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Contact Call
Newsletter of BirdLife Northern Queensland Volume 8 Number 4 December 2019
Lesser Sooty Owl.
Image courtesy of Dominic Chaplin www.pinecreekpictures.com.au
BirdLife Northern Queensland
In this issue…
From the Convenor... page 3
BirdLife Northern Queensland branch convenor, Peter Valentine, writes about
the return of our migrant waders and other seasonal visitors, avian genetics,
Mareeba Wetlands (under new management), access to Lake Mitchell and the
Strike for Climate Action.
BNQ success and other wins for FNQ... page 6
Success in the Community Sustainability Action grant program for Threatened
Species 2019, sees BirdLife Northern Queensland (BNQ) and collaborators
awarded $97,570.00 for the project, Indigenous Collaborative Management of
Threatened Coastal Birds. Congratulations to other FNQ groups who also
attained much needed funding support.
Cassowary Festival... page 7
BirdLife Northern Queensland attended this year’s Cassowary Festival at Mission
Beach. See images that capture the spirit of the day’s event.
Birdlife Photography – A Valuable Resource for Conservation and
Educational Images… page 10
Graham Cam provides a valuable insight into one of BirdLife Australia’s special
interest groups, BirdLife Photography. He explains how you can get involved and
use this valuable resource.
Dusky Moorhen (C) Georgina Steytler 2017 birdlifephotography.org.au
Travels in Kamchatka and Chukota: 25 June - 8 July 2019... page 14
Have you ever thought about going to far eastern Russia? Read about the
travels of Gary and Robyn Wilson as they explore this area with Heritage
Expeditions. The goal was to study the critically endangered Spoon-billed
Sandpiper, but the adventure also includes other far northern hemisphere birds
and just the odd walrus or pod of orcas as well.
Seabirds on the Isle of Lunga in Scotland... page 19
Tom Collis found large colonies of puffins, guillemots and razorbills during a day
tour to the Isle of Lunga. He describes how to get there and what he discovered
when he visited. Prepare to add this to your bucket list.
Warrina Lakes Update... page 21
It’s breeding season at Warrina Lakes. Read this short article to learn more.
Also
Out in Western Queensland, a poem Supporting student research into News from Mount Isa, October,
by Lindsay Fisher…………………. page 5 Carpentarian Grasswrens ………. page 9 2019……………………….….…. page 17
2019 National Twitchathon and Spotlight on Owls……………….…. page 13 Mission Beach Birding….. page 18
Backyard Bird Count results… page 8
Noticeboard………………….. page 23
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From the Convenor
At this time of the year, we can all enjoy the return of
our migrant bird species. Australia shares some of its
birds with many different countries and without a
shared commitment to their protection across the
world there is no hope of survival for our wonderful
diversity of birds. The waders that we enjoy from
spring to autumn depend on northern hemisphere
lands for their reproduction. But they equally require
fuel stops between Australia and the Arctic circle in
countries like China, Japan and Korea. Without these
nations investing in habitat protection the species
cannot continue their migration, and that will likely see
their extinction. I occasionally hear ill-informed
negative comments about “globalisation”, but for
conservation of migratory species this element of life is
critical and our world is a much better place for
migrants because of the United Nations and associated
bodies. Luckily many people around the world have
forged international agreements to encourage and
support the idea of thinking globally and acting locally.
Our waders depend on such collaborative and
cooperative efforts.
Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. Image by Keith Fisher.
Apart from the waders we also have a host of other
international migrants that enrich our avifauna. Northern Queensland members might participate in
Without being too parochial, I share with many people projects to assist further understanding. Luckily for us,
the joy of hearing our first Koel for spring, or those this kind of work no longer requires the sacrifice of
raucous flying crosses, the Channel-billed Cuckoos. individual birds; much can be gained from a feather.
And who does not delight in the return of our Buff- Several of those attending the Malanda talk told me it
breasted Paradise-kingfisher, with its streaming white was one of the most interesting presentations we have
ribbons flashing through the rainforest? Another buzz had.
is the arrival of Metallic Starlings and their amazing Recently I attended an open day at the Mareeba
social flights and breeding colonies. And in case we Wetlands, at the invitation of the present managers
need more evidence of the pleasures of migratory Forever Wild. The vision is to be part of a series of
species, we have the outstanding Torresian Imperial properties across Australia to demonstrate sustainable
Pigeons, so abundant now thanks to local conservation environmental management for human and
efforts by Arthur and Margaret Thorsborne (and conservation benefits. There were several members of
others). your Committee present and there was a suggestion
Other birds that come to mind are Dollarbirds (arriving by Forever Wild that perhaps BirdLife Northern
to breed), Oriental Cuckoos who come for our summer, Queensland might be interested in undertaking regular
and the marvellous swifts and swallows who love our bird surveys at Mareeba Wetlands. Further discussions
summer insects but return to Asia to breed. will take place but one prospect could be a weekend
camp that included surveys in the various habitat
Quite a few members recently enjoyed a stimulating types present. If you think you might be interested in
talk about bird variety, genetics and diversity; participating in such an outing perhaps you could let
nomenclature and relationships. Dr Leo Joseph, the the Committee know.
Director of the Australian Wildlife Collection at CSIRO,
helped us appreciate the challenges of knowing your While on the topic of wetlands, members may like to
birds and naming them. There remains more to learn know about discussions I held with the lessee of the
but it is clear that greater access to genetic material, Mitchell Creek Reserve (in particular the owner of the
to bits of DNA, can shed additional light on both the land adjacent to the reserve whose causeway has
origins of species and on family connections. previously been accessed by vehicles for birding). The
Sometimes the new data confirm long-held suspicions owner, a grazier, has taken radical action to stop
but on other occasions they challenge our thinking. vehicle access. This might be understandable when
hearing the provocation … illegal pig shooters have
In our region there are a number of remaining or entered his property and shot cattle (as pig bait) and
continuing puzzles, and it is likely that BirdLife have resisted all attempts at control, including security
December 2019 3
BirdLife Northern Queensland
cameras linked to the local police station. It was in
frustration at the failure and the continued illegal
access onto his own property that led to the dumping
of rock barriers on the causeway track. However, the
owner is supportive of access by birdwatchers and has
indicated that people who wish to birdwatch may walk
into the site along the track. The locked gate at the
other end of the causeway is on his freehold property
and that land is not available for birding. I intend to
continue to have discussions with the owner about the
future use of the lake for birding.
I was pleased to see many BirdLife Northern
Queensland members supporting the school children in
their strike for climate action. The turnout in Cairns
was astonishing and attracted a lot of community
support. Unlike most of our politicians the young folk
Access to Lake Mitchell is blocked to vehicles. Image courtesy are very concerned about their future prospects and as
of Lindsay Fisher. a parent and grandparent I share those concerns. But
We are planning to update and refresh our Branch for me I am also horrified at what we have already
website. Please do let Renee know how you think our inflicted on our environment and especially the
website could be improved and what you think about reduction of habitat for so many other species. Is there
the changes when they happen. a better prospect, a better way? My reading supports a
prospective future that is healthier for all and
I am pleased to learn that the national BirdLife supportive of all life on earth. They are all our
Australia website is also to undergo a significant relatives. Let’s not be deceived about this. There is no
upgrade and I think it could be useful if members sent shortage of funds to tackle these issues. Not at all.
some feed-back to the national office about their pet There is an enormous gap in vision and values and the
hates of the existing website. For me it’s always an extinction rebellion is about drawing attention to a
incredibly frustrating experience to visit the BirdLife better future for all. Just because Australia collectively
Australia website and I avoid it like the plague. I has lost its way does not mean that we as individuals
personally look forward to seeing a new BirdLife cannot act for better lives for ourselves and all our
Australia website that brings pleasure rather than birds.
annoyance! There is so much content that is hard to
Peter Valentine, Convenor.
find!
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BirdLife Northern Queensland Committee
Convenor Peter Valentine Email: peter.valentine@jcu.edu.au Phone: 07 40966171
Deputy Convenor Martin Willis Email: martinwillis@mac.com Phone: 07 40966581
Secretary and Communications Renee Cassels Email: renee.cassels@my.jcu.edu.au
Coordinator
Treasurer Lindsay Fisher Email : lindsayjq@gmail.com
Cairns Area Coordinator Tom Collis Email: motom4@bigpond.com Phone: 0401783795
Conservation Coordinator and Cape Kath Shurcliff Email crabplover@westnet.com.au Phone: 07 4069 6595
York Area Coordinator
Tablelands Area Coordinator Martin Willis Email: martinwillis@mac.com Phone: 07 40966581
Stickybeak Coordinator Golo Maurer Email: Golo.maurer@birdlife.org.au
Committee member Ray Pierce Email: raypierce@bigpond.com
Grasswren Survey Coordinator Graham Harrington Email: crabplover@westnet.com.au Phone: 07 4069 6595
and Kath Shurcliff
Members Coordinator Sam Willis Email: samnmart@gmail.com Phone: 07 40966581
Website Manager Mikey Kudo Email: kudo@kankyo-gi.net Phone: 0402343610
Committee member Wayne Young Email: info@chowchilla.com.au
Newsletter Editor and Cassowary Ceri Pearce Email: birdlifenqnewsletter@gmail.com Phone: 0488131581
Coast Area Coordinator
OUT IN WESTERN QUEENSLAND
There is a fly in my eye, out in Western Queensland,
but the billabongs are brimming, the rivers are running
and the dams are full.
There is a fly in my veil, out in Western Queensland,
but the trees are green, the shrubs are in flower and
the grass is lush.
There is a fly in my tea, out in Western Queensland,
but the daisies are blooming, the butterflies flitting and
the dragonflies hovering.
There is a fly in my ear out in Western Queensland,
but the budgies are breeding, the woodswallows
flocking and songlarks are singing.
There are a million, billion flies out in Western
Queensland,
but the campers are happy and birders are having a
ball out in Western Queensland.
A poem by Lindsay Fisher
December 2019 5
BirdLife Northern Queensland
BirdLife Northern
✓ South Endeavour Pty Ltd. as trustee for South
Endeavour Trust - $63,589 to plant 12,000
trees and weed 5 hectares to restore rainforest
Queensland success continuity in a core foraging area west of
Cooktown for the threatened species of bats:
and other wins for FNQ the Semon leaf-nosed bat and Large-eared
Horseshoe Bat.
✓ Bats and Trees Society of Cairns (BatSoc) Inc -
BirdLife Northern Queensland, thanks to the dedication $61,320 to improve knowledge of Spectacled
of Paul Fisk and other members, were successful in flying-fox foraging and roosting ecology by
attaining $97,570 funding support in the recent implementing a community Flying-Fox Watch
Community Sustainability Action grant program for program within Cairns and surrounding areas.
Threatened Species 2019. Work will then be undertaken to restore and
rehabilitate important roosting habitat
The project, entitled Indigenous Collaborative identified through the program.
Management of Threatened Coastal Birds, aims to
survey beaches and inshore islands from Russell Heads ✓ Mitchell River Watershed Management Group Inc
to Mowbray River to provide comprehensive data on - $92,290 to protect and extend White-bellied
knowledge gaps for threatened migratory shorebirds, Crimson Finch habitat in Kowanyama.
including the Beach Stone-Curlew. This project will ✓ Australian Wildlife Conservancy - $100,000 to
engage community volunteers and three indigenous inform and support the land management
ranger teams to undertake the surveys. Data gathered actions necessary to conserve the Northern
will inform effective conservation and management Bettong – a small marsupial – in Mount
actions for threatened coastal bird species. Spurgeon, near Port Douglas.
Successful projects submitted by other groups, that ✓ Barron River Catchment Management Association
will receive grant funds in our area include: Inc. - $68,438 to improve and expand a
✓ Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands - corridor of endangered Mabi forest at Picnic
$39,900 to plant 9,400 native trees and weed Creek Crossing Reserve along the Barron River.
2.7 hectares to strengthen a rainforest corridor This will be achieved by weeding 4 hectares
between Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine, Crater and planting 3,120 native trees.
Lakes National Park near Atherton, to protect ✓ Olkola Aboriginal Corporation - $74,620 to
the endangered cassowary and other species protect approximately 800 hectares of critical
such as the Spotted-tailed Quoll and Double- nesting habitat for the endangered Golden-
eyed (Macleay’s) Fig-parrot. shouldered parrot in Dixie, Cape York.
✓ Queensland Trust for Nature - $80,775 to plant ✓ Kuranda Envirocare Inc - $38,144 to remove
16,000 trees across 4 hectares and weed a weeds and engage volunteers to plant 4,000
further 10.5 hectares to restore a critical link in trees to create a rainforest habitat conducive to
cassowary habitat to facilitate movement of the the Kuranda Treefrog re-establishing a
endangered species within the Smith's Gap population along Cain Creek, Kuranda.
Corridor, in the Wet Tropics.
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BirdLife Northern Queensland at the
Cassowary Festival
Mission Beach, 21st September 2019
December 2019 7
BirdLife Northern Queensland
2019 National 2019 Aussie backyard
Twitchathon results bird count results
As the dust settles on the 2019 Twitchathon, there is Nationally, we counted nearly 3.4 million birds (626
no doubt that it was a MASSIVE success! species) in 7 days!
Here’s a reminder of how it played out. 88,270 people participated, submitting a total of
105,888 checklists.
Each state selected a conservation ‘cause’ to raise
funds for, and these were: 855,848 birds were counted in QLD.
•New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory – In 2019, the Rainbow Lorikeet held onto its top spot by
Bush Stone Curlew a big margin. Across Australia we counted more than
400,000 Rainbow Lorikeets!
•Northern Territory – Migratory Shorebirds
Check out the infographic below for more information.
•Queensland – Eungella Honeyeater
•South Australia – South Eastern Red-tailed Black
Cockatoo
•Tasmania – King Island Brown Thornbill
•Victoria – Shorebirds floating roost project
•Western Australia – Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
There were three race events you could enter:
•The 30-Hour ‘Big Weekend’, a marathon race
where teams can collect a massive species
total.
•The 12-Hour ‘Big Day’, a full-day race during
daylight hours with an optional lunch break.
•The 3-Hour ‘Birdathon’, a super-strategic event
that could take all day or just one morning.
Twenty two teams participated in Queensland, raising
$8,060. This money will be used for conservation work
to support the Eungella Honeyeater following the
bushfire last year that ravaged the Clarke Range Key
Biodiversity Area, destroying at least 5% of the
honeyeater’s very small area of habitat.
In Queensland, the top race scores were:
1) 12-hour Big Day: 007 Silvereye- Simon
Kennedy, Janina Jones-Kennedy with 191
species
2) 30-hour Big Weekend: Pointless Hobby-
Matthew McIntosh, Dave Hall, Scott Harte with
191 species
3) 12-hour Big Day: Bustards of Gladstone-Ted
Wnorowski, Tony Longson with 174 species.
The National Twitchathon was a huge success overall.
Nationally, 125 teams competed and raised a
WHOPPING $62,942 at time of writing. That makes it Go to https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/2019-results/ for
the biggest National Twitchathon EVER! more.
A big thank you to the 928 awesome donors.
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Supporting student
research into
Carpentarian
Grasswrens
Henry Stoetzel is an Honours student at the University
of Queensland and for the past few years has been
studying Carpentarian Grasswrens under the
supervision of Professor James Watson. It came to the
notice of the BirdLife Northern Queensland (BNQ)
Committee that Henry needed a more powerful laptop
in order to process the data he was collecting. The Carpentarian Grasswrens. Adult male on left, immature with
Committee decided that we would purchase a yellowish gape on right. Photo courtesy of Anthony “Woodie”
computer to assist analyse that data. Below is an Woodbine.
account of Henry’s present and future work on this
iconic bird which has been a special project area for
BNQ for a number of years. We wish Henry the very Our annual Carpentarian and
best in his studies.
Lindsay Fisher
Kalkadoon Grasswren surveys
Are you interested in helping us with our annual
grasswren surveys in 2020?
Submission outlining studies and The area we survey is near Mt Isa.
requirements for requesting a laptop from The survey will be held over 2 weeks during May.
BNQ.
Please contact Kath Shurcliff at
I am thankful for the hp 15-DA0374 laptop provided by crabplover@westnet.com.au if you are
Birdlife Northern Queensland to assist my research of interested in joining these surveys.
Carpentarian Grasswren in the upcoming years.
I acknowledge that this laptop is the property of BNQ,
and it will be returned on the completion of my
research (2023-2024).
I completed my Honours thesis in 2019 which involved
modelling the potential distribution of the endangered
Carpentarian Grasswren. Over the next three or four
years I will be undertaking a PhD researching
Carpentarian Grasswren autecology. This laptop is an
essential tool for my research because I expect to
explore a range of GIS and modelling applications, and
I do not have a personal laptop that is in good stead
for handling these operations.
My project plan for 2020 involves setting up
methodologies and monitoring sites which I will utilise
during my PhD. I would be happy to give a
presentation my Honours research to BNQ and provide
regular updates on my research progress in the future.
Grasswren survey campsite 2018. Photo courtesy of
Henry Stoetzel Virginia Hills. F: https://www.facebook.com/jemlocoimages
December 2019 9
BirdLife Northern Queensland
Birdlife Photography – A Valuable Resource for
Conservation and Educational Images
Following from the Birdlife Australia Network meeting
held in Melbourne in May of this year, I was reminded
that many of the delegates from Branches, Groups and
Affiliated organisations will not be aware of a key
resource that Birdlife Photography has available for
education and conservation purposes.
In fact, it is my experience that many Birdlife
members, supporters and affiliates are not even aware
of the existence of the Birdlife special interest groups
(SIG) and the roles they play in the Birdlife family
structure. This is most apparent for Birdlife
Photography, which is a SIG not directly involved in
scientific research and conservation projects as are the
other three SIGs. When one considers the immense
knowledge base available on the internet and even Brown-capped Emerald-Dove (C) Brian O'Leary 2015
within small organisational websites for that matter, it birdlifephotography.org.au
is not surprising that many resources ‘slip under the
radar’. BirdLife Photography is a Special Interest Group of
BirdLife Australia and provides both a forum and
Reviewing the Birdlife Australia Homepage and
resources for photographers, bird observers and the
scrolling towards the bottom of the page, under the
general public to enhance their knowledge and
header Branches and Locations is an even smaller
appreciation of birds through the medium of
heading Special Interest Groups. Clicking on this link
photography.
will take you to the four Special Interest Groups with a
summary paragraph for each. This information does The genesis of Birdlife Photography was the
not convey the resources that Birdlife Photography establishment of PhotoBOCA in 2008, with the initial
currently holds for educational purposes. Clicking on membership coming from the existing photography
this Birdlife Photography heading will take you to groups of Bird Observation & Conservation Australia
another page which requires updating; nevertheless, (BOCA) in Melbourne, Bellarine Peninsula, Gold Coast,
suffice it to say that Birdlife Photography can best be Brisbane and Townsville. With the merger of BOCA
summarised by our mission statement: and Birds Australia to form BirdLife Australia in
January 2012, PhotoBOCA became BirdLife
Photography and has continued to grow and evolve
into a major national bird photography group. Today,
we have over 800 members who can be categorised as
ranging from new to photography and/or birding
through to highly experienced photographers and
ornithologists. Some of our members are nationally
and internationally awarded photographers.
Birdlife Photography has its own dedicated website,
which is separate to that of Birdlife Australia and
operates 365 days each year by a membership elected
committee of volunteers. Biographies for each of the
committee members can be located at About Us / Our
People https://birdlifephotography.org.au
Before we examine BirdLife Photography’s key
educational and conservation resource, let me set the
scene by taking you on a quick tour of Birdlife
Photography and the benefits experienced by its
members:
Great Egret (C) Simon Pelling 2018
birdlifephotography.org.au
10 Contact CallContact Call
Eurasian Coot (C) Ian Wilson 2017
birdlifephotography.org.au
Members are able to engage in a wide range of Our extensive bimonthly Newsletter and educational
activities and have access to valuable photography articles on photography (which are also collectively
resources on the website. As a member you can assembled into a catalogue on the website) are freely
contribute up to four images per day to our digital available to financial members; non-members may
library. There is of course a minimal standard for only access these resources two years after their
acceptance of images; images are assessed by publication date.
experienced moderators who look for obvious and
Recently, members can participate by posting their
substantial flaws, such as out of focus photos, photos
images and birding outings on the ‘Birdlife
with little detail or with serious problems in terms of
Photography Australia’ Facebook page. Further, our
lighting, colour, excessive digital noise etc. There are
Instagram page posts twice each week, each post
six major digital galleries highlighted on the Home
showcasing an additional set of four quality images.
page; Premier Bird Images (our very best images and
additional species are added regularly); New Images Every two years Birdlife Photography holds a national
(added on a daily basis); Creative Images (as the bird photography conference known as the Birdlife
name implies); Critique Gallery (members seeking Photography Biennial Conference. National and
image critiques and advice); Landscapes / Habitats / International photographers share their expertise with
KBAs; Science and Conservation. At present our the conference delegates across a rewarding two days
digital library holds over 23,000 images. of presentations and workshops. Birding outings are
held on either side of the conference. Conference
Members are encouraged to improve their
registrations are open to any person interested in bird
photographic skills by participating in three levels of
photography and BLP members receive a discounted
competition. Scores from membership voting and
registration.
appraisals by a team of experienced photographers –
our Mystery Reviewers, are tallied for competitions Annually as from 2018, Birdlife Australia and Birdlife
throughout the year for our prestigious annual medal Photography organise the prestigious national Birdlife
awards and for Birdlife Photographer of the Year. The Australia Photography Awards, which is open to any
Critique Gallery and Forum pages are an additional person interested in exhibiting images of Australian
resource for members to hone their photography skills. birds.
December 2019 11BirdLife Northern Queensland
Should a Birdlife Photography membership ($15/pa) Thumbnails of the images for that species will be
appeal to you, a membership form can be downloaded displayed on a subsequent page.
at:
Click the first image, which will morph into a full-size
https://www.birdlifephotography.org.au/bl_documents
image. As an example, let’s consider Abbott’s Booby.
/General%20Information/MembershipFormV5.pdf
There are three images. Click on the blue text 3/3 of
[You can also join online at the Birdlife Australia Abbott’s Booby, towards the bottom of the page. The
website: Get Involved/Join Us or Renew/ Join a Special page will morph into a slideshow of half sized images.
Interest Group. Please note that a Birdlife Photography The slideshow can be stopped at any time.
membership ($15 /pa ) is an additional subscription to
Select the image(s) you require by doing the following.
that for joining Birdlife Australia.]
Return to the thumbnail page and then select an image
You may ask ------- how does all of the above
at full size.
contribute to a valuable resource for your Branch,
Group or Affiliated Organisation? The answer is access Let’s assume you select the first image ID 25179. Click
to a collection of 23,000 quality images of Australian the box ‘Download Request’ (mid left-hand side). You
birds and their habitats by talented bird must note the message box which is displayed on the
photographers. screen as it requires an action later in the Download
Request process.
How does one access this resource?
If you require a large number of images for a
Our photographers assign a usage right to each image presentation, I suggest you process 10 images per
submitted to our digital library and in general, images batch (this makes our task somewhat simpler).
are available for any educational and conservation
application by individuals from any non-commercial Scroll to the top of the page and select Photo Gallery /
group or organisation. You may be looking for digital My Download Requests.
images for a presentation, field signage or a A page called ‘Manage My Download Requests’ will be
publication such as a newsletter or the Birdlife displayed.
Magazine.
Click ‘Add Request’. Complete this page by entering
Let’s take a quick tour of how the image your ‘name’, ‘email address’, ‘Organisation (if
relevant)’ and the ‘reason for the request’. When
download process works.
completed, click ‘Submit’. If you require a high-
If you are a non-member you may access our Home resolution image for printing you must tick this request
Page without a Login. From here you can enter any of box. (BLP only holds monitor resolution images; high
the six galleries highlighted under the rotating image resolution images are automatically requested from
banner. If you are seeking our best images, the the author if you tick a request for a high-resolution
Premier Bird Images is a good place to start but be image). [The first field on this page enables images to
aware that not all species have been added to this be optionally added by Image ID – not required when
gallery. If you are seeking Landscapes/Habitats and you request a download from the full-size image
KBAs this gallery is also a good place to start. KBAs page.]
have only just been added to this gallery and thus the
You will receive an email asking you to confirm your
number of KBA images will be few at this stage. The
request – do so with the link provided in the email.
most efficient option overall is as follows.
Birdlife Photography moderators will check the image
Home Page – Select Photo Gallery /All Photos
usage permissions for each image and if this aligns
A page called ‘Contents of All Viewable Galleries’ will with your request a moderator will approve the request
be displayed. and you will receive a digital image suitable for
projection or monitor display. An email will have been
Choose ‘Click to Show Search Options’
sent to the author if you require a high-resolution
A page called ‘Contents of All Viewable Galleries’ will image. The author of the image will communicate with
be displayed. Note the boxes on the right-hand column you directly if a high-resolution image has been
with numerous search options. Most often you will requested. Please note that if you do not receive an
choose to use the species option (multiple species can email from the author it may be that the author(s) is
be entered). travelling and may not have internet access. If this
situation arises you can email BLP directly and if we
Once the species is entered click the ‘Search’ button at
can assist you, we will endeavour to do so.
the top left-hand corner.
12 Contact CallContact Call
REQUESTING PHOTOS from the Birdlife
Photography digital library does require
following a sequence of steps. These
steps are essential in order to verify
the identity of the requestor; the
reason for the request; confirming the
author’s usage permission associated
with each image; disclosing use of an
image to the
author; for some applications
requesting a high resolution image
from the author and ensuring
compliance of image copyright laws.
PLEASE NOTE THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
REQUIREMENT THAT ACCOMPANIES
IMAGE DOWNLOADS. Photos from our
digital library must be acknowledged to
the author of the photograph, either on
the image itself or in the text of the
article or presentation in which it is
used.
If you encounter any difficulties, please Dusky Moorhen (C) Georgina Steytler 2017 birdlifephotography.org.au
contact me and I will arrange a
private tutorial by phone / internet.
Graham Cam PhD | President Birdlife Photography
Spotlight on Owls
Do you like the photo on our front cover?
How much do you know about our local owls?
Depending on which taxonomy you follow, there are
twelve or thirteen species of owls found in Australia
(excluding vagrants). Of these, eight species can be
found in far northern Queensland.
These include: Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris),
Lesser Sooty Owl (Tyto multipunctate), Australian
Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae), Eastern Barn Owl
(Tyto alba), Rufous Owl (Ninox rufa), Barking Owl
(Ninox connivens), Southern boobook (Ninox boobook)
and Little Red Boobook (Ninox lurida).
Our cover photo, by Dominic Chaplin, is of a Lesser
Sooty Owl. Found in rainforest between Cooktown and
Lesser Sooty Owl. the Paluma area, it is endemic to the wet tropics. Like
Image courtesy of many other owls, it is nocturnal. It roosts in tree
Dominic Chaplin. hollows during the day, and hunts for small mammals,
birds and frogs to eat by night. It often hunts in
clearings or along rainforest tracks. The call of the
Lesser Sooty Owl is very distinctive. It’s a long
descending whistle, like the sound of a “bomb
dropping”.
The Little Red Boobook is a newly recognised wet
Barn Owl. tropics endemic species.
Image courtesy
of Peter References: Nielsen 2015, Menkorst et al. 2017,
Valentine. https://birdlife.org.au/conservation/science/taxonomy
December 2019 13BirdLife Northern Queensland
Travels in Kamchatka
Peninsula. We arrived in P-K the easy way, via Narita
and Vladivostok; a sign at the airport showed it was
8300 kilometres to Moscow! We stayed in a B&B and
and Chukota: 25 June - enjoyed P-K; visits to a Russian Orthodox Church and
Monastery, and the extensive fish markets were
8 July 2019 highlights. We were impressed by how good the
internet service was and how well the young people
spoke English (they told us they learned it at school).
We recently returned from a 10-week trip to Russia, We did some birding about P-K before boarding the
Canada, and the USA, where we concentrated on Spirit of Enderby in the large and modern port in
natural history observations and photography. The Avacha Bay.
impetus for our travels was joining a Heritage
Expedition trip to Far Eastern Russia to assist in The passengers on the Spirit of Enderby were an
studies of the critically endangered Spoon-billed eclectic mix and included other Australians and Kiwis;
Sandpiper (hereafter SBS) Calidris pygmaea. In a number were repeat customers of Heritage
addition, it was an opportunity to visit an area Expeditions and of this particular trip in previous
otherwise difficult to access, see some species we years. The expedition staff included co-owner Aaron
suspect our grandchildren may not, and catch up on Russ, ship-side manager Rachael Iveson-Brown,
some Alcids, a family of birds restricted to the guides Dan Brown and Chris Collins, chefs Bek
Northern Hemisphere. Creighton and Zac Green, medical doctor Marnix
Buonjati, and Elena Sabanina, a Kamchatka local who
provided interesting insights into life there and
smoothed our way through bureaucracies encountered
along the way. In addition, Dr Christoph Zöckler, Co-
ordinator, SBS Task Force on the East Asian
Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) and Li Jing
from the Chinese SBS Team, were also on board. The
Captain and crew were Russian, and Chief Engineer
Kostya, a keen birder and photographer, was a guide
and Zodiac captain. The vessel was comfortable and
well maintained, safety and quarantine protocols were
rigorously enforced, the catering and selection of wines
very good, and the company excellent. Each evening
there was a happy hour in the bar/library and a call of
O
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b species seen during the day.
The ship cruised north up the coast of the Peninsula,
Heritage Expeditions is a New Zealand-based family-
across to the Commander Islands, then back to the
owned company that conducts trips with a research
coast to Meinypil’gyno to join Russian staff and
and conservation bias, particularly in the Arctic and
volunteers working in the Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Antarctic regions. They use small ships (50 only
nesting grounds, and then along the coast to Anadyr in
passengers) with ice-breaking capabilities and
Chukota.
contribute part of their profits to research and
conservation activities. The trip started well as we were escorted out of
Avacha Bay by a pod of Orcas and a variety of seabird
We joined the Professor Kromanov, sailing as the Spirit
species. It continued on the second day with a zodiac
of Enderby in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy (P-K), a city
cruise up the Zhupanova River to see Kamchatka
of c. 200,000, in the south of the Kamchatka
LLLaaarrrg
gh
g haaa S
h Seeeaaalll iiin
S n ttth
n heee Z
h Zh
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huup
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p nooovvvaaa R
n Riiivvveeerrr
R
14 Contact CallContact Call
S
Sttteeelllllleeerrr'''sss S
S Seeeaaa---E
S Eaaag
E gllleee ooovvveeerrr ttth
g heee Z
h Zh
Z hu
h up
u paaan
p nooovvvaaa R
n Riiivvveeerrr
R However, it was a wonderful experience walking across
the tundra and seeing birds such as Dunlin and Red-
necked Phalaropes in breeding plumage and Far
Eastern Curlew (IUCN Endangered) with young.
We moved onto Meinypil’gyno, where we met Dr
Evegny Syroechkovskyi, Chair of the SBS Task Force,
and Professor Fyodor Kondroshov, the Task Force’s
Avian Geneticist, and several of the seasonal
volunteers monitoring breeding by SBS in the area.
Viewing of the birds was strictly controlled and via
telescope so as not to disturb them. We had good
views but the distance was such that photographs
Brown Bears, nesting Steller’s Sea-Eagles and dozens were not possible. Back in town we visited an excellent
of Largha Seals. A transit across deep-water to the little museum and the local young people presented an
Commander Islands, named for Commander Vitus outstanding 1.5 hour-long song and dance
Bering who died and is buried there, yielded some presentation. A subsequent high for the expedition was
great seabird and cetacean encounters. These included learning while at sea that the Chinese application for
our first sightings of Black-footed Albatross, the listing of the Yancheng Yellow Sea Wetland of
Phoebastria nigripes (IUCN Near Threatened), and 0.77m hectares as a World Heritage Site had been
Short-tailed Albatross, P. albatus (IUCN Vulnerable), successful. The Wetland is an important site for many
considered extinct until it’s rediscovery in 1951 but migratory species including the Spoon-billed
now increasing in numbers, in addition to the usual Sandpiper.
Laysan Albatross. DDaan
ncceerrss aan
nddC
Chheeff B
Beekk iin
nMMeeiin
nyyp
piill’’g
gyyn
noo
Dancers and Chef Bek in Meinypil’gyno
Our first stop in the Commander Group was Medny
Island, previously occupied by relocated Aleut people
and then a small military outpost, but now
uninhabited. The scenery was stunning and the
wildflowers a riot of colour, and due to a lack of
introduced Red Fox, good numbers of Arctic Fox were
present. Offshore in the kelp beds under the towering
cliffs we saw our first Sea Otters. We moved onto
Nikol’skoye on Bering Island and while some of the
group went into the town to see the skeleton of the
now-extinct (extirpated by hunting) Steller’s Sea Cow,
others of us walked the coast where we saw Rock Getting across the bar and into the lagoon on which
Sandpiper and nesting Lesser Sand-Plover. Meinypil’gyno is located was difficult and two
fishermen had been killed in the past 48 hours as they
Back on the Koryak Coast on the mainland we attempted it. On our crossing into the lagoon we
conducted the first of two surveys of areas of habitat passed numerous Beluga Whales feeding in the
thought suitable for nesting by Spoon-billed shallows and on the way out were treated to a display
Sandpipers. Three teams under guidance of a SBS by Grey Whales feeding just outside the break.
expert, each conducted a survey of several kilometres
of the tundra. Similar efforts in previous years had Back at sea we worked our way northwards, with
yielded additional birds but we were not so fortunate. lectures during times on board and excursions in the
zodiacs and on-shore on most days. In a memorable
W
Wiiillld
W dffflllooow
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w nM
n Meeed
M dn
d nyyy IIIssslllaaan
n nd
n d
d afternoon out in the zodiacs we were delighted to have
good, albeit brief, views and obtain a (poor quality)
photograph of a Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus as it flew
over. This impressive species is much favoured by
falconers and poaching of it is a real problem, with
large sums of money being offered for the supply of
nestlings. The exact location of our sighting will not be
disclosed in eBird as all records for the species are
generalized to reduce the chances of it being
determined and poaching occurring. The sighting was
all the more interesting as Robyn currently has a PhD
student in Saudi Arabia working on the genetics of
Gyrfalcon and Saker Falcon used in falconry in the
Middle East.
December 2019 15BirdLife Northern Queensland
W
Waaalllrrru
W usss iiin
u n PPPrrreeesssb
n brrraaazzzh
b heeen
h nyyyiiiaaa B
n Baaayyy
B (Guillemot) Murre, Pigeon Guillemot,
Black Guillemot, and Common Puffin
and Tufted Puffin.
The final day involved an early
breakfast and a transfer for most of
us to the airport at Anadyr for flights
out. While some flew west to
Moscow, we flew east on a charter
flight across Bering Strait to Nome
(definitely the best place to enter
the US) to continue our travels.
Other passengers flew in from Nome
to join the Spirit of Enderby that
would then head south or another
vessel heading north to Wrangel
Island.
It was a fantastic trip that met our
expectations in every way;
Poor weather prevented zodiac excursions and
on-shore activities on two of the last three days of
the trip. Aaron made the decision to sail north
through the night to Presbrazhenyia Bay on the
Chukchi Peninsula to seek better conditions. The
gambit paid off and we had the most spectacular
day of the voyage with wonderful displays of
wildlife, including Walrus Odobenus rosmarus
(IUCN Globally Vulnerable), in perfect conditions
in a most spectacular location.
The sighting of Walrus was interesting because we
had not seen them at haul-out sites earlier in the
trip, and because most on board had seen the
footage recently released by the BBC of Walrus
dying by falling down cliffs while seeking space on
shore as the sea-ice usually occupied by them
steadily reduces in extent. We were also able to
complete our observations of alcid species T
Tu
T ufffttteeed
u d PPPu
d uffffffiiin
u n
n
including Common (Guillemot) Murre, Thick-billed
we saw 101 species of birds new to us,
five whale species, four pinniped
species, and two dolphin species, the
Arctic Fox, Sea Otter and the Walrus.
We learned a lot, had some stimulating
conversations, and made some new
friends.
A nice final touch was that as we left
the boat, they gave out a thumb drive
containing a 20-minute documentary
made during the trip and within days
we received by email, a detailed log of
the Expedition and a list of species
seen. We are still writing up our data
and curating the many GB of images
we took, while planning our next trip
with Heritage Expeditions.
C
Cooom
C mm
m mooon
m nM
n Mu
M urrrrrreee
u Report and images by Gary & Robyn Wilson
16 Contact CallContact Call
News from Mount Isa,
October 2019.
Following a recent trip to the desert and channel
country, then over to the Winton area, my birding
partner and I were able to add more birds to our lists.
These included Letter-winged Kite, two species of quail
thrush, Rusty Grasswren, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren,
Grey Falcon, Splendid Fairywren, plus a few others.
At Mount Isa the long awaited Mount Isa Birdwatching
Experience brochure, which was sponsored by Outback
at Isa, is now available for purchase ($7.95) at the
Outback at Isa Tourist Information Centre. The
brochure contains 176 images of birds recorded in the
Mount Isa area, which represents about 75% of the
recorded species from here. The brochure includes
some of the migratory species that make Lake
Moondarra a stop off point during their amazing
travels.
The migratory waders started to arrive in August, with
the Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, as always, being the first
to arrive. Others I have recorded since then are Marsh,
Wood and Curlew Sandpipers, Red-necked, and Long-
toed Stint, Common Greenshank, Little Curlew, public due to the amount of road train traffic currently
Oriental Plover, Swinhoe's Snipe, and Black-tailed using this road. Despite some work done by the Mayor
in meeting with the mines (Glencore) along with follow
Godwit.
up phone calls by myself, I can't see access being
One of the city’s main water reservoirs adjacent to the granted anytime soon.
City Lookout has had a facelift, in the form of murals
painted on it. The artwork is quite incredible. It From discussions I have had, the mines are concerned
features three bird species; Kalkadoon Grasswren, that some bird tour operators are still travelling this
Black-shouldered Kite and Varied Lorikeet, along with road despite the closure. There is no excuse for this. I
Barramundi, Sooty Grunter and local outback scenes. won't name any names here. They know who they are.
This unauthorised entry is also jeopardising our efforts
The public reaction to this has been most favourable.
to regain some access to this road. At the moment the
Access to the well-known Carpentarian Grasswren sites road is definitely closed to the general public with no
along McNamara's Road is still closed to the general exceptions.
Rex Whitehead.
December 2019 17BirdLife Northern Queensland
Mission Beach Birding
Seven birders made the journey to enjoy a very social
BirdLife Northern Queensland weekend at Mission
Beach. The weather was perfect. Not bad for the
usually very wet Cassowary Coast region.
We met at the C4 Environment Centre carpark in
Mission Beach on Saturday 20th July at 2.30pm, and
then, after catching up, headed to the Lacey Creek day
use area in Djiru National Park, to look for birds.
We walked the 1.5 km Lacey Creek trail for an hour,
before crossing over the main El Arish - Mission Beach
road, to walk along the Dreaming trail for an hour or
so. The later rises steeply in elevation from Lacey
Creek, which is a bit less than 40m above sea level.
Seventeen bird species were observed. Besides the
usual culprits; Little Shrike-thrush, Grey Whistler,
Varied Triller, Rufous Fantail and Spectacled Monarch,
four species of honeyeaters were identified (Dusky,
Graceful, Macleay’s, and Yellow-spotted). Other small
birds seen included Fairy Gerygone and Large-billed
Scrubwren. Brown Cuckoo-Dove, and Superb and
Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves were also present. While
Southern Cassowary was not amongst the birds seen
or heard, there was plenty of evidence of their As well as all the bird species we had seen the
presence in the form of fresh scats. previous day, we were thrilled to get great views of
Wompoo Fruit-Dove, and Azure Kingfisher at a creek
That night we enjoyed a very social evening meal crossing. Eastern Whipbird and Double-eyed Fig-Parrot
together at the Spicy Thai Hut. Good choice Helen. were heard, and Australian Swiftlet and Rainbow Bee-
Great restaurant and excellent company! eater flew overhead.
On Sunday morning we reconvened at 7:30 am at the It's always a great feeling to complete a couple of
Licuala Forest day use area. We walked an hour along surveys in the Coastal Wet Tropics Key Biosecurity
the Musgravea track, undertaking a survey as we Area, and for us these included sightings of key
walked, and then repeated it coming back, but only indicator species: Yellow-spotted and Macleay’s
taking 40 minutes on the return journey. In all we Honeyeater and – evidence of cassowary presence.
observed 21 species. Once again Southern Cassowary Thanks to the keen birders who came and shared the
was not sighted, but their presence was clearly weekend with us.
indicated by the 15 or so scats (some very fresh) we
Ceri, Helen, Jeff and Sandra.
‘stepped over’.
Images courtesy of Jeff Larson.
Birders with Azure Kingfisher in sight. Wompoo Fruit-Dove
18 Contact CallContact Call
Seabirds on the Isle of
Lunga in Scotland
So much of Scotland, like many parts of Europe has
been cleared of native vegetation and finding wildlife
(including birds) is much more difficult than in
Australia. However, a taste of the past spectacle of
European birdlife can be experienced when visiting a
seabird colony. Humans haven’t completely wiped out
most Northern Hemisphere seabirds yet, so it is still
possible to see vast numbers of seabirds on the
remote islands of Scotland.
Puffin arriving at burrow with sand eels
Isle of Lunga on the west coast of Scotland
Adult Atlantic Puffin
In Scotland during the spring, thousands of guillemots,
puffins, Razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and gannets The puffins, of course are everybody’s favourite with
breed on several islands along the coast. Two of us their ridiculous clown-like looks and behaviour. After a
visited the Isle of Lunga recently on the west coast of long winter at sea, Atlantic Puffins come ashore on
Scotland where large colonies of puffins, guillemots remote islands for the breeding season. Before mating
and razorbills are found. We started our day tour from their legs become bright orange and they grow another
mainland Scotland at Oban, surprisingly the easiest coloured extension onto their bill. They nest in burrows
place to see Black Guillemots as they are found around and spend up to seven hours each day catching fish to
the town jetties. The day was absolutely un-Scottish - feed the young (called pufflings). Compared to most
cloudless blue skies and light winds. We left on a ferry other seabirds, puffins have short wings enabling them
for the Isle of Mull, then an hour bus ride across the to dive to great depths (60 metres) to catch fish but
island before transferring onto a smaller vessel for a they use an enormous amount of energy in the
half hour journey to the Isle of Lunga. On arrival at process.
the Isle of Lunga we had two and a half glorious hours
to spend looking at seabirds.
Adult Atlantic Puffin in breeding condition A puffling outside the safety of its burrow
December 2019 19BirdLife Northern Queensland
Adult Razorbill with yellow gape Nesting guillemots packed in closely to protect young
Razorbill Guillemot colony on the Isle of Lunga
They need to catch a lot of fish and spend up to seven entity and seeing it was a remarkable experience.
hours a day diving to feed themselves and a single
We had to drag ourselves away from the amazing
puffling. Using their amazing bill, puffins are able to
spectacle but were treated to one last surprise. A black
hold and manipulate a dozen or so sand eels without
fluffy ‘puffling’ for some reason came out of its burrow
losing any as they fish. It was an amazing experience
for a few seconds, a risky move for such a vulnerable
watching the parent puffins return to the burrow with a
young puffin. The future for puffins and other seabirds
bill full of sand eels.
in the North Atlantic is like many other wild animals on
We also saw in smaller numbers, Razorbills, another our planet – not that good! For puffins, the main
type of auk found in the Northern Hemisphere. culprit is global warming that is causing warm water to
Razorbills are the closest living relative of the extinct penetrate further north into the cold waters of the
Great Auk – a large flightless seabird once found in North Atlantic. The warmer water has resulted in a
millions across the Atlantic. Razorbills dive up to 120 new species of planktonic shrimp replacing a colder
metres in search of fish and similar to puffins, they can water species (which are the main source of food for
catch several small fish and hold them in their bill. sand eels). The complex food web has been altered
resulting in lower numbers of sand eels and less food
Our time passed quickly on the island and we had
for puffins.
trouble dragging ourselves away from the puffin colony
to see thousands of guillemots nesting on a sea stack My visit to the Isle of Lunga and its wonderful seabird
on the other side of the island. Guillemots nest colonies left me with many unanswered questions.
incredibly close to one another – up to 45 birds occupy How do puffins hold so many fish in their bill without
every square metre of the colony. The packed-in birds losing any? How do guillemots, puffins, Razorbills and
are constantly in contact with one another. The other seabirds find their prey in the vast ocean? I
guillemots protect their young from predators by found a wonderful book in a bookshop in Glasgow that
providing a protective ‘umbrella’ of feathers, bodies helped answer many of my questions “The Seabird’s
and sharp bills over the eggs and young. While we Cry: The Lives and Loves of Puffins, Gannets and
watched, a potential predator, a Black-backed Gull flew Other Ocean Voyagers” by Adam Nicolson. A good
over the huge colony and the guillemots erupted into a read for the long flight home to Australia.
loud, clamorous call that spread through the colony Tom Collis
like a wave. The colony appeared like it was a single Cairns Area Coordinator
20 Contact CallContact Call
Warrina Lakes Update
constructed nest,
were no longer
at that location,
Sadly, our December visit to Warrina Lakes revealed nor was the
that the shallow grassy wetland area where we branch with the
regularly see White-browed Crake has nearly dried up. nest on it. We
No crake was seen. found a branch
sticking out of
Additionally, in contrast to the mesmerising variety of the water below
waterbirds present in November (Pacific Black Duck, and can only
Wandering Whistling-Duck, Hardhead, Australasian conclude that for
Grebe, White-necked Heron, Royal Spoonbill, Glossy whatever
Ibis) only the Pacific Black Duck and grebe was reason, the FFFeeemmmaaallleee SSh
S hiiin
h niiin
n ng
n gg FFFlllyyycccaaatttccch
heeerrr sssiiittttttiiin
h ng
n g ooon
g n
n
present in December, bolstered by an Australian branch and nest ttth
heee ssseeecccooon
h nnd
dn
d neeesssttt... IIIm
n maaag
m geee cccooou
g uurrrttteeesssyyy ooofff
Pelican. had come down. GGGrrreeeg
gD
g DDaaaw weee
w
The December visit was interesting for two reasons: On a happier
The first was that we saw a Blue-faced Honeyeater for note, a pair of Shining Flycatcher (presumably the
the very first time at Warrina Lakes. There has been same pair) were seen busily constructing a new nest in
the odd report of one or two Blue-faced Honeyeater in the same tree, in a more sheltered position under a
Innisfail area. They are certainly far from common leafy canopy. Let’s hope this time they are successful.
here.
The second is that for a number of bird species, it’s
breeding season.
At least six active Brown-backed Honeyeater nests
were found. Although no young were seen, adults were
observed carrying food into at least one nest.
Pacific Baza harassed by a White-breasted Woodswallow at
Warrina Lakes. Image courtesy of Greg Dawe.
For those of you who did not come to our December
outing / breakup, you missed out on a smashing
morning tea to wrap up the year. We even had an
impromptu viewing (via a portable screen) of Warrina
Lakes bird images taken and presented by Greg Dawe.
Many thanks to Greg, who often captures a bird image
that allows us to definitively identify a species that we
otherwise can’t quite make out with binoculars or
scope.
Brown-backed Honeyeater, nest building. Image courtesy of I’d also like to take this opportunity to also thank
Greg Dawe.
Sandra Christensen. Sandra and I started the monthly
Two adult Australasian Figbirds were seen feeding Warrina Lakes outings to build local interest in birding.
fledglings in a nest near the car park. Sandra rarely misses an event and often leads the
outings when I am away. For that I am very thankful.
A Magpie Lark juvenile, sitting on a branch near a mud
It is very encouraging to know that we now have a
nest was being fed by an adult bird.
small group of ‘regulars’ who are keen for the outings
We were disappointed to find that a pair of Shining to continue and are willing to pitch in to maintain the
Flycatcher, that we had been watching on and off for event in the BirdLife calendar.
about a week or so, sit on eggs in a delicately Best wishes for 2020, Cheers Ceri
December 2019 21BirdLife Northern Queensland
Situated 1½ hrs north of Cairns in Tropical North
Queensland we offer accommodation in self-contained
units and bunkhouse rooms. We also have a small
camping area. The property is a rainforest wildlife
sanctuary catering for birdwatchers and naturalists.
We are central to a variety of habitats and provide bird
species lists, area maps and Wi-Fi internet access.
Guiding is available by arrangement.
We offer packages for individuals and small groups.
Carol and Andrew Iles
RN6, Mt. Kooyong Road
Julatten QLD 4871
Ph: (07) 4094 1263
Email: sootyowl@bigpond.com
www.birdwatchers.com.au
22 Contact CallContact Call
WANT TO ADVERTISE
Noticeboard IN CONTACT CALL?
From the Editor Advertisements and sponsorship help support the
local BirdLife group in Northern Queensland. Any
Special thanks to our contributors to this newsletter profit is used for education and conservation
edition and to all contributors in 2019. It is your news, projects in our region. The advertisements must
stories, articles and reports, photos and poems that be relevant to BirdLife Northern Queensland
keep this newsletter alive. members and compatible with BirdLife Australia
A big thank you to Dominic Chaplin, who has provided objectives and fund-raising guidelines.
sensational images for the newsletter front page. Quarter page advertisements for four issues can
Thanks also to the talented photographers who answer be purchased for $80 plus GST, or $25 plus GST
my call for help, often at short notice, and provide the for single-issue advertisements. Contact the
incredible images that illustrate the newsletter. This Editor of Contact Call or the BNQ Treasurer for
includes Ian Montgomery, Doug Herrington, Martin further information.
Willis, Keith Fisher and Peter Valentine. Apologies if I
missed anyone.
_______________________________________
Kath Shurcliff proofreads the final drafts to pick up my
spelling and grammar errors –THANK YOU Kath! I’d WOULD YOU LIKE TO ORGANISE
also like to acknowledge Don Franklin, who has been
monitoring publications and providing us with regular
AN ACTIVITY IN YOUR AREA?
reviews of North Queensland ‘centric’ literature since OR PERHAPS A CAMP OUT?
at least 2014.
The BirdLife Northern Queensland role of
2020 promises to be another big year for BirdLife activities coordinator is currently vacant. If you
Northern Queensland. If you have any ideas or new would like to take on this role, or even just help
initiatives you would like to see progressed, or you with organising a single event, don’t hesitate to
would like to get more involved in any way, please do contact us at northernqld@birdlife.org.au
contact the committee. We are very keen to hear from
you and always in need of volunteers. It is fun and
rewarding to be part of the BNQ team. _________________________________________
Newsletter deadlines for 2020 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
➢ January 30th for the February-March Edition This is just a little advance notice that the
BirdLife Northern Queensland Annual General
➢ April 10th for the May/June Edition Meeting will be held in March 2020, at a date and
➢ July 10th for the September Edition venue to be announced.
➢ October 10th for the December Edition Financial BirdLife Northern Queensland members
can nominate for a position on the committee.
If you are interested in nominating for a position,
or, if you would like to play a more active role,
but not be a committee member, then please do
let us know.
Contact northernqld@birdlife.org.au or call one of
the current or past committee members for
further information.
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December 2019 23You can also read
