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Eastern Bristlebird |
Here is the sixth and final
post discussing changes in the status and distribution of birds in
South-East Queensland over 40 years between 1979 – when
my booklet,
The Birds of
South-East Queensland,
was published - and 2019.
Some changes are doubtlessly influenced by an increased number of
observers and technological advances (especially with playback) but
many can not be explained by these factors. These
posts cover only those
species where a significant change has been noted over the
intervening period.
See
here for Part 1 (emu to storm-petrels)
and
here for Part 2 (boobies to hawks); Part 3 (brush-turkey to
terns)
is
here; Part 4 (pigeons to nightjars)
can
be found here; Part 5
(lyrebirds to emu-wren)
is
here.
Eastern Bristlebird. Listed
as “rare” in 1979 and confined to montane heath and open forest
glades
adjacent to rainforest above 600m in the Border Ranges and at
Cunningham's Gap. The bird
was subsequently discovered in the mid-1980s in the Conondale Range,
extending its range north. However, the Conondale Range population is
now almost
certainly extinct. It has also since disappeared from
Cunningham's Gap and Spicer's Gap. Probably less than 20 bristlebirds
survive in a couple of remote sites in the McPherson Range. Attempts
to boost populations by releasing captive bred birds appear to have
failed and the species is facing extinction in Queensland. Reasons
for its demise include introduced predators and habitat
mismanagement.
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Western Gerygone |
Western Gerygone. In 1979 there was a single report from
Esk which was unsubstantiated. There have since been a handful of
confirmed sightings from the Lockyer Valley and the Murphys Creek
area, and one bird turned up in Brisbane.
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Fairy Gerygone |
Fairy Gerygone. The species was considered “uncommon”
in 1979 and restricted to northern parts of the region in areas such
as Gin Gin and Round Hill Head. We know now that it occurs as far
south as Bribie Island, with a single record from Brisbane. It is a not uncommon resident in suitable
habitat around the Sunshine Coast and hinterland. This vocal gerygone
would scarcely have been overlooked in these areas in the past, so it
clearly has expanded its range southward.
Buff-rumped Thornbill. Thought to be “moderately common”
in 1979, this is another species that likely has declined due to the
destruction of its woodland habitat. It could best be regarded as
uncommon and localised today.
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Red-browed Treecreeper |
Red-browed Treecreeper. In 1979 it was considered
“moderately common” in wet sclerophyll forest at higher
altitudes. Like several other birds at the northern end of their
distribution in South-east Queensland, it has suffered a steep
population decline; it may be the case that
climate
change is implicated in these declines. The treecreeper was once
easy to find in the Blackall and Conondale ranges, for instance. It
is now very rarely seen in that region and is gone from once reliable
sites. The bird continues to frequent sites in the D'Aguilar and
McPherson ranges where it has long been known but generally can be
regarded today as scarce and localised.
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Regent Honeyeater |
Regent Honeyeater. The species was thought it to be “rare”
in 1979 and that remains the case. However, while fair-sized flocks
were once found occasionally in places like Storm King Dam, most
records in recent years are individual vagrants in scattered sites
including Ipswich, Rainbow Beach and Stanmore.
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Black-throated Finch |
Black-throated Finch. The race
cincta was regarded
as “rare” in 1979 in lightly wooded country, with records from
the Gin Gin area. The bird is now almost certainly extinct in the
region - another likely casualty of the clearing of woodland.
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Nutmeg Mannikin |
Nutmeg Mannikin. This introduced species was “common”
in 1979 but it has declined significantly and is now uncommon and
localised.
House Sparrow. An introduced bird that was “very common”
in 1979. It remains moderately common locally these days but is much
less numerous.
Common Starling. Another introduced species to have
declined. It was “very common” in 1979 but is today much less
numerous, being generally uncommon.
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Common Mynah |
Common Mynah. An introduced species that has increased
substantially in numbers. It was thought to be “uncommon” in
1979, being largely restricted to northern parts of the region and
the Lockyer Valley. It is today common and widespread throughout the
region.
Satin Bowerbird. It was described as “common” in 1979.
Although remaining moderately common at higher altitudes, today it is
much less numerous in the foothills and lowlands, being scarce in
many places where it was formerly common.
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Satin Bowerbird |
Greg, the Black throated Finch was common on 2 grazing properties near Childers in the 1940s and 50s. My Dad used to see them and one of his mates used to trap them. I've never seen one in this area despite years of searching since 1990.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Carl. That fits with records into the 70s not too far from there around Gin Gin. But gone from everywhere in the region now.
ReplyDelete