On Day 5 my brother took me to Fremantle for a pre-booked tour of the prison underground tunnels.  The tunnels were dug by the convicts to provide a sufficient volume of water for pumping after a steam driven pump engine had been installed to draw water out of the well.  With my binoculars always at hand in the car, I spotted my first Straw-necked Ibis on route from the Leach Highway whilst stopped at traffic lights.  However, I got much better views of the species the following evening in the Swan Valley, where there are numerous ponds dug to provide water to irrigate the vast vineyard estates.  It was from one such pond adjacent to the Yahara koffeeworks that two individuals, perched on wooden posts, showed really well.  The largest number I saw was c20 birds in a field beside the West Swan Road on 1 May 12.

Straw-necked Ibis, Swan Valley - 30 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Straw-necked Ibis, Swan Valley - 30 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Other species present on the pond were Pink-eared Duck, Australian White Ibis, Little Black Cormorant, Australian Shelduck, Grey Teal and Pacific Black Duck.  Overhead were several Welcome Swallow and Galah (3).

Little Black Cormorant, Swan Valley - 30 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

PS   I highly recommend the Fremantle Prison Tunnel Tour.  It was very much a tour with a difference.

On Saturday I saw the news that a Woodchat Shrike had been reported at Keyhaven Marshes. The bird was apparently showing well but at distance. I could not make it Saturday due to an appointment with a bottle of Red Wine and Fajitas around at Sid Lawrence’s house to mark his son’s birthday. However the Shrike would be a Hampshire and British List tick for me as I was away for the Hambledon bird of 2006 and as I was free on Sunday afternoon I took the opportunity to take the wife’s cabriolet out for a run through the New Forest; (always does a car good to have a decent
run)! I arrived just after Manchester City had won the Premiership and spent an hour looking north for the Shrike from the sluicewithout success so Blue Moon all round. I then decided to have an hour walking around the area and when I returned a couple of chaps had scopes set up nearthe sluice and when I enquired if they had any luck, one of them replied thatthe Shrike was in his scope. I had a quick view through his Opticron as all birders tend to do in case the said bird flies off that very second never to be
seen again. After offering my thanks, I grabbed my scope from the car so I could give the bird some study. The bird was certainly distant at around 500 metres but on increased zoom I could just about make out the rusty coloured crown among other features. For the following hour the Shrike remained faithful to an area immediately to the right of Vidle Van Farm, perching regular usually alternating between fence posts and wires, between frequent drops to the ground as it fed. I managed a few record shots that are on a par with the American Golden Plover at Farlington but I was more than happy to have the Woodchat Shrike in the bag. Another great Hampshire bird to add to the 2012 catalogue.



Steve Copsey

Despite landing at Perth at 0040 on Anzac Day (25 Apr 12) I got up early to take a stroll around the local park to start my ‘Australian’ list.  Later that morning I accompanied my brother on a visit to the historic town of Toodyay (previously called Newcastle) to meet several other members of the Swan Valley Photography Club on a prearranged outing.  It was a location I wouldn’t otherwise have visited, but like the visit to the local park it provided me with the opportunity to get familiar with the more common species of bird.  In addition, I got great views of another Australian icon the Laughing Kookaburra in scrub adjacent to the Gaol Museum.

Laughing Kookaburra, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

We arrived a little early so I took a stroll along the almost dry River Avon.  Highlights included Welcome Swallow (endemic), White-faced Heron, Black-winged Stilt (4), Grey Teal and Pacific Black Duck.  The last two species appeared to inhabit every patch of open water.

Welcome Swallow, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

White-faced Heron, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Black-winged Stilt, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Grey Teal, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

On my return to the car park I encountered my first ‘Ozzie’ spider after almost walking into its huge web that could have been made from thick fishing wire.  I’m not an arachnophobe but I gave it a wide berth.  They or at least similar sized spiders were common sights in the bush and when I walked oblivious into one web at Whiteman Park I had a complete sense of humour failure!

Back at the car park my brother had met up with his fellow amateur photographers.  But before we all set off to find something to photograph I noticed an impressive bright blue flying insect that settled briefly on the wheel of a car and was well worth a record photograph.  I have since Googled ‘Australian bright blue flying insect’, in an effort to identify it.  The best I could come up with was Blue Flower Wasp, but I’m yet to be convinced.

Blue Flower Wasp?, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Other highlights from Toodyay included the endemics Galah (8), Australian Ringneck and New Holland Honeyeater as well as Laughing Turtle-dove, Red Wattlebird and Willie Wagtail.

Galah, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Australian Ringneck, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Laughing Turtle-dove, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Willie Wagtail, Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

The Mill at Toodyay - 25 Apr 12 - SX10IS

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

Whiteman Park covers a large area that has landscaped recreational areas amongst the extensive bush land.  I spent an enjoyable three hours roaming the area surrounding the ‘Mussel Pool’.  It was at the ‘Mussel Pool’ that I had my first encounter with Australian White Ibis.  Two birds foraged for food along the margins before flying into a tree to roost.  Also present were a family of Australasian Grebe, Australian Wood (Maned) Duck and Pacific Black Duck.

Australian White Ibis, Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Australian White Ibis, Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Australian White Ibis, Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Australasian Grebe, Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Australian Wood (Maned) Duck (pair), Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

After a lap of ‘Mussel Pool’ I opted to head out along one of the trails into the bush.  Highlights from the non-circular 3km Goo Loorto trail included the endemic species Australian Ringneck, Grey Butcherbird, Western Gerygone, Weebill and Splendid Fairy-wren.  The sighting of the Grey Butcherbird was a particular treat due to the agitated behaviour of all the other species after it flew in to perch in a tree.

Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12

Grey Butcherbird, Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Other notable sightings included Grey Fan-tail, Silverbill and Scarlet Robin.  As always the endemics Red Wattlebird and Australian Raven along with the Australian Magpie were rarely out of sight / earshot.

Grey Fantail, Herdsman Lake - 28 Apr 12 - Canon EOS1 (Photographed by my brother)

The highlight of the walk back to The Village to get picked up by my brother was a small flock of Yellow-rumped Thornbill, a species I suspected I had seen a little earlier.

Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Bees were very evident out in the bush and I encountered several nests that included the one photographed below directly above a road.

Bee colony, Whiteman Park - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

On day 3 my brother took me to Yanchep National Park located approximately 30 miles North of Perth.  As soon as we arrived the effect of the long-term drought in the region was all to evident with the shallow Lock McNess being almost dry.  During a tour of the Crystal Caves in the afternoon I was informed that the Gnangara Mound Aquifer underlying the region was an important source of fresh water for Perth.  The local water table had dropped by 2m, an extra 0.5m since my brother had last visited when the loch was full.  A couple who had visited the park many times were horrified at what I initially incorrectly assumed to be a normal event at the end of the dry season.  The following afternoon Perth experienced torrential rain, the heaviest for 10 years.  Hopefully, there will be plenty more to come to reverse the drop in the local water table.

Almost completely dried up Loch McNess, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12

Almost completely dried up Loch McNess, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12

Wetland species still present included Purple Swamphen, Black-fronted Dotterel (c10), Australian Shelduck (8), White-faced Heron (3), Great Egret, Black-winged Stilt (14) and Australian White Ibis (2).  The highlight was a distant view of the endemic Australian Spotted Crake that showed well through the scope.

Australian Spotted Crake, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Adjacent to the Visitor Centre there is a Kuala Refuge.  It consists of an area of suitable habitat that had been fenced off and it held eleven of the animals that interestingly are not a species of bear and do not naturally inhabit Western Australia.  As well as ticking off the Australian icon the refuge turned out to be a good spot for ‘birding’.  Within the enclosure I spotted Scarlet Robin and the endemic species Western Gerygone, Straited Pardalote, Rufous Whistler and Splendid Fairy-wren.

Koala, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Scarlet Robin (male), Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Rufous Whistler (female), Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS. (Many thanks to Martin for correctly identifying the bird as a female Rufous Whistler. It is a much better record shot of the species than the one I have of a male that I took whilst my brother served up dinner on one of the many free gas barbecues within the park).

Although the Carnaby’s (Short-billed) Black Cockatoo is an endangered species endemic to southwest Australia they are numerous within the National Park.  I encountered them regularly but as I waited for the 1500 tour of the Crystal Caves they passed overhead in scores towards nearby trees.  I counted over 250 birds fly over before the tour commenced.

Carnaby's (Short-billed) Black Cockatoo, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Yanchep NP - 27 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Good birding,

Tony T

It was day four before I visited Herdsman Lake where I hoped to connect with the endemic Australian Pelican.  I wasn’t disappointed with at least three individuals being present.  I was surprised by just how large they were (160-180cm).

Herdsman Lake - 28 Apr 12

Australian White Ibis and Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Herdsman Lake - 28 Apr 12

The only other endemic species encountered that was new for me was Singing Honeyeater.  Two birds showed particularly well in some lake side scrub.

Australian Pelican, Herdsman Lake - 28 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Singing Honeyeater, Herdsman Lake - 28 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Musk Duck (endemic), Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Blue-billed Duck (endemic), Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Yellow-billed Spoonbill (endemic), Herdsman Lake - 28 Apr 12 - Canon EOS1 (photographed by my brother)

Hardhead (male) and Pink-eared Duck (endemic), Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Other noteworthy species included Tree Martin, Spotted Turtle-dove, Welcome Swallow, Australian Reed Warbler and Whistling Kite.  The distant Whistling Kite I presumed to be a Harrier.  However, when I downloaded and examined the record images I concluded that it was in fact a Whistling Kite.

Spotted Turtle-dove, Herdsman Lake - 28 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Presumed Whistling Kite, Herdsman Lake - SX10IS

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

On Day 2 of my visit ‘down under’ my brother dropped me off at Whiteman Park mid-morning.  He then picked me up at 1400 with the intension to take me to Lake Monga and Herdsman Lake.  However, by the time we completed a full circuit of Lake Monga it was dusk and Herdsman Lake had to wait until another day.

Tooled up and ready for action, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12

The visit to Lake Monga provided an ideal opportunity to tick-off the more common species of wildfowl.  Endemic species included Black Swan, Hoary-headed Grebe, Australian Shelduck, Long-billed Corella, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck, Blue-billed duck and Yellow-billed Spoonbill (last bird of the day).

Hoary-headed Grebe, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Australian Shelduck (pair), Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Long-billed Corella, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS. Many thanks to Martin for the correct ID of a species introduced to Western Australia.

Pink-eared Duck, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Other highlights included Australian Shoveller, Dusky Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Little Corella, Darter, Great Egret, Australian Reed Warbler, Silver Gull and Little Black Cormorant.

Australian Shoveler (male), Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Dusky Moorhen, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Purple Swamphen, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Little Corella, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Darter, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon EOS1 (photograped by my brother)

Darter, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon EOS1 (photographed by my brother)

Great Egret, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Other noteworthy sightings of species already seen included Australian White Ibis, Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Grey Teal and Australian Wood (Maned) Duck (endemic).

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

Yesterday  I returned to the UK after visiting my brother in Perth, Western Australia.  Armed with two books, the seventh edition of the ’Field Guide to the Birds of Australia’ (Simpson and Day) and the second edition of the ‘Birding Sites Around Perth’ (Ron Van Delft), and a very accommodating brother who drove me to wherever I wanted to go, I ticked off many of the species that inhabit the region.

Lake Monga, Perth - 26 Apr 12

A few years ago I reluctantly removed Black Swan from my ‘Life’ list after my fellow Amigos pointed out that my UK sightings of the species couldn’t count.  However, Steve and Mark won’t be able to find fault with my sightings from ‘Down Under’.  Black Swan was the fourteenth of thirty-seven endemic species that I spotted during my time in ‘Oz’.

Black Swan, Lake Monga - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10-IS

Lake Monga, Perth - 26 Apr 12 - Canon SX10IS

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) GeoSci (Open)

After buying a new pair of Wellington Boots in Wickham yesterday; I decided to test them by walking up the Meon Valley Trail. The trail is along the track bed of the railway line from Fareham toAlton. With afternoon sun following morning gloom it was no surprise that there was plenty about and in good voice. All the expected species were singing; particularly Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and a few Goldcrest. I managed the shot of the Goldcrest below as it briefly alighted in a shrub. This picture has not been touched up. The bird’s crest really was that stunning.

Goldcrest, Meon Valley, 1 May 2012

Quite a few Nuthatches were seen. Mainly digging for grubs in rotten wood but one bird caught my attention on a Pine Tree. At first I thought it was hunting for food but I then noticed it was peeling the papery bark away from the trunk and flying off with it. This happened on a couple of occasions, so I am assuming it was collecting nest lining.

Nuthatch, Grubbing, Meon Valley, 1 May 2012

Nuthatch, Nest Building, Meon Valley, 1 May 2012

Also plenty of flowers out among the copses. Bluebells, Celandines, Wood Anemones and Spurge were all noticeable.

Floral Display of Celandines, Wood Anemones and Bluebells, Meon Valley, 1 May 2012

Yesterday evening I had a walk around Botley and came across five singing Nightingales. Unfortunately none were in my Tetrad but always nice to have the birds singing around you. Also bumped into Richard and Tracey Levitt. They were also counting Nightingales so it will be interesting to see how many they had. This morning I was up at half four and walking around my Tetrad only. Pleased to report another three singing males. The territories were quite distant from the previous evenings birds so it appears at least eight males are back in the wood. No doubt there are a good few more waiting to be heard. The shot below was taken just after six this morning. The ISO had to be top end to get any speed but at least it is a decent record shot of this usually skulking species.

Nightingale, Botley Wood, 2 May 2012

Steve Copsey

After visiting the the lakes around Ostruzno, a small village about a hours drive Northeast of Prague, we headed for a site, where we were told we would see breeding Cinclus cinclus. This was a latin name that I wasn’t familiar with but with the help of
Collins I was happy that we were talking about Dippers. Our Czech guide
explained that he had been ringing for 40 years but he only rung Pulli, birds
still in the nest. Thus we parked near a stream and walked a couple of hundred
yards to a small bridge. We were given the international signal to be quite, a
finger to the lips and told to wait by the bank.  A few moments later our guide came back with an adult female Dipper in his hands.

He had crept under the bridge behind the nest and just grabbed the female off the eggs. The bird already had a ring N. Museum Praha K467973 and our guide explained that the bird had not been ringed by him but was probably from 60 to 100 kilometres away.

We let her go and went look at the nest. Our guide had wedged an old slate in
the corner of a stantion and the bird had taken full advantage.

Five eggs were in the nest and after examining them against the light our host
explained that he would be back in 10 days or so to ring the pulli. A great
experience and a fantastic day out birding.
Mark C