By Andrew Wood, Blue Wren Subcommittee Convenor, Bulletin 2024/8, October
Event report: What Bird is That? walkshop
As one of the activities associated with the Innovation and Ideas Grant (Glebe’s Hill – unravelling its biodiversity secrets and potential) awarded to the Society by the City of Sydney, on Sunday 8 September, Judy Christie led an interpretative walk along Johnstons Creek. It was attended by 23 people, who gathered at the start of Orphan School Creek Reserve to gain insights into Glebe’s bird life.
A map of the walk showing the likely location of the common bird species was provided. The first species seen in the canal was a male magpie-lark, later joined by three white ibis. We searched in vain for a magpie-lark nest – their mud nest had been observed nearby in previous years. The tall Tallowwood tree where the tawny frogmouth nested in 2023 was pointed out, and the most common birds around were the usual noisy miners and fast overflying rainbow lorikeets. A possible nest in the Casuarinas along the creek appeared on closer examination to most likely be a ringtail possum drey.
The tide was coming in quickly and the very high tide revealed fish but no birds. However, unusual species like the buff banded rail and royal spoonbill have been seen in the channel at low tide and photos were shown. The distinctive calls of the Australasian figbird were played to help with identification, and not far from a previous site of figbird nests, about 10 figbirds, several males and six or seven females, were seen at the top of a tall palm tree – best viewed through binoculars.
Finally, as the walk ended at the mangroves at Rozelle Bay, a white-faced heron carefully walked around the edge of the rocks, giving everyone a good view.
2024 Spring bird survey
Judy Christie will lead the Society’s 11th Spring Bird Survey on Sunday 3 November, commencing from Paddy Gray Reserve in Hereford Street at 6:45 am. Over the past ten years, the survey has provided a consistent record of the most common species, any new species appearing and also those declining.
To maximise opportunities to find birds without too much noise or other disturbance, the survey will commence at 6:45 am and finish with a shared breakfast at 8 am. New surveyors are welcome to come along and be part of the small teams that are allocated to count birds at nine sites – please contact Judy (0437 693 372; bluewrens@glebesociety.org.au) if you would like to help.
When: Sunday 3 November, 6:45 am
Where: Paddy Gray Reserve, Hereford Street
Presentation of Innovation and Ideas Grant Report
The University’s final report about the project will be presented to the Glebe Society and the City of Sydney at an event at the Harold Park Community Hall at 6 pm on Monday 25 November.
An invitation from the President to attend the event will be sent to members of the Society as well as the Lord Mayor, Councillors and City officials interested in the results of the University’s research.
When: Monday 25 November, 6 pm.
Where: Harold Park Community Hall, Tramsheds
Removal of alcohol restrictions from Glebe
Last month, the City voted to remove all alcohol restrictions from Glebe’s streets and parks despite the Society asking that the City delay its decision until it had further considered objections from the community. Also, there was no opportunity to add the restrictions to other parks in Glebe, including the Palmerston Steps Parks. The sites affected included Glebe Point Road, the foreshore parks, Foley Park, Paddy Gray Reserve, Ernest Pedersen Reserve and William Carlton Gardens.
Reports from bushcare volunteers
The Orphan School Creek Bushcare Group (led by Judy Christie) held an onsite meeting on Wednesday 28 August with Les McClusky (City’s Urban Ecology Coordinator) and Jen Beer (City’s Community Greening Gardens and Volunteering Coordinator) to discuss maintenance of the park.
Anna Szanto, leader of the Glebe Palmerston and Surrounds Landcare Group, reports: ‘The plants are thriving. I had an onsite meeting with Jen Beer last week. We talked about having the moss on the lower Palmerston gutter by the light rail land removed and having our site called a name of aboriginal or cultural significance. The dumping of rubbish is also a problem at times.’
Nick Sangster (responsible for Harold Park / Johnstons Creek) met onsite with Les McClusky, who agreed that the Casuarinas on Johnstons Creek will be removed by the City – the work is still to be undertaken.
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