In October there was a BirdLife display in the Nunawading Library. This was removed on Tuesday 30 October. We thank the Library for the opportunity to run this display.
The Spring survey walk along Blackburn Creeklands took place on Saturday 6 October, led by Pat Bingham and Ian Moodie on behalf of the Blackburn Creeklands Advisory Committee. It was a bright, sunny morning; 26 participants; 24 species. Best birds were a pair of Gang-Gangs, a King Parrot and several nesting Tawny Frogmouths, though no young were to be seen. A Straw-necked Ibis flew over – the first to be recorded in the area on a survey day and a female Kookaburra with very untidy tail feathers was photographed. The feathers had probably been roughed-up on going in and out of a nesting hollow.
On Friday 19 October Pat again led the Hawthorn U3A Bird walk toJells Park. Warm and windy but spring breeding was definitely in the air. They had a Tawny Frogmouth on a nest, Noisy Miners and Mudlarks feeding young in the nest, and a hoard of Australian White Ibis with young of all ages completely destroying the tea-tree habitat on both the big and small islands in the lake. They asked a passing Ranger if Parks Victoria were going to do anything to try to stop the destruction but were told that no decision had been taken and that our concerns would be sent up the line to the more senior decision-makers. Darters have stopped breeding on the islands and a majority of the ducks including Freckled, Pink-eared and Hardhead had retreated to a much quieter part of the lake to roost. They did see a gorgeous pair of Blue-billed Duck, however, in the open water. Altogether 34 species were seen and enjoyed by 14 Hawthorn members and two visitors.
On the same day Sonja Ross addressed over 50 members of the Boronia VIEW Club. Sonja chose the topic “Birds add colour, song and interest to our lives and they are useful too”. She said they laughed in the right places and the left-handed ladies were pleased with the quote from Tim Lowe’s book about cockatoos (which are left-footed) being intelligent, etc.
The Mitchell Australian Plant Society (Kilmore) was the venue for a BirdLife information table on Saturday 20 October. More than 190 people visited that day. Mitchell have this year launched their Gardens for Wildlife Program so people were very knowable about birds. Janet Hand attended on this day.
Sunday 28 October was the date of the 20th Breakfast with the Birds run in partnership with the Banyule Council and BirdLife Melbourne. The Banyule Council takes the bookings and supplies the delicious breakfast and BirdLife Melbourne supplies the Bird Guides to led small groups around the Banyule Reserve and Warringal Wetlands for two hours. We had two members at the wetlands with telescopes and 13 leaders. The weather was perfect on the day. The event was booked out (100) before the end of August and a reminder email was sent out earlier in the week so we were all extremely disappointed that only 42 who booked, turned up out of 102 people expected. The Banyule Council had organised (and paid for) the food and arranged for 102 residents to have a sit-down breakfast and BirdLife Melbourne members were inconvenienced as many had travelled great distances to be there before 7.15am.
Five groups of eight people were sent off early but the remaining seven BirdLife members formed their own group and walked around Banyule for two hours before returning for breakfast. Our thanks go to Jim Mead, Banyule’s Environmental and Sustainability Officer and his six staff members who worked on the day, for their organisation. The people who attended were very happy with the event but upset that so many chose not to attend. A total of 70 birds were seen in Banyule that morning. Nine of these species were breeding. The Warringal Wetlands total was 25, a bit lower than previous years. The hall has been booked for October 27th2019 but this ‘free event’ may not be a free again. Thank you to Susan and Kevin Bailey, Pat Bingham, Emma Bond, Alan Crawford, Lyn Easton, Anthea Fleming, Daphne Hards, Sally Heeps, Meg Houghton, Kay Jolly, Margaret Lo, Ian Muir, Ken Patrick, Bill Ramsay, Sonja Ross and John Young who assisted Janet Hand on the day.
Pat Bingham spoke at the monthly meeting of the Ringwood Field Naturalists Club on 14 November, on the topic of “Australia, Land of Parrots – or is it?”. About 30 people attended, some joining in the discussion and adding their comments on their experiences with these somewhat pesky birds.
The final U3A Hawthorn Birdwalk for 2018, led by Pat Bingham, took place at Wilson Reserve on 16 November. 21 people participated and 31 species were seen. Though the Yarra River itself was low, the billabongs were full of water and yellow with irises and buttercups. Best birds were an adult Nankeen Night-heron, Grey Fantails and Willie Wagtails both with nests, and Red-rumped Parrots exploring a possible nest hollow in one of waterside gums.
On Sunday 18 November, Alan Crawford and Owen Lishmund were on a stall at the Alphington Wetland Festival. It was great with lots of other environment groups there. We were happy that BirdLife had a presence too. Several bands playing kept the crowd of a few hundred entertained. Alan and Owen probably spoke to at least 50 people and gave out leaflets, etc. The activity books were popular with the kids and the shorebirds ID booklets all went. A few people asked about joining or supporting BirdLife, so hopefully we will get some new members.
As 2018 draws to a close I wish to thank the 25 people who have assisted with the 37 activities run this year. Your assistance and support has been greatly appreciated and has helped spread the word about our organisation and our feathered friends.
May you all enjoy a well-earned rest in the coming holiday period and look forward to 2019. We already have some bookings so will asking for your assistance again.
Janet Hand, BirdLife Melbourne Education Coordinator (Phone: 9842 4177)
birdlifemelbourne 