Welcome to Birdlife Australia - Sunshine Coast Sub - Branch's Blog. We are interested in Birds, Birding and Bird Conservation. Birds are in our Nature! PLEASE consider joining Birdlife Australia and help Australia's birdlife.
Thursday, 24 December 2015
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
Friday, 4 December 2015
Final Outing - Mary Cairncross Reserve
Mary Cairncross Reserve, Queensland, AU
Dec 5, 2015 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 kilometer(s)
Comments: Birdlife
Australia - Sunshine Coast branch - monthly outing
42 species
Pacific Black Duck
5
Australian Brushturkey
5
Australian White Ibis
1
White-headed Pigeon
1
Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Australian) 6
Wompoo Fruit-Dove
3
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove
8
Topknot Pigeon 3
Brush Cuckoo 1
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo
1
Pacific Koel 1
Laughing Kookaburra
2
Australian King-Parrot
6
Pale-headed Rosella
2
Rainbow Lorikeet
11
Noisy Pitta 1
Green Catbird 12
Regent Bowerbird 2
White-throated Treecreeper 4
Lewin's Honeyeater
20
Little Wattlebird
1
Yellow-throated Scrubwren
30 several young being fed
White-browed Scrubwren
2
Large-billed Scrubwren
20
Brown Thornbill 2
Mangrove Gerygone
20
Eastern Whipbird 6
Australian Magpie
2
Pied Currawong 4
Varied Triller 1
Little Shrikethrush
4
Golden Whistler 6
Spangled Drongo 1
Rufous Fantail 5
Grey Fantail 4
Black-faced Monarch
11
Spectacled Monarch
4
Magpie-lark 1
Torresian Crow 8
Paradise Riflebird
3
Pale-yellow Robin
4
Eastern Yellow Robin
8
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S26129414
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Monday, 30 November 2015
LAST OUTING 2015 - MARY CAIRN CROSS RESERVE
Dear all,
This Saturday is our last outing for the 2015 year. We will
meet at Mary Cairn Cross Reserve near Maleny at 7am for a walk through the
reserve. A brunch will follow bird call. Please BYO your breakfast BBQ and make
a morning of it. Hopefully both the extremes of sun and rain will stay away
leaving us with perfection…
I hope you all can make it.
Cheers for now and good birding
Ken Cross | Local Branch
Convenor
Sunshine Coast Branch
BirdLife Southern Queensland
PO Box
375
Annerley QLD
4103
ABN 75 149 124
774
birds are in our nature
Tel: 0754457881
Blog address - http://scbab.blogspot.com.au/
Sunday, 15 November 2015
Wednesday Walk 18 November
There is a mid week bird walk at Buderim Forest Park this Wednesday, 18th November at 8.00am. Meet at Harry’s Lane , off
Lindsay Rd , Buderim. [UBD G17].
John Malings will lead the walk.
"Buderim Forest Park is a 45 hectare secluded oasis, hidden on the northern side of Buderim, less than a kilometre from the Buderim Village. This is a rainforest world of tall trees, ferns, babbling waterfalls, cascades and bird calls.
The area was purchased many years ago by the Council as a reserve for all of Buderim.
Amazingly much of the creek actually belongs to private land owners as once did the waterfall! The falls were a favourite recreational place for the region’s indigenous people and have been unofficially named “Serenity Falls”, but are widely known as the Buderim Falls."
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Friday, 6 November 2015
OUTING REPORT - TRIUNIA ENVIRONMENTAL RESERVE
Triunia Environmental Reserve is an important piece of land, purchased on behalf of Sunshine Coast rate payers, that adjoins the previously acquired Triunia Environment Levy Conservation Area. The reserve is contiguous with Truinia National Park and Truinia Bushland Conservation Reserve.
A description of the adjacent National Park follows;
A description of the adjacent National Park follows;
Triunia National Park will continue to be an important place for the preservation of plants and animals of high conservation significance. These include the endangered and recently rediscovered rainforest shrub Triunia robusta, after which the park is named and Zieria bifida, a small plant found only in the local area. The park will continue to provide a critical resource for the scientific and educational programs that are crucial to the survival of these important species. The park will conserve a representative example of the richness of ecosystems and species that existed across the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in the past in an increasingly developed environment. The ongoing implementation of appropriate pest and fire management programs will continue.
First established in 1994, Triunia National Park covers 33.99 ha and is located in the South East Queensland
bioregion in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. It is situated about 6 km west of Woombye on the Woombye–Dulong
Road and about 20 km due west of Maroochydore. The towns of Montville and Mapleton are
within a short travelling distance of the park.
Triunia National Park is located in an area that has been extensively cleared for agricultural purposes, including
orchards and grazing. Sunshine Coast Regional Council manages a 20 ha conservation area adjacent to the
eastern and southern side of the park called Triunia (Scientific) Conservation Area, and the Dulong Road Bush
Conservation Reserve to the west of the park. These areas have consolidated wildlife habitat in the immediate
vicinity of the park, and share threats from fire and pests with Triunia National Park.
The park has minimal recreational significance to local residents. It has been managed to preserve its conservation
and scientific values through minimal disturbance and careful application of pest control measures that do not
compromise the natural integrity of the park’s native plants and wildlife.
Vegetation is a mix of open forest communities and lowland subtropical rainforest. Brush box Lophostemon
confertus grows in the tall open forest along the ridges and is part of the regional ecosystem 12.12.1 that is of
concern. Other prominent canopy species, grey gum Eucalyptus propinqua, tallowwood E. microcorys and pink
bloodwood Corymbia intermedia also grow along these ridges. Lowland subtropical rainforest (complex notophyll
vine forest) with an uneven canopy to about 40 m extends into the steep gullies, covering 75 per cent of the park.
Lower altitude rainforest of this type has been extensively cleared on the Sunshine Coast, and less than 10 per
cent of its original extent in the South East Queensland bioregion is left. Regarded as the plant community most at
risk on the south-east Queensland coast, this vegetation exists on the Sunshine Coast only as remnant patches.
Triunia National Park contains one of the few remaining rainforest patches of this type on the Sunshine Coast and
it has extremely high conservation values and high species richness, with about 300 recorded plant species. The
park hosts 13 plant species of conservation significance, four of which are endangered, six are vulnerable and
three are near threatened.
The endangered plant species Zieria bifida is endemic to Queensland and is found in only three locations, one of
which is Triunia National Park. Triunia robusta, after which the park was named, is also endangered (until recently
thought to be extinct) and found on the park. Protection and sensitive management of these plants are critical to
their long-term survival in the wild. The vulnerable plant species, macadamia nut Macadamia integrifolia, grows on
the park and is one of the species covered by the Southern Macadamia Species Recovery Plan. Although it is also
grown commercially, its genetic integrity is threatened in wild populations.
Z. bifida grows in the fire-adapted tall open forest and requires specific fire management, while the other three
endangered species, reticulated holly Graptophyllum reticulatum, shiny-leaved coondoo Planchonella eerwah and
T. robusta, are located in the fire-sensitive lowland subtropical rainforest section. Pest plants, especially lantana
Lantana camara and glycine Neonotonia wightii, pose a risk to all the plant species of conservation significance on
the park, but particularly Z. bifida. Illegal harvesting of T. robusta fruits from trees outside the park poses a threat to
the ability of this plant to reproduce naturally within the park as it impacts on seed set and pollination processes.
The main native animal species living on the park are amphibians and birds. Surveys in 1999 and 2000 identified
the vulnerable tusked frog Adelotus brevis and koala Phascolarctos cinereus (South East Queensland bioregion)
as the only animal species of conservation significance found on the park. A protected landscape is critical to the
survival of the tusked frog Adelotus brevis, which relies on water bodies and drainage lines for its habitat. Seven
other frog species have been recorded and their continued survival is threatened by inappropriate catchment
management, the use of herbicides and insecticides on nearby properties, excessive nutrient build-up, degraded
water quality, and habitat modification. Koala numbers have markedly decreased throughout Australia due to
habitat loss from fire, weed effects and clearing, and many populations are now living in isolated patches of habitat
like Triunia National Park. This isolation puts them at great risk of localised extinction. The notophyll vine forest is a
popular habitat for the many species of birds that live on the park. Further threats to all animal species on the park
include dogs, cats, foxes and toads.
An excellent turn out of over 40 members and visitors enjoyed a stroll through the Environmental Reserve and recorded the following species;
Triunia Environmental Reserve, Queensland, AU Nov 7, 2015 7:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling - circa 2.0 kilometer(s)
Comments: regular monthly outing for Birdlife Australia - Sunshine Coast
61 species [some spp recorded by call only]
Australian Brushturkey 1 active mound
Australian White Ibis 1
White-headed Pigeon 1
Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Australian) 6
Emerald Dove 2
Crested Pigeon 1
Wonga Pigeon 1
Peaceful Dove 2
Bar-shouldered Dove 1
Wompoo Fruit-Dove 2
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove 1
Topknot Pigeon 4
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 4
Channel-billed Cuckoo 8
Pheasant Coucal 2
White-throated Needletail 12
Laughing Kookaburra 8
Forest Kingfisher 2
Rainbow Bee-eater 2
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo 2
Australian King-Parrot 4
Pale-headed Rosella 6
Rainbow Lorikeet 6
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet 4
White-throated Treecreeper 7
Lewin's Honeyeater 8
Noisy Miner 8
Scarlet Honeyeater 6
Blue-faced Honeyeater 3
White-throated Honeyeater 8
Spotted Pardalote 3
Striated Pardalote 2
White-browed Scrubwren 11
Large-billed Scrubwren 6
Brown Thornbill 8
Striated Thornbill 4
Brown Gerygone 1
Eastern Whipbird 2
Pied Butcherbird 2
Australian Magpie 3
Pied Currawong 3
Black-faced Cuckooshrike 1
Varied Triller 4
Common Cicadabird 2
Crested Shrike-tit 1
Little Shrikethrush 4
Grey Shrikethrush 1
Golden Whistler 12
Olive-backed Oriole 4
Australasian Figbird 5
Spangled Drongo 3
Rufous Fantail 1
Grey Fantail 1
Spectacled Monarch 2
Leaden Flycatcher 2
Torresian Crow 4
Pale-yellow Robin 2
Eastern Yellow Robin 5
Silvereye 4
Mistletoebird 2
Red-browed Finch 1
View this checklist online at http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S25728343
Wednesday, 4 November 2015
FRIDAY ENVIRONMENT FORUM NPA Environment Centre 06 November 2015 What makes a Cuckoo Cuckoo?
This week at Friday Environment Forum: Kon Hepers is the guest speaker at Friday Environment Forum on November 6 when he will compare the taxonomy and lifestyle of a selection of these birds, particularly the Australian species.
Arguably the most recognised bird call in the world is that of the Common or European Cuckoo.
The “cuckoo” sound of the call has given the name to the bird (onomatopoeic), which in turn has its name associated with other unrelated birds, insects and even a type of clock - also humans.
In common usage the word has become synonymous with “silly and crazy”. But is that a fair description of the bird?
Cuckoos are equally well known as brood parasites: they lay their egg into the nests of other birds which brood and rear the young cuckoo, without any involvement from the actual parent birds. This is a very successful breeding strategy and certainly not silly. About 1 percent of the world’s bird species are obligate brood parasites and almost all are in the cuckoo family.
This parasitism has evolved separately at least three times among birds. But less than half of the Cuckoo family are full-time cheats. The rest care for their own young. Of the thirteen Australian species of cuckoo twelve are brood parasites and only one builds its own nest and rears its own chicks. Almost all are migratory.
Be part of the audience on November 6 at the Noosa Parks Association Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive Noosaville to hear Kon answer the question: What makes a cuckoo cuckoo? Forum commences at 10.30am although everyone is welcome to arrive at 10am when coffee and chat are on offer. For those interested in an interpretive birding walk before the forum, meet Valda in the Environment Centre car park at 8.30am.
All welcome.
Arguably the most recognised bird call in the world is that of the Common or European Cuckoo.
The “cuckoo” sound of the call has given the name to the bird (onomatopoeic), which in turn has its name associated with other unrelated birds, insects and even a type of clock - also humans.
In common usage the word has become synonymous with “silly and crazy”. But is that a fair description of the bird?
Cuckoos are equally well known as brood parasites: they lay their egg into the nests of other birds which brood and rear the young cuckoo, without any involvement from the actual parent birds. This is a very successful breeding strategy and certainly not silly. About 1 percent of the world’s bird species are obligate brood parasites and almost all are in the cuckoo family.
This parasitism has evolved separately at least three times among birds. But less than half of the Cuckoo family are full-time cheats. The rest care for their own young. Of the thirteen Australian species of cuckoo twelve are brood parasites and only one builds its own nest and rears its own chicks. Almost all are migratory.
Be part of the audience on November 6 at the Noosa Parks Association Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive Noosaville to hear Kon answer the question: What makes a cuckoo cuckoo? Forum commences at 10.30am although everyone is welcome to arrive at 10am when coffee and chat are on offer. For those interested in an interpretive birding walk before the forum, meet Valda in the Environment Centre car park at 8.30am.
All welcome.
Sunday, 1 November 2015
NOVEMBER OUTING
Hello all
Details of this coming Saturday morning’s outing;
Saturday outing - November 7 - 7am - (NEW) Triunia
Environmental Reserve (east of Triunia National Park), Carruthers Road, West
Woombye. The reserve is contiguous with Truinia National Park and Truinia
Bushland Conservation Reserve.
Leader/ s - Ken Cross and John Birbeck
183 Carruthers Road, Towen Mountain (off Blackall Range
Road).
The parking is limited so we will have to sort this out on
the morning.
Ken Cross | Local Branch
Convenor
Sunshine Coast Branch
BirdLife Southern Queensland
PO Box
375
Annerley QLD
4103
ABN 75 149 124
774
birds are in our nature
Tel: 0754457881
Blog address - http://scbab.blogspot.com.au/
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
Carpentarian Grasswren Project needs more funds
Hi Folks,
Over the last few weeks, birders across the great
state of Queensland have been traversing
the countryside as part of the joint
Birds Queensland and Birdlife Southern Queensland Twitchathon. It has
been another successful event, with about 20 teams entering.
Previously
funds raised
through this event have been split between the organisations, but in 2015 a
decision was made to pool the funds and put
them towards a joint project. We chose to support research into the
Carpentarian Grasswren, a bird which unfortunately is in decline, and now
almost a Queensland endemic. For more details, see the excellent summary on the
Birdlife website by Graham Harrington and Steve Murphy:
birdlife.org.au/australian-birdlife/detail/in-the-line-of-fire
We
are hoping to raise
$8000 to put towards comprehensive surveys of the current populations. This
will help gather some robust baseline data that can be used to monitor
population trends. We have raised about half
of that through donations direct to Twitchathon participants themselves,
and are hoping to raise the second half through our online public donation
portal.
So, we are asking for your help! If you feel like
chipping in ten bucks to help us reach our target, please go to:
Please also feel free to share with family, friends or
social media. It's for a great little bird, and a very good cause!
Thanks for your help.
Nick Leseberg
QLD Twitch Coordinator
Sunday, 11 October 2015
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Bird Week/Aussie Backyard Bird Count
Bird Week/Aussie Backyard Bird Count
The celebration of National Bird Week has its origins back in the early 1900s when 28 October was first designated by our predecessor, the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, as the first ‘Bird Day’. BirdLife Australia organises and promotes Bird Week with the goal of inspiring Australians to take action and get involved in bird conservation efforts.
Aussie Backyard Bird Count
www.aussiebirdcount.org.au
BirdLife Australia and the Birds in Backyards team have come together to bring you the Aussie Backyard Bird Count!
Celebrate National Bird Week 2015 by taking part in the biggest citizen science project to hit Aussie shores! From 19-25 October, thousands of people from across the country are heading out into their backyards, local parks or favourite open spaces to take part in the first ever Aussie Backyard Bird Count!
To get involved all you need is 20 minutes, your ‘green patch’ of choice, and some keen eyesight (or binoculars!) And it doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an expert—we’ll be there to help you out along the way! Simply record the birds you know and look up those you don’t on our ‘Aussie Bird Count’ app or our website. You’ll instantly see live statistics and information on how many people are taking part near you and the number of birds and species counted not just across your neighbourhood but the whole of Australia!
Not only will you get to know your feathered neighbours, but you’ll be contributing to a vital pool of information from across the nation that will help us see how Australian birds are faring.
So get your friends and family together during National Bird Week, head into the great outdoors and start counting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDkiZ3QiTPw&feature=youtu.be
A 'How to' guide for using the Aussie Backyard Bird Count app.
The app is currently available for Iphone and Android.
Aussie Backyard Bird Count
www.aussiebirdcount.org.au
BirdLife Australia and the Birds in Backyards team have come together to bring you the Aussie Backyard Bird Count!
Celebrate National Bird Week 2015 by taking part in the biggest citizen science project to hit Aussie shores! From 19-25 October, thousands of people from across the country are heading out into their backyards, local parks or favourite open spaces to take part in the first ever Aussie Backyard Bird Count!
To get involved all you need is 20 minutes, your ‘green patch’ of choice, and some keen eyesight (or binoculars!) And it doesn’t matter if you’re a novice or an expert—we’ll be there to help you out along the way! Simply record the birds you know and look up those you don’t on our ‘Aussie Bird Count’ app or our website. You’ll instantly see live statistics and information on how many people are taking part near you and the number of birds and species counted not just across your neighbourhood but the whole of Australia!
Not only will you get to know your feathered neighbours, but you’ll be contributing to a vital pool of information from across the nation that will help us see how Australian birds are faring.
So get your friends and family together during National Bird Week, head into the great outdoors and start counting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDkiZ3QiTPw&feature=youtu.be
A 'How to' guide for using the Aussie Backyard Bird Count app.
The app is currently available for Iphone and Android.
Mini Twitch
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| Kings Beach - habiatat of Wandering Tattlers, Pied Cormorants and Sooty Oystercatchers |
 |
| Osprey nest site |
 |
| Pacific Heron, Finalnad Road near Bli Bli |
 |
| Roof top Peregrine, Maroochydore |
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| interesting vagrant - Rajah Shelduck, Bli Bli |
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| inquisitive King Parrot, Mapleton |
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| Koala across the road from my place - sadly no points! |
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| Another mammal worth no points - Ken Cross, Park Lakes, Bli Bli |
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| Double barred Finch - Park Lakes, Bli Bli |
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| male Red-backed Wren, Bli Bli |
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| New Holland Honeyeater - Mapleton |
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Rajah Shelducks persist near Bli Bli
A rare species this far south, Rajah Shelducks persist near Bli Bli. They have been observed in the Finland Road area for at least a month now.
Sunday, 4 October 2015
Good birds south of the Sunshine Coast
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| Ruff |
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| Ruff |
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| Ruff in flight |
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| Marsh Sandpipers |
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| Black-winged Stilt + Marsh Sandpiper |
[all above photos taken by Vince Lee]
Saturday, 5 September 2015
OCTOBER OUTING
NB - Change of date The October outing will be held
on the second Saturday of October [rather than the first] - 10 OCTOBER
The October outing
will be a mini twitch!
My cunning plan involves starting at 7am at the state school
in Mapleton.
Teams [minimum 2 – maximum of 4] would be decided only then
and each team would have to quickly plan and participate in a day long birding
programme that would finish at Mapleton [Tavern?] at 6pm.
If members are unwilling to commit to birding all day then I
suggest they can quickly design a morning’s birding programme, again starting
in Mapleton.
Obviously the plan would involve visiting as many different
sites between the range and the coasts as possible. [For your interest high
tide at Toorbul is 2pm on the day]. Participation fee for the day would be $20
per person with the funds going to the Grasswren project.
The rules of the twitch are that all recorded species must receive
a 100% identification by a minimum of 50% of the team. Birds may be identified visually
or by call / song.
There will be no prizes for winning our twitch but your name
and photo will be immortalised on our blog!!
Please email me asap
to register your interest in participating. friarbird43@bigpond.com
SEPTEMBER WALK REPORT
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| Male Scarlet Honeyeater [Paul Jensen] |
There once was a train track which ran from Palmwoods to Buderim Central. You can read more about this on the Tramway History page. The original rails and sleepers were removed but a wonderful walk has been developed along a section of the original right-of-way owned by Council. The walk starts from the corner of Mons Road and Telco Road in Buderim.
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| Female Golden Whistler [Paul Jensen] |
The existing Council easement is 2000m (4000m return) and is a wonderful stroll through the regrowth forest.
There are points of interest along the way and an information brochure is available at the Information Shelter at the base of the access ramp, or from the Old Post Office and other tourist sites around Buderim.
find out more about the walk at http://www.buderim.qld.au/tram/historic-tramway-walk/
This walk was a new one for the club and for many its existence was a revelation. A good number of people came out for an enjoyable walk under a beautiful sky and we cobbled together a list of recorded species just over the half tonne - although many of these were heard only.
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| Brown Cuckoo Dove [Paul Jensen] |
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
Display co-ordinator needed
Dear all,
Planning has
already begun for the two main displays ‘hosted’ by our birding group – Maleny
Wood expo and the Nambour Garden Expo. And correspondence has started to be
received. As it stands I will be absent for the Maleny Wood Expo.
As stated
previously I would like to pass on the responsibility for co-ordinating
displays and volunteers for these two displays to another member.
The
responsibilities will include
- Correspondence between Birdlife Australia – SE
Queensland and the organising committees
- Organising the pick-up of interpretive materials from
Brisbane [and its return]
- Organising a schedule of volunteers to be ‘on hand’
during the days.
I will retain
the responsibilities of organising and leading the majority of the outings
[including weekend aways, the blog, emails, attending meetings in Brisbane on
an annual basis etc etc. My schedule, including taxi driver to a young family,
full time work, means that I have limited time to
meet all of our local
Sunshine Coast sub branch’s requirements.
If someone [or
several folk] do not come forward we may have to give up these useful occasions
for public education and publicity. And we may have to invent other
occasions for the promotion of birds, birding and bird conservation.
Cheers and
please consider
Sunday, 30 August 2015
September Letter
Hi all,
September’s Saturday walk
[Sept 5th] is the Tramway Heritage Walk near Buderim. The walk
starts at the corner of Mons Rd & Telco Rd, 2 km west of Buderim town centre.
From town, travel west along Burnett St, turn right into William St, and then
turn right into Mons Rd. Travel along Mons Rd then turn left into Telco Rd. Car
parking is available directly left upon entering Telco Rd. Cross to western
side of the road and go down the zig-zag pathway that leads to the track.
WE will meet at 8am and complete the walk. The walk is approx.
2 kilometres in length however we have to walk out the same way [so obviously
4km in total].
There is an opportunity to also check out the Buderim forest
Park after our walk where Pittas have been showing well.
I hope to see you on Saturday.
September [and October for that matter] is a big month for
Birdlife Australia – especially for SE Queenslander. The 2015 Queensland Twitchathon has been
organised to take place, at your leisure sometime between the dates of 18
September - 28 September 2015. Details can be found at http://www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-southern-queensland/projects-initiatives-sq
This year all funds raised will be contributed to a project
supporting the conservation of the Carpentarian Grasswren. I encourage all to
participate however I would also like to propose that we contribute to the
Twitchathon’s efforts in our October outing [Saturday 3rd] by having
a dawn to dusk twitch.
My cunning plan involves starting at 7am at the state school
in Mapleton. Teams [minimum 2 – maximum of 4] would be decided only then and
each team would have to quickly plan and participate in a day long birding
programme that would finish at Mapleton [Tavern?] at 6pm. Obviously the plan
would involve visiting as many different sites between the range and the coasts
as possible. [For your interest high tide at Toorbul is 2pm on the day. Participation
fee for the day would be $20 per person with the funds going to the Grasswren
project. There will be no prizes for winning our twitch but your name and photo
will be immortalised on our blog!! Please email me asap to register your
interest in participating.
If you have not signed a petition to help save Yandina
Wetlands you can still do so at
http://www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-southern-queensland/help-us-save-yandina-creek-wetlands or please consider writing to your local
Sunshine Coast members.
On another matter I’m
beginning to draft the outings for 2016. Please feel free to suggest sites for
outings. The mid- week outings have been well attended and the plan is to
extend them to every month in 2016 however I will need members to lead them.
Please forward your name and local site if you would like to lead a mid-week
walk.
Cheers now and thank
you for reading this far……………
Ken Cross
friarbird43@bigpond.com
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
BirdLife Sunshine Coast mid-week outing, Noosa Botanical Gdns/Lake MacDonald Wed.19th Aug 2015
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| Buff-banded Rail |
Nine Sunshine Coast BirdLife members enjoyed perfect mild winter weather on their mid-week birdwatching outing on the 19th August. We started at the Noosa Botanical Gardens at 8am watching a flock of 15 Topknot Pigeons noiselessly fly over, and then slowly worked our way down to Lake MacDonald. Noisy Miners were seen feeding two young in a nest at eye level beside the track, keeping the photographers happy (although Vince was seen later yet again photographing flowers instead of birds). One each of Caspian and Gull-billed Tern were over the water and a Buff-banded Rail showed nicely on the grassy edge. We scored the usual assortment of resident waterbirds with only two duck species, but a juvenile Comb-crested Jacana was an interesting find. The gardens were very dry and bush birds hard to find, a solitary Green Catbird the best seen. Our two hours produced 51 species (with two heard only) with not a single raptor, 5 species each of pigeon and honeyeater.
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| Fan-tailed Cuckoo |
There was much more waterbird activity at Jabiru Park and Fearnley Hide after morning tea, and we were treated to a pair of Australasian Shovelers, along with Grey Teal, Pacific Black , Hardhead and seven Magpie Geese. Intermediate and Great Egret were present, along with White-faced and White-necked Heron, and 10 Caspian Tern, including some in juvenile plumage. But the highlight of the day was overhead, where in one view 70 Straw-necked Ibis soared effortlessly on high, whilst below a male and female Brown Goshawk were harassed by a Magpie. To complete the picture, a lone White-bellied Sea-Eagle was seen floating in the distance. At Valda's suggestion we finished the morning with a walk back along the entrance road (Grange Rd.) where we found our only Olive-backed Oriole, Grey Fantail, Forest Kingfisher, Golden Whistler, and White-throated and Scarlet Honeyeaters of the day. A Fan-tailed Cuckoo alighted only metres away as we did our final tally. Another two hours well spent with 57 species (5 heard only).
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| Grey Fantail |
All-up we counted 76 species (three heard only) , which we modestly told ourselves was not a bad winter's morning work. We were unable to locate any early spring migrants, but it didn't seem to matter, as we enjoyed relaxed and uncrowded time with our resident Sunshine Coast birds. Mid-week outings appear a worthwhile addition to our yearly itinerary.
Russ Lamb
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| Grey Butcherbird [All pics by Paul Jensen] |
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