T HE S TATE OF A USTRALIA ’ S B IRDS 2003

Wedge-tailed Eagle. Photo by www.birdphotos.com.au JOIN TODAY !

CONSERVATION THROUGH KNOWLEDGE By joining Birds Australia, you help Dedicated to the study, conservation and enjoyment of native birds Australia’s wild birds and their and their habitats habitats. Whether you participate Since 1901 Birds Australia (Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union) has in the activities and research or worked for the conservation of Australasia’s birds and their habitats, principally through just enjoy Australia’s leading bird scientific research. An independent, not-for- magazine Wingspan, your profit organisation, Birds Australia relies on the financial support of companies, trusts and subscription is hard at work, foundations, and private individuals. The organisation inspires the involvement of safeguarding our beautiful birds. thousands of volunteers in its conservation projects and through their generosity and commitment undertakes nationwide and Title First Name localised monitoring of bird populations. Surname 415 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East, Victoria 3123 Address Tel: (03) 9882 2622; Fax: (03) 9882 2677; Postcode Email: [email protected] Phone (AH) (BH) Web site: www.birdsaustralia.com.au Email Funding for this report was generously provided by the Vera Moore Foundation Please accept my enclosed cheque for $68 $50 (concession) and the Australian Government’s $108 (family*) or $87 (family concession) payable to Department of Environment and Heritage (formerly Environment Australia). ‘Birds Australia’ or debit my Bankcard Visa Mastercard Vera Moore Foundation Expiry Date / Signature by Penny Olsen, Date / / SCIA.1 Michael Weston, Post to: Birds Australia, 415 Riversdale Rd, Hawthorn East, Vic. 3123 Ross Cunningham, Layout and design: P.A.G.E. Pty Ltd Tel: (03) 9882 2622; Fax: (03) 9882 2677; Email: [email protected] Reproduction and printing: and Andrew Silcocks *Family covers two members at the same address. Membership runs for twelve months. ✂ Courtney Colour Graphics Please enquire for rates for overseas members, and subscriptions to Emu, the journal of ornithology. Supplement to Wingspan, vol. 13, no. 4,

CONSERVATION THROUGH KNOWLEDGE December 2003 Cover pic: Barking Owl. Photo by Nicholas Birks II The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’s Birds 2003 III

The State of Australia’s Birds 2003 report is an overview of the status of Australia’s birds, the main threats they face and the conservation actions taken. The report and much of the data in it were collected and largely funded by volunteers. This is an extraordinary expression of concern for Australia’s birds and their habitats. Without such commitment, how are we to understand the state of our birds: which species and bird communities are truly in trouble, where to focus conservation efforts, whether conservation interventions are working?

Red-browed Finch. Photo by www.birdphotos.com.au THE KEY FINDINGS INTRODUCTION

Favourable news • Knowledge of habitat management by burning is improving, Quite possibly, birds are the The State of Australia’s Birds 2003 on topics such as habitat change, • A concerted effort by dedicated individuals, recovery teams, but an inability to control extensive dry season fires remains (SOAB) is the first in a series of reports freshwater birds, seabirds, shorebirds, landholders and governments has improved the prospects for a threat to several northern grassy woodland species most popular of wild animals. summarising the fortunes of Australia’s and the fate of birds on islands. several threatened species • In the 20 years between Atlases, another introduced birds. It presents population trends and Australia is a large climatically and • Conservation of birds can be compatible with human land species has established and two of the more recently Visible, vibrant and rich in changes for Australian birds over various biogeographically diverse continent uses, for example, sustainable farming and the recreational use established species—Spotted Turtle-Dove and Common time spans—some extending from the with a generally sparse human of beaches Myna—have spread variety, they give pleasure by 1960s—leading up to the present. It is population. Assessing the state of its • The number of volunteers working to monitor and improve • By-catch in Australian pelagic fisheries is a recently identified, intended that this introductory SOAB bird species—in excess of 700— the status of the nation’s birds is increasing major threat to the Flesh-footed Shearwater bringing colour and song to the report sets the baseline for five-yearly presents special challenges. This report • Knowledge of long-term patterns and trends in bird overviews, informed by the Ongoing examines the fortunes of birds at populations is improving There is strong circumstantial evidence that: garden, and enlivening the Atlas of Australian Birds and many other continental and regional scales. The • Most of the more highly threatened species have been listed • Species richness is reduced where native vegetation clearance monitoring programs. These overviews first part is based on the nation-wide, federally and/or by the appropriate State (but preparation of is continuing bush. Birds have long fired will be interspersed with themed reports volunteer-based Atlas of Australian Birds recovery plans lags behind) • Low reporting rates are associated with areas of reduced native • Some seabirds, particularly albatrosses, appear to have vegetation cover human imagination and remain benefited from by-catch reduction measures implemented in • Climate change is compromising high altitude residents Birds as indicators longline fisheries • Broadscale, intensified agriculture, such as cotton growing, a source of enjoyment for many, The state of the nation’s birds feeds into the clearance of native vegetation, • The rate of broadscale clearing of native vegetation has is an increasing threat to bird populations the Australian Government’s State of inappropriate fire regimes and introduced been markedly reduced in New South Wales and food and pests to a few. Their Environment reporting as an indicator of species are common threats to Australia’s preliminary steps have been taken towards its cessation Uncertain news national environmental health. Birds can biodiversity. Australian ecosystems that in Queensland • Unsustainable farming practices, particularly in the vital functions in nature include be useful surrogates or indicators of have been over-simplified through • Our cities provide habitat for a wide and increasing variety of wheat-sheep belt, are joint threats to agriculture and birds biodiversity (the variety of all living agricultural practices are often associated common native birds • Conservation effort has been directed at rare species with seed dispersal, pollination, the things). Monitoring of birds can provide with tree dieback, loss of native species, • Although dynamic, populations of several waterbirds appear relatively little action taken to improve the fortunes of more information on the distribution of soil erosion, salinity and deterioration in to be stable in the long-term common declining species regulation of insect and rodent diversity and signal changes to water quality. A greater diversity of birds • Australia is such a large, diverse country that the monitoring ecosystems. Importantly, birds—often is generally associated with a greater Unfavourable news and conservation of our 700 plus bird species is a complex and populations, and the disposal of noisy, colourful and active during the richness of tree, shrub and ground cover • The implementation of recovery plans is poorly supported demanding task day—are relatively easy to observe, species, as well as a greater range of by governments • The impact of the extended drought and exceptional fires that carrion. They herald the passing which makes monitoring accessible, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and • Populations of several common and widespread woodland burned much of the High Country of the south-east in 2003 unobtrusive, cost efficient and, not invertebrates. So, in addition to being birds of the extensively cleared wheat-sheep belt continue is yet to be revealed of the seasons and reflect the least, enjoyable. a measure of ecosystem diversity, the to decline • Populations of several long-established introduced species are Management for birds cannot be state of our birds can act as an indicator • Populations of several migratory shorebirds show evidence declining, as they are in their natural range health of natural systems. assumed to cover the requirements of all of environmental health and sustainable of long-term decline other life forms. Yet, adversities such as land use. IV The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 V

(which mainly covers landbirds), response to the identification of species of I. TRENDS IN COMMON AND WIDESPREAD BIRDS coordinated by Birds Australia. high conservation concern in the Action The report begins by taking a look at Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Australian Bustard. Photo by Graeme Chapman continental scale changes in reporting rates 2003 sees much of the country Change in the two decades between and bird species richness over the past emerging from a severe drought—the national Atlases Some major threats to 20 years. Over this period we have seen worst in history—topped in the early The first national Birds Australia Atlas Australian birds rapid change to habitat through clearance, months by extensive wildfires that burned was conducted from 1977 to 1981 and loss of native vegetation, and intensification much of the High Country and south- the second 20 years later, from 1998 to • Broadscale clearance of native of agriculture—some of the most pressing eastern wet forests. As late as September, 2002. Part One of SOAB presents the vegetation threats to Australia’s birds. Increasing most regions were still experiencing broad patterns and changes between • Increasing fragmentation of native urbanisation has also brought change. below average rainfall. It is too early to Atlases. Each Atlas is a snapshot in time vegetation, degradation and loss of Over 20 years Australia has become detect the overall impacts of this and the differences between them do not warmer. Hence, the report examines exceptional sequence of events. necessarily reflect long-term trends. Yet, No of species per grid Survey Effort remnants, and lack of recruitment insufficient surveys 0 to 19 surveys (few young plants to replace the some unique species that might be This report has been produced by some of the patterns of change that are 0 to 74 20 to 99 surveys 75 to 149 100 to 499 surveys ageing vegetation) expected to be at risk from climate Birds Australia through member and beginning to emerge are revealing. 150 to 249 500+ surveys change, a topic of international concern. supporter donation and assistance from Across Australia and its external 250+ • Grazing pressure This is followed by an analysis of the Vera Moore Foundation and the territories of Christmas and Cocos- Figure 1. Species richness, that is, the total number of bird • Changed fire regimes population trends for an indicative list of Australian Government’s Department of Keeling Islands in the Indian Ocean, species reported in each 1˚ grid square, 1998–2002. Landbirds only; minimum of 20 surveys per grid. Note: The shaded areas • Intensification of agriculture 15 widespread and common woodland Environment and Heritage. The bird Norfolk Island in the South Pacific and show survey effort, which affects the species richness tallies. Hence, • Firewood collection and general breeding birds in the wheat-sheep monitoring programs summarised here Heard and Macquarie Islands in the results for the more heavily surveyed areas are the most reliable ‘cleaning up’ of litter and fallen wood regions, which are among the most were undertaken by thousands of Southern Ocean, a total of 772 bird • Changed hydrology—altered flow degraded of major bird habitats. volunteers, regional governments, and species was reported, 595 of which breed regimes, deteriorating water quality The next section presents the institutional and private researchers, with in Australia. and dryland salinity results of numerous monitoring support from State governments and the The greatest bird diversity is found To some extent these changes might programs from around the nation for Australian Government’s Natural in the coastal and subcoastal east and be explained by changes in abundance • Climate change individual species, most of which are of Heritage Trust. This effort, and the south-east, extending inland across the and movement in response to rainfall, • Introduced animals high conservation concern. willingness to contribute to SOAB, are Murray-Darling Basin (Figure 1). Even which was greater over most of the • Longline fishing Lastly, the performance of compelling testaments of concern by though the inland has a naturally low country during the second Atlas— governments is examined by their Australians for the fate their birds. diversity of species, its biodiversity value including an exceptional flooding event is high because of its suite of unusual, which filled Lake Eyre in 2000 Galah. Photo by Graeme Chapman Survey Effort % Change arid-adapted endemic species. providing rich, temporary breeding 0 to 19 surveys insufficient data 20 to 99 surveys > -25% Excluding oceanic islands, analysis habitat for a range of species. This 100 to 499 surveys -25% to -10% of patterns was possible for 422 species. might have improved conditions for 500+ surveys -10% to 10% 10% to 25% Of these, 201 (48%) showed no change many birds, possibly resulting in a shift > 25%

between Atlases, 64 (15%) were inland by some of the more nomadic Figure 2. Change in species richness between national recorded less frequently during the species (reflected in the greater scattering Atlases (1977–1981 and 1998–2002) second Atlas, and 157 (37%) were of green dots across arid Australia in recorded more frequently. Figure 2).

Intensification of agriculture % Change insufficient data Much of south-eastern and south-western significant decrease decrease Australia was cleared a century or more no change increase before the national Atlases. Despite the significant increase already high loss of native vegetation in the cotton growing area south-east, clearing of native vegetation is continuing—less as patchy clearing typical of wheat-sheep agriculture, but more commonly as clearing of vegetation remnants on amalgamated farms for broad- acre farming and boom spray irrigation. Figure 3. Change in bird species richness between Atlases and One example is irrigated cotton. areas where cotton is grown Major cotton growing areas, most of Source (cotton areas): Joint which were established or expanded in the Agricultural Weather Facility, United States Department of period between Atlases, tend to correspond Agriculture 2001 to areas with a loss of bird species richness (Figure 3). Such land use entails the use of pesticides (often 10–18 applications a year), which have potential to impact on native plants, invertebrates and insectivorous birds, and may drift and be Cotton country at Narrabri planted with an carried far beyond the sites of application. alternative crop. Photo by Graeme Chapman VI The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 VII

Budgerigar. Photo by Graeme Chapman Native vegetation clearance % Change >20,000 ha insufficient data 10,00 to 19,999 ha A multitude of factors potentially impact on >-25% 5,000 to 9,999 ha -25% to -10% 1,000 to 4,999 ha birds, but at the continental scale habitat loss -10% to 10% <1,000 ha 10% to 25% no data by land clearance is the most significant. >25% Over the last 20 years in Australia, around 10 million ha of native vegetation (an area half the size of Victoria) have been cleared, much of it mature woodland and forest. Changes Figure 4. Change in species > 20% decrease Most of the recent clearing has occurred in no signifigant change richness compared with the south-east Queensland, with the greatest > 20% increase extent of recent land clearing in not present or insufficient data reduction in bird species in areas of greatest, Queensland recent clearance (Figure 4). The listing of Area of native vegetation cleared within Figure 6. Regional changes in reporting rate between the Intensive Landuse Zone of Queensland Atlases for the Budgerigar, which showed no change overall land clearance as a Key Threatening Process between 1997 and 1999 by bioregion. For statistical methods see Table 1; mapped according to Source: Land and Water Resources Audit, under the Environment Protection and IBRA region, which does not necessarily reflect the limits of Canberra Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) in distribution 2001 and the recent Commonwealth–State Changes in individual species agreement that aims to reduce woodland between Atlases clearance in Queensland may be the first In general, tropical forest birds, pigeons, steps towards halting this decline. honeyeaters, parrots and fresh-water birds Overall reporting rates have also were recorded more frequently in the changed between Atlases. Over much of the Figure 5. Change in reporting second Atlas. Ground-feeding insectivores rate between Atlases compared continent the number of species an Atlaser with extent of native vegetation of grassy woodlands, birds of high altitude could expect to see during a single survey remaining in south-eastern forests and scrubs, and some migratory Australia increased in the second Atlas (possibly an Landbirds with an overall reporting rate waders—Curlew Sandpiper, Terek effect of greater rainfall). However, over of at least 0.02, excluding outliers/out-of- Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Pacific Changes range observations. Data adjusted for > 20% decrease much of the south-east corner, where survey survey effort etc. as in Table 1 and Golden Plover and Double-banded no signifigant change > 20% increase presented according to the framework effort has been greatest, the number of Plover—were recorded less frequently. not present or insufficient data species expected has decreased by between for much State of Environment reporting: As Australia is climatically and the IBRA region (Interim Biogeographical Figure 7. Change in reporting rate between Atlases for the Regionalisation of Australia) one to four (Figure 5). Indeed, where less biogeographically diverse, it is not Richard’s Pipit, which decreased overall BIRDS Current extent of native vegetation by Change, Atlas 2 – Atlas 1 than 50% of native vegetation remains, an bioregion: percentage of woody surprising that 59% of species showed insufficent data VEGETATION vegetation remaining uncleared and Atlaser in 1998-2002 could expect to see up -4 to -1 Percentage remaining significant regional variation in the to four fewer species than they would have -1 to 1 0 to 50 natural grasses remaining uncultivated. direction and extent of change between 1 to 6 50 to 100 Source: Land and Water Resources TABLE 1. Differences in reporting rate between Atlases 1977–1981 20 years ago. Audit, Canberra 2001 Atlases. For these birds, an overall figure and 1998–2001 of change is not very meaningful and assessment for change must be made at a Decrease No Change Increase Left: Jacky Winter. Photo by Ian Montgomery regional scale. The Budgerigar, for Red-browed Treecreeper - - Superb Lyrebird 0 Eastern Rosella + Below: Lone Salmon Gum in wheat paddock. Photo by Graeme Chapman example, showed no change overall, but Rockwarbler - - Black Currawong 0 Little Friarbird + increases in reporting rates inland were Flame Robin - - Little Tern 0 Western Rosella +

matched by decreases towards the outer Australian Bustard - - Emerald Dove 0 Green Rosella + fringes of its range (Figure 6). Long-billed (Baudin’s) Cockatoo - Pale-headed Rosella 0 Red-browed Pardalote + Birds that showed a uniform pattern of decrease in reporting rate across their Tooth-billed Bowerbird - Spotted Catbird 0 Pacific Baza + range are listed in Table 1. Reporting Chowchilla - Glossy Black-Cockatoo 0 Satin Bowerbird + rates for several other species decreased, Orange Chat - Turquoise Parrot 0 Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo + but not uniformly across the country. Purple-gaped Honeyeater - Cattle Egret 0 Common Myna +

These include: Richard’s Pipit (Figure 7) Spotted Quail-thrush - Bell Miner 0 Australian King-Parrot + and Emu (which apparently decreased in Gang-gang Cockatoo - Speckled Warbler 0 Noisy Pitta ++ detectability over much of their range); Apostlebird (which may be shifting Tawny-crowned Honeyeater - Pale-yellow Robin 0 Channel-billed Cuckoo ++ northwards, deserting more southern Black-necked Stork - Superb Parrot 0 Blue-breasted Fairy-wren ++ parts of its range), and Grey-crowned Brolga - Northern Rosella 0 White-headed Pigeon ++ Babbler (which has almost disappeared White-winged Chough - Beach Stone-curlew 0 Spotted Turtle-Dove ++ from South Australia and north-western The species shown are all of the more common Australian-breeding species that showed a uniform Victoria [see SOAB Part Two]). decrease across their range, and examples of species that showed no change or a uniform increase. For details of survey and statistical methods see The New Atlas of Australian Birds.

The symbols: - - decrease of 50% or more; - decrease of up to 49%; 0 no significant change; + increase of up to 49%; ++ increase of 50% or more.

Caveats

The data were statistically corrected for differences in survey effort and method, seasonal variation, and spatial bias within a grid square. Nevertheless, several factors confound direct comparison between the Atlases, these include:

1 Different survey methodology was used in each Atlas and detection rates for some species were affected by these differences: for the species listed, the results of the two methods are comparable.

2 Wetter conditions prevailed in Atlas 2, creating more favourable conditions for many birds. VIII The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’s Birds 2003 IX

Urbanisation 200 Urban and introduced birds

Between Atlases Australia’s human Superb Fairy-wren House Sparrow population increased from 13 to nearly 150 Tree Martin (x 0.1) 20 million. The pattern of human European Greenfinch (x 10) European Goldfinch (x 10) settlement is characterised by a high rate 100 of urbanisation, low density cities and

concentration of 83% of the population 50 within 50 kilometres of the coast,

Scale mainly in two crescents, in the Number of groups / Maximum number 0 0 to 2 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2 to 5 south–eastern coast and the south–west 5 to 10 of Western Australia. This movement Superb Fairy-wren – Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra: intensive ongoing surveys throughout the gardens; 10+ from rural areas to the cities is predicted number of groups based on breeding females that held territories throughout the season. Figure 8. Percentage of records in Atlas 2 that are of NB. Over the study period, the proportion of groups with helpers declined. Source: Andrew Cockburn, School of Botany and Zoology, ANU introduced species within each bioregion to increase. Its current impacts on birds Tree Martin and introduced European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch and House Sparrow – Gilbertson, South Australia: maximum numbers seen Source: Garnett et al. 2003 are mixed. for that year on any one occasion during weekly counts. Source: David Paton Typically, Australia’s relatively low- density cities have left room for wildlife (for example, for all capital cities except Turtle-Dove, all of which seldom settle Hobart more than 250 bird species have far from human habitation. been reported; Figure 1). They offer year Tree Martins, which congregate round food, shelter and water where before migrating to wintering grounds previously these may have been seasonal. north of the Tropic of Capricorn, have Red Wattlebirds, Little Corellas, Pied declined dramatically in Adelaide. In the Currawongs, Collared Sparrowhawks, same area that longtime residents Clockwise from above left: Tree Martin. Photo by Peregrine Falcons, Rainbow Lorikeets, estimate there were between 1,000 and Birds that increased between Atlases Graeme Chapman; Rockwarbler. Photo by Graeme Australian Magpies and Magpie-larks 3,000 on most autumn days in the 1930s, Legend > 20% decrease Chapman; Superb Fairy-wren pair. Photo by Several species increased their range are just some of the common native the number of martins has now declined no siginificant change between Atlases. The Noisy Pitta, www.birdphotos.com.au; Gang-gang Cockatoo species that have adapted well to life in to only a handful of birds on some days. > 20% increase (male). Photo by Graeme Chapman not present or insuficent data Pacific Baza, Osprey, Channel-billed cities and suburbs. Cities are also havens By contrast, the number of breeding Figure 9. Regional changes in reporting rate between Cuckoo, Top-knot Pigeon, Pheasant for several introduced species, such as female Superb Fairy-Wrens in the botanic Atlases for the Red Wattlebird, which increased overall Coucal, Figbird and Black-necked House Sparrow, Common Myna, gardens in central Canberra has remained Note that plotting changes by bioregion can exaggerate the distri- Stork (Jabiru) were among the birds Trends in introduced birds Doves are expanding, still largely associated Common Blackbird, and Spotted stable for at least a decade. bution of a species, as in this case that extended their range southwards The presence of introduced species in an with human habitation. Conversely, the down the east coast, some to reclaim area can be an indication that habitat is European Goldfinch appears to be former territory. The Pied Imperial- disturbed. The south-west and the south- retracting from more northern parts of its Pigeon and perhaps Magpie Goose are east (including Tasmania), are the regions range, and the House Sparrow, European Climate change habitats include alpine areas, upland breed and/or reside in a narrow on the increase following cessation of with the greatest abundance of exotic bird Greenfinch and Common Starling may Between 1950 and 2001 Australia’s rainforest, wetlands, riverine systems and altitudinal range that has little scope for harvesting and improved protection. species (Figure 8). also be retreating: the reporting rates of all annual mean temperature increased woodlands. a shift to higher altitudes with rising The White-headed Pigeon is In the period between Atlases, the decreased between Atlases. This trend was 0.7˚C, a warming trend that has Climate change is likely to bring temperatures (let alone changing apparently spreading, assisted by the Barbary Dove established wild echoed by the results of weekly monitoring accelerated over the past two decades. about shifts in distribution such as the moisture regimes). Of particular concern introduced woody weed, Camphor populations in Australia—notably in Alice of the European Greenfinch, European By 2030, it is predicted that most of the southward extension of range observed in is the wet tropics (the Atherton area)— Laurel, on which it feeds. The Crested Springs, where recent control measures Goldfinch and House Sparrow at a country will be warmer by 0.4 to 2.0°C the Noisy Pitta and Pacific Baza are a centre of high endemism where several Pigeon and Galah, which began their may have eradicated the species—and the communal autumn roost in suburban with a tendency towards increased consistent. Although Australia has few species (such as the Golden and Tooth- spread from the inland into self-introduced Spotted Whistling-Duck Adelaide (see graph p. IX): all three species evaporation and summer/autumn high altitude birds, several species in the billed Bowerbird) exist within a very agricultural lands before the first Atlas, established on Cape York Peninsula. have declined markedly over the past rainfall, and decreased winter/spring wet tropics and a few in the alps might be restricted, highland range. In the have now reached the south-east coast. Common Mynas and Spotted Turtle- 20 years. rainfall in most regions. Vulnerable bird at risk of extinction. These are birds that southern highlands, the Gang-gang Cockatoo and Flame Robin are altitudinal migrants that disperse widely over the south-east, returning to the foothills and high country to breed, and the Red-browed Treecreeper resides in high country over much of its range. Most of these species appear on the shortlist of birds that have shown marked decreases nationally (Table 1), in spite of the high country remaining quite undisturbed, and the general trend of forest species to increase between Atlases. In New South Wales, another high altitude species, the Rufous Scrub-bird, too uncommon to appear in the national Atlas analyses, also appears to be in serious trouble (see SOAB Part Two). X The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 XI

Figure 10. Five-year trends in some common woodland birds in wheat-sheep regions. Repeated 2-ha sites with at least one survey in any four of the six years. Trends were smoothed using Eastern Yellow Robin (male). regression splines and seasonal patterns were smoothed using harmonics. These were fitted to data within a generalised linear mixed model framework in which site was treated as random Photo by Graeme Chapman effect. Graphs show only statistically significant, non-random patterns.

MistloetoebirdBBN Dusky Woodswallow MDD Eastern and Western Rosella BBS NSS RIV & SEH BBN RIV MDD NSS Sydney & Perth BBS NSS RIV & SEH Five-year trends in the wheat-sheep belt RIV & SEH RIV Perth Sydney & Perth Sydney The ‘wheat-sheep’ belt stretches in an NSS RIV & SEH arc around inland south-eastern and Perth Sydney south-western Australia (Figure 11), and is the focus of the country’s continuing clearing, land degradation, salinity, over-grazing and altered water flow problems. These are serious joint threats 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 to agriculture and birds. A positive change has been a reduction in sheep

Grey Fantail Hooded Robin MDD & RIV Jacky Winter BBS stocking rates between Atlases. NSS MDD AW MDD & RIVMDD & RIV NSS BBS In the south-east, decreases in bird EYB NSS RIV MDD AW MDD MDD & RIV NSS reporting rates between Atlases tended EYB Perth RIV MDD to be concentrated in this band of land Perth (Figure 5)—despite the general increase in reporting rates inland and across the country. There was little indication of a change in species richness (Figure 2). Species in the wheat-sheep belt for which

1998 1999 2000 2000 2000 2002 2002 2003 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 reporting rates declined included the Hooded Robin, in contrast to its forest dependent counterpart, the Eastern Noisy Miner BBS Pied CurrawongBBS Rainbow Bee-eaterBBN EYB NSS MDD Yellow Robin, whose reporting rates RIV BBS SEH BBS NSS BBN Sydney EYB Sydney NSS Perth MDD increased (Figure 12). RIV SEH NSS Sydney Sydney Perth To overcome some of the statistical problems in interpreting the change between Atlases, repeated surveys of 2ha blocks in the ongoing Atlas were analysed to assess temporal patterns and long-term trends. A subset of common between the troughs and the peaks, and Jacky Winter, Rainbow Bee-eater and and widespread species in urban areas had biannual surges in detectability. Dusky Woodswallow in the South 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 (Sydney and Perth) and the wheat-sheep By contrast, the White-plumed Western Slopes, New South Wales; the belt is presented here (Figure 10). In Honeyeater showed an annual pattern Rainbow Bee-eater in the Brigalow Belt

Rufous WhistlerAW, NSS & RIV White-browed Babbler AW White-plumed HoneyeaterBBS five years’ time, when these are revisited of seasonal increase. North, Queensland, and perhaps also in BBS MDD EYB NSS in the next State of Australia’s Birds Some species showed simple, easily the Riverina, New South Wales; and the MDD & SEH AW, NSS & RIV AW NSS BBS Sydney & Perth BBS MDD RIV EYB report, any long-term patterns will be interpreted trends in reporting rates in Mistletoebird in the Brigalow Belt MDD & SEH NSS NSS Sydney & Perth RIV more apparent. part of their wheat-sheep belt range. North. Although the patterns for most This first analysis revealed strong Thus, the Eastern Rosella increased species in most bioregions showed little seasonal patterns in rates of detectability, strongly in the South Western Slopes indication of long-term change, evidence which differed in timing between regions. bioregion of New South Wales. of ongoing decreases in detection rates The Jacky Winter, for example, showed Conversely, there was evidence of for several species over this relatively a two-fold increase in reporting rate a decrease in detection rates for: the short span of time may be of concern.

1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 1998 1999 2000 2000 2001 2002 2002 2003 Figure 12. Regional changes in reporting rate between Atlases for the Figure 11. ‘Wheat-sheep’ belt IBRA regions analysed for Hooded Robin, which decreased overall, and Eastern Yellow Robin, which 5-year trends, showing the location of the 2-ha survey sites increased overall White-browed Babbler. Photo by Graeme Chapman BBN (Brigalow Belt North); BBS (Brigalow Belt South); NSS (New South Wales South Western Slopes); SEH (South East Highlands); RIV Hooded Robin Eastern Yellow Robin (Riverina); MDD (Murray-Darling Depression); EYB (Eyre Yorke Block); AW (Avon Wheatbelt)

Legend > 20% decrease no siginificant change > 20% increase not present or insuficent data XII The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’s Birds 2003 XIII

Brown Treecreeper. Photo by Graeme Chapman II. LONG -TERM MONITORING PROGRAMS Fire and birds Increasingly, inappropriate fire regimes are declined between Atlases. A 12-year study recognised as a greater threat to wildlife at four sites at Ngarkat—the species’ than wildfire. Too frequent burning has stronghold in South Australia—illustrates This section reports long-term trends in populations of birds, many of which are considered to Birds of New South Wales’ endangered species such as Noisy Scrub-bird, how populations have capacity to recover be threatened or in decline. Most of these monitoring programs are maintained by a dedicated woodlands and forests Western Bristlebird, Malleefowl and Ground following wildfire. However, in this case, few, who are assisted by volunteers, in collaboration with State and Federal governments. Across New South Wales there was no Parrot. Maintenance of old-growth (or mid to the recovery six to 19 years post-fire has Some of the graphs present counts of the entire Australian population—for example, evidence of a long-term trend for the late seral) vegetation for these heathland apparently been dampened by drought those for the Australian subspecies of Gould’s Petrel, Swift Parrot and Lord Howe Grey-crowned Babbler or the Wedge- species, and for tree hollow-nesting birds, and, possibly, other threats to the species. Woodhen—but most represent sub-populations. tailed Eagle despite the introduction of requires fire exclusion or infrequent burning. The trend line for the site unburnt the calicivirus in 1995 that reduced rabbit Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos are twice as likely longest also suggests that it has passed its populations in some areas by as much to forage in buloke that has been unburnt prime for the honeyeater. Birds of New South Wales’ woodlands and forests as 90%. Over 30 years, the reporting for over nine years than in more recently In recent years, most States have Wedge-tailed Eagle rate for the Brown Treecreeper shows a Brown Treecreeper burned trees, because of higher seed yields. begun to acknowledge this complexity Grey-crowned Babbler downwards trend, especially over the 30 White-naped Honeyeater On the other hand, fire exclusion and their fire management plans take Flame Robin last 15 years. Reporting rates for Pacific Baza disadvantages species associated with early account of biodiversity. Following White-naped Honeyeater and perhaps post-fire recovery stages, such as Richard's ecological principles, the trend is to avoid 20 Flame Robin, indicate gentler declines. Pipit, Little Button-quail, Blue-winged Parrot, homogenisation, protect long unburnt On the other hand, reporting rates for Scarlet Robin and Flame Robin. Species, such areas, and use fine-scale mosaic burning the Pacific Baza, while typically low, 10 as honeyeaters, that depend on flowering with a range of fire regimes. An inability Reporting rate have increased steadily and markedly trees, fall somewhere between the two. to control extensive dry season fires over the same period, along with a The Tawny-crowned Honeyeater is remains a threat to several northern 0 slight southward expansion of the one of only two common honeyeaters that grassy woodland species. 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 species’ range. The severe drought of 1981–1983 may be reflected in the New South Wales: compilation of volunteer-collected data for Birds Australia Atlas 1 and by the members of the New South 2.5 Fire and Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters Wales Bird Atlassers. Field data only and sheets containing greater than 5 records, presented as annual reporting rate, i.e, declines observed about that period for Burnt 1977/78 number of counts per species divided by number of sheets (averaging 2757 pa). Source: New South Wales Bird Atlassers Inc some species. 2.0 Burnt 1990/91 Burnt 1997/98 Burnt 1998/99 1.5 Birds of Victorian farmlands 1.0 Birds of Victorian farmland Black-eared Miner In north-east Victoria, surveys of six Birds per hectare Birds per 0.5 Surveys at 22 colonies of Black-eared Miners areas for Grey-crowned Babblers have 120 Helmeted Honeyeater showed that many environmental and Malleefowl 0.0 indicated stable populations, for Grey-crowned Babbler 100 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 behavioural factors have affected the precision example, Koonda and Tamleugh together of yearly surveys, which have since been 80 Ngarkat, South Australia: winter surveys of 30 ha at 32 sites at various periods after summer fires. Source: David Paton have been home to 30–36 groups made abandoned. An attempt is being made to up of 117–140 individuals. Populations 60 develop a more reliable estimate of the current in the north-west, however, have fared 40 Drought and fire effective population size. The long term goal less well. In the Eppalock area in 1995 It is too early to assess the impact of the 2002 drought (which in some areas continued into of the recovery effort is to have at least 1000 12 groups existed, but at the same site in 20

2003)and the higher than average temperatures (maximum temperatures averaging 0.8˚C mature individuals in viable populations in at 1999 only eight remained. To combat Minimum total population/ Number of mounds/Number of groups 0 higher than the previous record), resulting in higher evaporation over much of the country. least five separate locations across the species’ this trend, a program of predator control 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 This unusual combination of natural climate variation and temperature increases from former range. During 2000 and 2001 five and habitat enhancement, expansion and global warming, contributed to extensive wildfires that burned much of the High Country colonies of Black-eared Miners (90 birds in manipulation has commenced. Similarly, Grey-crowned Babbler – Koonda and Tamleugh, north-east Victoria: surveys of groups along a standard 30 km grid of roadsides, subdivided into one kilometre sections usually in mid-winter when birds are not breeding and group size is at a total) were successfully translocated from the and south-eastern wet forests. Many species can be considered drought or fire-adapted, but in the Boort–Yando area, one of the minimum. Source: Doug Robinson, Grey-crowned Babbler Working Group for some already stressed species extinction risk may have increased. For example, the Bookmark Region of South Australia to parts species’ strongholds in Victoria, eight of Helmeted (Yellow-tufted) Honeyeater – Yellingbo, Victoria: minimum overall population size. Source: Bruce Quin, Helmeted already severely reduced Victorian Malleefowl population suffered exceptionally poor of the bird's former range in the Murray- the 20 groups located in 1997 had Honeyeater Recovery Team Malleefowl National parks and reserves of north-west of Victoria: all known mounds—about 900 in total—in 24 grids Sunset National Park in Victoria. Colony breeding success during the drought of 2002 (see SOAB Part Two). disappeared by 2000, and six of the monitored annually during the breeding season (October–January). Source: Ann Stokie, Victorian Malleefowl Recovery Group cohesion was maintained in four of the five remaining groups had dwindled in size. colonies, and in at least two of these colonies Since standardised monitoring began Honeyeater Recovery Team monitored fluctuated between about 70 and 103 multiple females bred within eight weeks of in 1994, the number of active malleefowl monthly for seven years in the three individuals—comprising 32–54 breeding translocation; some successfully fledging mounds in north-west Victoria has not remaining core breeding areas. However, pairs in 15–27 breeding territories—but young. Individuals have successfully dispersed shown any overall trends. However, during analysis demonstrated that the methods showed no trends. In the last three years between translocated colonies and local the 2002 drought, many mounds were employed were unlikely to detect trends in 11–12 captive-bred birds have been Black-eared Miners have joined translocated prepared but breeding did not proceed the population: this is an inherent problem released to bolster the population, colonies. Although the drought years since because of lack of moisture to begin the with a species that does not necessarily without measurable effect (see graph). have been unsuitable for breeding (making composting process. These overall figures return to the same patch each year (such as Since the 1950s, hydrological change to the birds almost impossible to locate), some of mask a steady decline in the in the north Swift and Superb Parrots during the non- create grazing land has caused loss of the translocated birds have been seen, roughly of the study area (e.g. Sunset Country), breeding season). New survey protocols are breeding habitat because of eucalypt two years after their transfer. but in more southerly parts (e.g. being trialed. dieback along the creeks. Work is in Wyperfeld), numbers are generally steady. The estimated total population of progress to restore the flood plain and Source: Michael Clarke, Black-eared Miner Several threatened honeyeaters have the critically endangered Helmeted control erosion upstream so that the Recovery Team proven difficult to survey (see box on (Yellow-tufted) Honeyeater at the last swamp woodland breeding habitat might Left: White-naped Honeyeater (western). Black-eared Miner). The Regent known breeding colony of the subspecies be rehabilitated. Photo by Graeme Chapman XIV The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 XV

Swift Parrot. Photo by Chris Tzaros Mainland wintering States: twice yearly counts at known and potential sites on designated weekends in autumn and winter by a team of up to 200 volunteers. The number of volunteers has increased over the survey period, resulting in an apparent Birds of thickets observed decline in the population. increase in the number of birds. Source: Debbie Saunders and Chris Tzaros, National Swift Parrot Recovery Team Birds of thickets and heaths have Nevertheless, the total population restricted ranges and are often cryptic, continues to grow and spread. The Swift Parrot hence, they are monitored by the calls of Mt Manypeaks sub-population has territorial males rather than by achieved the most remarkable 1800 Victoria observation. Surveys suggest that the five growth, from a small number of New South Wales remaining populations of Rufous Scrub- individuals translocated in 1983 and Queensland 1200 South Australia bird in New South Wales are in poor 1985 the population index rose to shape. In 2002, extreme dry weather 427 in 2001 (i.e. 56% of the total 600 conditions, including the occurrence of Albany Management Zone wildfire in the Gibraltar Range, appeared population). The area occupied by

Maximum number of birds seen 0 to be highly destructive to the Rufous scrub-birds in the Albany 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 Scrub-bird and its habitat. During that Management Zone (over 25,000 ha) year, the lowest number of Rufous Scrub- is now so large that comprehensive birds was recorded—only 17 males, down monitoring has become difficult. Swift Parrot is intense, making repeat censusing all the number of pairs was estimated from from a high of 51 in 1999. Wildfire remains the key threat. Annual monitoring of the migratory but impossible. The number of volunteer counts as 1320 in 1987 and 940 in 1995. The situation is also serious for the Swift Parrot occurs across woodlands and surveyors has increased, masking any real By extrapolation from the amount of Eastern Bristlebird in Queensland. Noisy Scrub-bird (female). forests in four States as well as in the change. Indications are that in 2002 the habitat available, these figures were Since 1996, declines have been recorded Photo by Graeme Chapman Tasmanian breeding grounds. In winter bulk of the population wintered in New 1409 in 1999 and 4415 in 2001 (these at all seven known sites in the State, the parrot congregates anywhere across a South Wales rather than Victoria. On the latter figures are in need of corroboration despite attempts by the State agency and Birds of thickets broad range where Eucalyptus flowering breeding grounds of south-east Tasmania by field survey). local land-owners to improve habitat. Fire has contributed to the local declines 1200 in some areas. 1000 Eastern Bristlebird(x 10) Black-Cockatoos Black-Cockatoos The situation is much brighter in 800 Rufous Scrub-bird (x 10) Noisy Scrub-bird: total 900 These large, distinctively Australian Western Australia, where Noisy Scrub- 600 Noisy Scrub-bird: Mt Gardner woodland species have lost habitat, South-east Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo bird, Western Bristlebird and Western Short-billed Black-Cockatoo 400 including foraging and nest trees. All Glossy Black-Cockatoo Whipbird have been upgraded from 600 suffer from increased competition for nest Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo endangered to vulnerable as the result of Number of singing males 200 sites and increased predation of eggs and successful recovery programs. 0 chicks by the few species which benefit 300 Rediscovered on Mt Gardner in 1961, 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 from habitat disturbance. Generally, the Noisy Scrub-bird remained restricted black-cockatoos respond well to to the headland until 1974, when an Noisy Scrub-bird – Mt Gardner, Albany Management Zone (AMZ), and total AMZ, Western Australia: annual count of territorial 0 singing males in selected sub-populations; complete census of AMZ every 3–4 years. Source: Sarah Comer and Alan Danks, CALM management intervention. population/Number of clutches Total increase in numbers allowed dispersal of Rufous Scrub-bird – Border Ranges, Gibraltar Range, New England, Werrikimbie and Barrington Tops National Parks, New South 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 On Kangaroo Island, nest sites of a few individuals. Translocations were Wales: 370 monitoring sites surveyed each breeding season (spring) by call playback. Source: Peter Eckert, Rufous Scrub-bird Glossy Black-Cockatoos are protected carried out between 1983 and 1999, but Monitoring Program in north-east New South Wales Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo – Portland to just north of the Little Desert, Victoria, and Bangham–Francis to Mt Gambier, South Australia: Eastern Bristlebird – Conondales, Spicer's Gap, Mt Barney, Duck Creek, Snake Ridge, Stretcher Track, Mt Gipps, Queensland: from Little Corellas, possums and feral estimated minimum total population size from February/April counts. Source: Richard Hill, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Recovery Team, ceased after this time as a result of the surveyed by call playback and subsequent counts of birds seen or heard. Source: David Stewart, QPWS bees. As a result, nest success has increased Birds Australia from 2% in 1996 to 35% in 2002, and Short-billed Black-Cockatoo – Coomallo Creek, southwestern Australia: number of clutches. Source: Saunders and Ingram (1998) Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo – Eyre Peninsula, South Australia: estimated total population size extrapolated from counts, flock the proportion of young birds in the composition and fledging success. Source: Jason Van Weenen, SA DEH population has doubled. Glossy Black-Cockatoo – Kangaroo Island, South Australia: estimated total population based on counts. Source: Trish Mooney, SA DEH Western Ground Parrot Sixty percent of the habitat of the 16 south-eastern subspecies of Red-tailed to exclude possums and the Recovery Team decade. Since monitoring began in the late 14 Black-Cockatoo in Victoria has been actively campaigns for legislative protection 1990s the situation may have improved 12 10 2000 cleared, and 80% in South Australia. and change, with some success. For slightly, with the number of known birds 1998 The current population is 700–1000 birds, example: intervention in clearance increasing from 21–22 to 33–34. 8 1996 a marked increase in the number of applications to remove paddock buloke In south-western Western Australia, 6 known pairs since 1996 when concerted (feeding) trees; passing of legislation to monitoring of some key breeding sites of 4 No. of calls/minute/survey conservation action began. Trees are collared protect dead (nesting) trees in the species’ the endangered Short-billed (Carnaby’s) 2 0 range in South Australia; listing of ‘Buloke Black-Cockatoo (where recovery actions 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Eastern Ground Parrot. Photo by Graeme Chapman grassy woodlands of the Riverina and are being undertaken) began in 2001. The Minutes since sunset

Murray–Darling Depression Bioregions’ species was once so numerous that it was Source: Allan Burbidge, CALM (of which 2% remains) under federal shot as a pest, but in the past 45 years Western Ground Parrot legislation; commitment of State agencies populations have at least halved and Monitoring of the critically endangered A trend of clear decline is consistent with Fitzgerald River National Park, to maintain at least 85% of stringybark continue to decrease. Its range has subspecies of Ground Parrot in Western other observations and surveys of Ground between Jerramungup and (feeding trees) woodlands on public land contracted by more than 33% since 1969. Australia indicates an increase in numbers Parrots in this area at other times of year. Ravensthorpe, Western Australia as unburnt in the long-term. For example, in the Coomallo Creek area at one site and a decrease at the other. The reasons for the decline are unknown. Calls from a set of eight fixed sites were The distinctive population of Yellow- north of Perth, in 1959 the amount of recorded in 1996, 1998 and 2000. Calling rate Survey period No. of survey Minimum no. tailed Black-Cockatoo on Eyre Peninsula, cover by native vegetation in the area was Waychinicup, near Albany, sessions of parrots increased during the study. In 1996, the peak South Australia, is critically endangered. In 90%; reducing to 34% by 1982; and 25% Western Australia calling frequency was about 6 calls/minute/ Autumn 1998 58 29 the early 1900s flocks of hundreds were seen; by 1996. In the monitoring area, the Survey effort was much more intensive in session, in 1998 about 9, and in 2000 about by the early 1980s counts were of less than annually breeding black-cockatoos laid 2003 than in 1999, and although extra sites Autumn 2003 115 4 14. It seems clear that this population is 40 birds, reducing to 24 in the last half of the 74 clutches in 1973 but only 19 in 1996. were covered, fewer birds were found. Source: McNee (1999) and Newbey (2003) increasing, for reasons unknown.

Glossy Black-Cockatoo (male and female). Photo by Graeme Chapman XVI The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 XVII

Waterbirds of eastern Australia Waterbirds of eastern Australia Waterbirds of eastern Australia In eastern Australia, numbers of several Pacific Black Duck (x 0.1) Freckled Duck 100000 100000 Banded Stilt Magpie Goose waterbird species apparently increased Brolga Radjah Shelduck 10000 10000 dramatically following the breaking of the three-year drought in the early 1000 1000 1980s. Their numbers increased in

100 100 response to similar events subsequently. Nevertheless, converted to a logarithmic log Number of birds log Number of birds 10 10 scale to tame the extreme fluctuations

1 1 in numbers, the data indicates long-term

1983 1988 1993 1988 2003 1983 1988 1993 1988 2003 stability in numbers for all six species.

New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service October aerial surveys: all waterbirds on wetlands greater than 1 ha Left: Blue-billed Duck (male). Photo by Peter Merritt were counted over ten regularly spaced bands, each 30 km in width, centred on each 2º of latitude from 38º30'S to 20º30'S. Source: Kingsford et al. (2003) Below right: Black-winged Stilts. Photo by www.birdphotos.com.au Black-winged Stilts. Photo by www.birdphotos.com.au

Birds of coasts and islands

1200

1000

800 Gould’s Petrel Little Tern, Gippsland Birds of coasts and islands and habitat degradation by the introduced Little Tern, New South Wales 600 In addition to their threats at sea, masked owl, and feral pigs and goats, were

400 seabirds and shorebirds that feed or factors operating at the time. However, nest onshore face some of the same the birds proved prolific breeders in 200 threats as landbirds, including feral captivity and 82 were bred and released in Number of breeding pairs/adults Number 0 animals and direct human disturbance. two and a half years. Feral pigs were 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 In general these land-based threats have eradicated by 1983 and feral goats by Gould’s Petrel – Cabbage Tree Island, New South Wales: number of pairs on eggs along standardised transects. proven tractable. 2001. The resulting wild woodhen Source: David Priddel, NSW NPWS The Australian subspecies (race) of population quickly grew to an apparently Little Tern – all known colonies New South Wales: counts of nests. Source: David Priddel, NSW NPWS Little Tern – East Gippsland, Victoria: number of breeding birds; experience of counters have changed over time so numbers Gould’s Petrel nests at in two gullies on stable population of about 200 birds. are indicative. Source: Leona Waldegrave-Knight, DSE Cabbage Tree Island, New South Wales, On Norfolk Island, rat proofing and with a few on neighbouring Boondelebah improvement of natural nest sites for the Island. From 375 pairs in 1970, only 122 Green Parrot has led to a marked increase remained in 1990, mainly because grazing in numbers. Similarly, the population of Birds of coasts and islands by introduced rabbits reduced cover, Southern Boobooks has increased as a 200 exposing the birds to predation. Control result of the construction of nest boxes of Pied Currawongs and removal of and the introduction of a New Zealand 150 Lord Howe Woodhen Fairy Tern rabbits and birdlime trees—whose sticky male to partner the sole remaining bird. Norfolk Island Green Parrot Hooded Plover seeds entrap birds—allowed the In New South Wales, short-term 100 Norfolk Island Southern Boobook population to increase rapidly, to around monitoring of the State’s Little Tern 1000 petrels in 2001–2002. Young birds population suggests that numbers are 50 have been successfully translocated to increasing. Long-term monitoring of the Boondelebah Island. same species at Gippsland, Victoria, Number of breeding pairs/adults Number 0 At Mornington Peninsula National reveals large fluctuations but general 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Park, Victoria’s most heavily visited stability in the long-term. A severe TABLE 2. Numbers of small migratory waders—Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Lord Howe Woodhen – Lord Howe Island, New South Wales: number of individuals; determined by call playback. national park, intervention occurred hailstorm in the 2001–2002 season Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper—and resident Red-capped Plover and Fairy Tern Source: Terry Wilson, LHI Rangers before Hooded Plover numbers fell too killed many adults of both Little and Fairy Tern – Rigby, Crescent, Tyers, Tamboon, Lakes Entrance, Victoria: number of breeding birds; experience of counters has at the Coorong, South Australia changed over time so numbers are indicative. Source: Leona Waldegrave-Knight, DSE low. Targeted management began in Fairy Terns, with at least 38 Little Terns Green Parrot and Norfolk Island Southern Boobook – Norfolk Island: estimates from observations, counts, annual survey of 1993/94, and grew in intensity and found dead. Both species have a naturally Year Red-necked Stint Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Curlew Sandpiper Red-capped Plover Fairy Tern nests, breeding success and adult survival. Source: Ron Ward, DEH, and Penny Olsen, ANU effectiveness. Minor changes (which did high rate of breeding failure and are 1980s 63 800 55 700 40 000 5 700 1 500 Hooded Plover – Mornington Peninsula National Park, Victoria: numbers of adults in December. Source: Parks Victoria and The Friends of Hooded Plover not prohibit beach access by tourists) susceptible to predation and disturbance 2000 25 524 13 089 8 157 1 243 632 increased reproductive success, and the at the nest, but active management of 2001 27 047 4 399 2 324 1 638 687 population has recovered. breeding sites has allowed them to By 1980, the Lord Howe Woodhen expand their range in Victoria and 2002 28 413 13 335 3 633 625 346 (found only on Lord Howe Island) had New South Wales. Neither are now 2003 43 300 17 473 2 364 1 576 381 declined to five breeding pairs. Predation considered threatened. Counts of total birds over whole of the Coorong (110 km x 5 km in area) each January. Source: David Paton XVIII The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 XIX

Migratory shorebirds of the Hobart area migratory shorebirds Hobart area 4000 Increasing coastal development and Red-Necked Stint associated human disturbance are the Curlew Sandpiper 3000 greatest threats to shorebirds, about 35 of Oceanic birds which are regular migrants from the 2000 One hundred and forty-two species of Northern Hemisphere. Australia hosts seabird occur in Australian waters. migratory waders that breed as far away as Number of birds 1000 Seventy six of these breed and spend Siberia, and has an international their lives in the region, and 34 are obligation to protect them. 0 regular or occasional visitors. A major

In south-east Tasmania, the Eastern 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 threat to several species is incidental Curlew has shown a steady long-term capture during longline fishing decline from the 1960s, to less than one operations. The Australian quarter of former numbers. Winter Government’s 1997 Threat Abatement counts—which reflect the number of 300 Plan for the Incidental Catch (or By-catch) Eastern Curlew young birds entering the population—also 250 Bar-tailed Godwit of Seabirds During Oceanic Longline Common Greenshank show a consistent decrease. Although 200 Fishing Operations has been broadly Hobart is close to the southern boundary successful in meetings its aims to reduce of the Eastern Curlew’s range, widespread 150 seabird by-catch in Australian fisheries, 100 declines often first become apparent at the Number of birds particularly in regard to albatrosses. edge of a species’ range. 50 However, some fisheries, such as those Over the same period, the Bar-tailed catching pelagic tuna, still present a 0 Godwit and, perhaps, Common Greenshank 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 serious by-catch problem, particularly show gentle declines. Of the more numerous with Flesh-footed Shearwater. species which return to Hobart every year, Hobart area, Tasmania: summer count of individuals. Source: Mike Newman, the late David Thomas, Shorebird Study Group On Macquarie Island, the the Red-necked Stint may also have and Birds Australia – Tasmania Wandering Albatross population was all decreased in numbers. The pattern for the but destroyed by sealers in the 1800s, Curlew Sandpiper is less clear, although and only one breeding pair was recorded numbers have been at an all time low in in 1913. The population slowly recent years. The Curlew Sandpiper has recovered to peak in the early 1960s, but decreased markedly in the Coorong of South by the 1980s had again declined to levels Australia (Table 2) and a widespread decline close to extinction—coincident with the is indicated by the national Atlas. rapid expansion of longline fishing in the Southern Hemisphere. Since 1994, the population has remained stable, at approximately 19 breeding pairs. In Montagu Island seabirds stable. Catastrophic flooding in 1971 and 1986 access to the main breeding Montagu Island supports the most 1999, after exceptionally heavy summer grounds in the south-west corner of the southerly colony of Wedge-tailed rainfall, caused high mortality of chicks. island was closed during the breeding Shearwaters and one of the most The extraordinarily high numbers of season to minimise disturbance. This northerly colonies of Short-tailed Short-tailed Shearwaters found during appears to have been a successful Shearwater on the east coast. About 1973–1987 have never been observed management action, as the number of 15 000 pairs of shearwaters—in mixed subsequently. It may be that warmer eggs laid in the southern end of the colonies of Wedge-tailed, Short-tailed breeding seasons during recent years have island has increased more quickly than at and a few Sooty Shearwaters—commence favoured Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, the more accessible northern end. breeding in November each year, and which feed in warmer waters than Short- The Red-footed Booby has been Black-browed Albatross. Photo by Brent Stephenson chicks fledge the following April. tailed Shearwaters, which must travel to hunted for food in the Cocos (Keeling) Annual numbers vary widely but in the Antarctic pack-ice to gather food for Islands in the Indian Ocean since first recent years they have been relatively their chicks. settlement in 1827. Formerly present throughout the islands, the estimated Oceanic Birds 30,000 pairs now breed only on isolated 30 Montagu Island seabirds Red-footed Booby and uninhabited North Keeling Island. Wandering Albatross

2000 Despite legislative protection, illegal Short-tailed Shearwater 20 Wedge-tailed Shearwater hunting remains a potential conservation Sooty Shearwater 1500 threat. Informants estimate that

2000–3000 birds are killed in most years, 10 1000 and possibly as many as 10,000 in some years. Nest counts show no evidence of Number of nests per three tree plot/ Number of eggs Chicks per hectare 500 overall decline in nesting density since 0 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 1986, with no evidence of impact by 0 illegal harvesting during that period. Wandering Albatross – Macquarie Island, Tasmania: number of eggs laid—equivalent to the number of pairs that laid. 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002 Large annual variations in numbers were Source: Rosemary Gales, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Tasmania Montagu Island, New South Wales: annual counts of chicks on fixed study plots in the last week of March. associated with cyclonic events. Red-footed Booby – North Keeling Island: active nests counted in August or September. Counts were made annually at Pacific Golden Plover. Photo by Brent Stephenson Source: Dr Peter Fullagar, MIPartners different stages in the breeding cycle, causing most of the variation. Source: Baker et al. (2003) XX The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 XXI

III. COMMITMENT OF GOVERNMENTS TO CONCLUSIONS BIRD CONSERVATION

As a simple measure of government Conservation of Migratory Shorebirds in the 38 species identified as Vulnerable, 22 have Through two national Atlases, a State atlas threatens several northern grassy • Most species identified as at high risk commitment to bird conservation in East Asian-Australian Flyway 2001–2005, been listed and recovery plans have been and several other remarkable datasets— woodland species, including the of extinction in The Action Plan for Australia, the listing of species in trouble and management plans for Norfolk and prepared for 15. Over half of listed some unbroken and reaching back four Gouldian Finch and Hooded Parrot. Australian Birds 2000 are officially and preparation of recovery plans Christmas Island Nature Reserves. threatened species have a recovery plan—an decades—a picture is beginning to emerge • Australia’s relatively low-density, well- recognised through the listing process, addressing the major threats were Although it is too early to see effects of the improvement on the proportion in 2000 of the state of the nation’s birds. Not vegetated cities provide habitat for a although the preparation of recovery examined. The Action Plan for Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity (c. 13%). Threatened birds remaining surprisingly, their fortunes are mixed. variety of native species as well as plans lag well behind, and the resources Birds 2000—a comprehensive assessment Conservation Act, which came into effect in unlisted nationally include Albert’s Lyrebird • The prospects for a number of rare sheltering exotics. However, urban available to implement the plans are of the conservation status of all bird taxa 2000, its threat abatement plans, if properly and the Australasian Bittern. species has been improved by targeted sprawl and coastal development destroy too often restrictive. (species and subspecies), based on the resourced, offer salvation to many species. Work on threatened birds is conservation actions that include: bird habitats. • In the 20 years between Atlases there best available evidence at the time— Although most ‘at risk’ species are listed, overwhelmingly funded by government. rabbit control (Gould’s Petrel); collars • One country’s pest is another’s has been a shift from governments and served as a benchmark. the preparation of recovery plans lags well For the eight-year period between 1993 to protect nest holes in trees (several endangered species. Long regarded as nature reserves as the main agents of Most species identified in the Action behind the recognition process at both State and 2000, an estimated $18 million Black-Cockatoos); rat-proofing nest pests, the House Sparrow and bird conservation, to individuals and Plan have been listed nationally and/or in and national levels. For example, of 15 full was dedicated to bird conservation by sites (Norfolk Island Green Parrot and Common Starling are listed as community groups taking up much of the relevant State. The exceptions are island species identified as critically endangered in government conservation agencies— Southern Boobook); translocation and threatened in the United Kingdom and the responsibility. or oceanic species, which stand to benefit the Action Plan, the Commonwealth has an annual investment equivalent to protection from fire (Noisy Scrub- apparently are also decreasing in from programs for other species. Examples listed 12 and prepared recovery plans for about 0.002% of the Australian bird); pig and goat control (Lord Howe Australia. Other introduced species, include the apparently successful control of only seven (Table 3). The equivalent figures Government’s expenditure on the Woodhen); and beach management such as the Common Myna, continue Crazy Ants on Christmas Island, for endangered species are: 22 identified, environment and 0.00001% of total (Hooded Plover, Little and Fairy their invasion. implementation of the Action Plan for the 16 listed and eight with plans prepared. For government expenditure. Terns). • Declining common species have fared Brolga (male and female). Photo by Peter Merritt Table 3. Species identified as critically endangered (CE) or Endangered (E) in The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000 and less well, notably woodland birds of the their legal status federally and in the States and Territories in 2003 wheat-sheep belt. Landscape-level Common name Action Plan 2000 National (EPBC Act) Vic NSW ACT Qld NT WA SA Tas actions will be necessary to reverse Southern Cassowary E E E / V these trends. There are encouraging Herald Petrel CE CE E signs that broadscale clearing will be Round Island Petrel CE CE stopped, but a worrying trend towards Grey Petrel E E Wandering Albatross CE V CE E Rare V E amalgamation of farms and intensifi- Amsterdam Albatross CE E Rare cation of agriculture has emerged. Tristan Albatross E E Rare • High altitude species were over- Northern Royal Albatross E E Rare E represented among the species showing Black-browed Albatross E V E a decrease in reporting rate between Grey-headed Albatross E V Rare V E Chatham Albatross CE E Atlases. These include Rufous Scrub- Grey-backed Storm-Petrel E bird, Gang-gang Cockatoo and Flame Christmas Island Frigatebird CE V Robin. Their declines may be early Abbott’s Booby CE E indications of the impact of climate Buff-breasted Button-quail E E V change. Seabirds such as the Short- Lord Howe Woodhen E V E Plains-wanderer E V E E V E tailed Shearwater, which travel to the Grey Ternlet E V Antarctic pack-ice to gather food for Christmas Island Imperial-Pigeon CE their chicks, may have to travel further. Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo E E Rare On the other hand, the response of Muir’s Corella E V Rare other species (e.g. several fruit-eating Coxen’s Fig-Parrot CE E EE Swift Parrot E E EEE VE pigeons) may be to expand their range Norfolk Island Green Parrot E E southwards into areas that were Golden-shouldered Parrot E E E previously too cold, provided there is Orange-bellied Parrot CE E CE E E E suitable and accessible habitat. Night Parrot CE E EX E Rare E • Long-term monitoring reveals strong Christmas Island Hawk-Owl CE V Forty-spotted Pardalote E E E seasonal patterns in detectability of Eastern Bristlebird E E E E species and wide fluctuations in Black-eared Miner E E CE E E numbers resulting from natural forces Regent Honeyeater E E CE E E E E that create cycles of destruction and Helmeted Honeyeater CE E E renewal. Examples include cyclones Gouldian Finch E E E E Rare White-chested White-eye CE (several species of seabirds), drought Christmas Island White-eye CE (Malleefowl), fire (Rufous Scrub-bird) Slender-billed White-eye E and flood (waterbirds). A red E or V indicates that a national recovery plan has been prepared. Definitions vary between States, Territories and the Commonwealth. The Action Plan for • A growing recognition that some fire Australian Birds 2000 applied the IUCN (1994) red list criteria: management practices can be harmful Extinct (EX): no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died to birds is yet to be embraced in parts Critically endangered (CE): facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future of northern Australia, where a failure to Endangered (E): not critically endangered but facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future Vulnerable (V): neither critically endangered nor endangered, but facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future limit extensive dry season fires XXII The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 The State of Australia’ s Birds 2003 XXIII

Ongoing Atlas Acknowledgements The first Australian bird Atlas (1977–1981) Thousands of people contributed to this landmark report. Monitoring of laid a foundation for nationwide monitoring of Australia’s birds involves partnerships between Federal and State governments, bird species; over the five years nearly three non-government organisations, and many independent ornithologists and million records were made by 3,000 Atlasers. birdwatchers in an unprecedented effort to gain a picture of the state of the Since then, the notion that birds may serve as a nation’s birds. Birds Australia is indebted to the Atlasers who contributed to the measure of biodiversity and change to the Atlas of Australian Birds and the New Atlas of Australian Birds, co-operating bird environment has gained momentum and with clubs and other organisations, private landholders and Indigenous communities it the need for a follow-up Atlas. Consequently, who provided access to their land. Contributors to the State of Australia’s Birds between 1998 and 2002, Birds Australia, with Appeal and assistance from the Australian Government’s Department of the National Heritage Trust Funding, coordinated Environment and Heritage (Natural Heritage Trust), courtesy of Annemarie the second Atlas. Every 1º grid across Australia Watt, Susie Edwards and Clare Irwin, and the Vera Moore Foundation, made was visited and the result was the largest possible the production of this report. continent-wide survey of birds in the world, The authors are particularly grateful to the following individuals who with 279,000 surveys completed over four generously organised or provided data from long-term monitoring projects, years by 7,000 Atlasers, five million bird surveys or Atlases. These programs represent State and Australian governments records made and more than 750 bird species and private individuals working towards the common goal of conserving species. recorded. Their cooperation in the preparation of this report speaks for itself. They are: Building on this foundation, the Ongoing Barry Baker, Jack Baker, Wendy Beumer, Sally Bryant, Allan Burbidge, Peter Atlas is designed to continue indefinitely. New Christie, Mike Clarke, Andrew Cockburn, Sarah Comer, Dick Cooper, Brian point-survey techniques can be used by Curtis, Alan Danks, Niall Doran, Bernice Dowling, Peter Ekert, Peter Fullagar, volunteers under minimal supervision and Rosemary Gales, David Geering, Cheryl Gole, Shelley Heron, Richard Hill, Ian produce data that can be used to examine long- Hutton, Richard Kingsford, Milton Lewis, Ian McAllan, Leonie McMahon, Peter term trends in bird abundance. The vetting Menkhorst, Trish Mooney, Brenda Newbey, Mike Newman, David Paton, Priscilla procedure has been centralised, reducing the Park, John Porter, David Priddel, Bruce Quin, Doug Robinson, Victor Teoh, workload of Regional Organisers, who have Leona Waldegrave-Knight, Jason van Weenen, Debbie Saunders, Denis Saunders, Pied Currawong. Photo by Raoul Slater offered their continued support. Atlasers David Stewart, Ann Stokie, Chris Tzaros and Terry Wilson. Our thanks also go to themselves have shown their continuing the recovery teams for Swift Parrot, Superb Parrot, Orange-bellied Parrot, Regent Further reading IUCN (1994). IUCN Red List Categories. Robinson, D. & Traill, B.J. (1996). commitment, submitting over 1,000 surveys to Honeyeater, Black-eared Miner, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, and Helmeted Australian Natural Resources Atlas IUCN Species Survival Commission, Conserving Woodland Birds in the Birds Australia each week. Honeyeater and Grey-crowned Babbler, the Victorian Malleefowl and Shorebird http://audit.ea.gov.au Gland, Switzerland. Wheat and Sheep Belts of Southern The Ongoing Atlas of Australian Birds, in Study Groups, and Birds Australia – Tasmania. New South Wales Bird Atlassers Karoly, D., Riseby, J. & Reynolds, A. (2003). Australia. RAOU Conservation Baker, G.B., Cunningham, R.B. & Murray, particular the repeated, 2-ha intensive survey provided data, graphs and information. Special thanks to Chris Tzaros W. (2003). Are red-footed boobies Sula Global Warming Contributes to Australia’s Statement No. 10. RAOU, Melbourne. Worst Drought. Report to World Saunders, D.A. & Curry, P.J. (1990). The blocks, will contribute to each of the future (Threatened Bird Network), who coordinated the response of the recovery teams. sula at risk from human harvesting on State of Australia’s Birds reports and generate The SOAB Steering Committee comprised Barry Baker, Jim Downey, Mike Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Indian Ocean? Wildlife Fund, Sydney. impact of agricultural and pastoral much needed data for conservation. Newman and Denis Saunders. Others who contributed through their advice and Biological Conservation (in press). Kingsford, R.T., Porter, J.L. & Ahern, A.D. industry on birds in the southern half of Barrett, G.W., Silcocks, A.F., Barry, S., (2003). Aerial Surveys of Wetland Birds Western Australia: past, present and Understanding of natural and unnatural assistance include Jack Baker, Clive Minton, Stephen Garnett, Tricia Kaye, Ian Cunningham, R.B. & Poulter, R. in Eastern Australia—October future. Proceedings of the Ecological changes in bird populations is essential, to Mason and Julian Reid. Lucy Randall was helpful in locating vegetation change (2003). The New Atlas of Australian 2000–2002. NSW NPWS Occasional Society of Australia 16: 303-321. direct conservation effort where it is most maps and Stephen Garnett supplied the map of introduced species. Birds. Birds Australia, Melbourne. Paper No. 33. Seddon, J., Briggs, S. & Doyle, S. (2001). needed and measure its effectiveness both in Finally, we are grateful to Stephen Garnett, Denis Saunders, Barry Baker Blakers, M., Davies, S.J.J.F. & Reilly, P.N. McNee, S.A. (1999). Report on Western Birds in Woodland Remnants of the the short- and long-term. and Henry Nix who reviewed and improved the manuscript, and Sophie Knezic (1984). The Atlas of Australian Birds. Ground Parrot Survey at Waychinicup Central Wheat/sheep Belt of New South for her capable copy editing. Melbourne University Press, and Manypeaks. April to October 1998. Wales. Report to the Natural Heritage For information, contact Andrew Silcocks Melbourne. Birds Australia, WA Group. Western Trust. NSW National Parks and (03 9882 2622; [email protected]). Rainbow Bee-eater. Photo by Raoul Slater Driscoll, D.A., Milkovits, G. & Freuden- Australian Bird Notes Supplement Wildlife Service, Sydney. No. 3. Weston, M., Fendley, M., Jewell, R., berger, D. (2000). Impact and Use of Other Birds Australia initiatives Firewood in Australia. CSIRO Newbey, B.J. (2003). Western Ground Satchell, M. & Tzaros, C. (2003). The Threatened Bird Network links volunteers Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra. Parrot in the Waychinicup/Manypeaks Volunteers in bird conservation: Insights Garnett, S.T. & Crowley, G.M. (2000). The Area: Distribution, Numbers and from the Australian Threatened Bird with recovery efforts for 25 threatened species. Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Breeding 2002–2003. Report to Network. Ecological Management and Contact Chris Tzaros (03 9882 2622; Environment Australia, Canberra. Birds Australia Western Australia Restoration 4 (3): 205-211. [email protected]) Garnett, S.T., Crowley, G.M. & Balmford, and Lotterywest. Williams, S.E. (2003). Impacts of global The Important Bird Area project identifies A. (2003). The costs and effectiveness of Paton, D.C., Presott, A.M., Davies, climate change on the rainforest areas critical to the survival of native birds. funding the conservation of Australian R.J.-P. & Heard, L.M. (2000). The vertebrates of the Australian Wet Contact Mike Weston (03 9882 2622; threatened birds. BioScience 53: distribution, status and threats to Tropics. Pp. 50–52 in Climate Change [email protected]) temperate woodland birds in South Impacts on Biodiversity in Australia (eds 658–665. Birds Australia’s Threatened Bird List presents Garnett, S.T., Crowley, G.M. & Barrett, G. Australia. Pp. 57-85 in R. Hobbs & M. Howden, L. Hughes, M. Dunlop, I. C. Yayes (eds) Temperate Eucalypt Zethoven, D. Hilbert & C. Chilcott). and reviews the conservation status (2003). ‘Birds’ in National Land and of Australian birds. Contact Mike Weston Water Resources Audit. Department of Woodlands in Australia: Biology, Conser- Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. (03 9882 2622; Primary Industries and Energy, vation, Management and Restoration. Williams, J., Read, C., Norton, T., Dovers, Canberra. Surrey Beatty, Sydney. S., Burgman, M., Proctor, W. & [email protected]) Gill, A.M., Woinarski, J.C.Z. & York, A. Reid, J. (1999). Threatened and Declining Anderson, H. (2001). Biodiversity, Birds Australia Reserves protect (1999). Australia's Biodiversity: Birds in the New South Wales Wheat- Australia State of the Environment important bird habitat and incorporate Responses to Fire—Plants, Birds and sheep Belt. 1. Diagnosis, Characteristics Report 2001. CSIRO Publishing, monitoring into adaptive land management. Invertebrates. Biodiversity Technical and Management. Report to NSW Melbourne. Contact Michelle Sweeney (03 9882 2622; Paper, No. 1. Commonwealth of NPWS Service. CSIRO, Wildlife and [email protected]) Australia. Ecology, Canberra.