First meeting for 2008

Friday, February 1, 2008

The first meeting of the Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands Trust -”Friends of Fivebough” for 2008 will be held Thursday February 14, in the Yellow Room at Leeton Shire Library, 7.30pm.

Guest speaker for the evening is Ms Sharon Wormleaton, ornithologist and conservationist. Sharon’s presentation will be of her 2007 experiences working in Namibia for the “Conservation of Namibia’s Desert Elephants”.

Visitors, guests, and intending members are welcome to attend.

Red-capped Robins

Male and female Red-capped Robins photographed September 29, 2007, in a revegetation area in the Fivebough basin which was planted to Black Box Eucalyptus largiflorens in July-August 1999. Single birds have been recorded in revegetation areas at times during the past 18 months, this is the first record of a pair being present.

Fivebough Wetlands

Climatic conditions have remained very dry during the past three months, consequently Fivebough hasn’t had the usual volume of water flowing in during winter and early spring. Currently the permanent and ephemeral wetlands have ~90% and 50% extent of water respectively.The arrival of some waterbird species this season has been later than usual. It’s the beginning of the season for Glossy Ibis and they are increasing with ~200 present. Brolgas [41] also are increasing in number though this is not the normal pattern at this time of the year, and more than likely resulting from the current dry conditions.

Amongst those species present and returning are Australasian Bitterns, Baillon’s Crake, Sharp-tailed and Marsh Sandpipers, Black-tailed Native Hen, and Freckled Duck.

Friends of Fivebough

The first meeting of the Friends of Fivebough was held August 31,and for further information about the Friends of Fivebough activities, interests, and becoming a member of the group contact the Trust.

The Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands Trust as of September 1 has commenced year ten of its management of Fivebough Swamp.

Fivebough and Tuckerbil wetlands remain with water cover of 100% of their normal wetted area. Though current water levels at Fivebough are lower compared to the previous three years due to the very dry conditions.

The many Baillons Crake present this season at Fivebough, is the greatest number that has occurred during the time Trust has been managing the wetland. Other observations recorded, Australasian Bittern [3] and Wood Sandpiper [1] at Fivebough by Peter Ginnane September 7, and a Latham’s Snipe at Tuckerbil by Jarrod McPherson September 9.

Sightings at Fivebough

A small number of Black-winged Stilt have commenced breeding at Fivebough August 12. Five birds on nests, with others nest building in the ephemeral area of the wetland.

Australian Birdfair

Our disappearing woodland birds: their future conservation

The Australian Birdfair is on again this year, 15-18 November in Leeton, NSW.

www.australianbirdfair.org.au

New website for fivebough

The old website is still available at archive.fivebough.org.au. Comments can be mailed to bureau[at]fivebough.org.au. We are moving the old content across to the new site.

Don’t forget the Australian Birdfair is on 15-18 November!

Bird sightings for April and May

• Clamorous Reed-warbler 1, April 5, Fivebough
• Ground Cuckoo-shrike 2, April 9, Fivebough
• Freckled Duck 4, Fivebough April 26
• Brolgas 118, April 21 and 81, May 5, at Fivebough
• Marsh Sandpiper 1, Fivebough May 5

Large numbers of Brolgas at Fivebough

Large numbers of Brolgas have been at Fivebough for the past few months, with the greatest number, 118, recorded April 21 by Allan Morris.This is highest number Brolgas known to have been observed at Fivebough.

Numbers of other waterbirds present have with increased as water inflows continue due to recent rainfall.Three addition bird species for the Fivebough list have been recorded, Dollarbird, Common Bronzewing, and Singing Honeyeater.

Keith Brandwood won the prize for “Twitchathon 2006 Most Funds Raised” section, sponsored by the Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands Trust. This year’s recipient of the funds raised by Twitchathon 2006 is ‘The Australian Bird Study Associations Research Fund’.

World Wetlands Day 2007

Murrumbidgee Irrigation with the assistance of the Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands Trust held a very successful free family film night at Leeton’s Roxy Theatre. With Storm Boy the feature attraction, around 200 people came along and enjoyed the evening.