Final Outing 2014!!

December 6th       Mapleton area birding – meet at Mapleton Lily ponds at 7am. Turn west at the Mapleton Tavern and then take the next right. The Lily ponds can be seen on the right and there is a gravel road into a small car park. From here we will car pool down to Mapleton Falls NP and / or Gheerulla Falls Track. As this is our final birding outing for 2014 the suggestion is we bring a plate for a shared morning tea / brunch. Electric BBQ’s are available at the Lily ponds if anyone is interested in a more substantial brunch!

OWLS

Recently I recieved an email from a bird watcher in Buderim who was delighting in the visit of a family of Boobook Owls. The year prior she had an even more exciting visitor. Pictures below;

Pictures by Michelle Thatcher.

2015 Plans

Hi all,

I’m in the process of trying to establish a calendar of events for our local group for 2015 and I would like as much feedback and ideas as possible. Please read below carefully and consider responding to each point.

While I would like to continue our Saturday monthly outings for members and guests I’d also like to expand the opportunities for birding for members and potential new members of Birdlife Australia.

First – regarding monthly outings; still to be held on the first Saturday of each month. Please submit suggestions of possible locations for an outing plus the best time of the year. As part of the outings I also plan to incorporate a camp out as an option, a weekend away, a tag-along outing and, in October, participation in the Twitchathon. 

Second – Mid week monthly outings. Many Birdlife groups hold mid-week outings. These, no doubt, are popular for retired members and some visitors. Some sites are possibly better mid-week, free from weekend crowds.

Third – Bi-monthly meetings with guest speakers. I’d like to know if members would welcome this addition and attend. I’m thinking of trying for a week night, probably somewhere reasonably central in Nambour.

Four – Specially scheduled Beginning Birding walks / outings. These would be run especially for beginning birders and would be led by me or a delegate. They would emphasise basic birding skills and identification. Members would be invited; if they self-identify as beginners, to attend. WE would need to consider ways to encourage new people to try birding. One opportunity is to meet people at our two display opportunities.

Fifth -  Display opportunities – We are committed to publicising birds, birding, and bird conservation and, in particular, Birdlife Australia at two events listed below. Please consider volunteering for a few hours at least one of the events.

Maleny Wood Expo - Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd May 2015; 9am to 5pm

Nambour Garden Expo - Date/Time - Friday - 10th July 2015

-              Saturday - 11th July 2015

-              Sunday - 12th July 2015

Sixth – Fund Raising for Bird Conservation and / or to support our local group. I’m yet to think this through too much however I would like to copy an idea from another bird group; namely a minor raffle at each outing and meeting / guest speaker. Raffles within membership don’t need licencing.

Publicity – I’m continuing with email and blog. In 2015 and beyond greater attempts will be needed. Any suggestions, again, are welcome. I’m toying with the idea of a Facebook page to cross promote the blog.

Cheers now and thanks for still reading,

Ken Cross

friarbird43@bigpond.com

http://scbab.blogspot.com.au/  - our Blog site. Please consider following the blog by email.

New Wetland at Yandina Creek, Sunshine Coast

Greg Roberts, a well known Sunshine Coast birder, blogger and conservationist, has discovered a new wetland at Yandina Creek. The wetland is extensive and has created excellent waterbird habitat for a number of threatened species. Lewins Rail, Spotless Crake, Little Grassbird, Black-necked Stork, Red-necked Avocets, Red-kneed Dotterel, Glossy Ibis, Latham's Snipe,Whiskered Terns and other species inhabit the wetland and adjacent grasslands. Sadly this area is threatened with development. Perhaps we can help. Below is a letter written by Greg Roberts to Sunshine Coast Council's Mayor Mark Jamieson. Please use the information to help lobby the Council to protect the area.

   I would appreciate it if you could bring the attached blog post to the attention of Mayor Mark Jamieson:

http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/yandina-creek-wetlands-and-its.html

It is clear that an Yandina Creek, there is an area of wetland and grassland that is arguably one of the most important waterbird habitats in south-east Queensland. It is certainly the most significant habitat of its kind on the Sunshine Coast. Until now, we were unaware of the significance of this area. I have found that a species listed as Threatened in Queensland, Lewin's Rail, is common there. There is an extraordinary range of rare and uncommon bird species using this wetland as a feeding or nesting refuge. 

I had previously approached council to purchase land in this area. Council declined to do so and its reply is attached. However, at the time, I was unaware of the extent of the wetlands or of the variety or nature of the birds to be found there.

I ask that you reconsider council's decision not to purchase and manage this wetland before it is too late. Further information can be found in the blog post.

For your information, this email is being sent to many people around the Sunshine Coast who are concerned about environment protection.

Regards

Greg Roberts