No. 41
Hello everyone,
It’s been three months since our last newsletter. And lots has been happening at the Melville Bird Sanctuary (MBS).
We mentioned our ambitious 2025/26 Action Plan in our last Newsletter. We’re happy to report that we’ve ticked off on all of our July, August, and September ‘to-do’ agenda.
As MBS volunteers, we continue to face our fair share of not-so-nice surprises and challenges, but opportunities too, and our passion for protecting birds and their habitats keeps us focused.
🦅 Alfred Cove Osprey Family Update
📍 29 September – A Day of High Hopes and Unexpected Drama For weeks, we’d been observing promising signs of osprey incubation. On the morning of 29 September, the Ospreys’ behaviour suggested that chicks may’ve hatched — and our excitement was high!
But that afternoon, things took an unexpected turn with an altercation between the adult female and last year’s juvenile, initiated by the adult female. A stark contrast to the harmony we’d previously witnessed. We’re still unsure what triggered it.
What happened next:
The adult male didn’t return to the nest that day.
The female remained in the nest, appearing distressed and calling for him.
There was no apparent feeding or chick activity, and the juvenile didn’t reappear.
We contacted DBCA (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions) and received permission to conduct a low-impact drone inspection of the nest. A huge thank you to Deputy Mayor Karen Wheatland, who we contacted and who generously gave her time and drone expertise despite her busy schedule.
The drone footage confirmed there were no chicks in the nest. We shared the drone footage with DBCA and an osprey observer for further analysis. We’ve been told there are no clear answers. What was thought to be shell fragments in the nest are inconclusive, and we’ve since learned that it’s been a challenging season for ospreys across Perth. On balance, we’re relieved to report that the adult pair and juvenile have since returned to a more peaceful coexistence in the area!
Pelican found on Attadale Foreshore on Thursday 2 October
A Pelican was found barely alive on Attadale Foreshore last Thursday. SERAG made a call to WA Seabird Rescue on (08) 6102 8464. A WASR volunteer transported the Pelican to WA Wildlife, later providing us a reference number to follow through with WA Wildlife. Today we were informed of its death a few hours after being admitted to WA Wildlife. Suspected cause of death was cited as Botulism.
We’ve provided this information so you can do likewise if you notice a bird in distress. Relevant numbers to call are on our website www.melbirdsanc.com under Contacts.
Roll-out of MBS Point Waylen Revitalisation Project
This is progressing well and is on schedule. See Point Waylen RevitalisationProject - City of Melville
📅 Upcoming Events – October & November
1. World Migratory Bird Day – Free Community Event
Saturday 11 October, 8–11am | Haig Road, Attadale Foreshore
Celebrate the arrival of our seasonal migratory birds (Oct–Mar) at this City of Melville organised event!
See Black-tailed Godwit recently photographed by Sue Harper at Alfred Cove.
🌿 Activities:
4 Birdwatching Walks - led by Swan Estuary Reserves Action Group (SERAG)
2 Bird Photography Walks - led by Gareth Evans (FoMBS)
(All walks are fully booked — but come along to enjoy numerous other event offerings!)
🎟 For further information and to book your Free tickets:
📍 Featuring:
City of Melville’s Natural Areas team and MelSafe (CoM’s new integrated community safety and compliance service), SERAG, FoMBS, BirdLife WA, WA Seabird Rescue, Bicton Environmental Action Group
2. Eco-Action Expo – City of Melville Free Event
Sunday 2 November, 10am–3pm | City of Melville EcoHub
A fun, family-friendly day packed with eco-themed stalls, workshops, and activities.
We’ll have a booth there too. Please visit.
🎟 Free tickets:
2025 Eco Action Expo Tickets, Sun, Nov 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
2. Basics of Birdwatching for Beginners – FoMBS Ticketed Event
Saturday 22 November, 1–3pm | Melville Bowling Club
Attention birding beginners and even those who are not. This will be a relaxed, fun and informative course hosted by Birdlife WA’s Brendan Kinsella and ourselves, ideal for getting you started on birdwatching!
📌 What’s included:
A short theory session
How to identify different bird species A Guided birdwatching walk
Catered, delicious afternoon tea
🎟 Tickets available here:
Basics of Birdwatching for Beginners Tickets, Sat 22/11/2025 at 1:00 pm |Eventbrite
Sponsored by the City of Melville through grant funding.
🐦 FoMBS Activities: July–September snapshot for your information:
19 July: Info Stall + Birdwalk at Troy Park with Gareth Evans
16 August: “Birds & Wellbeing” event with Dr Rochelle Steven at Piney Lakes EcoHub
Troy Park Info Shelter (Opposite 188 Burke Dr, Attadale) – regularly updated
(New Info Shelter coming soon to Blackwall Reach Reserve)
School Outreach: Invites sent to 9 local primary schools to connect with FoMBS
Ongoing Bird Counts:
Monthly (SERAG – Alfred Cove)
Bi-monthly (FoMBS – Point Walter / Blackwall Reach)
Bird count data submitted to BirdLife data and eBird and reflected in FoMBS website annually
20 Sept: World Clean-Up Day – successful FoMBS-led event at Troy Park
🙋 Volunteer Call-Out – Tech Help Needed!
We’re looking for volunteers with basic digital skills to help with: website updates (Squarespace), digital admin and event listings
If this sounds like you — or someone you know — please reach out!
💚 Finally - Thank You!
Your support means a lot to us.
Together, we’re making a positive difference for our local and migratory birds, their habitats, and our future generations.
Best regards,
Jenny Christenson & Tom Lubin
Co-founders: Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary
240 Burke Drive, Attadale, 6156
Australia 6156
Web Site: www.melbirdsanc.com eMail: mailperson@melbirdsanc.com
Containers for Change
Please donate using this barcode.
Donations may also be made to our Westpac Bank Account.
Details as follows: Friends of Melville Bird Sanctuary, BSB 036-084 A/c 494777
Contact Wildcare Helpline (Parks & Wildlife - DBCA)
08 9474 9055
Contact Melville City Rangers
Business hours: 08 9364 0666 or 1300 635 845
After hours: 0418 943 219