Contact Call - Birds Australia

Contact CallTHE PASSING OF ARNOLD MAGARRYOur very own Arnold Magarry passed away recently,aged 94 years. Arnold, together with his wife Dawnwho survives him, have been keen birdwatchers formany years. I first met Arnold in 1979 when I firstarrived in Cairns and joined the North QueenslandNaturalists Club. Arnold and Dawn held key roles inthe Club for many years, until its transition to Mabel'sMates in 2002. I will never forget the great trips andcampouts with the Nats, especially at Mt Lewis andEaster at Georgetown. Arnold will long beremembered by Cairns birders and naturalists foropenly and enthusiastically sharing his love andextensive knowledge of birding and natural historywith everyone, young and old. And in doing that, heinspired a few to take up rewarding careers inhorticulture, science and biology along the way. Thankyou Arnold. Your contribution will not be forgoten.CASSOWARY INCIDENTS CONTINUE1. Rangers were called on 30/5/2013 to inspect aninjured bird which was sighted at a banana farm inEast Feluga. The female sub adult cassowary wasfound and inspected by the vet. The bird had sustainedinjuries consistent with a vehicle strike, with damageto the pelvic and spinal areas. The bird was in poorcondition and was having trouble walking. It waseuthanased on the advice of the vet.2. A juvenile cassowary was found in a concussedstate on the side of Loyd Bell Road, Hobans Creek, on3/06/2013. The road is sealed, with a 60km/hr speedlimit, and the roadside is cleared. The bird was keptovernight by the vet, and then taken to the Garner'sBeach rehabilitation facility. The rangers will try toreunite this bird with its father (when it is fit to bereleased).Notice BoardNext newsletter deadlinePlease submit stories/news/reports by October21st.The newsletter has its own email account now:birdlifenqnewsletter@gmail.com. Articles and images canbe submitted to this account.AdvertisingAdvertisements and sponsorship help support BirdlifeNorthern Queensland. Any profit is used for educationand conservation projects. The advertisements mustbe relevant to Birdlife Northern Queensland membersand compatible with Birdlife Australia objectives andfund raising guidelines.Quarter page advertisements for 4 issues can bepurchased for $70 plus GST, or $20 plus GST for asingle issue. Contact the Editor for further information:birdlifenqnewsletter@gmail.comCALENDAR OF EVENTS 2013Come and join us. Everybody's welcome.For day trips, do bring a hat, sunscreen, lunch,refreshments/water and a folding chair.For more information about an outing or an event,contact Doug Herrington at herrinton01@bigpond.comor the leader listed.Doug Herrington, Activities CoordinatorNIGHT PARROTThe elusive night Parrot has been found thanks to theextraordinary effort and dedication of John Young.Thought to be extinct for the last 30 years or so, Johnrecently presented evidence to a scientific panel ofspecialists. On July 3rd, at a special meeting at theQueensland Museum, John presented still photos,video footage and a few feathers of the enigmaticnight parrot, a nocturnal spinifex dwelling ground bird.For more information:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-03/man-claimsto-have-filmed-the-rare-australian-nightparrot/4796342For Coming Birdlife Events and activities inthe North Queensland areavisit these websites for the latest details:www.birdsaustralianq.orgwww.birdlifetownsville.org.auFor more bird watching outings in the greaterCairns area, go to:http://cairnsbirds.blogspot.com.au/August 2013 19