Lyrebird Tales

Volume 27 Number 2 June 2018

Birding Memories by Alan Spellman

G’day to the good folk of the Yarra Valley Bird Club. I’ve just

spent three months in your catchment area from mid October

2017 to mid January 2018. I had the pleasure of meeting you

(again) in January when I was invited to talk to you about

the birds and wildlife of my home; The Isle of Mull, a small

Island of 2000 souls off the west coast of Scotland.

Let me tell you about my visit to your country. Well for a

start it’s 1941 times larger than my small island and holds

many more bird species, all new to me, so I was like a little

boy in a candy store. Even at 80 years old I get excited when

I find a new bird.

Scarlet Honeyeater Photo © Alan Spellman

The Scarlet Honeyeaters caused a great deal of local

excitement and I was lucky enough to get some half decent

photographs of them. A stunning bird indeed; as were the

new Holland and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters.

Rufous Fantail photo © Alan Spellman

I visited Cardinia aqueduct trail many times as it was close to

Emerald where I was staying. Here I saw many different and

new to me species. It’s a great spot I think and would make

for a great day out for the club; being on the flat and easy

walking. I found Satin Flycatcher, Rufous and Grey Fantail,

Golden and Rufous Whistlers, Red-browed Finches, Scarlet

and Eastern Yellow Robins, Peregrine Falcon and Sacred

Kingfisher to name a few. I also met some lovely people who

were friendly and freely offered guidance to this visitor from

Scotland.

Continued on page2

Contents 1. -2. Birding Memories by Alan Spellman

2. The Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group by Jan Incol

2018 Dawn Survey Dates

3. A-Grebe-able by Valerie Fowler

4. Birdlife Yarra Valley AGM

5. Interesting sightings. What bird is that?

5 – 11. Reports of Meetings and Outings

12. Calendar of Events

Lyrebird Tales

2 Lyrebird Tales

Spotted Crake photo © Alan Spellman

My visit to the WTP was kindly hosted by a Victorian birder

and guide for the day. Well I was blown away by the

numbers and varieties of birds on offer; so many of them

new to me. We saw eighty species for the day including

Spotted Crake, Buff-banded and Baillon’s Crakes, all on the

same pond. Swamp Harrier, almost the same as our Marsh

Harrier back home and a first for my guide was a Spotted

Harrier. It was just a splendid day out and only enhanced by

my friendly guide Mike Honeywell who I only met that day,

now there’s Aussie hospitality for you.

Edithvale Wetlands was also a place I visited a couple of

times; here I saw Chestnut Teal, Black Duck, Freckled Duck

and others including the Pink-eared Duck. A Wood Sandpiper

was present plus White-faced Heron and a Magpie Goose.

On Mull we only have one oystercatcher, which just happens

to be the Isle of Mull bird club logo, because it’s the most

numerous wader we have. So imagine my surprise when a

black one shows up!!

I found the three gulls. You have, Pacific, Kelp and Silver

Gulls Plus those amazing masters of the air, Whiskered and

Crested Fairy Terns.

You will laugh at me when I tell you I got excited about

seeing a Black-shouldered Kite for the first time and a Black

Kite, these were at the WTP.

I think the highlight of my ‘holiday’ was seeing a Tawny

Frogmouth one evening when driving along the road to our

house. I’ve always been interested in camouflage and

deception evolution in the wildlife that surrounds us; from

the eye on a butterfly wing to the shape of a leaf bug and the

deceptive look of an orchid mantis. All evolved to aid

survival, either to catch prey or to avoid being caught.

Looking for the Tawny Frogmouth I photographed so many

pieces of wood until one of them winked at me, then ‘click

click’ and yes, I’ve photographed yet another piece of wood.

At Emerald we had regular visitors to the garden, King

Parrots, Crimson Rosella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo,

Kookaburra, Magpies of course, Common Bronzewing and

Spotted Dove and once, a White-headed Pigeon. I know I’ve

not covered everything but you’ve got a flavour of my holiday

in your beautiful state.

I’m home now on the Isle of Mull in January where it’s -3c,

but today it’s quite warm it’s risen to 10c by lunch time, only

to freeze again by tea time. But we’re hard, us Scots, after

all we eat haggis and drink whiskey for breakfast. Have a

good 2018, it was so nice to meet you all.

Mull where I live and on my way home in January

Alan Spellman. www.mullbirds.com

The Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey Group

Here is an excerpt from their 2017 Annual Report

This is the 60th year for SLSG - what a wonderful

achievement!! The group was constituted on September 11th

1958 with 11 foundation members. We plan to celebrate the

occasion on 13 October this year.

2017 was a very successful breeding/banding year for the

Sherbrooke lyrebirds with an increase from 20 to 31 chicks

banded. Eleven unbanded chicks have been seen already. We

arrived too late to band the FTGNP chick, but it fledged

successfully.

During 2017 there were 2,223 sightings of lyrebirds,

including 626 sightings of identified banded lyrebirds.

The three 2017 Dawn Surveys were very well attended with a

total of 525 volunteer hours recorded. Again we were lucky

with favourable weather conditions. The 2017 Dawn Survey

results are still being processed.

Sherbrooke Lyrebird Survey 2018 Dates

• Saturday 23rd June

• Saturday 7 July

• Saturday 21 July

Meet at Grant's Picnic Ground shelter (Melway map 75 K4)

at 6am. Parks Victoria staff will provide a delicious

breakfast after the survey.

Be sure to dress warmly and bring a compass, watch,

pencil and torch.

Lyrebird Tales

June 2018 3

A-Grebe-able by Valerie Fowler

Australasian Grebe photo © Peter Fowler

It was a cool foggy morning in May 2018 when we went to

Lillydale Lake to do our regular bird survey. Whilst

circumnavigating the lake we had two separate sightings of

Australasian Grebes, one was seen from the dam wall and

the second on the opposite side of the lake to the rotunda.

We hadn’t seen Australasian Grebes on the lake for some

time but had observed them more recently at the Hull Road

Wetlands nearby.

Near the end of our survey whilst walking along the Olinda

Creek we stopped in our tracks by the sight of two Grebes

together. To our surprise, one was an Australasian Grebe and

the second a Hoary-headed Grebe. It had been some years

since we had seen a Hoary-headed Grebe at Lillydale Lake,

so in order to make a photographic record of this sighting my

husband rushed home to fetch a camera whilst I followed it

until he returned. It was hard to keep track of both birds as

they separated with the Hoary-headed Grebe moving further

up the creek using the vegetation at the edges and branches

fallen over the creek for cover whilst diving continually.

Hoary-headed Grebe photo © Peter Fowler

After photographing the Hoary-headed Grebe we were

surprised when not one but two Australasian Grebes

appeared nearby. We waited patiently for the three birds to

move closer to each other, they then swam together.

Hoary-headed Grebe & 2 Australasian Grebes

photo © Peter Fowler

2 Australasian Grebes photo © Valerie Fowler

We continued to observe these grebes going downstream and

the Hoary-headed Grebe disappeared. The two Australasian

Grebes then started flapping and flying in short bursts just

above the water before landing, they then swam back and

repeated the process. We thought perhaps it was a mating

ritual or in response to our presence. After this happened a

couple of times we became aware that there was a Water Rat

in hot pursuit and in fact the grebes were trying to get away.

Water Rat photo © Peter Fowler

Lyrebird Tales

4 Lyrebird Tales

Birdlife Yarra Valley Annual General Meeting

Minutes of Annual General Meeting

Held on Tuesday 8 May, 2018, at 8.12 p.m.

in the Badger Creek Hall Meeting Room, Badger Creek Road, Badger Creek.

The Convener took the chair and welcomed the eleven members present.

Apologies: Kevin Mason, Peter & Valerie Fowler

It was Moved Jim McMinn Seconded Michael Feller “that the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 9 May, 2017, be

accepted” Carried.

1. The Treasurer’s Report for the financial year ending 31/12/2017 was presented on the screen and explained by Glenn

Mawson the Acting Treasurer. It was Moved

Glenn Mawson Seconded Michael Feller “that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted” Carried

2. The Convener gave an overall report of the year’s activities and said that it had been a struggle to get members to

attend meetings and outings. The highlight for the year was the outing to the Western Treatment Plant at Werribee.

He said we have had top speakers at meetings. Glenn thanked the Executive and Committee and in particular the

Secretary for their work. He also gave a special thank you to Michael, Manfred and Jim for organising outings and

Valerie for the newsletter. Special thanks to Maggie Smith who resigned as Treasurer due to family commitments.

Glenn said he would be moving away from Healesville but will continue to come to outings and also assist Valerie

with the newsletter.

Glenn then stepped down after having announced his resignation and asked the Deputy-Convener to take the chair and

conduct the rest of the meeting.Glenn was thanked for his dedication to Birdlife Yarra Valley and the enormous amount of

work he has done for the Branch over a number of years.

3. Election of Office-bearers and members of the committee for 2018/2019.

Office-bearers:

Convener. As there were no nominations for the position of Convener the position was declared vacant.

It was Moved Michael Feller Seconded Jan Llewelyn that Manfred Hennig be elected As Deputy-Convener. As there were no

other nominations Manfred Hennig was elected Deputy-Convener. Carried

It was Moved Jim McMinn Seconded Lin Bullen that Alma Mitchell be elected as Secretary. As there were no other

nominations Alma Mitchell was elected Secretary. Carried

It was Moved Margaret O’Connell Seconded Manfred Hennig that Michael Feller be elected as Treasurer. As there were no

other nominations Michael Feller was elected as Treasurer. Carried.

Committee:

Linda Bullen Nominated by Manfred Hennig Seconded by Michael Feller

Jan Llewelyn Nominated by Michael Feller Seconded by Lin Bullen

As there were no other nominations Linda Bullen and Jan Llewlyn were elected as members of the committee. Carried

4. It was Moved Margaret O’Connell Seconded Jim McMinn “that the following members of The Committee be appointed

as signatories for the Bank Accounts – Manfred Hennig, Michael Feller, Alma Mitchell and Linda Bullen” Carried

As there was no other business the meeting closed at 8.43 p.m.

Lyrebird Tales

June 2018 5

Interesting Sightings

Powerful Owls photo © Lyn Abreu

8/1/18.Australian Coots (100+) - Victoria Rd, Coldstream,

Manfred Hennig

15/1/18 Buff-banded Rail & 2 chicks – Hull Rd Wetlands,

Lilydale, V & P Fowler

9/2/18 White-necked Heron - Yarra Flats, Healesville.

Jim McMinn

February 2018 Painted Button Quail – St Andrews,

Dace Fitton

11/2/18 Wedge-tailed Eagle - Warburton Hwy, Lilydale.

Jim McMinn

13/3/18 White-faced Heron (2), one was carrying a stick –

Hull Rd Wetlands, Lilydale. V & P Fowler

27/3/18 Spotless Crake - Lillydale Lake, V & P Fowler

10/4/18 Superb Lyrebird calling - Mt. Evelyn. Lin Bullen

4/4/18 First Bassian Thrush calling - Badger Creek.

Graeme George

6/4/18 Black-shouldered Kite - McIntyre Lane, Yering.

Graeme George

6/4/18 Wonga Pigeon - Badger Creek. Graeme George

6/4/18 Satin Bower Birds (6-7 Females 2 Males eating

Dogwood), - Toolangi. Manfred Hennig

Late March Grey Goshawk (white morph) – Healesville

Lin Bullen (as told by Bruce McTavish)

6/5/18 Night Heron – Croydon, V & P Fowler

7/5/18 Night Heron – Lillydale Lake, V. Fowler

15/5/18 Powerful Owls - Shepherds Bush. Lyn Abreu

Out of the Yarra Valley

20/3/18 Yellow-billed Spoonbills - Lake Boort. Jim McMinn

22/3/18 Azure Kingfishers (4) - Gunbower Island. Jim

McMinn

25/3/18 Major Mitchell Cockatoos (20) – Walpeup. Jim

McMinn

Late March Scarlet Honeyeater – Wedderburn. Doug

Pocock

Late March Cattle Egrets (5 seen flying) - Between the

Falklands & Sth Georgia. Doug Pocock

What Bird is that?

Photo © Manfred Hennig

Answer on page 11

Reports of Meetings and Outings

Tuesday January 9 – Meeting – Speaker Alan Spellman

Subject: Spring in Mull.

We were introduced to Alan’s presentation ‘Springtime in

Mull’ by a lovely photo of a meadow of flowers accompanied

by the calls of a Skylark. Alan, a keen birdwatcher, lives on

the Island of Mull off the West coast of Scotland and this is

his second visit to Australia.

Skylark photo © Alan Spellman

The male Wheatear is usually the first spring migrant from

Africa to arrive on Mull followed by the Chiffchaff, Willow

Warbler, Wood Warbler, and Garden Warbler. These

warblers are very similar in appearance and the easiest way

to identify them is by their calls which were demonstrated

by Alan. These warblers are ground nesting usually under

bracken. The most numerous and the noisiest warbler is the

Willow Warbler.

Lyrebird Tales

6 Lyrebird Tales

Wheatear photo © Alan Spellman

Barn Swallows arrive in their thousands, then Sand Martins

which nest in colonies in sand. House Martins arrive and

build nests under the house eaves. The Common Swift

mates and sleeps on the wing and rarely perches.

Common Cuckoo and Pipit Photo Bob McMillan

Many of us became nostalgic with Alan’s photograph of

bluebells in a woodland of spruce and oak complimented

with background sounds of spring migratory bird calls which

included that of the Common Cuckoo. Mull has only one

Cuckoo which lays its egg in the nest of the much smaller

bird, the Meadow Pipit which arrives in April and departs in

August. Alan showed how similar the appearance of the

Common Cuckoo’s egg was to the Meadow Pipit egg with

only the difference being in size. He explained that the

cuckoo egg hatches first and the juvenile kicks out the

pipit’s young as they hatch. We saw a great photo of a

juvenile Common Cuckoo being fed by a much smaller

Meadow Pipit.

Other spring migrants arriving from Africa were the

Whinchat, Stonechat, Whitethroat and Blackcap which are

much easier to identify. The female Blackcap has a brown

cap unlike the black one of the male.

Alan then showed us some of the resident birds on Mull:

Common Starlings, Tree and House Sparrows (including a

strange looking Leucistic House Sparrow), Bullfinch, Song

Thrush, Grey Heron and the rarely seen European

Kingfisher. Alan explained how the Crossbill extracts seeds

from pine cones.

There are 4 different Wagtails on Mull: the common Pied

Wagtail, the White Wagtail which is a sub-species of the

Pied Wagtail and are less in number, Yellow Wagtail which is

rare on Mull perhaps 1-2 birds a year and the Grey Wagtail

which is often mistaken for the Yellow Wagtail because of

the yellow on its breast. Other birds were: the Dipper and

the Ring Ouzel which is from the Blackbird family having

similar eggs and appearance to the Blackbird except for a

white bib.

Yellowhammer photo © Alan Spellman

Most visitors to Mull come to see the resident Golden Eagles

and White-tailed Eagles. The White-tailed Eagle has a

wingspan of around 9ft. The juveniles have chocolaty-brown

heads which lighten to white in adulthood. The mountain

hare is brown in summer but turns grey in winter and it is

the main food for the White-tailed Eagle. White-tailed Eagles

usually produce 1 or 2 juveniles; the first pair arriving on

Mull produced 36 young over the years. Other raptors were

the Hen Harrier which has a stronghold of 24 pairs on Mull

(they are illegally shot elsewhere) and the Marsh Harrier of

which only 1-2 pass through. Alan drew our attention to

their facial mask which helps them to pick up sounds of

their food source rats, mice, voles and small birds.

Alan introduced us to the Long-eared Owl and Short-eared

Owls which fly in daylight on Mull with stunning photos of

them. We saw images of waders: Oystercatcher (the black

and white emblem of the Mull Bird Club), Greenshank (over

winters on Mull), Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Common

Sandpiper, Dunlin, Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwits

which stop for 2-3 days on their migration south from

Iceland and again on their return, and Bar-tailed Godwits

which are resident on Mull. We also saw the unusual looking

duck; the Goosander.

Birdwatchers visiting Mull are keen to see the Corncrake

which is secretive and hard to see let alone be

photographed. Alan apologised for not being able to show us

this bird but perhaps by the time he visits next he will have

been successful.

Thank you Alan for yet another wonderful presentation with

stunning photographs, knowledgeable information, insights

and good humour; we hope you will visit us again in the not

too distant future.

Lyrebird Tales

June 2018 7

Saturday January 13 - Breakfast with the Birds on the

property of Julie and Paul Bailey,Badger Creek area

Sandwiched between rains on Friday night and Saturday

afternoon was a very pleasant morning of bird-watching on

a beautiful Nature Trust – covenanted property set in the

foothills above Healesville. Advertised as a “breakfast with

the birds” those having breakfast were certainly having it

with the birds as a large flock of about 30 Red Wattlebirds

were extracting their breakfasts from the red and orange

flowers of nearby flowering gums. A number of Willie

Wagtails, Eastern Rosellas, and Crimson Rosellas, and a

dead young Spotted Pardalote (not to mention an Alpaca

and wool-shedding sheep) completed the breakfast scene.

Grey Fantail photo © Valerie Fowler

Walking from the house down through the nearby forest, we

encountered Brown Thornbills, more Crimson Rosellas and

Red Wattlebirds, several White-throated Treecreepers,

Superb Fairy-Wrens, and Eastern Yellow Robins, but the

highlight was a Grey Fantail incubating her eggs on a nest

right beside the main driveway through the forest.

Lower down near the creek through the property, we spent

some time admiring the Golden Whistlers but photographers

were frustrated by their lack of desire to strike a good pose

when cameras came out. Silvereyes, Yellow-faced

Honeyeaters, Red-browed Finches, White-browed

Scrubwrens, and the ubiquitous Crimson Rosellas were also

active. Above all this flew a Square-tailed Kite. A walk along

a track beside the creek resulted in Australian King Parrots

being added to our bird list. An Eastern Whipbird continually

called us onwards, moving up the valley at about the same

pace as us, always out of sight. Finally, having lead us to

near the end of the track, he stopped calling – another

frustrating bird!

We returned up to the house for lunch. While there, a small

flock of Rainbow Lorikeets descended onto a peach tree,

ignoring the moving glittering tinsel that had been put there

to deter them. Just before the bird-call, several people

guessed the number of species we had seen. Peter’s guess

of 32 turned out to be spot-on! His wife was determined not

to let this go to his head so she started searching for more

birds. Manfred soon came to her rescue with a Satin

Bowerbird. Lunch was abandoned as the Bowerbird was

tracked to a nest in a nearby tree, before flying away. Thus

ended a most enjoyable trip. Thank you Julie and Paul for

your hospitality. Michael Feller

Wednesday January 24 – Outing to Mount Donna Buang

Scarlet Robin photo © Alan Spellman

Nine of us met at the top car park. It was a nice morning, a

little overcast but very pleasant. We decided to go down the

track which starts at the end of the car park – it was quite

steep with a lot of rocks, but lined with magnificent myrtle

beech trees (Nothofagus Cunninghamii).

Unlike the last outing when we were here it was eerily quiet,

there were no White-browed Scrub Wrens. We heard a

Golden Whistler, but it wasn’t sighted. Further down the

track we heard a couple of Superb Lyrebirds calling in the

distance.

We went along the service road and Geoff identified a

female Robin. Then an adult Grey Currawong with an

immature Grey Currawong were sighted. Crimson Rosellas

were making a lot of noise up in the treetops as we

backtracked towards the lower car parks. There we spotted

a male Scarlet Robin, accompanied by the female.

Suddenly there were birds & noises everywhere – a swarm

of Silvereyes, Brown Thornbills, a couple of Scrub Wrens.

Back in the top car park we had a quiet lunch. Bird Call

count was only 14 species but it was a beautiful day to be

out with the birds and friends. Manfred Hennig

Saturday February 10 – Outing – Mason’s Falls, Kinglake

National Park

Although there were a few patches of misty drizzle, the

weather was fine but windy – so we had to listen hard to

hear bird calls.

Nine of us walked the Lyrebird Circuit first. We heard

Lyrebirds calling but they were some distance away, and not

sighted. A few Crimson Rosellas made an appearance, and

then a family of Fairy Wrens skittered across the path. Up

high, a loud piping towhee-towhee call drew our attention to

a male Satin Flycatcher perched above – a good sighting.

Towards the end of the Circuit on the way to the Falls we

came across White – browed Scrub Wrens, one on the path

the other sitting on a post. We heard a few Brown Thornbills

Lyrebird Tales

8 Lyrebird Tales

with their typical harsh tchirt tchirt call finishing with a

trilling to-weet-et-wrrtt .*

Two Yellow Faced Honeyeaters were noted flying across the

Falls. On the way back we first heard the clear repetitive call

of an Eastern Yellow Robin and then saw it deep in the

shrub thicket. As we arrived at the picnic shelter, a Lyrebird

scuttled off into the bush. Over lunch a family of boisterous

Australian Magpies made a nuisance of themselves stealing

food at the picnic tables, while a Grey Currawong watched

attentively. A White-browed Scrub Wren zipped in and out

underneath the shelter wall to the picnic bench making a

dash for crumbs on the ground.

After lunch we went for a short walk up the hill to a much

drier part of the Park and found a White-throated

Treecreeper, heard the territorial tchee-tchee-tchee-tuwhit

call of the Golden Whistler and saw Grey Fantails flitting

around. Doug spotted a White-naped Honeyeater high up in

a white flowering Eucalypt. Returning to the car park we

noticed a Grey Shrike Thrush and a Magpie Lark.

Some of us drove up to Mount Sugarloaf and witnessed the

departure of a solitary LBB. Just before he left for home

Doug saw a soaring Wedge- tailed Eagle, which explains the

absence of feathered friends. Geoff would call it a ‘quality

not quantity’ day.

*Call descriptions from ‘The Australian Birdguide’ 2017 pp

352, 454 & 478 Manfred

Tuesday February 13 – Meeting – Speaker Caroline Wilson

from Birdlife

Topic: The Threatened Bird Network: the importance of

volunteers in conserving threatened birds.

Speaker: Project Officer in charge of Woodland Birds for the

Threatened Bird Network (TBN) of Birdlife Australia.

Talk: The TBN is basically a community engagement

project, established in 1996, aiming to encourage people to

participate in urgent conservation tasks to help threatened

birds. It has >13,000 volunteers in Australia with approx.

30-40 new members per month. It has many government

and NGO partners and has projects across Australia,

although more in Victoria than in any other state.

It promotes bird conservation at stalls at various events,

through education at schools, and by running workshops on

different issues. It participates in threatened bird recovery

teams and manages several projects, such as those

associated with Powerful Owls, Painted Snipes, and Plains

Wanderers.

A survey of its members indicated approx. 70% were older

than 55 years, 51% were male, 52% were retired, and most

were from SE Australia. About 1/3 of members actively

volunteer and prefer field work over indoor work. Most

continue to volunteer because they a) enjoy and are

interested in nature and the outdoors, b) like the

organisation and its efficacy, c) contribute to conservation

and science, d) benefit personally and socially, and e)

contribute to local communities.

Several major projects were discussed. These were –

1. Glossy Black Cockatoo (Kangaroo Island, SA)

2. Australasian Bittern (SE and SW Australia)

3. Western Ground Parrot (WA)

4. Malleefowl (southern Australia)

5. Orange-bellied Parrot (SE Australia, including

Tasmania)

Projects in the Yarra Valley are –

1. Helmeted Honeyeater

2. Birds on Farms (encouraging birds in many areas,

including Yarra valley)

3. Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (bird

monitoring focussing on climate change)

4. Powerful Owl

5. Bird Atlas project.

Members were encouraged to get involved to assist

conservation of birds and threatened birds, in particular.

Wednesday February 28 – Outing to Spadonis Reserve

Ten participants spent a warm, blustery morning being

overwhelmed with birds near the banks of the Yarra in

Yering. Although only 34 species were seen or heard,

numbers of some were rather high. More than 30 individuals

were seen for each of – Little Ravens, Welcome Swallows,

and Silvereyes. There was much debate about the number

of Silvereyes – one estimate was 99+ but it was uncertain

whether or not there were fewer Silvereyes flitting

backwards and forwards or just more overall. The consensus

(not unanimous) was for a conservative estimate. The noise

resulting from strong winds blowing through the trees (one

tree was actually blown down across the access road –

Victoria Rd. – while we were in the reserve, but fortunately

covered only half of it) might have obscured some bird calls,

but our tally was still respectable.

Some flowering eucalypts seemed to have attracted a few

honeyeaters – a couple of New Holland Honeyeaters, as well

as 6 Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and quite a few Red

Wattlebirds, were sighted. Numerous insects, including

some biting mosquitoes, kept the insectivores happy, with a

dozen or more Grey Fantails, either inquisitive or attracted

to the mosquitoes buzzing around us, making numerous

forays over and around and between us, coming very close,

eliminating the need for high magnification telephoto lenses

as they posed in the sunlight. Red-browed Finches and

Brown Thornbills were also quite common as, surprisingly,

were also White-faced Herons, with about 10 being seen. At

one point Manfred and Doug disappeared, to resurface 15

minutes later, having seen a Masked Lapwing and a

Nankeen Night Heron, amongst others. Unfortunately

Blackbirds, Common Mynas, and a Common Starling were

also present. No birds were seen in the rushes, as occurred

on a previous trip to this area.

Lyrebird Tales

June 2018 9

Above all this soared a Wedge-tailed Eagle being harassed

by a Little Raven while the raven’s mates kicked up a racket

below.

The Yarra Ranges Council and Melbourne Water deserve

credit for putting a significant effort into protecting the

banks of the Yarra, allowing more water to flow into the

billabong present in the reserve (perhaps this may increase

the bird population in the rushes), and revegetating the

reserve, including increasing the numbers of trees present,

particularly the rare and endangered Buxton Gum

(Eucalyptus crenulata), which naturally now grows only in 2

areas – near Buxton and in Spadonis reserve. Michael Feller

Saturday March 10 – Warramate Hills Conservation

Reserve, Gruyere

On a fine sunny morning, 7 birdwatchers gathered in the

parking area and were greeted by a flock of 25 – 30 Gang

Gang Cockatoos. Also present were a few Eastern Rosellas

and some raucous Crimson Rosellas flying around. Walking

along the track we were surprised to see so many Grey

Fantails; they were so common that we started to observe

their plumage more closely trying to guess each individual’s

age by the colour of their feathers.

The area was so dry that species such as the Rufous Fantail,

Cuckoos and Flycatchers were missing. There were several

trees in flower and halfway along our walk near the river on

a branch extending over the track was a Silvereye on a

nest. We were astonished to see only a lone Varied Sittella

instead of the usual flock. Other birds seen included White-

throated Treecreeper, Brown and Striated Thornbills, Rufous

and Golden Whistler, Superb fairy-wren, Grey Shrike-thrush

and Yellow-faced Honeyeater; none of these species were

common.

Returning to the car park after cutting the walk short due to

the increasing heat, we found a gang of Noisy Miners

chasing off all the other birds. Total species for the day was

37. Thanks Glenn for leading the walk.

Tuesday March 13 – Meeting – Speaker Christine Connolly

– Subject: Effects of Melbourne's urbanisation on Eastern

Yellow Robins

Christine was a PHD student at Deakin University and came

to talk to us about her study of Eastern Yellow Robins. Her

research was to understand the impacts of urbanisation and

climate change on the species. She said that with a

predicted 6.3 billion people to be living in urban areas in the

world by 2050 the changes to bird habitat will be enormous

with many species becoming extinct.

For her study, Christine used mapping sites showing tree

density, greenness of landscape, topographical, land use,

presence of rivers and Birdlife survey results to work out

suitable habitat sites where there were Yellow Robins. She

discounted urban areas which were unlikely to support the

species. We saw maps showing vegetation removal,

settlement and agriculture.

Christine’s study covered 60 sites in urban forest habitat,

140 sites in urban areas and also 25 sites where she did

intensive work including capture, banding, measurement,

DNA and breeding records. The main sites studied were in

the Dandenong Ranges, Dandenong Creek, Wilson Reserve

and Shepherds Bush. Christine discussed the habitat and

requirements for Yellow Robins to survive such as size of the

habitat area, tree cover (to protect them from aerial

predation), ground cover for foraging and corridors of

vegetation. Her studies looked at what each site had to offer

and whether the habitat or lack of ideal conditions affected

the size or reproduction of the species.

Yellow Robin photo © Valerie Fowler

Christine looked at the impacts of land use. In the urban

areas she found fragmentation of habitat and what was left

was degraded. Whilst the species was able to somewhat

adapt, it changed the resources for Yellow Robins with more

competition for food, increased predators and loss of

movement of breeding individuals resulting in a lack of gene

flow with more or all birds related.

We were told about the most ideal habitats for Yellow

Robins and how degraded areas can be improved which

included a high canopy cover to give shade and help

retention of moisture, an understory of less than half a

metre and groundcover of 20-30% to attract invertebrates.

Also needed are corridors of vegetation for birds to pass

from one area to the next to allow birds to breed. Christine

monitored nest sites and the study of the Yellow Robins

reproduction and found that in urban areas more nests were

abandoned whilst more young fledged in the forest.

Thank you Christine for an informative and interesting talk

delivered with great enthusiasm, your knowledge of Eastern

Yellow Robins and their habitat needs are extensive.

Wednesday March 28 – Outing Pound Bend

It was a sunny but windy 24°c day at Pound Bend. The

group of 8 birdwatchers was led by Manfred and Geoff.

Along the Yarra River banks only a Dusky Moorhen was

seen. There were several honeyeaters: Yellow-faced, White-

naped and White-eared Honeyeaters, Red Wattlebird,

Eastern Spinebill and the most numerous were (30) Noisy

Miners. Parrot species were: Galah, Long-billed Corellas,

King Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet,

Crimson and Eastern Rosellas.

Other birds included: Grey Fantails (20), Grey Shrike

Thrush, Golden Whistler, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and

White-winged Choughs. The highlight was seeing a flock of

Lyrebird Tales

10 Lyrebird Tales

White-throated Needletails (estimated 50+) flying overhead

and a single Peaceful Dove. Total bird species was 31

Tuesday April 10 - Meeting – Speaker Bruce Quin,

Subject: The Helmeted Honeyeater program 2018

Bruce has been the Ornithologist for the Helmeted

Honeyeater Recovery Program for almost 25 years and

oversees the monitoring, protection and rehabilitation of the

Helmeted Honeyeater in the wild.

Bruce firstly paid tribute to the Bird Observers Club of

Australia, Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union and

Victorian Ornithological Research Group for Helmeted

Honeyeater surveying and associated lobbying of the

Victorian Government that led to the proclamation of the

Yellingbo State Faunal Reserve, now called Yellingbo Nature

Conservation Reserve (Yellingbo NCR).

Bruce said there are 4 sub-species of Yellow-tufted

Honeyeaters and explained how the Helmeted Honeyeater

Lichenostomus melanops cassidix differed in appearance,

having the brightest plumage, a more-pronounced crest of

forehead feathers and a distinct line on the back of its head

(the nape region), where the gold colour of the head meets

the greyish colour also present on the neck and back. In

adult Helmeted Honeyeaters, the nape line is distinct

because of a sudden change from one colour to the other,

where-as in adults of the other subspecies the colours

merge, forming an indistinct nape line. In juvenile

Helmeted Honeyeaters the nape line is indistinct, their

plumage is not as bright as that of the adult, their legs are a

pink-grey colour and their eyes are chocolate brown

(compared to red-brown in adult birds). Juvenile Helmeted

Honeyeaters also have yellow or brown on their beaks.

Bruce showed us a historic map showing where Helmeted

Honeyeaters used to occur but now they are almost

exclusively recorded in Yellingbo Nature Conservation

Reserve. In a bid to save the critically endangered Helmeted

Honeyeater from extinction, a captive breeding program

was set up at Healesville Sanctuary in 1989, the year the

intensive Recovery Program began. The raised fledglings

have been mainly released into Yellingbo, but also Bunyip

State Park (Bunyip SP) between 2001 and 2011. However,

no breeding pairs have been found in Bunyip SP in recent

years and the last time a Helmeted Honeyeater was

recorded there was in August 2017 and it was with a

gippslandicus individual. Unfortunately, much of the

Helmeted Honeyeater reintroduction program at Bunyip SP

occurred during the Millennium drought. Unexpectedly,

some of the Helmeted Honeyeaters dispersed to habitat

burnt on Black Saturday within 10 months of that day.

He said that studies showed that Helmeted Honeyeaters

prefer a dense mid-storey of shrubs (Paperbark and Teatree

species and Prickly Currant-bush are particularly important)

in swamp and riparian habitat with a canopy dominated by

Mountain Swamp Gum, Swamp Gum and Manna Gum.

Water flow in Cockatoo Swamp within one location was

altered prior to it being part of Yellingbo NCR, causing

pooling of water and dieback of the Myrtaceae species from

1992 onwards. Earlier this year, Melbourne Water

commenced a four-year trial that pumps water out of this

area of Cockatoo Swamp to restore optimal hydrological

conditions for vegetation condition/regeneration (after

several years of data collection).

Helmeted Honeyeater nests are quite often built in the

above-mentioned shrubs, but also other species such as

Blackwood and Sweet Bursaria and the female incubates the

eggs (generally two, but occasionally one or three) for 14

days. Nestlings are fed by both parents and helpers related

to the male can also participate in raising the young, which

leave the nest after 13 days. There are many predators of

nest contents; Laughing Kookaburras, Pied Currawongs,

Brush-tailed Possums and in Bunyip State Park, Tiger

Snakes. Additionally, predation of one brood of two

nestlings and one female with two eggs was almost certainly

by Fox, judging by the presence of this species’ fur on the

shrubs containing these nests.

Two bouts of nest protecting have occurred at Yellingbo

NCR, where mesh cages were put around nests. In both

instances, there was a tendency for the nest success rate to

increase considerably for a season or two, but then fall to

the level of unprotected nests. It is thought that predators

worked out what they were and became attracted to them

so this practice was abandoned. However, Bruce said that

in the last breeding season six Currawongs were seen

hanging around one Helmeted Honeyeater nest, forcing him

to re-think whether a ‘short stint’ (two breeding seasons) of

nest protecting should be re-instated at carefully selected

sites. Perspex protectors wrapped around the trunks of

shrubs containing nests were also used in an attempt to

stop snakes from accessing them in Bunyip SP. The success

of this work will be looked at soon using a subtle form of

analysis to determine if it is worth using in areas containing

Tiger Snakes that Helmeted Honeyeaters are re-introduced

to.

A small number of captive-bred eggs or nestlings were

introduced into nests in Bunyip SP with good success rates,

but the main form of reintroduction has been the release of

adults or immatures from aviaries at both Yellingbo NCR and

Bunyip SP. In last year’s September release, one male

disappeared on the release day and the other three

individuals survived for three months before disappearing. It

is hoped that the missing birds have moved to a different

area not yet surveyed.

One of the factors that is believed to have aided the

Helmeted Honeyeater’s recovery at Yellingbo NCR is

expanding the supplementary feeding program. Sue Tardif

of Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater coordinates the

program which has a regime of providing 50% of the diet of

five colonies of Helmeted Honeyeaters year-round while

habitat conditions improve (note that there are also two

small, self-sustaining colonies). It was found that

combining the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 breeding seasons,

92% of fledglings survived to 12 months of age compared

with 56% between 1984 to 1997 when no supplementary

feeding occurred.

Lyrebird Tales

June 2018 11

Geneticists from Monash University have analysed the

genetics of the Helmeted Honeyeaters at Yellingbo NCR and

Bunyip SP; a small sample of blood was taken from the

brachial vein under the wing of each individual for this

purpose. The results showed that Helmeted Honeyeaters are

losing genetic diversity (they are less gippslandicus

influenced) and those individuals with reduced genetic

variation are producing fewer fledglings. A program with

deliberate cross breeding is not expected to produce

adverse effects. A genetic rescue trial in captivity that

ultimately aims to reinvigorate the Helmeted Honeyeater

gene pool and improve individuals' fitness has been

established. Hybrids will be back-crossed with Helmeted

Honeyeaters and the resulting offspring released into

Yellingbo NCR to make the Helmeted Honeyeater population

more genetically diverse. Positively, in Yellingbo NCR

Helmeted Honeyeaters are choosing partners which are

least related to them.

Bruce said the inland meltoni subspecies of the Yellow-

tufted Honeyeater were more nomadic than the

gippslandicus subspecies and have been seen in parts of the

historical range of Helmeted Honeyeaters during the

Recovery Program, including Yellingbo, Alma Mitchell’s

Healesville home, Coranderrk Bushland, Upper Beaconsfield

and Bunyip SP, usually in the autumn and winter and

occasionally in spring. This means that they mostly

disappear before the Helmeted Honeyeaters start breeding.

In the last breeding season there were 36 breeding pairs

consisting of 73 individuals (one bird switched partners);

they produced 61 fledglings. It is estimated that there are

approximately 200 Helmeted Honeyeaters in the wild. The

longest lived Helmeted Honeyeater in the wild was 16 years

of age when he disappeared, though he had not bred for

several seasons. But several others successfully bred at 15

years of age, before disappearing.

Bruce talked of the ongoing revegetation, weed control,

fencing of revegetation plots to protect plants from

browsers, deer control, fox baiting and Bell Miner control.

This work is done by Parks Victoria and Friends of the

Helmeted Honeyeater and their contractors; Melbourne

Water and the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment

Management Authority are active in the reserve too.

Volunteer feeders also assist in monitoring the health of

individual Helmeted Honeyeaters and Veterinary staff at

Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre

(AWHC) successfully re-habilitate most sick or injured

honeyeaters. Injuries have occurred to eyes and legs and

twelve months ago a female lost all but one of her

secondary feathers on her right wing (due to a suspected

predator attack). A small number of wild Helmeted

Honeyeaters have succumbed to Aspergillosis, a respiratory

disease caused by the fungus Aspergillus that is found in

most places in the environment.

Bruce said 15 birds had needed medical attention since July

2017 and during the last few months gout has become a

serious concern with several Helmeted Honeyeaters

requiring euthanasia. AWHC Veterinary staff will work with a

Wildlife Nutritionist and the Recovery Team to identify a

cause.

What are some major achievements for the Helmeted

Honeyeater project over the last 5 years?

- increasing the wild population of Helmeted Honeyeaters

from 60 individuals to approximately 200 individuals.

- increasing the number of breeding pairs in the wild to 36

for the 2017/2018 breeding season (a record number for

the lifetime of the Recovery Program).

- increasing the number of fledglings in the wild to 68 during

the 2015/2016 breeding season (a record number for the

lifetime of the Recovery Program).

- 59 captive-bred Helmeted Honeyeaters released into the

wild during 2013-2017

- approximately 150 people regularly volunteering their time

to the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater associated

activities - native plant nursery days; re-vegetation days;

supplementary feeding of wild Helmeted Honeyeaters.

Thank you Bruce for your update on the status of the

Helmeted Honeyeater; your work for this threatened species

is phenomenal and appreciated by all birdwatchers. This

dedication was illustrated by your informative and enjoyable

presentation.

Saturday April 14 – Outing to Murrindindi Scenic Reserve

Outing to Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, Saturday 14 April

2018

Doug, Bob and I met at the Scenic Reserve Picnic Ground at

9.30. There was a slight drizzle of rain and Doug saw a flock

of between forty and fifty Red Wattle Birds flying overhead.

We went for a short walk on the other side of the

suspension bridge and heard a White-throated Tree Creeper,

one distant Lyrebird, and Brown Thornbills.

The rain increased and it became unpleasant so we decided

to come in. At the picnic shelter we noticed some Magpies,

Little Ravens, and high above about a dozen Yellow Tailed

Black Cockatoos noisily flew overhead.

In all we saw fifteen species and because of the weather we

decided to call it a day.

On the way back Bob and I stopped at the Forest Discovery

Centre in Toolangi and after a hot coffee looked at their

interesting display about the discovery and ongoing

protection of the Leadbeater Possum. We also saw a short

film on the life of a Mountain Ash from top to bottom, and

the history of logging in and around Toolangi and

Healesville. The Forest Discovery Centre is open on the

weekends and is worth a visit.

Answer to What Bird is that?

Black-fronted Dotterel

Lyrebird Tales

12 Lyrebird Tales

BirdLife Yarra Valley

email: yarravalley@birdlife.org.au

Postal address: Birdlife Australia, Yarra Valley Branch, P.O.

Box 1172, Healesville, Vic. 3777.

Meetings are held in the Badger Creek Hall Meeting Room at

7.45 p.m. Badger Creek Rd. Badger Creek (next to

CFA). Melway Edn 39 278 F8.

Meetings and Outings automatically cancelled on days

of Total Fire Ban in the Central and North-central Fire

Districts. (Central unless notified otherwise)

Calendar July to September

July

Tuesday 10 - No Meeting – winter recess

Saturday 14 – Outing to Heritage Wetlands, Chirnside Park

at 9.30 a.m. Directions: Meet at car park end of Lower

Homestead Rd. Melways Edn 39 279 B4

Wednesday 25 - Outing to Lillydale Lake, Lilydale at 9.30

a.m. Directions: Meet at car park near toilet block.

Melway Edn 39 38 G7.

August

Saturday 11 – Outing to The Hundred Acres, Park Orchards

9.30 a.m. Directions: Meet at Domeney Reserve Car Park

Knees Rd, Park Orchards. Melway Edn 39 35 E9.

Tuesday 14 – Meeting – Speaker Peter Fowler, Subject:

Hummingbird Encounters

Wednesday 22 – Outing the Yellingbo Nature Conservation

Reserve, Yellingbo at 9.30 a.m. The ground could be very

wet so bring suitable footwear. Directions: From

Macclesfield Rd turn into Shield Rd. Meet at picnic area.

Melway Edn. 39 305 F12

September

Saturday 8 - Outing to Kurth Kiln Regional Park Gembrook

at 9.30 a.m. Directions: Melway Edn 39 page 14 R10. If

coming from Lilydale on the Warburton Highway turn right

just before Woori Yallock on to the Healesville-Koo-Wee Rup

Rd. After approx. 10 kms turn left into Beenak Rd and

follow to Kurth Kiln Picnic and camping area.

Tuesday 11 – Meeting – Speaker TBA

Wednesday 26 – Outing to Botanic Gardens Cranbourne at

9.30 a.m. Directions: Entry from Ballarto Rd and follow to

Visitor Centre car park. Melway Edn 39 133 K10.

Calendar October to December 2018

Basic Dates only. Check September newsletter for

further details

October

Tuesday 9 - Meeting - Speaker Marian Weaving, Subject:

Tawny Frogmouths in the urban environment.

Saturday 13 – Outing Yea Wetland. Meet at 9.30am at Yea

Wetlands picnic area Melway Edn. 39 X910 Q8 North-east

Fire District ( this outing may continue to Ghin Ghin Bridge

Cathkin Reserve, Cathkin)

Wednesday 24- Outing Mount St Leonard at 9.30 am.

Directions: Take the Mt Leonard/Myers Creek Rd from

Healesville. Look for the Mt St Leonard Lookout Tower sign

& turn right into Monda Track. Meet at the large gate

Melway Edn 39 X912 RI. Central and North Central Fire

Districts. There will also be an opportunity to continue on to

the Seismic Station in Toolangi.

November

Saturday 10 - Survey in Coranderrk Bushland 9.30 a.m.

Directions: meet at Gate 1 Badger Ave, Badger Creek

opposite Fleay Rd. Melway Edn 39 278 F10 Gate will close

at 9.30 sharp

Tuesday 13 – Meeting – Speaker Manfred Hennig Subject:

Queensland/ Atherton Tablelands

Wednesday 28 Outing to RACV Healesville Country Club at

9.30 a.m. Directions: Healesville-Kinglake Road, Healesville

Melway Edn 39 269 J12. Meet at 1st car park just inside the

entrance on the right.

December

Saturday 8 – Christmas Break-up at Badger Weir Park 9.30

a.m. Directions: Melway Edn 39 278 K9 or Page 10 Q5

Follow Badger Weir road to park. Meet at picnic spot near

toilets. (check in the September newsletter to verify

this outing).