AUSTRALIAN 132 BIRD WATCHER

A Study of Birds in an Urban Heathland Environment

By IVOR PRESTON, 13 Minnie Street, Sandringham, Victoria 3191

Introduction The Bay Road Heathland Reserve in metropolitan Sandringham, Victoria, is a 2 hectare block of heathland bordered by factories, a school ground and a busy main road (Bay Road) . The reserve is a surviving fragment of an indigenous ecosystem which once extended from Port Melbourne to Western Port and covered the greater part of Sandringham City. The area is of high botanical signific­ ance, containing one of the last vestiges of original heathland to be found in the urban area. The Sandringham Council has undertaken the management of the reserve and this study was planned in conjunction with the Council's Flora, Fauna and Natural Environment Advisory Panel to compile a bird list for the reserve to complement the list already completed. Part of the regular work at the reserve is to remove weeds and other exotic and to promote regeneration of the heath by selective planting and by natural means. The reserve is fenced and public access is limited to one afternoon per week, thus there is only minimal human disturbance. Vegetation is in two main parts: firstly, Tea-tree laevigatum covers about one third of the reserve, forming a barrier to the main road; and secondly, the remaining two-thirds is heathland, comprising sixty-six species, dominated by Silver Banksia Banksia marginata, Dwarf Sheoak Casuarina pusilla, Prickly Tea-tree Leptospermum juniperinum, Silky Tea-tree Leptospermum myrsinoides and interspersed with a thick cover­ age of Bracken Pteridium esculentum. The reserve is surrounded on three sides by a mown fire-break and bordered on the east by a stand of mature Southern Mahogany Gums . During June 1981 the Council installed an artificial pond with a vary­ ing depth of water and a number of perches. This pond was placed in a secluded part of the heath but it could be observed from one vantage point.

Method Observations were made for one hour each weekend, initially altern­ ating morning and afternoon, and ultimately in the mornings only, starting between 0700 and 0800 hours. A similar circuit was used each week viz. first a walk around the perimeter and then once around the track within the reserve. VOL. 10 (4) DECEMBER 1983 Birds in an Urban Heathland Environment 133

Bay Road .Heathland Reserve, Sandringham, Victoria, 1982. Plate 34 Photo: Cou rtesy City of Sandringham

All birds on the border and within the reserve and potential users overhead were included. The observations for each species were recorded in frequencies of 1 to 5, 6 to 20, and 21 or more. Results The list of species compiled after 12 months of observation contains 26 native and 10 introduced species (see Appendix). The only positive record of breeding made was that of the Little Raven, but there was evidence of the Blackbird nesting. Weekly records show clearly the movement of various species with the seasons, e.g. the large build up of Silvereye in autumn and the Greenfinch in spring. Other movements noted were of birds such as the Sacred Kingfisher, Rufous Whistler and Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo. Discussion The bird list total of 36 is disappointing compared with the total of 46 recorded at Sandringham Beach Park (Reilly 1981)* 2.5 m due west of the Bay Road Reserve. The most notable absence is that of the Brown Thornhill, which at Beach Park is a resident. The lesser number of species can probably be explained by the smaller area of the reserve. The Superb Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren and Silvereye all showed behaviour characteristic of breeding birds; however nests were

* In Reilly the Skylark was incorrectly listed under native species. AUSTRALIAN 134 PRESTON BIRD WATCHER not located owing to the difficulty of penetrating the heath without causing damage. The provision of water in the pond does not appear to have attracted birds; there was only one record of birds bathing during the summer months and that was of Silvereyes. Surprisingly no honeyeaters were observed feeding on the Silver Banksia which flowered prolifically for six months during winter. The only species recorded in the Banksia were White-browed Scrubwren and Silvereye.

Acknowledgements The support of Sandringham City Council, the help of Pat Clancy during weekly observations and the encouragement and guidance of Pauline Reilly, who reviewed this paper, are all gratefully acknowledged.

Reference Reilly, P. N . (1981), 'A Thirteen-month Study of Birds in a Suburban Coastal Environment', Australian Bird Watcher vol. 9, 124.

Appendix List of species Black-shouldered Kite Single records, June and July. Brown Goshawk Regular visitor; evidence of feeding on two roosts in Tea-tree, e.g. remains of numerous Blackbirds. Australian Kestrel Single record in June, bird seen hovering over reserve. Masked Lapwing Recorded on grass border and over­ head. Frequent in the adjacent school ground. Feral Pigeon Recorded overhead and on grass border. Spotted Turtle-Dove Frequent throughout the reserve. Galah Mostly seen overhead, often in adjacent school grounds. Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Twice, October. Laughing Kookaburra Once, November. Sacred Kingfisher Once, February. Skylark R ecorded during spring and often heard on or over adjacent school grounds. Welcome Swallow Number of birds during spring and summer. Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Recorded September and March. Blackbird Resident; abandoned nest recorded. VOL. 10 (4) DECEMBER 1983 Birds in an Urban Heathland Environment 135

Song Thrush Once, June. Flame Robin Less than five birds in autumn. Eastern Yellow Robin Once, July. Rufous Whistler Once, October. Grey Fantail A pair, irregular during spring and summer; regular during winter 198f. Willie Wagtail Regular in winter 1981 and autumn 1982. No record during winter 1982. A flock of six, recorded in March. Superb Fairy-wren Resident with possibly three terri­ tories; probably breeding. White-browed Scrubwren Resident; probably breeding. Red Wattlebird Seldom more than five. Little Wattlebird Irregular, does not venture from adjacent home gardens. White-plumed Honeyeater Regular in lone Eucalyptus viminalis. Spotted Pardalote One, July. Silvereye Usually more than 20; large flocks of 50 + in spring and autumn. European Goldfinch Less than five, September and Janu­ ary. European Greenfinch Large flock of 50 + in spring and summer. House Sparrow Resident, up to 20 during summer; fewer birds during winter; feeding on borders. Common Starling As for House Sparrow. Common Myna Seldom more than five on borders. Australian Magpie-lark Occasional, usually on s c h o o 1 grounds. Grey Butcherbird Two records, March. Australian Magpie Usually present on school grounds; in reserve during summer and autumn. Little Raven A pair nested and raised t!tree young in a Eucalyptus botryoides on the reserve border. •