The bird communities of Berry Jerry State Forest and The Rock Nature Reserve near Wagga Wagga, New South Wales in 1975-1981 and 1995-2003

2007·4.4 MB·English

by  Michael J Murphy

Research Report
The bird communities of Berry Jerry State Forest and
The Rock Nature Reserve near Wagga Wagga,
New South Wales in 1975-1981 and 1995-2003
Michael J Murphy
BlackbirdGrange,2RundleStreet,CoonabarabranNSW2357
Abstract
A study ofthe bird communities oftwo public reserves near Wagga Wagga on the NSW South
Western Slopes recorded 127 species including 26 woodland species considered to be declining in
the region (seven ofwhich are currently listed as threatened under NSW state legislation) and 49
woodlandspeciesatriskofdecline,aswellasarangeofagricultural speciesandwaterbirds.Ninety-
threespecieswererecordedinBerryJerryStateForestand 108speciesinTheRockNature Reserve,
with 74 species found in both. Differences betweenthebird communitiesofthetworeservesarein
partareflectionofthedifferenthabitatsavailable,with BerryJerryStateForestsupportingadiverse
aquatic bird community in additiontotheterrestrial birdcommunity. Species in the ‘declining’ and
‘at risk’ categories made up approximately two thirds ofthe terrestrial bird communities ofboth
reserves, and both reserves are considered to be close to losing a number ofthese species.
Comparison ofrecords from 1995-2003 and 1975-1981 suggests that Berry Jerry State Forest may
have lost four species ofits declining woodland bird community (Speckled Warbler Chthonicota
sagittate;, Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis, White-browed BabblerPomatostomussuper-
ciliosus and Diamond Firetail Stagonopleuraguttata) over the past two decades. Both Berry Jerry
StateForestandTheRockNatureReserveareconsideredtobeofregionalsignificanceforbirdcon-
servation.Acombinationoflocal-andregional-scalemanagementactionsisnecessaryiftheyareto
maintainviablebirdcommunities.(The VictorianNaturalist124(1),2007,4-18).
Introduction
The New South Wales (NSW) South Manorina melanocephala and Australian
Western Slopes Biogeographic region Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen are able to
(Thackway and Creswell 1995), in inland survive or even thrive in the modem agri-
southeasternAustralia, has been extensively cultural landscape of southern Australia’s
modified over approximately 18 decades of sheep-wheat belt (Grey etal. 1997; Recher
European occupation to become one of 1999; Reid 1999), many others depend
Australia’sprimaryagricultural andpastoral wholly or in part on the remaining rem-
regions. An estimated 84% ofthe region’s nants of the original vegetation. Recent
original temperate woodland and forest has studies and reviews have indicated that a
been cleared (Pressey et at. 2000) and the large proportion ofthe birds dependent on
modem landscapeisavariegated patchwork Australia’s temperate woodlands is in
ofcropped areas, grazing lands ofnative or rapid decline with a continuing wave of
improved pasture (with orwithout scattered local and regional extinctions (Saunders
senescent trees) and small woodland/forest 1989; Barrett et al. 1994; Robinson and
remnants, typicallyon poorersoils (Morgan Traill 1996; Reid 1999; Traill and Duncan
and Terrey 1992; Sivertsen 1993; Murphy 2000). Robinson and Traill (1996) estimat-
1999; Gibbons and Boak 2002). Together ed that more than one quarter ofall terres-
with other parts of southern Australia’s trial bird species found in Australia’s tem-
sheep-wheat belt, the region today faces perate woodland regions were currently
serious issues ofdeclining agricultural pro- affected. Threatening processes driving
ductivity (through processes such as soil this ongoingdecline include acombination
erosionand salinity)anddecliningbiodiver- ofcontinued clearingofremnantwoodland
sity (Saunders 1994; Robinson and Traill habitat, extinction debt (where relictual
1996; Barrett 1997;Reid 1999). populations isolated in remnants too small
While some native bird species such as to sustain them decline over time to even-
the Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes, tual local extinction) and ongoing degrada-
Galah Cacatua roseicapilla. Noisy Miner tion and disturbance of remnant areas
4 The Victorian Naturalist
Research Report
ApostlebirdStruthideacinerea:adecliningwoodlandbirdspecies. PhotobyMichaelMurphy.
through over-grazing by domestic stock, this are useful in providing a local, site-
weed invasion, increased predation or specific perspective to regional-scale pat-
competition by feral animals or distur- ternsofchange inbirdcommunities.
bance-tolerant native species, firewood
Methods
collection, pollution with agricultural
Studyareas
chemicals, tree dieback and inappropriate
The two study areas (Figs 1-3) were Berry
fire regimes (Ford 1985; Saunders 1989; Jerry State Forest (SF) and The Rock
Benson 1991; Robinson and Traill 1996; Nature Reserve (NR), near Wagga Wagga
Traill and Duncan 2000).
Only about 1% of the NSW South NinSWWirSaodujtuhriWeAsbtoerringiSnlaolpesCobuionrtergyioni.n the
Western Slopes region has been set aside
in formal conservation reserves (State of Berry Jerry SF (35° 03’S, 147° 03’E),
tPohrfeersEesnmevnyaienrttonanlm.aetn2itv0e0A0v)de,vgieastnoadrtiyaodnCdoioutcnicocuniralrlin1ag9r9eo6a;ns pdaraeerdati,coaiftsetdmheainnNa1Sg9e1W5daDbneydpaFcroutrrremesentntstlyNo1fS1WP9r9i(hmnaaoriwyn
freehold properties and on public lands Industries). It is located approximately 25
such as state forests and travelling stock kmwest ofWagga Waggaon alluvial soils
reserves make a significant contribution to of the Murrumbidgee River floodplain.
supporting regional biodiversity. The pre- Beavers Creek (an anabranch of the
sent studyexaminedthe local bird commu- Murrumbidgee River) runs through the
nities occurring in two public land wood- reserve and, together with associated wet-
land/forest remnants on the NSW South lands, provides extensive aquatic habitat.
rWeessetrevrenaSnldopetsh;e oontehearfaorsmtaaltecofonrseesrtv.atTihoen Tnahnetlvyegreitvaetriionne offortehset roefseRrivveerisRperdedGomuim-
results from the present study were also Eucalyptus camaldulensis with an under-
compared with information from a similar storey ofgrasses and herbs. Large mature
study two decades earlier. Studies such as trees with abundant hollows are common
along the banks of Beavers Creek.
Vol. 124 (1) 2007 5
Research Report
NFiSg.W1. LocationofBerryJerryStateForestandThe RockNatureReservenearWaggaWaggain the
South Western Slopes Biogeographic Region. Additional reserves mentioned in the text are
alsoshown.
Approximately 50 ha of grassy open The Rock NR (35° 16’S, 147° 04’E),
woodland of Grey Box E. microcarpa, gazetted in 1962 and currently 341 ha in
Yellow Box E. melliodora and White area, is managed by the NSW National
Cypress Pine Callitrisglaucophvlla occurs Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) (now
on slightly higher ground in the south of part of the NSW Department of
the reserve. Domestic sheep and cattle Environment and Conservation). It is
grazethroughoutthe reserve. Fallen timber located approximately30 km south-westof
remains common despite widespread evi- Wagga Wagga and comprises a steep
denceoftimberremoval.
6 The Victorian Naturalist
Research Report
rockyridge ofDevonianquartzite and slate visits to generate a final category ofabun-
rising about 360 m above the surrounding dance foreach species in each reserve. The
agricultural countryside. The lower slopes resultsofthefield surveyweresupplement-
of the Reserve (extending into adjacent ed with records ofadditional species from
freehold properties and a travelling stock the NPWS Atlas ofNSW Wildlife and the
reserve) support woodland dominated by Birding-Aus internet mailing list archive
Grey Box, White Box E. albens and (http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/birding-aus)
Blakely’s Red Gum E. blakelyi, with fortheperiod 1995-2003.
White Cypress Pine, Black Cypress Pine The records ofGall (1982), which docu-
C. endlicheri and Red Stringybark E. mented the results ofa regional survey of
macrorhyncha also present, and a sparse the vertebrate fauna ofthe South Western
understorey ofgrasses and shrubs. Higher, Slopes in the late 1970s-early 1980s, were
steeper slopes in the Reserve support examined and bird records for Berry Jerry
woodland of mainly White Box and SF and The RockNRretrieved. Gall’s sur-
Currawang Acacia doratoxylon with a veymethodsforbirdsweresimilartothose
heathy understorey, while the ridge top employed in the present study, comprising
supports Currawang, Dwyer’s Mallee Gum diurnal observation, call recognition and
E. dwyeri and Hill OakAllocasuarina ver- spotlighting, and included 4 days of field
ticillata (Burrows 1999; NPWS 2000). survey in Berry Jerry SF and 13 days in
Exposed cliff faces provide nesting and The Rock NR between 1977 and 1981
roosting sites for various bird species. (Gall 1982). Data from Gall’s report were
Aquatic habitat is limited to a small dam supplemented with records of additional
(about 100 nr surface area) on the lower bird species from the two study areas for
slopes ofthe reserve and additional stock the period 1975-1981 from the NPWS
dams on adjoining properties. Domestic AtlasofNSW Wildlife.
stock is excluded from the reserve and the
area ismanagedforconservation. Ecologicalcategories
Speciesrecordedwere divided into the fol-
Surveymethods lowing fourcategories:
A field survey ofthe bird species found in 1)speciesdependentonaquatic habitats;
the two study areas was done during four 2) species dependent on woodland or for-
visits to the Wagga Wagga area by the esthabitats and consideredtobecurrent-
author between January 1999 and July ly declining in the eastern Australian
2003, with one visit occurring in each sea- sheep-wheat belt, including species cur-
son. Berry Jerry SF was visited on a total rently listed as threatened under the
of 14 days and 9 nights during this period, NSW ThreatenedSpecies Conservation
whileThe RockNRwas visitedon 12 days Act 1995(TSC Act);
and 3 nights. Diurnal birds were identified 3) species ofwoodland/foresthabitats con-
by sight or call while walking by day in a sidered to be marginally secure with a
random meanderthroughthedifferent veg- riskofdecline in the future as aresult of
etation communities present, with 7 x 50 dependenceon woodland or forestareas;
binoculars used to aid observation. Birds and
with unfamiliar calls were tracked down 4) speciesofagriculturalhabitats, compris-
and identified by sight. Nocturnal birds ingboth woodland/forest species consid-
were identified by sight orcallwhilewalk- ered to be relatively tolerant ofclearing
ing or slowly driving through the study and fragmentation, togetherwith species
areas atnightwith a 50watt spotlight. The fromopencountry habitats.
species recorded during each field visit Assignment ofspecies tothethree terres-
were each assigned to one offour cate- trial categories was based on review of
gories ofabundance, based on the number availablereferencestothe statusofbirds in
ofindividuals or family groups recorded: eastern Australian temperate woodlands;
abundant (more than 50 records), common primarily Reid (1999) and Traill and
(15-50 records), uncommon (3-14 records) Duncan (2000), but also Loyn (1985),
and rare (1-2 records). The assigned cate- Barrett et al. (1994), Robinson (1994),
gories were then averaged over the four RobinsonandTraill(1996), Barrett(1997),
Vol. 124 (1) 2007 7
Research Report
Fig. 2. River Red Gum riverine forest in Berry Fig. 3. View from the summit ofThe Rock
Jerry State Forest. Uncontrolled grazing by Nature Reserve, illustrating the context ofthis
domestic stock is a likely factor in the apparent small woodland reserve in the modern agricul-
loss offour declining woodland bird species tural landscape ofthe NSW South Western
from this reserve, but strategic grazing is now Slopes. PhotobyMichaelMurphy.
being used in an effort to replace introduced
weeds with native grasses. Photo by Michael
Murphy.
Bennett and Ford (1997), Egan et at. the NPWS Atlas ofNSW Wildlife. Fifty-
(1997), Murphy(1999)and Reid (2000). two species were recorded in Berry Jerry
SF during both 1975-1981 and 1995-2003,
Results
A total of127 species was recorded in this iwnhgile197185-s1p9e8c1iesanwder23e roencloyrdiend1o9n9l5y-2d0u0r3-
study (both study areas and both survey
(Appendix
periods combined), comprising 123 native The 1999-12).003 field survey in The Rock
species and 4 introduced species. Ninety- NR recorded 80 species. No species were
three species were recorded in Berry Jerry recorded as abundant, 18 were common,
S74F sapnedci1e0s8fsopuencdieisnibnotThh.eARoccokmpNlRe,tewiltisht c2u9muwlearteivuenctootamlmoovnerantdhe3f3ouwrerveisirtasreo.fTthhee
woAfphpetenhnedainsdxpeic1n,iwethsoigcerthehcesortrudwdieytdharieisanfpeorarocmvhaitsdipeoendcioeinsn tfiheeldspseucriveesyw(eTraeblfeirs1t)rsehcoowrsdetdhaatt 1th0e%4o1*f1
was recorded and the abundance category Tvihsiet,RoscugkgeNsRtiwnagsthnaotttahseclsopseeciteoscloimstplfeo-r
for those species recorded in the 1999- tion as that of Berry Jerry SF, with addi-
2003 fieldsurvey.
tional species probably remaining to be
The 1999-2003 field survey recorded 75 found. Reference to the NPWS Atlas of
species in BerryJerry SF, with two species NSW Wildlife and the Birding-Aus inter-
(the Galah and Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Cacatna galerita) recorded as abundant, net mailing list archive identified an addi-
16 as common, 26 as uncommon and 31 as tpieorniaold1219s9p5e-c2i0es03f,orbtrhiengsitnugdythaeretaotfaolr fthoer
rare. Table 1 shows the cumulative total of that period to 92 species. Eighty-nine
species recorded over the four visits com- species were recorded in The Rock NR in
prising the 1999-2003 field survey. The
the period 1975-1981; 65 species by Gall
sraltoeweodfbiynctrheea4s'heviisnit,BewritrhyoJnelryry5%SFofhtahde (f1r9o8m2)t,hewiNthPrWeScorAdtslaosfoafnoNthSerW24Wilsdpleicfiee.s
species added at that time, suggesting that Seventy-three species were recorded in
NffoeSuwnWda.ddRietfieorneanlcespteocitehse rNePmWaiSneAdtltaosboef T1h99e5-R2o0c0k3,NwRhidlueri1n6gsbpoetchies19w7e5r-1e98re1coarndd-
Wildlife and the Birding-Aus inter- ed only during 1975-1981 and 19 only in
net mailing list archive indicated no addi- 1995-2003 (Appendix 1).
tional species for the study area for the The number ofspecies recorded in each
period 1995-2003. Seventy species were
recorded in Berry Jerry SF in the period mofartihseedfouirn eTcaoblloegic2.alScpaetceigeosrioesf aisqusautmi-c
1975-1981; 62 species by Gall (1982), habitats comprised 16% ofthe total bird
with records ofanother eight species from
8 The Victorian Naturalist
Research Report
rTeacbolreded1.duCruimngul1a9t9i9-v2e00t3otfailelodfsubrivredy.species t(hMeurwaptheyrbpierrdss. roebcso.rdAepdrilin2B0e0r1r)y. JNeornryeSoFf
is considered ofcurrent conservation con-
Jan Apr Oct Jul cern, although the continued restriction of
1999 2001 2002 2003
BerryJerrySF 40 53 71 75 natural flood events as a result ofriverreg-
TheRockNr 29 49 72 80 ulation and extraction ofwater for agricul-
ture, combined with continuing loss of
speciesrecorded in BerryJerrySF butonly mature riverine forest in the region, may
3% in The Rock NR. Species in the see this change in the future (Frith 1982;
‘declining’ and ‘at risk of decline’ cate- Briggs and Thornton 1999). Current man-
gories together made up about two thirds agement ofBerry Jerry SF aims to assist
ofthe terrestrial bird species ofboth study protection of biodiversity. Forestry pre-
areas. Berry Jerry SF had 19 species iden- scriptions in the reserve require the reten-
tified as decliningwoodland species, while tion ofall large trees greater than 170 cm
24 declining woodland species were diameter at breast height and a proportion
recorded at The Rock NR. Seven threat- ofall hollow-bearing trees, including all
ened bird species (all currently listed as those within 20 m of Beavers Creek or
vulnerable under the TSC Act) were identified as nesting sites for endangered
recorded during the 1999-2003 field sur- fauna (Forestry Commission of NSW
vey, two species in Berry Jerry SF and six 1986). Firewood collection is regulated by
species in The Rock NR. One species, the a permit system. Grazing by domestic
Brown Treecreeper (Fig. 4), was recorded stock is managed under a strategic grazing
in both study areas, although there is plan (involving increased stocking rates in
uncertainty whether the form present was winter to coincide with annual pasture
the threatened eastern subspecies growth and seeding and destocking over
Climacteris picumnus victoriae or the summer to allow native perennials to set
unlisted inland and nominate subspecies seed) in an effort to control introduced
Climacteris picumnus picumnus, as the species and favour native grasses (Leslie
Wagga Wagga area lies within the zone of
intergradation between the two (Schodde
and Mason 1999). Additional information
concerning observations of threatened
species during the field survey is sum-
marised inTable3.
Discussion
This study demonstrated that both Berry
Jerry SF and The Rock NR are ofsignifi-
cant conservation value. Avian values of
Berry Jerry SF identified in the present
study include extant populations of 15
species of declining woodland birds
(including two threatened species) and 25
woodland bird species at risk of future
decline, complemented by a range ofagri-
cultural birds and waterbirds. The threat-
ened Superb Parrot Polytelis swainsonii is
likelyto breed in BerryJerry SF, given the
proximity ofknown breeding sites and the
abundance of suitable nesting hollows
along Beavers Creek (Webster and Ahern
1992; Leslie 2005). Brown Treecreepers
remain relatively common and widespread
in thereserve. BerryJerry SF also supports Fig. 4. Brown Treecreeper Climacterispictim-
other significant fauna, such as the threat- nus: a threatened woodland bird species. Photo
ened Squirrel GliderPetaurus norfolcensis byMarcIrvin.
Vol. 124(1)2007 9
.
Research Report
Table 2. Number ofspecies recorded in fourecological categories (1975-1981 and 1995-2003 sur-
veyperiodscombined).
Aquatic Declining Woodland Agricultural Total
habitat woodland species species
species species atriskof
decline
BerrvJerrySF 15 19 32 27 93
The RockNR 3 24 47 34 108
Table3.Summaryofthreatenedbirdrecords from 1999-2003fieldsurvey.
Species Summaryofobservations
SuperbParrot Recordedin BerryJerrySFinOctober2002: Hockof8birds(both
Polvtelisswainsonii sexes)feedingonmistletoesin Boxwoodlandandsinglemaleintree in
RiverRedGum forest.
TurquoiseParrot RecordedinTheRockNR inJanuary 1999(2birdsineucalypttreein
Neophemapulchetla woodlandonsteepupperslopes)andApril2001 (flockof8birdsfeed
ingongroundwith Red-rumpedParrotsinBoxwoodlandon lower
slopes).
BrownTreecreeper Commonandwidespreadin RiverRedGum forestinBerryJerrySF,
Climacterispicumnus oftenassociatedwith fallentimber. Recordedeveryvisit. Alsorecorded
everyvisitinTheRockNRbutonlyseeninrelativelyflatareason
lowerslopes.
SpeckledWarbler Smallnumbers(2-5)seenoneachvisittoTheRockNR. Foragingon
Chthonicolasagittata groundingroupsof2-4inwoodlandonlowerslopes.
HoodedRobin Singlebird(male)seen inwoodlandon lowerslopesofThe RockNR in
Melanodryascucullata April2001
Grey-crownedBabbler Smallgroupsforagingonground,fallentimberandlowertrunksofBox
Pomatostomustemporalis trees in Box-CypressPinewoodlandon lowerslopesofTheRockNR
andadjoiningfreeholdpropertyinOctober2002(groupof6birds)and
July2003 (groupof4birds).
DiamondFiretail SinglerecordinwoodlandonlowerslopesofTheRockNRinApril
Stagonopleuraguttata 2001.
2000). Berry Jerry SF has been described The Rock NR include the threatened
as the most significant remnant of River Squirrel Glider and Eastern Long-eared
Red Gum riverine forest in the Wagga Bat Nyctophilus timoriensis (NPWS Atlas
Wagga local government area and one of ofNSW Wildlife) and the regionally sig-
the most significant in the NSW South nificant Inland Carpet Python Moreliaspi-
Western Slopes region (NPWS 2003). lota metcalfei (Murphy and Murphy in
Riverine forests provide the best opportu- press). Conservation ofthenative floraand
nities forrecreating linkagesacross region- fauna is a primary management objective
al landscapes in the eastern Australian for The Rock NR. Activities such as
sheep-wheat belt (Reid 1999), and Berry domestic stockgrazing and timberremoval
Jerry SF would constitute a significant are prohibited, weed invasion is monitored
node in a reconstructed and restored and controlled and recreational usage is
Murrumbidgee regional riverine wildlife managed to minimise adverse impacts
corridor. (NPWS 2000).
The woodland bird community of The Differences between the avian communi-
Rock NR was found to be more diverse ties of Berry Jerry SF and The Rock NR
than that ofBerryJerry SF, with 23 declin- are in part simply a reflection ofdiffer-
ing woodland bird species (including six ences in the vegetation communities pre-
threatened species) and 36 woodland bird sentandhabitatsavailable in thetwo areas.
species at risk offuture decline recorded The extensive aquatic habitat present in
there since 1995. Additional fauna species Berry Jerry SF, for example, supported a
ofconservation significance known from wide range ofwaterbirds including ducks.
10 The Victorian Naturalist
Research Report
cormorants, pelicans, dotterels, herons, disappeared from these study areas, butthe
ibises and spoonbills, while the small area survey effort in this study was not suffi-
ofaquatic habitat available at The Rock cienttoprovidecertaintyinthisregard.
NR supported only low numbers ofjust a The survey effort (including reference to
few waterbird species. Similarly, the secondary sources) was sufficient to allow
Yellow Rosella Platycercus elegansflave- more confidence when considering possi-
olus, a sub-species closely associated with ble temporal changes with respect to
River Red Gum riverine forests (Forshaw sedentary species resident in the study
and Cooper 1981), was commonly seen in areas. Concentrating on the declining
Berry Jerry SF but was not seen in The woodland species category, it appears that
Rock NR, while the Peregrine Falcon four species (one fifth of the original
Falco peregrinus was more frequently declining woodland bird community) may
recorded at The Rock NR, where it used have been lost from Berry Jerry SF at
clifffaces for roosting and nesting, than at some time over the last two decades: the
Berry Jerry SF, where it was recorded vis- Speckled Warbler Chthonicola sagittata,
itingon onlyasingleoccasion. Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltriaaustralis,
Comparison of the results from 1995- White-browed Babbler Pomatostomus
2003 with 1975-1981 provides an opportu- superciliosus (Fig. 5)and DiamondFiretail
nity to consider possible temporal changes Stagonopleura guttata. All four species
in the bird communities ofthe two study were targeted during the latter part ofthe
areas. However, many ofthe bird species 1999-2003 field survey without success,
recorded in this study have mobile habits, including searches of sites of earlier
including seasonal migrants such as the records from 1975-1981. These four
Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus and species were also absent from a list of
Olive-backed Oriole Oriolus sagittatus, birds recorded in Berry Jerry SF in 1994-
blossom nomads such as the Red 1996 by Bos and Lockwood (1996).
Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata and Possible reasons for the apparent disap-
Fuscous Honeyeater Lichenostomus pearance ofthe four species from Berry
fuscus, irregular visitors such as the Jerry SF include grazing impacts, weed
Masked Woodswallow Artamus person- invasion, predation by feral cats Felis cat-
atus and White-browed Woodswallow A. tus and avian nest predators and extinction
superciliosus, occasional visitors from debt. All four species are predominantly
more mesic eastern forests such as the ground feeding(Barkerand Vestjens 1979;
Satin Flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca and Read 1994; Tzaros 1996; Antos and
Bassian Thrush Zootheralunulataand var- Bennett 2006), and all are likely to be sen-
ious raptorspecieswith largehomeranges. sitive to changes to the understorey and
Confidently demonstrating likely absence ground cover. Grazing and trampling of
of mobile species from a given area is woodlands by domestic stock results in a
problematic, and it isconsidered likelythat simplified vegetation understorey structure
many of the mobile species recorded in (Tasker and Bradstock 2006) with an
1975-1981 but not 1995-2003 would still increased proportion of introduced weeds
occur in the study areas on an irregular (Benson 1991; Burrows 1999) and
basis. To demonstrate this point, although decreased diversity ofground-living inver-
no records ofthe Little Eagle Hieraaetus tebrates (Bromham et al. 1999). Gall
morphnoides were obtained from Berry (1982) noted the adverse impact of stock
Jerry SF during 1995-2003, an individual grazing in BerryJerry SF and recommend-
was seenjust 3 km north in Currawananna ed that stock be permanently withdrawn
SF (Fig. 1) (Murphy pers. obs. July 2003). from the reserve. However, Berry Jerry SF
Some ofthe mobile bird species which are has a high proportion ofintroduced weeds
thought to be declining or potentially at in the ground layer (Burrows 1999), and
NSW NSW
risk ofdecline in the South Western Forests has opted for a strategic
Slopes region, such as the Whistling Kite grazing approach as described above.
Haliastur sphenurus (The Rock NR) and Grazing management practices in Berry
BrownGoshawkAccipiterfasciatus (Berry Jerry SF need to be closely monitored and
Jerry SF), may have indeed permanently adjusted where necessary to ensure they
Vol. 124 (1)2007 11
ResearchReport
Fig. 5. White-browed Babbler Pomatostomns superciliosus: a declining woodland bird species.
PhotobyMichael Murphy.
provide benefit to the reserve’s woodland Whistling Kite as noted above), the com-
birdcommunity. munity ofdeclining woodland birds in The
Comparing the results from the first Rock NR was found to remain intact
(1977-1981) and second (1998-2001) between 1975-1981 and 1995-2003,
national bird Atlases coordinated by the including all four species missing from
Royal Australasian Ornithological Union Berry Jerry SF. Nevertheless, because of
(now BirdsAustralia), Barrettand Silcocks the reserve’s small size, there remains a
(2002)concludedthatthe Diamond Firetail significant risk that some sedentary wood-
was declining in the NSW South Western land bird species may disappear from there
Slopes region, while the Speckled Warbler in the future, particularly ifisolation ofthe
population was stable and the Eastern reserve increases. Four ofthe six threat-
Yellow Robin and White-browed Babbler ened bird species recorded in The Rock
were increasing. However, while they do NR during the 1999-2003 field survey
remain locally common in some parts of were classified as rare, suggesting that res-
the region, all four species have been ident populations of these species were
found to be locally declining in other parts only small. The Hooded Robin Melano-
ofthe region (Reid 1999). The woodland dryas cucullata is of particular concern,
birds going locally extinct can vary from recorded only on a single occasion during
one location to the next (Reid 2000), and the 1999-2003 field survey. The Hooded
such local-scale patterns may be difficult Robin is apparently unable to maintain
to discern ataregional spatial scale. viable populations in isolated areas of
In contrast to Berry Jerry SF, with the habitat smaller than 100-200 ha (Egan et
possible exception of one species (the al. 1997; Fitri and Ford 1997; Traill and
12 The Victorian Naturalist
Research Report
Rufous Songlark Cincloramphusmathewsi: awoodland bird speciesatriskoffuturedecline. Photo
byMichael Murphy.
Duncan 2000). Given that the total area of A studyofthe birdcommunityofanother
The Rock NR is only 341 ha, with about local woodland remnant, Pomingalarna
half of this comprising steep slopes and Park (Fig. 1), provided results with simi-
ridgetops,the areaofsuitable habitatavail- larities to the present study. A field survey
able within the reserve may not be suffi- in this 225 ha woodland remnant in 1992-
cient to maintain a viable population of 1997 (Murphy 1999)recorded25 declining
this species. Fortunately, despite extensive woodland bird species (including six
clearing in the local area. The Rock NR is threatened species). Declining woodland
not completely isolated, and the area of birds observed at Pomingalarna Park, but
woodland habitat available within the not recorded at either Berry Jerry SF or
reserve iscurrentlycomplementedbyaddi- The Rock NR, included the Brown Quail
tional areas on adjoining freehold proper- Coturnix ypsilophora. Crimson Chat
ties and a travelling stock reserve, and by Ephthianura tricolor, Gilbert’s Whistler
(sometimes tenuous) linkages to other Pachycephala inornata (vulnerable under
small remnants in the local area. Actively TSC Act) and White-backed Swallow
supporting and encouraging the protection, Cheramoeca leucosternus (Murphy 1999).
management and restoration ofthese addi- The present study, together with the
tional habitat areas and local linkages is Pomingalarna study, provides useful refer-
probably critical to the viability of the ence information for future assessment of
Hooded Robin and many other woodland changes in the status of species in the
bird populations within the reserve. Wagga Wagga area. Comparison with the
Restoring habitat connectivity between earlierwork by Gall (1982) illustrates how
The Rock NR and nearby larger remnants such studies can be used to examine possi-
such as Berry Jerry SF (21 km north) and ble changes in bird communities overtime.
Livingstone National Park (24 km south- Site-based studies ofthis type are a useful
east) (Fig. 1) would be a worthwhile approach to understanding the local details
longer-term goal, although likely to prove oflarge-scale patterns such as the regional
challenging. decline ofwoodland birds. A re-examina-
Vol. 124 (1) 2007 13