Hello Birdy

As mentioned earlier, an ABC series called ‘Hello Birdy’ will go to air this Sunday evening. It’s a lighthearted look at  birdwatching presented by William McInnes, of ‘Seachange’ et al. The first episode includes a long sequence about the OBP.  I for one am really looking forward to it. This piece was filmed last summer and features Mark Holdsworth, who was a Tasmanian nominee for Australian of the Year for his outstanding work in conservation.  This series was written and directed by Leighton de Barros, whose wildlife doco subjects have previously included great white sharks and Carnabys black cockatoos. ——– Original message ——– From: birding-aus-request@birding-aus.org To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org Subject: Birding-Aus Digest, Vol 2, Issue 26 Send Birding-Aus mailing list submissions to birding-aus@birding-aus.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org or, via email, send a message with subject or body ‘help’ to birding-aus-request@birding-aus.org You can reach the person managing the list at birding-aus-owner@birding-aus.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than “Re: Contents of Birding-Aus digest…” Today’s Topics:    1. Re: A Galaxy of Star Finch (Michael Todd)    2. Re: An original duckumentary (Dave Torr)    3. RED-THROATED PIPIT at Lake McLarty (nr Perth) (John Graff)    4. Plumed Whistle Ducks (Peter Morgan)    5. RFI Grey Phalarope (Crispin Marsh)    6. Franklin’s Gull, Lake Barambah (Russ Lamb)    7. Hooded Plovers (Tom Sjolund)    8. Australia Day – North Turramurra, Sydney (Wilsons)    9. Re: RED-THROATED PIPIT at Lake McLarty (nr Perth) (John Graff)   10. Birdpedia – Australia – Weekly Digest (Birdpedia – Australia Info) ———————————————————————- Message: 1 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 07:20:53 +1100 From: Michael Todd <maskedowl@gmail.com> To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] A Galaxy of Star Finch Message-ID: <CACtLoimF8LEByUX4QDJtY8CVsPVFONZ6bhjVs5m_kENcgkuTtQ@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hello Chris and others, I was lucky enough to be paid to study Star Finches (and Crimsons) back in the late 1990’s and followed them across the grasslands of Cape York and in the eastern Kimberleys. They are an amazing experience in a large flock aren’t they? In the non-breeding season (dry season) in particular they amass into large flocks that tend to remain within flying distance of water. The biggest numbers by far that I saw were on the irrigated agricultural areas north of Kununurra where they had strips and patches of native veg and weeds (good for feeding) permanent water and sugarcane for roosting. The actual numbers I can’t remember but I think I estimated thousands. However, I found few nests here, most of the nests I found in a patch of remnant vegetation in a large loose colony. I noticed recently on Google Earth that this place is now cleared. As many of you will know, the eastern subspecies of star is possibly extinct. I’ve seen museum specimens of this form and to me they look distinctly different to the Cape York subsp and the northern Aust subsp. Cheers, Mick Todd — Michael Todd Molesworth, Tasmania (soon to be Mildura, Vic) http://wildlifing.smugmug.com/ LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-todd/2b/425/605 —————————— Message: 2 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 08:47:33 +1100 From: Dave Torr <davidtorr@gmail.com> To: Philip Veerman <pveerman@pcug.org.au> Cc: COG-L <canberrabirds@canberrabirds.org.au>, birding-aus <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] An original duckumentary Message-ID: WOcBN8g@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Haven’t seen it yet (but recorded it). I note that next Sat the SBS has a program on “Red-crowned Crane” and the ABC has a new series called “Birdy”. Both could be worth watching? On 25 January 2014 19:51, Philip Veerman <pveerman@pcug.org.au> wrote: > Just watching this doco about ducks on SBS TV. Now. Seems very well done so > far. Mainly American but did show a Freckled Duck for a moment. > > Philip > _______________________________________________ > Birding-Aus mailing list > Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org > To change settings or unsubscribe visit: > http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org > —————————— Message: 3 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:42:31 +0800 From: John Graff <jgraff2@hotmail.com> To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org, birdswa@googlegroups.com Subject: [Birding-Aus] RED-THROATED PIPIT at Lake McLarty (nr Perth) Message-ID: <BAY403-EAS2659F0FF0ECA8E0BA8A739DE3A30@phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”us-ascii” Alan Collins found a Red-throated Pipit in the SE corner of Lake McLarty early this morning. Still present at 8.30am Apparently looks like a darker Aus Pipit and has traces of red on the throat Cheers John Sent from my iPhone —————————— Message: 4 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 13:46:51 +1100 From: Peter Morgan <nagrompr@bigpond.com> To: “birding-aus (E-mail)” <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Plumed Whistle Ducks Message-ID: <365F1AD2-13A7-4B25-86B6-DB57F002ED0C@bigpond.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Plumed Whistle Ducks Plumed Whistle Ducks have been around Brooms Head, North Coast of NSW for a few years now, but have been seen closer to the houses along the ocean front  over the last few weeks. Just now, a pair with at least 8 ducklings were seen at the junction of the Brooms Head and Sandon Roads.  So that would seem to indicate their presence becoming more permanent. Peter and Bev, Kevin and Andrea Morgan —————————— Message: 5 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:03:12 +1100 From: “Crispin Marsh” <crispin_marsh@scp.com.au> To: <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> Subject: [Birding-Aus] RFI Grey Phalarope Message-ID: <D3F5E8CB6A684BDC95526FD06F52839A@PCMPC> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”iso-8859-1″ Dear Birders, Wondered if there is any news (post 25 Jan) about the grey Phalarope in Darwin? Is anyone planning a trip up there who would be interested in sharing a car and scope. I would be going from Sydney and might try for a trip without accommodation. regards Peter Marsh —————————— Message: 6 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:28:14 +1000 From: “Russ Lamb” <jayasphere@skymesh.com.au> To: “birding-aus” <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> Cc: Bob Cook <spanda8@bigpond.com>, Jo wieneke <jowieneke7@gmail.com> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Franklin’s Gull, Lake Barambah Message-ID: <036FE050D91A432B9054DA851067494C@lamb> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”iso-8859-1″ The Franklin’s Gull at Lake Barambah (or Bjelke-Petersen Dam) first reported about 10 days ago  continues to show well on an almost daily basis. Despite showery and windy conditions, by 0845 on Sat 25/1 a total of 7 birders from Bundaberg, Maroochydore, Logan and Maleny (incl. the dynamic Moorheads, Jann Capell, Peter Tierney) were all searching for the gull. Starting from the last boatramp it was first ‘scoped near the first ramp, precipitating a rush across the dam wall. On arrival, it had been put to flight by dogs but was quickly spotted resting on the water, from where it flew to the shore of a small bay. Back over the dam wall we all went to be treated to a fly-by above the shoreline only 20 metres away, all parties greatly satisfied.       Peter Tierney has posted some wonderful pics on Bird Alert , the web page of the Wide Bay/Bundaberg bird group (a mini birding-aus for that region) Russ Lamb, Maleny —————————— Message: 7 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:37:28 +1000 From: Tom Sjolund <photosrockhampton@gmail.com> To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org Subject: [Birding-Aus] Hooded Plovers Message-ID: bzT-pbTfOLhY-zwN_hjHoA@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 2 breeding pairs of Hooded Plovers seen at Johanna Beach, Vic. One pair with one chick, the other with 2 chicks.  Lone adult seen at the eastern end by the headland. Cheers, Tom —————————— Message: 8 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 19:45:34 +1100 From: “Wilsons” <wilsonsinoz@optusnet.com.au> To: <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Australia Day – North Turramurra, Sydney Message-ID: <C9C53AF59D3844A6A19E474EC5629B6F@WilsonfamilyPC> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”iso-8859-1″ Hi all hope you’ve all had a great day. Having been in the UK & Europe until recently (my 1st bird of 2014 was a Black-headed Gull), had my first proper Aussie birding walk of the year this morning, following the Lovers Jump Creek Track from McRae Place to Samuel King Oval in N Turramurra).  I saw 44 species, highlights from a good selection of local bush birds being: – single Powerful Owl (with possum) approx 1km in from McRae Place – singles of Pacific Baza and Brown Goshawk – 2 Superb Lyrebirds seen (1 doing a varied repertoire of whipbird, rosella, kookaburra and it’s own gurglings) – family of Dollarbirds (2 ad; 4 fledglings) – good numbers of Brown Pigeon This afternoon at home (Bobbin Head Rd), have had a couple of interesting fly-overs (thanks to the local cockatoo alarm system…) – the Brown Goshawk was around all afternoon – a White-faced Heron flew over the house heading SE approx 2:30pm – a Juvenile Swamp Harrier crossed over road heading West-East approx 3:30pm – very upswept wings, buoyant flight, long slim tail, chocolate brown with suggestion of white on the rump and paler patches around base of primaries. Cheers Tom Wilson —————————— Message: 9 Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:27:42 +0800 From: John Graff <jgraff2@hotmail.com> To: Birding-Aus <birding-aus@birding-aus.org>, “birdswa@googlegroups.com” <birdswa@googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] RED-THROATED PIPIT at Lake McLarty (nr Perth) Message-ID: <BAY173-W40485875175335DD48574BE3A30@phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=”Windows-1252″ Hi again everyone, Sorry for the brief message, SE corner was all I had when I posted, and I headed straight for the door! Fortunately, a group of us eventually got it early this afternoon – it was mostly hanging around in the grass near the water’s edge in the SE of the lake, but was quite skulky and difficult to see. Details for getting there (copied from Leeuwin Current Birding but I wrote the post so I think that’s OK :D) – I recommend parking along the limestone track but may become a little crowded, don’t know how many are thinking of heading down “To reach the lake, travel south from Perth along the Kwinana Freeway, which becomes the Perth-Bunbury (Forrest) Highway. At Mills Road (roughly an hour from Perth City), turn right (west) and travel for approximately 4km, where you pass a gate on the right. About 200m further along the road, there is a limestone track on the right (marked by a post on either side of the entrance). Drive a short distance down this track and park under the large tree on the left (GPS 32d 44? 55.37??S, 115d 42? 51.38??E). From here, you can see the lake shore. You can also access the lakes western shore by following Mills Rd as it loops around to the north and becomes Birch Dr, and parking near a water tank and gate about half-way up the lake?s western shore (GPS 32d 42? 14.52??S, 115d 42? 33.15??E). You can also reach this area by following the limestone track through until you reach a T-junction with Birch Dr and turning right.” We didn’t look too closely at the waders but a few Pectoral Sandpiper as usual, good numbers of Marsh Sandpipers and a couple of Blackwits. Bill Betts saw and photographed the Ruff this morning though so it is still around Alan Collins has kindly allowed me to post his photos, see: https://picasaweb.google.com/101486094752558106417/WARareBirds#5973147810347758578 https://picasaweb.google.com/101486094752558106417/WARareBirds#5973147813105552738 https://picasaweb.google.com/101486094752558106417/WARareBirds#5973147821537467058 Cheers, John > From: jgraff2@hotmail.com > Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:42:31 +0800 > To: birding-aus@birding-aus.org; birdswa@googlegroups.com > Subject: [Birding-Aus] RED-THROATED PIPIT at Lake McLarty (nr Perth) > > Alan Collins found a Red-throated Pipit in the SE corner of Lake McLarty early this morning. Still present at 8.30am > > Apparently looks like a darker Aus Pipit and has traces of red on the throat > > Cheers > John > > Sent from my iPhone > _______________________________________________ > Birding-Aus mailing list > Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org > To change settings or unsubscribe visit: > http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org      —————————— Message: 10 Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:05:06 +1030 From: “Birdpedia – Australia Info” <info@birdpedia.com> To: <birding-aus@vicnet.net.au>, <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> Subject: [Birding-Aus] Birdpedia – Australia – Weekly Digest Message-ID: <4EB42D1C78374DB9B03602B25B4F4EE7@mfpws01> Content-Type: text/plain The following is a digest of Sightings Reported on Birdpedia for the period Monday, January 20, 2014 to Sunday, January 26, 2014: Area: SA Date: Monday, January 20, 2014 Location: On our blackened land at Rockleigh Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) (70) First we saw a flock of 15 cruising overhead. Then 3 landed and foraged among the ashes. They vanished and 6 landed. Later in the day a flock of about 70 appeared, and finally a group of about 40 landed and foraged. What on earth were they finding to eat ? All we can see is scorched earth. Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) (2) We have been expecting a magpie lark to pass through for almost five and half years, with no luck until today. There is no normal magpie-lark habitat left, but they hung around all day. The land over the road is unburnt, with plenty of trees and looks a far better foraging spot for them. Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti) (6) By the time these turned up we were almost used to seeing the unexpected. We have never seen wrens before ! They were flitting in burnt bushes in the gully where there are still burning embers. The day also brought 4 kestrels (cruising over all day), 3 wedgies, and 2 brown falcons. To our eyes there was nothing edible moving in the landscape, only half a dozen stumpy tails, well and truly dead, and a small dessicated snake. Some trees are still burning 6 days after the fire inside hollow trunks, or underground roots (mind where you put your feet = there are hot spots under dust-filled holes) Reported by: Barbara and Peter Bansemer on Monday, January 20, 2014 ——————————————— Date: Monday, January 20, 2014 Location: Magazine Rd Wetland Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) (1) I bird clearly seen on mud on spit in first pond on right of Magazine Rd. Possible second bird seen under trees on left of pond. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) (1) Flew overhead then landed in middle pond on side of the track to bird hide Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) (2) Australian Spotted Crake (Porzana fluminea) (2) Shorebirds 2020 survey Water levels now low, some ponds dry, no water in front of bird hide. only 3 Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, 2 Common Greenshanks, 2 Red-capped Plovers, 4 Red-kneed Dotterels, 8 Royal Spoonbills, 2 Australian Shelduck, 6 European Greenfinch, plus all other species normally seen at this site. Possible sighting of a Rufous Fieldwren Reported by: Sue Winwood on Monday, January 20, 2014 ——————————————— Date: Monday, January 20, 2014 Location: Minlaton.(SA) Letter-winged Kite (Elanus scriptus) (1) Good view of a single bird flying along roadside south-west of Minlaton. Hooded Plover (Thinornis rubricollis) (3) A pair with at least one 11-20 day old chick on a salt lake south-east of Minlaton. The lake is over 13 kilometres from Spencer Gulf. Reported by: Kent Treloar on Monday, January 20, 2014 ——————————————— Date: Monday, January 20, 2014 Location: Private Property Lower Light Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella) (1) Single bird seen by property owner in stubble paddock Reported by: Winston Syson on Saturday, January 25, 2014 ——————————————— Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Location: Milang Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola) (8) 8 Wood Sandpiper together with 2 Red-kneed Dotterel and about 5 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in ‘pond’ on NE edge of the Milang Caravan Park. This pond is rapidly drying out and the water level has dropped considerably since my last visit on 9/1/2014. Reported by: Bob Snell on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 ——————————————— Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Location: Browns Road, Monarto Pied Honeyeater (Certhionyx variegatus) (1) 1 Male Pied Honeyeater seen on the west side of the loop track – 30m south of the small tank. Phone number 0407398234 Reported by: Steve Potter on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 ——————————————— Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Location: Private Property Lower Light Orange Chat (Epthianura aurifrons) (1) Single Male bird on fence wire Black Falcon (Falco subniger) (1) Bird flew over the top of us and landed on water trough Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster) (30) big numbers on this property Red-backed Kingfisher (Todiramphus pyrrhopygius) (1) Single bird sighted and heard calling Reported by: Winston Syson on Saturday, January 25, 2014 ——————————————— Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Location: Intersection of Ballara Ave and Walkley Ave, Warradale Barbary Dove (Streptopelia roseogrisea) (1) A single bird calling from overhead power lines. Reported by: Martyn Price on Thursday, January 23, 2014 ——————————————— Date: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 Location: Rush Lagoon, Kangaroo Island Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) (2) feeding with Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, mud and shallows, Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14 Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) (c300) feeding in mud and shallows, Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14. Red-necked Stint (Calidris ruficollis) (c100) resting in short grass away from water; with Red-capped Plovers, Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14 Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) (131) easily largest concentration of Red-necked Avocets seen on KI; Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14 Banded Stilt (Cladorhynchus leucocephalus) (c1300) mostly feeding in remnant floodwater in paddock on E side of Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14; no leg flags seen. Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis) (c500) throughout deeper water of lagoon proper; many bright breeding plumaged males present; Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14 Red-kneed Dotterel (Erythrogonys cinctus) (2) pair feeding in muddy shallows in boggy paddock at N end of Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14 Black-tailed Native-hen (Gallinula ventralis) (150) adults and full grown young, pasture and paperbarks fringing Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14 Hardhead (Aythya australis) (300) out on deep water of lagoon proper, Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14 Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) (c3000) feeding and camped throughout lagoon shore and paddock floodwaters, Rush Lagoon, KI, 22 Jan 14 Reported by: Chris Baxter on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 ——————————————— Need more information about a sighting? Login and contact the poster directly. Receive sightings via email or SMS immediately they are posted. Not a member of Birdpedia? Membership is free and gives you access to information for over 230 countries. To sign up go to the Birdpedia Web Site (http://www.birdpedia.com/). To find out more about Birdpedia and what it can do for you, see ‘What is Birdpedia?’ ———————————————                          —————————— Subject: Digest Footer _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org —————————— End of Birding-Aus Digest, Vol 2, Issue 26 ****************************************** _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org