BQ_Forum : Messages : 1-30 of 670

Hi folks
For those interested in the plight of the cassowary in Mission Beach, I
believe that the local conservation group, C4, has just lost a case in
the Environment and Planning Court.  I understand the judgment contains
some extraordinary lines of reasoning - haven't been able to get a copy
of the judgment yet, so will reserve comment and post more later.
If you want some of the background, including a 20 page report by Dr
Graham Harrington (with an interesting account of the bird's ecology),
go to:

www.envlaw.com.au/cassowary.html

BQ really needs to get behind moves to conserve the cassowary IMO -
with the amount of development going on, it's now or never!!
Best wishes
Andrew Thelander

#29

From: "hirund_apus" <hirund_apus@...>
Date: Wed Oct 4, 2006 11:16 am
Subject: Bird Lists

hirund_apus

Offline

There are three new bird lists added to the forum, in .pdf format.
These are from the Birds Queensland database, and are in our standard
format to show occurences throughout the year (observations
permitting).  The first two files will be removed shortly, and
replaced by .pdf files to save space.  We hope to add many more for
areas around Queensland, so economy of file size is important.  Where
the Brisbane sites are in our 'Bird Places of Brisbane' brochure the
reference number is included.  DCN

#28

From: BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wed Oct 4, 2006 10:56 am
Subject: New file uploaded to BQ_Forum

BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the BQ_Forum
group.

   File        : /White Rock BL.pdf
   Uploaded by : hirund_apus <hirund_apus@...>
   Description : Six Mile Creek/ White Rock Bird List

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BQ_Forum/files/White%20Rock%20BL.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

hirund_apus <hirund_apus@...>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (9)

#27

From: Gordon King <gordon@...>
Date: Wed Oct 4, 2006 6:07 am
Subject: Re: Re: What duck is this.

audi5e

Offline

Tim,

I would guess that this is a female Blue-billed duck. The colouring
looks correct and I would also say that the shape of the beak lends to
this being a female Blue-billed.

If you look in the picture on the right you can make out what seems to
be a duckling which appears to have the correct colouring??

Cheers,
Gordon



atrichornis wrote:
>
> --- In BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com <mailto:BQ_Forum%40yahoogroups.com>,
> "Tim Murphy" <condor@...> wrote:
> >
> > I have just posted two pictures of a female duck on the Birds
> Queensland
> > Website. http://www.birdsqueensland.org.au/
> <http://www.birdsqueensland.org.au/>
> >
> > Please tell me what you think it is.
> >
> > This is a puzzle to which I do not know the answer - that is I still
> > hesitate to agree with the photographer's identification. Arrogance
> on my
> > behalf perhaps but that is a Webmaster's privilege.
> >
> > Tim Murphy
> >
>
> Tim,
> My guess is that it is a female or eclipse male Blue-billed Duck,
> Oxyura australis. Which would be interesting if it was photographed on
> the Gold Coast.
> Of course, it may be an escapee in which case it could be a Ruddy
> Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis ssp ferruginea.
> The bill is too long for it to be a Musk Duck and Freckled Duck bill
> is much more 'scooped'.
> Note the location of the nostrils. Most ducks seem to have the
> nostrils closer to the base of the bill.
> The way the bird sits in the water is also similar to Blue-billed Duck.
>
> Bob Inglis
> Sandstone Point
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.11/460 - Release Date: 01/10/2006
>
>

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

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#26

From: "atrichornis" <ptiloris@...>
Date: Wed Oct 4, 2006 3:50 am
Subject: Re: What duck is this.

atrichornis

Offline

--- In BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Tim Murphy" <condor@...> wrote:
>
> I have just posted two pictures of a female duck on the Birds
Queensland
> Website. http://www.birdsqueensland.org.au/
>
> Please tell me what you think it is.
>
> This is a puzzle to which I do not know the answer - that is I still
> hesitate to agree with the photographer's identification. Arrogance
on my
> behalf perhaps but that is a Webmaster's privilege.
>
> Tim Murphy
>

Tim,
My guess is that it is a female or eclipse male Blue-billed Duck,
Oxyura australis. Which would be interesting if it was photographed on
the Gold Coast.
Of course, it may be an escapee in which case it could be a Ruddy
Duck, Oxyura jamaicensis ssp ferruginea.
The bill is too long for it to be a Musk Duck and Freckled Duck bill
is much more 'scooped'.
Note the location of the nostrils. Most ducks seem to have the
nostrils closer to the base of the bill.
The way the bird sits in the water is also similar to Blue-billed Duck.

Bob Inglis
Sandstone Point

#25

From: "Tim Murphy" <condor@...>
Date: Wed Oct 4, 2006 2:12 am
Subject: What duck is this.

legorfou

Offline

I have just posted two pictures of a female duck on the Birds Queensland
Website. http://www.birdsqueensland.org.au/

Please tell me what you think it is.

This is a puzzle to which I do not know the answer - that is I still
hesitate to agree with the photographer's identification. Arrogance on my
behalf perhaps but that is a Webmaster's privilege.

Tim Murphy

#24

From: "Jon Wren" <maluras5@...>
Date: Tue Oct 3, 2006 12:06 am
Subject: Re: Status of Helmeted Guinea Fowl in Australia?

wrenjon

Offline

Tim,

I am aware of a small flock on Prince of Wales Is Torres St. Qld. that are the remains of Tommy Lees birds that he kept at Pearl Beach. They still exist in good numbers and wander between the settlements of Country Woman and Muralug Village.

They are good flyers and able to dodge the dogs etc. Over the last 5 years there numbers have remained fairly static at about 16.

Jon Wren

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.12/461 - Release Date: 2/10/2006

#23

From: "Tim Murphy" <condor@...>
Date: Mon Oct 2, 2006 8:44 am
Subject: Status of Helmeted Guinea Fowl in Australia?

legorfou

Offline

These keep turning up in odd spots (for example I saw a small flock years ago near the Sterling Ranges).

The question I am asking is, is there a self-sustaining or stable population anywhere in Australia yet?

Tim Murphy

#22

From: "Tim Murphy" <condor@...>
Date: Mon Oct 2, 2006 7:44 am
Subject: Possible(??) Great-billed Heron near Cunnamulla

legorfou

Offline

I have just posted a sighting record on the  Birds Queensland Web Site of a
reported Great-billed Heron near (45-50 km east on highway) Cunnamulla,
SOUTH WEST QUEENSLAND/ It was reported in a shallow lagoon near the highway
on the 22nd September.

The observer, who describes himself as a competent and keen bird watcher (he
has been to see the GH Lapwing) saw one large stout heron (smaller than
Jabiru) with correct color for GBH. It was observed at 250 meters in a small
lagoon though a 50X Kiowa scope. The water in the lagoon was so shallow that
it was assumed to be grass but dancing Brolgas were splashing water.

As sightings officer of Birds Queensland, I am well aware that this location
is 750 from the sea and is almost incredible for a non--migratory coastal
bird.

The observer did not have his digital camera with him, and my attempt to
verify the bird (I was near Cunnamulla) failed due to a con rod though a
crank case.

I am reporting this for the delection and interest of BQ_Forum and Bird_Aus
members, so that anyone in  the area might check it and that any possible
suggestions as to alternative identification could be made.

Tim Murphy

PS. I did not suggest filling in a rare bird report - it would not be
accepted in a million years.

#21

From: "astogdale" <astogdale@...>
Date: Sun Oct 1, 2006 6:52 am
Subject: Magazines

astogdale

Offline

Anyone interested in a collection of Wingspan, Bird Observer, Emu
and /or Sunbird. Will need to be picked up from Redcliffe Qld. They
are for free and cover a number of years.
regards
Alex

#20

From: "Tim Murphy" <condor@...>
Date: Sun Oct 1, 2006 4:57 am
Subject: Thanks to all the early birds who have joined the BQ forum.

legorfou

Offline

The effectiveness and reach of a Yahoo group forum largely depends on the number of members - so please pass on the word about the new BQ_Forum to your birding friends.

I have invited, through the Forum invite feature, every person who has submitted a sighting record in the last 9 months (if I had an email address).

Tim Murphy

Moderator

#19

From: "Graham Etherington" <britishbirder@...>
Date: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:07 am
Subject: Trip report Cooloola NP, QLD, 23 - 24 Sep 06

grahametheri...

Offline

Hi birders,

Spent the weekend around the Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park, staying at Rainbow Beach (3 hours drive north of Brisbane). Highlights include Grass Owl, Marbled Frogmouth, Southern Emu-wren, Beach Stone-Curlew, and Black-breasted Button-quail .

Here are the sites and birds that I visited and saw over the weekend.
Cooloola Way: Turn off the Gympie � Rainbow Beach road 17 kms out of Rainbow Beach onto Cooloola Way. Follow this dirt road for 3km then turn left by the overhead power lines. Drive for 1.7km and park next to the 'bridge' (actually a hump over a concrete water drain).
Southern Emu-wren � 1 male seen from the bridge, plus about 5 other males heard singing in the area.
Grass Owl � 1 spotlighted just after the last embers of light had disappeared from the horizon (tape lured).
Ground Parrot � 5 males singing at dusk on 24 Sep. None heard or seen at dawn.
Singing Bushlark � 1 along track just beyond the 'bridge'.
Other birds: Brush Bronzewing (5 seen, more heard), Horsfields's Bronze-Cuckoo, Brown Falcon.
At the start of Cooloola Way there was also: Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (6), Leaden Flycatcher, White-throated, Scarlet, and White-cheeked Honeyeaters.

Bymien Picnic Area: About 5 km outside Rainbow Beach (going towards Gympie), take Freshwater Road. It's a 2WD track up to the picnic area which is 3km along the road.
Spotlighting 8.00pm:
Marbled Frogmouth � 1 male spotlighted about 50 metres along Dundathu Circuit (about 150 metres away from the car park).
Southern Boobook � 2 birds calling.
Didn't see or hear any Sooty Owls.
Other birds during the day: (I took the 2.2km track to Poona Lake. The last downwards hill to the lake was particularly productive.)
Grey Goshawk (2 intermediate birds), Rose-crowned (common) and Wompoo (6+) Fruit-doves, Spectacled Monarch (5), White-headed Pigeon (1), Rufous Fantail (10+), Large-billed Scrubwren, Little Shrike-thrush, Green Catbird (4), Pale-yellow Robin (8), White-eared Monarch (2), Regent Bowerbird (1), Fan-tailed Cuckoo (2).

Rainbow Shores: North of Rainbow beach, on way to Inskip Point. Park in the beach-access car park and explore the beach access path and the track that runs away from the carpark exit.
Birds: Fairy Gerygone, Varied Triller, Regent Bowerbird.

Inskip Point: Park at the end of the road by the turn-around loop.
Beach Stone-curlew � a pair on the beach between the wooded area and the Fraser Island barge docking area.
Black-breasted Button-Quail � 3 birds, close to the parking area. 1 pair on the seaward side of the point. Where the 'in' and 'out' part of the turn-around loop meet, there is a gap in the seaward side of the fence, with a track running to the beach. Follow this and then take the track to the right into the bushes about 30 metres before the beach fence. There were lots of fresh platelets here with a pair of BBBQ feeding about 20 metres along the track. There was another male on the inland side of the point between the turn-around and the camp site (I've found this area to be the best in the past). Look in the leaf litter below the conifers (especially those with bushy ground cover over the leaf litter).
Other birds in the trees around the point: Emerald Dove (1), Olive-backed Oriole, Mangrove Honeyeater (common), Varied Triller (male), Leaden Flycatcher (pair), Forest Kingfisher, Little Shrike-thrush, Rainbow Bee-eater (common).

All the best,
Graham

--
Dr. Graham Etherington
Brisbane,
Queensland, Australia

#18

From: Richard Johnston <johnstonnn@...>
Date: Tue Sep 19, 2006 5:30 pm
Subject: Re: Re: New Forum

johnstonnn

Offline

Hi Gary

Yes, that's the place. My daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live on Turnstone Cct. There is a new grandchild on the way, the reason for our next visit. I'm sure Grandpa will be able to slip away for a few birding trips.

Looking forward to meeting you and having you show me some good local hotspots.

Rick

bqeditor <bqeditor@...> wrote:

--- In BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard" <johnstonnn@...> wrote:
>
> G'day from Canada!
>
> Thanks Tim for creating this new forum. I hope it gets lots of
> (legitimate) use.
>
> My wife and I will be visiting family in North Lakes in Feb.-
Mar. '07
> and I hope to meet some of you - maybe even take in some day trips.
>
> Until then, let's get some activity going here to whet my appetite.
>
> Rick
>
G'day Rick

Is that the North Lakes near Kallangur in the Pine Shire?
If so thats only about 5km from where I live. If you wish you can
contact me and we could try to organise something while your here.

Regards Gary BQeditor

Get your email and more, right on the new Yahoo.com

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#17

From: "bqeditor" <bqeditor@...>
Date: Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:14 pm
Subject: Re: Well done

bqeditor

Offline

--- In BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "gymnorhina.tibicen"
<gymnorhina.tibicen@...> wrote:
>
> Congratualtions on the setting up of thisw forum.
> Question.
> Does anyone have the address, phone, email  of Artemis Station Cape
York,
> Queensland?
>
> Thanks
>
I used to have it but can't find it at the moment, it's probably under
a thousand pieces of paper on my desk.  I will contact my in-laws who
live north of Cairns and ask if they can look in the local phone book,
I will let you know.

Gary Fisher

#16

From: "bqeditor" <bqeditor@...>
Date: Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:11 pm
Subject: Re: New Forum

bqeditor

Offline

--- In BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Richard" <johnstonnn@...> wrote:
>
> G'day from Canada!
>
> Thanks Tim for creating this new forum. I hope it gets lots of
> (legitimate) use.
>
> My wife and I will be visiting family in North Lakes in Feb.-
Mar. '07
> and I hope to meet some of you - maybe even take in some day trips.
>
> Until then, let's get some activity going here to whet my appetite.
>
> Rick
>
G'day Rick

Is that the North Lakes near Kallangur in the Pine Shire?
If so thats only about 5km from where I live.  If you wish you can
contact me and we could try to organise something while your here.

Regards Gary BQeditor

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#15

From: "bqeditor" <bqeditor@...>
Date: Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:05 pm
Subject: Re: Well done

bqeditor

Offline

--- In BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "gymnorhina.tibicen"
<gymnorhina.tibicen@...> wrote:
>
> Congratualtions on the setting up of thisw forum.
> Question.
> Does anyone have the address, phone, email  of Artemis Station Cape
York,
> Queensland?
>
> Thanks
>
I used to have it but can't find it at the moment, it's probably under
a thousand pieces of paper on my desk.  I will contact my in-laws who
live north of Cairns and ask if they can look in the local phone book,
I will let you know.

Gary Fisher

#14

From: "pj.cooper" <coop64@...>
Date: Mon Sep 18, 2006 10:29 pm
Subject: Re: Diving and swooping behaviour.

pj.cooper

Offline

I remember the article but I'm not sure if Welcome Swallow was on the
list. They were nesting under a jetty I used to use and they became
quite agitated when they had young just fledged. There was usually
lots of noise (for a Welcome Swallow) but they never got close enough
to touch you.

It will be an interesting database on completion.

Peter

#13

From: "wrenjon" <maluras5@...>
Date: Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:29 pm
Subject: Diving and swooping behaviour.

wrenjon

Offline

An excellent article in the recent BQ newsletter about birds diving
and swooping observers. I was surprised that Black Kite didn't get a
mention but as the author stated they are building up a data base of
incidents.
I have an Atlas Count site at Leichhardt Tree Ck near Bowen. For the
last couple of years the resident Black Kites have learnt to swoop
this observer especially when not wearing a hat. On a few occasions
the bird has actually struck but never to the stage of drawing blood.
Each time this occured I always made a point of recording the incident
on the Atlas count sheet.
Jon Wren

#12

From: "atrichornis" <ptiloris@...>
Date: Sun Sep 17, 2006 11:25 pm
Subject: RE: Photo Album QLD Birds by stevenpaulbarnett

atrichornis

Offline

Hi Steven,
In your Photo Album 'QLD Birds' there are two images labelled "Nankeen
Night Heron Juv".
I believe these images are of a Juv Striated Heron.
Note: white markings on the face (absent in Night Heron); white on
chest (absent in Night Heron); spotting on upperbody more indicative
of Striated Heron (Night Heron juv is more heavily streaked with
larger spots on wings); pale underbody more indicative of Striated
Heron.

Unfortunately, the field guides are not very good in depicting
juveniles of these species. The best (and most expensive) reference
for these species is the Handbook of Australian New Zealand and
Antarctic Birds (HANZAB).
If you can get your hands on a copy of "The Waterbirds of Australia",
one of "The Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife" books produced
some years ago by the Australian Museum (publisher Angus and
Robertson), there are reasonably good photos of juv/imm of both
species for comparison.

Cheers
Bob Inglis
Sandstone Point
Qld

#11

From: "Tim Murphy" <condor@...>
Date: Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:29 pm
Subject: Apex lakes Update

legorfou

Offline

Alan Boardman and I made a very short visit to Apex lakes at Gatton yesterday - 18/9/6 - we were on the way back from Duraki. The council seems to have trimmed a lot of the undergrowth on the edge of the lakes and the lake looked very bare and uninviting.

We sighted a single Freckled Duck (non-breeding plumage) on the main lake, and also a single adult Cotton Pygmy Goose, also on the main lake. We sighted a single Glossy Ibis on the second lake.

No Whistling Ducks were seen.

Tim Murphy

#10

From: "pj.cooper" <coop64@...>
Date: Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:04 am
Subject: season firsts

pj.cooper

Offline

Saw the first Channel-Billed Cuckoo for the season this morning flying
south over the Mossman River. Further upstream heard and then saw the
first Common Koel pair.
Cheers

Peter

From: "Nigel Timperley" <realtime@...>
Date: Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:27 am
Subject: Bustards in Bli Bli

qldpp1

Offline

Congratulations on setting this up, with heavy work commitments we
don't have time for much birding at the moment and not much contact
with other birders too, ao this forum is very welcome. We live in an
area of disused cane land in Bli Bli just outside Maroochydore. About
3 weeks ago we had a pair of Australian Bustards in the fields
adjacent to the house. I have only seen this species "out west "
previously. Is this an unusual sighting for this area?

From: "Graham Etherington" <britishbirder@...>
Date: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:47 am
Subject: Re: The average birders Kit

grahametheri...

Offline

Steven,
'Excluding essentials'? I'd certainly count bins as an 'essential' when birding!
For me, it depended on where I'm going. Always bins and a note book (well, dictaphone in my case).
If I'm going to any open habitat (coast, lakes, desert, etc) I'll take a scope.
Everything else is probably non-essential, as you don't need anything else to get a good look at what you're watching, although I'd feel a bit lost without one of my two cameras (one SLR and on for digi-scoping), spare memory cards, spare batteries, mobile phone, BOCA CD set, iPod, in-car chargers, maps, water, blah, blah, blah...
That's my take on the subject anyway!
Cheers,
Graham

On 9/14/06, Steven <BarnOwl57@... > wrote:

Just a thought following a recent conversation with my wife. Just
what does the average birder have as kit? excluding essentials.

Myself: x2 scopes + tripods, bins, field guide, PDA, GPS, mechanical
compass, digital camera and 35mm slr on a large auto focus lens, army
poncho and large ground sheet... my wifes stopped me carry the step
ladders when we go out... lolol

Am I missing something?

Happy birding

Steven

--
Graham Etherington
Brisbane,
Queensland, Australia

From: "pj.cooper" <coop64@...>
Date: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:34 am
Subject: Re: The average birders Kit

pj.cooper

Offline

Steve,
I am at the other end of the scale. Binos, hat, rucksack with at least
2 guide books (I have them all at home)and a stale sandwich (for
emergencies).

Peter

From: "twhampel" <trevor@...>
Date: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:34 am
Subject: Re: The average birders Kit

twhampel

Offline

--- In BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "Steven" <BarnOwl57@...> wrote:
>
> Just a thought following a recent conversation with my wife.  Just
> what does the average birder have as kit? excluding essentials.
>
> Myself: x2 scopes + tripods, bins, field guide, PDA, GPS, mechanical
> compass, digital camera  and 35mm slr on a large auto focus lens, army
> poncho and large ground sheet... my wifes stopped me carry the step
> ladders when we go out... lolol
>
> Am I missing something?
>
> Happy birding
>
> Steven
>
What about lunch, a thermos and energy food (chocolates etc)??

From: "Steven" <BarnOwl57@...>
Date: Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:03 am
Subject: The average birders Kit

stevenpaulba...

Offline

Just a thought following a recent conversation with my wife.  Just
what does the average birder have as kit? excluding essentials.

Myself: x2 scopes + tripods, bins, field guide, PDA, GPS, mechanical
compass, digital camera  and 35mm slr on a large auto focus lens, army
poncho and large ground sheet... my wifes stopped me carry the step
ladders when we go out... lolol

Am I missing something?

Happy birding

Steven

From: "roverread" <chris.read@...>
Date: Thu Sep 14, 2006 3:43 am
Subject: Re: Well done

roverread

Offline

From memory I looked up Sue Shephard in the white pages(owner of
Artemis). Best to ring a week or two ahead to check if she will be
around as she will take you for a tour - she is very good at finding
parrots(small donation suggested - say $10 pp). Good luck.

--- In BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com, "gymnorhina.tibicen"
<gymnorhina.tibicen@...> wrote:
>
> Congratualtions on the setting up of thisw forum.
> Question.
> Does anyone have the address, phone, email  of Artemis Station Cape
York,
> Queensland?
>
> Thanks
>

From: "gymnorhina.tibicen" <gymnorhina.tibicen@...>
Date: Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:34 pm
Subject: Well done

gymnorhina.t...

Offline

Congratualtions on the setting up of thisw forum.
Question.
Does anyone have the address, phone, email  of Artemis Station Cape York,
Queensland?

Thanks

From: "Richard" <johnstonnn@...>
Date: Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:57 pm
Subject: New Forum

johnstonnn

Offline

G'day from Canada!

Thanks Tim for creating this new forum. I hope it gets lots of
(legitimate) use.

My wife and I will be visiting family in North Lakes in Feb.-Mar. '07
and I hope to meet some of you - maybe even take in some day trips.

Until then, let's get some activity going here to whet my appetite.

Rick

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

From: BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri Sep 8, 2006 12:31 pm
Subject: New file uploaded to BQ_Forum

BQ_Forum@yahoogroups.com