Benthic studies of waterfowl breeding habitat in south-western New South Wales. I. The fauna

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Maher
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Chironomid Larvae ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Average Biomass

Murrumbidgil Swamp and Lake Menimajeel are shallow waterbodies associated with the Lachlan River and are typical of waterfowl breeding habitat offered by the Murray-Darling Rivers system. Chironomid larvae dominated the benthic fauna of mud, stick and plant substrata at both sites, numerically accounting for 96% and 49% of all animals sampled from mud in Murrumbidgil Swamp and Lake Memmajeel, respectively, 91% and 96% of animals sampled from sticks, and 96% of animals sampled from plants (Lake Memmajeel only). Lurnbriculus variegatus and ceratopogonid larvae were also important in the fauna of mud. Mud supported higher densities of animals than did sticks or plants. Over the whole study, average biomass of animals from mud of Murrumbidgil Swamp was 3600 (2860 excluding shells) mg dry wt m-2 and Lake Memmajeel 3230 (2970) mg dry wt m-2, with annual differences occurring within each waterbody and associated with stages of the wetting-drying cycle.

Breeding habitat, nest-site characteristics and productivity of the little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) near Armidale, New South Wales

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 258
Author(s):  
Candice Larkin ◽  
Ross Jenkins ◽  
Paul G. McDonald ◽  
Stephen J. S. Debus
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Private Land ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Occupied Territory ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Woodland Regeneration

We aimed to elucidate nesting requirements and nest success of the threatened little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides). Nest sites (n=12 active and 2–5 recent historical nests) near Armidale, New South Wales, were measured in 2017 at three scales: the nest tree, the nest woodland (≤25m from the nest tree), and (using GIS) the landscape scale (within 200-m and 2-km radii of the nest). The eagles typically nested ≥14m above ground in the canopy of emergent (>20m tall) living eucalypts in sheltered positions (midslope, with a north-easterly to southerly aspect), in woodland patches >5ha (mean 76ha), <200m (mean 78m) from the woodland edge, though ≥11m (mean 190m) from an agricultural edge, ≥38m (mean 485m) from the nearest rural dwelling, >1km from suburbia, and farther from sealed roads (mean 832m) than gravel roads (mean 490m) than minor tracks (mean 291m). Breeding productivity in 2017–18 (n=15 and 18 territories, respectively) was 0.91 young fledged per attempt (clutch laid) and 0.67 young fledged per occupied territory per year. Nest sites were used annually for at least 3–7 years. Nest abandonments or site shifts were associated with human disturbance (e.g. clearing, earthmoving, subdivision and construction in or beside the nest patch), death of the nest tree or nest stand (‘eucalypt dieback’ or rural tree decline), pindone baiting for rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and displacement by wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) and ravens (Corvus sp.). As most little eagle nests were located on private land, we recommend, inter alia, greater protection of breeding habitat, nest sites and foraging habitat, woodland regeneration (especially riparian), and a buffer around established nests of ≥1km from major developments such as urbanisation.

Breeding-habitat and nest-site characteristics of Scarlet Robins and Eastern Yellow Robins near Armidale, New South Wales

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. S. Debus
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
Fledgling Survival ◽  
Lower Slope ◽  
Selection Of

I studied the selection of breeding habitat and nest microhabitat in Scarlet Robins Petroica multicolor and Eastern Yellow Robins Eopsaltria australis, in remnant woodland on the New England Tablelands of New South Wales in 2000?2002. Yellow Robins used breeding territories (n = 10) with significantly higher densities of rough-barked saplings, acacias and other (non-Acacia) shrubs than Scarlet Robin breeding territories (n = 10) and plots lacking Yellow Robins (n = 7). Yellow Robins nested mostly in gully and lower-slope positions, with a southerly aspect, >40 m from the woodland edge, whereas Scarlet Robins nested mostly on upper slopes and ridges, with no preferred minimum distance from the woodland edge. Most Yellow Robin nests (86% of 58) had overhead foliage within 1 m, shielding them from above, whereas over half (58% of 54) of Scarlet Robin nests were in unconcealed positions. Yellow Robin nests had significantly greater density of cover, and the surrounding habitat was more complex, than for Scarlet Robin nests, in 0.13-ha plots centred on the nest. Breeding success and fledgling survival in the Yellow Robin were positively related to the density of acacias, non-Acacia shrubs and rough-barked saplings (but not gum saplings) in breeding territories. Fledging success and juvenile survival in the Yellow Robin were also positively related to habitat complexity around nest-sites (but not distance to nearest cover, or items of cover within 20 m). Scarlet Robins had exposed nests and suffered high nest predation, with too few successful nests for comparison with unsuccessful nests. Habitat conservation for the Yellow Robin should address the complexity of the ground, shrub and sapling layer in woodland remnants; that for the Scarlet Robin may need to address foraging substrate and ecologically based control of nest predators.

Benthic studies of waterfowl breeding habitat in south-western New South Wales. II. Chironomid populations

1984 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Maher ◽  
SM Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Major Species ◽  
Polypedilum Nubifer

The dynamics of chironomid populations in waterfowl breeding habitat were investigated. Of 12 species recorded, Chironomus 'alternans a', C. tepperi, Kieflerulus intertinctus, Polypedilum nubifer and Procladius villosimanus were common in the mud habitats. C. 'alternans a' was the most commonly recorded species over the whole study, and C. tepperi dominated the faunas afier flooding. Dicrotendipes conjunctus and Dicrotendipes sp. 2 were the major species occurring on stick substrata, and Dicrotendipes sp. 2 and Polypedilum nubifer were dominant on plant substrata. Production of chironomids was high in the first 2 years following an extensive flood but thereafter fell rapidly. Correlative evidence is presented that suggests a relationship between abundance of C. tepperi larvae and breeding by waterfowl.

A comparative study of the macro-benthic fauna of Posidonia australis seagrass meadows in New South Wales

1984 ◽  
Vol 18 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 111-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.C. Collett ◽  
P.A. Hutchings ◽  
P.J. Gibbs ◽  
A.J. Collins
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Benthic Fauna ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
South Wales

Population size, breeding habitat and nest site distribution of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) on Montague Island, New South Wales

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke S. Weerheim ◽  
Nicholas I. Klomp ◽  
Arend M. H. Brunsting ◽  
Jan Komdeur
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Nest Distribution ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Landing Sites ◽  
Little Penguin

The distribution of little penguin nest sites on Montague Island, New South Wales, was examined in relation to vegetation type, distance to landing sites and local footpaths. Nest site density was negatively correlated with distance to landing sites and positively correlated with distance to footpaths. The latter may be related to disturbance. Comparisons with the transect data of previous years showed a significant shift in nest distribution away from areas dominated by dense kikuyu grass. In October 2000, the little penguin population on Montague Island was estimated at 5000 breeding pairs. However, repeat surveys in November and December showed that single counts underestimate the actual size of the breeding population. This study has demonstrated the value of line transects to examine the relationship between little penguins and their breeding habitat. Transect surveys on Montague Island should continue in future years to monitor the effects of ongoing vegetation changes on nest distribution and population size.

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