Avifauna of Mount Tomah botanic gardens and Upper Stockyard Gully in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Australian Bird Study Association
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Natural Sciences
RAS ID
437
Abstract
A survey of diurnal and nocturnal birds of Mount Tomah Botanic Gardens, New South Wales and adjacent native forests was undertaken on one day and night in most months between November 1996 and March 1999. Birds were recorded within the Gardens and along a transect passing through rainforest to open forest at the adjacent Stockyard Gully. Listening, playback and spotlighting were undertaken on this transect at night and a resident Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa was detected. More than one third (27) of the species detected showed habitat preferences; 14 species were more frequently detected inside the Botanic gardens, while five were more frequently detected along the Stockyard Gully transect. The presence of permanent water at the Botanic Gardens Dam has increased the abundance and diversity of waterfowl. The New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae has increased in abundance in the study area since Brenton’s (1987) checklist; whilst corvid and artamid abundances may have increased following the 1994 fires. Archaeological and historical records indicate that the Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae maybe extirpated from the area.
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
Fulton, G. (2002). Avifauna of Mount Tomah botanic gardens and Upper Stockyard Gully in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. Corella, 26(1), 1-12. Available here