Breeding activity, nest site selection and nest spacing of Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) in western New South Wales

2001 ◽  
Vol 101 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andy Sharp ◽  
Melinda Norton ◽  
Adam Marks
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Breeding Activity ◽  
South Wales

Breeding-site selection by cane toads (Bufo marinus) and native frogs in northern New South Wales, Australia

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Semeniuk ◽  
F. Lemckert ◽  
R. Shine
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Northern Territory ◽  
Bufo Marinus ◽  
Microhabitat Use ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Spawning Sites

Previous research on cane toads (Bufo marinus) has documented non-random selection of breeding sites by this invasive species. In the wet–dry tropics of the Northern Territory, toads selected spawning sites in open areas with gently sloping banks and shallow water. If consistent, such biases may present opportunities for toad control via waterbody manipulation – but first we need to know whether such criteria for spawning-site selection (1) are consistent across other parts of the toad’s extensive Australian range, and (2) differ from those of native anurans breeding at the same waterbodies. We quantified the attributes of potential and actual spawning-sites in north-eastern New South Wales, in temperate-zone habitat where cane toads have been present for many decades; our study area thus differs in many ways from the previously studied tropical site. We compared habitat and water chemistry variables between 23 cane toad breeding sites and 23 nearby unused sites. To examine habitat use at an even finer scale, we conducted nocturnal surveys of microhabitat use by calling male toads and native anurans. Our results revealed that cane toads in this region were highly selective in their choice of breeding sites, and that the criteria they used in this respect were similar to those used by toads in the Northern Territory. Calling male cane toads also used microhabitats non-randomly within each pond, apparently based on similar criteria to those used when selecting among ponds. Toads differed significantly from native anurans in these respects, suggesting that it may be feasible to manipulate waterbody attributes to impact on invasive toads without disrupting reproduction by native anurans.

An experimental approach to understanding the use of mistletoe as a nest substrate for birds: nest predation

2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart J. N. Cooney ◽  
David M. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Site Selection ◽  
Nest Predation ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Nest Site Selection ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Eucalypt Woodland ◽  
Substrate Variation

Recent research has documented an unprecedented diversity of birds using mistletoes as nest-sites, and a strong preference for nesting in mistletoes has recently been demonstrated for some species. The consequences and underlying reasons for this behaviour have not been evaluated, and it is unclear whether nests in mistletoes confer advantages compared with other available substrates. Nest predation is often cited as the most important factor regulating many bird populations and is thought to influence all aspects of nest-site selection. To evaluate whether nest predation may play a role in the widespread use of mistletoe as a nest-site, we conducted an artificial nest predation experiment in a eucalypt woodland in southern New South Wales, Australia. Artificial nests were modelled on noisy friarbird (Philemon corniculatus: Meliphagidae) nests, baited with a single quail egg and checked after four days. We used logistic regression to model the rate of depredation between plant substrates, and demonstrate that, in this experiment, mistletoe nests experienced a lower proportion of predation than eucalypt nests (51.5% versus 63.8% respectively). This finding suggests that predation may influence the widespread use of mistletoe as a nest-site in a range of habitats and regions. In addition to clarifying priorities for further work on mistletoe nesting, this finding has implications for studies of nest-site selection generally, with researchers encouraged to supplement between-substrate comparisons with direct measurements of within-substrate variation.

Population size, breeding habitat and nest site distribution of little penguins (Eudyptula minor) on Montague Island, New South Wales

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke S. Weerheim ◽  
Nicholas I. Klomp ◽  
Arend M. H. Brunsting ◽  
Jan Komdeur
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Nest Distribution ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Landing Sites ◽  
Little Penguin

The distribution of little penguin nest sites on Montague Island, New South Wales, was examined in relation to vegetation type, distance to landing sites and local footpaths. Nest site density was negatively correlated with distance to landing sites and positively correlated with distance to footpaths. The latter may be related to disturbance. Comparisons with the transect data of previous years showed a significant shift in nest distribution away from areas dominated by dense kikuyu grass. In October 2000, the little penguin population on Montague Island was estimated at 5000 breeding pairs. However, repeat surveys in November and December showed that single counts underestimate the actual size of the breeding population. This study has demonstrated the value of line transects to examine the relationship between little penguins and their breeding habitat. Transect surveys on Montague Island should continue in future years to monitor the effects of ongoing vegetation changes on nest distribution and population size.

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