No. 30

Two tragedies involving birds of MBS

Hello everyone,

Here we are, already well into the 2nd month of 2024 and looking forward to some relief from these relentless, hot summer days! We hope that 2024 is going well for you.

Two Tragedies involving birds of the MBS

We’re sorry to lead off with tragedy but as the bird ‘sanctuary’ is our focus, it’s important to keep you posted. We let you know about the sad deaths of the 2 Alfred Cove Osprey chicks last December. Since then, we’ve written to the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) asking for a review of the existing Osprey nest and whether certain adjustments may be made within reason, to give chicks a higher survival rate. DBCA will do a review and let us know the outcome in due course.

The second more recent tragedy involves the nesting Fairy Terns at the end of the Point Walter sandbar. Each year, the end portion of the Point Walter sandbar is fenced off from the rest of the sandbar during the Fairy Tern nesting period with signs cautioning people not to disturb the birds by going beyond the fence. After a promising beginning to breeding early this January, volunteers counted some 240 fairy tern nests later in the month. Sadly, one morning in late January, volunteers discovered approximately 100 nests remaining with the rest destroyed. At first the destruction appeared to’ve been caused by human and dog disturbances but was later expanded by evidence of at least one fox in the area. The City of Melville made arrangements for fox baiting and trapping. Additional ‘No Dogs’ signage was also installed including a recent illuminated sign on Honour Ave, Bicton leading to Pt Walter sandbar and reserve. Unfortunately, there are still reports of humans with dogs in that area of the sandbar! Please note that dogs are not allowed in any part of the Point Walter Reserve.

Meanwhile community volunteers have continued to keep regular early morning vigils over the remaining fairy tern population during the hours of 12 midnight to 5am (assessed as danger time for fox predation). This is an inspiring wildlife conservation story, thanks to Claire Greenwell and Fiona O’Sullivan from the Fairy Tern Conservation Group and a team of dedicated volunteers. 

Our next Birdwatching Walk 7.15am on Saturday 24 February

Our ‘inaugural’ Birdwatching Walk at Pt Walter/Blackwall Reach Reserve, Bicton will take place this coming Saturday 24 February starting at 7.15am from the carpark nearest the sandbar. After completing registration details, the walk will commence from the Pt Walter sandbar where we’ll do some birdwatching before taking the path from Honour Ave along Blackwall Reach. The Walk will be along a mainly level dirt path (with some inclines), about 2.6 kms in total, with some lovely views of Blackwall Reach and the limestone cliffs.

You should have a reasonable level of fitness to do this walk. Please wear a hat, closed walking shoes and bring a pair of birdwatching binoculars, sunscreen and a bottle of water. We’ll have a few spare pairs of binoculars. The walk will conclude back at the Pt Walter carpark no later than 9.15am. You might fancy a coffee at nearby Walter’s River Café before going home.

Our Walk Leader is Lesley Macauley, an experienced birder who’s been a member of Birdlife WA for 25 years and a member of the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) for 50 years.

Take this opportunity to relax and enjoy beautiful surroundings and the company of fellow walkers. We look forward to seeing you there!

What has the Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary group been doing lately?

We’ve had 3 joint meetings so far with DBCA, City of Melville (CoM) and SERAG (Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group) since last October to discuss initiatives for the MBS as per the Action Plan as well as rollout of the Attadale Alfred Cove Foreshore Master Plan. These meetings have recently been re-named DCMS referring to those present viz. DBCA, CoM, MBS, SERAG.We’re providing information and photos to the website designer of the FoMBS website. This has been a thought provoking and time consuming process. Our website will soon be ready for your inspection. We continue to advocate with CoM and DBCA for clear signage and ranger activity within the MBS boundaries to protect our birdlife. Both DBCA and CoM will make the final decision in design and rollout of this signage. In the meantime, we’re pleased that CoM has put up a couple of interim ‘Dogs Prohibited’ signs at Pt Waylen. Identical signs should be installed elsewhere at Troy Park in the very near future.We’re preparing to discuss with Birdlife WA and other external bodies, the delivery of short educational sessions for the community on birds, the environment and well-being.We’re seeking opportunities to hold community sessions showcasing the birds of MBS. Recently we were invited by the Bottle Top Hill group to present the MBS at one of their monthly events.

Finally, thanks to those who have volunteered their services for the MBS. Some of our volunteers have already participated in activities such as bird counts. We’re keeping a register of volunteers who can be called upon not just for bird counts but for other activities too as these eventuate. We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to be involved.

All the best.

Jenny Christenson and Tom Lubin
Friends of the Melville Bird Sanctuary