It's all about the birds
Gooday Dean, Happy to be of assistance. Jon Wren
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Hi,
Continuing on (and as promised), a quick video of Cassowary. I’ll be putting something more substantial together later.
http://bird-o.com/2010/07/01/cassowary/
I had a question about the Canon 550D from Russell. Yes, a great bit of kit. Nice to have digital video in an SLR and to all intent and purpose, just as good as the 5D (for video at least) but at 1/4 of the price. The colour rendition is great but there is a tendency to blow out highlights in high contrast conditions. Compared to semi-professional video cameras I’ve used, it is very hard to light meter manually, which is quite a constraint. If you’re doing a slow tilt from sky to ground, it is almost impossible to compensate smoothly and I find the auto-metering a bit inflexible.
The depth of field is VERY narrow – which gives great effect but you need to be very sharp on the focusing, which is effectively done manually.
Then to editing. I use Final Cut Pro and I need to render all video to add effects / video filters, I assume because of the encoding – but it certainly beats ripping to DV PAL off a tape! I have found my MacBook Pro just slightly incapable of playback in the timeline when using 1080 so I am opting for 720. It doesn’t really matter as 1080 is almost superfluous for most of us planning to edit for home use / internet. Which brings me to the final point. All the issues above in terms of metering etc are avoidable by just choosing shots carefully. Very little panning or zooming, nice flattish lighting, not much movement in frame and you’ll get good results that are okay for the high compression encoding needed to work online.
Sound is good – the camera picks up everything though. A nice external mike is a good investment.
Overall, the camera performs well. It’s simple to use for existing Canon users and very lightweight at a little over 400g. I use it as a second body to my 5D now but it will mostly only do video. The smaller sensor adds that bit of extra zoom, which is great. For video, it’s all I really need but would like to have seen Canon include a way of visualising over-exposure as this is almost impossible to predict from the LCD (I guess I will learn in time).
I’ll be writing up more about its use and the Swarovski UCA for Bird-O in the next few weeks.
Regards,
Simon.
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Geoff McDonald, who was with Clive Minton & Susan Taylor when this plover later ID’d as a Semi-palmated was discovered, advises that it was not seen when he was banding there on Monday 28 June. I suspect that the banders were concentrating on catching the waders on the isolated sand bar rather than looking for one rare bird among the thousands of waders there and on the adjacent spit. They were successful in banding 160 Bar-tailed Godwits. So not good news but not necessarily bad. We will now submit the record for assessment by BARC.
Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza VIC 3930 Tel (03) 9787 7136
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Lewin’s Rail generally aren’t seen at Mt St Joseph pond in winter because of the water levels. I did see one a few weeks ago crossing a path, but there are enough dog walkers coming through that I think that spot will just be frustrating.
John Barkla reported one on Skeleton Ck behind the Sanctuary Lakes housing estate (10 minutes drive from the above spot) a couple of weeks ago, and I was able to see one in the same spot a week later. That spot is tidal, so you might have a decent chance there, although I tried again last weekend without any luck. I think early morning is best, because there’s a bike path nearby that gets a bit of traffic. Unfortunately that means you have to wait for a day with the tide right, but I don’t know for sure that the rest of the day is no good.
I also found one at the north end of Cheetham Wetlands (5 minutes drive plus 10 minutes walk), close to the Laverton Ck mouth, but had no luck there after 3 or 4 more tries. That’s also tidal.
I’ve tried for them several times at the Spit at WTP where they’re seen from time to time, but had no sightings at all.
If you search the Victorian Birdlines for Lewin’s Rail you should find details of all these sightings. Let me know if you need more precise instructions.
Peter Shute
> —–Original Message—– > From: birding-aus-bounces@vicnet.net.au > [mailto:birding-aus-bounces@vicnet.net.au] On Behalf Of Paul Rose > Sent: Thursday, 1 July 2010 11:52 AM > To: birding-aus@vicnet.net.au > Subject: [Birding-Aus] Re: Lewin’s Rail and Scarlet > Honeyeater records in Melbourne > > Hi all, > > I am spending some time in Melbourne over my “summer break” > from Thailand. > Does anyone have any latest info on the Lewin’s Rail and > Scarlet Honeyeaters sightings at St. Joseph’s pond and > Banyule respectively. > Much appreciated. > > Paul > > — > Paul Rose > Head of Science > Chairperson – Sustainability Committee > Prem Center for International Education > PO Box 1 Mae Rim > Chiang Mai 50180 > Thailand > =============================== > > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, > send the message: > unsubscribe > (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) > to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au > > http://birding-aus.org > =============================== > ============================== To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au
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This morning I saw the Hooded Plover at the usual spot on the Noosa River north shore, seen from the vicinity of the big fixed telescope on the south shore (the third bench to the east of the scope). It was by no means easy to find. I was there for more than an hour before high tide and did not see the bird until an hour after high tide. When it appeared it was very obvious and not distant; its behaviour indicated it had been there all along but was hidden behind a small dune. The bird was associating loosely with a fair-sized flock of Double-banded Plover. Also showing well were a pair of Beach Thick-knee, following my sighting yesterday of two pairs of this species at the Maroochy River further south on the Sunshine Coast. And to top it off, I ticked off Rohan Clarke, who had dropped by while holidaying from Melbourne to try to see the plover. After leaving Noosa I had nice views of very close Glossy Black Cockatoos feeding on casuarinas at nearby Sunshine Beach. Greg Roberts
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Hi all, Here’s the latest monthly wrap-up for my Hunter Big Year in which I’m attempting to see 333 species within the confines of the Hunter Region in one year. Please excuse the subliminal (and somewhat awful) pun towards the end of the piece. — The onset of winter was always going to see the skids being put down for the Hunter Big Year, apart (I had hoped) from winter pelagics and a trickle of winter migrants. Before an attempt was made at oceanic birds however, I did have a brief window of opportunity to try for some western species early on in June. My 4th visit to the Cassilis Rest Area finally paid dividends as 3 Red-winged Parrots flew literally along the Golden Highway, as if on their way to Dubbo (from whence I had indeed just come). I felt an enormous relief at bagging this species, as it is not generally “targetable” – you really just have to rely on them flying over and they are far from common here, being right on the eastern extremity of their range in this area. It was also pleasing because it meant I did not have to return to this god-forsaken spot, which I have always found very ordinary for birding.
Later that day I was sussing out one of the only semi-reliable sites for Plum-headed Finch – O’Brien Crossing, on the Goulburn River, which forms the southern boundary of the Hunter Region. When looking for birds at this site one has to keep one’s self within the Hunter or look for birds that are within the Hunter themselves. That is, it is rated as fair game if you see birds on the northern bank of the river whilst standing on the southern bank and equally as much, it is considered fair game if you see birds on the southern bank whilst you are standing on the northern bank. As it turned out, I managed to find a flock of 12 Plum-heads and made sure of proceedings by crossing over onto the northern bank where they milling about.
A smattering of local Swift Parrot reports had come my way during June as well, including one from my brewing brother who was working at Paxton when a small group of Swifties flew over. I was never actually concerned about this species, especially as they had also been previously reported from one of their favourite Hunter haunts at Galgabba Point. Despite several visits to both locations I have not been able to locate any and with the Spotted Gums not flowering this winter I am thinking I might be lucky to pull a Swiftie after all. A Bassian Thrush calling at Pelton went down as a heard-only…I may need to visit Barrington House in spring for this one. My other heard-onlys (I’m sure that aint a word) are my two remaining gimmes, being Spotted Pardalote and Southern Boobook. Despite the best efforts of dozens of calling, pesky little Spotteds I still haven’t locked my bins onto one yet. There have been some mighty close calls (in both senses) but for now it remains up my sleeve. Little else was really on the horizon this month – apart from birds that are usually seen flying over the horizon. A seabird survey off Port Stephens that happened mid-month took me over that horizon and it was to be a day of mixed fortunes. Remarkably quiet, we only managed to see 6 species at the shelf, with no sign of several common winter birds. Fairy Prions were in good numbers but generally it was the same group of birds behind the slick. That was until a bird that resembled one of the Solander’s Petrels that we’d been seeing came up over the horizon. Clearly a Pterodroma, it was very pale, almost white, and instantly I shouted “White-headed Petrel” – my pelagic bogey-bird. I was hoping that I hadn’t ‘gone off too early’ but then Alan Stuart got his bins onto it, confirming the ID. It was an exhilarating moment as it zoomed past, arcing high over the stern, seemingly oblivious to the boat. A brilliant bird to have on my Big Year and a reminder that even the quietest days at sea can produce special birds. Alas the pelagic that I had organised for the following weekend was cancelled due to a nasty southerly, but I was philosophical and after that Pterodroma lesson I, well I was still flying high! 312 at the half-way mark and I’m feeling much more confident of reaching 333 for the year. It’s going to be quite an effort to peg back those last 21 birds – but boy it will be fun.
Mick Roderick
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Hi all,
I am spending some time in Melbourne over my “summer break” from Thailand. Does anyone have any latest info on the Lewin’s Rail and Scarlet Honeyeaters sightings at St. Joseph’s pond and Banyule respectively. Much appreciated.
Paul
— Paul Rose Head of Science Chairperson – Sustainability Committee Prem Center for International Education PO Box 1 Mae Rim Chiang Mai 50180 Thailand ===============================
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G’day all! Recently I was able to take off for a 3 week birding trip to target a few outback birds and see some country that I previously had not seen. ROUTE Sydney to Bowra Station (3 nights) via Wellington (for a couple of days bird banding). Over the following two weeks I moved through Lake Bindegolly, Noccundra, Cooper’s Crossing, Innaminka, Birdsville, down the track, Lyndhurst, and finally Gluepot before a belt home. KEY STATS Kilometres: lots! Nights away from home: 24! Number of showers: 5! Tyre punctures: none! Number of times bogged: once! New Birds: Four! Hours spent searching for Grey Grasswren: about 20! Number of Grey Grasswren seen: None! Despite extensive searches at Noccundra (~4hrs), Cooper’s Crossing (~7hrs), and at Cowarie Station (~5hrs), plus short stints at two other sites! NO GGW despite enough fairy-wrens to fill a swimming pool! Hoped that the recent flooding rain would have provided the conditions where I would have to kick the grasswrens out of the way -: instead I left each site figuratively kicking cats! SUCCESSES GREY FALCON – Reasonable views of a soaring bird at Bowra. LETTER-WINGED KITE – one bird at Lake Surprise Dune as described in the Birdsville Track section of Thomas + Thomas (LS Dune taken as the dune 3 km N of LS Creek). Bird close to a nest in a tree above a temporary pond at the end of the dune about 250 metres east of the road. Only one bird seen with two Black-shouldered Kites 200m away. FLOCK BRONZEWING – Seen several times between Coopers Crossing and Innaminka. Surprisingly did not see any between the Dig Tree and Birdsville. Had a final sighting of a few birds 100 kms south of Birdsville. Biggest flock seen was a flock of about 1000 broken into 4 aggregrates of approximately 250 each. Large portion of this flock swooped down for a drink at a hidden tank and then quickly continued on their way. For the next 45 mins till sunset had the pleasure of watching a progression of smaller groups come in to said tank. Tank was 2km W of Chalky Creek or about 120kms E of Innaminka. INLAND DOTTEREL – Only one bird seen whilst spotlighting about 87 kms N of Mungerannie Roadhouse on the Birdsville Track. CINNAMON QUAIL-THRUSH – Common on the Birdsville Track. GIBBERBIRD, ORANGE CHAT – Common on the Birdsville Track, also seen around the Dig Tree. HALL’S BABBLER, CHESTNUT-BREASTED QUAIL-THRUSH – Reliable at Bowra. EYREAN GRASSWREN – Couple seen on a good dune on Cowarie Station. RED-LORED WHISTLER – One male seen at Gluepot Station. CRESTED GREBE – Good numbers seen at Lake Bindegolly partaking in courtship displays. BLACK HONEYEATER – Only a few seen apporoximately 60 kms east of Birdsville. DISCUSSION POINTS 1/ I was surprised to see a CHANNEL-BILLED CUCKOO just east of Birdsville. Did not expected to find it there and mid-June? 2/ A couple of people commented to me that there was quite a number of rats seen whilst night driving in the uppermost 100km of the Birdsville Track. Not sure but just maybe this be the precursor of a irruption of Letter-wing Kites? 3/ Recent rain had resulted in breeding events in many species with clear evidence observed in the following species -; Diamond Dove, Fairy Martin, Zebra Finch, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Darter, White-necked Heron, Straw-necked Ibis, Greal Teal, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-tailed Native-hen, and Crested Grebe. (Disclaimer: there were probably many more but I did see young of these species…) 4/ On the trip I became aware of the ability of people to camp on Cowarie Station, 50km west of Mungerannie Station about halfway along the Birdsville Track. Access provided for a fee of $25 per night and can be organised directly with staff of Mungerannie Roadhouse.Thick-billed, Eyrean, and Grey Grasswrens are all listed on the property list, and there was extensive areas of very good looking lignum. It seems to me that this site may become handy if it is confirmed that Grey Grasswren occur (particularly given that other sites such as Koonchera, Onepah, maybe even Adelaide gate progressively become closed to birdwatchers). Also, please note that I was shown a photo of two Grey Falcon sitting on a radio-tower on the entry road to Cowarie (about 20km west of the roadhouse). Got the impression that occurrence was quite regular but they certainly were not there the 2 days I checked. Also note that the property directly to the west of Cowarie is now owned and managed by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. 5/ Roads in the area were very good. Dirt roads were very well prepared. Fuel at Birdsville at the time of my visit was $1.55 per litre which I thought quite good. Please note that there is a punt operating to transport cars across the flooded Cooper Creek in the southern half of the Birdsville Track. It is expected that the punt will be operational for a number of months. The punt operates only in daylight hours, can only take single vehicles at a time and will not cater to caravans. Cheers, and good luck to others heading out to visit the glorious ‘Outback’. Murray Hunt
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We’ve just begun a trip around the Cairns region…we’ll be reporting on the activities, birds and places to see birds and stay in the area. This was a nice added bonus on arrival, as we visited the botanic gardens and had a Little Kingfisher on the freshwater lake. Time to try out the Swarovski digi-scoping set up and a new Canon 550D digital SLR and video camera.
http://bird-o.com/2010/06/30/little-kingfisher/
Watched Cassowary down to a couple of feet today – I will see if I can get that video online tomorrow. A truly amazing if slightly nervy experience, as she took an interest in the end of my lens and paced slowly towards me as I sat on the verandah at at Cassowary House. Far more than I imagined and quite regular occurrence I am told.
Time for bed now…Sooty Owl calling outside.
All the best birding,
Simon.
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I’ve just returned from a trip to Peninsula Malaysia, Borneo and Java and have a few notes for south-east Asian birding enthusiasts. I had done Malaysia before on an extensive trip so was looking for specialties I’d dipped on in the past. Highlights on the peninsula were Rusty-naped Pitta at Frasers Hill (a pair just after the first stream crossing on Bishop’s Trail) and Mangrove Pitta at Air Hitam Dalum, near Penang, where local birder Tan Choo Eng was very helpful. I went to Kuala Gula south of Penang where the reintroduced Milky Storks are free-flying and nesting, but are still being fed; a handful of truly wild birds remain in the area. On Borneo, I spent a week at the Danum Valley Field Centre. Highlights here include a male Bulwer’s Pheasant, a stunning Blue-banded Pitta, Black-headed and Blue-headed Pittas, great views of Bornean Wren-Babbler, a party of Pygmy White-eye, Helmeted Hornbill, Crested Partridge, Brown-backed Flowerpecker, Malaysian Hawk-Cuckoo, Cinnamon-rumped Trogon and Rufous-collared Kingfisher. As I had visited Mt Kinabalu previously, I went to the Crocker Ranger near Tambunan, where nice birds included Bornean and Mountain Barbets, Red-breasted Patridge and Streaky-breasted Spiderhunter. On Java, good birds at Gung Gede Pangrangro included Javan Trogon, Javan Hawk-Eagle, Javan Cochoa, Spotted Crocias, Pink-headed Fruit-Dove, Waterfall Swift, Mountain Serin, Sunda Cuckoo, Salvadori’s Nightjar and Javan Owlet. At Carita I failed to see White-breasted Babbler in three mornings and fear they have all been trapped. This remnant of lowland rainforest is supposed be a reserve but I saw a constant stream of villagers on the track with guns, axes and bird-trapping gear, with the authorities doing zilch to protect the area. I did see Black-banded Barbet, Sunda Scops-Owl, Javan Frogmouth and Javan Sunbird here. At Pulau Dua I had Streaked Weaver, Javan Plover and White-headed Munia, and the first bird I saw at Maura Angke was a Sunda Coucal. Greg Roberts
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