Check List 2007: 3(3) ISSN: 1809-127X LISTS OF SPECIES Aves, Tumut, New South Wales, South-eastern Australia. David B. Lindenmayer' Ross B. Cunningham! Chris MacGregor’ Rebecca Montague-Drake' Mason Crane’ Damian Michael! Bruce D. Lindenmayer” ' Centre for Resource & Environmental Studies, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia. E-mail: davidl@cres.anu.edu.au 219 Monkman St., Chapman, ACT, 2611, Australia. Abstract: A large-scale, long-term study of the impacts on vertebrates of landscape change and habitat fragmentation is taking place at Tumut in southern New South Wales, south-eastern Australia. Field surveys focus on counting birds within three broad kinds of sites in the study region. These are: (1) A randomized and replicated set of 85 sites in remnants or fragments of native Eucalyptus forest located within the boundaries of the Radiata Pine plantation. (2) Sites dominated by Radiata Pine plantation trees (N = 40 sites). (3) Sites in the large areas of continuous Eucalyptus forest adjacent to the plantation that act as “controls” (N = 40 sites). We list of birds recorded during 1996 and 1997. A total of 92 species from 34 families was recorded. The list will be useful for workers examining bird responses to fragmented landscapes as well as those interested in the biodiversity values of plantation landscapes. Introduction Habitat loss and habitat fragmentation are two of the key processes threatening the conservation of biodiversity worldwide (Lindenmayer and Fischer 2006). These threatening processes can have multi-facetted impacts on biota (Zuidema et al. 1996), ranging from (among others): species loss and extinction (Fahrig 2003), re-ordered community composition (Davies et al. 2001), altered patterns of species behavior (Rolstad and Wegge 1987), and loss of genetic variability (Sacchari et al. 1998). These factors often interact (Gilpin and Soulé 1986) leading to cumulative effects which can, in turn, make it extremely difficult to accurately predict the impacts of landscape change on biota (Mac Nally and Bennett 1997). Large-scale empirical studies are required to better understand and, in turn, better predict the impacts of habitat loss and habitat fragmentation on biodiversity (Wiens 1999). On this basis, the Tumut Fragmentation Study was established in southern New South Wales, south- eastern Australia to examine the influence of habitat fragmentation and landscape conditions on a range of vertebrate groups (Lindenmayer et al. 1999). Patches of remnant vegetation have been isolated for between 15 and almost 70 years — a prolonged period during which the localized extinction of species may be expected to occur. One of the objectives of the Tumut Fragmentation Study is to quantify the biodiversity values of patches of remnant native eucalypt forest and woodland surrounded by extensive stands of exotic Radiata Pine (Pinus radiata) trees. In this paper we provide a list of birds recorded during extensive surveys completed in 1996 and 1997 as part of the Tumut Fragmentation Study. Materials and Methods Study area The study was undertaken in a 100,000 ha sub- section of the Tumut region in southern NSW, south-eastern Australia (Figure 1). The midpoint of the study area had the following co-ordinates: 148°40' E, 35°10' S. The study region supports the following four broad classes of forest cover (termed “landscape contexts’): (1) Extensive (> 50,000 ha) areas of exotic softwood Radiata Pine 168 Check List 2007: 3(3) ISSN: 1809-127X LISTS OF SPECIES plantation (the Buccleuch State Forest) which have been established predominantly on areas formerly supporting native Eucalyptus forest. (2) Remnants of native eucalypt forest that escaped clearing for plantation establishment and are now surrounded by stands of Radiata Pine (Figure 2). These were classified into two broad shape classes: (a) circular or elliptical-shaped remnants (termed patches), and, (b) narrow linear strip- shaped remnants (termed strips), often containing watercourses. And, (3) large continuous areas of native eucalypt forest that bound the northern, eastern and southern boundaries of the Radiata Pine plantation (the Kosciuszko and Brindabella National Parks as well as the Bondo and Bungongo State Forests). SOUTH AUSTRALIA | BREW SOUTH WALES pt Posey N el bourne ae Study Area Kosciusko Ne National Park Figure 1. The location of the Tumut region in south-eastern Australia. Clearing of native vegetation to plant Radiata Pine commenced in the mid-1930s and continued until the mid-1980s. The remnants within the plantation were set aside for a number of reasons, including steepness, protection of water quality and representativeness of the original vegetation cover. Detailed field surveys (Lindenmayer et al. 1999) indicated that characteristics of the remnants and continuous areas of eucalypt forests such as lithology, climate, and topography could be matched in areas planted to Radiata Pine. Survey design The study region contained 192 remnants of native eucalypt forest located within the boundaries of the Radiata Pine plantation; 85 remnants were selected using stratified random sampling. The set of 85 eucalypt remnants was replicated across several stratified classes:- four patch size classes (1-3 ha, 4-10 ha, 11-20 ha and > 20 ha), two isolation age classes (< and > 20 years since fragmentation), and five dominant eucalypt forest type classes (Eucalyptus viminalis, E. radiata, E. camphora, E. macrorhyncha and E. bridgesdiana, and E. dalrmypleana, E. pauciflora and E. stellulata). In addition to the 85 eucalypt remnants, a further 80 sites was selected for study; 40 in large continuous areas of eucalypt forest, and 40 in Radiata Pine stands. Recurrent thinning and clearfelling of the planted pine stands over the past 65 years meant that the Radiata Pine stands very rarely contained isolated eucalypt trees, a factor which has influenced the response of some forest birds in other studies (Recher et al. 1987). Climate, forest type and geology data were used to cross-match the 165 sites in the study, ensuring that the range of environmental and_ other conditions were matched across the landscape context classes (Lindenmayer et al. 1999). Bird surveys A permanent transect was established at each of the 165 sites (1.e. the 85 eucalypt remnants, 40 sites in large areas of continuous eucalypt forest and 40 sites in Radiata Pine forest). For Radiata Pine sites, sites in continuous areas of native forests, and the 63 eucalypt remnant sites of area > 3 ha, a 600 m long x 50 m wide transect was set out. For the eucalypt remnant sites of area < 3 ha, the length of the transect was scaled relative to area. In the case of the eight eucalypt remnant sites of area 1-2 ha, a 200 m transect was established. A 400 m_ long transect was established for the 14 eucalypt remnant sites of 169 Check List 2007: 3(3) ISSN: 1809-127X LISTS OF SPECIES area 2-3 ha. A continuous line of colored flagging tape was set out along the center of each transect and points marked every 100 m, starting at 0 m. Main: Site Numbers Thus for most sites, bird data were recorded at seven plots using a five-minute point interval count (sensu Pyke and Recher 1983). Figure 2. A subset of the three broad site types in the Tumut study region. Two surveys for birds were undertaken, one in late October-early November 1996 and a second in late October-early November 1997. In the study region, late October-early November is the peak- breeding season when birds have established territories and exhibit strong patterns of site fidelity. For each point count, observers recorded the numbers of each bird species seen or heard within an approximate 50 m radius. Birds flying over transects were recorded but not included in the analysis. Counts were completed between 05:30 - 09:30 h and were not undertaken on days of poor weather (rain, snow, high wind, heavy fog or heavy cloud cover). To minimize the effect of confounding between landscape context classes and weather conditions, representatives from all four context classes were sampled on any given day. A total of 10 experienced bird observers from the Canberra Ornithologists Group participated in the surveys in 1996 and 1997. All 165 sites were surveyed in 1996 and approximately 50 % of the remnant sites were sampled a second time during that year. Different observers were used for the repeat counts. The same 165 sites were re- surveyed in 1997. Although observers were experienced, they varied in their ability to detect some (but not all) groups of birds. Cunningham et al. (1999) showed that for the 10 experienced observers, extra variability due to observer heterogeneity can be compensated for by averaging the counts of two or more observers at the same site. 170 Check List 2007: 3(3) ISSN: 1809-127X Results and Discussion LISTS OF SPECIES Table 1 contains a detailed list of birds recorded during field surveys conducted in 1996 and 1997 as part of work quantifying avifaunal responses to landscape change and landscape context. We recorded 92 species from 34 families (Table 1). Notably, other surveys conducted outside the formal counting periods (including those using automatic bird recording devices; see Cunningham et al. 2004) did not produce any species additional to those listed in Table 1. Table 1. Detections of bird species in the Tumut Fragmentation Study classified by four broad classes of sites. Codes are: Rare (detected at < 25 % of sites), uncommon (detected at 25-50 % of sites), common (detected at 50-75 % of sites), and abundant (detected at > 75 % of sites). Common Scientific Eucalypt Eucalypt Eucalypt Radiata Name Name controls patches strips Pine FAMILY: ACCIPITRIDAE Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus Rare Rare Rare Absent Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus Rare Absent Absent Absent Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides Absent Rare Rare Absent Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax Rare Rare Rare Absent FAMILY: ANATIDAE Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Absent Absent Rare Rare Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata Rare Absent Rare Absent FAMILY: ARTAMIDAE Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Rare Rare Rare Rare Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus Rare Absent Rare Absent Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus Rare Rare Rare Rare Grey Currawong Strepera versicolor Rare Rare Rare Absent Pied Currawong Strepera graculina Sparse Sparse Rare Sparse FAMILY: CACATUIDAE Galah Cacatua roseicapilla Rare Rare Rare Absent Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum Rare Rare Rare Rare Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita Common Common Sparse Sparse Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus Rare Rare Rare Rare FAMILY: CAMPEPHAGIDAE Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae Rare Rare Rare Rare Cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris Rare Absent Absent Absent White-winged Triller Lalage sueurii Absent Absent Rare Absent FAMILY: CHARADRIIDAE Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles Absent Rare Rare Absent FAMILY: CINCLOSOMATIDAE Eastern Whipbird Psophodes olivaceus Rare Rare Rare Rare Spotted Quail-thrush Cinclosoma punctatum Rare Absent Absent Rare FAMILY: CLIMACTERIDAE Red-browed Treecreeper Climacteris erythrops Rare Rare Rare Absent White-throated Treecreeper Cormobates leucophaeus Common Common | Common Rare FAMILY: COLUMBIDAE Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera Rare Rare Rare Rare Peaceful Dove Geopelia striata Absent Absent Absent Rare Wonga Pigeon Leucosarcia melanoleuca Rare Rare Rare Absent FAMILY: CORCORACIDAE White-winged Chough Corcorax melanorhamphos Rare Rare Rare Rare FAMILY: CORVIDAE Australian Raven Corvus coronoides Rare Rare Rare Rare Little Raven Corvus mellori Rare Rare Rare Rare FAMILY: CUCULIDAE Brush Cuckoo Cacomantis variolosus Rare Absent Rare Rare Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis Rare Rare Rare Rare Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basilis Rare Rare Rare Rare Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus Absent Rare Absent Absent Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus Rare Rare Rare Rare 171 Check List 2007: 3(3) ISSN: 1809-127X FAMILY: DICAEIDAE Mistletoebird FAMILY: DICRUDIDAE Grey Fantail Leaden Flycatcher Magpie-lark Rufous Fantail Satin Flycatcher Willie Wagtail FAMILY: FALCONIDAE Brown Falcon Nankeen Kestrel FAMILY: FRINGILLIDAE European Goldfinch FAMILY: HALCYONIDAE Laughing Kookaburra Sacred Kingfisher FAMILY: HIRUNDINIDAE Tree Martin Welcome Swallow FAMILY: MALURIDAE Superb Fairy-wren FAMILY: MELIPHAGIDAE Brown-headed Honeyeater Crescent Honeyeater Eastern Spinebill Noisy Friarbird Red Wattlebird White-eared Honeyeater White-naped Honeyeater Yellow-faced Honeyeater FAMILY: MENURIDAE Superb Lyrebird FAMILY: MEROPIDAE Rainbow Bee-eater FAMILY: MUSCICAPIDAE Bassian Ground Thrush Blackbird FAMILY: NEOSITTIDAE Varied Sittella FAMILY: ORIOLIDAE Olive-backed Oriole FAMILY: PACHYCEPHALIDAE Crested Shrike-tit Golden Whistler Grey Shrike-thrush Olive Whistler Rufous Whistler FAMILY: PARDALOTIDAE Brown Thornbill Buff-rumped Thornbill Pilotbird Spotted Pardalote Striated Pardalote Striated Thornbill Western Gerygone White-browed Scrubwren White-throated Gerygone Yellow Thornbill Yellow-rumped Thornbill LISTS OF SPECIES Dicaeum hirundinaceum Rhipidura fuliginosa Myiagra rubecula Grallina cyanoleuca Rhipidura rufifrons Myiagra cyanoleuca Rhipidura leucophrys Falco berigora Falco cenchroides Carduelis carduelis Dacelo novaeguineae Todiramphus sanctus Hirundo nigricans Hirundo neoxena Malurus cyaneus Melithreptus brevirostris Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris Philemon corniculatus Anthochaera carunculata Lichenostomus leucotis Melithreptus lunatus Lichenostomus chrysops Menura novaehollandiae Merops ornatus Zoothera lunulata Turdus merula Daphoenositta chrysoptera Oriolus sagittatus Falcunculus frontatus Pachycephala pectoralis Colluricincla harmonica Pachycephala olivacea Pachycephala rufiventris Acanthiza pusilla Acanthiza reguloides Pynoptilus floccosus Pardalotus punctatus Pardalotus striatus Acanthiza lineata Gerygone fusca Sericornis frontalis Gerygone olivacea Acanthiza nana Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Rare Common Rare Absent Rare Rare Absent Absent Absent Rare Rare Rare Absent Absent Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Common Rare Sparse Abundant Rare Absent Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Common Rare Sparse Sparse Rare Rare Common Common Rare Rare Sparse Rare Rare Absent Rare Common Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Absent Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Abundant Rare Absent Rare Rare Rare Absent Rare Rare Common Rare Sparse Sparse Rare Rare Sparse Sparse Rare Absent Common Rare Absent Rare Rare Abundant Rare Absent Rare Rare Rare Absent Rare Rare Rare Rare Absent Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Abundant Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Sparse Common Rare Common Sparse Absent Rare Sparse Rare Rare Absent Common Rare Absent Rare Rare Sparse Rare Rare Rare Absent Rare Absent Absent Rare Rare Rare Absent Absent Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Sparse Rare Absent Rare Sparse Rare Rare Rare Sparse Common Rare Common Sparse Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Absent Abundant Absent Rare Absent 172 Check List 2007: 3(3) ISSN: 1809-127X LISTS OF SPECIES FAMILY: PASSERIDAE Red-browed Finch FAMILY: PETROICIDAE Eastern Yellow Robin Flame Robin Red-capped Robin Neochmia temporalis Eopsaltria australis Petroica phoenicea Petroica goodenovii Rose Robin Petroica rosea Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor FAMILY: PHALACROCORACIDAE Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris FAMILY: PSITTACIDAE Crimson Rosella Eastern Rosella King Parrot FAMILY: PTILONORHYNCHIDAE Satin Bowerbird FAMILY: STURNIDAE Common Starling FAMILY: ZOSTEROPIDAE Silvereye Platycercus elegans Platycercus eximius Alisterus scapularis Sturnus vulgaris Zosterops lateralis Some interesting results were obtained from surveys and these have been reported in detail elsewhere (Lindenmayer et al. 2002). For example, the rare Olive Whistler (Pachycephala olivacea) was unexpectedly recorded in stands of Radiata Pine and the species was closely associated with thickets of the understorey invasive weed Blackberry (Rubus fructicosus). Other species (e.g. Cicadabird [Coracina tenuirostris]) occurred only in the eucalypt “controls” and were absent entirely from all other kinds of sites including large (120+ ha) eucalypt patches and strips. Extensive analyses of field data gathered on birds have been completed (Lindenmayer et al. 2002). Some general findings to date include: e Landscape context is important for many bird species — conditions in the matrix (here extensive plantations of exotic Radiata Pine) considerably influence their presence and abundance in remnant eucalypt patches. e Larger remnants supported more species of birds. However, even small and intermediate eucalypt remnants had considerable value for forest birds and were used by many taxa for shelter and breeding. Ptilonorhychus violaceus Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Sparse Sparse Sparse Rare Rare Rare Rare Absent Absent Absent Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Absent Absent Absent Sparse Common Common _ Sparse Absent Rare Absent Absent Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Rare Absent Rare Rare Absent Rare Rare Rare Sparse e Important interactions occurred between the remnant eucalypt patches and the Radiata Pine. For example, many bird species occurred in the matrix because of the spatial juxtaposition of the two landscape context classes. e Structural complexity within the Radiata Pine matrix (e.g. large eucalypt logs and native understorey vegetation) strongly influenced the ability of some birds and small mammals to persist. The list in Table 1 should be of broad interest to an increasing number of researchers working on habitat fragmentation (reviewed by McGarigal and Cushman 2002; Fahrig 2003; Lindenmayer and Fischer 2006) as well as the many workers studying the biodiversity values of plantation landscapes (e.g. Estades and Temple 1999; Kavanagh et al. 2005; Hobbs et al. 2006). Field surveys of birds at Tumut are ongoing and major re-counts will be recommenced in the coming years as large parts of the plantation estate are clearfelled and new stands are established as part of second and third rotation forestry. Quantification of landscape context effects whereby old (30+ year) stands are replaced by young regrowth (2-5 year old) plantation pine. 173 Check List 2007: 3(3) ISSN: 1809-127X LISTS OF SPECIES Acknowledgments This study was made possible by the dedicated support of volunteers from Canberra Ornithologists Group (COG), particularly M. Fyfe, M. Doyle, J. Bounds, T. Munro, N. Taws, and M. Moffat. 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