The forgotten forests: the regulation of forestry on private land in New South Wales 1997-2002

Breeding habitat, nest-site characteristics and productivity of the little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides) near Armidale, New South Wales

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc19033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 258

Author(s):

Candice Larkin ◽

Ross Jenkins ◽

Paul G. McDonald ◽

Stephen J. S. Debus

Keyword(s):

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Breeding Habitat ◽

Private Land ◽

Foraging Habitat ◽

Nest Sites ◽

Occupied Territory ◽

South Wales ◽

Site Characteristics ◽

Woodland Regeneration

We aimed to elucidate nesting requirements and nest success of the threatened little eagle (Hieraaetus morphnoides). Nest sites (n=12 active and 2–5 recent historical nests) near Armidale, New South Wales, were measured in 2017 at three scales: the nest tree, the nest woodland (≤25m from the nest tree), and (using GIS) the landscape scale (within 200-m and 2-km radii of the nest). The eagles typically nested ≥14m above ground in the canopy of emergent (>20m tall) living eucalypts in sheltered positions (midslope, with a north-easterly to southerly aspect), in woodland patches >5ha (mean 76ha), <200m (mean 78m) from the woodland edge, though ≥11m (mean 190m) from an agricultural edge, ≥38m (mean 485m) from the nearest rural dwelling, >1km from suburbia, and farther from sealed roads (mean 832m) than gravel roads (mean 490m) than minor tracks (mean 291m). Breeding productivity in 2017–18 (n=15 and 18 territories, respectively) was 0.91 young fledged per attempt (clutch laid) and 0.67 young fledged per occupied territory per year. Nest sites were used annually for at least 3–7 years. Nest abandonments or site shifts were associated with human disturbance (e.g. clearing, earthmoving, subdivision and construction in or beside the nest patch), death of the nest tree or nest stand (‘eucalypt dieback’ or rural tree decline), pindone baiting for rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and displacement by wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) and ravens (Corvus sp.). As most little eagle nests were located on private land, we recommend, inter alia, greater protection of breeding habitat, nest sites and foraging habitat, woodland regeneration (especially riparian), and a buffer around established nests of ≥1km from major developments such as urbanisation.

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Bird communities in remnant woodland on the New England Tablelands, New South Wales

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc060050 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 50 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

S. J. S. Debus ◽

H. A. Ford ◽

D. Page

Keyword(s):

New England ◽

New South ◽

Full Range ◽

New South Wales ◽

Bird Species ◽

Bird Communities ◽

Active Management ◽

Private Land ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

South Wales

We provide a geographic and landscape context for ongoing studies on bird communities in eucalypt woodland remnants on the New England Tablelands, New South Wales. We draw together several surveys that have not been published in the scientific literature, and integrate them with previously published material. A total of 142 woodland bird species, including 12 threatened species, was recorded in remnant woodland in the area above 900 m elevation from 50 km SSE to 100 km NNW of Armidals. There was a positive relationship between remnant size and bird species richness. Woodland reserves >300 ha supported significantly more species than remnants <100 ha on private land. Intensively surveyed reserves also had more species than remnants surveyed more casually. Threatened and other declining species occurred mainly in medium-sized (100-300 ha) and large reserves; foraging guilds of small to medium-sized, ground and above-ground insectivores were impoverished in degraded medium-sized and small remnants on private land. Almost the full range of woodland bird species was found at one or more sites, indicating their conservation value. However, some species were found in few sites or were only vagrants at a site. Active management will be needed to retain the current diversity of bird species in such heavily cleared landscapes.

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Habitat requirements of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) and associated possums and gliders on the New South Wales central coast

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr01115 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 291 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

A. P. Smith ◽

M. Murray

Keyword(s):

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Average Density ◽

Coastal Development ◽

Conservation Strategy ◽

Habitat Requirements ◽

Private Land ◽

Central Coast ◽

South Wales ◽

Squirrel Glider

One of the largest known populations of the threatened squirrel glider occurs in the Wyong and Lake Macquarie regions of the New South Wales central coast. A study of the habitat requirements and density of this population was undertaken as a component in a broader study to develop a regional conservation strategy for the species. The squirrel glider was found to be widespread at an estimated average density of 0.39 animals ha–1. It was most abundant in forests and woodlands with an overstorey of winter-flowering eucalypts (Corymbia maculata, Eucalyptus robusta, Eucalyptus tereticornis) or an understorey of winter-flowering banksias (Banksia spinulosa) or pinnate-leaved acacias (Acacia irrorata). The highest estimated density (0.7 ha–1) occurred in associations of scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma or racemosa), smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata) and red bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera) with an understorey of Banksia spp and Xanthorrhoea spp. The lowest estimated densities occurred in forests with an understorey dominated by casuarinas or non-pinnate acacias and in stunted, low (<17 m high) forest and woodland close to the coast. The abundance of all possums and gliders increased significantly with canopy height, canopy cover, the number of mature and old-growth trees and the number of trees with hollows. Preferred habitat of the squirrel glider in this region occurs predominantly on freehold land where it is threatened by clearing for coastal development. Implementation of planning provisions to protect squirrel glider habitat on private land will be necessary to maintain the existing regional population.

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