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Vol. 7 No. 3 1 November 1972
SEA BIRDS FOUND DEAD IN NEW SOUTH WALES IN 1970.
I. Abstract.
Commencing in 1970 members of the New South Wales Field Ornithol-
ogists Club carried out regular beach patrols along the New South Wales
coast. In 1970 Beach Patrols covered a total distance of 138 Km and
yielded 1150 birds of 20 species. Species are tabulated by month of
occurrence and by the coastal zones in which they were found; good
coverage of the coast was achieved between Newcastle and Wollongong but
elsewhere it was poor. Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters constit-
uted 98% of the total specimens, the most abundant species being the
Short -tailed. Shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris).
II. Introduction.
Despite the fact that sea -birds have been collected and counted
along the beaches of New South Wales for many years, nothing has been
published that seeks to record the numbers and species washed up dead
for given times or regions. Since 1939, between the months of October
and December, beach patrols have been carried out each week along the
4.8 Km strip of beach between Wanda and Boat Harbour near Cronulla.
i’hese surveys were carried out under the directicn of D. Serventy who
has advised (pers. comm.) that data obtained from these surveys will
eventually be published. In the Wollongong zone regular monthly
4v1rveys have been carried out by A. R. Sefton and D. Gibson and other::
ince 1948, and information gained from these surveys will alsc be
,
published.
However, a number of members of the Club who regularly walk beaches
up and down the coast felt that something should be done to publish
,heir own observations and data and this paper has resulted from that
decision. 110BIRDS 34. 1 November 1972
4.-.-‘
TWEED HEADS (
MAC AN (MC)
30
OFFS HA880118 (C8)
31′
31′
14 AST GS (KO
32
32′
NEW TLE (NC)
331
33′
SYDNEY (SY)
WOLLONGONG (WO
3r
ULLADU LLA (UA)
36′
(n)
8 EGA Fig. I. Coastal Zones
in New South Wales
37′—-
-37.
MA LACOOTA (MC)BIRDS 35. 1 November 1972
The surveys reported here are fairly biased as only two small
areas of the coast were surveyed on a regular basis each month viz.
Wanda/Boat Harbour and the Wollongong Beaches. Also, most, beach
patrols are carried out during the period September to January because
at this time of the year many Short -tailed Shearwaters pass the coast
on migration and the chances of finding large numbers of beach -washed
seabirds is greatly enhanced.
Another possible bias is that of the effect of the avian predators
removing carcases from the beach. Outside the main suburban beaches
of Wollongong, Newcastle and Sydney, White -breasted Sea Eagles (Halia-
eetus leucogaster) are common and can generally be observed removing
carrion, including seabirds from the beaches. Whistling Kites (Halia-
stur sphenurus), Ravens (Corvus coronoides), Red Foxes (Vulpes
and in the more remote areas Dingoes (Canis familiaris dingoe) all
patrol the beaches for carrion and generally reach the fresh carcases
before the beach -patrollers. Their affect is minimised when there is
a major seabird wreck because of the abundance of carrion available.
Commencing in late 1971 regular patrols were carried out in other
locations on the coast and these have been continued throughout 1972.
It is hoped that the 1972 report will indicate more completely the level
of mortality along the coast throughout the whole year. During 1970,
11 members of the Club provided details of 42 beach surveys,
For the purpose of this paper the coast has been divided into 10
zones each representing one degree of latitude. These form the basis
of the 1:250,000 Series Maps of the National Mapping Index, and the
name of each map being used for the zone. Figure I details the zones
and the location of the beaches walked,
Nomenclature and vernacular names are in accordance with “An Index
of Australian Bird Names” 1969, C.S.I.R.O. Division of Wildlife Research
Technical Paper No. 20.
III. Results.
Table T lists the species found each month. A total of 1150 birds
of 22 species was found in 42 trips covering 137.4 Km travelled which
gives an average of 8.4 birds per 1 Km, The distance travelled in
each zone during each month is also given in Table I. It is felt that
insufficient trips are carried out as yet to justify indicating the
length of beach patrolled, in deference to the length of beach travelledBIRDS 36. 1 November 197?
TABLE
I
LIST OF SPECIES FOUND EACH MONTH IN 1970
MONTHS BIRDS FOUND: J F M A M J J A STO N D TOTAL
SPECIES OF BIRDS
WANDERING ALBATROSS 6 6
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROS
1 1
WHITE -CAPPED ALBATROSS 3 3
ALBATROSS SP.”
1 1
GIANT PETREL SP.
1
CAPE PETREL
1 1
GREAT -S WINGED PETREL
1
DOVE PRION
1 1
FAIRY PRION 4 9 3 18
PRION SP. ” 1
FLESHY -FOOTED
SHEARWATER
1 1
WEDGE -TAI LED
SHEARWATER 2 2 2 7
SOOTY SHEARWATER 1 2 14 20
SHORT -TAI LED
SHEARWATER 571 1 6 10 8 382 1068
FLUTTERING SHEARWATER
1 1
WHITE FACED STORM
PETREL
1 1 2
AUSTRALIAN GANNET 1 2 1 4
BLACK CORMORANT
1 1
POMARINE SKUA
1 1
SILVER GULL 1 2 1 2 1 7
CRESTED TERN 3 3
SOOTY TERN
1 1
TOTALS 584 – 2 5 5 3 9 124 417 1150
NUMBER OF TRIPS 12 Ni I 1 Nil 2 Nil Nil 3 1 5 3 15 42
NUMBER OF K.M.TRAVELLED 32.4 Ni I 1 Nil 2 Nil Nil 7.6 .4 20.8 14.4 54.6 137.4
TOO FRAGMENTARY TO ALLOW SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATIONBIRDS 37. 1 November 1972
as is done in the New Zealand Beach Patrol System (Imber and Boeson,
1969). The only beach patrolled on a regular basis is from Wanda to
Boat Harbour. In the Wollongong area, often a different beach is
selected for the survey each month although Thirroul Beach is patrolled
on a fairly regular basis. No surveys were carried out in February,
April, June and July of 1970. Whilst the mean number of birds found
dead during the period February to September is usually law, insuff-
icient surveys were carried out then to provide a comparison with the
mortality of the late spring and summer months.
Table II provides a list of species found in different zones in
1970 and gives some indication of the number of patrols carried out
per month.
92.8% of all birds collected were Short -tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus
tenuirostris), the greatest wreck occurring in the Sydney zone where
141 were found in 9.6 Km between Frazer Park and Norah Head. In
comparison with previous years the total number of Short -tailed. Shear –
waters recorded would appear to be fairly average. The single bird
collected on 19th May, 1970 at Cross Beach, Newcastle is of interest as
May records for this Shearwater are uncommon.
Giant Petrels (Macronectes sp.) are normally absent from the coast
during the months January to March but the bird collected at Catherine
Hill Bay on 11th January, 1970 was badly decomposed and may have been
cast up some time before. Similarly the Cape Petrel (Daption capensis)
is absent from New South Wales between December and March but the bird
found on Merin&o Beach on 11th January, 1970 consisted of only dried
remains and could have been dead for some time. Great -winged Petrels
(Pterodroma macroptera) are rather rare in New South Wales with 29
records known. The bird collected at Moonie Beach, near Swansea on
11th January, 1970 was the first collected since 1968, but in 1967 a
specimen was collected as far north as Caloundra, Queensland (McKean
and Vernon, 1971). All but one of the New South Wales records of
Great -winged Petrels have occurred between October and April and the
Moonie record was within this period. Only the Grey -faced subspecies
(P.m. gouldi), which breeds on the offshore island and inaccessible
mainland cliffs of New Zealand during winter, occurs in our waters.
Our records indicate that at least some of the population may disperse
to the offshore waters of New South Wales during the non breeding
season. (See Fig. 5).13 1RD S 38 1 November 1972
TABLE II
LIST OF SPECIES FOUND IN DIFFERENT ZONES IN 1970
IDEX LETTERS OF ZONE TH MC CH HS NC SY WG UA BG MC TOTAL
BIRDS
SPECIES OF BIRDS
VANDERING ALBATROSS 5 1 6
3LACK-BROWED ALBATRON 1 1
W V HITE -CAPPED ALBATROS’ 2 1 3
\LBATROSS SP. * 1 1
GIANT PETREL SP. * 1 1
“.:APE PETREL 1
iREAT WINGED PETREL 1 1
)OVE PRION 1 1
:AIRY PRION 6 12 18
‘RION SP. 1 1
=LESHY FOOTED
SHEARWATER 1 1
VEDGE TAILED
SHEARWATER 4 3 7
;OOTY SHEARWATER 10 6 4 20
SHORT -TAI LED
SHEARWATER 375 470 221 1068
=LUTTERING
SHEARWATER 1 1
VHITE-FACED STORM
PETREL 2
1 1
\USTRALIAN GANNET 1 1 4
BLACK CORMORANT 1 1
30MARINE SKUA 1 1
SILVER GULL 3 1 3 7
;RESTED TERN 3 3
SOOTY TERN 1 1
FOTA LS Nil 2 Nil Nil 411 489 245 1Nil 1150
NUMBER OF PATROLS Nil 1 Nil Nil 14 8 17 1 Nil 1 Total 42

• TOO FRAGMENTARY TO ALLOW SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATIONBIRDS 39. 1 November 1972
  Fig. 2 Monthly occurrence of Great winged Petrels in New South Wales
  OND
  MA
  J F M J J A S
  6 6 4 5 nil 1 nil nil nil 4 4 2
  The Dove Pricn (Pachyptila desolata) is rare in New South Wales
  with 20 records known and are generally washed up each winter. The
  one collected on 7th November, 1970 at Wanda was unusual for that time
  of the year as there is only one other November record. All previous
  records are for the period April to October. The Fairy Pricn (P
  turtur) mortality in 1970 appears to be average.
  Hindwood and McGill (1958) state that beach -washed specimens of
  the White-faced Storm Petrel (Pelagodroma marina) are rare and it is of
  interest then to record that one was picked up on 2nd September at
  Maitland Bay (Bouddi) and another at Wanda on 7th November, 1970.
  These birds ought to be more common as they breed on seven offshore
  islands of the State (Morris in Press).
  Sooty Terns (Sterna fuscata) are described by McGill (1960) as
  being very rare, so that the bird collected on 27th December, 1970 at
  One Mile Beach, Forster was unusual (Rogers, 1971).
  IV. Conclusion.
  The coverage of the New South Wales coast by regular beach pat-
  rolling in 1970 and 1971 in no way compares with the scheme operated by
  Ornithological Society of New Zealand. In 1969 (the latest report
  published) 2688 Km of coast were travelled by 99 members and 2534 dead
  seabirds were found, which is at the rate of 1 bird per Km travelled
  (Imber, 1972). This compares with the Club’s figures of 8.4 per Km
  travelled in 1970 and 4.1 per Km in 1971. However, it is hoped that
  by publishing the results of our survey to date more people will be
  encouraged to participate. Beach patrol form6 are available from the
  author and every encouragement will be given to participants, partic-
  ularly in relation to the identification of specimens.
  No doubt as more patrolling is carried out the number of seabirds
  found per Km of beach travelled will fall, because at present most
  patrols are carried out at the time of greatest seabird mortality viz.
  October – January. Already in 1972 the number of patrols has exceeded
  the total number in 1971. However, there is a very genuine need forBIRDS 40. 1 November 1972
  people to patrol beaches in the Tweed Heads, Hastings, Ulladulla, Bega
  and Malla’coota zones. Purely from a distributional point of view,
  information on rare seabirds frcm these regions is required.
  At the present time all the rarer birds are collected in the
  Newcastle -Wollongong area giving a very biased picture indeed of their
  distribution and status in New South Wales waters.
  V. Acknowledgements.
  The following members of the New South Wales Field Ornithologists
  Club and their friends took part in beach patrols and credit is due to
  them for collecting the information summarised above.
  A. Colemane, the late K. A. Hindwood, G. Holmes, E. S. Hoskin,
  F. G. Johnston, A. R. McGill, Mrs. A. D. Morris, B. Penzhorn,
  A. R. Sefton and G. Sefton.
  The Author is grateful to Miss M. Fitzgibbon, National Parks and
  Wildlife Service, who drew Figure I.
  Special thanks are due to E. S. Hoskin who provided information
  from the Keith Hindwood Bird Recording Service and to A. R. Sefton who
  gave me access to records maintained by both him and D. Gibson for the
  Illawarra area. Glenn Holmes was responsible for almost half the
  beaches patrolled and were it not for his efforts, there would hardly
  be a report.
  VI. References.
  Hindwood, K.A. & McGill, A.R. 1958 The Birds of Sydney. Royal Zoo-
  logical Society of New South Wales,
  Sydney.
  Imber, M.J. 1972 Seabirds found dead in New Zealand
  in 1969. Notornis 18:305-309.
  Imber, M.J. & Boeson, B.W., 1969 Seabirds found dead in New Zealand
  in 1964. Notornis 16:50-56,
  McKean, J.L. & Vernon, D.P., 1971 New records for Tube -nosed Birds
  (Order Procellariformes) from Queen-
  sland. Mem. Qd. Mus. 16(1):141-144.BIRDS 41. 1 November 1972
  Morris, A.K., et al (in press) The Breeding Seabirds of Boondelbah
  Island.
  Rogers, A.E.P., 1971 New South Wales Annual Bird Report.
  Birds 5:66-76.
  Alan K. Morris,
  Old Toongabbie, 21.9.72
  NOISY MINERS AND GREY BUTCHERBIRD EATING BEES.
  Root (1954, ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture, 30th Ed., p.606) states
  “Before leaving their hive … swarming bees fill themselves with honey
  It
  On 17 October 1971, a swarm of bees emerged from a hive in our
  yard and flew for a time among Blackbutt saplings. Soon several. Noisy
  Miners arrived and flew repeatedly through the swarm. Between flights
  the birds perched in a sapling that housed an old Noisy Miner nest and
  we put down the bird8L interest in the bees to a prolonged instinct to
  defend the nest, However, they gave no alarm calls or any other
  sounds while the bees swarmed and careful watching showed that the
  Miners were actually catching bees when they flew through the swarm,
  taking in one snap a meal of both insect and honey. We did not see
  the birds attempt to remove the beest stings, Perching seemed to serve
  only as a point from which to redirect the flights through the swarm or
  to pause while swallowing
  Two months previously a female Grey Butcherbird stood patiently by
  a dish of bread and honey while about ten Italian bees hovered nearby.
  When a bee came close enough she snapped it up and made no attempt to
  remove the sting. When all the bees were eaten she finished off the
  bread and honey herself.
  Mrs. Dariel Larkins,
  Turramurra. 20.7.72BIRDS 42. 1 November 1972
  ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN RECORD OF’ THE ROYAL ALBATROSS.
  The Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora) breeds in the New, Zealand
  region on Chatham, Auckland, Antipodes and Campbell Islands and on the
  mainland near Dunedin (South Island). They mcve extensively throughout
  the Southern Seas but are not so widely ranging as the very similar and
  more numerous Wandering Albatross (D. exillans). The latter species is
  common off the coasts of southern Australia during the colder months of
  the year.
  The first Australian record of the Royal. Albatross was reported
  by Gibson and Sefton (1962, Emu 62: 167-8) following their capture of
  one of these birds while banding Wanderers off Bellambi, N.S.W. on
  17 July, 1960. Of the other few Australian records, two banded as
  chicks on Campbell Island were found dead, one in Western Australia
  and one at Red Rock north of Coffs Harbour, N.S.W. (see Australian Bird
  Bander 4: 80 and 10: 63). One was seen off Sydney Heads by Alan Rogers
  in October, 1969 (1970 Emu 70: 201) and one at Port Stephens in 1969
  (1970, Field Guide to Australian Birds p. 145).
  Another Royal Albatross has now been recorded. A man walking his
  dog on the beach at The Entrance (Tuggerah Lakes) N.S.W. on 2 August,
  1972 found an exhausted or sick albatross. He contacted the National
  Parks and Wildlife Service and the information was passed to Alan Morris
  who asked me if I knew anyone in the area who might look after the bird.
  I referred him to Mr. Charles Day, a bander friend of mine at Killarney
  Vale and the bird was passed to him. He cared for the bird which
  would not eat, but never the less gradually improved. From the desc-
  ription given, the bird was apparently a Royal Albatross and as Mr. Day
  had no bands for albatrosses, I arranged to go to Killarney Vale the
  following Saturday.
  The bird was a Royal Albatross and it had improved considerably
  despite lack of food. With the help of others present I was able to
  get it to take a substantial quantity of lard. The bill was held open
  and the lard, softened in salt water, was “dropped” down the threat.
  A smal] piece was regurgitated but subsequently eaten. It was banded,
  measured (wing span 3093 mm = 10 ft. 1 inches) and released off
  Toowoon. Bay by Mr. Day on 6 August, about 12:15 hr.)
  Since 1958 the Albatross Study Group has banded over 3000 Wand-
  ering Albatrosses off the coast at Bellambi/Austinmer and at Malabar,BIRDS 43. 1 November 1972
  in addition some 50 have been caught wearing bands placed on them at
  their breeding island such as South Georgia, Crozet Archipelago, Kerg-
  uelen Island, Prince Edward Islands, Antipodes Island and Macquarie
  Island. Yet only one Royal Albatross has been seen at sea by members
  of this Group in over 1/4. years and that was the one referred to earlier
  which was caught and banded by Gibson and Seftcn.
  The albatross banding is usually carried out within 3 to 4 km.
  (2 to 3 miles) off the ccast and occasionally up to 8 km. (5 miles).
  Thus it would seem that Royal Albatrosses are rare visitors in this area
  although they may yet prove to be more regular visitors somewhat
  further from the coast.
  S. G. (Bill) Lane,
  Lane Cove. 21.8.72
  mr sr MP
  t ‘
  RED ROCK Et -I- Ira ROYAL
  ALBATROSS
  3r
  31.
  SPECIMENS
  AND
  PORT ST EPNENS MSS
  33* 33′
  THE ENTRANCE 2- S 117t OBSERVATIONS
  SYDNEY HEADS 23-10-110
  SULAM SI 17. 7.1!50 IN N.S.W.

W -W

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yr
Yr
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.
145′ OW 1S SrBIRDS 44. 1 November 1972
GODWITS AT LAKE COWAL, N.S.W.
On 3 June 1970 a godwit was observed feeding on the shore of Lake
Cowal, N.S.W., near “Cowal North” 33.31’S, 147.231E. The canegrass
obscured the bird during the observation and tc obtain identification
the bird was collected. It was identified as a male Black -tailed
Godwit (Limosa limosa) and the skin of the bird has been deposited in
the C.S.I.R.O. Division of Wildlife Research Collection (Coll. No. H821).
The stomach contents contained shell -grit of freshwater mussels
and six larvae of predacious water beetles (Dytiscidae), two predacious
water beetles (Antiporus sp.) and caw aquatic beetle (Borosus sp,)
(Hydrophilidae).
At the same location two adult Bar -tailed Godwits (L. lapponica)
were observed to be feeding on 14 December 1970.
Although birds have been observed continously at Lake Cowal from
September 1969 to June 1972, no other godwits have been located. Both
species can be classified as rare visitors to Lake Cowal where 157
other species have been observed. Inland observations for Godwits in
New South Wales are few in number and previous records have been
summarised by Thomas (1970, Emu 70:151) and all relate to Fletchers
Lake near Dareton in the Lower Murray Region. Thomas quotes Hobbs who
considers there is probably a regular movement through the Murray River
area during March -April. Other published records relate to 14 Black –
tailed Godwits in December 1967 at Armidale sewerage farm (Heron, 1969,
Aust. Bird Watcher 3: 269-272); two at Dangars Lagoon, Uralla on 12
January 1969 for a period of several days (Gosper, 1970, B.O.C. Notes
462) and another at Lake Bathurst in Oct. 1962 (Clayton, GFNS 17 Sept-
ember 1971).
W. J. M. Vestjens
Canberra. 15.8.72
CRESTEB GREBE NOTES.
There are only a few records for the Crested Grebe (Podiceps
cristatus), in the County of Cumberland prior to November 1967, when
J. Palmer recorded the species on Prospect Reservoir. This record
and an account of the status of the bird in the County was provided by
Hindwood (1967, Birds 2: 13-14). Since then the Crested Grebe has
been found nesting at Bringelly, the first breeding record for the
County, (Cooper 1970, Birds 5:2-3).BIRDS 45. 1 November 1972
Bindweed and I believed that one day the birds would breed at
Prcspect and over the years the small bays on the northern shore have
gradually developed some reed cover where they were once bare.
This habitat must have been suitable for the birds to nest in because
N. Chaffer and A. Colemane in November 1971 saw a pair of adults with
a single young bird which constituted the second breeding record for
the County.
I visited Prospect on 22 December 1971 and found a nest containing
four eggs. The nest was situated in the reeds and floating in 75 cm
(30 inches) of water and was about 6 km (20 ft) from the shore. The
eggs measured 51 x 33 mm; 49 x 31 mm; and two 50 x 33 mm. In the next
bay I found another nest after seeing the bird swim out from the reeds.
This nest was too far out and I could only approach within 3 m (10 ft).
No doubt the eggs were covered as the nest appeared empty. When leav-
ing the nest these birds cover their eggs with the nesting material as
do all grebes.
Since Mr. Palmer’s sighting in 1957 the birds have been recorded
at least eight times at other localities in the County.
Ernest S. Hoskin
Eastwood. 27.8.72
SHORT NOTES
Centennial Park Bird Count.
On 20 July 1972 a count was made of birds in Centennial Park by
Mrs. M. Foster and myself. Altogether 1547 birds of 25 species were
counted on this mid -winter day between 9:30 and 14:00 hrs. Waterfowl
were the most abundant with 243 Black Duck, 8 Mallards, 14 Peking Ducks,
22 Mallard/Black Duck Hybrids, 13 Peking/Mallard crosses, 6 Muscovy,
6 Domestic Geese, 16 Black Swan (two nesting) and 6 Musk Ducks. Other
native species included 163 Coots, 110 Dusky Moorhens, 47 Little Grebes,
52 Eastern Silvereyes, 3 White-faced Herons, 2 Egrets, 13 Little Pied
Cormorant, 1 Little Black Cormorant, 50 Eastern Swamphens, 5 Superb
Blue Wrens, 2 Jacky Winters, 4 Willie Wagtails, 4 White -plumed Honey –
eaters, 4 Welcome Swallows and 6 New Holland Honeyeaters. A similar
count is planned for summer. (R. Fordham, Randwick. 20.7.72).BIRDS 46. 1 November 1972
Bulbuls at Coffs Harbour.
The Red -whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus) is found in suitable
habitats around the town of Coffs Harbour where I would say it is more
or less abundant as it is around Sydney. Cayley (1968, What Bird is
That?) gives the New South Wales distribution as “Sydney and its
environs”, which agrees with McGill (1960, A Handlist of the Birds of
New South Wales) and with articles by Tarr (1949, Emu 49:192) and
Chisholm (1950, Emu 50:98).
The question arises whether Bulbuls have spread to Coffs Harbour
from Sydney or whether they have been separately introduced. I have
been assured by a local aviculturalist that they have never beer kept
in aviaries here, so if they have made their awn way, one would expect
them to have become established in some of the many suitable habitats
in the intervening 480 km (300 miles). Possibly observers in these
places have been seeing the birds and have not bothered to report them.
Bulbuls are a neglected species in the Australian Literature – since
Chisholm’s article in 1950 they have been given only five passing ref-
erences in the Emu and have not even been mentioned in the Australian
Bird Watcher. (Peter Roberts, Coffs Harbour. 5.8.72).
Unusual Nesting Behaviour of the Golden -headed Fantail -Warbler.
On 21 March 1972 whilst mowing a heavy crop of grass my son cut
down the nest of the Golden -headed Fantail -Warbler, better known as the
Tailor Bird. He moved the nest containing several eggs, one broken,
to a remaining island of grass about 9 m (30 ft.) away from its original
position. The birds quickly returned, found and accepted the changed
position and successfully hatched their brood. As we did not wish to
further disturb the birds no attempt was made to count the young but
there appeared to be three which fledged successfully. Their ready
acceptance of the changed position we found remarkable, particularly as
the rest of the paddock was now quite bare. The nest was later coll-
ected. (Mrs. M. Thomas, Albion Park. 6.8.72).BIRDS 47. 1 November 1972
CONSERVATION NOTES
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has established an advisory
committee to consider new regulations for the keeping of, and dealing in,
native birds. The Club is represented on the committee by George Dibley
and Dick Mason. A major point being stressed by our committee members
is that between now and when the regulations come into force, the NPWS
should not relax its law enforcement activities for it is feared that
unscrupulous aviculturalists will add to their collections in the mean-
time. Recent legislation requires all aviculturalists who keep 19 or
more protected fauna to be registered and those who register will be able
to swap amongst themselves without having a Fauna Dealers Licence.
The regulations also set down the minimum cage sizes for protected birds
paralleling similar legislation being introduced by the R.S.P.C.A. for
all caged birds.
A reply for our representations on Quibray Bay is still being
awaited, The F.O.C. is pressing to preserve the remaining wader hab-
itats in Botany Bay, but the Government is stalling on making a public
announcement on the future land usage of the Bay because of Port prop-
osals at Quibray Bay and other developments (elsewhere) in the area.
Member F. Van. Gessel has recently published an excellent article
on the birds of Kooragang Island (157 species), including an annotated
list of all species present giving details of dates and population
numbers. See Hunter Natural History, 1972, 4: 194-215, published by
the Newcastle Flora and Fauna Society.
Two new Nature Reserves have recently been announced being North
Solitary Island, 50 acres of Wedge-tailed Shearwater and Crested Tern
Rookeries, 9 miles east of Wooli; and Belowla Island, about 10 acres
in extent about z mile N.E. of O1Hara Head north of Batemans Bay. It
is presumed to be a nesting place for seabirds, however, it has never
been visited by ornithologists.
In reply to our suggestion that Fraser Park near Belmont be incorp-
orated into the NPWS system, the Minister for Lands has replied that
there are mining objections to such a proposal but the matter is being
looked into again.
M. Cameron,
Conservation Officer.BIRDS 48. 1 November 1972
R.A.O.U. CONGRESS AND CAMP -OUT.
The Congress held during the weekend 30 September to 2 October 1972
was a most informative and highly successful occasion and the organisers
deserve a hearty congratulation (members Dr, Harry Recher and John
Disney). The sessions of the Congress were well worth attending and a
number of the papers were given by members of this Club. John Disney
spoke on the Lord Howe Island Woodhen, a flightless rail whose total
world population is 19 or 20 birds confined to a 20 Ha (50 acre) patch
of rainforest on the top of Mt, Gower. This must surely be one of,
if not, the rarest bird in the world and it behoves the people of New
South Wales to ensure that our Government takes steps to preserve and
manage its habitat,
Bill Lane described the 27 islands off the NSW coast which are
recorded breeding locations of seabirds, and gave details of past and
present breeding species and their present status. Alan Morris summ-
arised the beach surveys on the NSW coast in 1970 and 1971 – the 1970
report appears in this issue of “Birds” whilst the 1971 Report will
appear in the January 1973 issue if there is room. Alan Rogers summ-
arised seabird observations offshore from Sydney and results to date
indicate that (a.) the Wedge-tailed Shearwater, generally considered
a resident is a prominent migrant; (b.) a subspecies of the Black-
browed Albatross not previously recorded in Australia occurs more
commonly; and (c.) four species previously noted as rare or scarce are
regular visitors viz., Cape Petrel, Yellow -nosed Albatross, Shy Alba-
tross and Wilson Storm -petrel. Finally Harry Battam talked on the
breeding seabirds of the Five Islands near Port Kembla.
Some of these papers will be subsequently published. Already a
summary of the breeding seabirds of the Solitary Islands by S. G. (Bill)
Lane has appeared (1972 EMU 72:182-185) and the article on the Lord
Howe Island birds is to be published by the Lord Howe Island Board.
The camp out at Smiths Lake was organised in such a way that the
campers would assist in a survey of the birds in the Myall Lakes Nat-
ional Parks. Particular attention was paid to birds that occur in
areas to be mined for mineral sands and areas already mined. 45 campers
took part and managed to see 195 species of birds.BIRDS 49. 1 November 1972
MUSEUM MEETINGS NOVEMBER 1522 – JANUARY 1973.
16 November Dr, D. L. Serventy “Short -tailed Shearwaters”
21 December Mr. H, Batten Films of Birds
18 January Mr, F. McNamara “Birds in Colour’
(All meeting commence at 8.00 p.m. in the Ttcture Room, Australian
Maseum, College Street, Sydney, Meetings close 10.00 p.m.)
REPORTS OF MUSEUM MEETINGS.
17 August 1972 Mr., Allan Fox, Chief Wildlife Officer, National Parks
and Wildlife Service spoke on “Estuaries and. Off -shore Islands from.
Sydney te Victoria”. He commenced with slides and comments on Towra
Point, He then showed slides taken from a helicopter including Five
Islands ofr Port Kembla, the entrance to Lake Illawarra, Seven Mile
Beach State Park, Commaderry Swamp, Comerong Island and a series of
estuaries and lakes south to the border. Mr. Fox commented on the areas
that the NPWS had endeavoured to secure as Parks and Nature Reserves in
the face of adverse action by land developers and others. His excellent
slides gave a clear impression of estuarine habitats and off -shore
islands, whilst those taken of the devastation caused by the woodchip
industry around Eden drew loud protests from the large audience. He
then showed a series of slides on the relatively untouched habitats of
Nadgee Nature Reserve including the dunes opposite Gabo Island. His
talk drew attention to the need for -urgent action to bring to the Gov-
ernment’s notice the need to protect areas still remaining. The NPWS
should be supported in their fight to preserve these areas.
21 September 1972 “Seabirds” was the title of Mr. Alan Rogers illust-
rated talk. With the aid of the blackboard he listed all the families
of seabirds found throughout the world, giving the number of species
recorded in Australia along with the number that breed here. Starting
with Penguins and ending up with the Auks, he dealt with each species in
tur-1 giving members many points that assist in identification. His
talk was accompanied with many excellent slides, some showing species
not present in Australia. The slides provided an insight into many
identification problems one would expect to encounter when bird watching
overseas. Slides of seabirds taken in the Antarctic Greenland, the
3ritish Isles, North America, New Zealand and Australia were screened.BIRDS 50. 1 November 1972
NOTICE OF FTFLD EXCURSIONS.
Sunday, 19 November – Colo, Kurrajong.
Leader: E. Hoskin 88-2900
Meet 9.00 hrs. at Wilberforce, vacant allotment near shop.
Saturday & Sunday, 9-10 December – Cartons Farm, Megalong Valley,
Leader: M. Dibley 570-1298
Meet 9.30 hrs, at Packsaddlers, Green Gully, Megalong Valley, about
14 miles from Blackheath (route well signposted).
Saturday, 20 January – Pennant Hills Park.
Leader: L. Smith 42-2418 (Details next issue)
REPORTS ON FTILD EXCURSIONS.
Yeramba Lagoon, 20 August 1972 – 40 members attended the excursion and
were divided into two parties which alternated between the north and
south sides of the Lagoon. Conditions were good and a total of 62
species was recorded. Most members had good views of a Marsh Crake and
five roosting Nankeen Night Herons were located. Six species of duck
were present on the Lagoon including a flock of ten White -eyed Duck and
50+ Chestnut Teal. An o/er-wintering Ross: Robin and some Little Grass –
birds were of interest. (C. G, Lloyd).
Annangrove & Hawkesbury Swamps, 23 September 1972 – This monthly field
outing was led by Ernie Hoskin to the Wianammatta shale country north of
Sydney. The day began early and in warm spring weather stops were made
in the Annangrove area, Maraylya for lunch, McGraths Hill and Bushell’s
Lagoon, with one or two other stops along the way. Nesting birds were
the main interest of the day: the nests of at least eight different
species being seen including those of the Rock Warbler, Fuscous Honey-
eater (2) and Dusky Woodswallow. In the Blue Gum Creek area a Yellow-
tufted Honeyeater’s nest (with two eggs) at a height of about 450 mm
was closer to the ground than a Blue Wren’s nest (containing three eggs)
at 1.4 m further along the road. An Orange -winged Sittella’s high in
a eucalypt was not far from where a pair of Spotted Pardalotes had
their burrow in an earthen bank.BIRDS 51. 1 November 1972
A search at “Red Gables” swamp produced a Little Egret, one Green –
shank and a female Darter whilst at the McGrath’s Hill sewerage farm
were a namner of Grass Whistling Ducks. Those who endured to the end
were rewarded at Bushell’s Lagoon with a lone Glossy Ibis, two Jacana
and a wisp of Snipe (Japanese!). Altogether 92 species were recorded
for the day. Many thanks are extended to Mr. Hoskin for leading the
group and also to those who provided the transport. (D. Sawyer).
RECORDS REPORT.
It is hoped that memoers will appreciate that it is not always
possible to individually acknowledge receipt of records for the annual
report. However, to ensure that members know their observations have
been received safely it is intended that contributors will be listed
regularly in BIRDS. Accordingly, in recent months records have been
gratefully received from the following:- A, Colemane, R. Noske,
D. Sawyer, J. Howe, P. Cooper (Mrs), N. Schrader, R. Miller, W. Longmore
F. van Gessel, A. Morris, A. Sefton, D. Haynes, D. Larkins (Mrs),
J. Izzard, C. Thomas (Mrs), P. Bourke, L. Smith (Mrs), A. Cartwright,
R. Fordham, G. Dibley, M. Dibley (Mrs) and S. G. Lane.
As the year draws to a close it would be appreciated if all
members would start to accumulate their more outstanding records for
the 1972 Report. A supplement is included with this issue, page 34A,
as a guide to the type of observations which are of most value.
Alan Rogers
Records Officer.
“EMUS” FOR SALE.
Mr. C. O. Boyd wishes to sell Vols. 62-71 Emu, preferably as a
complete set. The volumes are not bound but are in reasonable
condition. Tel. 27-9711 during office hours.
Your Editor would like to purchase a copy of the “Birds of
Sydney” and would be prepared to come to some reasonable agreement.BIqDS 52. 1 November 1972
CONTENTS.
Page
Sea -birds Found Dead in New South Wales in 1970 33

• A. K. Morris
  floisy Miner and Grey Butcnerbirds Eating Bees 41
• D. Larkins
  Another Australian Record of the Royal Albatross 42
• S. G. Lane
  Godwits at Lake Cowal N.S.W. 44
• W. J, M. Vestjens
  Crested Grebe Notes 44
• E. S. Hoskin,
  Short Notes – Centennial Park Bird Count 45
  Bulbuls at Coffs Harbour 46
  Unusual Nesting Behaviour of the Tailor -bird L6
  Notices 49
  OFFICE BEARERS.
  Patron: A. H. Chisholm, M.B.E.
  Hon. Sec. – Treasurer: Mrs, L. Smith
  84 Arabella St., Longueville 42-2418
  Field Day Organiser: Mrs, M. Dibley
  18 Russell St,, Oatley 570-1298
  Hon. Editor: A. K. Morris
  20 Harrison St., Old Toongabbie 631-7892
  ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Due 1 July each year
  Single member – $2.00; Junior member – $1.50; Family – $2,50
  Scientific and Vernacular names used in this journal are in accordance
  with “An Index of Australian Bird Names” C.S.I.R.O. Tech, Mem. No.5 1969
  (Registered for posting as a periodical – Category B)