Bird Observations - Results for 2014

Background

Since 2008, at least ten bird walks have been conducted each year in locations selected as being representative of bird habitats along Kedron Brook. This project aims to accumulate data on bird life along the Brook; specifically those variations in birds species noted together with their distribution.

Links to Home and to other years

General details of 2014 observations to date

Details of the locations and general arrangements for each walk are available in the yearly programs. Link to the 2014 Program here.

Grange Forest Park - 2 February 2014, 7.00 am

The morning started off cool with broken cloud but warmed up considerably when the sun broke through. Seven birders participated on this walk and we were lucky with some unexpected sightings; often in the weedy grasses and schrubs along the banks.

We happened upon a group of Brown Quails in the undergrowth close to the creek bank, downstream from Mornington Street. Soon after, we saw two others out in the clear open on the mown grass. They quickly scurried for cover when our two photographers crept up too close for their comfort. The Sacred Kingfishers were easy to see and heralded their presence; calling at a number of locations along the Brook. At one spot, a number of their young were spotted along with the adults. Double-barred Finches also had young ones; their markings not quite up to the definition of the adults. We were particularly lucky with the 'grass birds'; sighting the Golden-headed Cisticola, the Australian Reed-Warbler and the Tawny Grassbird.

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Pony Club Bend - Teralba Park, 2 March 2014, 7.00 am

The weather for our survey was cool and fine with some scattered cloud when we started, though it got hotter as the morning progressed. Some areas were heavily overgrown with weeds and we could not use some parts of our usual tracks close to the Brook. A total of thirty-three species were sighted with three 'heard'; namely the Little Lorikeets, Silvereyes and Eastern Whipbirds.

There was great excitement when the Noisy Miners and the Blue-faced Honeyeaters started a ruckus. We soon saw the cause. We were lucky to see not one, but two, Pacific Bazzas. One appeared to be quite immature and treated us to a great view of it eating a large stick insect. The other Bazza flew off over our heads and left the younger one to cope with the harassment of the Miners and Honeyeaters.

Cedar Creek - Upper Kedron, 6 April 2014, 7.30 am

Our walk commenced in very good conditions with a clear bright sky; although it was somewhat humid. Striated Pardalotes were heard all around us and we were rewarded with the sighting of a pair sitting on a reed above their hollow nest in the soft bank of the creek. We watched them take turns to enter and leave the nest and fly away.

Later we saw several more birds in the trees along the tracks. A Buff-banded Rail was spotted before vanishing into the long weeds beside the pathway. On the top path, a number of Eastern Whipbirds were heard calling - both male and female. Creeping quietly, we were rewarded with the sighting of several birds and were able to watch them calling to each other in the bushes. A great sighting.

Even more exciting for us was to see a Square-tailed Kite that flew above us for several minutes, being harrassed by Toressian Crows before it made its way off into the distance. Altogether, our group observed forty-seven species of birds... a most rewarding morning of bird watching, indeed.

Nundah and Kedron Brook Wetlands, 4 May 2014, 7.30 am

It was cold and windy for this morning of observations but the forty-nine species observed helped to keep our enthusiasm going. The Nankeen Kestrel is a reasonably common bird for the wetlands area but this is actually the first time we have recorded it during our surveys since we began this project in 2008. Special thanks go to Esther Townsend and Melissa Burrows who coordinated the walk.

Bellbird Grove, Brisbane Forest Park, 1 June 2014, 7.30 am

Eight observers braved the cool temperature to meet up at the carpark on a fine but cloudy morning. A total of forty-one species were observed. There were some excellent sightings of male and female Rose Robins, Eastern Yellow Robins and both species of Whistlers which delighted not only our eyes but also our ears with their lovely calls. Spotted Pardalotes were there in numbers too, as were the Striated Pardalotes.

No birds of prey were seen. The dam at the adjacent farm was disappointing with only Pacific Black Ducks and Dusky Moorhens seen. Perhaps the water was too cold? Greater numbers of species are usually seen here during the warmer months.

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Cassimaty, Thomsett and Abor Parks, 6 July 2014, 7.30 am

Eleven enthusiastic observers braved the cold temperatures to take part in this morning's survey. A White-faced Heron was seen during the early morning selecting a high perch on a number of poles and dead tree tops to take advantage of the welcome sunlight. A total of thirty-nine species was observed which, given the chilly temperatures, was deemed a good count.

In Thomsett Park, a Purple Swamphen held our attention while it ate fruit from Willow Primrose growing in profusion along the edges of a creek pond.  The bird would use its claw to pull the plant down and then pluck off the fruit with its beak.  Nearby, we all enjoyed seeing a shy Buff-banded Rail take off across a grassy patch into the Lomandra.  Scarlet, Yellow-faced and White-throated Honeyeaters were also seen enjoying the Eucalypt blossoms in Arbor Park.

Wahminda Grove - Maureen Lawrence Park, 3 August 2014, 7.30 am

Six enthusiasts braved the cold and chilly weather to gather at Wahminda Grove for our August bird survey. A total of thirty-seven species was observed. Given the cold though fine conditions, this was quite a satisfactory result.

Of special interest was our first sighting of an Eastern Spinebill within our survey area. Although this bird is normally locally sedentary,it is not unusual for it to move down from higher elevations in autumn/winter. We were also rewarded with the sightings of the Golden and Rufous Whistlers: both the male and female genders. Due to the extremely dry conditions, we enjoyed watching several species drinking at a tiny water hole in the Brook at Maureen Lawrence Park. Silvereyes, Red-browed Finches, Eastern Yellow Robins and White-Throated Treecreepers arrived in an orderly queue to enjoy a welcome drink.

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Bellbird Grove, Brisbane Forest Park, (Birds Queensland Survey) 17 August 2014, 7.30 am

Sunday morning dawned cool, overcast and fine, a remarkable contrast to the preceding 24 hours of torrential rain. The ground was quite wet, but the wind had blown most moisture from the leaves so walking through the bushy areas was quite comfortable. Six brave BQ members joined Charles Ivin and myself in the car park for this walk.

Highlight of the morning was the excellent observation of a Square-tailed Kite which flew just above us investigating the tree tops for some minutes before being chased off by Australian Magpies and Pied Currawongs. Both Golden and Rufous Whistlers were seen as well as Rose and Eastern Yellow Robins. There was a good sighting of a Satin Bowerbird (a first in this area for us) and a Spectacled Monarch teased with its call, but was finally seen. A large flock of Topknot pigeons was seen flying overhead and several Red-browed finches were enjoying the fine morning, searching back and forth across the path for food.

Grinstead Park - Sparkes Hill Reserve, 7 September 2014, 7.30 am

Eight enthusiasts set out on a fine cool morning to survey Grinstead Park and Sparkes Hill. There was plenty of interest amongst the sighting of a total of forty-six species: including an Eastern Great Egret foraging along the edge of an old volunteer-made frog hollow in Grinstead Park. This bird was unfazed by us watching it and came quite close to where we were standing.

It was interesting at one point to see a Grey Goshawk fly past up above our heads. This allowed us to make a very good visual identification. Later, a Brown Goshawk was seen separately, as well. Then, as we eventually crossed back
over the Shand Street road bridge from Sparkes Hill, a group of crows were observed harassing a Wedgetail Eagle high above the creek.

Nudgee Waterhole Reserve - Nudgee Beach, 12 October 2014, 7.00 am

Nine birders attended this survey under ideal sunny pleasant conditions. It began at the Nudgee Waterhole Reserve, then progressed to the Boat Ramp on Nudgee Road before ending right on Nudgee Beach at the outflow from Kedron Brook Floodway into Moreton Bay.

We had a few first sightings for this area as recorded during the series of KBCN birding walks that have been held. Five Magpie Geese flew in, had a drink, then settled down to enjoy themselves in the morning sunshine. Later, five Wandering Whistling-Ducks were observed at the waterhole with a Pacific Black Duck swimming alongside. It was exciting to have the very clear sighting of a Collared Kingfisher from the circular path in the forest around the reserve.

Despite the excellent number of species observed overall (51), we were really disappointed to see the large number of all types and sizes of dogs tearing about off-lead in what is clearly marked as an on-lead area at the very end of Nudgee Road. This was reported to Brisbane City Council. An inspector visited the area after this event to advise people yet again of the importance of this area for migratory waders and the need to ensure dogs are kept on lead.

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Kalinga Park - Cressey St. Wetlands, 2 November 2014, 7.00 am

Ten participants enjoyed a very satisfying mornings birding in clean fine warm weather. Of special note was the Magpie-lark nest with three chicks in it and just below that the Willie Wagtail nest with a bird sitting on it. Several Common Starlings were sighted on the playing fields alongside a number of Common Mynas.

We were rewarded with the special sighting of three Buff-banded Rail, each one in a different location along the brook. The Dusky Moorhens had a number of fluffy chicks with them at the Cressy St Wetlands. An Eastern Great Egret posed to give us a great view of it in breeding plumage as did an Intermediate Egret. We were very pleased to see three Bush Stone-curlews in the tall tree area they regularly rest at the top of Kalinga Park.

Detailed results for 2014

Results of birds observed on each walk may be linked from this table as the outcomes of any completed studies for this year become available.

Date	Link to	Description
02/02/2014	24 KB pdf file	Grange Forest Park
02/03/2014	15 KB pdf file	Pony Club Bend and Teralba Park
06/04/2014	15 KB pdf file	Cedar Creek, Upper Kedron
04/05/2014	24 KB pdf file	Nundah and Kedron Brook Wetlands
01/06/2014	23 KB pdf file	Bellbird Grove, Brisbane Forest Park
06/07/2014	24 KB pdf file	Bob Cassimaty, Thomsett and Arbor Parks, Ferny Grove
03/08/2014	24 KB pdf file	Wahminda Grove - Maureen Lawrence Park
17/08/2014	25 KB pdf file	Bellbird Grove, Brisbane Forest Park (a survey by Birds Queensland led by Jenny Ivin but also conforming with these KBCB-WPSQ procedures)
07/09/2014	15 KB pdf file	Grinstead Park and Sparkes Hill Reserve
12/10/2014	24 KB pdf file	Nudgee Waterhole Reserve through to Nudgee Beach
02/11/2014	41 KB pdf file	Kalinga Park - Cressey St. Wetlands

Summary of results of past walks

Details of all the studies for 2008 through to 2014 are given in the table, 'Table 1 KBCB_WPSQ Results of Bird Studies 2008 - 2014, Summary of study dates, location codes, actual locations and conditions'. This is a small pdf file. Each study location code consists of an acronym of the location name together with a four numeral bit that represents the month and year. Thus, the code, 'FG-AP-BCP-0714, represents Ferny Grove, Arbor and Bob Cassimaty Parks, specifically as conducted in July 2014.

A set procedure of statistical analysis of all of the completed bird observations for past years was carried out using Microsoft Excel worksheets and suitable pivot table analysis to obtain summary information about the surveys. This will become clearer by a viewing of the resultant tables, especially for year 2014 by way of example.

The bottom section of Table 1 (see first paragraph above) contains the 2014 location codes with details of their location, the date of survey, conditions and leader. The location code is needed to assist the interpretation of the next table entitled, 'TABLE 2A - KBCB-WPSQ - Common name of bird species found at given coded location for bird observations at the eleven walks conducted for 2014 (Alphabetic order)'. In column one, the common name of the specified bird as specified by Christidis & Boyles (C&B) is given in alphabetic order down the table. A numeral '1' in the column below any given location code indicates that at least one bird of the species named for that row was observed (or heard with the specific characteristic call) for that location.

As an example of the use of this 'Table 2A', the fourth column with the 'FG-AP-BCP-0714' location code represents the survey conducted at Ferny Grove, Arbor Park, and Bob Cassimarty Park in July 2014. The top row for that particular column indicates that there wasn't any Australasian Grebe observed but the next row down indicates that the Australian Brush-turkey was observed for that survey; and so on.

The companion table, 'Table 2C - KBCB-WPSQ -Common name of bird species found at given coded locations for bird observations at the eleven walks conducted in 2014 (Christidis & Boyles)' gives virtually the same information. However, the rows are sorted in a different sequence based upon that given down the 'Qld' column of the 'Australian bird list by state' spreadsheet, as obtained from the Birds Queensland web site. The latter information in turn is based upon the original authorative reference by Christidis & Boyles (C&B). Serious birders generally used this ordering method based upon the C&B listing sequence since the resultant order of birds in column one is then based upon a scientifically accepted sequence of names of genus and species for birds.

However... note that the 'Seq' number used for these KBCB bird listings has nothing to do with the 'Atlas number' used in some other bird lists that, for example, might be used by some other birding organisations. In fact, over recent years, changes are still being made with the names of some bird species and the once favoured C&B listing sequence may no longer be strictly followed. Nevertheless, for the benefit of consistency within these KBCB observation results, the original C&B system will continue to be used.

Contact

Bird lovers are always welcome on our walks. Factors such as weather and availability of leadership mean that some outings may need to be changed at relatively short notice. Please contact Outing Coordinator, Jenny Ivin, on phone 3851 0160 or for further information.