PDF version available here: Vol. 8 No. 5
new south wales
field ornithologists club
VOLUME 8 MARCH 1974
No. 5 PRICE 25
BIRDS 79. 1 March 19y4
HONEYEATERS OF TOONGABBIE AND QUARRY CREEK RESERVE, NORTHMEAD.
In Australia there are 70 species of honeyeater which are found
in all habitats, from the seacoast to the arid interior. Honeyeaters
occur in all Australian States and have readily adapted to garden life
in the suburbs. Here in the Toongabbie and Quarry Creek Reserve of
some 640 acres, 17 species have been recorded, details of which are set
out below.
Quarry Creek joins Toongabbie Creek which is a tributory of the
Parramatta River. Toongabbie Creek appears to represent the boundary
of the Hawkesbury sandstone habitat to the north and east, and the
Wianamatta shale to the south and west. Much of the Reserve consists
of the sandstone flora, the taller trees being Blackbutt (Eucalyptus
pitularis) Grey Gum (E. punctata), Blue Gum (E. saligna), Stringybark
(E. globoidea) and Scribbly Gum (E. haemastoma) – the undergrowth being
dominated by Acacias, Banksias, Hakeas and other heath plants. Creek
side vegetation is mainly the introduced Privet and the Grey Myrtle
whilst in some of the damper gullies Pittosporum and Lantana can be
found. The Grey Box (E. moluccana) and the Red Gum (E. parranathensis),
representing the shale flora, intrude into the Quarry Creek. The
suburbs of Northmead and Baulkham Hills representing the sandstone areas
and Winston Hills and Old Toongabbie being shale areas, surround the
reserve but the birds spill out into the well timbered gardens and
streets of these suburbs. The Reserve is located 24 km northwest of
the City of Sydney.
Most observations are made in my garden which adjoins the Reserve
in Northmead. In the garden feeders for the honeyeaters provide
sweetened water whilst other food is placed there to attract birds
generally. Alan Morris, who resides on the other side of the creek in
Old Toongabbie has been able to supplement these notes particularly in
relation to some of the shale birds.
As there is only one Australian publication that deals with the
honeyeaters, “Australian Honeyeaters” by Brig. Hugh Officer, I have
included with the notes a page reference to that book.
Scarlet Honeyeater – A rare nomadic species recorded from September
to April, when it follows the flowering of
trees and shrubs, particularly the callistemons.
(P.20).
Lewin Honeyeater – Single birds appear at irregular intervals
throughout the year, particularly in the wetter
gullies. (P.40)BIRDS 80. 1 March 1974
Fuscous Honeyeater – A rare visitor to the Reserve with only three
records in five years. However, regularly
recorded in Alan Morris’s garden throughout
- (P.49).
Yellow -faced – A common breeding bird. In April and May
Honeyeater large migrating flocks pass through but some
birds are always present. A resident pair
have been coming to my feeder daily throughout
the past two years. (P.50).
White -plumed – Several pairs scattered throughout the Reserve.
Honeyeater (P.61).
Yellow -tufted – A resident species, colonies being located at
Honeyeater Hammers Road Bridge, Centenary Centre and
Chisholm Drive. A common garden bird in this
area. (P.55).
Brown -headed – A nomadic species turning up once or twice each
Honeyeater year depending on the flowering of the trees.
(P.17).
White-naped – A common breeding resident with an increase in
Honeyeater numbers during the winter months. (p.11)
Black -chinned – Rare visitor, recorded only twice in five years.
Honeyeater (P.14).
New Holland – An uncommon spring visitor to flowering Eucal-
Honeyeater ypts and vines. (P.67).
White-cheeked – A regular winter and summer visitor sometimes
Honeyeater remaining in small flocks for several months,
also a common garden visitor. (P.68).
Eastern Spinebill – A breeding resident species and common in
gardens. (P.25)
Bell Miner – A single bird near the Hammers Road Bridge on
29 and 30 January 1972. (P.69).
Little Wattle -bird – Spring visitor to the Reserve and local gardens
with occasional visits to the flowering coral
trees in winter. (P.73).
Red Wattle -bird – Normally uncommon but large flocks occur during
periods of heavy blossom on the Eucalypts, also
attracted to the coral trees. (P.74).
Athol Colemane,
Northmead. 21.11.73BIRDS 81. 1 March 1974
SHORT -TAILED SHEARWATER ON LION ISLAND, NEW SOUTH WALES.
Lion Island in Broken Bay, New South Wales has been known for many
years as a breeding place of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus
pacificus) and the Sooty Shearwater (P. griseus) and a survey of these
birds breeding on the island commenced in 1956. Some 50 visits have
been made since to check and band them.
During a visit by W. Kelly, S. G. Lane, A. K. Morris and G. Vincent
on 22 December 1973, a Short -tailed Shearwater (P. tenuirostris) was
found in a burrow on the scree slopes near the eastern end of the island.
No egg was found although one may have been present as the burrow comp-
rised a number of cavities; a complete examination was impracticable
without destruction of or excessive damage to the burrow. Previously,
only beach -washed specimens of P. tenuirostris have been found on the
island and it will be interesting to see if this species will establish
a breeding colony in view of the poor breeding success apparent with the
Wedge-tailed and Sooty Shearwaters (Lane 1962, 1974).
References.
Lane, S. G. 1962 – “A Progress Survey of Breeding Shearwaters on
Lion Island Faunal Reserve” – Emu 62: 202-204.
Lane, S. G. 1974 – “The Shearwater Colony on Lion Island, N.S.W. –
Aust. Bird Bander (in Press).
S. G. Lane,
Lane Cove. 6.1.74
SOME NOTES ON THE LITTLE RAVEN (CORVUS MELLORI).
On Sunday, 25 November 1973, a visit was made by six persons to a
40 ha area of eucalyptus forest on the western slopes of the Great Div-
iding Range, about 32 km east of the city of Bathurst, New South Wales.
From sunrise until at least 11.00 hours 50 corvids (Corvus spp.) were
present in the area. Calls and habits of these birds indicated that
they belonged to the species known as the Little Raven (Corvus mellori).
Attention was first drawn to them by their noisy calls as they
perched in groups, preening and sunning themselves, in the top of the
trees. They seemed to be well fed but were very wary. When approached
some flew towards the open fields while the others milled around in the
air then flew, in a scattered bunch, to the top of another tree in theBIRDS 82. 1 March 1974
sunshine. No signs of breeding in the area were apparent, in fact,
most of the ravens looked at had a few feathers missing from the wings
indicating they were in a post -breeding moult. This accounted for
their quick wing beating.
The birds may have gorged themselves the day before on the thousands
of newly -emerged cicadas which were on the ground as well as in the
trees. None of the birds appeared to be in a serious search for food.
About 25 were counted in one flock, a nearby flock may have contained
as many and there were numbers besides. My presence may have dispersed
a large single gathering numbering perhaps 90-100 individuals.
Occasional distinct calls indicated the possible presence of two
or more corvids of a separate species, namely the Australian Raven
(Corvus cpronoides) amongst the Little Ravens. This was verified. A
pair of Australian Ravens did pass higher overhead taking no heed, nor
making any contact with, the gathering of Little Ravens in the trees
below.
The cries of the Little Raven were short and repetitive, unlike the
long drawn out noises of the Australian Raven. The bill appeared more
slender and lacked elongated throat feathers. They were active and
more agile amongst the branches of the trees, preferring the highest
branches and seemed even more shy than the wary Australian Raven.
found it difficult to approach to their numbers for they were obviously
very watchful, being ever ready to fly away at my approach. The iris
of at least some of the birds was seen to be whitish indicating that
adults were present. They were definitely more of a gregarious type of
bird than the Australian Raven.
There is little doubt that these birds were Little Ravens even if
they were somewhat north of their range. The forest habitat in the
ranges east of Bathurst is similar to that further south where these
ravens occur. Little Ravens are nomadic and capable of locating a local
abundance of food. Inland bred Little Ravens would have been well
fledged and in flocks by 25 November as they usually breed in late
winter and early spring (Rowley et al, 1973 Wildlife Res. 18:138).
Furthermore, Little Raven often feed in flocks on insects in forests but
Australian Ravens rarely feed in forests (Rowley and Vestjens, 1973
Wildlife Res. 18:138).
I wish to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. I. C. C. Rowley in the
preparation of this note.
David Sawyer,
Colloroy Plateau. 28.12.73BIRDS 83. 1 March 1974
OBSERVATION OF LESSER FRIGATE -BIRDS AT COMERONG ISLAND.
On 18 March 1973 in company with members of the National Parks
Association (Berrima District) I observed four Lesser Frigate -birds
near the mouth of the Shoalhaven River between Crookhaven Head and
Comerong Island.
The observations were made between 1215 and 1300 hours from the
landward end of the breakwater wall on Comerong Island. At low tide
this point permits good views of exposed rock outcrops and a long narrow
sandbar approximately 90 m away. Many species rest here, including
Black, Little Black and Little Pied Cormorants, Silver Gulls, Crested
and Little Terns.
The first sighting of one of the frigate -birds occurred whilst I
was watching a gull searching for food. The gull alighted on the water,
picked something (food?) up and started to fly towards the sandbar with
its prize. Within seconds a dark, larger and swift -flying bird app-
eared from the seaward direction and pursued the gull. The attacker
had the speed, flight and general appearance of a falcon and was much
larger than the gull. I realised that it was neither a falcon nor any
other species with which I was familiar. Notable features were the
long, narrow and pointed wings, deeply forked tail – most noticeable as
the bird banked, turned and dived – its streamlined appearance, brownish
grey coloration of the upperparts and paler underparts. A patch of
white was evident from the underwing area but I could not accurately
pinpoint the location of this whiteness due to the bird’s speed. Reg-
rettably no particular notice was paid to the bill but I did note that
the head was small like that of a pigeon.
The attack lasted approximately 1Y2 minutes when the gull finally
dropped the object from its beak and flew to join the other birds on
the sandbar. Meanwhile, the attacker collected the prize by dipping
its beak into the water without alighting and returned in the direction
from where it was first observed. It joined three other birds of sim-
ilar appearance. During the attack the gull and its “attacker” ranged
from 150-200 m from our observation point.
Mrs. S. Chittick, also a member of the N.S.W.F.O.C., observed the
bird after I had drawn her attention to its presence. Brief details
from her notes serve to confirm my identification. – “Size: larger
than Silver Gull which was being pursued at great speed. The bird was
larger in body, heavier and had a greater wingspan. The wings were
relatively narrow with a distinct joint Y2 to 2/3 of the way along which
gave a swept -back appearance. Colour: slaty -grey with brownish tinge
above and paler colour underneath with streaking of colour. The tailBIRDS 84. 1 March 1974
caught my attention but I lost the bird before I could get a proper
description of it…”
The conclusion that the birds were Lesser Frigate -birds is based
upon the following: - With the exception of members of the Stercorariidae (Skuas), I
know of no other seabird that would attack a gull with such vigorous
piracy tactics. Of the Skuas, the Arctic, Pomarine and possibly the
Long-tailed could be found in the area at this time of the year, however,
none of these birds would fit our description of size, wingspan and
wing shape. In addition, this bird’s tail clearly distinguished it
from the Skuas. - The “patch of white was evident from the underwing area” although
not accurately pinpointed, it is comparable with the white patch on the
side of this species which is a diagnostic feature. See Alexander
(1954 Birds of the Ocean p. 183) and Serventy et al (1971 The Handbook
of Australian Sea -birds p. 156). - The coloration of the attacking bird, as outlined, would indicate
a juvenile bird (probably close to adulthood) on comparison with the
description of a “fully feathered and able to fly, immature plumage”
phase of this species by Hindwood (1963 Birds of the South-west Coral
Sea, C.S.I.R.O. Tech. Paper No. 3). - After the attacking bird had joined the other three birds, they
were noted continuing to use piracy tactics on gulls procuring food from
a number of fishing boats returning from trips outside the heads.
The status of the Lesser Frigate -bird in New South Wales is given
by McGill (1960 A Handlist of the Birds of New South Wales) as “very
rare”. He mentioned a few reliable sight observations from the Sydney
District and a specimen at Port Stephens in February 1957. A further
sight record of a male and female was made at Budgewoi on the Central
Coast in January 1959 by Stringfellow (1962 Emu 62:65). My record is in
line with those observations and collectively they may indicate that
small numbers of Lesser Frigate -birds wander into New South Wales waters
in late summer and early autumn each year.
I wish to acknowledge the assistance of Mr. R. M. Cooper in the
preparation of this note.
C. Sonter
Bowral. N.S.W. 18.11.73BIRDS 85. 1 March 1974
DISTRIBUTION OF BIRDS ON THE MURRUMBIDGEE AND MURRAY RIVERS.
On 12 November 1972, three students from the Australian National
University (J. Craig, P. Liston and M. Guppy) began a Kayak trip down
the Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers. The starting point was Jugiong
N.S.W. and the journey about 1500 mis. ended at Mildura, Vic. on
18 January 1973.
Each day every species of bird identified was recorded. Most
sightings and identifications were from the river, in the kayaks;
however, occasionally it was necessary to go ashore to identify a bird
and a few species were sighted and identified on the shore during lunch
or the nightly camp. The relative abundance of each species was not
recorded.
Because of the nature of this particular river environment, the
method of recording species from the river would seem to be a valid one.
Most of the country between Jugiong and Mildura is very dry, broken only
by the relatively very narrow strip formed by the river. The adopted
method of recording species would tend to sample from a large proportion
of the river environment and thus give results representative of the
whole river environment. In support of this, it was noted that when
short surveys of the banks were made on shore, as opposed to from the
river, no difference in species number was recorded. Distortion of the
results by plain -dwelling birds, especially those recorded simply flying
over the river is a definite possibility and should not be overlooked.
The chance of this distortion is lessened by the small number of species
which would find the plain habitat suitable.
Fig. 1 is a qualitative representation of the bird life present in
the area through which we travelled. Four classes of distribution are
represented in Fig. 1: - A continual occurrence.
- A well defined, but discontinuous occurrence.
- An erratic occurrence.
- A rare occurrence.
Birds feeding exclusively from the river e.g. Black Duck fall into
class 1: their continual occurrence may thus be explained. However,
other class 1 birds e.g. Raven and Magpie do not depend upon the river
for food and Blue -winged Shoveler is exclusively a water feeder, yet it
is in class 4.MN M
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MURRAY REMU
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Mi BLACK CORMORANT 0
TITTLE BLACK CORMORANT
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WHITE NECKED HERON
WHITE FACED HERON
WHITE EGRET
LITTLE EGRET
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in MO INN WHITE IBIS
MO STRAW NECKED IBIS
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LITTLE FALCON
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BLACK TAILED NATIVE HEN 0
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BLACK FACED CUCKOO SHRIKE 0
REED WARBLER
SUPERB BLUE WREN 0
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GREY FANTAIL
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RUFOUS WHISTLER
GREY SHRIKE THRUSH
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BLACK BACKED MAGPIE
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20 mls
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URRUMBIDGEE R Jugiong
Gundega,BIRDS 88. 1 March 1974
In class 2 are the birds which occur in specific areas only, along
the river e.g. Superb Parrot, Starling, Rainbow -bird. The areas in
which they do not occur obviously lack some essential part of those
species’ requirements. It is difficult in most cases to identify the
deficiency. The exception is in the case of the Australian Reed
Warbler whose occurrence seems totally dependent upon the presence of
reeds.
It is difficult to offer any conclusions concerning the distrib-
ution of species in class 3 (which are for example Peregrine Falcon,
Striated Pardalote). One can only conclude that some facet of these
species’ behaviour render them unsuitable for a distribution study of
this kind.
The species in class 4 e.g. Crimson Chat, Pallid Cuckoo, may have
been sighted by chance in an environment which they do not normally
inhabit. Alternatively these birds may be very shy.
The only trend exhibited by the family groupings is the patchy
distribution of the Accipitridae and the Falconidae. The occurrence
of these birds of prey more so than with other families is strongly
correlated with weather. Thus the patchy distribution patterns exhib-
ited by the diurnal birds of prey may be a result of the effect of day-
to-day weather conditions, plus the more long term environmental cond-
itions.
The author wishes to acknowledge the following firms who assisted
by donating supplies for the kayak trip.
Ally Nish Australian Canvas Promotion Committee
John Purnell Johnson & Johnson
E. Loewy & Co. Union Carbide
I.C.I. Australia Limited Kraft Food
Michaelis Bayley Trading Ilford Australia
I am indebted to Ivan Fox of the Zoology Department, A.N.U., and
to Peter Liston for seeing this paper through in the final stages.
Michael Guppy
Canberra. A.C.T. 4.8.73BIRDS 89. 1 March 1974
ARCTIC TERNS IN BOTANY BAY.
During the outing of the Field Ornithologists Club at Towra Point
on 18 February 1973, a tern was identified as being an adult Arctic
Tern (Sterna paradisea) in non -breeding plumage. This bird was obs-
erved on the beach at Towra Point at 1200 hours, at a range of 25 m
amongst a flock of 45 Common Terns (Sterna hirundo). The bird was
under observation by myself for a period of five minutes. At 1300 hrs.
the rest of the Club members arrived but only M. Dibley and one or two
others as well as myself chanced to see again what was probably the
same Arctic Tern as it flew overhead.
A description of the notes taken at the time is as follows: The
bill was noticeably shorter than hirundo, being about 2/3 the length;
the tarus were blackish and appeared to be half the length of the neigh-
bouring hirundo. The forehead was higher than hirundo and there was
less black on the shoulders. The tail streamers were longer than any
hirundo present and the flight was more graceful. A thin black line
could be seen along the trailing edge of the wing but was not very not-
iceable. When the bird flew overhead the wings were more transparent
compared to the opaqueness of the hirundo and appeared to be more greyish.
There was less black about the eye and less black on the rest of the head
than in the hirundo. When I was joined by other members of the Club it
was agreed that the bird had noticeably longer tail streamers.
A further sighting of an Arctic Tern was made at 1300 hours on 6
May 1973, by Mr. A. R. McGill and myself at Botany Bay. The bird was a
small greyish tern resting on the sand -flats at low -tide near Hale Street.
Both of us agreed fairly quickly that there could be no doubt at all
that the bird must have been an adult Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisea).
It had the appearance of being slightly smaller and squatter than some
other terns assumed to be Common Terns (Sterna hirundo), with which it
was resting. It’s bill was black and shorter than those of the others.
Perhaps the most noticeable feature was the way the tail protruded beyond
the wings which were distinctly up -tilted. The stance was different
from the other small sterna present in that the others had a more horiz-
ontal posture. There was a greyish wash on the underparts. The legs
were very short – shorter than those of the other terns.
The Arctic Tern does not appear on the N.S.W. list (McGill 1960 A
Handlist of the Birds of New South Wales). The first and only record
occurred on 31 December 1966 when an immature bird was recovered dead at
Bega. The bird had been banded as a pullus at Anglesey, U.K. on 28 June
1966 (Spencer, 1967, British Birds 60:429-475). No previous description
of a field observation for an Arctic Tern in N.S.W. has been published.
D. Sawyer,
Colloroy.BIRDS 90. 1 March 1974
ATLAS TRIP TO BATEMAN’S BAY, 26-28 January.
Twenty four members and friends spent an enjoyable three days
atlassing in the Bateman’s Bay area. We were based on Stephen Marchant’s
property near Burrewarra Point and within a few yards of a most attract-
ive and relatively secluded beach – a facility much appreciated after a
day in the field!
The Saturday and Sunday were spent visiting squares in that part of
the coastal plains and lower ranges between Moruya and Termeil. Both
days were largely uneventful apart from a late night dash to retrieve a
car from the bush. The two unfortunate observers had earlier walked
six miles out to the main road and hitched back to camp! The highlight
of the Monday was an extremely rough ride by Land Rover up into the
ranges just south of the Araluen Valley, to survey two of the remaining
unvisited squares in the atlas area. In the event only one square was
reached and some of the party spent an interesting few hours learning
how not to winch a Land Rover up slippery hillsides. However, the
stupendous views from the ridges were much appreciated by all, as indeed
were the close-up views of five Pilot -birds seen feeding beside the
track.
Twenty squares were visited during the week -end and about 900 obs-
ervations made on 142 species. Observations of particular interest
included the third Topknot Pigeon record for the atlass area and the
second coastal records for Mountain Duck and White Cockatoo. Other
interesting records included Peregrine, Hooded Dotterel, Blackbird,
Beautiful Firetail, Brown Pigeon and Koel. A near albino Eastern
Roselle was also recorded. Breeding information was obtained for 21
species.
1973 N.S.W. BIRD REPORT.
The report is currently under preparation and will appear in the
next issue of Birds. Reports have been received recently from the
following people and are gratefully acknowledged:- M. Baldwin, R. Bigg,
M. Cameron, M. Crawford, T. and J. Dixon, R. Edden, B. Gall, F. van
Gessel, D. Gosper, G. Haddon, B. Howie, J. Hobbs, J. Izzard, V. Jenkins,
S. G. Lane, A. Leishman, A. McGill, R. Miller, A. Morris, A. Rose,
N. Schrader, D. Smedley, C. Sonter, R. and M. Thomas, E. Thomas,
E. Wheeler, S. Zucher.
Alan Rogers
(Records Officer)BIRDS 91. 1 March 1974
CONSERVATION NOTES.
Grassland Habitat – The NSWFOC has recently been in correspondence with
the Minister for Lands and the National Parks and Wildlife Foundation
about the need for the preservation of grassland habitat (as in the
Jerilderie, Hay or Urana areas) as a national park or nature reserve.
Destruction of habitat is probably the major factor in the decline and
extinction of bird species – this grassland country supports several
species of quail and the Plains Wanderer (which is seen very seldom and
seems to be becoming very rare indeed, largely because of habitat dest-
ruction over most of its former range). Its watercourses and billabongs
supports ducks and other waterfowl – the trees along their banks suit
parrots and other birds. Unfortunately, the land in this area is very
expensive – Bundure Station, 12747 ha, in which the NPWS was interested –
was recently sold for over $1,000,000. The National Parks and Wildlife
Foundation has already given significant financial aid towards inland
parks such as Sturt, Yathong, Kinchega and Willandra, and are seriously
interested in assisting in the acquisition of grassland habitat to fill
this gap in the NSW national park and nature reserve system. This
Birds will be too NSWI.U0 members to help in
the Foundation’s appeal on 24th February, but it is never too late to
give money to an organisation whose work is helping preserve the natural
habitat on which our birds depend.
Migratory Birds – Japan and Australia have now signed a treaty to
protect 66 species of migratory birds and their environment. Dr. Cass
is reported as saying “Co-operation is essential to ensure that the
birds’ habitats are protected in both countries”. As many of these
birds are waders, this presumably implies the protection of wader habitat
- Towra Point, Kooragang Island, Homebush Bay etc.!
Sparrow Survey – The Bird Observers Club is conducting a survey of the
distribution of house and tree sparrows. They have printed forms
showing their distribution “as presently understood” and invite records
of sparrows outside these areas. The survey is intended to record the
distributional status of the sparrow as in the period January -March 1974.
We were a little late hearing about it. The distribution information
is obviously far out of date, especially for tree sparrows; sparrow
experts are urged to help update it. Forms are available from Sparrow
Survey, B.O.C., Box 2167T, G.P.O., Melbourne 3001.BIRDS 92. 1 March 1974
NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION – LECTURE COURSE FOR 1974.
During 1974 the National Parks Association of N.S.W. will hold a
series of lectures under the title “Birds – Their Habits and Mysteries”.
The lectures will be held in Room 1 on the 7th Floor of the G.U.O.O.F.
Building, 149 Castlereagh Street, Sydney commencing punctually at
6.15 p.m., lasting approximately hours.
1)/2
The following programme has been drawn up:
Date Subject Speaker
March 11 Speciation and Classification. A. R. McGill
April 8 Sea Birds. A. E. F. Rogers
May 13 Waders. A. R. McGill
June 10 Birds and Pine Forests. H. J. DeDisney
July 8 Birds of Heathland and Forest. G. Dibley
August 12 Bird Photography. N. Chaffer
September 9 Endangered Birds of N.S.W. A. K. Morris
October 14 Ecology and Ethology of Birds. Dr. H. Recher
November 11 Adaptation of Birds to Arid V. Serventy
Environments.
December 9 Birds as Pests. A. K. Morris
The National Parks Association will welcome all non-members to
this series of lectures. Details of the fees being charged are as
follows:
N.P.A. Members $8.00 for the full course
Non-members $13.00 for the full course which automatically
makes them a member for twelve months.
or
N.P.A. Members $1.00 per lecture, payable at door
Non-members $3.00 “
To enrol, please send your remittance, together with your name,
address and telephone number to –
Mrs. H. M. Roy, “Cooinda” 16/11 Hampden Road, Artarmon. 2064
(Cheques should be made payable to the National Parks Association
of N.S.W. and crossed “Not Negotiable”.)BIRDS 93. 1 March 1974
MUSEUM MEETINGS MARCH – JUNE, 1974
21 March R. Orenstein “Birds of India”
18 April Dr. & Mrs. Bigg “Birding Around the World”
16 May A. R. McGill “Northern Australia”
20 June R. Mason “Chairman’s Address”
(All meetings commence at 8.00 p.m. in the Lecture Room, Australian
Museum, College Street, Sydney. Meetings close 10.00 p.m.)
REPORTS OF MUSEUM MEETINGS.
20 December 1973 Mr. Harry Battam spoke on a bird banding project
which he operated in heathlands south of Sydney, 5 km west of Fairy
Meadow. Here Eastern Silvereyes and Yellow -faced Honeyeaters were
trapped on migration whilst feeding in the Banksia ericifolia clumps.
The study terminated in late 1969 when the whole area was burnt out in
a bushfire. The main migration took place between April and July when
the flowers of the Banksia were full of nectar. By determining the
degree of skull ossification of all birds handled, it was found that 80
to 90% of migrating birds were less than a year old. This applied
equally to both species. Graphs and slides were shown to illustrate
aspects of migration and the age of the birds netted. Photographs were
also screened illustrating the habitat of the heath, the result of the
fire and the slow regeneration of the Banksia. It is expected that it
will take six to seven years before the Banksia will flower sufficient
to attract the migrants again.
17 January 1974 Despite a serious illness early in 1973, Mr. Ellis
McNamara was able to give his annual talk again in January this year.
A record audience of 200 + was there to hear him speak and show his
slides. Although he was somewhat restricted as a result of his illness
last year, he was still able to make a trip out to western New South
Wales and obtain some very fine photographs.
Western birds screened included Australian Dotterel, Gibber -chat,
Wood -swallows, Crimson Chat and others. Also screened were a good
selection of slides that enabled the audience to compare closely related
species e.g., Sarus Crane & Brolga, Gilbert and Red-lored Whistler,
Whimbrel and Eastern Curlew. His slides of many waders included
Sanderlings in non -breeding and breeding plumage. A vote of thanks
was moved by our Patron, Mr. Alec Chisholm, O.B.E.BIRDS 94. March 1974
1
NOTICE OF FIELD EXCURSIONS.
Saturday 23 March – Vale of Avoca Reserve, North Kurrajong.
Leader: A. Colemane – Tel. 630-6504
Meet 8.30 a.m. North Richmond, 0.8 km beyond the Nepean River opposite
Coffey’s Factory. Do not go beyond Grose Vale Road on left.
Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 April – Barren Grounds Nature Reserve.
Leader: M. Dibley – Tel. 570-1298
This trip has been arranged for members to possibly view Ground Parrots
and Eastern Bristle -birds. Meet 10.00 a.m. each day at Shelter Shed
in Reserve. Please advise leader by 23 April as to the day you are
coming or whether you will be camping over -night. Reserve located
9.6 km from Jamberoo on the Jamberoo-Robertson Road.
Saturday 18 May – Annangrove and Scheyville.
Leader: E. Hoskin – Tel. 88-9200
Meet 8.30 a.m. Rogans Hill in Old Northern Road near Aylward & Kennedy’s
Store.
REPORTS OF FIELD OUTINGS.
15 December 1973 – Minnamurra Falls and Albion Park. The bus trip to
Minnamurra Falls and Thomas’s Farm was well attended. We had an inter-
esting day although the birds were not as numerous as usual. Noticeably
scarce were the Lewin Honeyeaters and Lyrebirds. Highlights of the day
were Rose Robins, Black -faced Flycatcher and a flock of Topknot Pigeons.
Nests of the Brown Thornbill and Yellow -throated Scrub -wren were noted.
At the farm a flock of Wood Ducks and four Tawny Frogmouths were
observed. (B. Mannes)
20 January 1974 – Old Cooks River Mouth, Botany Bay. 26 members attende
this morning outing immediately north of the Airport runway extensions
into the bay. The numbers of waders seen was very disappointing and
regular observers think that there has been a pronounced decline since
the cyanide spill into Cooks River. No dead birds were seen apart from
the Silver Gulls shot by Airport Authoritories but no doubt the poison
has affected the food chain on which the waders depend. 20 species
(including passerines) seen included 20 Bar -tailed Godwits, 20 Red -necked
Stints, 10 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Sanderlings and 3 Red -capped Dotterels.
A Pied Oystercatcher was also observed – this species is now established
in Botany Bay as it is regularly observed at Towra Point. (J. Francis)BIRDS 95. 1 March 1974
REPORTS OF FIELD OUTINGS (Contd.)
29 September – 1 October 1973 – ingalba Nature Reserve.
During the long weekend in October the camp at Ingalba Nature
Reserve near Temora was attended by over forty observers from Sydney,
Canberra, Blue Mountains, Bowral, Forbes and Temora district. Mr.
and Mrs. Thompson joined the party from their farm adjacent to the
Reserve and were a tremendous help in showing members the area.
The weather was beautifully fine and the camp was enjoyed in an
open area among box trees. (Ingalba is a Nature Reserve of 3440 ha
heavily timbered with Cypress Pine, Mugga Ironbark, Grey Box, some
Mallee and Acacias etc.).
Birds observed numbered 81 species (one exotic species) including
five not previously reported at the Reserve – Wood duck, Spotted Harrier,
Brown Hawk, Spotted Nightjar and Whiteface. Rainbow Bee -eater returned
during the weekend and were common, and digging holes by Monday. Six
species of parrot were observed, Cockatiel, Superb Parrot, Eastern
Rosella, Ringneck, Red-rumped Parrot and Turquoise Parrot. Eleven
species of honeyeater observed included Yellow -tufted, Striped, Spiny-
cheeked, Brown -headed, Fuscous, Mallee and White -eared Honeyeaters.
Other birds seen included Wedge-tailed Eagle, Painted Quail, Owlet
Nightjar (at camp site), Red -capped Robin, Rufous and Gilbert Whistlers,
Red-tailed Thornbill, Chestnut -tailed Thornbill and Chestnut -tailed
Heath Wren. Mallee Fowl mounds were sought but only two found and these
had not been worked recently although Mallee Fowl feathers were found.
Nest observations were – Wood Duck (a nest with 10 eggs in the
camp area, also a pair with eight ducklings at the dam nearby), Galah,
Eastern Rosella, Grey -crowned Babbler, White-browed Babbler, Jacky
Winter (3 nests, one containing three young), Yellow Robin (one nest with
2 eggs, one with 1 egg and 1 young), Yellow -tailed Thornbill (feeding
large young near camp) Brown Tree -creeper, Mistletoe -Bird (nest under
construction in regrowth area) Willie Wagtail, Rufous Whistler, Noisy
Miners, White -winged Choughs (4 nests, one with two and one with three
young), Dusky Wood -swallow (2 nests with eggs and one pair feeding large
young), Starling.
Because of the very good season wildflowers were very prolific.
Ground orchids provided a treat for botanically inclined members of the
group who were torn between watching the plants on the ground and the
birds in the trees. Orchid species included Caladenia app., Calochilus
sp., Glossodia sp. and Pterostylis sp.
M. J. Cockrane,
Junee. N.S.W.BIRDS 96. 1 March 1974
CONTENTS.
Page
Honeyeaters of Toongabbie Ck., Northmead. 79 - A. Colemane
Short -tailed Shearwater on Lion Island. 81 - S. G. Lane
Some Notes on the Little Raven. 81 - D. Sawyer
Lesser Frigate -birds at Comerong Island. 83 - C. Sonter
Birds of the Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers. 85 - M. Guppy
Arctic Terns in Botany Bay. 89
.- D. Sawyer
Notices 94
OFFICE BEARERS.
Patron: A. H. Chisholm, O.B.E.
Hon. Sec. -Treasurer: Mrs. L. Smith 42-2418
84 Arabella St., Longueville. 2066
Field Day Organiser: Mrs. M. Dibley 570-1298
18 Russell St., Oatley. 2223
Hon. Editor: A. K. Morris 631-7892
20 Harrison St., Old Toongabbie. 2146
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 1965
(Registered for posting as a periodical – Category B)