Volume 25 will be completed when the  December issue is published.
 

Dunlop J.N. and Mitchell D. (2001) Further Changes to the Breeding Seabirds of Lancelin Island, Western Australia. Corella 25:1-4. ( Biological Sciences, Murdoch University, South St, Murdoch, WA 6150, and PO Box 224, Lancelin, WA 6044)

A new colony of Common Noddies Anous stolidus on Lancelin Island increased rapidly from the nucleus of five nesting pairs first detected in January 1992. The growth in the number of breeding pairs was exponential between the 1994/95 and 1997/98 seasons, slowing to a 30 percent increase in 1998/99. However in 1999/00 the number of breeding pairs dropped by around 40%. Up until 1998/99 the accession of breeding pairs was effectively due to immigration. Natal recruitment by three-year old Noddies was first observed in the 1998/99 season. Most natal recruits appear to start breeding in their 3rd year. Survival to recruitment age was estimated to 18.5 and 20% for two cohorts present in the colony in 1999/00. The demographic characteristics of the Lancelin Island Noddy colony are discussed

Sooty Terns Sterna fuscata were observed over Lancelin Island in the 1996/97 and 1997/98 seasons and started breeding near the Noddy colony in November 1998. The Sooty Tern colony persisted and expanded in the following season. Observed changes in the breeding seabirds of Lancelin Island are discussed in relation to the wider phenomenon of shifting tropical seabird distribution and abundance in south-western Australia.
 
 

Debus S.J.S. (2001) Surveys of the Barking Owl and Masked Owl on the North-west Slopes of New South Wales. Corella 25:5-11 (Division of Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351 Austrtalia).

Field Surveys of the Barking owl Ninox connivens and Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae were conducted at 49 sites (110 survey points) on the North-west Slopes and adjoining western parts of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, to investigate their status in remnant vegetation on public and private land. The surveys were conducted over three years, from 1995 to 1998, using playback of the owls' calls. The Barking Owl was recorded at four survey points (4%) and the Masked Owl at one or possibly two points (1-2%), with one additional, inccidental record of each species. Both owl species occurred in large habitat remnants on public land, and the Barking Owl also occurred in two large healthy woodland remneants on provate land. One breeding pair of Barking Owls was monitored over three years, during which they reared first three, thenone, flegelings before one adult dies during the next (unsuccessful) breeding season. The pair was resident, and defended the nest area throughout the year. The pair's breeding diet, determined from analysis of pellet and prey remains, consisted of 12 per cent mammals, 26 per cent birds and 62 per cent insects by number, and 41 per cent mammals, 57 per cent birds and 1 per cent insects by biomass, and their non-breeding diet consisted of 12 per cent mammals, 12 per cent birds and 76 per cent insects by number, and 58 per cent mammals, 39 per cent birds and 3 per cent insects by biomass. Vertebrate prey were native arboreal species caught in woodland.

Hamilton S.G. Erico J. and Tarburton M. K. (2001) Notes on the Sixth Specimen Record of the Three-toed Swiftlet Aerodramus papuensis in Papua New Guinea. Corella 25:12-14 (The Nature Conservancy, Papua New Guinea Field Office, P.O. Box 2750, Boroko, NCD, Papua New Guinea.)

The Three-toed Swiftlet Aerodramus papuensis Rand is a poorly known and enigmatic member of the Family Apodidae. There are four uniformly dark swiftlets in New Guinea and they are impossible to separate in the field. In the hand however, the Three-roed Swiftlet can be readily separated by the number of toes and the absence of a hallux. This paper describes the sixth specimen record of the Three-toed Swiftlet; the collection of four specimens from Losapi Cave (6038'S 1450 09'E), in Papua New Guinea.

Saffer V.M. (2001) A comparison of two census methods for birds in a south-western Australian Heathland. Corella25:15-17. (BiologicaL Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150 Australia).

An instantaneous point method (Pyke 1983) and mist-netting were used to census birds simultaneously on 19 field trips over three years in dense heathland at one site on the south coast of Western Australia. Of the 29 bird species recorded, eight were never netted and six were never sighted. Mist netting appears to over-represent small species, and visual census over-estimate larger species.

Rose A.B. (2001) Tarsus Length as a Sex Determinant in the Superb Lyrebird menura novaehollandiae. Corella25:18-20. (Associate, The Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney , New South Wales, 2010 Australia.).

No abstract.

Debus S.J.S. Fledging Date and Post Fledging Period of the Sooty Owl Tyto novaehollandiae: A Comment on Page (2000).Corella 25:20.

McDougall A. and Timms B. (2001). The Influence of Turbid Waters on Waterbird Numbers and Diversity: A Comparison of Lakes Yumberarra and Karatta, Currawinya National Park, South-west Queensland. Corella 25:25-31. (Ranger in Charge, Currawinya National Park, via Hungerford, Queensland 4493, Australia).

Lakes Yumberarra and Karatta are two nearby intermittent lakes associated with the Paroo River, that differ in many respects. Yumberarra supports 53 species of waterbirds with numbers up to 11,500 at any one time, but Karatta has only 23 species with a maximum of 100 individuals seen at one time. While Karatta is one-third the size of Yumberarra, and has different dominant invertebrates, the main difference is its very high turbidity and lack of macrophytes. This severely restricts waterbird diversity and numbers. The high turbidity is recent and is associated with a severely eroded catchment and partial infilling of the lake.

Waterhouse R.D. (2001). Observations on the Diet of the Topknot Pigeon Lophalaimus antarcticus in the Illawarra Rainforest, New South Wales. Corella 25:32-38. (4/1-5 Ada Street, Oatley, New South Wales 2223, Australia).

Observations were made on the feeding behaviour of Topknot Pigeons Lophalaimus antarcticus from March 1988 to December 1992 near Mt Keira, Wollongong, New South Wales. The species of plants that contributed fruit to the diet were recorded for each month of the year. The seasonality, quantity and duration of fruiting by food species varied considerably over the study period. Topknot Pigeons were found to consume the fruits of 13 rainforest species and those that contributed most to the presence of birds in the study area were the Cabbage Tree Palm Livistona australis, Moreton Bay Fig Ficus macrophylla, Brown Beech Pennantia cunninghamii, Jackwood Cryptocarya glaucescens, White Cherry Schizomeria ovata, Peppervine Piper novaehollandiae and Lillypilly Acmena smithii. These are recommended for rainforest revegetation schemes in the Wollongong area.

Frith C.B. & Frith D.W. (2001) Morphology, Moult and Survival in Three Sympatric Bowerbirds in Australian Wet Tropics Upland Rainforest. Corella 25:41-60 ('Prionodura', PO Box 581, Malanda, Queensland, Australia.)

Spotted Catbirds Ailuroedus melanotis, Tooth-billed Bowerbirds Scenopoeetes dentirostris and Golden Bowerbirds Prionodura newtoniana were individually marked, measured and examined for moult in upland tropical rainforest on the Paluma Range, northern Queensland. Their adult measurements were compared with those of museum specimens. Biometrical data presented provide information on variation in size and weights for each sex and age group in all three species. Adult female Spotted Catbirds and Tooth-billed Bowerbirds had shorter wings and tails than adult males and adult female. Spotted Catbirds also had smaller bills than adult males. Golden Bowerbirds were distinctive in that females were the larger billed sex but had a tail only 81 per cent as long as that of adult males. Bowerbirds lost weight in September- October, at the beginning of their display and breeding season, but gained weight as the season progressed. The overall moult period for all three species was December to March inclusive, the peak moulting months being January to March after display and breeding declined and wet season rains had commenced. Moult of head and body plumage began before that of wing and tail. Immature male Golden Bowerbirds without traditional bowers began moult during September and November, whereas adult bower-owning males began moulting in late December. Primary moult was most evident during January and March and finished, or nearly did so, by April. It started in the mid-wing, with the innermost primary, progressing outwards from the body in both wings simultaneously. Secondary moult was most evident during February and March and generally began when the first four or five new primaries were fully-grown or nearly so. It began at S1 to progress toward the body and simultaneously at S7 away from the body. The central secondaries (S3/4-6) were thus replaced last. Tail moult usually started during early stages of primary moult, beginning with the central pair and progressing outwards. It was finished before primary moult and was most evident during February and March. The timing of annual moult relative to other aspects of the life histories of these bowerbirds is discussed. Estimated mean annual survival rate and expectancy of further life after banding was respectively: 72 per cent and three years for Spotted Catbirds (both sexes); 90 per cent and 9.4 years for Tooth-billed Bowerbirds (males only) and 91 per cent and 10.9 years for Golden Bowerbirds (males only). The oldest Spotted Catbird we recorded was aged 19 years and a Tooth-billed and Golden Bowerbird attained 20 years and 21 years respectively. Both monogamous (Spotted catbirds) and polygynous (Tooth-billed and Golden) bowerbirds proved to be remarkably long-lived, their high survival rates being briefly discussed in the context of the southern hemisphere and Australian passerine avifaunas.

Jones D.N. & Nattrass R. (2001) Notes on Interactions Between Common Koels and Their Hosts. Corella 25:60-61. (Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland).

Baker J. (2001) Population Density and Home Range Estimates for the Eastern Bristlebird at Jervis Bay, South-Eastern Australia. Corella 25: 62-67. (Institute for Conservation Biology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia).

Twenty-two Eastern Bristlebirds Dasyornis brachypterus  were radio-tracked at Jervis Bay. Densities at two sites were >1.5 and >2.1 birds / 5 hectares* respectively which were similar to previous aural surveys at Jervis Bay and to the maximum density of 2.4 birds / 5 hectares recorded at Barren Grounds. The average home range minimum convex polygon area was approximately 10 hectares for the two birds tracked for mare than 11 days. Hopme ranges overlapped and there was no evidence of individuals or pairs occupying exclusive territories during the non-breeding season. Management decision which impact upon the Eastern Bristlebird will be flawed if they assume the species is confined to small exclusive territories throughout the year. Even small-scale disturbances in Eastern Bristlebird habitat are likely to impact on numerous individuals.     * more then or equal to in both cases.

Kennedy S.J. & Overs A.E. (2001) Foraging Ecology and Habitat Use of the Swift Parrot on the South-Western Slopes of New South Wales. Corella 25:68-74. (Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment, Bendigo, Victoria 3550).

The foraging ecology and habitat use of the Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor  was investigated in the south-western slopes region of New South Wales in May 1999. An extensive search of known and potential habitats was conducted in the study area.

A total of six Swift Parrot sites was located during the study period, all of which were in open forest and woodland dominated by Mugga Ironbark  Eucalyptus sideroxylon or Mugga Ironbark-Grey Box E. microcarpa association. Both eucalypt species were used by Swift Parrots for foraging resources. Swift Parrots were mainly observed foraging on the nectar of Mugga Ironbarks. They also foraged on other carbohydrates on Grey Box. Swift Parrots foraged in the largest trees in the landscape. Swift Parrot records from the study area in other years indicate that woodlands dominated by White Box E. albens  are also of importance.

The Swift Parrot is capable of locating small patches of suitable habitat in highly fragmented landscape. A significant proportion of the non-breeding Swift Parrot population is reliant on the south-western slopes of New South Wales in some years. The results here demonstrate that appropriate management of Mugga Ironbark-Grey Box communities is a priority for Swift Parrot conservation in this region but further work is needed to ascertain the possible importance of other vegetation communities such as White Box woodland.
 

Norman F.I. (2001) Resights, Recaptures and Recoveries of Australiasian Gannets Morus serrator breeding in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria. Corella 25:77-84. (Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, 123 Brown St, Heidelberg, Victoria   3084, Australia).

Colonies of Australiasian Gannet Morus serrator  in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, started with three nests at Wedge Light in 1966/67, and have now expanded both in size and number; there are now about 1000 Gannets breeding at eight artificial sites in the Bay. Between 1967 and 2000, 1116 gannet chicks were banded at sites in Port Phillip Bay, mostly at Pope's Eye (759) and Wedge Light (354), off Queenscliff. During subsequent studies, mainly at Pope's Eye and from 1988 onwards, band numbers were obtained from adults present at breeding sites as practicable. Resightings (or recaptures) of  birds (172) banded as chicks are reviewed in relation to source, age and movement between sites in Port Phillip Bay. Recoveries (birds found dead) of 41 birds banded as chicks (3.7% of those banded) in Port Phillip Bay are discussed with respect to age post banding and location; the occurrence of live birds in rehabilitation centres is also noted. Resights and recaptures at breeding sites in Port Phillip Bay have, essentially, been of birds banded there. Few birds have been resighted from Lawrence Rocks, the major Victorian breeding site, which has itself also expanded (and a new site established on the nearby mainland). Although some may visit nesting colonies earlier, Australasian Gannets in Port Phillip Bay begin breeding at about four years of age and increasingly thereafter. Recoveries to date have been mainly in Port Phillip Bay (56%), often shortly after banding(e.g. 29% within 5 months), but occasional birds have been reported from coastal Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales. Once recorded as a breeder, usually at natal colonies, birds seldom nested elsewhere; movement between sites generally involved younger, presumably non-breeding gannets. However, although philopatry may be strong, it is affected locally by available space on the artificial platforms. In consequence, as sites are filled, opportunities for younger birds to breed are reduced and the breeding population ages. Annual mortality of breeding adults (of mixed age) is about 6 per cent and, using locally determined breeding success, suggests that the species is capable of producing surplus birds which have expanded some colonies and initiated others. There is little evidence that immigration from distant sites has been responsible for colony growth in Port Phillip Bay, and it appears that local expansion has been internally driven.

Wood K.A. (2001). Aspects of Breeding of the Pied Currawong Strepera graculina at Wolongong, New South Wales. Corella 25:85-93. (7 Eastern Avenue, Mangerton, New South Wales 2500, Australia).

Sample data were obtained during 223 hours of observation at seven nests of the Pied Currawong Strepera graculina in various breeding stages. At least 13 eggs hatched, of which only six nestlings (46%) fledged. In general, females built nests in 11-13 days and incubated the eggs for 73% of daylight hours. In the nest-building and incubating stage, males provided females with much of their food requirements and solicitation displays were common. In the nestling stage, females brooded the young during the day for reducing periods of time until they were about 15 days old and continued to brood them at night until they were 30 days old. The rate at which adults carried food to the nest varied widely between nests from 2.4 visits/hour at a nest with one (or two) nestlings to 11.1 visits/hour at another nest with four nestlings (mean feeding rate = 3.6 visits/hour). Both parents defended an area of about half a hectare (40 m radius) around the nest and foraged within a breeding home range of 12-16 hectares. Dependent juveniles remained in their breeding home range for about eight weeks after fledging. One family was seen about 850 metres from their nest 14 weeks after the young fledged and the juveniles were still partly dependent. The syllabised call currah-currah-currong was clearly the most frequent phrase uttered by both parents.

Rowley I (2001) Twenty-eight Year Old Galah. Corella 25:93 53 Swan St, Guildford, Western Australia 6055, Australia.

Fullerton G.R. and Ford H.A. (2001) Stomach Contents of Parental and Young Pied Currawongs Strepera graculina. Corella  25:94-96. (Zoology, University of new England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia).

In this paper we present details of the stomach contents of Pied Currawongs culled in an experiment on their impact as nest predators.

Weirsma J.M.,  Nermut W. and Shephard J.M. (2001). A Variation on the 'Noosed Fish' Method and its Suitability for Trapping the White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster. Corella 25:97-99. (School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, GPO Box 252-05, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia).

We present a modification of the noosed fish method for trapping the White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster. This technique provides a safe and inexpensive trapping method that may be applied in a water or land setting remote from the nest site. This versatility has great relevance where investigator disturbance may be an issue. Field evidence suggests the design may be readily adapted to suit other lake or coastally based Australian raptor species.

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