DOCSLIB.ORG

Diet and Habitat of the Powerful Owl (Ninox Strenua) Living Near Melbourne’

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Diet and Habitat of the Powerful Owl (Ninox Strenua) Living Near Melbourne’ Deakin University Access to Thesis. Elizabeth Lavzanian is the author of the thesis entitled: ‘Diet and habitat of the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) Living near Melbourne’. This thesis may be made available for consultation, loan and limited copying for the purpose of study and/or research in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 [Australia]. This thesis was submitted for the degree of Master of Applied Science and is the result of the authors own research, except where otherwise acknowledged, and that the thesis in whole or part has not been submitted for an award including a higher degree to any other university or institution. This document has been processed by an optical character recognition program, thus there is a possibility of transcription errors. Diet and Habitat of the Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) Living Near Melbourne. By Elizabeth Lavazanian Bachelor of Education (Secondary) - Environmental Studies Master of Applied Science report submitted as part of the requirements for the degree Master of Applied Science within the Faculty of Science and Technology, Deakin University. 30.9.1996 Thirtieth of September Nineteen Ninety Six iii Acknowledgments The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the continuous help, support, patience and understanding I have received from my husband, family, colleagues, the staff at Deakin University and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. In particular, I would sincerely like to thank my supervisor Rob Wallis for his supervision guidance, constructive criticism and enthusiasm towards this product. I would like to thank Rob for always being available to offer his help. This final product would not have been possible without the generous advice and support he has given me throughout the past three years. I would like to express my appreciation to Alan Webster for providing me with the opportunity to undertake this project as a part of a wider investigation into the conservation of the Powerful Owl in the Warrandyte-Kinglake Nature Conservation Link. I would like to thank Alan for the endless number of hours he has spent collecting pellets over the past three years, his constructive criticism towards this project and the constructive comments towards this manuscript. I would also like to thank him for the use of his excellent photographs and slides. I would especially like to thank my husband Cohn who provided me with endless support, encouragement, patience and understanding. I would also like to thank him for his computer expertise and for accompanying me on my spotlight trips. I would like to extend my gratitude towards Roger Gaymer for all the patience and time he has spent showing me how to use the computer program Photoshop ®. I would also like to thank him for his advice on photographing the bones. iv I would like to thank Chris Lewis for accompanying me on the field trips and spotlight runs. I would also like to thank him for his computer and mapping expertise. I also appreciate the assistance of Philip Irwin for helping me interpret some of my results and for choosing the appropriate statistical tests to use in this project. I would like to thank Hans Brunner, Jenny Wilson and Richard Hammond who helped in the analysis of some of the pellets. I would also like to thank Raylene Cooke for her help and Andrea Burke for accompanying me on my field trips. I also appreciate the assistance of Dianne Simmons who helped me locate some of my study sites and identified some of the trees and shrubs on my field trips. For his advice and constructive criticism towards this project, I would like to thank Richard Loyn. Finally, for their generous help, support and friendship I would like to thank all the ASNRM staff. v Table of Contents Statement of Responsibility ii Acknowledgments iii List of Figures viii List of Tables List of Plates x Abstract xiii Summary xvi 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Historical Background 1 1.2 The Powerful Owl 3 1.2. 1 Description of the species 3 1.2.2 Conservation status 6 1.2.3 Distribution 7 1.2.4 Roosting and Nesting 9 1.3 Aims of the Study 11 2.0 METHODOLOGY 14 2.1 Part A Dietary Study- Site Locality and Description 14 2.2 Fauna 16 2.3 Flora 17 2.4 Methodology 18 2.4.1 Analysis of Skeletal Remains 19 2.4.2 Hair Analysis 19 2.5 Part B Habitat Study- Site Locality and Description 21 2.6 Methodology 23 vi 3.0 DIAGNOSTIC AID TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL PREY SPECIES 26 3.1 Introduction 26 3.2 Identification of Guard Hairs 28 3.2.1 Hair Length 28 3.2.2 Bands of Colour 29 3.2.3 Medulla Structure 30 3.2.4 Cross Section 32 3.3 Diagnostic Features of Major Bones 35 3.3.1 Skull 35 3.3.2 Dentition 38 3.3.3 Limbs (Humerus I Femur) 43 3.3.4 Scapula and Pelvic Girdle 43 3.4 Age Class Determination in Possums 44 4.0 FOOD OF THE POWERFUL OWL 54 AT CHRISTMAS HILLS 4.1 Introduction 54 4.2 Food Categories 55 4.3 Seasonal Variation of Mammalian Prey in the diet 57 4.4 Age Classes of Common Ringtail Possums Prey 62 4.5 Previous Dietary Studies 65 4.6 Conclusion 67 5.0 HABITAT OF THE POWERFUL OWLS 68 5.1 Introduction 68 5.2 Habitat features 69 5.3 Habitat Management 81 5.3.1 Nest and Roost sites of the Powerful Owl 82 5.3.2 Management Recommendations 85 vii 6.0 CONCLUSIONS 86 References 88 Appendix 96 I. A list of native mammals found at One Tree Hill Reserve 97 (excluding bats) II. Pellet analysis data sheet 98 III. Diet of Powerful Owls (Ninox strenua) living near Melbourne, Victoria. 99 viii List of Figures 1. The distribution of the Powerful Owl in Australia 8 2. The distribution of the Powerful Owl in Victoria 8 3. Location of the Study site - One Tree Hill 15 4. Map of the Warrandyte-Kinglake Nature Conservation Link 22 5. Location of the study sites in Warrandyte-Kinglake Nature 25 Conservation Link 6. Profiles of representative primary guard hairs of the Common 28 Brushtail Possum, Common Ringtail Possum and Sugar Glider 7. Whole mount of a possum’s primary and secondary guard hair 30,31 8. Cross section of the primary guard hairs of the Common Brushtail 32,33,34 Possum, Common Ringtail Possum and Sugar Glider 9. Dorsal view of the skulls of the Common Brushtail Possum, 35,36,37 Common Ringtail Possum and Sugar Glider 10. Dentition of the Common Brushtail Possum, Common Ringtail 38,39,40,41 Possum arid Sugar Glider 11. Lower Jaw of the Common Brushtail Possum and Common Ringtail 42 Possum ix 12. Humerus of the Common Brushtail Possum Common Ringtail 46 Possum and Sugar Glider 13. Femur of the Common Brushtail Possum, Common Ringtail Possum 47 and Sugar Glider 14. Scapula of the Common Brushtail Possum Common Ringtail 48 Possum and Sugar Glider 15. Pelvic Girdle of the Common Brushtail Possum,, Common Ringtail 49 Possum and Sugar Glider 16. Humerus of the Common Brushtail Possum at three different ages 50 17. Humerus of the Common Ringtail Possum at two different ages 51 18. Dorsal view of the Common Brushtail Possum skull at three 52 different ages. 19. Lower Jaw dentition of the Common Brushtail Possum and Common 53 Ringtail Possum. 20. Number of pellets collected over the four seasons containing various 58 species of mammalian prey 21. Age classes of the Common Ringtail Possum prey detected in owl 63 pellets over the four seasons x 22. Records of sightings of the Powerful Owl and location of the study 76 sites in the Warrandyte-Kinglake Nature Conservation Link 23. Dendrogram 79 24. Roost and nest trees of the Powerful Owl 84 List of Tables 1. Dietary components in pellets collected over spring, summer, 55 autumn and winter. 2. Percentage of pellets collected over spring, summer, autumn and 57 winter containing various mammalian species. 3. Results of a chi-square test to assess the significance of any seasonal 61 difference in the occurrences of three species of mammalian prey in the Powerful Owls’ diet. 4. Age classes of possum prey over spring, summer, autumn and 62 winter. 5. Summarized results of the habitat study 77 6. Results of a correlation co-efficient test 78 xi List of Plates 1. The Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua). Photo: Alan Webster xvii 2. Pair of Powerful Owls roosting at Warrandyte State Park. 5 Photo: Alan Webster 3. Adult female with two owlets roosting in E. obliqua (roost 23) at 5 One Tree Hill. Photo: Alan Webster 4. Nest tree (E. obliqua) utilised by the Powerful Owl in 1991 at One 10 Tree Hill. Photo: Alan Webster 5. Juvenile Powerful Owl (at fledging stage approximately 12 weeks 13 old) roosting at One Tree Hill Reserve. Photo: Alan Webster 6. Sub-adult Powerful Owl holding a Common Ringtail Possum at One 59 Tree Hill Reserve. Photo: Alan Webster 7. Adult Powerful Owl holding a Common Brushtail Possum at 60 Warrandyte State Park. Photo: Alan Webster 8. A pellet containing Common Ringtail Possum remains teased out 64 onto a sheet of paper 9. A pellet containing Sugar Glider remains teased out onto a sheet of 64 paper 10. Category A Site 70 xii 11. Category B Site 70 12. Category C Site 71 13. Category D Site 71 14. Nest tree (E. obliqua) utilised by the Powerful Owl in 1995 at One 83 Tree Hill. Photo: Alan Webster xiii Abstract The diet of Powerful Owls (Ninox strenua) living at Christmas Hills, 35km north-east of Melbourne was examined by analysis of 686 regurgitated pellets collected over two years.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Report on a Community Partnership in Eco-Acoustic Monitoring in Brisbane Ranges National Park, Victoria
    Australian Owlet-nightjar. Photo: Damian Kelly A REPORT ON A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP IN ECO-ACOUSTIC MONITORING IN BRISBANE RANGES NATIONAL PARK, VICTORIA Prepared by: Dr Sera Blair, Christine Connelly, Caitlin Griffith, Victorian National Parks Association. Dr Karen Rowe & Dr Amy Adams, Museums Victoria Victorian National Parks Association The Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) helps to shape the agenda for creating and managing national parks, conservation reserves and other important natural areas across land and sea. We work with all levels of government, the scientific community and the general community to achieve long term, best practice environmental outcomes. The VNPA is also Victoria’s largest bush walking club and provides a range of information, education and activity programs to encourage Victorians to get active for nature. NatureWatch NatureWatch is a citizen science program which engages the community in collecting scientific data on Victorian native plants and animals. The program builds links between community members, scientists and land managers to develop scientific, practical projects that contribute to a better understanding of species and ecosystems, and contributes to improved management of natural areas. Project Partners Museums Victoria Museums Victoria has been trusted with the collection and curation of Victoria’s natural history for over 160 years and serves as a key international research institute and experts in data archiving and long- term data protection. Responding to changing intellectual issues, studying subjects of relevance to the community, providing training and professional development, and working closely with schools, communities, and online visitors, Museums Victoria works to disseminate our collective knowledge through online resources and image, audio and video databases.
    [Show full text]
  • Species Management Program for LNG Facility Construction Phase
    Species Management Program for LNG Facility Construction Phase September 2010 Uncontrolled when printed QUEENSLAND CURTIS LNG PROJECT Species Management Program for LNG Facility Construction Activities September 2010 Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION 4 2.0 TERMS 4 2.1 Term of Approval 4 2.2 Approved Parties 4 3.0 SCOPE 5 3.1 Applicant 5 3.2 Organisational Summary 5 3.2.1 QCLNG Project 5 3.2.2 Environmental Impact Statement 6 3.3 Activity 7 3.3.1 Site Description 7 3.3.2 Clearing Activity 7 3.4 Legislative Framework 8 3.4.1 Vegetation Clearing 8 3.4.2 Fauna Handling and Removal of or Tampering With Animal Breeding Places 9 3.5 Relevant Conditions 10 3.5.1 Coordinator General Condition 9 – Nature Conservation Act 10 3.5.2 Environmental Authority Conditions 11 3.6 Applicable Species 11 4.0 IMPACTS 12 4.1 Impacts on Wildlife and Habitat 12 4.2 Impacts on Animal Breeding Places 12 4.2.1 Reptile and Amphibian Species 12 4.2.2 Mammal Species 13 4.2.3 Bird Species 14 4.3 Assessment and Research 22 4.3.1 Desktop Studies 22 4.3.2 Field Surveys – Draft EIS 23 4.3.3 Field Surveys – Supplementary EIS 23 5.0 MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS 24 5.1 Environmental Management Plan 24 5.2 Environmental Control Measures 24 5.2.1 Handling of a Protected Species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 25 5.2.2 Tampering with the Breeding Place of a Protected Animal Species 25 5.3 Management of Unavoidable Impacts 27 5.3.1 Offset Strategy 28 5.4 Summary of Compliance with Relevant Coordinator General and Environmental Authority Conditions 30 5.5 Responsibilities 32 5.6
    [Show full text]
  • September 2015
    Gang-gang September 2015 Newsletter of the Canberra Ornithologists Group Inc. SEPTEMBER MEETING Summary/analysis of the past month and Wednesday 9 September 2015 what to watch out for this month 7.30 pm. For most of the reporting period covered by this column (26 July to 26 Canberra Girls Grammar School, Multi-media centre, corner Gawler Cres August), bird activity in the COG Area of Interest (AOI) has been pretty and Melbourne Ave, Deakin static due to the continuing cold and wet winter. My previous column was sent in a few days early as I was going to be out of Canberra for a Amanda Edworthy will give the short while and so I was not able to include the report of the female Pink Robin presentation “Forty-spotted Pardalote: posted by Steve Holliday on 29 July, which completed the list of altitudinal Conservation on the Fly”. Amanda is a PhD student at the Research School of Biology, migrant bird species you might expect to see in Canberra during winter. ANU. Another female was recorded on 12 August by Julienne Kamprad at the The Forty-spotted Pardalote is an Cuumbeun Nature Reserve while searching for the Chestnut-rumped endangered and declining songbird, Heathwren. The latter, which was the focus of much attention, endemic to Tasmania, relying on tree particularly in the first half of August, is a sedentary species which prefers hollows for nesting and Eucalyptus heathland and can be found in a number of spots within the COG AOI viminalis trees for manna. Forty-spots have where this habitat occurs.
    [Show full text]
  • Captive Breeding of Australian Raptors
    ICBP Technical Publication No. 5, 1985 CAPTIVE BREEDING OF AUSTRALIAN RAPTORS JERRY & PENNY OLSEN R.M.B. 1705, Read Road, Sutton, N.S.W. 2620, Australia ABSTRACT Records are given of ten diurnal raptor species bred in captivity in Australia. SUMMARY OF BREEDING SPECIES Captive breeding of raptors has seldom been attempted in Australia, and progeny of those species bred are not used to replenish endangered species as they are in North America (e.g. Cade et al. 1977). The progeny are sometimes used for research (Olsen & Olsen 1980a, 1980b; Fleay 1968) but most are not. Ten have produced young or fertile eggs in captivity (Table 1). At Willmot, N.S.W., a permanently injured female Little Eagle (Hieraeetus morphnoides) was allowed to roam free in a large open-fenced area and was visited by a wild male. They built a nest and successfully fledged young in 1981 (J. Stopford , pers. comm.). Some other species have produced eggs of unknown viability in captivity. With the exception of the Red Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus), and Grey Falcon Table 1: Australian raptors bred in captivity. Species Breeder Location Pacific Baza ( A viceda subcristata ) D. Fleay Brisbane, Qld. Whistling Kite (Halias tursphenurus) D. Fleay Brisbane, Old. Taronga Park Zoo Sydney, N.S.W. Brahminy Kite (Haliasturindus) x WhistlingKite D. Fleay Brisbane, Qld. Australian Goshawk (Accipiterfasciatus) P.&J. Olsen Sutton, N.S.W. Grey Goshawk (Accipiternovaehollandiae) D. Fleay Brisbane, Qld. Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) D. Fleay Brisbane, Qld. Taronga Park Zoo Sydney, N.S.W. Sir Colin McKenzie Fauna Park Healesville, Vic. Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) Taronga Park Zoo Sydney,N.S.W.
    [Show full text]
  • Observations on the Biology of the Powerful Owl Ninox Strenua in Southern Victoria by E.G
    VOL. 16 (7) SEPTEMBER 1996 267 AUSTRALIAN BIRD WATCHER 1996, 16, 267-295 Observations on the Biology of the Powerful Owl Ninox strenua in Southern Victoria by E.G. McNABB, P.O. \IJ~~ 408, Emerald, Victoria 3782 . \. Summary A pair of Powerful Owls Ninox strenua was studied at each of two sites near Melbourne, Victoria, for three years (1977-1979) and 15 years (1980-1994 inclusive) respectively, by diurnal and nocturnal observation. Home ranges were.mapped, nest sites characterised and breeding chronology and success monitored. General observations at these and eight other sites, of roosting, courting, nesting, parental and juvenile behaviour, fledgling mortality, hunting, interspecific conflicts, bathing, and camouflage posing, are presented. The regularly used parts of the home ranges of two pairs were each estimated as c. 300 ha, although for one pair this applied only to the breeding season. One pair used seven nest trees in 15 years, commonly two or three times each (range 1-4 times) over consecutive years before changing trees. Nest-switching may have been encouraged by human inspection of hollows. Nest entrances were 8-40 m (mean 22 m) above ground. The owls clearly preferred the larger and older trees (estimated 350-500+ years old), beside permanent creeks rather than seasonal streams, and in gullies or on sheltered aspects rather than ridges. Laying dates were spread over a month from late May, with a peak in mid June. The breeding cycle occupied three months from laying to fledging, of which the nestling period lasted 8-9 weeks. Breeding success was 1.4 young per pair per year and 94% nest success; early nests in gullies were more successful than late nests on slopes.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 29 Number 1 April 2011
    BOOBOOK JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALASIAN RAPTOR ASSOCIATION Volume 29 Number 1 April 2011 ARA CONTACTS President: Victor Hurley 0427 238 898 [email protected] Secretary Nick Mooney 0427 826 922 [email protected] Treasurer VACANT Webmaster VACANT Editor, Boobook Dr Stephen Debus 02 6772 1710 (ah) [email protected] Boobook production Hugo Phillipps Area Representatives: ACT Mr Jerry Olsen [email protected] NSW Dr Rod Kavanagh [email protected] NT Mr Ray Chatto [email protected] Qld Mr Stacey McLean [email protected] SA Mr Ian Falkenberg [email protected] WA Mr Jonny Schoenjahn [email protected] Tas Mr Nick Mooney [email protected] Vic Mr David Whelan [email protected] New Zealand VACANT PNG/Indonesia Dr David Bishop [email protected] Other BOPWatch liaison Victor Hurley [email protected] Editor, Circus Victor Hurley Captive raptor advisor Michelle Manhal 0418 387 424 [email protected] Education advisor Greg Czechura 07 3840 7642 (bh) [email protected] Raptor management Nick Mooney 0427 826 922 [email protected] advisor Membership enquiries Membership Officer, Birds Australia, Suite 2-05, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, Vic. 3053 Ph. 1300 730 075, [email protected] Annual subscription $A30 single membership, $A35 family and $A45 for institutions, due on 1 January. Bankcard and MasterCard can be debited by prior arrangement. Website: www.birdsaustralia.com.au/ara The aims of the Association are the study, conservation and management of diurnal and nocturnal raptors of the Australasian Faunal Region.
    [Show full text]
  • Approved Recovery Plan for Large Forest Owls
    Approved NSW Recovery Plan Recovery Plan for the Large Forest Owls Powerful Owl Sooty Owl Masked Owl Ninox strenua Tyto tenebricosa Tyto novaehollandiae October 2006 Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW), 2006. This work is copyright, however, material presented in this plan may be copied for personal use or educational purposes, providing that any extracts are fully acknowledged. Apart from this and any other use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission from DEC. This plan should be cited as follows: Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (2006). NSW Recovery Plan for the Large Forest Owls: Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua), Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa) and Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) DEC, Sydney. For further information contact: Large Forest Owl Recovery Coordinator Biodiversity Conservation Unit Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232 Published by: Department of Environment and Conservation NSW 59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Fax: (02) 9995 5999 TTY: (02) 9211 4723 Email: [email protected] Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au ISBN 1 74137 995 4 DEC 2006/413 October 2006 Cover photographs: Powerful Owl, R. Jackson, Sooty Owl, D. Hollands and Masked Owl, M. Todd. Approved Recovery Plan for Large Forest Owls Recovery Plan for the Large Forest Owls Executive Summary This document constitutes the formal New South Wales State recovery plan for the three large forest owls of NSW - the Powerful Owl Ninox strenua (Gould), Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa (Gould) and Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae (Stephens).
    [Show full text]
  • OWLS of OHIO C D G U I D E B O O K DIVISION of WILDLIFE Introduction O W L S O F O H I O
    OWLS OF OHIO c d g u i d e b o o k DIVISION OF WILDLIFE Introduction O W L S O F O H I O Owls have longowls evoked curiosity in In the winter of of 2002, a snowy ohio owl and stygian owl are known from one people, due to their secretive and often frequented an area near Wilmington and two Texas records, respectively. nocturnal habits, fierce predatory in Clinton County, and became quite Another, the Oriental scops-owl, is behavior, and interesting appearance. a celebrity. She was visited by scores of known from two Alaska records). On Many people might be surprised by people – many whom had never seen a global scale, there are 27 genera of how common owls are; it just takes a one of these Arctic visitors – and was owls in two families, comprising a total bit of knowledge and searching to find featured in many newspapers and TV of 215 species. them. The effort is worthwhile, as news shows. A massive invasion of In Ohio and abroad, there is great owls are among our most fascinating northern owls – boreal, great gray, and variation among owls. The largest birds, both to watch and to hear. Owls Northern hawk owl – into Minnesota species in the world is the great gray are also among our most charismatic during the winter of 2004-05 became owl of North America. It is nearly three birds, and reading about species with a major source of ecotourism for the feet long with a wingspan of almost 4 names like fearful owl, barking owl, North Star State.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 7 the Diet of the Powerful
    Deakin Research Online Deakin University’s institutional research repository DDeakin Research Online Research Online This is the author’s final peer reviewed version of the item published as: Cooke, Raylene, Wallis, Robert, Hogan, Fiona, White, John and Webster, A. 2006-05-31, Diet of powerful owls ( Ninox strenua) and prey availability in a continuum of habitats from disturbed urban fringe to protected forest environments in south-eastern Australia, Wildlife research, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 199-206. Copyright : 2006, CSIRO 1 The diet of powerful owls (Ninox strenua) and prey availability in a continuum of habitats from disturbed urban fringe to protected forest environments in south-eastern Australia. Cooke, R.1*, Wallis, R. 2, Hogan, F. 1, White, J. 1 and Webster, A 3. 1 School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, Australia 3125 2 Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Rural and Regional), Deakin University, Warrnambool Campus, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia 3280 3 Department of Sustainability and Environment, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia 3128 * Corresponding author: Email [email protected] Abstract This study investigates the diet of six breeding pairs of powerful owls in the Yarra Valley Corridor Victoria and compares prey consumption with prey availability. The six sites represent a continuum of habitats, ranging from urban Melbourne, through the urban fringe interface to a more forested landscape. We found that powerful owls in the Yarra Valley Corridor are reliant almost exclusively on arboreal marsupial prey as their preferred diet, with 99% of their overall diet comprising of four arboreal marsupial species.
    [Show full text]
  • Eastern Australia: October-November 2016
    Tropical Birding Trip Report Eastern Australia: October-November 2016 A Tropical Birding SET DEPARTURE tour EASTERN AUSTRALIA: From Top to Bottom 23rd October – 11th November 2016 The bird of the trip, the very impressive POWERFUL OWL Tour Leader: Laurie Ross All photos in this report were taken by Laurie Ross/Tropical Birding. 1 www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] Page Tropical Birding Trip Report Eastern Australia: October-November 2016 INTRODUCTION The Eastern Australia Set Departure Tour introduces a huge amount of new birds and families to the majority of the group. We started the tour in Cairns in Far North Queensland, where we found ourselves surrounded by multiple habitats from the tidal mudflats of the Cairns Esplanade, the Great Barrier Reef and its sandy cays, lush lowland and highland rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands, and we even made it to the edge of the Outback near Mount Carbine; the next leg of the tour took us south to Southeast Queensland where we spent time in temperate rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests within Lamington National Park. The third, and my favorite leg, of the tour took us down to New South Wales, where we birded a huge variety of new habitats from coastal heathland to rocky shorelines and temperate rainforests in Royal National Park, to the mallee and brigalow of Inland New South Wales. The fourth and final leg of the tour saw us on the beautiful island state of Tasmania, where we found all 13 “Tassie” endemics. We had a huge list of highlights, from finding a roosting Lesser Sooty Owl in Malanda; to finding two roosting Powerful Owls near Brisbane; to having an Albert’s Lyrebird walk out in front of us at O Reilly’s; to seeing the rare and endangered Regent Honeyeaters in the Capertee Valley, and finding the endangered Swift Parrot on Bruny Island, in Tasmania.
    [Show full text]
  • December 2016 Vol
    Castlemaine Naturalist December 2016 Vol. 41.11 #449 Monthly newsletter of the Castlemaine Field Naturalists Club Inc. Powerful Owl chick - photo Noel Young Moths of Victoria – and Castlemaine CFNC members were fortunate to have Marilyn Hewish as guest speaker at the Club’s November meeting. Marilyn is a distinguished naturalist, who received the Australian Natural History Medallion in 2013 for her decades of work on Australian birds and her more recent contributions to studies of the moths of Victoria. She told us how she had become a “moth addict” and that most of the commonly stated ways to distinguish moths and butterflies are myths – some moths are active during daylight, many are highly coloured (not “brown and boring”), some have clubbed antennae. The technical difference is in the way the forewings and hindwings are linked – needing microscopic examination! Moths and their caterpillars play a major ecological role, for example as a significant food source for birds, bats, reptiles, small mammals and larger invertebrates. Some caterpillars feed on leaf litter, thus recycling nutrients and reducing the intensity of fires. Some day-flying moths pollinate flowers. Though butterflies are more familiar to most naturalists, they are far outnumbered by moth species in Australia: about 400 species of butterflies and more than 20,000 moths (the exact figure is not known). The studies of Victorian moths are in very early stages compared to our knowledge of Australian birds. Marilyn and Dean are frequently in the field – at night (even when cold and wet), surveying moths at sites across Victoria. They often record large extensions in distributions, species not previously known from the state, and even species new to science.
    [Show full text]
  • The Powerful Owl, Ninox Strenua (Strigidae), in South Australia
    September 2010 1 The Powerful Owl, Ninox strenua (Strigidae), in South Australia BRYAN T. HAYWOOD Abstract The Powerful Owl, Ninox strenua, has been 25 km SE of Mount Gambier, in May 2004 considered only a vagrant to South Australia since (Rogers 2008). Until 2008 the Powerful Owl was the 1960s. In August 2007 the first nest of the listed as Rare (and as a vagrant) in the South Powerful Owl was found in the Dry Creek Native Australian Fauna legislation. It is now listed as Forest Reserve (Caroline Forest, 25 km SE of Mount Endangered in the revised schedules (NPWSA Gambier) and in July 2008 a second breeding pair Act 1972, as amended 2008, SAOA 2008), and was discovered in the Wombat Flat Native Forest it is listed as Threatened in Victoria (Flora and Reserve (Comaum Forest, 20 km N of Penola) in open Fauna Guarantee Act 1988). river red gum woodland. This paper compiles the data on each nest, breeding observations, roost sites, This paper records the breeding events in South prey species and other records of the Powerful Owl in Australia in 2007 and 2008, and results from a the south-east of South Australia and south-western targeted owl survey in the Mount Burr Range Victoria. NFRs. It also compiles other observations of Powerful Owls in south- east South Australia and INTRODUCTION south-west Victoria, including a breeding pair. The Powerful Owl, Ninox strenua, is known from eastern Australia as far north as central THE RECORDs Queensland, south through eastern New South Wales to most of central and southern Victoria, Observations from 2004 to 2007 but has only been considered a vagrant in D.
    [Show full text]