Mistletoe Bird by David Ong

To many people, birding may seem an unfathomable pastime, something like train spotting perhaps.

Birding may conjure up images of someone feeding magpies or looking through binoculars at birds in an urban park. Such images of a bird observer may not be accurate.

Perhaps there are as many reasons why people are interested in birding as there are birders.

Some birders wish to see bird species they have not observed before, even if this means travelling to various parts of the country at short notice or trudging through swamps.

Some birders enjoy roughing it, camping in a tent in the remote outback, so that they can see the birds of that region.

Others travel about birding from early morn to dusk but, at night, prefer the comforts of a motel.

Some go on a small fishing boat in rough seas to observe seabirds (a pelagic) whilst others rarely travel far from home.

Apart from conducting surveys, birders are often involved in habitat restoration or protection work.

This sometimes puts birders offside with those who wish to damage bird habitats, e.g. some housing estate developers.

If action is not taken to protect the habitats of birds, bird watching will be more difficult and less enjoyable. That is why more and more stress is being placed on 'conservation' and 'education' and why the name of the parent organisation has been changed from Bird Observers Club to Bird Observation & Conservation Australia.

Birding helps one to better appreciate the natural environment and the inter-relationship between plants and animals.

Sean Dooley's book Anoraks to Zitting Cisticola helps explain birding terms and the strange habits of birders.

This book is one of many reviewed on our book review page.

Our BOCA branch offers members a wide range of birding experiences, from bush camps to 4WD safaris, from local outings to surveys which involve wading in swamps or counting parrots in local forests. You are welcome to join us.

Superb Parrot by David Ong

If you are interested in joining BOCA,you can join online using the BOCA headquarters web site.

If you are a BOCA member and live in the vicinity of Echuca-Moama, there is no additional fee to belong to this Branch. Along the Murray River, there are also branches based on Shepparton/Benalla, Mildura and Albury-Wodonga.

Latest postings

Newsletter 60 (August 2010) has been loaded onto the site.

Outing reports were updated on 17 July 2010.

News items were upgraded in July 2010.

New photos were added as part of the masthead on most pages in January 2010.

The Parks Section of now contains details of proposed new NSW national parks and reserves. New pages have been added for Warby-Ovens River, Lower Goulburn River and, Heathcote Graytown national parks. The upgrades include pages on the following:

Barmah-Millewa Forest,
Greater Bendigo National Park,
Kanyapella Basin,
Terrick Terrick National Park and Gunbower-Perricoota Forest
Parks and Reserves A to O
Parks and Reserves O to Z .

On the above pages and on this page, some new links were added and dead links eliminated late in December 2009.

 

 

 

Birding Links

1. Photo galleries

2. Birding sites of individual birders (other than photo galleries)

Birds and Birding in Queensland
(Peter Woodall's site)

Birds and Things
(Colin Reid's blog)

Birds of Darwin
(Niven McCrie's Site

Birding in South Australia
(Peter Waanders site)

Bob's Backyard
(Bob Inglis's Site)

Frank O'Connor's site
(WA birds)

3. Birding paraphernalia

5 Sites on specific birds or bird types

6. State or Australia-wide birding sites of groups/clubs

7. Commercial birding sites ~ guides, tours etc

8. Sightings & records

9. Other

This sign pointing to Moama was not photographed any where near Echuca-Moama but along the Quilpie-Eulo Road in south-western Queensland where Moama is the name of an outback property. Photo: K Stockwell.

Echuca and District BOCA

Click here to download a copy of our August newsletter

Our next outings

Once announced, we try to run all outings, but, in case of last minute changes, please check here (or phone the leader) for meeting places and dates a few days beforehand and before travelling a long distance. Please try to arrive about 10 minutes prior to the advertised time, e.g. 8.50am for a 9am departure.

Click the coming outings button above for a more comprehensive list of outings.

Outings are cancelled if a Total Fire Ban has been declared for the region to be visited.

WANTED: a leader for our Mt Black outing (21st AUGUST).

Quarterly surveys
Following a request made by DPI Kerang, the Branch has agreed to assist water authorities and DPI Kerang to carry out quarterly bird surveys on public land at specific locations alongside Gunbower Creek, including Mahers Creek, Splatts Lagoon (the course of Gunbower Creek prior to the construction of The National Channel) and Cockatoo Lagoon. The surveys are associated with assessing the success of environmental works. Fences are being repaired and built to prevent cattle from damaging public land and polluting the creek (which provides drinking water). A volunteer/s is/are wanted to help organise quarterly surveys at Sandhill Farm and Cockatoo Lagoon. Contact Secretary if you are prepared to help ease our work load.

Next surveys of Splatts Lagoon/Mahers Creek are planned for 2nd or 3rd or 11th August and 26th October. Volunteers are needed: contact Dallas Wyatt on his mobile number before coming (see the front page of a newsletter for his contact details).

Sunday 21st August
Mount Black, Heathcote-Graytown National Park
Leader: ?. Meet 9am at the crossroads in Graytown (VicRoads Map 45H7). Note: Graytown is a locality only. Bring lunch. Please contact President Peter prior to coming.

Saturday 11th September
Bael Bael Grasslands
Leaders: Dallas Wyatt & Eris O'Brien. Visit one of Victoria’s newest conservation reserves at a time when many grasses, lillies and peas may be in flower. Several inland birds have been observed here. (see ‘Interesting Sightings in our December newsletter). Much walking is involved. Bring lunch. Meet Atkinson Park, Murray Valley Highway, Kerang (VicRoads 7th edition Map 592 B5).

Please note that this year's BOCA FORUM will be at Yanco on the days immediately following the Australian Bird Fair.

Click here for more 2010 outing details

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News Items

Environmental water released into Richardson's Lagoon
Environmental water has been released into Richardson's (Baillieu's) Lagoon, Torrumbarry, via a new pipeline from the Murray River. It is hoped that many waterbirds will make use of the wetland once the weather warms and as birds return from flooded inland areas. June 2010.

 

Rubbish dumped in Allan's roadside reserve
During a recent outing, members were disappointed to observe a large pile of branches, clay, metal and other rubbish dumped alongside the memorial sign in Allan Corry Roadside Reserve, Scobie Road WYUNA.

Rubble dumped alongside sign honoring the work of Allan Corry (Photo: K Stockwell)

Allan was one of our early members, a wonderful birder, and ahead of his time in campaigning to protect roadsides with high-quality residual indigenous vegetation. The roadside reserve was established in his honour and, during an opening ceremony, many peoople planted indigenous shrubs alongside the memorial sign. The rubbish has ben dumped alongside the sign. Not only is this an abuse of the roadside but is disrespectful. The matter will be brought to the attention of the Shire and DSE. June 2010.

 

Waterbird numbers low
Despite some wetlands presently containing water, there are presently relatively few waterbirds in our region. Pelicans, coots, grebes, avocets, ducks and egrets appear to have left our area. Perhaps they have flown north and inland to take advantage of flooding. Despite their low numbers, there was a duck shooting season this year. June 2010.

 

BOCA's AGM
The 2010 annual general meeting of BOCA was held at BOCA's headquarters in Nunawading on Saturday 15th May 2010. President John Barkla outlined the financial challenge facing the organisation and explained why it would be wise for BOCA to merge with Birds Australia. He expressed his concerns over the lack of success of some campaigns (e.g. to stop duck shooting) and argued that a merger would give the combined organisation more clout. There is a likelihood that more local branches could be formed as a result of a merger and many cost savings would result. Total revenue may be less because many bird observers are members of both organisdations. But the cost savings would exceed the resultant reduction in membership revenue.

Guest speaker was Calvin Thomson MHR who argued that increasing human population puts more stress on the environment and on bird habitats. He called for a reduction in the number of migrants and measures to promote a stable population number. You can read his views on YouTube.

Some distinguished service awards were announced. Echuca and District Branch Secretary Keith was one of the recipients. May 2010.

 

Barmah-Millewa Forest
There are a number of articles about Red Gum wetlands in the May edition of The Bird Observer magazine. Our Branch secretary has written some notes about Barmah-Millewa and Gunbower-Perricoota-Koondrook forests.

Since the article was written, the NSW government has decided to declare the entire Moira group of forests as a national park on 1st July this year. Following a deluge of complains about having a phase-in period, the proposed five-year transition period has been abandoned. It has been reported that, following action by GetUp!, the NSW government received tens of thousands of emails, phone calls and letters arguing against a transitional period.

Barmah National Park was officially opened two days earlier, on 29th June. June 2010.

 

Launch of bird brochure
A brochure featuring coloured photographs of about 75 district birds was launched in the Echuca Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday 5th May 2010 by the mayor of Campaspe Shire, Peter Williams. Keynote speaker was Chris Tzaros who spoke about the impact of the loss of temperate woodland on birds. About 50 people attended the launch.

The brochure was prepared by our Branch at the request of Echuca Landcare Group which provided the bulk of the finance for the project. Copies are available from the Mathoura RTC, the DPI offices in Echuca, Echuca Library, Tangled Garden Bookshop and the Echuca-Moama Visitor Information Centre. May 2010.

 

Torrumbarry Camp
24 campers attended a BOCA camp on a private property near Torrumbarry Weir from Friday 30th April to Wednesday 5th May 2010. The camp coincided with the three day outings we traditionally run early in May each year. It also coincided with our quarterly surveys along reaches of Gunbower Creek. A night visit to Terrick Terrick national Park grasslands was organised and proved a highlight of the camp, participants obtaining close-up views of the elusive Plains-wanderer (a female and several male birds).

In addition to the campers, several birders stayed at nearby holiday parks whilst others were day visitors. About 40 observers attended some or all of the day outings and/or assisted with the surveys.

116 bird species were observed during the course of the camp. Special thanks to everyone who assisted.

 

Combined Environment Groups
Our representatives on the Bendigo Combined Environment Groups committee are unable to continue to attend meetings over the next few months. Any Bendigo area member prepared to help out is asked to contact our Branch Secretary Keith. The group aims to improve fuel-reduction burn practices and policies with respect to Greater Bendigo National Park and surrounding areas.

 

May Newsletter now on line
Newsletter 59 can now be downloaded by clicking here.

 

Barmah and MIllewa National Parks
The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced that it will introduce legislation to create Millewa National Park embrasing Gulpa Island, Millewa, Moira and other state forests. The Millewa group of forestst will become national park on 1st July 2010. The Council of the Shire of Murray has mailed a newsletter to ratepayers condemning the proposed national parks and reserves, claiming it will have an adverse impact on tourist numbers and cause job losses.

The Millewa group of forests is alongside the Murray River in NSW upstream of Echuca-Moama. The forest is called Barmah Forest on the Victorian side of the State border (the Murray River).

The Victorian Government has announced that it will proclaim Barmah National Park on or about the same day.So from 1st July 2010, much of the Barmah-Millewa Forest is to be national park on both sides of the Victorian-NSW State border. New Nature Conservation Reserves are to be proclaimed at the end of May. April 2010.

 

PhotoBOCA
In November 2010, the photographic group of BOCA (PhotoBOCA) is to hold digital photography workshops and outings in and around Gunbower. The assistance of Branch members has been requested. Following a 'Welcome to Country", President Peter has been asked to make a welcoming address. Keith is to lead an outing to Barmah-Millewa Forest and an outing to birding spots on Gunbower Island.

Keith is also to present an illustrated talk, showing photographs of some of the birds found in the region.A draft of the Powerpoint slide show has been completed. This Powerpoint presentation could also be given to interested service clubs, schools, etc. A huge thank you to all members who have contributed photographs!! March 2010.

 

Merger Talks
Bird Observation & Conservation Australia and the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union (Birds Australia) are discussing a possible merger. Members are invited to express their views/suggestions by email or mail to the CEO. February 2010.

 

Annual General Meeting
Our AGM was held in December 2009. It was well-attended. All 2009 office bearers were re-elected for 2010.

Click here to read a report of the meeting (pdf), including reports from our president, secretary, conservation officer and treasurer.

 

Environmental water for Barmah-Millewa Forest
Forestry NSW has announced that environmental water has been released into several wetlands in the Barmah-Millewa Forest, including that section of the Reed Beds around the bird hide, Walthours and Douglas Swamp, St Helena Swamp, Moira Lake, Gulf Creek, Top Island and Boals Deadwoods. Some water was also released into the stressed Werai Forest (north-west of Deniliquin). These areas have been dry for some time.Some birds have started nesting activity in or in the vicinity of the flooded wetlands, including a pair of Brolgas. Source: meeting attended by a spokesperson for Forestry NSW. December 2009.

View of the Reed Beds from the Picnic Point Bird Observation Structure, December 2009 (Photo: K Stockwell)

* Birds Australia invites members to complete atlas surveys at the above wetlands. In particular, look for Bitterns and report any sightings to Birds Australia asap.

 

Ecological burn at Moira Lake
In view of the success of an ecological burn on Steamer Plain to rid most of it of Giant Rush (Juncus ingens), late in November Forestry NSW burnt a section of the rush-infested floor of Moira Lake. A few days later the remainder of the rushes went up in flames. It is not known if the unplanned blaze was accidental or lit by arsonists. A few days later, environmental water was released into the lake. Despite the consequential poor quality of the water in the lake, several spoonbills and other birds are nesting. Prior to river regulation and irrigation, annual floods used to drown rushes and red gum saplings which had germinated on the floor of wetland areas like Steamer Plain and Moira Lake. Recently, floods have been shallow and less frequent, allowing saplings and Giant Rush to become established. Hopefully these burns will keep the Giant Rush at bay for some time. A previous attempt to burn the rush in Moira Lake was unsuccessful because the lake was not flooded immediately after the burn. Steamer Plain was not flooded but the soil was too dry to enable the rush to regrow. Source: meeting with a spokesperson for Forestry NSW. December 2009

Moira Lake: full following environmental water release. (Photo: K Stockwell, December 2009)

P.S. The lake is now drying out. Native fish appear have 'escaped' but vast numbers of European Carp have been trapped. They are being feasted upon by birds of prey, including White-bellied Sea-eagles. June 2010.

Gulpa Island, Moira Forest and Millewa Forest to be a national park
Following an assessment of the Riverina Red Gum and Woodland Forests, NSW Premier Nathan Rees, in one of his last acts as Premier, announced that the Millewa group of forests, including Gulpa Island State Forest and Moira State Forest (including Moira Flora Reserve), is to become a national park. The new park is directly opposite Victoria's Barmah State Park, thereby creating a large area of conserved wetland forest. The new Premier has stood by the announcement. Part of the Millewa National Park is to be proclaimed on 1st July 2010, and parks on the Victorian side of the State border are to be proclaimed on 29th or 30th June. The remaining section of the proposed Millewa National Park will be five years later, allowing for a phasing out of the timber industry in the forest.

There is much local opposition to the proposals of the Natural Resources Commission. Many locals fear job losses, changes to their way of living, poor park management, and an adverse impact on towns such as Mathoura. Opponents, some of whom are climate-change deniers, are very angry with the recommendations of the Natural Resources Commission and VEAC.

The Natural Resources Commission calls for a jointly-managed cross-border Barmah-Millewa National Park and for an increase in the environmental water allocations for the park. Expressing concern about the impact of climate change on Red Gum wetlands, the commission also argued in favour of the creation of ecological corridors and called for changes in forest management practices.

A copy of the final assessment report and its recommendations has been received from the Natural Resources Commission and are available to any member who wishes to read them.

Neither Perricoota-Koondrook Forest nor Campbells Island is to become national park. Both VEAC and the Natural Resources Commission have recognised the importance of the timber industry to Barham-Koondrook and have made a number of recommendations to help the industry adjust to change. But a number of other forest areas are to become reserves, including Werai Forest, Benarca (Regional Park) and Bama (Regional Park). A number of reserves along the Murrumbidgee and Lachlan Rivers are to become reserves. December 2009 (opening dates added May 2010).

Click here to open a page on Barmah-Millewa Forest (includes a link to a map of the new Barmah National Park)

Click here visit the Natural Resources Commission site from which pdf files of the rep;orts can be downloaded.

 

Travelling Stock Routes and TSR Reserves to be retained
The NSW Conservation Minister, who is also the State's Deputy Premier, has emailed ensuring us that the NSW government has no plans to either sell or lease travelling Stock Routes. Furthermore, the Queensland Government has announced that it is unlikely to dispose of more TSRs. December 2009.

 

$30,000,000 project to improve environmental water delivery on Gunbower Island
The North Central CMA hopes to improve the delivery of environmental water Gunbower Island (the victorian side of the Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest) by deepening a channel and carrying out other engineering works. This is in addition to the $60 million to be spent by the Murray CMA on the NSW side of the forest. Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest is the second largest River Red Gum wetland in Australia. A DVD of the project has been prepared by Murray CMA.

There is also a project under way to improve the delivery of environmental water to forest and wetlands on Gunbower Island. A DVD of the project has been prepared by North Central CMA.

New national park to protect wetlands
The Australian government has purchased a 5,936 hectare property, Booligal Station, alongside the Lachlan River to gain environmental water. The station, which will become a national park, features about 2,500 hectares of wetlands which attract colonial water birds during flood times. As well as the Booligal Wetlands, the purchase will protect forests, Black Box woodland as well as shrub land and native grassland. June 2009

 

Richardson's (Baillieu's) Lagoon being rehabilitated
A pipeline has been laid from the Murray River to convey water into Richardsons Lagoon at Torrumbarry. Until now, the lagoon has been fed by a creek which, over recent years, has carried irrigation runoff water and allowed carp to enter the lagoon. The lagoon has been polluted with farm chemicals and cattle waste. The pipeline, which will carry cleaner water to the lagoon, has a mesh filter to prevent large carp from entering the lagoon. April 2009

P.S. Environmental water was released into the lagoon via the pipeline in June 2010.

 

Walking Trail opened
A 1.4km walking trail has been constructed on Restdown Station, near Bunnaloo, north-west of Moama. The trail has interpretive signs and passes through a variety of vegetation types.It skirts an ephemeral wetland which attracts thousands of waterbirds when it is full. Unfortunately, prolonged drought means the wetland has not been full for many years. Based on a trail at Banrock Station (Kingston-on-Murray), the trail starts and ends at an underground winery on the property. See the Restdown web site for more details. The trail was officially opened on 26th April, a week after Echuca and District BOCA members visited the property. Unfortunately the interpretive signage had not been installed when we visited but it is now in place.

P.S. Water was released into the wetland in mid 2010. An open day is being held on 4th July 2010, during which visitors can walk the circuit. An entry fee applies (see news item above).

 

 

 

Bush Stone Curlew (K Stockwell)

See our 'Featured Bird' page for notes about Curlews

Becoming a BOCA member gives you access to members only section of the new BOCA HQ web site and enables you to come on BOCA Branch outings in various parts of Australia. By joining a birding organisation, you are assisting in the conservation of Australia's birds and bushland. Join now!

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Interesting and unusual sightings

Buff-banded Rail
A Buff-banded Rail was sighted by members at the Reed Beds bird hide during out outing to Gulpa Island (near Picnic Point, NSW) on 17th July. Another Buff-banded Rail lives on a small farming property on the outskirts of Echuca.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos
Eight Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos were sighted at Quarry Hill (Bendigo) on 3rd June 2010 (Rog Standen). There have been several sightings of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos in the Bendigo area during June and July. A flock of up to 40 birds has been sighted. Two birds even landed in the garden of another of our Bendigo members.

White-bellied Sea-eagles
Late in May and early in June 2010, eight White-bellied Sea-eagles were observed feasting on carp trapped by the falling water level in Moira Lake (in the proposed Millewa National Park). There were both males and females, juveniles and adults.

Gang-gang Cockatoos
A pair of Gang Gang Cockatoos was observed on several occasions this year on a farm at Koyuga, east of Echuca. This species is not normally observed so far west of the Great Divide.

Pelicans and Coots missing
During a Torrumbarry area camp in May 2010, no Pelicans and only one Coot were observed. These species are normally quite common in the district.

Chestnut-rumped Heathwren near Bendigo
On Sunday 21 March, a Chestnut-rumped Heathwren was observed in Salomon Gully Flora Reserve Bendigo by Greg Oakley and Tim Dolby. Source: Birdline Victoria.

Spotless Crake at Epsom
On Sunday 21 March, a Spotless Crake was observed in a pond along Wallenjoe Road opposite the Epsom waste water rehabilitation facility by Echuca and District BOCA members during a Branch outing. See 'Outing Reports' section for more birds observed on this outing.

Blue-billed Ducks at Epsom
On Sunday 21 March, two Blue-billed Duck were observed at Epsom waste water rehabilitation facility (sewage treatment ponds) by Echuca and District BOCA members during a Branch outing.

1000+ Woodswallows and lots of woodland birds in Kamarooka Forest
On Sunday 21st March, Greg Oakley and Tim Dolby observed over 1,000 Woodswallows (mainly White-browed, but also Masked and Dusky), flocking on mass, feeding around a small dams along Camp Rd (between Bendigo - Tennyson Rd and East Kamarooka Rd). Grey Box around dam was flowering prolifically, with large numbers of other species around dam (but not elsewhere in Greater Bendigo NP, which was quiet). Other birds they observed there included late Rainbow Bee-eater, Black Honeyeater (most common Honeyeater!!), Purple-gaped Honeyeater, good numbers of Crested Bellbird and Diamond Firetail, Chestnut-rumped, Buff-rumped, Yellow-rumped, Inland and Yellow Thornbill in mixed flock with Hooded and Red-caped Robin, Jacky Winter, Crested Shrike-tit. Source: Birdline Victoria.

Budgies and Woodswallows at Terricks
Over the Australia Day long weekend, the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria did a fauna survey in Terrick Terrick National Park. Hundreds of White-browed Woodswallows were sighted, along with some Masked Woodswallows. Several flocks of Budgies, numbering up to 20 birds, Diamond Firetails and Painted Button-Quail were observed in the forested area of the Park. Plains Wanderers (male and female) and Little Button-Quail were recorded in several of the grassland paddocks.

Cockatiels
In January 2010, there were at least two separate flocks of Cockatiels in Axedale area. One flock consisted of approx 60-70 birds and the other had about 40 birds. They were 10k’s apart. Marlene Lyell, January 2010.

Cockatiel Flock near Axedale (Marlene Lyell)

 

A sad tale
At the end of December 2009, armed with information from this web site, a Gold Coast birder, Barney, visited our area.He decided to check out some spots outlined in our Perricoota Road Brochure. Along McKindlay Road, he observed a pair of Superb Parrots nesting in a tree hollow. They had four chicks. A few days later, early in January 2010?), he returned to the spot to observe only the male and one chick. He feared that perhaps the female and the three missing chicks had met a grisly fate. Whilst he was watching (a good distance away from the nest), a raptor (Peregrine Falcon?) dived down and flew off with the adult male, leaving just the one chick. The chick appeared unable to fend for itself and Barney fears it could not have survived.

Birds at Epsom Sewage Ponds
During December 2009, some Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and three Freckled Duck were observed by members at Bendigo waste water treatment facility (sewage farm).

Leucistic Magpies
In December 2009, a YELLOWISH-BROWN and white Magpie, one of two leucistic birds, was photographed by Michelle Maudsley on her farm south-east of Echuca. Michelle emailed several photos. One appears below and one was published in Country News, a regional weekly newspaper supplement.

One of the two Brown and White Magpies with one of its parents. Photo: Michelle Maudsley.

Nesting Brolgas
In December 2009, two pair of Brolga were observed at Moira Lake by NSW Forestry officers.One pair of Brolgas had a nest

Mysterious Corvid
In December 2009, corvid was observed in the centre of Bendigo (Rosalind Park) which resembled a House Crow because it appeared to have white feathers on its neck: the bird lacked the dark eyes of a House Crow and the nape feathers appear to have been damaged.

Australian (?) Raven with damaged feathers thought, at first, to be a House Crow. Photo: Dr. W Holsworth

Download the latest newsletter for details of other recent sightings and check out Birdline Victoria.

Please email details of unusual sightings in the greater Echuca-Moama district to stocky at echuca dot com dot au

Birdline Victoria: Recent interesting sightings in Victoria over recent days

Birding-Aus: archives of recent sightings and birding gossip

If you observe White-bellied Sea-eagles in Barmah Forest, please pass the information on to me via the above email address so the data can be passed on to Parks Victoria, or report your observations directly to Bruce Wehner of Parks Victoria. In particular, please report nesting activity and the colour of leg bands, if any.

 

 

 

Bush bird numbers collapse

For more than two decades, Echuca and District Branch President Peter Allan has been observing bush bird nests in the eastern Kamarooka section of Greater Bendigo National Park. Peter has observed a decline in active bush bird nests in his study area from over 50 to zilch over that time. Since Peter wrote the following article, things have deteriorated and no active bush bird nests have been seen in his study are for several years. As the notes under Peter's article reveal, he is not the only bird observer to become alarmed. The Victoria Naturally Alliance has now launched a campaign to draw attention to the plight of bush birds.

Silent Spring in East Kamarooka
by Peter Allan (written 6th August 2006)

 

My articles on Kamarooka Forest, now part of Greater Bendigo National Park, appeared in The Bird Observer in January 1997 and in June 2003.

The first covered my favourite tracks and the good birding available in that part of the forest east of the Bendigo-Tennyson Road, the area of the forest which I frequent the most. Some Echuca Branch members will remember the birds and flowers we saw on our earlier trips.

The second article noted the sharp decline in bird numbers although the same species could be found with some difficulty.

The situation has now deteriorated further. The primary cause appears to be the continuing drought conditions of recent years, including 2006, and the lack of regular autumn breaks. While the taller eucalypts and mallee seem reasonably healthy, apart from storm damage, the understorey of Acacia, Cassinia and Hopbush has suffered badly. Being generally small-leafed, thin-branched plants subject to insect and other damage, they rapidly crumble into the litter when they die. As their life span is usually short, regular new growth is essential. Even the remaining stands of shrubs often have many dead branches. Wildflowers and other herbage is decimated (sic) in most areas and any new plants are quickly damaged by rabbits, hares and wallabies.

Number of Bush Bird Nests Observed in East Kamarooka Forest

Year	Bush bird nests
1984-85	Average 33
1986	57
1987	57
1988	74
1989	87
1990	40
1991	50
1992	50
1993	12*
1994	13**
1995	18
1996	18
1997	18
1998	18
1999	18
2000	9
2001	9
2002	3
2003	3
2004	3
2005	7
2006	0
2007	0
2008	0

Note: Peter has averaged figures of some adjoining years (e.g.some nesting was over December and January).
*In 1993 Peter was away for much of the year so the figure is lower than actual.
** 1994 was a drought year and Peter was away early in the Spring.
The figures are for bush birds only and excludes hole nesters such as Rosellas and excludes magpies, ravens, etc.
Observations for 2006, 2007, 2008 have been added.

The overall effect on bird numbers has been dramatic. I have completed nest records for Birds Australia and my own data since returning to the district in 1983. My records of nests examined, including second clutches (see chart) shows an overall decline in the nesting.

Galahs and most other hole nesters were not checked out, nor were Magpies and Ravens so the figures are mainly “bush birds”: honeyeaters, whistlers, thrush types, robins, babblers, flycatchers, woodswallows and thornbills. The figures are affected to some extent by track closures and my absences at times ~ I was away in November of 1993 and in the early Spring of 1994, a drought year ~ and also by the fact that the more nests I found the more often I returned, finding more. Even so, this does not explain the sharp drop in nests recorded.

“Evident now is the lack of territorial song...and the simple absence of birds generally”

Evident now is the lack of territorial song, the collapse of regular nesting areas and the simple absence of birds generally. Even the honeyeaters, more mobile and adaptive, are fewer, particularly Yellow-tufted and Fuscous. The worst affected seem to be those more dependent on low ground cover for nesting and/or feeding, e.g. White-browed Babblers, Gilberts Whistler and Restless Flycatcher.

However much rain we get in the near future, recovery is going to be much slower than after the 1982 drought.

Since Peter wrote the above article, the drought has continued and bush bird numbers have continued to fall. Until recently, Honeyeaters were always observed in numbers at the old distillery dam just off Campbells Road in Kamarooka Forest. When Peter visited during a Challenge Bird Count in early December 2009, not a single Honeyeater was observe there!

The Victoria Naturally Alliance has become concerned and the following is a short extract from their web site:

Victoria could be facing a wave of extinctions following a dramatic crash in bird numbers in the State's Box-Ironbark forests over the past five years. This is the dire warming from new research by leading ecologists Professor Ralph MacNally, Professor Andrew Bennett and Dr Jim Radford....they argue that the collapse in number of so many different bird species strongly suggests that the availability of all food has crashed. Flowering of eucalypt trees, which provide food for nectar-eating birds, appears to have declined greatly with the drought.
You can read more by clicking here.

The Alliance urges concerned persons to contact their local members of Parliament, expressing concern about the demise of our bush bird in the hope that measures may be taken to help them survive the prolonged drought which has hit the region.

Victoria Naturally Alliance: bush birds in trouble

Fact sheet produced by the Victoria Naturally Alliance on the decline of bush birds

Transcript (and video) of the 7.30 Report segment on the demise of bush birds in central Victoria

 

 

 

About BOCA

The Bird Observers Club of Australia has changed its name to Bird Observation & Conservation Australia. The acronym BOCA remains the same.

The name change may help generate public awareness that birds serve as indicators of environmental health and may help attract new members.

Committed to encouraging bird watching as an interest, BOCA's original name did not however, reflect its ongoing dedication to sustain Australian bird life and their natural habitat, as CEO Richard Hunter explains: ''BOCA's nationwide conservation programs are of critical importance to the ongoing preservation of birds and their environment. On a local level we provide advice for concerned branch members and we facilitate and support programs that are vital to preserving birds and their habitat. This advice and education extends to the wider community and the Government', Mt Hunter said.

Some of BOCA's previous conservation activity includes purchasing and donating land to save the Helmeted Honeyeater in Victoria and establishment of the Land for Wildlife scheme. BOCA also manages Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary west of Ballarat, providing habitat for a wide range of species, and contributes regular input into projects such as the first-class Eagleby Wetlands in South-east Queensland, which regards the needs of native birds to that area as paramount.

If you are interested in joining, there are membership details on BOCA's web site. Branch contact details are listed at the foot of this page.

 

Golden Whistler (photo: Chris Kiely)

Site Map

Home Page of Echuca and District Branch BOCA (this page)
Articles by Members
Articles by members of Echuca and District Branch BOCA
Crosswords: Australasian Birds, birding sites & birding terminology (pdf files)
Avian Crossword 1 (mildly cryptic)
Avian Crossword 2 (semi-cryptic, solution not on line)
Avian Crossword 3 (semi-cryptic)
Solution to Crossword 3
Avian Crossword 4 (theme: Echuca area birds)
Solution to Crossword 4
Avian Crossword 5 (mildly cryptic)
Solution to Crossword 5
Avian Crossword 6 (alternate bird names and birding terminology)
Solution to Crossword 6
Avian Crossword 7(alternate bird names and birding terminology)
Solution to Crossword 7
Avian Crossword 8 (theme: Australian water birds)
Solution to Crossword 8
Avian Crossword 9 (theme: Australian birding spots & rare birds found at them)
Solution to Crossword 9
Avian Crossword 10 (theme: birds of far north Queensland)
Solution to Crossword 10
Avian Crossword 11 (theme: New Zealand birds)
Solution to Crossword 11
Avian Crossword 12 (theme: birding paraphernalia)
Solution to Crossword 12
Avian Crossword 13 (theme: collective nouns for bird species)
Solution to Crossword 13
Avian Crossword 14 (theme: Tasmanian birds)
Solution to Crossword 14
Avian Crossword 15 (revised: inland Australian birds
Solution to Crossword 15
Bird Lists
Outing Bird List(pdf back to back A4 sheet)
Regional Bird List( (pdf brochure)
Terrick Terrick National Park Bird List(pdf brochure)
Birding Guides (first two lines are pdf files)
Barmah l Deniliquin l Echuca-Moama l Gunbower Island l Gulpa Creek l Kamarooka l Kanyapella-Wyuna l
Perricoota Rd. Moama l Terrick Terrick NP
District birding spots (html variant of the nine birding guides plus Barham area
Birding in Kamarooka Forest with Peter Allan (HTML)
Birding Photographs
Birds of Echuca District: David Ong's photo gallery (page 1)
Birds of Echuca District: David Ong's photo gallery (page 2)
Birding outings and reports of outings
Forthcoming regional bird outings
Reports of outings
'Featured Bird': species featured in some recent newsletters with additional material
Featured Birds
Newsletters
Latest Newsletter (pdf file)
May-June-July 2010 Newsletter (Number 59) (pdf file)
February-April 2010 Newsletter (Number 58)
December 2009-January 2010 Newsletter (Number 57)

Reviews of Birding and Conservation Books
Reviews of birding and conservation books

Most of the above pages were checked and/or upgraded in December 2009 or January 2010.

Documents which are in PDF format can be read using Adobe Acrobat Reader which can be downloaded cost free from the Adobe web site at: http://www.adobe.com.au/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. It is suggested that you update to the latest version as recommended by Adobe for your system. Full versions which enable you to create pdf files can be purchased through Adobe or through most computer stores.

 

Web sites of other BOCA branches and affiliates

Bayside Branch (BayBOCA)
Birding NS
Blue Mountains Bird Observers
Bundaberg
East Gippsland BOC (EGBOC)
Hunter BOC (Newcastle area)
Melbourne Branch (MelBOCA)
Mornington Peninsula (PenBOC)
Murray Goulburn Branch
SunBOC (Mildura and Sunraysia Branch)
Toowoomba Bird Observers
Townsville Region Branch (TRBOC)
National BOCA Headquarters (This is a new BOCA site and replaces www.birdobservers.org.au)

 

Northern Victoria and southern Riverina Conservation and Environment Site

Detailed site map (main index)
Conservation News (updated regularly)
Bushwalking (new version December 2009)
Birding (Echuca and District BOCA site; this page)
Indigenous Plants
Landscapes (a collection of landscape photos from various pages of this site; new version December 2009)
Top 10 Indigenous Plants suitable for horticulture
Plant tour of Moama district
Whipstick Plants
Weeds (Echuca Landcare Group site)
Regional Bushland Reserves (notes on over 100 local reserves, including National Parks, upgraded Dec 2009)
Barmah-Millewa Forest (upgraded and extra photographs added, December 2009)
Greater Bendigo National Park (upgraded December 2009)
Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota Forest (upgraded December 2009)
Heathcote-Graytown National Park
Kanyapella Basin (upgraded December 2009)
Lower Goulburn River National Park
Murray River Park
Parks with names starting A through to O (upgraded December 2009)
Parks P to Z (upgraded January 2010)
Terrick Terrick National Park (upgraded December 2009)
Warby Range- Ovens River National Park
Indigenous animals of Echuca and District (Echuca Landcare Group site)
Conservation Links (some new links added, and all links checked, 28 December 2009)

 

 

Coming Events	News Items	Sightings	Birding Spots	Birding Books
Outing Reports	Articles	Featured Bird	Birding With Pete	Bird Crosswords
Local Reserves	Photo Gallery	Gallery 2	Landscapes	Bird List (pdf)
Latest Newsletter	BOCA HQ	Join BOCA	Top of Page	Home Page

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Fourteenth year on the web.

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To contact webmeister email stocky at mcmedia dot com .au
Mail address: Secretary, Echuca & District Branch BOCA, 11 Hillview Ave MOAMA 2731
This site was established during 1996. Latest version: 18th July 2010.