, Sydney 45
Reviews:
Storr, G. M. Handlist of birds in New South Wales, by Alan K. Morris, AR.
McGill and Glen Holmes 47
Rogers, A E.F. The birds of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, by Dick Watling 48
Registered by Australia Post Publication No. NBH0790
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