’s the official total of birds counted during the aussie...
TRANSCRIPT
Issue 22 December 2015
BirdLife Australia’s National Bird Week & ABBC will be back next year - 17-23 October 2016
Red-capped Parrot – Photo Christine Wilder
The official total of birds counted during the Aussie Backyard Bird Count (ABBC) was 1,009,894 with 563 species seen by 42,298 observers
CONTENTS PAGE
2016 Program .. .. 2
Excursion Report .. .. 3-4
Cockies in Crisis .. .. 5
Hooded Plover News .. 6
Birding beyond the Capes .. 7-8
Photo Gallery .. .. 9
Articles .. .. .. 10-12
Sightings .. .. .. 13
Yearly Bird List .. .. 14
CAPE TO CAPE BIRD GROUP – 2016 PROGRAM
Ambergate – Photo Christine Wilder
Sunday 21 February – Half-day excursion:
Blackwood River, east of Karridale
Meet at 8.00am at Alexandra Bridge Hall on Brockman
Highway, east of Karridale. We shall explore the
Nillup end of Scott National Park, Alexandra Bridge
picnic site and Chapman Pool.
Bring morning tea.
Leader: Christine Wilder
Sunday 20 March – Full-day excursion:
Canebrake and beyond
– Margaret River/Whicher Range
Meet at 8.00am at Canebrake Pool picnic site. This is a
full day excursion with the option to leave at any time.
We will drive along dirt tracks, suitable for
conventional vehicles, stopping to bird watch in a
variety of habitats. We may finish up at a different
location to the starting point.
From Bussell Highway, travel along Osmington Road,
crossing over Jindong-Treeton Road, until you come to
Canebrake Road on your left. Drive about 5km along
Canebrake Road (gravel) until you come to the
picnic/camping area after entering the Rapids
Conservation Park.
Bring morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.
Leader: Boyd Wykes
VOLUNTEER FOR A SURVEY
6-7 February 2016
Annual Hooded Plover surveys
Shorebirds 2020 surveys
3 April 2016
The Great Cocky Count
You don’t have to be an expert!
Note:
All the local excursions/campouts/meetings are for
BirdLife Australia members and the general public.
In the event of threatening weather, those planning to
attend an excursion (particularly if travelling some
distance) are welcome to check conditions with the
leader prior to the excursion (use individual mobile
contact if given).
The leader will always be present at the meeting
place and will decide whether or not to proceed.
For details of any of the excursions or meetings please
contact:
Christine Wilder [email protected]
Boyd Wykes [email protected]
Scott National Park – Photo Christine Wilder
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EXCURSION REPORT
AMBERGATE RESERVE – 6 December
A small group of six gathered at the Ambergate
Reserve carpark on a blustery, overcast and somewhat
threatening Sunday morning.
After a quick briefing by Christine, the group dutifully
doused footwear in the ‘Dieback-preventing footbath’
before commencing our walk through the 75-hectare
regional park that protects the remnants of woodlands
once common along the coastal plains of Busselton
and surrounds.
There are 4km of walk-trails through this delightful
bush oasis, located approximately 9km south of the
city of Busselton and expertly managed by the
Busselton Naturalists Club and the Geographe
Community Landcare Nursery.
Thankfully, there was little rain during the morning
walk and the group was rewarded with a wide variety
of birds – particularly on the margins of the reserve
where the bush gives way to open paddocks.
With a large number of birds calling, listening skills
were at a premium and Christine again showed her
expertise in recognising many of these, including the
somewhat metallic notes of a Rufous Songlark.
After some deft directional tracking, several Rufous
Songlarks were located in a neighbouring paddock
and the group was able to get excellent views of these
wonderful birds. One songlark was observed carrying
food, gathered on the reserve side of the fence, to the
same place in the crop in the paddock.
Other sighting highlights included White-winged
Trillers, Rainbow Bee-eaters and a variety of parrots
including good views of a number of Elegant Parrots.
As the morning progressed the ubiquitous bush-flies
became more of a nuisance to the point that Jill finally
surrendered and donned a flynet (great for keeping
the flies at bay, but not so good for bird viewing!).
Notwithstanding the fly invasion, the group enjoyed a
very successful morning’s birding. Our thanks to
Christine for leading the walk and to Bernie Masters
for advertising the walk to Busselton Naturalists Club
members – with two newcomers joining us.
Michael Sayers
Morning tea in the shelter at Ambergate – Photo Lulu Paxton
Bird List – Ambergate Reserve – 36 species
Brush Bronzewing
White-necked Heron
Western Rosella
Australian Ringneck (28 Parrot)
Red-capped Parrot
Elegant Parrot
Rainbow Bee-eater
Splendid Fairy-wren
White-browed Scrubwren
Western Gerygone
Yellow-rumped Thornbill
Inland Thornbill
Striated Pardalote
Singing Honeyeater
Red Wattlebird
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater
Brown Honeyeater
New Holland Honeyeater
Varied Sittella
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
White-winged Triller
Rufous Whistler
Grey Shrike-thrush
Dusky Woodswallow
Grey Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Grey Fantail
Willie Wagtail
Australian Raven
Magpie-lark
Scarlet Robin
Rufous Songlark
Silvereye
Welcome Swallow
Tree Martin
Australasian Pipit
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Searching for songlarks, – Photo Lulu Paxton
Well maintained track, Ambergate – Photo Christine Wilder
Birding in Ambergate Reserve
Elegant Parrot, Ambergate – Photo Jill Cornes
Still looking! – Photo Lulu Paxton
Above Imm. Grey Shrike-thrush, west Margaret River – Photo Jeanne Bell
Left Juvenile Grey Shrike-thrush, west Margaret River – Photo Boyd Wykes
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Black-cockatoos in Margaret River – Photo Terry Scott
BLACK-COCKATOOS Augusta
I have been watching the cockatoos in Augusta
(October/November). They have been going to the end
of Deere Street, feeding on the vegetation near the
shoreline and also the bottlebrush, just the same as
described in the last newsletter.
I looked out the back the other day and saw a Black-
shouldered Kite perched on the top of the Norfolk
Pine and scattered on the lower branches were the
cockatoos.
Jenny Kikeros
Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo – Photo Christine Wilder
BIRDLIFE Cockies in Crisis
BirdLife projects cannot run without the assistance of
keen-eyed volunteers, and the Cockies in Crisis project
is no exception. At present, we would be grateful for
all reports of the two Forest Black-Cockatoos –
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos and Forest Red-tailed Black-
Cockatoos – in particular the sites you see them using
– where and when you see them feed, drink,
investigate hollows or other breeding behaviour, or
where they go to roost in the evenings.
Sightings forms are available on our website:
http://www.birdlife.org.au/projects/southwest-black-
cockatoo-recovery.
In early 2016, we will be establishing surveys at water
points used by black-cockatoos. So as the weather
warms up, let me know where you see cockatoos
drinking – cockatoos usually go to drink in the late
afternoon before heading to their evening roost sites.
If you have any questions or are after additional
information, I can be contacted at:
[email protected], or on (08) 9287 2716.
Tegan Douglas,
Cockies in Crisis Project Coordinator
Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos, Wise Road – Photo Christine Wilder
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Plover 1 (right) on its back feigning injury – Photo Wally Smith
HOODED PLOVER NEWS
HILLVIEW HOODIES
This is just an update on the Hillview plover numbers.
I had three separate sighting events today (25
November).
The first, walking along the beach I
encountered 2 adults and 2 flying young (they
flew off on my approach) and 1 runner which
ran into the fore dune. This took place just
north of the nesting area.
The second, on returning from an area beyond
the plovers’ beach, I encountered 1 adult and 4
flying young (all were similar size so
assuming all flying). This was at the northern
end of the plovers’ beach.
The third was on my approach back down at
the nesting area. I encountered 2 adults, both
of which went into very pronounced broken
wing display, including lying on their backs,
along with leading behaviour (shown in the
image, taken from a distance).
If the five plovers at the second sighting are counted
with the two adults at the third sighting, that gives
seven plovers (as reported last month) without taking
into account the runner observation in the first
sighting, meaning there were probably eight plovers
on the beach.
Whether there is additional nesting happening (given
the strength of the behaviour in the last sightings)
remains to be seen.
Evidence of a quad bike was also observed on the
beach.
Wally Smith, Tangaroa Blue
MARGARET RIVER BEACHES
Several local beaches near Margaret River are due for a
population increase, with two priority listed Hooded
Plover broods expected to hatch in the first week of
December.
Parks & Wildlife rangers have been busy fencing off
several nests this season, but once hatched, the highly
mobile young forage up to 2kms along the shoreline
with their parents.
These tiny chicks are very susceptible to accidental
disturbance, such as unleashed dogs, forcing the
adults to separate from the chicks, leaving them
exposed and vulnerable to threats such as predation,
heat stress or unintentional crushing by beach goers.
The only defence these chicks have is their excellent
camouflage, so while the parents will try to distract
intruders, the young crouch and hide until the danger
passes and their parents return.
Unfortunately for one pair this is their second brood
for the season, as all three chicks from their first
attempt died within a week of hatching, likely due to
disturbance from dogs.
Rangers have put temporary breeding area signs in
place to alert the public of the Hooded Plovers’
vulnerable situation so hopefully, with increased
awareness, we have a better chance of sharing our
beaches with these unique families this summer.
Christine Fleay, Conservation Officer,
Department of Parks and Wildlife, SW Region
Update 18/12/15: At one local beach we have increased
signage and installed four shelters to help hide chicks from
aerial predators and heat/weather. The rivermouth chicks
lasted only a few days. Christine Fleay
Hooded Plover pair, Skippy Rock, Augusta 29/11/15 – Photo Paula Farrow
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BIRDS OF KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
Earlier this year Kay Gibson visited Kakadu National
Park Northern Territory, taking colourful photographs
of the birdlife of the fantastic Top End.
Nankeen Night-Heron – Photo Kay Gibson
Red-winged Parrot – Photo Kay Gibson
Forest Kingfishers – Photo Kay Gibson
MORE TERRITORY BIRDS
Blue-faced Honeyeaters enjoying a bowl of cream,
Mataranka, NT – Photo Terry Scott
Terry and Marg Scott explored the Northern Territory
travelling the Stuart Highway, photographing birds
along the way.
Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Adelaide River, NT
Photo Terry Scott
Australian Pratincole, Alice Springs, NT
Photo Terry Scott
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Common Paradise-Kingfisher – Photo Jane Scott
‘BIRDING IN PARADISE’
Well it wasn’t a true ‘birding’ trip, but in November
Roger and I had a dive/snorkel holiday in a beautiful
part of Indonesia called Raja Ampat, a group of islands
and marine park off Sorong in West Papua.
We stayed at the lovely low-key but comfortable Kri
Eco Resort for ten days, and as an ‘add-on’ for me,
there were lots of birds in the forest around our
accommodation and out around the islands.
Not that I knew many of them, apart from the raptors
of which we saw Eastern Osprey, Brahminy Kite and
White-Bellied Sea-Eagle. With the aid of a photo folder
that had been donated by a previous guest and my
‘Simpson and Day’ back home, I was delighted to be
able to identify quite a few species that are also found
in northern Australia, and I ended up with a list of 30+
species (most confirmed, a few unknowns!).
Unfortunately the day we were to have a short trip to a
neighbouring island to see the Red Bird-of-Paradise
was the one day when it rained solidly – and we were
told that the birds do not show up when it rains!
These two (pictured above) were very striking birds
that I saw regularly around the resort. I first saw the
Paradise Kingfisher (two of them) fast asleep in a tree
just near our room when I took my torch for a little
‘night walk’ – I was wowed by their lovely tails!!
Jane Scott
Rufous-bellied Kookaburra – Photo Jane Scott
COMMON STARLING
Common Starling in SA – Photo Terry Scott
The Common Starling above (photographed in South
Australia by Terry Scott) is one bird we do not want to
see anywhere within the capes.
As part of the “Starlings in WA” project, the
Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) is
placing sound meters at strategic points to detect these
birds.
If you do see a starling please report the location
immediately to authorities.
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BIRD PHOTO GALLERY
Basking Common Bronzewing, Augusta – Photo Roger Crabtree
Southern Boobook in west Margaret River – Photo Hank Durlik
Black-winged Stilt, Quindalup Siding Road
Photo Jill Cornes
Red-winged Fairy-wren, The Berry Farm – Photo Therese Sayers
Black-winged Stilt on nest, Dunsborough – Photo Michael Sayers
Hooded Plover at Skippy Rock – Photo Paula Farrow
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White-faced Heron, Augusta – Photo Roger Crabtree
HERONS, EGRETS and SHOREBIRDS
Yallingup
25 November – 1 White-necked Heron
A single bird has been hanging around our garden
goldfish ponds in Yallingup on a few occasions in the
last couple of weeks.
Quindalup Siding Road
24 November – 1 White-necked Heron
27 November – 7 White-necked Heron and 17 White-
faced Heron
3 December – 27 White-faced Heron and 5 Common
Greenshank
6 December – 9 White-necked Heron and 20 White-
faced Heron
11 December – 1 Cattle Egret and 1 White-necked
Heron
14 December – 10 Wood Sandpipers (no greenshanks
or White-necked Herons)
The water level is dropping at the Quindalup Siding
Road pool, so this spot should be good for viewing in
the next couple of weeks.
Roger and Jill Cornes
Cattle Egret, Quindalup Siding Road – Photo Jill Cornes
White-necked Heron in Yallingup garden – Photo Jill Cornes
OSPREY IN TOWN
On the afternoon of 24 November, my son and I heard
an osprey calling (both of us recognised its call) and
we watched the bird circling above, between Elva,
Barrett and Nixon streets within the Margaret River
town-site.
I have resided in town since the mid 1960’s and this
Eastern Osprey sighting is the first and only one I’ve
seen over town in that time.
Is this a common occurrence? Have they been seen
hunting along the Margaret River?
Terry Scott
Quindalup Siding Road pool
Photo Jill Cornes
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SOUTHERN BOOBOOK
In December this lovely young boobook was brought
to us by a neighbour, found injured in Boranup Forest.
It had hardly any weight but was still chirpy and
readily ate minced meat, despite a snapped wing.
We phoned Eagles Heritage who advised that injured
birds of prey be taken to All Creatures Great and Small
in the first instance, who hand any recoveries on to
Eagles Heritage for convalescence and permanent
enclosure if not releasable.
Coincidentally the last issue of BirdLife’s WA Bird
Notes magazine (Issue No. 156 December 2015) has an
article by a researcher, Michael Lohr, seeking dead
Southern Boobooks to look at genetic variety and
health parameters that can be investigated from
feathers and organs. If you find a dead boobook collect
feathers while reasonably fresh. Specimens should be
placed in a plastic bag in a refrigerator (freezers are
OK too).
Michael would also like to know about day-time roosts
at which live birds can be netted. He has already
sampled all the birds at Eagles Heritage Recovery.
Details of where the bird was found are also necessary,
then contact Michael on 0407 147 901 to arrange pick
up.
Boyd Wykes
Southern Boobook – Photo Boyd Wykes
Crested Shrike-tit – Photo Boyd Wykes
SHRIKE-TIT FAMILY IN GARDEN
For years I seemed to be the only member of our group
not seeing Crested Shrike-tits around Margaret River. I
was therefore thrilled to briefly sight a bird high in the
marris of our back-yard on the outskirts of Margaret
River on 4 December. Neighbours along a nearby
streamline with karris then told me they see a bird or
two each summer and autumn, so I counted myself
lucky to catch one as it moved through.
However on the morning of 16 December, chattering
in a lemon-scented gum alerted me to a family of two
relatively mature fledglings encouraging two busy
adults to forage throughout several gardens to feed
them – mainly in marri and jarrah, but also close to the
ground in a clump of mallees.
The young birds were parked amongst the
extraordinary abundance of other bird species we have
had since the summer began and were aggressively
chased by New Holland and Gilbert’s (White-naped)
Honeyeaters and Dusky Woodswallows.
It is interesting that the family was not associated with
karris, where they usually feed on the decorticating
bark, and they were not using our garden bird bath.
I managed to snap a couple of shots of one of the birds
but the parents were too quick. The photo shows the
bird quivering its wings as they were held out and
down from the usual perched posture to accompany
its’ chattering begging call.
Boyd Wykes
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Sacred Kingfisher, Vintners Ridge, Yallingup – Photo Therese Sayers
WHAT BIRD CALL IS THAT?
Sadly I learnt that John Hutchinson recently passed
away in Busselton (Birdlife WA’s Bird Notes
magazine, Issue 156 December 2015). Many locals may
not know of John’s achievements as inventor, writer
and sound recordist, in particular of birdsong.
Back in the 1980s I had all of John’s Australian bird call
tapes, encouraging me to sort out all those mysterious
calls, and a terrific learning tool when played on long
journeys in the car.
John’s entertaining book “Save that Song”, contained
wonderful stories of days spent recording in the field.
Even now I refer to John’s CDs, as well as using the
Field Guide to Australian Birdsong and David Stewart
CDs, Dawn Chorus at Nuralingup Gardens Forest
Grove recorded by Bill Bunbury and of course a phone
app.
I’m fortunate to have known several field recordists,
once spending an eerie night at Cairns Cemetery with
Sydney sound specialist Judy Wiles, who was
recording the Bush Stone-Curlews there (hundreds of
birds lived in the cemetery grounds).
Norman Robinson was first to record the calls of Noisy
Scrub-Birds at Two Peoples Bay and researched
lyrebirds and their vocals. Later during his retirement,
I was Norman’s driver, accompanying him to
meetings and other bird activities and he gave me an
invaluable copy of his comprehensive recordings of
the birdlife at Eyre Bird Observatory.
Peter Fullager visited our garden in NSW, to record
the Superb Lyrebirds, whilst we tip-toed round to
minimise background noise. One of the resident male
lyrebirds often displayed to its own reflection in the
glass front door, so there was plenty of material to
record.
When in North Queensland I occasionally crossed
paths with another specialist, Victorian Rex
Buckingham, finding him setting up his recording gear
at a site somewhere in the wilds there.
Listening is useful when trying to identify birds in
jungle-like conditions, for instance in the rainforests of
northern NSW and Queensland, when locating elusive
heathland birds such as emu-wrens and spot-lighting
for nocturnal birds.
If I can’t identify what I am hearing, I try to locate the
bird and then watch it call. Sounds simple, but
somehow that connection remains with me forever
after that.
Birds can have many calls – contact, alarm, begging,
territorial, mimicry (to name a few) – and maybe it’s
impossible to identify every call of every species seen
or heard, but years of dedicated work by pioneers like
John Hutchinson and others, has given us a head start
with easily accessible recordings to aid identification.
The spectacular dawn chorus at the moment is a great
time to listen and identify individual birds calling.
Christine Wilder
The Fan-tailed Cuckoo’s trilling call rings out in the forest
Photo Christine Wilder
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Hooded Plover – Photo Jenny Kikeros
SIGHTINGS
Thank you for sending in articles, photographs and
unusual/interesting sightings from the capes region for
inclusion in newsletters. All contributions are
acknowledged. If you are providing photographs send
as a JPEG (2mb no larger) and confirm name of
photographer. Please do not embed photos or articles
in email, but send as an attachment, articles in ‘Word’
or PDF if possible.
Email to [email protected]
BirdLife Australia’s ethical birding guidelines (online)
promote the welfare of birds and their environment, where
observers are encouraged to practice minimum disturbance
to nesting birds and birds in general, and be aware of the
impact photography can have on birds.
Christine Wilder – Editor
White-necked Heron, Augusta – Photo Christine Wilder
Here are the latest sightings:
Freckled Duck
1 at the Vasse River Delta bird hide, 10/11/15 – Jill and
Roger Cornes
Tawny Frogmouth
1 in garden in Samworth Street, west Margaret River,
30/11/15 – Christine Wilder
1 catching insects on house roof in Yallingup, 4/12/15 –
Jill and Roger Cornes
White-necked Heron
1 on wetland near The Horse Resort, Osmington Road,
6/12/15 – Christine Wilder
Square-tailed Kite
1 in Samworth Street, west Margaret River, 30/11/15 –
Christine Wilder
1 being attacked by Australian Ravens in Tunbridge
Street, Margaret River, 18/12/15 – Christine Wilder
Regent Parrot
8 flying over garden in Yallingup, 7/12/15 – Jill and
Roger Cornes
Hooded Plover runners
Photo Christine Fleay
Opinions, statements or views in this newsletter
are those of the Editor or individual contributors
and may not be those of BirdLife Australia.
Every effort has been made to check the accuracy
of content.
If you notice any errors or inaccuracies please
contact the Editor.
Key – Yearly Bird List – Page 14 A=Ambergate Reserve J=Jewel Cave (Karri Walk) B=Boranup Forest M=Metricup Bush Block C=Cosy Corner/Foul Bay N=Cape Naturaliste E=Ellensbrook R=Rails to Trails F=Forest Grove T=The Margaret River H=Heronsbrook W=Wetlands Busselton
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Cape to Cape Bird Group – Yearly Bird List – January to December 2015 – 108 species
Emu F
Musk Duck HW
Black Swan HW
Australian Shelduck FMW
Australian Wood Duck MW
Grey Teal W
Pacific Black Duck EHRW
Australasian Grebe HW
Hoary-headed Grebe W
Rock Dove W
Laughing Dove W
Common Bronzewing HNW
Brush Bronzewing A
Australian Owlet-nightjar R
Australasian Gannet N
Australasian Darter W
Little Pied Cormorant FHTW
Little Black Cormorant W
Pied Cormorant CE
Eastern Great Egret W
White-necked Heron A
White-faced Heron HW
Nankeen Night-Heron W
Australian White Ibis FHW
Straw-necked Ibis HW
Yellow-billed Spoonbill W
Eastern Osprey CE
Square-tailed Kite BE
Whistling Kite W
Collared Sparrowhawk B
Swamp Harrier W
Wedge-tailed Eagle CW
Little Eagle T
Nankeen Kestrel BENW
Purple Swamphen EHW
Dusky Moorhen W
Eurasian Coot HW
Black-winged Stilt W
Banded Stilt W
Red-necked Avocet W
Red-capped Plover W
Terek Sandpiper W
Common Greenshank W
Wood Sandpiper W
Red-necked Stint W
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper W
Bridled Tern C
Pacific Gull CE
Silver Gull CENW
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo BFM
White-tailed Black-Cockatoo JTW
Galah R
Little Corella FW
Purple-crowned Lorikeet FJMRTW
Western Rosella ABEFJMT
Australian Ringneck (28) ABEFHJMNRTW
Red-capped Parrot AJMW
Elegant Parrot AB
Rock Parrot C
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo BEFT
Fan-tailed Cuckoo N
Laughing Kookaburra BEFHJMRT
Sacred Kingfisher H
Rainbow Bee-eater AW
Splendid Fairy-wren AEFHMNRTW
Red-winged Fairy-wren BEFJMRT
Southern Emu-wren CN
White-browed Scrubwren ABCEFJMNRTW
Western Gerygone ABFJW
Yellow-rumped Thornbill AFMTW
Western Thornbill R
Inland Thornbill ABEFJMRTW
Spotted Pardalote BEFJMRT
Striated Pardalote ABFJW
Singing Honeyeater AW
Western Spinebill EMRT
Western Wattlebird T
Red Wattlebird ABEFHMNRTW
White-fronted Chat W
Tawny-crowned Honeyeater AT
Brown Honeyeater AEFTW
New Holland Honeyeater ABCEFHJMNRTW
White-cheeked Honeyeater E
Gilbert’s Honeyeater BFHJMRT
Varied Sittella AFR
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike ABFM
White-winged Triller A
Crested Shrike-tit BF
Golden Whistler BEFJMNRT
Rufous Whistler AW
Grey Shrike-thrush ABMNRT
Dusky Woodswallow ABM
Grey Butcherbird AF
Australian Magpie ABEFHJMRT
Grey Currawong B
Grey Fantail ABEFHJMNRTW
Willie Wagtail AMW
Australian Raven ABEFHMNRTW
Magpie-lark AW
Scarlet Robin AEJMT
Western Yellow Robin MR
White-breasted Robin BCEFJMR
Rufous Songlark A
Silvereye ABCEFHJMNRTW
Welcome Swallow AEMNW
Tree Martin ABMW
Red-eared Firetail BEMT
Australasian Pipit A
(Compiled by C Wilder – December 2015)
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