Newsletter compiled by Hayley Ricardo,
Anthea Wallhead, Vicki Silcock and Craig Webb.
Online publication by Peter Wallhead.
Editions: [Current] [Dec.
2008] [May
2008] [Feb.
2008] [2007]
Eagle Release - Oatlands - August 2008
 Wow!
What an exciting and eventful day it was, that I got to
release my first wedge tail back into the wild.
With my background of falconry, this was a first for me
and extremely satisfying.
A lot of work goes into this process, and the month leading
up to the release, I would arrive at the refuge daily,
always fingers crossed that our eagle was in good shape,
eating well, and particularly flying well.
As I had to make sure that he got his flying exercise
every day, he became quite complacent with me being in
there with him, and didn't really want to be bothered
by me at all, but for his own sake, I had to make sure
that he kept flying, and gaining the fitness level that
he would need to survive once released. I had several
conversations with him (thank god know one could hear
me), explaining to him how he just had to keep doing his
laps and it was all for his own good. He used to
give me these looks as if to say "what on earth are
you doing", and I am sure heaved a sigh of relief
when I left.
The big day came, and after a few minor vehicle hiccups,
the eagle arrived with Craig, Rowena and Ziggy at Oatlands,
and was met with quite a large media contingent, with
both Craig and I fielding questions and giving interviews.
As Craig handed him to me, I could feel his whole body
tense up as he looked around with anticipation, it was
as if he knew he was about to gain back the freedom that
he had lost, and he couldn't wait to get out of there!
On the count of 3, with him raised above my head, requiring
every ounce of strength I had to hold him up high, off
he went, to the delight of us all, didn't even give us
a second glance back, and disappeared over the hills.
Wow, what a buzz, and it made me realise how important
the work is that we all do at the refuge, and as I said
in the interview, it is a team effort, and each of us
is an important link to make the chain strong and successful,
making sure that we give these beautiful raptors a second
chance, with so many things against them, it is vital
that we continue this work and look forward to many more
success stories like our Oatlands eagle.
Vicki Silcock
Eagle Education
Anthea Wallhead
 |
As part
of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years
Program, Year 6 students at the Friends School were
required to choose a research project based on ‘human
interaction can impact positively and negatively
on the welfare of people and the environment’.
Matthew Davis, Julia Henry, Isobel Webber, and Shae
Jones-Carew chose the Wedge-Tailed Eagle.
On Monday October 13th, they visited the Raptor
and Wildlife Refuge accompanied by Matthew’s
father, Peter. Anthea Wallhead, the Refuge’s
Secretary, took the students on a tour of the aviaries
and answered questions about eagles’ injuries
and rehabilitation procedures. On completion of
their project, the students held an exhibition of
their work on November 6 and Anthea was invited
to attend.
The students’ presentation of their topic,
the Wedge-Tailed Eagle, was excellent. Display boards,
enhanced with eucalypt branches, were clearly laid
out with information and pictures describing the
nature and habitat of the Eagle. A Birds Tasmania
poster and taxidermied eagle added to the display,
and explanations of insulators on power cables and
how insulator covers worked to prevent eagle deaths
were very understandable.
A Powerpoint slide show, describing the work of
the Raptor Refuge, provided more information and
the students were able to answer any questions put
to them by visiting groups. Shae’s composition
and performance of a piece of music dedicated to
the eagles, which she played on a harp, accompanied
by Matthew on keyboard, was an exceptional addition
to their research on the eagle and it was wonderful
to see the students’ enthusiasm and interest
in the topic.
Amongst other topics chosen by year 6 students
were the Eastern Quoll, the Tasmanian Devil, Orange
bellied Parrots and Deforestation.
|
 |
 |
Reducing Tasmania’s road toll
• Slow down – especially when passing
bush/pasture interface. This allows animals time to
react.
• Don’t drive at night if you don’t
have to.
• Turn high beams down when you see an animal.
This allows animals to escape rather than stand stunned.
Chrissy Pukk, DPIW
Remember: If you see road kill, move it off the road
and check for pouch young. Animals feeding on road kill
risk becoming victims themselves.
The Funny!
Q: What did the fish say when it hit a concrete wall?
A: DAM
Craig Webb
The world around us  What’s
the difference between sea lion’s and seals? The
answer is that sea lions have hair and seals have fur,
which makes sense considering that the seals around Tasmania
are called Australian Fur Seals and we also have New Zealand
Fur Seals in our waters. I am stating this because just
recently I had the privilege to work with sea lions as
a field assistant with a PhD student on an island off
the far west coast of South Australia.
We drove for nine hours from Adelaide to spend the night
at Ceduna before heading to our island destination where
we would stay for however long it took to capture and
fit GPS devices to five pairs of sea lions. The island
is named Liliput (apparently it was named this only a
few years ago as it resembles the island and the Archipelago
from the famous story) and arriving I discovered that
it wasn’t much bigger than a few footy fields and
was about eight meters out of the ocean at the highest
point. The Island and foreshore was dotted with many sea
lions and my sense of adventure truly kicked in. Our first
mission was to get all the gear to shore and as there
was no beach or accessible landing area and it was quite
tricky to manage this feat. So after a couple of hours
of sweat, stubbed toes and heavy lifting we set up camp
and explored the island in anticipation of the following
mornings’ captures.
Andy (the PHD student) had given myself and the other
assistant Jodi a run-down on gear to be used including
a dart gun, anesthetic machine and various nets and ropes
and poles that were all supposed to minimise stress to
animals. My task was to chase down the pup and net it
and rope it up. I had to sprint flat out to head the pups
off as they head to the safety of the ocean, and it’s
no mean feat sprinting over rocks and being mindful of
other territorial and protective cows (the bulls were
no threat as it wasn’t near breeding time). Once
the pup was secured I was to help Andy with the cow and
lie on the back half holding the flippers up as Jodi positioned
the gas mask to knock her out. It all sounds pretty brutal
and stressful, but I was assured that the results that
we were going to get from five pairs of sea lions would
ultimately help the species.
These creatures are just amazing and have the most beautiful
eyes and their design is so perfect for their environment,
I found Andy’s explanation of them great: “these
are terrestrial mammal’s that live on the land but
feed at sea”. At sun up in true commando style we
would look for pairs that were not too close to the water
and work out a strategy to enhance our success rate. Once
we had gassed down the cow we then literally glued a GPS
device to her back, weighed and measured her then waited
for her to wake up, closely monitoring her breathing,
gum refill etc. The gas used was a very safe one but we
also had on hand some reversing drugs and adrenaline.
We then attached a smaller device to the pup by physical
restraint rather than an anesthetic.
All in all a pair took about 2.5 hours to capture and
gas down then release. But in doing so on such a small
island we stirred up all sea lions and it became a pattern
of only 1 pair per day. Living in a tent on a tiny island
with minimal resources and an ever dwindling coffee supply
and with only a few books to read, it was getting even
smaller by the 6th day and we still had to “process”
2 pairs. I was enjoying the entire experience but was
looking forward to a hot shower etc and was determined
to sprint even faster in trying to capture the remaining
pairs. After the 8th day the job was done and we were
picked up and taken back to the mainland leaving behind
some evidence of mankind firmly attached to the backs
of the sea lions.
The experience and memories will last forever,
just seeing the way these beautiful animals looked at
me with their puppy dog eyes, and seeing the many with
shark wounds and thinking how harsh a life it would be
to be a sea lion. I can only hope that the work we did
will be fruitful in helping another endangered species
from the wrath of mankind.
Craig Webb
Hooked on generosity & a love for wildlife
When you visit Mures Fishing on the fabulous constitution
Dock on Hobart’s waterfront, expect
to have excellent service, expect to
dine in an Iconic Tasmanian establishment, with the finest
Seafood the oceans can provide. And expect
your tastebuds to remember the experience, because you
WILL return for another Seafood extravaganza
at what can only be described as the greatest restaurants
and fresh fish outlet on the foreshore of one of the globes
truly magnificent Islands, which we like to call Tasmania.
Will and Jude Mure
have been fantastic supporters of the Raptor & Wildlife
Refuge of Tas inc for many years now and I am proud to
call them both friends. I felt it fitting to write an
article on Mures Fishing since I am a lover of Tasmanian
Seafood and Tasmania’s Wildlife and after reading
this you will see that Will & Jude Mure are not only
synonymous with Tasmanian Seafood but indeed are actively
involved in Tasmania’s wondrous wildlife.
It may come as no shock to learn that a 3-4kg Sea Eagle
eats a lot of fish. And I can assure you that when there
are 3-4 Sea Eagles in rehabilitation the pressure is on
to provide not only adequate sustenance but also food
of a high quality. Mures have delivered on both counts.
I have called upon Mures on countless occasions to source
fish for not only Sea Eagles but a variety of fish eating
birds from White faced Herons to Kelp and Pacific Gulls.
I always get the same response, “Ok Craig lets Call
“ Ado” and see what we can do”.
Its never any trouble and I almost feel guilty to receive
so much fish. Fairly recently I was at the factory to
pick up some fish and Will was disturbed to find out that
there was not much to choose from on this particular day,
so he arranged to have 100KGs of mackerel flown to Tassie
(this is one of the best fish as not only does it have
a high oil content but the birds love it). We tried squid
at one stage but it seemed that the Eagles were only interested
in the decapitation act rather than the eating act, so
in “true Mures form” we received the fish
of choice for these magnificent fish eaters.
BUT THERES MORE….. I was readying a Sea Eagle for
release and can’t remember exactly how it came about,
but Mures offered their state of the art Fishing Boat
“DIANA” as a release platform from which to
send this bird back to nature. It was a fantastic day
and everything ran like clockwork, Will brought “Diana”
to the Kettering jetty for the all important pick up and
release. There were a lot of enthusiastic wildlife lovers
on board and we cruised out into the Channel to find a
suitable spot. We chose a release site approximately 200
meters adjacent to the coast near a huge dead gum tree.
The Sea Eagle flew to the tree beautifully and the crowd
erupted into cheers and applause. As we headed back to
port Jude and her entourage were busy serving cold drinks
and the most mouth watering seafood platter one could
desire.
 Mures
latest quest to help Tasmania’s wildlife is in full
swing. They are now also supporting DPIW’s Save
the Tasmanian Devil Program. Being scavengers by nature
devils eat fish washed up onto the coast .
So after many years of well fed Sea Eagles at the Refuge
with many successful releases on record I can only say
THANKYOU to Will & Jude on behalf of some
of “Tasmania’s Iconic wildlife species”.
To have this tremendous support that generally goes un-noticed
I feel that Will & Jude Mure are also an “Iconic
Tasmanian species”.
So next time you are down on “The Dock” take
the time to mention to Will or Jude that you do appreciate
what they are doing, then sit back, relax and enjoy an
absolute abundance of the freshest seafood in surreal
surroundings that will let you forget that a capital city
is only minutes away.
Craig Webb
Member contributions
Eagle sightings around Oatlands
Driving out of Oatlands on Tuesday morning
19 August I was gazing skyward - as you do! And there
riding the thermals was a glorious sight. Even at that
height we could tell by the wingspan and markings that
we were eagle gazing! I shed a tear and said a prayer.
The eagle came down and landed on the branch of a gnarly
old eucalypt about 200 metres from the highway. My
partner rushed in with the Mercury next morning and there
you were at the Oatlands release site. We were thrilled!
We thought it was definitely him! In the time that this
eagle was being rehabilitated we have seen another lone
eagle in the same area around Oatlands. At dusk one evening
we witnessed a dramatic sight - an eagle flying at speed
at ground level in pursuit of a rabbit. The rabbit
escaped.
Postscript. On October 16 early am, in the same area
as our post release sighting we saw an eagle flying! Thankyou
for bringing your 'spiritual home' closer to our
home in the Midlands. More often than not wild creatures
here are only seen as road kill or a rural sport that
targets them as vermin. We are always on the lookout for
these magnificent but vulnerable creatures.
Pearl Jennings and Ken Pedler, Oatlands.
Sightings of the Wedge Tailed Eagle in Forcett,
Dodges Ferry and surrounding areas.
Since first sighting the Wedge Tailed Eagles in April
2000 from my home at Forcett, I have been fortunate enough
to closely observe their behaviour, and have kept a diary
of these sightings. The area known locally as the Lewisham
Duck Pond played a major part in the life cycle of these
magnificent birds, being a constant water and food source
in the way of rabbits and hares.
Several times I have witnessed their behaviour close
up: An Adult teaching a young bird how to hunt rabbits.
The Adult bird sat on the end fence post watching while
the young one chased a rabbit. On this particular occasion
these birds were only 200 feet away. I have also seen
an Eagle sitting on a four foot fence post eating a rabbit,
while a larger rabbit walked past slowly about 2 ft away.
Even though the bird must have seen the rabbit, it totally
ignored it and went on eating.
I have seen a young eagle being harassed by a large flock
of Ravens lashing out and killing a one, taking it to
the ground, seeming confused what to do with it.
It was a sad day, to see the Lewisham Duck Pond dry up.
When the source of the food dried up all the birds left,
including the raptors. Now, there is only the occasional
sighting of these raptors in my area, sometimes a lone
Sea Eagle is seen to wander across the valley towards
Dodges Ferry.
Bill Jackson.
MY SPOT
Dear members, I wish to welcome on board all our new
members for this year and extend this warmth to those
existing and committed individuals who have continued
to support the Raptor & Wildlife Refuge since its
inception.
Well the year has simply flown, it seems like it has flown
away almost as quickly as the two Wedge-Tailed Eagles
we have released through-out 2008. Looking back on this
year we have had some great achievements; the exhilarating
release of two “Wedgies”, the construction
of new aviaries, some wonderful new perches, and another
brilliant Raptor Refuge Calendar (be quick to get yours
for 09 now). Not to mention all the little successes we
have had that go unnoticed along with the never-ending
task of making sure our “patients” are receiving
all the care and attention they deserve, and that our
facilities are maintained to our high standards and kept
this way after the huge winds we received throughout the
year.
I find it amazing how the Raptor Refuge has evolved and
the amount of people who enthusiastically encourage our
work and are thrilled that we have reached the people,
groups and students in many communities. I have been contacted
on countless occasions by people just to recount a recent
sighting of an Eagle or different species, or very recently
the sighting of a “White Wedgie” in the North
of Tasmania in a pretty remote and heavily forested area
(obviously Gunns haven’t got there yet). I of course
contacted the Tassie “Raptor Guru” Nick Mooney
who had also heard of this bird , he described it as more
grey than white, I am waiting on a photo and will post
it via website if we are lucky enough.
There are many more wonderful stories to unfold and many
people we have met through the Refuge this year that make
it all so worthwhile, we encourage the sharing of these
fascinating stories and have included some in this newsletter.
To recount these examples of peoples’ stories and
feelings from students to farmers to the bloke & sheila
in the street makes me realise how important OUR goals
of conservation, education and the absolute paramount
necessity to be dedicated to preserving our beautiful
and threatened wildlife is.
I have a couple of cliches that make sense to me, ENOUGH
is ENOUGH & Its NOW or NEVER. This relates to our
appalling history in Tasmania regarding wildlife, do I
need to even mention the Tasmanian Tiger???.
I would like to now express my sincere gratitude to the
many people who continue to wholeheartedly help in many
and varied ways in order for the Raptor Refuge to progress
and evolve into Tasmania’s leading Raptor Rehabilitation
organisation, they are. Anthea Wallhead, Alastair Shepherd,
Vicki Silcock, Hayley Ricardo, Sam Judd, Rene Riechart,
Denice Barker, Josephine Vialle, Jan Direen, Mark Altman,
Darren King, John Klug, Gloria Vanderlays, Dave Dyer,
Sam Rosewarne, Brian Owens, Peter Wallhead, Bill Brown,
Nick Mooney, Mark Holdsworth, Jocelyn Hockley , along
with business and locals.
I would like to wish you all a safe and happy festive
season and a wonderful New Year.
Craig Webb
Public Officer
Craig@raptorrefuge.com.au
0408725869
Bruny Island Charters is a proud supporter
of the Raptor Wildlife Refuge
Ph: (03)62931465 www.brunycharters.com.au
Untouched wilderness and abundant wildlife are the highlights
of the Bruny Island three hour Environmental Cruise. Visit
the Friar Rocks, home to over 1000 Australian Fur Seals.
Observe dolphins and extensive birdlife.
Who Are We? Resident and Staff Profile
 Bird
maintenance: The birds at the Refuge are fed on a
diet of road kill – wallaby, possum...whatever is
unfortunate enough to be freshly laying by the roadside.
But looking after the residents at the Refuge involves
much more than just throwing the odd bit of food in. Occasionally
birds of prey in captivity need their beaks filed back
as they don’t get worn away as quickly as they would
in the wild. This involves first catching the bird –
a task that can be complicated by a bird knowingly clinging
upside down like a bat to the net just out of reach. Once
caught, the birds eyes are kept covered and the wings
are restrained to keep the bird still. A file is then
used to gently shape the end of the beak preventing it
from becoming overgrown. Birds recovering from injury
also need regular checks to ensure they are healing well.
 
Threats to Tasmania’s eagles:
• Unnatural mortality
• Persecution (Shooting, poisoning, trapping)
• Collision (powerline, vehicle, fences, wind
turbines)
• Electrocution
• Oiling
• Entanglement
• Pollution
• Habitat loss (especially nesting sites)
• Nest disturbance
• Reduction in mean age of population
• Reduction in recruitment
Source: Threatened Species Section (2006). Threatened
Tasmanian Eagles Recovery Plan 2006-2010. Department of
Primary Industries and Water, Hobart.
Oyster Cove Chandlery
For all your boating needs
Proud supporters of the Raptor and Wildlife Refuge of
Tasmania
Feature Bird
Who Am I?!
I:
• Am a small ground feeding parrot
• Am bright green above, with a yellow abdomen
graduating to a small orange patch (not always visible)
• Have a prominent blue frontal band between my
eyes if I am a male
• Occupy a variety of coastal habitats including
grasslands, heathlands, and sedgelands
I eat:
• Seeds, fruits and berries including those
of buttongrass, boronia, various grasses and coastal
plants
How come I’m so special?
• I migrate annually from the SE mainland to SW
Tas for the breeding season.
• I am one of Australia’s most endangered
parrots
I am...
The Orange Bellied Parrot,
Neophema chrysogaster
Source: Source: M. Kennedy, Australian
Endangered Species, 1990, Simon
Schuster Aus. +
Simpson and Day, Field Guide to the Birds of Australia,
7th Ed. 2004, Penguin Books Australia
Contact us
For more information on the Refuge or to find out how
you can help check out the website www.raptorrefuge.com.au
or contact the Raptor and Wildlife Refuge Tasmania Inc.
email: craig@raptorrefuge.com
Ph: 0408725869
Post: PO BOX 108 Kettering 7155 |
The
Crest Chronicle
Comments
