Eric Guiler — Obituary 
- by Janet Fenton 
Dr Eric Guiler, well known vertebrate zoologist and past president of the TFNC, died on 3rd July 2008 
after a long illness following a severe stroke. 
Eric Guiler had worked under Professor TT Flynn at Queen’s University, Belfast. Flynn had retreated to 
Belfast after a funding cut reduced his position at the University of Tasmania from professor to lecturer. 
Guiler, no doubt inspired by the theatrical Flynn’s tales of Tasmanian marsupials, followed in Flynn’s 
footsteps, taking up a post at the University of Tasmania in 1947. Guiler completed one of this 
university’s first PhDs in Zoology. He went on to become an early researcher into the Tasmanian Devil, 
and a leading researcher on the Thylacine, publishing two popular books on the subject. 
Many of us well remember the twinkle in his eye and the 
Irish humour of his conversations and lecture deliveries, 
along with his passion for marsupials and cetaceans. 
Guiler retired from teaching in 1983. The University 
offers three wildlife scholarships (supporting Tasmanian 
Devil research) in his honour. 
During the 1950s Guiler was an enthusiastic member of 
the TFNC, serving on the committee, including serving 
as president in 1952 and 1953. 
Eric Guiler setting off to sea on a TFNC excursion. 
Also pictured are Rhona Warren and two boys, one 
identified as Rod Hewer. (Photo: Alan Hewer) 
Azure Kingfisher — sightings wanted 
- Mark Wapstra 
I am currently compiling infonnation on the azure kingfisher in Tasmania to produce a profile of the 
species for the Threatened Species Section (Department of Primary Industries & Water). There is 
virtually no published infonnation on the species in Tasmania beyond ancedotal sightings in newsletters 
and annual publications. Formal database information is also scant and imprecise. I'm keen to hear from 
anyone who has information on the azure kingfisher. I'm after location information (ideally a precise grid 
reference or latitude/longitude but even a river name or road crossing is very useful), dates seen (again, 
ideally as precise as possible but even a year gives a good picture of historical shifts in distribution) and 
abundance/behaviour (i.e. how many, and what were they doing, especially if they were breeding). I'm 
also happy to be put in contact with others who might have information. 
Please contact Mark Wapstra on (03) 62 283 220 (after hours and business hours) or 0407 008 685 
(mobile) or mark@ecotas.com.au. 
Orchid Monitoring Talk 
Fiona Coates, Threatened Flora Program Manager at Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research 
in Victoria will present 
‘Monitoring to the Max: getting the most from your orchid data 9 
10am Sunday, 2 November 2008 
Riverview Room, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens 
Refreshments provided. 
Threatened flora recovery plans all require ‘monitoring’, but often we don’t really know why or how to 
do this. Fiona has been involved in several long-term orchid monitoring projects in Victoria, and will 
Tasmanian Field Naturalists Club BULLETIN 332 Oct 2008 p2 
