Eyre

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Day Visitors

The Observatory always welcomes visitors for the day. Come and see the profusion of birdlife amidst our beautiful landscape.

Day Visitor Prices

Per vehicle  $10

Day visitors will need to provide their own lunch. You are most welcome to have your lunch on the house veranda. This is a perfect spot to watch the birds at the bird baths.

Vehicles and the Track

The distance from the Lookout to the Observatory is about 13 kms. The last 10 kms is sand and limestone, suitable for 4WD only.  It is not suitable for trailers, vehicles with low clearance, and 4WD vehicles with high tyre pressure. The distance from the Observatory is indicated by road markers every kilometre along this track.

2WD vehicles, trailers, and caravans

These vehicles should be left at the Lookout.  Observatory caretakers will ferry overnight guests who have 2WD vehicles from the Lookout to the Observatory by prior arrangement.

4WD Vehicles

• Leave trailers and caravans at the Lookout
• Drive a further 3 km to the top of the scarp
• If you have a UHF radio, call the caretakers on channel 12 from the top of the scarp to check if the track is clear of other vehicles, and the condition of the track
• Proceed 1.2 km down the scarp to the Madura turnoff (Green Bottle Junction)
• Take the right-hand road to Eyre Bird Observatory (signposted)
• Deflate tyres to manufacturers' recommendations for sand driving (about 20 PSI, as a general guide) to prevent getting bogged and prevent damage to the sand track

Important information

• Transport is not provided for day visitors
• Camping is not permitted in the Nuytsland Nature Reserve or at the Observatory
• No public transport service operates along the Eyre Highway
• No pets are permitted

Accommodation

The Observatory accommodates up to eight overnight guests. Because of our limited facilities, to avoid disappointment, advance bookings for overnight stays and meals are essential.

Overnight Guests

Accommodation in the historic Old Telegraph Building is basic with shared bathroom and toilet facilities. There are three bedrooms, one with a double bed and bunks, one with a double bed and two singles, and one with two singles and bunks.

Guests should note:

• Bookings are essential. Please contact the caretakers
• Up to a total eight guests can stay on any one night
• You will need to bring your own bed linen—Sleeping bag, sheets, pillowslip, towel—to reduce water used for laundry purposes
• Three meals per day are included in the cost of the booking

Prices for Accommodation

All prices include GST (Effective January 2012)
Adults      $90  per person
Children (4-14 years)     $45  per person
Courses (6 nights)  $560  per person

10% discount for Seniors Card, YHA and BirdLife Australia members

Payments

Payments can be made by credit card (Visa/MasterCard) or cheque made out to Eyre Bird Observatory.

Eyre Bird Observatory is a not-for-profit facility, with the fees directed to cover our running cost. Fees for courses cover transport within the nature reserve for course outings, tuition by experienced leaders, accommodation in shared rooms, and hearty meals!

Caretakers

Are you interested in becoming one of our volunteer Caretakers for three months? Caretakers look after the facilities and visitors on a day-to-day basis, contribute to the research and training activities from time to time, and record weather data for the Bureau of Meteorology. Being a volunteer Caretaker is a rewarding experience for those with the time, an interest in birds and the environment in general, and a desire to help visitors to gain the most from their time at Eyre.

Although the position is unpaid, all your needs are provided for and we are able to reimburse you some of the costs in getting to and from the Observatory.

Criteria for a Caretaker:

• Have a demonstrated interest in birds and birding and/or the natural environment
• Have Computer literacy in Windows XP, emails, MS Word, MS Excel
• Have stayed at Eyre Bird Observatory for more than a day-visit
• Two adults (preferably a couple) are a necessary requirement
• Be prepared to commit to a minimum of a three-month stay
• Have sufficient mechanical skills to service the observatory vehicles, power generator, etc
• Have an interest in people and hospitality
• Be prepared to cook and clean
• Be able to cope with isolation, remote conditions, i.e. ordering supplies weekly, limited water and power, long distance shopping (nearest supermarket at Norseman 400 km to the west)
• Have the ability to communicate with a wide range of people
• Have a police clearance and a medical check from your GP

Apply to be a Caretaker by sending a one-page description of your skills and experience to Chair of our Management Committee, Alma de Rebeira.

Most Wanted

Couriers

Are you going to Eyre? Or even just passing by Cocklebiddy?

We often need to transport items to or from the Observatory.  If you happen to be coming our way please contact our Caretakers, and let them know you'd be willing to help.

Volunteer Tradespeople

We could always use a hand from the following licenced trades:

• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Mechanics (Vehicles, Generators, Pumps)
• Plumbers
• Diesel Mechanic

The scientific program at the Observatory commenced in 1978 and continues currently under the supervision of the Caretakers, course leaders and visiting scientists. We encourage further research; to contribute please contact us.

Birds

Bird observations commenced on the first day of rehabilitation of the Telegraph Station and continue on a daily basis by the Caretakers and visitors. Supplemented by regular counts in defined areas and weekly counts are carried out along 13 km of Kanidal Beach. Records are contributed to BirdLife Australia’s Atlas & Birdata project as well as printed in the West Australian Bird Notes newsletter.

Bird banding started in 1977 and has continued since through the efforts of the Caretakers, assisted by qualified course leaders and visiting banders. Banding studies include John Martindale’s MSc project on genetic relationships in birds; the extensive Honeyeater Expedition co-ordinated by Stephen Ambrose and Tim Marples; a PhD project by Stephen Ambrose on the behavioural and physiological ecology of the White-browed Scrubwren; and Tim Marples spent some months carrying out research into the ecology of the Singing Honeyeater. He also analysed data gathered by the the Observatory banding program to examine trends in occurrence for a number of honeyeater species; Peter Congreve investigated plumage changes and moult sequences of a number of species banded at the Observatory, and contributed data to supplement known methods for ageing and sexing birds; Doug Watkins gathered data from banded birds to determine their role as pollinators in the region; Don Bradshaw and Dave Goldstein conducted research into water metabolism and kidney function in honeyeaters; and data gathered at the Observatory has contributed to research demonstrating Bergmann’s Rule in the Singing Honeyeater.

Annual banding studies continue to provide important data on seasonal movements and longevity of individuals and morphological variations in a number of species. The Observatory has the second longest running bird banding project in Australia. The data gathered at Eyre is being used in climate change studies by Janet Gardner, and in the Banders’ Guide to Western Australian Birds. Ornithological research has been an essential function of the Observatory and will continue into the future.

Dune Stabilisation & Botany

Dune stabilisation has been an important effort since the Observatory opened. Progress reports of the success of this work are presented regularly. The Observatory was a semi finalist in the Regional Achievement and Community awards in 2011 for the work done on dune restoration.

Allan Burbidge published a plant list for the region, adding to the work of R.F. Parsons, E.C. Nelson, G.J. Keighery and others. Botanical studies have continued with visits by E.R.L. Johnson, A.M. Baird, H. Kirkman, K.R. Newbey, M. McCallum-Webster and A. Brown.

Mammals

Mammal lists are kept up to date and are available to researchers. Ground-dwelling mammal data is based on trapping done by the Department of Conservation and Observatory Caretakers. Knowledge of bat fauna is based on long-term studies by Doug Watkins.

Herpetology

Mike Bamford collected data on the biology of the Bob-tailed Skink as part of an honours project at Murdoch University. Further records for the area have been provided by M.J. Dyer, P. Congreve, T.M. Hanlon, G. Harold, G.M. Storr, M. Hutchinson and P. Griffin, and Department of Conservation surveys.

It has been known for some time that the Western Pygmy Possum Cercartetus concinnus is resident at the Observatory (Eyre Report 2 1979-1981). Trapping results suggested that it may be relatively abundant, but little quantitative information has been gathered. A nest box had been placed in the large mallee Eucalyptus diversifolia next to the solar energy unit but had not been used. When a Pygmy Possum took up residence in June 1987 and built a nest it was decided to build more boxes immediately, and add to their number as opportunity allowed.

We wanted to know:
a) whether the Pygmy Possums would follow the example of the female in box 1 and use the boxes for breeding and/or sanctuary
b) if they would move from one type of mallee to another following the flowering and
c) if the abundance of Pygmy Possums varied in the site area

Nine nest boxes were completed and erected in July 1987, 10 more in August, 12 in September, and 19 in October. These boxes were made in a variety of ways, openings were not standard but only the boxes with small openings were used by the Pygmy Possums.

The trees selected were all mallee species: Eucalyptus diversifolia (16 boxes), E. angulosa (17 boxes), and E. rugosa (18 boxes). Peak flowering for these species was July to September, October to December and November to December respectively. Most boxes were placed about 1.5m - 1.8m from the ground. Boxes were inspected weekly from June to December 1987, fairly regularly in January 1988, not in February and once in March. The regular inspections did not appear to disturb even the females with young, particularly once a nest had been established.

Initially individuals were marked with felt pen at the base of the tail using up to four colours and lasting for up to two months. Later an ear clipper was used to provide permanent identification.

Results
Pygmy Possums used 38 of the 51 boxes. Boxes not used on a regular basis were sometimes taken over by other creatures, such as huntsman spiders. On two occasions occupancy by individual huntsman spiders exceeded 3 months.

A very large cricket occupied box 28 for two months and Marbled Geckoes Phyllodactylus marmoratus were found briefly in two boxes.

Female Pygmy Possums occupied boxes for longer periods than males if they constructed nests, but generally non-breeding females were transitory. This was also true of females with tiny young who did not begin a nest. Males were much less prone to stay in a nest. The “top resident” female occupied the same box for 19 consecutive visits (18 June -
7 November 1987).

Nest Construction
Resident females were the nest builders with long-term female residents always building substantial nests. Nests filled the boxes over time, with leaves renewed on an ongoing basis. Early nests were constructed of the host mallee, but later the leaves of Acacia anceps were more commonly used. These large shrubs were 20 - 30m from the nest tree.

Breeding
During the period of the study 29 females had a total of 34 litters. Numbers in each litter varied, ranging from 6 to 2. It seems possible that the nest boxes provided secure areas as observations showed all of the young counted produced by one female survived up until the time they became independent. Litters were found during the following months: June (1), July (1), August (4), September (10), October (6), November (9) and December (3). The 15 litters that contain known numbers provided 28 males and 35 females, for a total of 63 at an average of 4.2 young per litter.

Movements
Out of a total of 169 individuals marked, 34 were later found in different boxes or places. The distances covered ranged from about 3m to a little over a kilometre. Regularly caught males and females tended to be found in a relatively confined area, on average from 10 to 250m, 100m being the norm. Nine individuals made longer treks: two movements of about 500m, three of about 700m and four of about 1000 m.

Incidental Observations
Pygmy Possums were found to readily enter and use human habitation. We caught them in the house and two bred in the garage. No success was had when searching for nests in hollows or in old Babblers’ nests.

We had one female (non-gravid) that went from 14.6g on 13 December 1987 to 27.5g on 9 January 1988. She was in boxes with other possums for four observations and the fifth time alone. Possibly cannibalism is an explanation for the acceleration in weight.

We found no evidence to support Smith’s contention that Pygmy Possums were often found in a torpid condition and could be handled without them being aware of it.

Conclusions
This survey demonstrated that Pygmy Possums will regularly and frequently use breeding boxes.

Despite the shortness of the survey, it seems likely that they move from one blossoming species to another. What happens when the mallees stop flowering is unknown, although we think they may use the mistletoe that flowers during February to March. We were unable to discover whether they move into the Melaleuca that blossoms during the same period and later.

It may well prove significant that in 1988, which saw almost no flowers on the mallees, there were very few Pygmy Possums sighted.

Probably, the most important outcome of this study has been its demonstration of the need for a more extensive and intensive study program over a number of years, ideally undertaken by an independent researcher. The material gathered during 1987, despite its many shortcomings, would be a valuable starting point.

References
Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, (1982). Eyre Bird Observatory Report 1979-1981, West Australian Group, Perth.

Smith M.J. (1983). The Western Pygmy Possum. In R Strahan (Ed)

The Australian Museum Complete Book of Australian Mammals (Sydney, Angus and Robertson)

Nesting Boxes

In 2004, Rod Smith made some new Western Pygmy Possum nest boxes as the old wooden ones were on their last legs. Pygmy Possums are still enjoying the environs of the Observatory and have accepted their new PVC pipe style accommodation very well.

They have occasionally taken over the box for putting the Rope Walk booklet in. A check is made every morning so guests know to be careful not to squash the sleeping possum when they return the booklet.

We have had possums sleeping in the top bunk of the V.I.P. room much to the amusement of guests. A Pygmy Possum has even surprised us in the Stevenson’s Screen (weather instument box).

Edward John Eyre’s expedition 1841

Mercilessly beaten by the sun, day after day, huddled frozen and bone-weary in his blankets at night, John Eyre must often have felt that the life of an explorer was indeed harsh.

It was 1841 and 26 year old Eyre, together with his companion John Baxter and three Aborigines, was intent on breaking the barrier of desert, scrub and salt-pan that kept Western Australia isolated from the eastern colonies. Across almost 2000 kilometres of bleak, harsh, unyielding terrain, the small party struggled on to cross the lower western half of the continent.  No rivers or streams irrigated this dry, dusty land and the explorers were frequently thirsty.

Among the coastal sand dunes south of what is known as Cocklebiddy, Eyre and his party dug for, and found, life-saving water.  The place eventually became known as Eyre’s Sand Patch but was later abbreviated to Eyre. They recuperated here for 28 days before heading westward again on April 27, 1841. Two days later Baxter was murdered when two of the Aborigines deserted. Eyre, accompanied by Wylie, the remaining Aborigine, continued and became the first to walk from east to west.

1897 Eyre Telegraph Station building before restoration in 1977

The Eyre Telegraph Station est 1877

Because of the good supply of fresh water and proximity to the coast, Eyre’s Sand Patch was destined to become one of the repeater stations for the Inter-Colonial Telegraph Line which first linked Western Australia to the outside world. In 1877, when the line came through from Albany, the telegraph station was built.  The original telegraph station was a weatherboard building with an office, kitchen, dining room and bedrooms. When William Graham arrived to take charge a similar building was erected for him, his wife Emily and their six children. The station opened for telegraph traffic on July 17, 1877.

Twenty years later in 1897, a limestone building was erected. The following year there were 17 people living at Eyre.

Of all the people who worked on the Inter-Colonial Telegraph Line, William Graham, or ‘Iron Man Graham’ as he was known, was the most outstanding personality.

He came from Kadina in South Australia and was a builder, an amateur anthropologist, a magnificent horseman, a long-distance swimmer, a successful horse breeder and a capable cross-country cyclist.

He learned the language of the local Aborigines and studied their culture. As a hobby he bred thoroughbred horses at Eyre and several of them were very successful racers. His own horse, a fine stallion appropriately named Wire, stood seventeen and a half hands high – almost as big as a Clydesdale.

Legend has it that he rode Wire 160 kilometres in one day to repair a break in the telegraph line. He is reputed to have regularly stayed on board the supply vessels which serviced Eyre until sailing time and then swam a kilometre back to shore through the shark-infested waters of the Southern Ocean. Also, he is believed to have ridden his bicycle 100 kilometres from Israelite Bay to Eyre in the days when there was nothing except scrub and mallee, and certainly no roads.

The Grahams brought up 10 children on the station. William Graham held the position of station master until his retirement in 1901 to a farm in Narrogin. Some of his daughters married telegraph staff who later became station masters at Eucla and Israelite Bay.

Eyre Telegraph Station served Western Australia for fifty years until the original line closed in 1927 to be replaced by a telegraph route along the Trans Australian Railway, 150 kilometres to the north. The original buildings were sold for 30 pounds and some of the timber and iron was removed and transferred to Rawlinna. The beautiful limestone building fell into disuse until 1976.