Birds of the Keep River National Park (Northern Territory), Including the Night .Parrot Geopsittacus Occidentalis
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AUSTRALIAN 114 BIRD WATCHER AUSTRALIAN BIRD WATCHER 1985, 11, 114-130 Birds of the Keep River National Park (Northern Territory), Including the Night .Parrot Geopsittacus occidentalis By JOHN L. McKEAN, 24 Milkwood Circuit, Karama, N.T. 5793 Summary A list is given of the birds (total: 167 species) recorded in the Keep River National Park, north-western Northern Territory, since 1975. Several sightings of the Night Parrot Geopsittacus occidentalis were made in the general area, in sandstone country covered with spinifex Triodia sp. Birds were censussed in each habitat type, and results are given on the percentage of counts during which each species was recorded in each habitat Introduction Despite its small land area, the Keep River National Park has a diverse and fairly rich bird fauna, containing a mixture of tropical and arid-zone species. The area itself could be described as either semi-arid or subtropical. No one has previously published specifically on the birds of the area (Whittelll954). According to Storr (1966), the bird collector John T. Tunney passed through the area in June 1902, during the course of a lengthy bird-collecting expedition transversing northern Australia from the Pilbara region of Western Australia to the Arnhem Land area of the Northern Territory. Hartert (1905) provided a list of the birds collected by Tunney in northern Australia. From August 1908 to Aprill909, John P. Rogers collected birds for Gregory M. Mathews in the Wyndham district of the Kimberley Division, Western Australia. Most of the specimens were collected at Parry's Creek which lies about 77 km west of the Keep River National Park Rogers' observations and specimens were reported on by Mathews (1909a, 1909b, 1910a and 1910b). Figure 1 is a map showing the location and boundaries of Keep River National Park. Methods I conducted a field survey of the avifauna of the National Park for eleven days during October/November 1981, for eleven days during Apri11982 and for five days during August 1982. Technical assistance during the first two trips was provided by Mr A L. Spring, whilst during the August trip I had the assistance of the resident Ranger, Mr P. Hauser. An assessment of the importance of the various vegetation types (habitats) to the avifauna was made by conducting a series of ten-minute counts of the bird species present within a circumscribed area of habitat. Birds were identified by sight or voice. Sample sights were scattered throughout the whole of the park and observations were only made during the early morning when birds are most active. In fact, no counts were made after 0900 hours. The results of these counts are summarised in Appendix 1 and given under each species in the systematic list. VOL. 11 (4) DECEMBER 1985 Birds of Keep River National Park (N.T.) 115 .. N WESTERN AUSTRALIA NORTHERN TERRITORY ~_) .I -Maj;"'Road (unsealed) Kilometres Figure 1. Map of north-western Northern Territory, showing location of Keep River National Park. Systematic list Emu Dromaius novaehollandiae An uncommon to rare resident, found in grassland and open woodland. Two adults sighted during February 1981 had a half-grown young bird running with them. Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae A few present on Cockatoo Lagoon from August to October 1982. Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Up to three birds seen during the dry-season months. This species occurs only on the fresh-water lagoons and billabongs. Darter Anhinga melanogaster Noted in small numbers during the dry-season months on Cockatoo Billabong, Police Hole and other lagoons. Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo One record only. A single bird seen at Cockatoo Billabong on 15 August 1982. Identification was positive, being based on the species' large size and yellow throat skin. Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius One bird seen on Cockatoo Billabong on 15 August 1982. The bird was associated with a Great Cormorant and was positively identified on the basis of its large size and the large area of white on its face. Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Occurs throughout the year, along the watercourses, around lagoons, billabongs and swamps in groups of up to 15 birds. Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Moderately common along watercourses, around lagoons, billabongs and swamps. Occurs throughout the year. AUSTRALIAN 116 McKEAN BIRD WATCHER Great-billed Heron Ardea sumatrana Only one record, a single bird seen on Police Hole during September 1975. Pacific Heron Ardea pacifica Odd birds seen throughout the year though more common in the dry season. This species frequents the vicinity of watercourses, swamps, lagoons and wet grasslands. White-faced Heron Ardea novaehol/andiae A resident species in low numbers. Found in open woodland and grassland as well as in the vicinity of water. Pied Heron Ardea picata Several present around Cockatoo Billabong from August to October 1982. Cattle Egret Ardeola ibis At least ten birds present in the vicinity of Barringtonia Swamp during August and September 1982. This species normally follows cattle or Water Buffalo, feeding on the invertebrates that they disturb. Great Egret Egretta alba Moderately common in the vicinity of water but also at times in woodland and grassland. Recorded throughout the year. Little Egret Egretta garzetta An uncommon visitor. Recorded during September 1975 and August 1982. Occurs along watercourses and on swamps and lagoons. Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia A few seen during dry-season months. Usually present along watercourses and on swamps and lagoons but occasionally noted in woodland. Rufous Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus Common throughout the year. During the day, groups roost in thick vegetation along watercourses; Police Hole is a favourite spot At dusk they fly out to feed around the edges of billabongs and swamps. Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis Uncommon resident. Occurs along creeks in woodland. During the day it roosts in clumps of sedge or paperbark (Me/aleuca spp.) thickets. Black-necked Stork Xenorhynchus asiaticus Odd birds seen throughout the year. Mainly frequents watercourses, lagoons and swamps but occasionally seen in woodland and grassland. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus Several birds seen at a lagoon in late February 1981. Sacred Ibis Threskiomis aethiopica A few noted during the dry-season months. This species occurs both around water and in grassland. Straw-necked Ibis Threskiomis spinicol/is Groups of up to 20 birds seen during the dry season, in grassland and woodland. Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia Up to five birds seen during the dry-season months. Practically all sightings have been made in the vicinity of Cockatoo Lagoon. Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes An occasional visitor in small numbers during the dry season. Frequents watercourses, lagoons and swamps. Magpie Goose Anseranas semipalmata Small numbers occur at any time of the year but the species is more common during the wet season when an estimated 20 pairs nest on Barringtonia Swamp. Magpie Geese may be found on any of the watercourses, lagoons and swamps. They commonly feed over dry ground, chiselling away in the ground for the bulbs of spike-rush (Eleocharis spp.). Wandering Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arcuata Up to 50 birds have been noted on Cockatoo Lagoon. Although irregular in occurrence they could occur any time of the year on any of the watercourses, swamps and lagoons. Birds with broods of ducklings were seen on the la~oons during March and Aprill982. This species obtains most of its food by 'duck-diving . VOL. 11 (4) DECEMBER 1985 Birds of Keep River National Park (N.T.) 117 Black-necked Stork Xenorhynchus asiaticus, Cairns, Queensland, December 1977 Plate 29 Photo: Peter Klapste Royal Spoonbill Platalea regia, Kerang, Victoria, October 1981 Plate 30 Photo: Peter Klapste AUSTRALIAN 118 McKEAN BIRD WATCHER Plumed Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna eytoni Up to 200 birds have been recorded on Cockatoo Lagoon. As with the Wandering Whistle-Duck they are irregular in occurrence and frequent the edges of lagoons. They obtain much of their food by grazing or plucking vegetation both in or out of the water. A pair with newly hatched downy young were present on Cockatoo Lagoon during late February 1981. Radjah Shelduck Tadoma radjah One record only, a pair seen on Cockatoo Billabong in early March 1981. Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa Small numbers occur throughout the year, chiefly found along watercourses, swamps, lagoons and wet grassland. At times it will even visit small pools or puddles in the open woodland. It is often rated to be the finest game bird in Australia, however it should be noted that it and all other wildlife are strictly protected in the Keep River National Park and all other national parks at all times of the year. Hardhead Aythya australis A few present during the dry season of 1982 on Cockatoo Billabong. These ducks feed on aquatic animals which they obtain by 'duck-diving'. Green Pygmy-Goose Nettapus pulchellus Prior to the acquisition of the Keep River area as a national park this species only occurred in the wetter months when the swamp vegetation was at its best. The fencing of Cockatoo Billabong in 1982 to keep out cattle provided a different situation, as the waterlilies and other floating vegetation that are an integral part of this species' preferred habitat remained during the drier months. Large numbers (150+) were utilising the area during Aprill982; numbers dropped off to ten or so during the dry. During the ;:. ~riod of our study, birds were noted with small downy young in the months of February and March. P. Hauser found a nest with seven eggs in a tree hollow on the edge of Cockatoo Lagoon on 21 February 1982. Recent studies indicate that the most important food items of this species are floating aquatic vegetation, particularly the seeds and buds of waterlilies. Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata Only one sighting, a group of three seen inMelaleuca forest along the edge of.Police Hole on 23 April 1982.