Seasonal Surveys - Summer 2013 to Summer 2018.
Over the course of five years, these bird surveys have produced a strong data set that when analysed tell many stories. This report is based on several of these stories selected for their relevance to the project and our general understanding of the Coal Point environment.
One aspect that has not changed at all is the continued dominance of those widely and often recorded species, the noisy and aggressive types, common to urban reserves. This is not a situation that is particular to just Coal Point but one that exists across the whole urban landscape where remnant bushlands have become isolated and more linear in shape.
It is interesting to read from the very first trip report; “The bushland appears to be dominated by Noisy Miner, Rainbow Lorikeet and other large, loud types and a serious lack of small bush birds (passerines) such as wrens, honeyeaters and thornbills. This paucity of smaller species may be seasonal but the condition of the understory within much of the forested sections gives little cover from the more aggressive types.
Five years on and the statement continues to be completely valid. This is not to say that some change in the future is not likely but only if continued effort with restoration fails to strive for long-term goals. Now that much of the primary treatment of exotic plants has been achieved, a focus on restoring the shrub layer and a strong and healthy forest floor should be a priority. This will prove to be a lengthy process but if achieved will certainly provide structure and habitat for a range of small bush birds and other creatures of the forest floor.
In addition to all the good restoration effort in these bushland sites, the community should be encouraged to make their backyards friendly for wildlife. The creation of additional habitat in backyards near the reserves would augment these natural areas. Thoughtful placement of suitably dense structure may provide some extra protection for small birds for instance. Also the planting of habitat buffers between cleared ground (playgrounds, parks etc.) and bushland will restrict access of urban predators as well as illegal dumping of rubbish.
It is evident that during the last five years we have seen a decline in small bush birds but the chances of future offspring from those currently living in larger bushlands to the west, searching for places to live is high. With the establishment of suitable habitat at Coal Point, eventually these spaces will be filled again.
The Full report can be downloaded from the Animals in our Bigger backyard page.
One aspect that has not changed at all is the continued dominance of those widely and often recorded species, the noisy and aggressive types, common to urban reserves. This is not a situation that is particular to just Coal Point but one that exists across the whole urban landscape where remnant bushlands have become isolated and more linear in shape.
It is interesting to read from the very first trip report; “The bushland appears to be dominated by Noisy Miner, Rainbow Lorikeet and other large, loud types and a serious lack of small bush birds (passerines) such as wrens, honeyeaters and thornbills. This paucity of smaller species may be seasonal but the condition of the understory within much of the forested sections gives little cover from the more aggressive types.
Five years on and the statement continues to be completely valid. This is not to say that some change in the future is not likely but only if continued effort with restoration fails to strive for long-term goals. Now that much of the primary treatment of exotic plants has been achieved, a focus on restoring the shrub layer and a strong and healthy forest floor should be a priority. This will prove to be a lengthy process but if achieved will certainly provide structure and habitat for a range of small bush birds and other creatures of the forest floor.
In addition to all the good restoration effort in these bushland sites, the community should be encouraged to make their backyards friendly for wildlife. The creation of additional habitat in backyards near the reserves would augment these natural areas. Thoughtful placement of suitably dense structure may provide some extra protection for small birds for instance. Also the planting of habitat buffers between cleared ground (playgrounds, parks etc.) and bushland will restrict access of urban predators as well as illegal dumping of rubbish.
It is evident that during the last five years we have seen a decline in small bush birds but the chances of future offspring from those currently living in larger bushlands to the west, searching for places to live is high. With the establishment of suitable habitat at Coal Point, eventually these spaces will be filled again.
The Full report can be downloaded from the Animals in our Bigger backyard page.
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