Volume 26 will be updated as each issue of Corella is published.

Fulton G.R. (2002). Avifauna of Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens and Upper Stockyard Gully in the Blue Mountains, NSW. Corella 26:1-12.  (c/- Egretta R.S.D., Narrung Rd, Meningie, South Australia  5264, Australia.)

A survay of diurnal and nocturnal birds of Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, New South Wales and adjacent native forests was undertaken on one day and night in most months between November 1996 and March 1999. Birds were recorded within the Gardens and along a transect passing through rainforest to open forest at the adjacent Stockyard Gully. Listening, playback and spotlighting were undertaken on this transect at night and a resident Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa  was detected. More than one third (27) of the species detected showed habitat preferences; 14 species were more frequently detected inside the Botanic gardens, while five were more frequently detected along the Stockyard Gully transect.  The presence of permanent water at the Botanic Gardens Dam has increased the abundance and diversity of waterfowl. The New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae has increased in abundance in the study area since Brenton's (1987) checklist; whilst corvid and artamid abundances may have increased following the 1994 fires. Archaeological and historical records indicate that the Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae maybe extirpated from the area.

McKilligan N. (2002) Aspects of the Breeding Biology of the Reef Egret Egretta sacra. Corella 26:13-18. (Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland  4350, Australia).

Reef Egret Egretta sacra nest site characteristics, nest attendance, vocalisations and eggs and chicks are described. Male and female Egrets spend equal time at the nest site at all stages of nesting. Incubation typically involved long sittings (mean of about 21.6 hours, standard deviation (s) = 9.46). The timing of feeding and nest attendance is correlated with the tidal cycle, but differences between Reef Egrets and colonial nesters, such as the Cattle Egret Ardeola ibis, might also come from the greater security provided by solitary nesting. Prior to egg-laying, the Reef Egrets leave their nests unattended for long periods while they feed at low tide. Male Cattle Egrets guard their nests continuously at this stage. The Reef Egret guards advanced chicks whereas the Cattle Egret does not. This guarding is only at high tide when there are fewer feeding opportunities and they perch some distance from the nest, possibly to avoid advertising its location. Compared with other egret species the Reef Egret would appear to have a small clutch and a long nesting season. A second brood is also indicated for some pairs. These may be adaptations to a chronic shortage of food for egrets in the coral reef environment.

Doerr V.A.J. & Doerr E.D. (2002). A Dissolving Leg Harness for Radio Transmitter Attachment in Treecreepers. Corella 26:19-21. (Program in EEC Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, NV 89557 USA, and School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia).

We modified a leg harness designed for radio transnitter attachment in birds so that it could be used on species with long  exposed thighs and so that it would automatically fall off after several months. Using this harness, we attached radios to 63 treecreepers (Climacteridae) to follow their dispersal movements. Harness life was quite variable and females were more likely to break the harness loops and shed transmitters prematurely. Nonetheless, most harnesses remained intact for at least three months.  This harness provides a safe alternative to gluing for non-permanent attachment of radio transmitters and may be more reliable than gluing for a whole variety of species.

Doerr V.A.J. & Doerr E.D. (2002). Utilization of Nectar and Other Non-insect Food Resources by Treecreepers. Corella 26:22-23. (Program in EEC Biology, University of Nevada-Reno, NV 89557 USA, and School of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia).

The Australian Treecreepers (Climacteridae) are thought to be almost entirely insectivorous (Barker and Vestjens 1990; Higgins et al 2001). However, we have observed ingestion of a number of different non-insect food items by Treecreepers. Both Brown Treecreepers Climacteris picumnus and White-throated Treecreepers Cormobates leucophaeus were repatedly observed feeding on the nectar of Mugga Ironbark Eucalyptus sidoxylon. Additionally, Brown Treecreepers were observed feeding on lizards and at least two types of fungus. These appear to be the first observations of regular nectar feeding and of ingestion of fungi or vertebrate prey.

Berry L. (2002). Identifying Nest-predator Species in a Southern Victorian Woodland Using Remotely Triggered Cameras at Artificial Nest Sites. Corella 26:24-26.  (School of Biological ASciences, PO Box 18, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia).

I used remotely triggered cameras placed at artificial nests to identify nest-predator species in Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve, a woodland remnant in Southern Victoria. A quail egg placed on top of a micro-switch inside a disused bird nest acted as the bait and trigger mechanism for a camera placed nearby. After 220 camera days at 22 different nest sites, 15 nest sites had been depredated by the Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincia harmonica  and five had been depredated by the Little Raven Corvus mellori.  Nest sites were more likely to be revisited, and were revisited more quickly, by Little Ravens than by Grey Shrike-thrushes.

Love O.P. and Semeniuk C.A.D.(2002). An Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus Benefits from the Beating Behaviour of a Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius: A Possible Precursor to Kleptoparasitism. Corella 26:27-30. (Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6, Canada).

Food parasitism on pelican species by many groups of birds, especially Larus and Sterna spp. is well known and documented. Although the Pelicanidae exhibit many behavioural and ecological traits known to facilitate parasitism, few accounts and studies of this feeding strategy by pelicans are known. The following report describes a series of inshore parasitic bouts by an Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus on a Pied Cormorant  Phalacrocorax variusin Monkey Mia, Shark Bay, Western Australia. The pelican made no attempt to feed prior to the arrival of the cormorant and remained in association with the cormorant  for well over a quarter of an hour. The observed behaviour was clearly one of interception of prey by the pelican, and not merely of capitalising on food which could not escape. Ecological and behavioural factors known to encourage parasitic behaviour, such as "beating", are discussed in relation to these observations, as is the possibility of this feeding association leading to kleptoparasitism, or food theft. Potential costs and benefits of this association for both species are briefly discussed, as is the possibility that the asociation was precipitated by the protection afforded by the physical presence of humans and their structures.

Rohweder D.A. and Lewis B.D. (2002). Day-Night Habitat Use by Double-banded Plovers Charadrius bicinctus in the Richmond River Estuary, Northern New South Wales. Corella 26:33-37. (School of Environmental Science and management, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.)

Night and day habitat use by Double-banded Plovers Charadrius bicinctus was studied in the Richmond River estuary, northern New South Wales. Habitat use was documented through direct observation of birds at two intertidal sandflats and by radio-tracking four birds. Comparison of Plover density between day and night failed to record a significant difference. However, radio-telemetry identified substantial differences in habitat use between the two time periods for two birds. At night some Double-banded Plovers responded to the improved visual conditions provided by artificial lights from urban areas by moving to mudflats that received high amounts of artificial light. During the full moon phase, Plovers were recorded at a greater number of sites, including sites that received no artificial light.

Dyer P.K. (2002). Burrow Occupancy by Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and Flesh-footed Shearwaters on Lord Howe Island. Corella 26:38-40. (University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia.)

In January 2001 burrow occupancy for two species of Shearwater Puffinus carneipes and Puffinus pacificus  was ascertained by using a burrowscope to inspect burrowcontents at various sites on Lord Howe Island. Burrow occupancy (and burrow lengths) for Puffinus carneipes and Puffinus pacificus  averaged 60 per cent (1.4m) and 57 per cent (0.8m) respectively. Neither burrow density nor the amount of litter covering burrow entrances were good indicators of burrow occupancy.

Conole L.E. (2002). Local Extinction and Decline of Birds in a Woodland Remnant at Inverleigh, Victoria.   Corella 26:41-46. (2/37 Myrnong Crescent, Ascot Vale, Victoria 3032, Australia.)

Between 1979-2000 data about the presence or absence of birds were opportunistically collected from a grassy woodland reserve on the edge of the Victorian Volcanic Plain (38degrees04'South, 144degrees03'East), Victoria. Whilst no estimates of absolute abundance were made, the observations over 20 years are representative of avifaunal change during that period. In the last three decades of the twentieth century, 22 bird species have either declined or become locally extinct in the reserve - 23 per cent of locally breeding species. These changes are important because they involve some species not known to be in decline elsewhere, and because they are occuring in a relatively large woodland remnant (1 050 ha). The opportunities for small, woodland specialist birds to recolonise from nearby areas are extremely limited, as most nearby remnants are not connected and are generally smaller, species-poor and experiencing species loss. Many of the local extinctions are probably not naturally reversible in the current landscape.

Cale P.G. (2002). Are White-browed Babblers Territorial?  Corella 26:47-49. (Rivercare Ecologist, Department of Primary Industry, Water and Environment, GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.)

White-browed Babblers Pomatostomus superciliosus had overlapping ranges during the non-breeding season. During the breeding season these home ranges were restricted in area and there was little overlap between groups. There were three types of interaction associated with this spacing behaviour. Foraging interactions involved the aggregation of two or more groups to forage in a common area, and were more common during the non-breeding season. Calling displays involved members of two groups calling to each other. This occasionally led to the third interaction, chases, where one bird from each group chased each other. Calling displays and chases resulted in the separation of groups and occured almost exclusively during the breeding season.

The most parsimonious explanation for the behaviour of these White-browed Babbler groups was that they held territories during the breeding season, but became non-territorial for the rest of the year. The lack of territorial behaviour during the non-breeding season may be related to limited food supplies during the summer.
 

Stevens H.C. (2002). Behaviour of Non-breeding or Post-breeding Willie Wagtails Rhipidura leucophrys  in the Warrumbungle Mountains, New South Wales. Corella 26:50-52. (Tibuc Road, Coonabarabran, New South Wales 2357, Australia.)

The behaviour of Willie Wagtails Rhipidura leucophrys  was observed during late summer in the Warrumbungle Mountains, New South Wales. Eight behaviours were described and time budgeted while diurnal changes in calling and foraging were also examined. The time budget revealed that birds were stationary for 54 per cent of time, and spent 15 per cent preening, 12 per cent food-gathering and 8.6 per cent flying. The rate of territorial calling was highest in the morning and declined steadily throughout the day, while 'chitty' calling occurred at a lower frequency which did not vary greatly throughout the day. The proportion of prey that were butterflies increased during the course of the day.

O'Leary R.A.  and Jones D.N. (2002). Foraging by Suburban Australian Magpies During Dry Conditions. Corella 26:53-54. (Suburban Wildlife Research Group, Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.)

The foraging activities of ten Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen were observed during an unusually dry  three month  period in July to September 2000, in southern Brisbane, Queensland.

Göth A. and Vogel U. (2002) Social Behaviour of Two Free-ranging Chicks of Australian Brush Turkey Alectura lathami. Corella 26:55-58.  (Goeth A., Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.)

To date, chicks of the Australian Brush-turkey Alectura lathami  have been believed to live solitary during the first months of their lives. They hatch asynchronously in incubation mounds of leaf litter and receive no parental care. Upon digging themselves out of the mound, they disperse into dense understorey. This hatching process, their camouflaged plumage, lack of loud calls and large distance between incubation mounds would seem unlikely to facilitate encounters between chicks. Our observations represent the first accounts of social behaviour and time budgets of young Brush-turkey chicks in the wild. One radio-tagged chick, approximately three weeks old, spent 20 per cent of the observation time with another similar-aged wild chick, often separating and meeting again. Occasionally, both roosted on the same tree. They remained within a small area of rainforest, where they fed frequently on freshly fallen fruit, especially Watkins Figs Ficus Watkinsiana.  The chicks engaged in social behaviour, such as wing-flap runs or aggressive pecking, and one followed the other when changing feeding sites. When adults were nearby, both the chicks and the adults ignored each other, confirming that megapode chicks form no bonds with adults in the wild. These observations suggest that young Brush-turkey chicks form a loose two-chick group occasionally and that this occurs most likely in areas of rich food supply.

 

Rippey E., Rippey J.J. and Dunlop J.N. (2002). Increasing Numbers of Pied Cormorants Breeding on the Islands off Perth, Western Australia and Consequences for Vegetatiion. Corella 26:61-64. (Department of Geography, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia).

There has been an increase in the number of Pied Cormorants Phalacrocorax varius nesting on the small islands off the Perth coast,, with larger nesting colonies and increased numbers of nesting sites being used simultaneously. Overall the number of nests has quadrupled in recent years when compared with previous decades. The great majority of birds now nest on the island plateaux, on succulents or on the ground rather than on the woody shrubs of the talus slopes that were formerly preferred. This has been associated with a marked change in the vegetation of the islands, particularly the very small islands where native plants are being replaced by annual or biennial invasive weeds. As a result the nesting habitats for burrowing birds such as Little Penguins Eudyptula minor, Little Shearwaters Puffinus assimilis and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Puffinis pacificus and for ground nesting birds such as Bridled Terns Sterna anaethetus and Crested Terns Sterna bergii are threatened. In addition, the bare earth left after nesting episodes and when annual weeds die off in summer, is prone to erosion.

 

Rowley I. (2002) Nesting by Black-faced Woodswallows Artamus cinereus in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Corella 26:65-69. (53 Swan St, Guildford, Western Australia 6055, Australia).

Between 1973 and 1976 a population of Black-faced Woodswallows Artamus cinereus was studied at Manmanning, Western Australia. Fort-six breeding groups with an average group size of 3.34 birds were monitored in four years. Of 73 nests that were laid in, 48 hatched and 37 fledged young, a nesting success of 51 per cent. Young that survived the winter and did not find a mate stayed with their parents into the next breeding season and many helped to raise siblings. This species is one of the few to benefit from the clearing of heathlands for agriculture. In return they appear to be expert predators of grasshoppers.

 

Davis W.E.Jn. & Recher H.F. (2002) Mixed-species Foraging Flocks in Winter at Dryandra State Forest, Western Australia. Corella 26:70-73. (College of General Studies, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215 USA)

Point counts (n=100) were used to assess the pattern of bird distribution during winter in Dryandra Woodland near Narrogin, Western Australia. Ninety-two birds were recorded with the majority of individuals (68%) occurring in mixed-species foraging flocks. From mid-July to early August, mixed-species foraging flocks were followed to identify the species present and estimate numbers of individuals of each species. Including birds recorded during point counts, 779 individuals of 41 species were observed in 133 mixed foraging flocks. An index of Association for species present in three-or-more-species flocks revealed two major groupings of species; a group dominated by Rufous Treecreepers Climacteris rufa and Yellow-plumed Honeyeaters Lichenostomus ornatus, which was associated with Wandoo Eucalyptus wandoo woodlands, and another associated with woodlands where treecreepers and Yello-plumed Honeyeaters were scarce or absent. Both groups usually comntained species from at least three forging guilds suggesting a partitioning of resources within mixed flocks.

Davis W.E.Jn. & Recher H.F. (2002) Winter Mixed-species Foraging Flocks in Acacia Woodlands of Western Australia. Corella 26:74-78. (College of General Studies, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215 USA)

A mixed-species forging flock of more than 100 individuals and up to ten species was monitored over five days in winter in Acacia woodland near Gascoyne Junction, Western Australia. The flock had a core of five species, including Budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus, woodswallows and chats, plus eleven other species, which joined the flock as it passed through their territories. Bugerigars were the lead species. Other large mixed-species foraging flocks lead by woodswallows were observed near Mt Magnet. Bugerigars were absent from the Mt Magnet flocks which otherwise contained the same core species and up to 12 additional species. The core species were birds that move seasonally in response to food availability and the large size of the Gascoyne and Mt Magnet flocks relative to most previously reported mixed-species foraging flocks in Australia may reflect the abundance of food following rain in these Acacia woodlands.

 

Smith V.W. (2002) Avian Population Changes in a Developing Urban Area in Western Australia over an Eighteen Year Period. Corella 26:79-84. (1 Karrakatta Road, Goode Beach, Albany, Western Australia 6330, Australia.)

Annual capture and recapture rates of a number of bird species obtained over an eighteen year period in an area cleared for urbanisation, have shown changes in populations which are considered related to development in the area. The increase in the number of honeyeaters in particular, implies they have benefitted from the proliferation of nectar-producing plants in some residential gardens. Other discrete changes in the avian population are also described.

 

Smith V.W. (2002) Measurements of Birds at Goode Beach. Corella 26:85-86.(1 Karrakatta Road, Goode Beach, Albany, Western Australia 6330, Australia.)

A bird-banding study which commenced in 1983 at Goode Beach near Albany, Western Australia has yielded morphometric data that raises two points that merit discussion concerning sexing of Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata and New Holland Honeyeater Phylodonyris novaehollandiae.

 

.Gosper D.& Holmes G.(2002) Status of Birds in the Richmond River District, New South Wales, 1973-2000. Corella 26:89-105. (1309 Nimbin Rd, Lismore, New South Wales 2480, Australia.)

The status of selected bird species in the Richmond River district, New South Wales, was analysed for the period 1973-2000. Several species clearly increased or decreased numerically. The White-winged Chough, Zebra Finch and White-backed Swallow are probably extinct locally; the Eastern bristlebird and Coxen's Fig-parrot are confirmed to be Critically Endangered in the state. The Little Corella, Galah, Cattle Egret and Bell Miner have increased greatly in abundance whilst populations of the Osprey, Magpie Goose and several rainforest pigeons (in particular Wompoo Fruit-dove) appear to be recovering from earlier periods of decline. Recent arrivals, the Common Myna and Long-billed Corella, are likely to become established.

Open (dry) forests in the Bungawalbin Creek catchment in the southern part of the district have significant potential for conservation purposes, for they still support a diverse temperate woodland avifauna that is becoming threatened nationally. In coastal locations, the effects upon both resident and migratory shorebirds are relatively small, despite continuing human settlement. Certain seasonal and climatic influences that govern occurrence in the district of both aquatuc and terrestrial species are enumerated.

 

Hardy J.W. (2002) A Banding Study of the Grey Grasswren Amytornis barbatus barbatus in the Caryapundy Swamp of South-western Queensland. Corella 26:106-109. (20 Lindsay Ave, Ermington, New South Wales 2115, Australia).

Grey Grasswren Amytornis barbatus barbatus were studied in an 11 hectare area of tall, dense Lignum Muehlenbeckia cunninghamii in the Caryapundy Swamp of south-western Queensland between 1984 and 1996. One hundred and ninety-three individualswere captured and banded and 35 (18.1%) individuals were retrapped a total of 48 times. A pair of grasswrens with two recently fledged chicks were observed and later captured in an isolated stand of Lignum approximately 0.5 hectares in area. Most grasswrens were captured during periods of drought, suggesting that the species congregates in prime habitat refuge areas during periods of climatic extreme. The greatest threat to the Grey Grasswren appeared to be habitat destruction by introduced feral and domestic herbivores. Preservation of tall dense Lignum that offers food and shelter to support a high density of Grey Grasswrens during drought is crucial to the conservation of the species.

 

Cooper C.B. (2002) Movements of Two Experimentally Displaced Brown Treecreepers Climacteris picumnus in a Matrix of Woodland and Pasture. Corella 26:110-113. (Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and state University, Blacksburg, VA, USA 24061)

Previous work found that Brown Treecreepers Climacteris picumnus were unable to disperse to isolated woodland patches in the New England Tablelands, northern New South Wales. I attempted to understand dispersal behaviour by testing how Brown Treecreepers react to landscape patterns while moving. I radio-tagged two male Brown Treecreepers on their resident territories and released them on territories two kilometres away. I expected to follow the return paths of these birds across a matrix of pastures and woodlands within hours of release. The male that I removed to a new territory connected directly to the original territory by woodlands returned within four days. The male that I removed to a new territory which was isolated from the original territory by cleared land did not return. The post-release movements of both males were confined to woodlands. These observations reveal the limited movement behaviour of male Brown Treecreepers and provide anectdotal evidence that non-wooded habitat is a barrier to dispersal in this species.

 

Fraser F. & Fraser K. (2002) A Simple Mechanism for Photographing Predators at Artificial Ground Nests. Corella 26:114-115. ( 21 Mullen gardens, Alawa, Northern Yerritory 0910, Australia).

The trigger mechanism described here was designed to photograph predation events at artificial nests intended to mimic those of a ground dwelling Australian savannah species, the Partridge Pigeon Geophaps smithii.