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.

Bird communities in remnant woodland on the New England Tablelands, New South Wales

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. S. Debus ◽  
H. A. Ford ◽  
D. Page
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
New South ◽  
Full Range ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Private Land ◽  
Bird Species Richness ◽  
South Wales

We provide a geographic and landscape context for ongoing studies on bird communities in eucalypt woodland remnants on the New England Tablelands, New South Wales. We draw together several surveys that have not been published in the scientific literature, and integrate them with previously published material. A total of 142 woodland bird species, including 12 threatened species, was recorded in remnant woodland in the area above 900 m elevation from 50 km SSE to 100 km NNW of Armidals. There was a positive relationship between remnant size and bird species richness. Woodland reserves >300 ha supported significantly more species than remnants <100 ha on private land. Intensively surveyed reserves also had more species than remnants surveyed more casually. Threatened and other declining species occurred mainly in medium-sized (100-300 ha) and large reserves; foraging guilds of small to medium-sized, ground and above-ground insectivores were impoverished in degraded medium-sized and small remnants on private land. Almost the full range of woodland bird species was found at one or more sites, indicating their conservation value. However, some species were found in few sites or were only vagrants at a site. Active management will be needed to retain the current diversity of bird species in such heavily cleared landscapes.

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 and movements of wing-tagged silver gulls (Larus novaehollandiae) at the largest colony in New South Wales

1992 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
GC Smith ◽  
N Carlile ◽  
S Tully
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Return Rate ◽  
Fledging Success ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Nesting Sites ◽  
Double Brooding ◽  
Band Combinations

Wing tags were used in preference to colour/metal band combinations to increase sighting frequency of silver gulls. Wing tags did not affect return rate of breeding adults to the colony compared with banded gulls. Approximately one-third of gulls lost their nests following wing-tagging. There were no instances of double-brooding with fledging success from both attempts. A total of 42% of adults that returned and bred, nested more than once in a season. Up to 4 clutches were produced by pairs within a season. Successful raising of young typically occurred from the first brood of the season. Successful breeders usually nested only once in any one season. In all, 19% of pairs successfully fledged young, but the percentage of young fledged from the number of eggs laid was much lower (5.3%). Nest sites were rarely repeatedly used by the same nesting pair. Individuals moved considerable distances between successive nesting sites within and between seasons. Fidelity to colony was 68% and to mate 22%; these estimates are lower than those from other colonies.

Habitat requirements of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) and associated possums and gliders on the New South Wales central coast

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Smith ◽  
M. Murray
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Coastal Development ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Private Land ◽  
Central Coast ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Squirrel Glider

One of the largest known populations of the threatened squirrel glider occurs in the Wyong and Lake Macquarie regions of the New South Wales central coast. A study of the habitat requirements and density of this population was undertaken as a component in a broader study to develop a regional conservation strategy for the species. The squirrel glider was found to be widespread at an estimated average density of 0.39 animals ha–1. It was most abundant in forests and woodlands with an overstorey of winter-flowering eucalypts (Corymbia maculata, Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus tereticornis) or an understorey of winter-flowering banksias (Banksia spinulosa) or pinnate-leaved acacias (Acacia irrorata). The highest estimated density (0.7 ha–1) occurred in associations of scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma or racemosa), smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata) and red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera) with an understorey of Banksia spp and Xanthorrhoea spp. The lowest estimated densities occurred in forests with an understorey dominated by casuarinas or non-pinnate acacias and in stunted, low (<17 m high) forest and woodland close to the coast. The abundance of all possums and gliders increased significantly with canopy height, canopy cover, the number of mature and old-growth trees and the number of trees with hollows. Preferred habitat of the squirrel glider in this region occurs predominantly on freehold land where it is threatened by clearing for coastal development. Implementation of planning provisions to protect squirrel glider habitat on private land will be necessary to maintain the existing regional population.

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.

Co-Occurrence of Vulpia Species on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 445 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Mcintyre ◽  
RDB Whalley
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Average Frequency ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Ecological Amplitude ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Site Characteristics

A survey of 100 sites on the northern tablelands, New South Wales (Australia) was conducted to determine the composition of Vulpia populations in ruderal and pasture habitats. Of the four species recorded, two were widespread and common [Vulpia bromoides (L.) Gray and V. myuros (L.) Gmel.] and two were rare and newly recorded for the region [V. muralis (Kunth) Nees and V. ciliata (Pers.) Link]. Mixed stands of the two common species occurred at 88% of the sites sampled, although V. bromoides was more abundant with an average frequency of 61% compared with 38% for V. myuros. Two forms of V. myuros were present and these usually occurred in mixed stands, with forma myuros more widespread and abundant than forma megalura [V. megalura (Nutt.) Rydb.]. Relative frequencies were compared for a range of site characteristics: habitat type, parent material, latitude, aspect and altitude. However, variation in abundance of V. bromoides and V. myuros in relation to these factors was insignificant, suggesting that both species have a broad ecological amplitude. Although ecological differentiation between species could not be detected at the scale of this survey, it is likely that such differences may exist at a smaller spatial, or on a temporal scale.

Aspects of the ecology of the eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus at Jervis Bay, New South Wales.

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Harris ◽  
R.L. Goldingay ◽  
L. Broome ◽  
P. Craven ◽  
K.S. Maloney
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Food Plants ◽  
Range Data ◽  
Convex Polygons ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus

A variety of ecological data were collected on the eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus at Jervis Bay, in south-eastern New South Wales between March 2006 and January 2007. Elliott traps, pitfall traps, nest-boxes and spotlighting were used to survey for the species. Data on habitat suitability including abundance of food plants (flowering trees and shrubs) and potential nest sites were also collected. Home range data were gathered via radio telemetry. Three individuals were caught in 2150 trap-nights and one animal was re-trapped once. Radio-collars were attached to one animal of each sex and tracked for 11 days during March 2006. These possums used areas (using minimum convex polygons) of 0.85 ha (male) and 0.19 ha (female). The average overnight distance moved was 44 m for the male (range = 4-81 m) and 19 m for the female (range = 0-56 m). Nest-sites included hollows in the proteaceous shrubs Banksia serrata and B. ericifolia, and in the myrtaceous trees Corymbia gummifera, Eucalyptus sclerophylla, and Syncarpia glomulifera. Cercartetus nanus captures were confined to two sites that had the most prolific flowering of potential food plants and the highest availability of potential nest-sites. A review of literature and previous surveys of the surrounding area was a necessary precursor to field study and produced 57 records. Greater understanding of the impacts of development and fire are needed for conservation and management of this species.

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