bird surveys in selected perth metropolitan reservesbird surveys in selected perth metropolitan...

Bird surveys in selected

Perth metropolitan

reserves

A joint biodiversity

conservation project between

Birds Australia WA and the

Perth Biodiversity Project

C.A. Gole

August 2003

Birds Australia WA

167 Perry Lakes Drive

Floreat Park WA 6014

Tel: 08 9383 7749

Email: [email protected]


15 Altona Street

West Perth WA 6005

Tel: 9213 2047

Email: [email protected]

Bird Surveys in Selected Perth Metropolitan Reserves: Part A

Bird surveys in selected Perth metropolitan reserves

A joint biodiversity conservation project between Birds Australia WA and the Perth

Biodiversity Project

Part A: Main Report

C.A. Gole

August 2003

Photographs on Front Cover –The photos of the Splendid Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrubwren

were taken by Ray Edwards and photos of Harry Sandon Reserve were taken by Niel Adams. Many

thanks.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe bird surveys project in selected Perth Metropolitan Region reserves was initiated

by staff from the Perth Biodiversity Project and developed in conjunction with Birds

Australia WA. The project was coordinated by Birds Australia WA project officer

Cheryl Gole and conducted with the assistance of a large number of volunteers.

Volunteer observers from Birds Australia WA undertook the bird surveys at all

project sites. The following people contributed time and expertise in this way: Eleanor

Adams, Niel Adams, George Agar, Pam Agar, Des Agnew, Pam Agnew, Max Bailey,

Wes Bancroft, Phyllis Bentley, John Blyth, Judy Blyth, Audrey Bolger, Mary

Bremner, Gary Brophy, Gisela Cannon, Lorraine Chyne, Richard Chyne, Kate Creed,

Sarah Crook, Tom Delaney, Karl Edwards, Carole Elliot, Stewart Ford, Rob Gilham,

Linda Glass, Cheryl Gole, Martin Gole, Ruth Greble, Julia Gross, Barbara Henderson,

David Henderson, Cora Keil, Nancy Kennedy, Sue Keogh, Dot Kingston, Sally Lake,

John Lauri, Romeny Lynch, Wynton Maddeford, Jodi Mansell-Fletcher, Susan

Margaret, Paul Marty, Rob Mather, Sue Mather, Dudley Maier, Brendan Metcalf,

Clive Napier, Wendy Napier, Brenda Newbey, Annette Park, Maurice O'Connor,

Alyson Paull, Edward Paull, Kellie Plant, Jane Prince, Eunice Pyper, Steve Reynolds,

Jeff Richardson, Jan Rogers, Chris Ros, Tom Spalding, John Stewart, Barbara

Stoneman, Trevor Stoneman, Sean Van Alphen, Dorothy Van Wees and Hank Van

Wees.

Steve Spiker and Syed Sohel designed the project's relational database as part

requirement towards a Masters Degree in Geographic Information Science at Curtin

University. Steve Spiker wrote the queries and continued to advise on database

maintenance and design and Kate Gole entered the project data. Greg Harewood

drafted successive versions of the site location and bird species distribution maps.

Remnant vegetation mapping was made possible by the use of Perth Bushland

Mapping 2001 data. This was made available by the Department of Agriculture and

the Department for Planning and Infrastructure. The Department of Land Information

supplied mapping information on local government boundaries. Assistance with the

provision of Bird Atlas survey data was given by Andrew Silcocks at the Birds

Australia national office in Melbourne. Staff at a number of local government offices

provided aerial maps of reserves and bird survey information from existing

management plans. Ryan Taylor (Perth Biodiversity Project) identified the relevant

vegetation complexes and local remnant vegetation numbers.

Michael Brooker and Andrew Huggett (CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems), John Dell

(Department of the Environment) and Kate Savage (Perth Biodiversity Project)

commented on a draft of the report. Members of the Birds Australia WA Conservation

and Research Committee commented on project development and design.

The bird surveys component of the Perth Biodiversity Project would not have been

possible without the participation, assistance and enthusiasm of so many people. To

all, I am most grateful.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Perth Biodiversity Project (PBP) is a local government initiative to establish and

improve the existing frameworks for biodiversity conservation in local natural areas

in the Perth Metropolitan Region. Local biodiversity areas consist of bushland and

other natural and revegetated areas outside Bush Forever and the Department of

Conservation and Land Management conservation estate.

Increasing urbanisation in the Perth Metropolitan Region has led to a process of

habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation of native vegetation. These broad

threatening processes have been followed by a well-documented local and regional

decline and extinction of bird species. Between July 2002 and May 2003, bird surveys

were undertaken by Birds Australia WA volunteers in selected reserves in the Perth

Metropolitan Region. The purpose of this ongoing component project of the PBP is to

undertake an inventory of the bird species of selected reserves vested in local councils

and, where possible, link bird species information with conservation and management

strategies. It also aims to help raise awareness of biodiversity conservation among

participating local governments. The project aimed to survey all sites for one year.

Thirty nine sites with a total area of more than 400 ha were surveyed by 68 observers.

Most sites (75%) were 10 ha in size or smaller; sites ranged in size from 0.74 ha to 70

ha. A total of 125 bird species was recorded for the project, of which 41 (33%) are

regarded as having conservation significance by Bush Forever. While more species,

and more significant species, were recorded in large reserves, wetlands and Darling

Range sites, significant bird species were recorded at almost all sites (95%). This

suggests that even small reserves on the Swan Coastal Plain have conservation value

for birds. The number of bird species recorded at individual reserves ranged from 61

for a medium-sized wetland reserve to 5 for a small, recently isolated bushland

remnant. The number of significant bird species recorded at individual reserves

ranged from 19 at a grazed wetland site with intact overstorey, relatively close to the

Darling Range, to zero for three small, isolated bushland remnants. The endangered

Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo was recorded at nine sites, some of which are small,

isolated bushland remnants. The retention of these bushland remnants as corridors and

resources for mobile bird species such as Carnaby's Cockatoo is important for the

long-term survival of similarly mobile species on the Swan Coastal Plain.

For each site, a comprehensive list of bird species was compiled and management

recommendations were made to maintain or improve the conservation value of the

reserve for birds. Management recommendations included the necessity at a number

of sites for the staged removal of woody and other weeds that might provide habitat

for small insectivorous birds. The general principles mitigating the effects of local

threatening processes on urban bushland remain valid for birds.

The bird surveys project is an observation-based study identifying patterns in the

distribution of birds in some urban and peri-urban reserves. During the project, a

considerable body of bird survey data has been generated for a number of remnants

for which consistent and reliable survey data are otherwise not available. The results

provide a baseline against which future changes in bird species distributions might be

evaluated and show that the use of volunteer observers provides a cost-effective, valid

and reliable inventory of most birds in urban reserves.


i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................i

INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................1

METHODS ................................................................................................................2

RESULTS ..................................................................................................................7

Survey sites ............................................................................................................7

Surveys...................................................................................................................9

Bird species ............................................................................................................9

Threatened species ...............................................................................................10

Other significant species ......................................................................................10

Breeding species ..................................................................................................11

DISCUSSION..........................................................................................................11

CONCLUSION........................................................................................................14

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................15

APPENDICES .........................................................................................................19

Appendix 1: Project overview and survey instructions provided to observers

undertaking bird surveys for the Perth Biodiversity Project in the Perth

Metropolitan Region July 2002-May 2003..........................................................19

Appendix 2: Survey form provided to observers undertaking bird surveys for the

Perth Biodiversity Project ....................................................................................20

Appendix 3: Survey instructions provided to observers undertaking bird surveys

on Swan River foreshore sites surveyed for the Perth Biodiversity Project ........21

Appendix 4: Bird species recorded in surveys conducted for the Perth

Biodiversity Project July 2002-May 2003 in the Perth Metropolitan Region. ....22

Appendix 5: Site locations for significant bird species recorded in selected

reserves in the Perth Metropolitan Region, July 2002-May 2003. ......................25

Part B: Site Reports ...................................................................................................29


ii

List of Tables & Figures

Table 1: Summary of site information for local government sites selected for bird surveys in the Perth Metropolitan Region July 2002-May 2003..……………………………………………………………..3 Table 2: The 15 most frequently recorded bird species in surveys of selected remnants in the Perth Metropolitan Region July 2002-May 2003…………………………………………………………………………..9 Table 3: Summary of the three broad threatening processes to biodiversity and examples of land use activities requiring management by local government and community groups….………..13

Figure 1: Map showing Perth Biodiversity Project sites surveyed for birds in the Perth Metropolitan Region in the period July ‘02-May ’03……………………………………………………………..8


1

INTRODUCTION

The Perth Biodiversity Project (PBP) is a local government initiative to establish and

improve the existing frameworks for biodiversity conservation in local natural areas in

the Perth Metropolitan Region. Over a 25 year period, the project aims to assist the 30

metropolitan councils and their communities to protect and manage local biodiversity

areas in the Region within a secure conservation network and to plan for the

enhancement and establishment of ecological linkages between local and regional

biodiversity areas. Local biodiversity areas consist of bushland and other natural and

revegetated areas that exist outside Bush Forever sites (on the Swan Coastal Plain)

and the Department of Conservation and Land Management (DCLM) conservation

estate. The PBP is a partnership project between the Western Australian Local

Government Association, the Natural Heritage Trust, the Department of Planning and

Infrastructure and Perth's 30 local councils. The other major project partners are

Greening Western Australia, DCLM and Birds Australia Western Australia.

The bird surveys component of the PBP was initiated by PBP staff at the WA Local

Government Association and evolved in a process of consultation and collaboration

with Birds Australia WA. The purpose of this ongoing component project of the PBP

is to undertake an inventory of the bird species of selected reserves vested in local

councils and, where possible, link bird species information with management and

conservation strategies. It also aims to help raise awareness of biodiversity

conservation among participating councils.

In response to habitat clearing and increasing urbanisation, birds have declined on the

Swan Coastal Plain (Storr & Johnstone, 1988; How & Dell, 1993). This process of

urban habitat loss and fragmentation and bird species extinction and decline is well-

documented, both in the Perth region and elsewhere (e.g., Jones, 1981; Serventy &

Recher, 1991; Keast, 1995; Sewell & Catterall, 1998). The most pessimistic of

accounts suggests that regional avifaunas are still in a process of decline and

extinction that will see human and urban commensal species benefiting while many

species are lost (Recher, 2002).

Urban remnants in the Perth region do, however, continue to support populations of

birds known to be declining (pers. obs.). Although the long-term viability of these

species in smaller, isolated bushland remnants is uncertain, there is some evidence

that small remnants have an important role to play in conservation. It has been shown

that while some bird species decline from smaller remnants, small patches can be

useful for other fauna (How & Dell, 2000). For example, a one-hectare remnant in

inner Perth was shown to support eight reptile, one frog and 23 bird species (Cooper,

1995). Detailed studies of the movements of birds across remnants on the Swan

Coastal Plain are lacking, although studies from elsewhere indicate that some groups

of birds are unlikely to move through urban areas (e.g. Catterall et al., 1991).

However, vegetation in the areas between urban reserves can assist in maintaining the

overall bird species diversity in urban areas (Melles et al., 2003).

Birds are useful targets for community-based survey programmes as they are

charismatic species that are relatively easily identified, reasonably abundant and

comparatively easy to survey. Research has shown that birds are constructed more

positively in the social sense than other taxa such as mammals, fish, invertebrates and


2

plants (Czech, et al., 1998), making them ideal iconic species for disseminating

information about biodiversity conservation.

In 2002, the PBP surveyed metropolitan councils to determine the capacity of local

government to conserve biodiversity. The report identified biodiversity plans and site

assessments as the most common means by which local government assigns priority

to the management of threatening processes to biodiversity (Perth Biodiversity

Project, 2002). It is hoped that appropriately detailed bird survey information will

increase the capacity of participating local governments to plan for biodiversity

conservation in remnants and to implement effective management strategies.

METHODS

In selecting reserves in which bird surveys would be undertaken, some preference was

given to reserves about which little was known by the local council or those that were

the target of local government conservation strategies funded under the PBP. As the

project focussed largely on sites of local, not regional, significance most project

reserves were not Bush Forever sites.

The sites were non-randomly selected for the surveys project by PBP staff, by request

from individual councils or, in several instances, by request from community groups.

Both bushland and wetland sites were included in the project. Some urban parkland

was included in the surveys either as a comparison with the bushland imbedded in it

or because local biodiversity conservation planning had identified the parkland as a

potential corridor for wildlife.

In planning the surveys, it was decided that a 12-month survey period for each site

would cover the four seasons of the year and allow a reasonable number of

opportunities to record cryptic bird species, visitors and regular migrants. It has been

shown that surveys undertaken by volunteer observers can be reliable indicators of

species richness and abundance (Saffer, 2002). A bird surveys coordinator was

appointed by Birds Australia WA, but all other aspects of the bird surveys component

of the project were conducted by volunteers. All sites were visited at least once by the

coordinator and a bird survey conducted by her at most sites.

As the capacity of Birds Australia WA to undertake intensive bird surveys is limited

by the availability of committed volunteer observers, a decision was made to survey

each site as often as was practicable. A minimum survey period for each site was four

seasonal surveys, however other possibilities were bimonthly or monthly surveys.

Sufficient observers were recruited to the project that monthly surveys were possible

for all but three sites (Table 1). For most sites, two sets of volunteers alternated on a

monthly basis. Observers were largely recruited from the membership of Birds

Australia WA, however some observers were also recruited from other parts of the

community. The level of expertise of observers varied from relative inexperience to

extensive experience. The project has no capacity to standardise the experience of

observers through extensive training. Bird surveys were conducted in selected

reserves after July 2002 and are ongoing. For the purposes of this report, data analysis

is restricted to the period ending 31 May, 2003. At the time of writing, no site had

surveys completed for a full year.


3

Table 1: Summary of site information for local government sites selected for bird surveys in the Perth Metropolitan Region July 2002-May 2003. The bird surveys project

site number is an arbitrary number corresponding to the site number in the project database. Total sites = 39.

Local Government

Authority Site name

Bird survey

project site

number

Area (ha) Wetland/

dampland

Total

bird.

surveys

Survey

frequency

Total bird

species

recorded

Total

significant

species

(Bush

Forever

Baigup Reserve 4 16.0 X 6 monthly 61 10

Berringa Park 2 10.4 X 5 monthly 56 7

Bardon Park 3 2.8 X 5 monthly 31 5

Hinds Reserve 5 1.3 X 6 monthly 21 1

Lightning Swamp Bushland 6 70.0 X 4 bimonthly 38 9

Gobba Lake 1 1.7 X 5 monthly 31 4

City of Bayswater

Maylands Peninsula 7 7.4 X 4 monthly 39 2

Locke Crescent Reserve 34 0.86 7 monthly 19 2 Town of East Fremantle

Jerrat Drive Foreshore 33 2.8 X 7 monthly 30 5

Hume Road Wildlife Reserve 10 3.3 5 monthly 14 0

Lots 1 & 2 Rushton Road 9 4.9 5 monthly 38 14

City of Gosnells

Shreeve Road Wetland Reserve 8 10.0 X 6 monthly 47 8

Cadogan Reserve 13 4.9 10 monthly 18 2

Chichester Park 11 1.34 10 monthly 17 0

Korella Park 15 2.5 10 monthly 22 4

Naturaliste 12 3.3 10 monthly 21 3

City of Joondalup

Trigometric 14 2.6 10 monthly 20 4


4

Local Government

Authority Site name

Bird survey

project site

number

Area (ha) Wetland/

dampland

Total

bird.

surveys

Survey

frequency

Total bird

species

recorded

Total

significant

species

(Bush

Forever)

Ern Stapleton Reserve 21 0.74 6 monthly 13 0

Harry Sandon Park 20 4.3 6 monthly 20 3

Ken Hurst Park 22 52.4 9 monthly 36 10

Piney Lakes Reserve 16 31.9 X 8 monthly 54 13

Richard Lewis Park 18 5.1 X 6 monthly 26 7

Wal Hughes Reserve 19 1.5 6 monthly 15 1

City of Melville

Wireless Hill Park 17 35.2 8 monthly 33 9

Town of Mosman Park Buckland Hill Reserve 35 6.3 9 monthly 21 5

Shire of Serpentine-

Jarrahdale

Manjedal Brook 32 12.7 X 11 monthly 55 19

Noble Falls/Reserve 2146 26 50.5 X 10 monthly 48 18

Thorburn Park 23 2.0 X 9 monthly 42 5

West Swan Oval 24 6.8 10 monthly 37 8

Wandoo Heights 25 20.0 10 monthly 33 12

City of Swan

Unnamed Picnic Site, Toodyay

Road

272.5 X 10 monthly 30 9

Banks Reserve 38 3.5 X 5 monthly 27 1

Hyde Park 36 13.5 X 11 monthly 32 2

Mt Lawley foreshore 39 1.8 X 5 monthly 23 1

Town of Vincent

Smith's Lake 37 1.0 X 10 monthly 27 5


5

Local Government

Authority Site name

Bird survey

project site

number

Area (ha) Wetland/

dampland

Total

bird.

surveys

Survey

frequency

Total bird

species

recorded

Total

significant

species

(Bush

Forever)

Brighton Bushland 30 0.9 3 seasonal 5 1

Cassilda Park 31 4.02 4 seasonal 18 4

Kinsale Park 29 6.0 10 monthly 20 3

City of Wanneroo

Paloma Park 28 5.8 10 monthly 11 1

Total participating local

government authorities =

10

Total (ha) =

418.2

Mean (ha) =

10.72

Total

wetlands = 19

Total

surveys =

314

Total bird

species all

sites = 125

Total

significant

bird species

all sites = 41


6

All observers were issued with a set of survey materials including background

information on the project and survey instructions (Appendix 1), site description, bird

survey forms (Appendix 2) and, where necessary, copies of aerial or street maps.

Where relevant, separate instructions were issued to observers for the Swan River

foreshore (Appendix 3). All forms and survey instructions were designed for the

project. To reduce or eliminate the problem of transcription errors, survey forms were

designed so that bird names were completed on the form, not ticked off an existing

list. Site location instructions included information on the boundaries of the site.

Particular instructions by local government staff were followed if a request were made

for sites to be delimited. Thus, the bushland areas of some urban parks might be

surveyed while parkland areas were not. Where such areas were separately surveyed

for birds, lists are separated in the site reports (Part B).

Observers were instructed to do bird surveys when birds were most likely to be active

and when conditions were most favourable, i.e., when the weather was not unduly hot,

cold, wet or windy. They were also instructed to take sufficient time to survey all

habitat types at the site. As sites varied considerably in size and accessibility, survey

duration was not determined in advance. Birds off the site were not recorded, and

those in flight over the site were not recorded as present unless they were 'using' the

site by foraging over it (e.g. Tree Martin and hovering raptors). Evidence of breeding

was recorded on the survey sheets. Breeding records were accepted as confirmed if

the observer recorded nest plus contents (eggs, chicks or brooding adult), runners

(downy waterbird chicks), downy dependent young near a nest, or repeated flights

with food into a hollow or burrow. Records were accepted as possible breeding

records if the observer recorded nest building or the feeding of dependent young with

no evidence of a nest. As nest searching is time-consuming and requires a degree of

skill and experience, breeding was recorded opportunistically.

The project aimed to record the presence and absence of species at each site. Counting

birds, especially bush birds, is known to be inaccurate, particularly when observers

are untrained (Recher, 1988). While observers were encouraged to count water birds,

there was no requirement to count bush birds. Project results thus include no measures

of relative abundance for bush birds except for frequency of occurrence data, recorded

as a percentage of the number of surveys per site. For water birds, site reports include

the highest number counted at any one time. However, not all observers counted water

birds, and these counts must be considered to be only approximate measures.

At Swan River foreshore sites, the riparian zone five metres below the high tide line

was arbitrarily accepted as the limit of the survey site. This eliminated the problem of

observers recording birds using the broader reaches of the river, but allowed for the

inclusion of mud flats, shallows and roosts such as logs and rocks which were

functionally a part of the survey site.

All observational data were scrutinised by the project officer for errors and reliability

and entered into a purpose-designed Microsoft Access relational database. Records

were later evaluated to determine if species were introduced, threatened, or considered

to be significant under the criteria established or adopted by Bush Forever.

Bush Forever has listed bird species of conservation significance on the Swan Coastal

Plain (Government of Western Australia, 2000). Birds listed are deemed to be


7

'significant' under one or more of four categories. Category 1 significant species are

those listed under the Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. Category 2

species are those listed under international treaties on the Japan-Australia and China-

Australia Migratory Bird Agreements (JAMBA and CAMBA). Habitat specialists

with a reduced distribution on the Swan Coastal Plain are listed as Category 3 species,

and Category 4 bird species are wide-ranging species with a reduced distribution on

the Swan Coastal Plain. This PBP report follows the Bush Forever categorisation of

particular bird species as significant on the Swan Coastal Plain. It also adopts the

same criteria for the categorisation of bird species in the project's Darling Range sites.

Survey data have been compiled into comprehensive species lists for each survey site,

and are included here as individual site reports (Part B). Taxonomy and nomenclature

for all species follow Christidis and Boles (1994), except for the names used for

Short-billed and Long-billed Black-Cockatoos. In this report, the practice of naming

these two species as Carnaby's and Baudin's Black-Cockatoos is adopted.

Site reports (Part B) include a summary of bird survey data such as the number of

surveys, average survey duration, average number of observers per survey and survey

period. Information on site size, location and vegetation complex is also included.

Natural areas outside the DCLM estate, Bush Forever and Regional Parks have been

assigned a 'Local Natural Area Identification Number' (LNA ID number) by the PBP.

Only those natural areas that have been mapped for natural vegetation by the

Department of Agriculture at a scale of 1:20 000 have been assigned LNA numbers.

For the PBP, sites without LNA numbers are either Bush Forever sites, part of the

Regional Park system, or natural or revegetated areas where no native vegetation has

been mapped. For the purposes of this project and report, bird survey sites have been

assigned an arbitrary site number.

Relevant vegetation complex information has been included in individual site reports

(Part B). Each site has been assigned to a complex as delineated by Heddle and

summarised in Bush Forever (Government of Western Australia, 2000). Bird survey

sites sample 11 of the 26 vegetation complexes described for the Perth Metropolitan

Region. No attempt was made to undertake bird surveys in a sample of all vegetation

complexes in the Region.

RESULTS

Survey sites

A total of 39 sites vested in 10 local councils were surveyed for birds and the data

were analysed for this report. Information on new sites from other participating

councils included late in the reported survey period have not been included here. A

list of sites and participating local councils is included in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the

location of the survey sites in the Perth Metropolitan Region.

The focus on sites of local rather than regional significance is reflected in the

relatively small size of the survey sites selected for the project: while sites ranged

from 0.74 ha to 70 ha (mean = 10.72 in size, most sites (75%, n = 29) were 10 ha or

less in area and only 3 (7%) were larger than 50 ha). The total area surveyed for birds

was 418 ha.


8

Fig. 1: Map showing Perth Biodiversity Project sites surveyed for birds in the Perth

Metropolitan Region in the period July 2002-May 2003.


9

Surveys

A total of 68 observers contributed 314 surveys for the 39 sites. As sites were

recruited into the project at different times and as survey frequency was lower for

three sites, the numbers of surveys per site varies from 4 to 11 (Table 1).

Bird species

One hundred and twenty five bird species were recorded, of which 41 (33%) are

designated as significant under Bush Forever (Government of Western Australia,

2000). Appendix 4 provides a complete list of all bird species recorded in the project

and lists the common and scientific names of all species mentioned in the text. It also

notes any conservation category of significance in Bush Forever.

The fifteen most frequently recorded bird species are listed in Table 2. The species are

some of those that have benefited from urban expansion and habitat fragmentation on

the Swan Coastal Plain (Recher, in press), with two exceptions (White-cheeked

Honeyeater and New Holland Honeyeater). These exceptions are discussed in the

section Other Significant Species below.

The most commonly recorded

species are introduced or those

favouring urban habitats, including

parkland and constructed or highly

modified wetlands. They include the

Pacific Black Duck, Australian

Ringneck, Spotted and Laughing

Turtle-Dove, Willie Wagtail,

Australian Raven, Australian Magpie

and Welcome Swallow. Six species

are nectarivorous or partly so – these

are Red Wattlebird, Silvereye, and

Singing, Brown, White-cheeked and

New Holland Honeyeaters. The

latter list suggests that these species

may respond positively to the kinds

of plantings in urban gardens and

parks, although it is possible that

they may use bushland remnants for

breeding as well as feeding. Those

species which have been most

commonly recorded are also species

that are highly visible. This may

contribute to a higher recording rate than less visible, and thus less easily recorded,

species.

Eighty four of the species recorded in project sites are not regarded as significant in

conservation terms. These include nine introduced species and some, such as Yellow-

billed Spoonbill and Galah, that have expanded into the Perth Metropolitan Region

since European colonisation (Storr & Johnstone, 1988). Some of the species recorded

but not regarded as having conservation significance might be considered as being

Table 2: The 15 most frequently recorded bird

species in surveys of selected remnants in the

Perth Metropolitan Region July 2002-May 2003,

ranked in order of frequency of occurrence.

Surveys n = 314. Key: * denotes introduced

species.

Species Number of

surveys in

which

recorded

Singing Honeyeater 218

Red Wattlebird 210

Brown Honeyeater 190

Australian Magpie 182

Australian Raven 177

Laughing Turtle-Dove* 169

Willie Wagtail 153

Silvereye 135

Australian Ringneck 114

Magpie-lark 110

Spotted Turtle-Dove* 99

Pacific Black Duck 93

White-cheeked Honeyeater 89

New Holland Honeyeater 82

Welcome Swallow 82


10

dependent on urban vegetation remnants for their long-term survival on the Swan

Coastal Plain. These include all four cuckoos (Pallid and Fan-tailed Cuckoo and

Horsfield's and Shining Bronze-Cuckoo), together with Spotted and Striated

Pardalote, Western Gerygone, Rufous Whistler, Grey Fantail and White-winged

Triller. All of these species are insectivorous, a group of birds known to be vulnerable

to decline and extinction (How & Dell, 1993). Rufous Whistler is the only resident

insectivore in this group – other species are migrants, seasonal visitors or mobile

species whose presence in surveyed reserves might be under-recorded due to their

mobility or the seasonality of surveys in the project to date. Each habitat type is not

uniformly suitable for all bird species. Absence of a species might thus be due, for

example, to a naturally occurring absence of woodland overstorey. However, the

continued absence in a reserve of these species over a period of time might indicate

problems with the value of remnants for this group, or the degree of connectivity to

other reserves.

Threatened species

Two species recorded in the project surveys are listed as threatened under the

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) and the

Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. These are Baudin's Black-Cockatoo (vulnerable

under the EPBC) and Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo (endangered under the EPBC).

Baudin's Cockatoo has only been positively recorded in one project site in the Darling

Range. White-tailed Black-Cockatoo, a generic descriptor referring to either species,

was recorded at two additional sites in or near the Darling Range. Baudin's Cockatoo

rarely or never frequents the northern and western sections of the Swan Coastal Plain.

Part of the population of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo over-summers on the Swan

Coastal Plain. The species is mobile and feeds largely on the seeds of introduced pines

and proteaceous plants. During the project, the Cockatoo was recorded at 9 sites, most

of these on the western and northern sections of the Swan Coastal Plain.

Other significant species

Bush Forever lists species protected under conservation acts or international treaties

together with those known to be extinct or in decline on the Swan Coastal Plain

(Government of Western Australia, 2000). A total of 41 bird species recorded for this

project are listed as significant in Bush Forever. Table 1 summarises the number of

significant species recorded at each site. Appendix 5 lists significant species by

location. Detailed species lists are also included in each site report (Part B).

Significant species were recorded from all but two survey sites (n sites = 37).

The Bush Forever list of significant species includes New Holland Honeyeater and

White-cheeked Honeyeater. Both these species are among the 15 most recorded

species for this project. Recher (in press) and Recher and Serventy (1991) found that

White-cheeked Honeyeater and most other nectar feeders increased in abundance on a

transect study in Kings Park between 1928 and 2002. The results of the PBP surveys

support these findings and suggest that the inclusion of New Holland Honeyeater and

White-cheeked Honeyeater on the Bush Forever list of significant bird species may

not be warranted. However, it is not known if suburban gardens support breeding

populations of these two honeyeaters, or if the two species of honeyeaters are

dependent on connected networks of bushland remnants for their long-term survival.


11

Breeding species

The number of bird species recorded as breeding in project sites is low. Species

recorded as breeding are largely highly visible bushland or parkland species such as

Magpie-lark, Australian Magpie and Australian Raven and some waterbirds such as

grebes and ducks. Some sites have not yet been surveyed over the Spring breeding

period and this may influence the numbers of breeding records for the project.

DISCUSSION

A number of factors influence the numbers and types of bird species recorded in

surveys. Variations in the detectibility of some bird species affect recording rates for

those species. Under-recorded groups of species almost certainly include nocturnal

birds such as owls and frogmouths and secretive species such as crakes and rails but

may also include more cryptic species such as small insectivores in dense vegetation

(e.g., White-browed Scrubwren and fairy-wrens). Among observers involved in the

project, there was a considerable variation in skill and survey effort. In addition,

different observers sampled different sites at different times. This makes statistically

meaningful analysis of variations in species numbers and occurrence between sites

unreliable or impossible. Bird surveys are not yet complete for each site in the project

and the surveys for some reserves have not yet sampled all four seasons. This may

affect the bird species recorded – for example, seasonal migrants and visitors such as

cuckoos, Sacred Kingfisher and White-winged Triller. Lastly, the mobility of some

bird species may mean that they might not always be recorded during limited survey

periods.

Despite these apparent problems, site survey data adhere to what is known about the

status of birds in the Perth Metropolitan Region. This suggests that the use of

voluntary observers in the project provides a cost-effective, valid and reliable

inventory of most birds in urban reserves.

The number of breeding records is low, and no analysis of the breeding status of birds

in the project reserves is possible. Project records are presence-absence records only,

and it is beyond the scope of this study to ascertain the long-term viability of

populations of birds in the Perth Metropolitan Region. Thus, some bird species

currently recorded as present in some project sites may be in the process of declining

towards local or regional extinction. Only labour- and cost-intensive studies led by

researchers with specialist skills are capable of answering important questions about

the long-term viability of declining bird species in particular sites, and at a landscape

level on the Swan Coastal Plain.

It is, however, not advisable for local government land managers to wait until

ecologists provide answers to questions regarding bird population viability and

patterns of habitat use and movement in the Perth Metropolitan Region. Numbers of

significant bird species have been identified in remnant vegetation managed by local

councils, and tackling the threatening processes that undermine the long-term survival

of these populations is a critical part of the biodiversity conservation process for local

government. Some recommendations have been made in individual site reports in

Part B. Habitat loss, fragmentation and the progressive degradation of remnants

through weed invasion, inappropriate fire management, hydrological changes, high

levels of predation, and direct human interference are all processes that threaten the

conservation value of remnant vegetation in urban areas. While specific management


12

recommendations might be lacking for some reserves, the general principles of

mitigating the effects of threatening processes on urban bushland remain valid.

Loss of biodiversity can be attributed to three broad threatening processes – habitat

loss, fragmentation and degradation resulting from human management practices

(Ford et al., 2001; Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation

Council, 2001). Habitat loss occurs when part of a habitat is removed, such as the

understorey layer in a woodland. Habitat fragmentation is the dividing of once

continuous habitat by land use activities such as urban development and the building

of roads through bushland. Habitat degradation is the gradual loss of habitat quality

by processes such as weed invasion, disease and soil erosion.

It should be noted that threatening processes operate across a range of scales from

local (e.g., local reserve) through regional (e.g., Perth Metropolitan Region) to

ecoregional (e.g., southwest Western Australia). Local scale processes are best

managed by local government and community groups. Regional scale threats need to

be managed by local and State Government agencies (e.g., DCLM) in conjunction

with natural resource management groups such as the Swan Catchment Council.

Table 3 lists these three broad threatening processes together with examples of land

use activities requiring management action by local government and other local land

managers to protect biodiversity. Whilst none is specific to the management of

reserves for birds, all contribute to the loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat

in reserves in the Perth Metropolitan Region.


13

Table 3: Summary of the three broad threatening processes to biodiversity and examples of land use

activities requiring management by local government and community groups.

BROAD THREATENING

PROCESS

EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITY REQUIRING LOCAL

MANAGEMENT

Habitat fragmentation

(dividing previously

continuous habitat)

urban development

service provision (power, sewerage, water, gas, roads)

proliferating tracks (walk tracks, bicycle tracks, 4WD

tracks, fire access)

Habitat loss through

reduction in habitat area Mowing around the edges of bushland (progressive

loss)

Removing bushland for car parks, playgrounds, sports

areas, parks, service utilities such as water tanks

Urban development

Expansion of private gardens beyond property

boundaries into local bushland

Erosion

Weed control (removal of weeds used as habitat by

small birds and reptiles)

Rubbish removal (reptile habitat)

Habitat degradation within

patches or reserves weeds

disease, e.g. dieback Phytophthora cinnamomi

grazing (incl. kangaroos)

rubbish dumping

unauthorised access (off-road vehicles, cubbies, horse-

riding)

urban stormwater runoff

inappropriate fire management

'tidying up' (removal of woody debris & leaf litter);

firewood collection

removal of plants and soil, including illegal tree

killing/pruning

loss of specific resources such as logs, rocks (various

causes)

Habitat degradation between

patches or reserves urban infill (removal of tree canopy; reduction of total

vegetation cover)

widening roads

removal of old and dead trees

removal of street trees

replacement local native trees/shrubs with exotics, non-

local native plants, lawns

removal of small habitat patches in parks, gardens etc

trends/fashions in gardening (e.g. move from native

gardens to cottage gardens or lawn + palms)

trends in block size/house design (shift from suburban

to fully urban landscapes) – no room for trees; simple

instead of complex gardens with multiple vegetation

layers

The timely and appropriate management of local reserves is critical for the long-term

conservation of biodiversity in local areas. While large reserves are important for the

long-term conservation of some bird species, perhaps particularly for sedentary

species with little or no capacity to disperse through surrounding urban landscapes,

small reserves are nonetheless important for the conservation of a range of taxa

including plants, reptiles and at least some birds. For example, research in agricultural

landscapes in southeastern Australia showed that relatively small remnant patches


14

contributed significantly to the species richness of birds (Fischer & Lindenmayer,

2002). The PBP bird survey sites are largely small - most (75%) are 10 ha in size or

smaller. The study has shown that number of birds known to be in decline on the

Swan Coastal Plain use many of these reserves. The reserves may have an important

role to play as ecological linkages and this is particularly the case with reserves on the

Swan Coastal Plain where habitat clearing and fragmentation has been most severe.

Remnants may also have an important role as breeding and feeding sites for birds

which otherwise utilise urban gardens and parks. Birds themselves may have

significant roles to play in the properly functioning ecosystem processes in reserves,

for example in their role in insect control, plant pollination and seed dispersal.

This bird surveys project is an observational study identifying patterns in the

distribution and presence of birds in some urban and peri-urban reserves.

Observation-based studies are able to delineate patterns of distribution and habitat

use, however experimental studies are needed to understand how and which processes

regulate these patterns. The processes or mechanisms underlying the presence or

absence of bird species in selected reserves in the Perth Metropolitan Region cannot

be determined by this study. However, it is hoped that the bird survey data provided

by this project will encourage local councils to develop more mechanisms to protect

local natural areas against clearing, fragmentation, reduction in size and degradation,

and work effectively to increase their size and quality.

CONCLUSION

Conservation is as much about people as it is about species or knowledge of ecology

and ecosystems (Mascia et al., 2003). The importance and relevance of the

conservation of biodiversity is often promoted as something that occurs in wilderness

or in areas removed from urban people's everyday experience (Miller & Hobbs,

2002). We need to be able to build a greater appreciation of the natural environment

in people's own local reserves. Taxa such as birds are attractive to many people, and

local governments can build this interest into an appreciation for the conservation and

management of local biodiversity resources.

During this project, a considerable body of bird survey data has been generated for a

number of Perth metropolitan vegetation remnants for which consistent and reliable

survey data are otherwise not available. These surveys will continue for existing sites

and new sites will be recruited into the project. It is hoped that the results will provide

a useful management tool for local government authorities.


15

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indicator of species richness and abundance. Western Australian Naturalist 23:

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changes in the distribution and abundance of the wheatbelt avifauna.

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Ed. Perth, Paterson Brokensha.


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Sewell, S. R. & C. P. Catterall (1998). Bushland modification and styles of urban

development: their effects on birds in south-eastern Queensland. Wildlife

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Murdoch University.


19

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Project overview and survey instructions provided to observers

undertaking bird surveys for the Perth Biodiversity Project in the Perth

Metropolitan Region July 2002-May 2003.

Perth Biodiversity

Project Bird

Surveys

Project overview The Perth Biodiversity Project (PBP) is a Natural Heritage Trust-funded initiative of the WA Local

Government Association aiming to conserve biodiversity in sites vested in local government

authorities. Birds Australia WA is undertaking bird surveys in some of the sites funded for

conservation and management We aim, where possible, to provide monthly bird surveys so that

accurate bird lists can be provided to the relevant local councils. Where possible, we provide two sets

of observers per site, with observers doing surveys in alternate months (i.e. every two months). Bird

surveys will be undertaken until at least mid-2003.

Bird surveys submitted to the PBP will be entered in the Birds Australia Bird Atlas database, thus

contributing further to our knowledge of the birds of the Perth region.

Your role You have nominated to do bird surveys in one or more PBP sites in the Perth metro or outer metro area.

You can help by

Doing the survey in the middle of the month where possible;

Liaising with the other site observers, or coordinator Cheryl Gole, if you are unable to

undertake a nominated survey;

Completing survey forms and returning them promptly to Cheryl.

How to survey PBP sites Familiarise yourself with the site and its boundaries;

Do the survey early in the day or when the birds are most active (this may be later in winter

than in summer). Also, do the survey under favourable weather conditions – don’t survey

during extremes of weather such as very hot or cold, or wet and windy conditions;

Duration of survey: take as long as you need to ensure that you record the species present on

the site;

If the site is large, explore all habitat types. For example, if it is a mix of forest and heath, or

creekline and cleared paddock, make sure you include both habitats in the survey;

You do not need to count individual birds. However, if you feel it is important or relevant, you

may record the numbers in the comments column. For example, the numbers of corellas or

White-tailed Black-cockatoos using a site may be relevant;

If you are unable to positively identify a species, leave it off the list. However, you may add a

note in the comments section at the end if you wish. If you are unable to distinguish between

Carnaby’s and Baudin’s Cockatoos, record as White-tailed Black-cockatoo;

Birds in flight: record species as ‘in flight’ if they appear to be simply flying over the site.

However, if birds are using the air space above the site for foraging, then record the species as

present. For example, Tree Martins or a hovering raptor over the site would be recorded in the

‘present’ column;

Record evidence of breeding in the comments column (eg nest building, feeding young.).

Include numbers of eggs or chicks if possible;

Don’t include bird species which are off the site.

Comments on plant species or specific habitats used by bird species are useful to shire council

site managers. For example, you might notice that honeyeaters are feeding on particular plant

species. Include this information in the comments column for the relevant species.

Thank you for offering your time and expertise for the project – we greatly appreciate it


20

Appendix 2: Survey form provided to observers undertaking bird surveys for the


Perth Biodiversity

Project Bird Survey

Form

Survey and site information

Site location name ………………………………… Council name …………………….....

Observer name ……………………………… Address ...………………........................

……………………………………… Phone …………………………..............................

Email…………………………………………………………………………………….....

Date of survey ………………….. Survey time: start …………... finish …………...…

Total time spent doing survey … hrs…..mins Number of people doing survey …… .

Wetland water levels …. Dry ….. below capacity …… at capacity ….. flooding

Mud/sandflats exposed …….

Bird Species

Bird Species Present In flight over site

Breeding Comments (e.g. evidence of breeding; numbers of birds; feeding)

Please record additional species overleaf

Bird Surveys in Selected Perth Metropolitan Reserves: Part B

21

Appendix 3: Survey instructions provided to observers undertaking bird surveys on

Swan River foreshore sites surveyed for the Perth Biodiversity Project

Perth

Biodiversity

Project Bird

Surveys

Swan River Foreshore – Survey Instructions

The site you are surveying includes part of the Swan River foreshore. The foreshore of the

Swan River is to be included in the survey, and access to that side of the reserve is most easily

undertaken by walking along the foreshore (or parts of it) and recording the birds you see and

hear. For that reason, it is suggested that you do the survey at or within a couple of hours of

low tide (check the West Australian newspaper weather page for tide times).

As this is a wetland area some of the vegetation is thick, and some areas are wet or

muddy. It is strongly suggested that you wear trousers and gumboots or old shoes. In winter,

some areas may be inundated and you may need to change your survey route.

It is important that you don't include the whole width of the river in your survey! From

the high tide line, include birds you see in the first 5 metres – this should cover shallows, low

tide mudflats and roosting places such as logs etc. If a sandspit or other structure extends

further out into the river, include the whole structure in the survey. Please count the water

birds and include the counts on your survey sheet.

Three species of crake and a species of rail are possible on the foreshore, largely in

muddy areas on the foreshore or lagoons where there is good cover within close retreating

distance. The birds are secretive and sometimes difficult to spot. However, they will

occasionally reward you with unexpectedly good views. In appropriate habitat areas,

approach and wait quietly, and scan the reed or rush edges with your binoculars. These are

important birds for us to record if they are present, so we would appreciate your efforts to

spend some time finding them if they are there. If you see one you can't accurately identify,

record on the survey sheet as 'unidentified crake'. A tip: they vary in size, and comparing

them to other birds nearby may give some assistance.

Clamorous Reed-Warblers and Little Grassbirds may be present but may be difficult to

see. If you are not familiar with their calls, the relevant bird call cassette tape is available on

loan from the Birds Australia WA office at 77 Oceanic Drive, Floreat (open 9.30-12.30

Mon-Fri).

Access is not good on all perimeters, so you will need to do some exploring to find the

best ways to survey the area. Allow yourself plenty of time to explore and find all the birds

that are present.

Consider doing an occasional late afternoon/early evening survey, as some areas may be

used as roosting sites for waterbirds such as Ibis that fly in at that time of the day.

These are rewarding places which most birdwatchers never visit. We hope you enjoy

them!


22

Appendix 4: Bird species recorded in surveys conducted for the Perth Biodiversity

Project July 2002-May 2003 in the Perth Metropolitan Region.

Taxonomy and nomenclature follows Christidis & Boles (1994) except for the naming of Carnaby's

and Baudin's Black-Cockatoos. Significant species after Bush Forever (Government of Western

Australia, 2000).

Key: * denotes introduced species. Categories for significant bird species: 1 = species listed under the

Wildlife Conservation Act 1950; 2 = species listed under JAMBA/CAMBA agreements; 3 = habitat

specialists with a reduced distribution on the Swan Coastal Plain; 4 = wide-ranging species with

reduced populations on the Swan Coastal Plain. JAMBA/CAMBA = Japan-Australia Migratory Bird

Agreement and China-Australia Migratory Bird Agreement. SCP=Swan Coastal Plain

Common name Scientific name

Categories of

significance

Blue-billed Duck Oxyura australis 3

Musk Duck Biziura lobata 3

Black Swan Cygnus atratus

Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides

Muscovy Duck* Cairina moschata

Australian Wood Duck Chenonetta jubata

Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa

Australasian Shoveler Anas rhynchotis 3

Grey Teal Anas gracilis

Chestnut Teal Anas castanea

Pink-eared Duck Malacorhynchus membranaceus 3

Hardhead Aythya australis 3

Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae

Hoary-headed Grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus

Darter Anhinga melanogaster

Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos

Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax varius

Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus

White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae

White-necked Heron Ardea pacifica

Great Egret Ardea alba

Nankeen Night Heron Nycticorax caledonicus 4

Australian White Ibis Threskiornis molucca

Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis

Yellow-billed Spoonbill Platalea flavipes

Osprey Pandion haliaetus

Black-shouldered Kite Elanus axillaris

Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus 4

Swamp Harrier Circus approximans

Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus 4

Collared Sparrowhawk Accipiter cirrhocephalus 4

Wedge-tailed Eagle Aquila audax 4

Little Eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides 4

Australian Hobby Falco longipennis


23


Categories of

significance

Nankeen Kestrel Falco cenchroides

Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis

Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla

Australian Spotted Crake Porzana fluminea

Spotless Crake Porzana tabuensis

Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa 3

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra

Painted Button-quail Turnix varia 4

Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 2

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 2

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Black-fronted Dotterel Elseyornis melanops

Red-kneed Dotterel Erythrogonys cinctus 2

Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae

Caspian Tern Sterna caspia

Crested Tern Sterna bergii

Rock Dove* Columba livia

Laughing Turtle-Dove* Streptopelia senegalensis

Spotted Turtle-Dove* Streptopelia chinensis

Common Bronzewing Phaps chalcoptera 3

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii locally extinct

Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris 1,4

Baudin's Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii 1,4

Galah Cacatua roseicapilla

Long-billed Corella* Cacatua tenuirostris

Little Corella* Cacatua sanguinea

Rainbow Lorikeet* Trichoglossus haematodus

Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus

Australian Ringneck Barnardius zonarius

Red-capped Parrot Purpureicephalus spurius

Elegant Parrot Neophema elegans

Pallid Cuckoo Cuculus pallidus

Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis

Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx basalis

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus

Southern Boobook Ninox novaeseelandiae

Laughing Kookaburra* Dacelo novaeguineae

Sacred Kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus

Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus

Splendid Fairy-wren Malurus splendens 3

Variegated Fairy-wren Malurus lamberti 3

Spotted Pardalote Pardalotus punctatus

Striated Pardalote Pardalotus striatus

White-browed Scrubwren Sericornis frontalis 3


24


Categories of

significance

Weebill Smicrornis brevirostris 3

Western Gerygone Gerygone fusca

Inland Thornbill Acanthiza apicalis 3

Western Thornbill Acanthiza inornata 3

Yellow-rumped Thornbill Acanthiza chrysorrhoa 3

Red Wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata

Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera 4

Yellow-throated Miner Manorina flavigula 4

Singing Honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens

Yellow-plumed Honeyeater Lichenostomus ornatus 3

Brown-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus brevirostris Not listed: extinct

on SCP

White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus 4

Brown Honeyeater Lichmera indistincta

New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae 4

White-cheeked Honeyeater Phylidonyris nigra 4

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Phylidonyris melanops 4

Western Spinebill Acanthorhynchus superciliosus

Scarlet Robin Petroica multicolor 3

Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii

Varied Sittella Daphoenositta chrysoptera 3

Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis 3

Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris

Grey Shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica 3

Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca

Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa

Willie Wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike Coracina novaehollandiae

White-winged Triller Lalage sueurii

Black-faced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus 4

Dusky Woodswallow Artamus cyanopterus 4

Grey Butcherbird Cracticus torquatus

Australian Magpie Gymnorhina tibicen

Grey Currawong Strepera versicolor 4

Australian Raven Corvus coronoides

Red-eared Firetail Stagonopleura oculata Not listed: extinct

on SCP

European Goldfinch* Carduelis carduelis

Mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum

Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena

Tree Martin Hirundo nigricans

Clamorous Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus

Little Grassbird Megalurus gramineus

Silvereye Zosterops lateralis

Total species = 125

Total

significant

species = 41


25

Appendix 5: Site locations for significant bird species recorded in selected reserves in the Perth Metropolitan Region, July 2002-May 2003.

Common Name

Status

code

Baig

up

Reser

ve

Ban

ks R

eserve

Bard

on

Pa

rk

Berrin

ga

Pa

rk

Brig

hto

n B

ush

lan

d

Bu

ckla

nd

Hill

Ca

do

ga

n R

eserve

Ca

ssilda

Pa

rk

Ch

ichester P

ark

Ern

Sta

pleto

n

Gob

ba

Lak

e

Harry

San

don

Hin

ds R

eserve

Hu

me R

oa

d

Hyd

e Park

Jerra

t Driv

e

Ken

Hu

rst Park

Kin

sale P

ark

Korella

Pa

rk

Lig

htn

ing S

wam

p

Lock

e Cresce

nt

Blue-billed Duck 3 X

Musk Duck 3 X X

Australasian Shoveler 3 X

Hardhead 3 X X

Nankeen Night Heron 4 X X X

Whistling Kite 4 X

Brown Goshawk 4 X X

Collared Sparrowhawk 4 X X X X X

Wedge-tailed Eagle 4

Little Eagle 4

Dusky Moorhen 3 X X X X

Painted Button-quail 4

Common Greenshank 2 X

Common Sandpiper 2 X X

Red-kneed Dotterel 2 X

Common Bronzewing 3 X

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

locally

extinct

X

Short-billed Black-Cockatoo

1,4

X X X

Long-billed Black-Cockatoo 1,4


26

Common Name

Status

code

Ba

igu

p R

eserve

Ba

nk

s Reserv

e

Ba

rdon

Pa

rk

Berr

ing

a P

ark

Brig

hto

n B

ush

lan

d

Bu

ckla

nd

Hill

Ca

dog

an

Reserv

e

Ca

ssilda

Pa

rk

Ch

ichester P

ark

Ern

Sta

pleto

n

Go

bb

a L

ak

e

Ha

rry

San

don

Hin

ds R

eserve

Hu

me R

oa

d

Hy

de P

ark

Jerra

t Driv

e

Ken

Hu

rst P

ark

Kin

sale P

ark

Ko

rella P

ark

Lig

htn

ing

Sw

am

p

Lo

cke C

rescent

Splendid Fairy-wren 3 X X

Variegated Fairy-wren 3 X X X

White-browed Scrubwren 3 X X

Weebill 3

Inland Thornbill 3 X

Western Thornbill 3

Yellow-rumped Thornbill 3 X

Little Wattlebird 4 X X X X X

Yellow-throated Miner 4 X X

Yellow-plumed Honeyeater 3

New Holland Honeyeater 4 X X X X X X X X X X X X X

White-cheeked Honeyeater 4 X X X X X X X X X X X X

Tawny-crowned Honeyeater 4 X

Scarlet Robin 3 X

Varied Sittella 3 X

Golden Whistler 3

Grey Shrike-thrush 3 X

Black-faced Woodswallow 4 X

Dusky Woodswallow 4

Grey Currawong 4


27

Common Name

Status

code

Ma

njed

al B

roo

k

Ma

yla

nd

s Pen

insu

la

Mt L

aw

ley fo

resho

re

Na

tura

liste Pa

rk

No

ble F

alls/R

eserve

214

6

Palo

ma

Pa

rk

Pin

ey L

ak

es

Rich

ard

Lew

is

Lo

ts 1 &

2 R

ush

ton

Rd

Sh

reev

e Roa

d

Sm

ith's L

ak

e

Th

orb

urn

Park

Trig

om

etric

Un

na

med

, Picn

ic

Site, T

oo

dya

y R

d

Wa

l Hu

gh

es

Wa

nd

oo H

eigh

ts

West S

wan

Ov

al

Wireless H

ill Park

To

tal a

ll reserves

Blue-billed Duck 3 1

Musk Duck 3 2

Australasian Shoveler 3 X 2

Hardhead 3 X X 4

Nankeen Night Heron 4 X 4

Whistling Kite 4 X 2

Brown Goshawk 4 X X X 6

Collared Sparrowhawk 4 X X X 7

Wedge-tailed Eagle 4 X 1

Little Eagle 4 X 1

Dusky Moorhen 3 X X 6

Painted Button-quail 4 X 1

Common Greenshank 2 X 2

Common Sandpiper 2 1

Red-kneed Dotterel 2 1

Common Bronzewing 3 X X X X X X X X 9

Red-tailed Black-

Cockatoo

locally

extinct

X 1

Short-billed Black-

Cockatoo 1,4

X X X X X X 10

Long-billed Black-

Cockatoo 1,4

X 1

Splendid Fairy-wren 3 X X X X X X X X 10

Variegated Fairy-wren 3 3


28

Common Name

Status

code

Ma

njed

al B

roo

k

Ma

yla

nd

s Pen

insu

la

Mt L

aw

ley fo

resho

re

Na

tura

liste Pa

rk

No

ble F

alls/R

eserve

214

6

Palo

ma

Pa

rk

Pin

ey L

ak

es

Rich

ard

Lew

is

Lo

ts 1 &

2 R

ush

ton

Rd

Sh

reev

e Roa

d

Sm

ith's L

ak

e

Th

orb

urn

Park

Trig

om

etric

Un

na

med

, Picn

ic

Site, T

oo

dya

y R

d

Wa

l Hu

gh

es

Wa

nd

oo H

eigh

ts

West S

wan

Ov

al

Wireless H

ill Park

To

tal a

ll reserves

White-browed Scrubwren 3 X X X X X X 8

Weebill 3 X X X X X X X X 8

Inland Thornbill 3 X X X X X 6

Western Thornbill 3 X X X X X X 6

Yellow-rumped Thornbill 3 X X X X X X X X X X 11

Little Wattlebird 4 X X X X X X X X X X 15

Yellow-throated Miner 4 X 3

Yellow-plumed

Honeyeater 3

X 1

New Holland Honeyeater 4 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 28

White-cheeked

Honeyeater 4

X X X X X X X X X X X 23

Tawny-crowned

Honeyeater 4

X 2

Scarlet Robin 3 X X X X 5

Varied Sittella 3 X X X 4

Golden Whistler 3 X X X X X 4

Grey Shrike-thrush 3 X X X X 5

Black-faced

Woodswallow 4

X X 3

Dusky Woodswallow 4 X X 2

Grey Currawong 4 X X 2


29

Bird surveys in selected Perth metropolitan

reserves

A joint biodiversity conservation project between

Birds Australia WA and the Perth Biodiversity

Project

Part B: Site Reports

C.A. Gole

August 2003

Site Name

Baigup Reserve

Site Location

Bayswater

31º55'57" S, 115º54'40" E

Local Government Authority

City of Bayswater

Area (ha)

16 ha

Vegetation Complex

Swan Complex

Wetland levels during survey period

Lagoons below capacity; tidal variation

Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A

Bush Forever Site

no.

313 (part)

Bird Survey Information

Survey period reported: Jan-May 2003

Survey frequency: monthly

Total no. surveys: 6

Average no. observers: 2

Average survey time: 157 mins (range 100-205)

Bird species recorded in survey

period

* denotes introduced species

Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Black Swan 1 50

Australian Shelduck 8 33

Pacific Black Duck 33 100

Australasian Shoveler * 4 50 X

Grey Teal 31 67

Hardhead 2 83 X

Australasian Grebe Confirmed 7 17

Hoary-headed Grebe 3 83

Darter 4 17

Little Pied Cormorant 3 100

Little Black Cormorant 1 67

Great Cormorant 1 33

Australian Pelican 2 33

White-faced Heron 2 83

Great Egret 1 100

Australian White Ibis 11 50

Yellow-billed Spoonbill 2 83

Black-shouldered Kite 67

Brown Goshawk 33 X

Collared Sparrowhawk 17 X

Buff-banded Rail 5 17

Baillon's Crake 1 50

Spotless Crake 3 17

Purple Swamphen 7 17

Dusky Moorhen 5 100 X

Eurasian Coot 19 100

Common Sandpiper 1 100 X

Black-winged Stilt 7 33

Black-fronted Dotterel 5 67

Red-kneed Dotterel 1 67 X

Silver Gull 17

Crested Tern 67



Rainbow Lorikeet* 50



period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Fan-tailed Cuckoo 17

Laughing Kookaburra* 17

Rainbow Bee-eater 33

Western Gerygone 50

Red Wattlebird 50

Little Wattlebird 17 X



New Holland Honeyeater 67 X

White-cheeked Honeyeater 17 X

Rufous Whistler 50

Magpie-lark 50

Grey Fantail 67

Willie Wagtail 17

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike 83

White-winged Triller 33


Australian Raven 83

European Goldfinch*

Mistletoebird Possible 83

Welcome Swallow 17

Tree Martin 33

Clamorous Reed-Warbler 83

Little Grassbird 33

Silvereye 67

Total species = 61 2 10

Other sources of bird survey information

Birds Australia national Bird Atlas database: 1 survey, 7 species

Management plan, 1994. (Meney, K, et al. , 1994). 80 species

Additional significant bird species recorded in other sources

Management Plan

Of the 11 significant bird species recorded by Meney et al. (1994) and not recorded in the 2003 bird

surveys, it is possible that 10 are unlikely to occur at Baigup Reserve. Many bird species listed by

Meney et al may refer to historical records, records from a much wider geographical area, vagrants or

inaccurate observations. The list is thus not useful for the purposes of comparison.

Birds Australia Bird Atlas database:

Nil

GENERAL COMMENTS

A total of 61 bird species were recorded, of which 31 species are water-dependent. Of these, 5 are

significant species under Bush Forever. In addition, the presence of three species of crakes and rails

suggests that the Reserve may be regarded as important habitat for these species on the Swan River

(Jaensch, 1987). The most abundant water-dependent species are Pacific Black-Duck and Grey Teal.

Baigup may represent important habitat for some water-dependent species such as Buff-banded Rail

and crakes and the protection of tidal mudflats and marshes from clearance and disturbance is thus

important (Jaensch, 1987).

Thirty species of bush birds were recorded in the Reserve, including five introduced species. Five

species of bush birds are regarded as significant by Bush Forever, however the reserve does not appear

to be important for small, insectivorous species declining on the Swan Coastal Plain. It is likely that

this is because of existing habitat types rather than management regimes. The site has a relatively

diverse avifauna and is probably of some importance to waterbirds on the Swan River. The crakes,

Buff-banded Rail and most wading birds have been recorded on the southern-most of the two lagoons.

Maintenance of suitable mud flats is important to these species. The introduced aquatic weed Salvinia molesta is a problem in the northernmost of the two lagoons, although periodic attempts are made by

the local council and the Friends of Baigup Reserve to remove it.

Site Name

Banks Reserve

Site Location

Mt Lawley

31º56'35"S,


Town of Vincent Area (ha)

3.5 ha

Vegetation Complex

Vasse Complex


Tidal variation

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped

Bush Forever Site no.

N/A


Survey period reported: Feb-May 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)



Little Pied Cormorant 20

Pied Cormorant 20



Silver Gull 10 20



Little Corella* 20




Striated Pardalote 40

Red Wattlebird 100


Brown Honeyeater 60


Magpie-lark 100

Willie Wagtail 100



Australian Raven 80

Mistletoebird 20

Welcome Swallow 80

Tree Martin 40

Silvereye 80



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Banks Reserve is an urban park on the Swan River foreshore with isolated remnant Flooded Gum

Eucalyptus rudis trees. Some attempts are being made by the local council to use native plant species in

plantings for gardens. Of the seven water-dependent species recorded, none is significant under Bush

Forever. The most abundant of the water-dependent species is Pacific Black Duck. Of the twenty bush

bird species, five are introduced, and one is significant under Bush Forever. If the diversity and

structure of indigenous plant in planted areas is improved, and the size of planted areas is increased,

bush bird diversity may increase in the future.

Site Name

Bardon Park

Site Location

Maylands

31º56'09"S, 115º53'15"E


City of Bayswater

Area (ha)

2.8ha

Vegetation Complex

Swan Complex



Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A


Survey period reported: Jan-April 2003




Average survey time:50 mins (range 45-55)


period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Musk Duck 1 40 X


Darter 2 20



Australian Pelican 20

Great Egret 20


Osprey 20


Eurasian Coot 12 60

Silver Gull 4 40





Red Wattlebird 20



Brown Honeyeater 40



Willie Wagtail 100



European Goldfinch* 20

Welcome Swallow 40

Tree Martin 40


Little Grassbird 20

Silvereye 20



Nil known.


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

The section of Bardon Park surveyed for birds is the natural area south of the urban/foreshore park and

included the Swan River foreshore. The site is currently the focus of rehabilitation work by the local

council, including slashing of the bulrush Typha orientalis. Thirteen water-dependent species, the most

abundant of which is Pacific Black Duck, were recorded in the Park. It may be important for the

survival of bush birds and water-dependent species such as Clamorous Reed-warbler and Little

Grassbird at this site that the staged removal of woody weeds and Typha takes place.

Site Name

Berringa Park

Site Location

Maylands

31º56'19"S, 115º53'43"E


City of Bayswater Area (ha)

10.4 ha

Vegetation Complex

Swan Complex


Tidal variation

Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A


314 (part)








period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Musk Duck 31 60 X

Black Swan 16 80



Grey Teal 19 100

Chestnut Teal 1 20


Darter 2 60







Osprey 1 40


Whistling Kite 20 X

Swamp Harrier 1 20

Australian Hobby 20


Australian Spotted Crake 3 20

Purple Swamphen Confirmed 12 40



Common Greenshank 1 20 X


Silver Gull 50 80

Caspian Tern 5 60

Crested Tern 1 40



Galah 20




Variegated Fairy-wren 20 X


period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)


Red Wattlebird 40





Rufous Whistler 60

Magpie-lark 60

Grey Fantail 40

Willie Wagtail 100




Australian Raven 80

Mistletoebird 20

Welcome Swallow 80

Tree Martin 80

Clamorous Reed-Warbler Confirmed 20

Little Grassbird 80

Silvereye 100



Birds Australia national Bird Atlas database: 1 survey, 10 species

Management plan, 1989. (Meney, K., 1989); 34 species


Nil

GENERAL COMMENTS

Berringa Park supports a relatively high diversity of bird species, including 28 water-dependent

species. A high number of Musk Duck (31) has been recorded sheltering in bays between rush beds at

high tide. At high tide, numbers of waterbirds, including Purple Swamphen and various species of

ducks, shelter in lagoons away from the river. Buff-banded Rail and Australian Spotted Crake have

been recorded using the mudflats between rush beds on the foreshore. It is likely that the numbers of

individual birds and species in the crakes and rails group is under-recorded and that Berringa Park may

represent important habitat for these species on the Swan River. Although the numbers of breeding

records in this project was very low, the rushland habitat of Berringa Park may provide nesting habitat

for secretive species such as crakes and rails. The protection of these tidal mudflats and marshes from

clearance and disturbance is important for the conservation of water-dependent species on the Swan

River (Jaensch, 1987).

Variegated Fairy-wren has been recorded in woody weeds and Melaleuca spp in the area between

parkland and the river. It is important for the survival of this species that weed removal is staged to

retain some thick vegetation at all times.

The removal of riverside trees by residents to enhance views of the river is a management issue in this

reserve. The trees are removed by cutting, poisoning and ringbarking. If the trend continues, the

suitability of the foreshore habitat for bird species such as Rufous Whistler and Grey Fantail , which

require more complex vegetation types, may decline.

Site Name

Brighton Bushland

Site Location

Butler

31º39'13"S, 115º42'09"E


City of Wanneroo Area (ha)

2.7 ha

Vegetation Complex

Cottesloe Complex – Central and\South

Local Natural Area

ID no.

10728


N/A


Survey period reported: Sept-Dec 2002

Survey frequency: Seasonal



Average survey time: 25 mins (range20-30)


period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Yellow-throated Miner 100 X

Magpie-lark 67

Grey Butcherbird 67


Silvereye 33



Nil known.


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Brighton Bushland is a small, relatively isolated fragment of bushland threatened by weed incursions

and the deliberate removal of Grass Trees Xanthorrhoea preissei by earthmoving machinery. The core

area of bushland is 0.9 ha. With adjacent public open space and the drainage reserve, the total area of

the reserve is 2.7 ha. The bushland has been reserved in an area of new housing development, and is a

good example of a reserve which may be too small to adequately conserve area-sensitive and mobile

taxa such as birds. However, the number of surveys is low and it is possible that the reserve has some

use as a corridor.

Brighton Bushland features an extremely low diversity of birds and its conservation importance may be

largely restricted to its significance for other taxa. However, despite the low diversity of bird species,

Yellow-throated Miner appears to be resident in this reserve. While widespread and common in the

heavily-cleared and fragmented wheatbelt, it appears Yellow-throated Miner has declined markedly on

the Swan Coastal Plain (Storr & Johnstone, 1988), and is now restricted to reserves such as Brighton

Bushland in the northern suburbs of the Perth Metropolitan Region. It is common in Whiteman Park, a

large bushland remnant in the north-eastern metropolitan area (M. Brooker, pers. comm.). In the Perth

Biodiversity Project bird surveys, this species has been recorded on only three reserves.

Site Name

Buckland Hill Reserve

Site Location

Mosman Park

32º01'10"S, 115º45'15"E


Town of Mosman Park Area (ha)

6.3 ha

Vegetation Complex

Cottesloe Complex – Central and South

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A


Survey period reported: Aug 2002-May 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)





Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo 11 X

Galah 33




Red Wattlebird 89


Brown Honeyeater 89



Magpie-lark 22

Willie Wagtail 89



Australian Raven 22

Welcome Swallow 56

Silvereye 78



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Five bird species deemed to be significant under Bush Forever have been recorded at Buckland Hill

Reserve. These include Variegated Fairy-wren and the Endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo which

has been recorded in the reserve feeding on the flowers of Harsh Hakea Hakea prostrata. The staged

removal of the woody weed Victorian tea-tree Leptospermum laevigatum, and replacement by a similar

vegetation structure, is important to retain habitat for fairy-wrens and other small birds requiring shelter

and nest sites.

Sites such as Buckland Hill Reserve may form part of a valuable network of habitat remnants providing

food resources for the mobile Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain. Currently, the pine

plantations at Gnangara provide a food resource for Cockatoos over-summering in the Perth

Metropolitan Region. The impact of the future staged removal of the pines at Gnangara is as yet

uncertain (Cale, 2003). It may be important for the survival of the Cockatoos that reserves such as

Buckland Hill are not only retained, but also that native vegetation is maintained in good condition.

Site Name

Cadogan Reserve

Site Location

Kingsley

31º48'58"S, 115º48'08"E


City of Joondalup Area (ha)

4.9 ha

Vegetation Complex

Karrakatta Complex – Central and South

Local Natural Area

ID no.

8068


N/A


Survey period reported: Aug 2002-Sept 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)


Australian Hobby 10



Galah 60

Long-billed Corella* 10



Red-capped Parrot 10


Red Wattlebird 70

Yellow-throated Miner confirmed 80 X


Magpie-lark 40

Grey Butcherbird 30


Australian Raven confirmed 100

Welcome Swallow 90



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Cadogan Reserve is characterised by a relatively low diversity of bird species. A total of 18 bush birds

have been recorded in the reserve, four of which are introduced. However, Yellow-throated Miner,

listed as significant under Bush Forever, is a breeding species in this reserve, and raptors such as

Collared Sparrowhawk and Australian Hobby have also been recorded. While widespread and common

in the heavily-cleared and fragmented wheatbelt, it appears Yellow-throated Miner has declined

markedly on the Swan Coastal Plain (Storr & Johnstone, 1988), and is now restricted to reserves such

as Cadogan Reserve in the northern suburbs of the Perth Metropolitan Region, although it is common

in Whiteman Park (M. Brooker, pers. comm.). In the Perth Biodiversity Project bird surveys, this

species has been recorded in only three reserves.

Site Name

Cassilda Park

Site Location

Two Rocks

31º30'07"S, 115º35'26"E



4.02 ha

Vegetation Complex

Quindalup Complex

Local Natural Area

ID no.

10922


N/A


Survey period reported: Sept 2002-Mar 2003

Survey frequency: seasonal





period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)


Galah 100

Southern Boobook 25

Sacred Kingfisher 25


White-browed Scrubwren 50 X

Red Wattlebird 75


Brown Honeyeater 75



Magpie-lark 50

Grey Fantail 25

Willie Wagtail 50



Welcome Swallow 75

Silvereye 100



Nil known.


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Cassilda Park is comprised of shrubland with some trees on the perimeter. Small significant bush birds

include the sedentary Variegated Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrubwren, both of which have

declined on the Swan Coastal Plain. Grey Fantail, a mobile species requiring more complex vegetation

structure than that provided in urban parks, has also been recorded. Maintenance of vegetation structure

is important to the long-term survival of small bush birds in parks such as this. Weed control, an

appropriate fire regime and planted local vegetation buffers on the margins are possible management

strategies for this reserve.

Site Name

Chichester Park

Site Location

Woodvale

31º47'18"S, 115º47'14"E



1.34 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

North Remnant

Australian Hobby 10


Galah 30




Red Wattlebird 80


Brown Honeyeater 10

Magpie-lark confirmed 30

Willie Wagtail 30



Grey Butcherbird 30


Australian Raven 50

Total species, north remnant =

16

1 0

South Remnant




Red Wattlebird 70

Grey Butcherbird 30


Australian Raven 20

Total species, south remnant = 7 0 0

Total species, both remnants =

17

1 0


Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Chichester Park is comprised of parkland and two fragmented remnants of bushland. The northern

remnant is comprised of remnant woodland and Banksia overstorey. The southern remnant is

comprised largely of a Banksia overstorey. Both remnants and the parkland were separately surveyed

for birds to see if there were any differential use of habitats.

No bird species designated as significant under Bush Forever was recorded using Chichester Park. The

northern remnant showed the greater diversity of bird species, with more than twice the number

recorded using this area than used the southern remnant. An additional six bird species were recorded

in the parkland areas. These were Australian Shelduck, Long-billed Corella*, Galah, Laughing

Kookaburra*, Willie Wagtail and Silvereye. In general, the bird species recorded at Chichester Park are

those which characterise Perth's urban areas, including gardens. The remnants may have some

importance as corridors for mobile bird species such as Striated Pardalote and White-winged Triller.

Enlarging the remnants through planting programmes may enhance their habitat value for birds.

Site Name

Ern Stapleton Reserve

Site Location

Attadale Local Government Authority

City of Melville Area (ha)

0.74 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

5176


N/A


Survey period reported: Dec 2002-April 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)







Red Wattlebird 100


Brown Honeyeater 50

Grey Butcherbird 67


Australian Raven 67

Tree Martin 17



Wooller (1999). 10 species.


Nil

GENERAL COMMENTS

A total of 13 bird species has been recorded in this reserve, none of which is significant under Bush

Forever. It is not known if this site is an important nesting site for birds utilising nearby gardens. It may

have some value as a corridor and for food resources for mobile species such as Red-capped Parrot and

Striated Pardalote which utilise remnant native vegetation.

Site Name

Gobba Lake

Site Location

31º55'33"S, 115º55'42"E Local Government Authority


1.7 ha

Vegetation Complex

Swan Complex


Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

6412


N/A


Survey period reported: Jan-April 2003

Survey frequency: Monthly





period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Blue-billed Duck 1 20 X



Grey Teal 2 20

Hardhead 5 80 X

Australasian Grebe 6 100

Darter 1 40

White-faced Heron 20

Nankeen Night Heron 1 20 X



Eurasian Coot 8 100



Corella species 40


Pallid Cuckoo 20



Red Wattlebird 20


Brown Honeyeater 60

Magpie-lark 20

Willie Wagtail 60



Australian Raven 40

Mistletoebird 20

Tree Martin 60


Silvereye 40



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Gobba Lake is an old excavation site now filled with water. The lake, the immediate surrounds and the

adjacent parkland were surveyed for birds. Nearby wasteland/grassland areas were not included in the

survey site. All four significant species recorded at this site are water-dependent. These include Blue-

billed Duck and Hardhead, both diving ducks preferring deeper water. Of the 13 water-dependent

species recorded at the site, the most abundant were Pacific Black Duck, Eurasian Coot and

Australasian Grebe.

The City of Bayswater plans to excavate part of the lake to allow for shallow water and thus increase

the habitat types for waterbirds. While the site is not currently important for small insectivorous birds,

the planting of local indigenous plants with floristic and structural diversity might allow for improved

habitat for this group of bird species. There is considerable scope for such planting in the vicinity of

Gobba Lake.

Site Name

Harry Sandon Park

Site Location

Attadale

32º01'40"S, 115º48'24"E



4.3 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A


226








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Australian White Ibis 17




Galah 33





Red Wattlebird 100



Brown Honeyeater 83


Magpie-lark 33

Willie Wagtail 67



Australian Raven 83

Silvereye 17



Wooller (1999). 17 species


Collared Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon. These are mobile species which may utilise the reserve at

various times.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Harry Sandon Park is a remnant Banksia woodland. Three significant species, including the endangered

Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo were recorded in the Park. At least 5 Cockatoos were recorded on one

occasion in the Park, however there is anecdotal evidence from a local resident that the Cockatoos' use

of the reserve may be much greater. Sites such as Harry Sandon Park may form part of a valuable

network of habitat remnants providing food resources for the mobile Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo on the

Swan Coastal Plain. Currently, the pine plantations at Gnangara provide a food resource for Cockatoos

over-summering in the Perth Metropolitan Region. The impact of the future staged removal of the

pines at Gnangara is as yet uncertain (Cale, 2003). It may be important for the survival of the

Cockatoos that reserves such as Harry Sandon Park are not only retained, but also that native

vegetation is maintained in good condition.

The water-dependent species Australian White Ibis was recorded feeding on surrounding lawns. Of the

19 bush birds recorded in the Park, four are introduced.

Site Name

Hinds Reserve

Site Location

Bayswater

31º55'51"S, 115º54'59"E



1.3 ha

Vegetation Complex

Swan Complex


Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Silver Gull 33





Laughing Kookaburra 17



Red Wattlebird 67




Rufous Whistler 33

Magpie-lark 33

Willie Wagtail 83



Australian Raven 33

Welcome Swallow 33

Tree Martin 17

Silvereye 33



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Hinds Reserve is a small reserve separated from the nearby Baigup Reserve by Garret Road and the

Garrett Road Bridge. The foreshore parkland was not surveyed for birds. During most of the survey

period, the creekline was dry or well below capacity, and the number of water-dependent species using

the Reserve was limited to one. At other times, the area might be utilised by other waterbirds. New

Holland Honeyeater was the only significant species utilising the Reserve during the survey period,

however Rufous Whistler, a species requiring more complex vegetation, was also recorded in the

Reserve.

The area consists of a creekline with associated vegetation, and some relatively open space with some

potential for regeneration of local native bushland plant species. With such replanting, the numbers of

bush birds using the reserve might increase. The site may have considerable value along the Swan

River foreshore as a corridor

Site Name

Hume Road Wildlife Reserve

Site Location

Thornlie

32º03'33"S, 115º57'36"E


City of Gosnells Area (ha)

3.3 ha

Vegetation Complex

Southern River Complex

Local Natural Area

ID no.

4857


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Galah 20




Red Wattlebird 100


Brown Honeyeater 60

Rufous Whistler 20

Magpie-lark 60


Grey Butcherbird 20


Australian Raven 40

Silvereye 20



Nil known.


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Fourteen species of bush birds have been recorded at Hume Road Wildlife Reserve, of which none are

significant under Bush Forever. However, Striated Pardalote and Rufous Whistler utilise the Reserve,

suggesting that it has some importance for some bird species requiring remnant habitat to survive in

urban areas.

Site Name

Hyde Park

Site Location

Perth

31º56'16"S, 115º51'47"E



13.5 ha

Vegetation Complex

Karrakatta Complex: Central and South


Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Black Swan 55

Australian Shelduck 73

Australian Wood Duck 14 100


Muscovy Duck* 1 9


Hoary-headed Grebe 9




Nankeen Night Heron 9 X


Yellow-billed Spoonbill 9

Purple Swamphen 9



Silver Gull 50 100



Corella species* 18



Sacred Kingfisher 9


Red Wattlebird 45

Singing Honeyeater possible 73

Brown Honeyeater 55

Magpie-lark 45

Willie Wagtail 82


Australian Raven confirmed 91




Birds Australia national Bird Atlas database: 14 surveys, 27 species.


Nil

GENERAL COMMENTS

This urban park consists of highly modified wetlands and mature parkland vegetation with some

remnant Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata, Flooded Gum E. rudis and paperbark Melaleuca spp . Of the 32

bird species recorded within the survey period, two water-dependent species are considered significant

under Bush Forever. Eighteen water-dependent species have been recorded. Pacific Black Duck,

Eurasian Coot and Silver Gull are the most abundant of these species and have been recorded on each

survey. Observers recorded numbers of dead or dying waterbirds, suggesting that botulism may

continue to be a problem in the Park wetlands.

There is no evidence that the Park provides a corridor for mobile native vegetation-dependent species

such as Western Gerygone or Grey Fantail, although J. Dell (pers. comm.) has reported the use of the

Park by Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo. No information is available on the numbers of cockatoos using the

Park, nor whether they were feeding. The eventual replacement of some of the introduced parkland

plant species with indigenous plant species, including trees, may increase the Park's habitat value for

mobile bush birds such as Little Wattlebird and other honeyeaters and insectivorous birds such as

Western Gerygone.

Site Name

Jerrat Drive Foreshore

Site Location

East Fremantle

32º01'41"S, 115º46'16"E


Town of East Fremantle Area (ha)

2.8 ha

Vegetation Complex



Tidal variation

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A


Survey period reported: Nov 2002-May 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Black Swan 43


Darter 14


Little Black Cormorant 14

Great Cormorant 14




Common Sandpiper 29 X

Silver Gull 100

Caspian Tern 14



Corella species* 43




Red Wattlebird 100


Brown Honeyeater 29



Magpie-lark 57

Willie Wagtail 86


Grey Butcherbird 43


Australian Raven 71

Welcome Swallow 29

Total species =30 0 5


Ecoscape (1993). 16 species.


Nil

GENERAL COMMENTS

Of the 30 bird species recorded at the Jerrat Drive Foreshore, 12 are water-dependent. Two of these,

Nankeen Night Heron and Common Sandpiper are significant species.

Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo has also been recorded using the reserve, but there is no information on the

numbers of birds or usage. Sites such as the Jerrat Drive Foreshore may form part of a valuable





Cockatoos that reserves such as Jerrat Drive are not only retained, but also that native vegetation is

maintained in good condition.

The removal of riverside trees by residents to enhance views of the river is a management issue in this

reserve. The trees are removed by poisoning or ringbarking. If the trend continues, the suitability of the

foreshore habitat for mobile bird species such as Striated Pardalote, which may require more complex

vegetation types, may decline.

Site Name

Ken Hurst Park

Site Location

Leeming

32º04'50"S, 115º52'58"E



52.4 ha

Vegetation Complex

Bassendean Complex – Central and South

Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A


245


Survey period reported: Dec 2002-May 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Osprey 11

Brown Goshawk 11 X

Australian Hobby 11

Rock Dove* 33





Galah 44





Splendid Fairy-wren 89 X


Western Gerygone 56

Red Wattlebird 89



Brown Honeyeater 89



Western Spinebill 33

Scarlet Robin 11 X

Varied Sittella 11 X

Rufous Whistler 100


Magpie-lark 78

Grey Fantail 22

Willie Wagtail 89


Grey Butcherbird 89


Australian Raven 89


period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Welcome Swallow 22

Silvereye 89



Birds Australia national Bird Atlas database: 3 surveys, 16 species

Dell & Cooper (1992): 36 species

ATA Environmental (2003). 61 species


Whistling Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Little Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Painted Button-quail, Australian

Owlet-nightjar, Weebill, Western Thornbill, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Little Wattlebird, Black-faced

Woodswallow.

Some of these are mobile species which may use the reserve at various times. These are Whistling Kite,

Wedge-tailed Eagle, Little Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Weebill, Little Wattlebird and Black-faced

Woodswallow. Two species – Painted Button-quail and Australian Owlet-nightjar – are often recorded

opportunistically by observers, and may still be present. The absence of the thornbills, both Western

and Yellow-rumped, may be due to local extinction or local movements through contiguous bushland

(Jandakot Airport and John Carroll Park). In some cases, survey data may refer to historical data or to

data for a larger geographical area.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Ken Hurst Park is the second largest of the reserves surveyed for birds for the Perth Biodiversity

Project. Although the number of species recorded is not high (30), 10 species - 28% - of the bush bird

species recorded are significant under Bush Forever. These include resident species such as Common

Bronzewing, Splendid Fairy-wren, Grey Shrike-thrush and Scarlet Robin now declining on the Swan

Coastal Plain. Ken Hurst Park is the only Swan Coastal Plain site in this project where Grey Shrike-

thrush was recorded. Significant birds also include more mobile species such as Carnaby's Black-

Cockatoo, and some of the honeyeaters such as Little Wattlebird, New Holland Honeyeater and White-

cheeked Honeyeater. Varied Sittella has a large home range and may be locally confined to Ken Hurst

and adjacent bushland.

A flock of at least 100 Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo has been recorded feeding on Banksia spp in the

Park. Sites such as Ken Hurst Park may form part of a valuable network of habitat remnants providing

food resources for the mobile Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain. Currently, the pine

plantations at Gnangara provide a food resource for Cockatoos over-summering in the Perth

Metropolitan Region. The impact of the future staged removal of the pines at Gnangara is as yet

uncertain (Cale, 2003). It may be important for the survival of the Cockatoos that reserves such as Ken

Hurst Park are not only retained, but also that native vegetation is maintained in good condition.

Ken Hurst Park is part of a contiguous area of bushland which includes Jandakot Airport and John

Connell Reserve. The most immediate threat to the obvious faunal conservation values of the Park is

likely to be habitat fragmentation and degradation through the planned extension of Roe Highway

through the heart of the Park. It is highly improbable that small, insectivorous birds such as Fairy-

wrens will able to traverse the highway and easement (Brooker, Brooker & Cale, 1999).

Site Name

Kinsale Park

Site Location

Mindarie

31º40'56"S, 115º41'59"E



6 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

10069


N/A


Survey period reported: Sept 2002-May 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Nankeen Kestrel 10

Rock Dove* 10


Galah 10




Western Gerygone 20

Red Wattlebird Possible 30


Brown Honeyeater 30



Magpie-lark 10

Willie Wagtail 10

Grey Butcherbird 50


Australian Raven 40

Welcome Swallow 30

Silvereye 60

Species total = 20 1 3


Nil known.


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Most of Kinsale Park was burnt during the survey period in January 2003. The Park is adjacent to other

bushland which remained unburnt. Such fire mosaics are critical for the long-term conservation value

of bushland remnants on the Swan Coastal Plain, in particular for the survival of small insectivorous

species such as White-browed Scrubwren which inhabit dense vegetation (Brooker, 1995; Dell & How,

1995). White-browed Scrubwren was recorded early in the survey period and has not been recorded

since the fire of January 2003. Assuming that this species has moved to nearby unburnt vegetation, the

maintenance of unburnt vegetation in the area is likely to be necessary to the long-term survival of this

species in this area. It is probable that the fire affected the total number of species which might

otherwise have been recorded using this reserve on a periodic basis.

Of the 20 bird species recorded in the Park, three are considered significant under Bush Forever,

including White-browed Scrubwren, a species now declining on the Swan Coastal Plain. Mobile bird

species such as Striated Pardalote and Western Gerygone, which may require more complex habitat for

long-term survival have also been recorded in the Park. In addition to appropriate fire regimes, weed

control to maintain vegetation structure and floristic diversity is important to maintain the conservation

value of Kinsale Park.

Site Name

Korella Park

Site Location

Mullaloo

31º46'44"S, 115º4'18"E



2.5 ha

Vegetation Complex

Quindalup Complex

Local Natural Area

ID no.

8678


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Straw-necked Ibis 10

Australian Hobby 10




Galah 10





Singing Honeyeater Possible 90

Brown Honeyeater 70



Magpie-lark 60

Willie Wagtail 80

Grey Butcherbird 20


Australian Raven 40

Welcome Swallow 50

Tree Martin 40

Silvereye 60



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Korella Park consists largely of shrubland which is actively managed for restricted access and weed

control by the Friends of Korella Park. Four species of birds using Korella Park are considered to be

significant. These include three species of honeyeaters – Little Wattlebird, New Holland Honeyeater

and White-cheeked Honeyeater. There was one record of a pair of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo using the

Park, although the birds' use of the Park was not recorded. Sites such as Korella Park may form part of

a valuable network of habitat remnants providing food resources for the mobile Carnaby's Black-

Cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain. Currently, the pine plantations at Gnangara provide a food

resource for Cockatoos over-summering in the Perth Metropolitan Region. The impact of the future

staged removal of the pines at Gnangara is as yet uncertain (Cale, 2003). It may be important for the

survival of the Cockatoos that reserves such as Korella Park are not only retained, but also that native

vegetation is maintained in good condition.

It would appear that Korella Park might provide useful ephemeral resources for mobile bird species

such as honeyeaters and the endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo. Ongoing vegetation protection and

enhancement measures would maintain and might increase this value to locally mobile species.

Site Name

Lightning Swamp Bushland

Site Location

Noranda Local Government Authority


70 ha

Vegetation Complex



Wetland/dampland dry; drain below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A


307



Survey frequency: bimonthly





period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)


Great Egret 1 25

Swamp Harrier 25

Brown Goshawk 25 X




Corella species 25

Galah 50




Elegant Parrot 25

Rainbow Bee-eater Confirmed 25



Western Gerygone 25


Yellow-rumped Thornbill Possible 75 X

Red Wattlebird 50







Rufous Whistler 75

Magpie-lark 50

Grey Fantail 50

Willie Wagtail 75






Welcome Swallow 50


period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Tree Martin 75

Silvereye 75




Management plan, 2002. (Grace et al. , 2002). 86 species


Bird Atlas database:

Hardhead, Collared Sparrowhawk, Little Eagle, Varied Sittella, Little Wattlebird. These are mobile

species or species using ephemeral resources and might be expected to occur periodically on the site.

Management plan: while some bird species were recorded during period of writing the Plan, the plan

also refers to bird species expected to occur over wider geographical area, some of which would no

longer occur at or even near Lightning Swamp. The list is thus not useful for the purposes of

comparison.

GENERAL COMMENT

The wetland/dampland areas of this reserve were dry during the survey period; some water was

retained in the drain dissecting the reserve. Only three species (<8%) recorded in the survey period

were water-dependent species. Thus, no comment can be made on the importance of this reserve for

waterbirds.

Of the 35 bush birds recorded at Lightning Swamp, 25% (9 species) are regarded as significant under

Bush Forever. These include sedentary species such as Splendid Fairy-wren, Inland Thornbill and

Yellow-rumped Thornbill, together with mobile species such as Brown Goshawk, Carnaby's Black-

Cockatoo, New Holland, White-cheeked and Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters, and Black-faced

Woodswallow. Other birds recorded at the site and probably dependent on remnant native vegetation

for long-term survival are Striated Pardalote, Western Gerygone, Rufous Whistler and Grey Fantail.

Although some species (e.g. Grey Shrike-thrush, Scarlet Robin) have not been recorded in the reserve,

this relatively large (70 ha) reserve has significant conservation values for bush birds on the Swan

Coastal Plain.

The endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo has been recorded at this site, although no information is

available on the numbers of birds or usage of the reserve. Sites such as Lightning Swamp Bushland

may form part of a valuable network of habitat remnants providing food resources for the mobile

Cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain. Currently, the pine plantations at Gnangara provide a food

resource for Carnaby's Cockatoos over-summering in the Perth Metropolitan Region. The impact of the

future staged removal of the pines at Gnangara is as yet uncertain (Cale, 2003). It may be important for

the survival of the Cockatoos that reserves such as Lightning Swamp Bushland are not only retained,

but also that native vegetation is maintained in good condition.

Site Name

Locke Crescent Nature Reserve

Site Location

East Fremantle

32º01'49"S, 115º46'07"E


Town of East Fremantle Area (ha)

0.86 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

5062


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)




Corella species* 14

Galah 14




Red Wattlebird 100


Brown Honeyeater 57



Magpie-lark 29

Willie Wagtail 14

Grey Butcherbird 14


Australian Raven 29

Welcome Swallow 14

Total species = 19 species 0 2


Hoj-Hansen (2000). 25 species


Nil

GENERAL COMMENTS

A small number of bush bird species (19) has been recorded at this small, isolated reserve. Two

species, both honeyeaters, are significant under Bush Forever, and may rely on ephemeral resources

provided by small reserves such as Locke Crescent. Maintenance and improvement of vegetation

quality and structure through weed control and limiting access are important to reserves of this size.

Site Name

Manjedal Brook

Site Location

Whitby

32º17'14"S, 116º00'01"E


Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale Area (ha)

12.7 ha

Vegetation Complex

Forrestfield Complex


Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A


Survey period reported: July 2002-May 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)




White-necked Heron 9

Brown Goshawk 9 X


Rock Dove* 9



Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo 18 X


Corella species 9

Galah 64

Regent Parrot 9



Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo 9

Shining Bronze-Cuckoo 18





Spotted Pardalote 36



Weebill 82 X

Western Gerygone 100


Western Thornbill 9 X


Red Wattlebird 91


Yellow-plumed Honeyeater 9 X

White-naped Honeyeater 64 X




period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)


Scarlet Robin 55 X

Red-capped Robin 27

Varied Sittella 9 X

Golden Whistler 27 X

Rufous Whistler 100

Magpie-lark 18

Grey Fantail 100

Willie Wagtail 91



Dusky Woodswallow 18 X

Grey Butcherbird 18



Mistletoebird 18

Welcome Swallow 18

Tree Martin 36

Silvereye 91



Birds Australia national Bird Atlas database: nil surveys

Database of WA Birds: nil surveys


Of the 55 bird species recorded at Manjedal Brook, only four (7%) are water-dependent species.

Despite its size, only 12.5 ha, the reserve recorded the highest number of species significant under

Bush Forever. More than one third (37%) of the bush birds recorded at this site are significant. These

include Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo and Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, species no longer extant on most

of the Swan Coastal Plain. Sedentary species of significance include Splendid Fairy-wren, White-

browed Scrubwren, Inland, Western and Yellow-rumped Thornbill, and Scarlet Robin. Golden

Whistler may be sedentary or display movements from the Darling Range to the Swan Coastal Plain in

winter (Higgins & Peter, 2002). At Manjedal Brook, the Golden Whistler was recorded in Winter

(August), suggesting the site may be important for the movement of birds from the Darling Range.

More mobile significant species include White-naped Honeyeater, Varied Sittella and Dusky

Woodswallow. Most of these species were otherwise only recorded for the project in the Darling

Range. Other species probably dependent on remnant vegetation for long-term survival include the

migratory Horsfield's Cuckoo and Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, and locally mobile species such as Western

Gerygone, Weebill, Rufous Whistler and Grey Fantail.

The endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo has been recorded at this site, although no information is

available on the numbers of birds or usage of the reserve. Sites such as Manjedal Brook may form part

of a valuable network of habitat remnants providing food resources for the mobile Cockatoo on and

near the Swan Coastal Plain. Currently, the pine plantations at Gnangara provide a food resource for

Carnaby's Cockatoos over-summering in the Perth Metropolitan Region. The impact of the future


survival of the Cockatoos that reserves such as Manjedal Brook are not only retained, but also that

native vegetation is maintained in good condition.

Despite the weedy understorey, this reserve clearly benefits from an intact overstorey and its proximity

to the Darling Range, where bird species now in serious decline on the Swan Coastal Plain are still

present in reasonable numbers. Management issues for this important reserve include ongoing weed

control and the maintenance of effective corridors with other vegetation remnants.

Site Name

Maylands Peninsula

Site Location

Maylands

31º57'03"S, 115º54'41"E



7.4ha

Vegetation Complex

Swan Complex



Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Black Swan 25



Grey Teal 34 100


Darter 3 100



Great Cormorant 25



Great Egret 1 25



Black-shouldered Kite 1 50




Eurasian Coot 6 100


Silver Gull 10 75

Caspian Tern 1 25

Crested Tern 1 25





Red Wattlebird 75




Magpie-lark 75

Willie Wagtail 100



Australian Raven 25


period


Breeding on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Mistletoebird 50

Little Grassbird 25

Silvereye 25



Nil known.


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

The area surveyed for birds includes the Swan River foreshore and the areas of rushes, samphire flats

and lagoons nearby.

Of the 39 species recorded for the Maylands Peninsula site, over half (22) are water-dependent. The

most abundant waterbird species are Grey Teal and Pacific Black Duck. Buff-banded Rail have also

been recorded at the site. The conservation of natural areas of rushes and samphires on the Swan River

is important for the conservation of crakes and rails (Jaensch, 1987). The presence of Buff-banded Rail

suggests that the Reserve may be regarded as important habitat for this species on the Swan River. As

the site is difficult to survey, species of crakes may be present but not recorded.

The site supports a reasonable diversity of waterbirds, but appears to be less important for bush birds.

The major conservation and management issue for the Maylands Peninsula samphire flats is the

protection of its wetland habitats against degradation by weeds and uncontrolled access, and its long-

term protection against clearing for urban development.

Site Name

Mount Lawley Foreshore

Site Location

Mount Lawley

31º56'29"S, 115º52'56"E



1.8 ha

Vegetation Complex

Swan Complex



Local Natural Area

ID no.


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)



Darter 20


Pied Cormorant 20

Eurasian Coot 5 60

Silver Gull 20






Red Wattlebird 20




Magpie-lark 20

Willie Wagtail 40


Australian Raven 40

Welcome Swallow 60

Tree Martin 20

Silvereye 40



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

This small site is adjacent to Banks Reserve on the Swan River foreshore, and forms part of a

continuous strip of remnant foreshore vegetation. Seven of the 23 bird species recorded in the area are

water-dependent, although the number of surveys is still low and this number may be expected to rise.

Major threats to the conservation value of this area are the fragmentation of habitat from the planned

cycleway through the foreshore area, and weeds. The site is unlikely to be significant for bush birds,

but does represent a habitat type now largely lost on the Swan River. As it forms part of a continuous

vegetation link on the River foreshore, it may act as a corridor for mobile species. The corridor values

of an adjacent site are threatened by the cutting of riverside trees by residents to enhance views of the

river. If this trend continues, the corridor potential of sites such as the Mount Lawley foreshore will be

diminished. Planting to increase the diversity of plant species and structure may increase the value of

this site for bush birds.

Site Name

Naturaliste Park

Site Location

Illuka

31º44'31"S, 115º43'56"E



3.3 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

9294


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Silver Gull 10


Galah 20




Red Wattlebird 90


Yellow-throated Miner 50 X


Brown Honeyeater 80



Magpie-lark 10

Willie Wagtail 10


Grey Butcherbird 60


Australian Raven 30

Welcome Swallow 10

Silvereye 90



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENT

One third (7) of the bird species recorded at Naturaliste Park are in the honeyeater family

(Meliphagidae). This number includes three considered significant under Bush Forever: Yellow-

throated Miner, New Holland Honeyeater and White-cheeked Honeyeater. While widespread and

common in the heavily-cleared and fragmented wheatbelt, it appears Yellow-throated Miner has

declined markedly on the Swan Coastal Plain (Storr & Johnstone, 1988), and is now restricted to

reserves such as Cadogan Reserve in the northern suburbs of the Perth Metropolitan Region. In the

Perth Biodiversity Project bird surveys, this species has been recorded in only three reserves.

This reserve may be too small to support small, resident, insectivorous species such as the declining

White-winged Fairy-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren and White-browed Scrub-wren which often inhabit

coastal scrubs. The reserve may provide a useful corridor for some honeyeater species moving through

coastal and near-coastal habitats. Weed control, and control of unauthorised access are management

issues in this reserve.

Site Name

Noble Falls/Reserve 2146

Site Location

Gidgegannup

31º46'02"S, 116º13'55"E


City of Swan Area (ha)

50.5 ha

Vegetation Complex

Murray 2


Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Darling Range

Regional Park


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Australian Wood Duck possible 40

Pacific Black Duck confirmed 60

Grey Teal 20




Little Eagle 10 X


White-tailed Black-Cockatoo 10 X

Galah 40



Pallid Cuckoo 10








Weebill 50 X




Red Wattlebird 50


Yellow-plumed Honeyeater 10 X

White-naped Honeyeater 30 X

Brown Honeyeater 80


Scarlet Robin 50 X

Red-capped Robin 10



Rufous Whistler 60


period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)


Magpie-lark 20

Grey Fantail 70

Willie Wagtail 40



Black-faced Woodswallow confirmed 10 X

Dusky Woodswallow 10 X


Grey Currawong 10 X

Australian Raven 70

Tree Martin 20

Silvereye 40





Nil

GENERAL COMMENTS

This reserve is situated in the Darling Range, beyond the limit of the Perth Metropolitan Region. Many

of the significant species recorded at this reserve are still relatively common in the Darling Range,

although they have undergone extensive range retraction or extinction on the Swan Coastal Plain. Of

the 44 bush birds recorded at Noble Falls/Reserve 2146, >38% are considered significant under Bush

Forever. Significant sedentary species include Splendid Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren,

Western and Yellow-rumped Thornbills; Scarlet Robin, Grey Shrike-thrush and Grey Currawong.

More mobile significant species which might use the reserve on a more periodic basis include Yellow-

plumed and White-naped Honeyeater, both of which are extinct or almost so on the Swan Coastal

Plain, and have declined in range and abundance in the wheatbelt (Saunders & Ingram 1995). White-

tailed Black-Cockatoo records for the site may refer to either Carnaby's or Baudin's Black-Cockatoo,

both of which are mobile species considered to be significant.

The range of significant bird species in this reserve means it has a useful role in the conservation of

birds now declining or extinct on the Swan Coastal Plain. Management issues for the reserve include

controlling access by relatively large numbers of visitors and weed control along Wooroloo Brook.

Some weed control for the invasive environmental weed Watsonia spp is already being undertaken by

the Shire of Swan.

Site Name

Paloma Park

Site Location

Marangaroo

31º49'56"S, 115º51'02"E



5.8 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Rainbow Lorikeet 10





Brown Honeyeater 50


Magpie-lark 20

Grey Butcherbird 30

Australian Magpie Possible 80

Australian Raven 20



Nil known.


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

The vegetation structure in this small isolated reserve is an intact overstorey and a relatively low

understorey in good condition. A low number of bird species was recorded in the Park, one of them

(New Holland Honeyeater) significant under Bush Forever. There is no evidence that this reserve

provides a corridor for more mobile species such as Western Gerygone and Grey Fantail that may

require more complex vegetation for long-term survival. However, this may reflect the existing

vegetation structure which may be naturally largely unsuitable for many insectivorous birds requiring

complex understorey. A planting programme to increase vegetation structure may not be appropriate

for this remnant.

Management issues at the reserve include weed control, track access and rubbish removal.

Site Name

Piney Lakes Reserve

Site Location

Winthrop

32º02'59"S, 115º50'14"E



Bushland 31.9 ha

Parkland 30 ha

Vegetation Complex



Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A


339




Total no. surveys: bushland 8, parkland 7


Average survey time:

Bushland: 106 mins (range 75-120)

Parkland: 64 mins (range 15-120)


period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Bushland

Black Swan 13


Australasian Shoveler 13 X

Grey Teal 38

Hardhead 25 X

Australasian Grebe confirmed 25


Pied Cormorant 13


Australian Pelican 13


Great Egret 25

Australian White Ibis 25


Whistling Kite 13 X

Brown Goshawk 13 X

Eurasian Coot 6 88

Common Greenshank 13 X





Galah 25

Rainbow Lorikeet 25






Western Gerygone 13



Red Wattlebird 100




period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Brown Honeyeater 75




Rufous Whistler 13

Magpie-lark 63

Willie Wagtail 75





Welcome Swallow 75

Tree Martin 38


Silvereye 100

Total species =50 1 13

Parkland

Black Swan 14

Australian Wood Duck 14

Pacific Black Duck confirmed 86

Hardhead 57 X

Australasian Grebe 86

Hoary-headed Grebe 14



Eurasian Coot 86

Black-fronted Dotterel 43

Silver Gull 14




Red Wattlebird 71


Brown Honeyeater 71


Magpie-lark 100

Willie Wagtail 86


Australian Raven 57

Welcome Swallow 71

Tree Martin 29


Silvereye 29


Site total species = 54

Site total

breeding

species = 2

Total site = 13


Birds Australia national Bird Atlas database: 17 surveys, 57 sp.

Database of WA Birds: 25 surveys, 77 species

Ecoscape (1992). 61 species



Collared Sparrowhawk, Dusky Moorhen, Inland Thornbill.

Database of WA Birds:

Musk Duck, Little Eagle, Weebill, Inland Thornbill

Ecoscape (1992):

Musk Duck, Collared Sparrowhawk, Little Eagle, Dusky Moorhen, Inland Thornbill, Varied Sittella.

Of the seven significant bird species recorded elsewhere and not recorded in the PBP surveys, six are

considered mobile and may utilise the site at various times. Inland Thornbill is considered sedentary or

resident (Higgins & Peter, 2002). Its disappearance from Piney Lakes Reserve may represent local

extinction.

GENERAL COMMENTS

The bushland and parkland areas of this reserve were separately surveyed for birds. Both landscaped

and natural areas include wetlands.

Of the thirteen significant bird species recorded at Piney Lakes Reserve, 10 were only recorded in the

bushland areas. These included small, resident, insectivorous declining species such as Splendid Fairy-

wren, White-browed Scrubwren and Western Thornbill. Only three significant species were recorded in

the landscaped areas of the reserve: these were Hardhead, a species of diving duck favouring deeper

water, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, a small insectivore using bushland and open areas New Holland

Honeyeater. Four bird species were recorded only in the parkland/landscaped areas, and not in the

natural wetland. These were Australian Wood Duck, Hoary-headed Grebe, Black-fronted Dotterel and

Silver Gull.

Piney Lakes Reserve represents important habitat for some bird species now declining on the Swan

Coastal Plain. As bushland takes up only half the available space in the reserve, areas near natural

habitats may offer opportunities for plantings acting as buffers or increasing the habitat available for

declining bushbirds.

Site Name

Richard Lewis Park

Site Location

Leeming

32º02'58"S, 115º51'37"E



5.1 ha

Vegetation Complex



Dry

Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A


338 (part)








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)









Weebill 17 X


Red Wattlebird 67



Brown Honeyeater 83



Rufous Whistler 17

Magpie-lark 17

Grey Fantail 17

Willie Wagtail 67



Australian Raven 83

Welcome Swallow 33

Tree Martin 17

Silvereye 100



Street (1995).


Records in Street (1995) for the Bull Creek Wetlands refer to a wider geographical area and thus are

not considered here.

GENERAL COMMENTS

This small reserve is a dampland with a high number of significant bird species relative to its size.

Three small, resident, insectivorous bird species known to be in decline on the Swan Coastal Plain

were recorded in the Park. These are Splendid Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren and Yellow-

rumped Thornbill. Weebill has also been recorded in the reserve. This small, canopy feeder has only

been recorded in eight of the 39 project sites. In this reserve, it is likely to be dependent on Flooded

Gum Eucalyptus rudis for its continued presence in the Park. Rufous Whistler and Grey Fantail have

also been recorded in the reserve. All these species may be dependent on vegetation remnants for long-

term survival on the Swan Coastal Plain.

At Richard Lewis Park there is some possibility for additional plantings to extend the core habitat areas

beyond the existing habitat boundaries. These would provide a buffer or additional habitat for some of

the small bushbird species inhabiting this reserve.

Site Name

Rushton Road, Lots 1 & 2

Site Location

Martin

32º03'49"S, 116º01'18"E



4.9 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

4636

Darling Range

Regional Park


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Wedge-tailed Eagle 25 X





Galah 75





Spotted Pardalote 100



Weebill 75 X

Western Gerygone 50



Red Wattlebird 25



Brown Honeyeater 25




Scarlet Robin 25 X


Rufous Whistler 50


Grey Fantail 25

Willie Wagtail 75


Grey Butcherbird 50


Australian Raven 25


period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Red-eared Firetail 50 X

Mistletoebird 100

Tree Martin

Silvereye



Harvey et al. (1997)


Records in Harvey et al., (1997) for the Ridge Hill Shelf refer to a wider geographical area and thus are

not considered here.

GENERAL COMMENTS

This Darling Range foothills site is contiguous with large tracts of bushland, including the adjacent

Ellis Brook Reserve. Two of the site boundaries are difficult to determine.

Of a total of 36 bush bird species recorded at Rushton Road during the current surveys, 14 (39%) are

considered significant under Bush Forever. These include resident species such as Common

Bronzewing, Splendid Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Western and Yellow-rumped Thornbills,

Scarlet Robin , Grey Shrike-thrush and Red-eared Firetail. Red-eared Firetail is extinct on the Swan

Coastal Plain and in the Perth Metropolitan Region is now restricted to the Darling Range (How &

Dell, 1993; Storr & Johnstone, 1988). More mobile significant species recorded at the site include

Wedge-tailed Eagle and Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo. Varied Sittella has a large home range and would

utilise adjacent bushland as well as this site.

Although the Rushton Road site is small, its connectedness with extensive areas of bushland in the

Darling Range contributes to the high degree of bird diversity. Maintaining the degree of connectivity

between this site and bushland nearby is important to the long-term conservation of significant bird

species in this area. Some rehabilitation of disturbed areas is possible and might further contribute to

the conservation value of this site.

Site Name

Shreeve Road Wetland Reserve

Site Location

Canning Vale

32º05'04"S, 115º56'31"E



10 ha

Vegetation Complex



Constructed wetland: below and at capacity.

Dampland: dry to below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

4636


N/A






Average survey time:

Constructed wetland: 17 mins (range 5-20)

Bushland/dampland: 86 mins (range 65-150)


period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Constructed Wetland

Australian Shelduck 17



Grey Teal 2 17

Australasian Grebe Confirmed 6 83




Great Egret 17


Straw-necked Ibis 13 50


Spotless Crake 1 17


Dusky Moorhen 17 X

Eurasian Coot 12 83


Black-fronted Dotterel 2 33


Willie Wagtail 17

Clamorous Reed-Warbler 2 33

Total species, constructed

wetland = 21

1 2

Bushland/Dampland





Galah 17







period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)


Western Gerygone 50



Red Wattlebird 50


Brown Honeyeater 50


Rufous Whistler 33

Magpie-lark 67

Grey Fantail 100

Willie Wagtail 67





Welcome Swallow 2 33

Tree Martin 50


Silvereye 83

Total species

bushland/dampland = 30

0 6

Total species, complete site = 47 1 Site = 8


Nil known.


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Shreeve Road Wetland Reserve consists of a natural bushland/dampland area together with two

constructed wetlands and adjacent parkland. The natural and landscaped areas were separately

surveyed for birds. During the survey period the bushland/dampland areas were dry or well below

capacity. In wet periods, waterbird use of the dampland may substantially increase the species diversity

of this area. Overall, the bird species diversity at this site is relatively high, although there is little

overlap in species diversity between the natural bushland/dampland and the constructed wetland.

Nineteen of the 21 bird species recorded in the constructed wetland are water-dependent species. The

most abundant of these were Australian Wood Duck, Straw-necked Ibis, Pacific Black Duck and

Eurasian Coot, all species benefiting from parkland wetlands in urban areas.

A total of eight species at the Shreeve Road reserve are significant under Bush Forever. Seven are bush

birds while one is a water-dependent species. These include small, resident insectivores known to be in

decline on the Swan Coastal Plain such as Splendid Fairy-wren, White-browed Scrubwren, Inland

Thornbill and Yellow-rumped Thornbill. Other significant species include Common Bronzewing, New

Holland Honeyeater and Black-faced Woodswallow. Spotless Crake was recorded at one of the

constructed wetlands.

The site is being actively managed for conservation, with a purpose-designed, newly planted,

constructed streamline acting as a buffer between an adjacent housing development and the reserve.

While the number of bushbirds recorded at the constructed wetland is extremely low (2 species), this

number might increase if more complex plantings were undertaken at the margins of the constructed

wetland.

Site Name

Smith's Lake

Site Location

North Perth Local Government Authority


1 ha

Vegetation Complex



Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Black Swan 1 80



Grey Teal 10

Hardhead 40 X

Australasian Grebe confirmed 2 80












Red Wattlebird 80


Brown Honeyeater 50



Magpie-lark 10

Willie Wagtail 100

Australian Raven 10

Welcome Swallow 100

Tree Martin 30





Little Wattlebird. This is a mobile species which may use the site periodically.

GENERAL COMMENTS

This site consists of a reconstructed wetland with surrounding planted vegetation and adjacent

parkland. Smith's Lake is an old rubbish tip replanted over time with native, although not local native,

plant species. More recently, plantings of indigenous rushes and sedges has taken place. Three of the

five significant bird species on the reserve are water-dependent species. These include Hardhead, a

diving duck preferring deeper water, Dusky Moorhen and Nankeen Night Heron. The most abundant

waterbird was Eurasian Coot.

Significant bush birds were New Holland Honeyeater and White-cheeked Honeyeater. There is no

evidence, despite a considerable number of surveys, that the site is used as a corridor by mobile species

such as Striated Pardalote, Western Gerygone and Grey Fantail that may require more complex

vegetation on the Swan Coastal Plain. There is some potential for increased plantings of indigenous

trees and understorey in parkland areas near the lake. Such plantings might increase the corridor value

of this reserve for mobile species of birds.

Site Name

Smith's Lake

Site Location

North Perth Local Government Authority


1 ha

Vegetation Complex



Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Black Swan 1 80



Grey Teal 10

Hardhead 40 X

Australasian Grebe confirmed 2 80












Red Wattlebird 80


Brown Honeyeater 50



Magpie-lark 10

Willie Wagtail 100

Australian Raven 10

Welcome Swallow 100

Tree Martin 30





Little Wattlebird. This is a mobile species which may use the site periodically.

GENERAL COMMENTS

This site consists of a reconstructed wetland with surrounding planted vegetation and adjacent

parkland. Smith's Lake is an old rubbish tip replanted over time with native, although not local native,

plant species. More recently, plantings of indigenous rushes and sedges has taken place. Three of the

five significant bird species on the reserve are water-dependent species. These include Hardhead, a

diving duck preferring deeper water, Dusky Moorhen and Nankeen Night Heron. The most abundant

waterbird was Eurasian Coot.

Significant bush birds were New Holland Honeyeater and White-cheeked Honeyeater. There is no

evidence, despite a considerable number of surveys, that the site is used as a corridor by mobile species

such as Striated Pardalote, Western Gerygone and Grey Fantail that may require more complex

vegetation on the Swan Coastal Plain. There is some potential for increased plantings of indigenous

trees and understorey in parkland areas near the lake. Such plantings might increase the corridor value

of this reserve for mobile species of birds.

Site Name

Thorburn Park

Site Location

Beechboro

31º51'51"S, 115º56'51"E



2 ha

Vegetation Complex



Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A


305 (part)


Survey period reported: Sept 2002-May 2003






period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)








Straw-necked Ibis 1 11


Eurasian Coot 1 33



Galah 44








Weebill 11 X

Western Gerygone 67


Red Wattlebird 89



Brown Honeyeater 78



Red-capped Robin 11

Rufous Whistler 11

Magpie-lark 89

Grey Fantail 67

Willie Wagtail 100




period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Grey Butcherbird 67


Australian Raven 78

Welcome Swallow 67


Silvereye 89



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENT

Thorburn Park consists of a remnant wetland of the Bennett Brook system together with a

reconstructed wetland and associated parkland. The wetlands and western end of the parkland were

surveyed for birds. The wetland had been burnt in 2002 before the survey period. During the survey

period, both wetlands were below capacity.

Of the 42 bird species recorded at Thorburn Park, 11 are water-dependent. None of these is significant

under Bush Forever. The most abundant waterbirds were Australian White Ibis and Australian Wood

Duck, both species which adapt well to urban wetlands.

Five bush bird species considered significant under Bush Forever were recorded at Thorburn Park.

These include Weebill, a canopy feeder utilising the Flooded Gum Eucalyptus rudis in the wetland,

Yellow-rumped Thornbill, and three species of honeyeaters. Other species utilising the more complex

vegetation in this site include Striated Pardalote, Western Gerygone, Rufous Whistler and Grey Fantail.

There is considerable potential to increase the vegetation complexity at the edges of the parkland to

increase habitat connectivity.

Site Name

Trigometric Reserve

Site Location

Duncraig

31º50'35"S, 115º46'12"E



2.6 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

7677


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)







Red Wattlebird 50



Brown Honeyeater 40



Magpie-lark 20

Willie Wagtail 10


Grey Butcherbird 20


Australian Raven 70

Welcome Swallow 50

Silvereye 20



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Of the four significant recorded during the survey period, three were honeyeaters and the fourth the

endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo. A pair was recorded as feeding in the Reserve, although the

plant species was not identified. Sites such as Trigometric Reserve may form part of a valuable





Cockatoos that reserves such as Trigometric Reserve are not only retained, but also that native

vegetation is maintained in good condition. As this site is a coastal shrubland remnant, woodland bird

species cannot be expected to utilise the site.

Management issues in Trigometric Reserve include encroachment by domestic gardens into the

Reserve bushland and weed control.

Site Name

Unnamed Picnic Site, Toodyay Road

Site Location

Red Hill Local Government Authority


2.5 ha

Vegetation Complex

Dwellingup 2


Below capacity

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Australian Wood Duck 10



Long-billed Black-Cockatoo 10 X

Rainbow Lorikeet 10







Weebill 40 X

Western Gerygone 60




Red Wattlebird 30


Brown Honeyeater 50




Rufous Whistler 30


Grey Fantail 40



Australian Raven 60

Mistletoebird 10

Silvereye 20

Species total = 30 0 9


Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

Only two bird species at this Darling Range site are water-dependent. Almost one third of the bush bird

species recorded at the site are considered significant under Bush Forever. These include Splendid

Fairy-wren, Weebill, three species of thornbill, Golden Whistler and Grey Shrike-thrush. The site is

adjacent to large tracts of contiguous bushland. During the survey period, some considerable effort was

expended by the Shire of Swan in reducing the amounts of rubbish, and limiting the potential for future

rubbish dumping. This should limit the potential for future outbreaks of weeds from the dumping of

garden refuse.

The maintenance of the connectivity of this site with nearby bushland is important for the conservation

of bushbird species utilising the site.

Site Name

Wal Hughes Reserve

Site Location

Attadale Local Government Authority


1.5 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

5100


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)




Galah 17






Red Wattlebird possible 83


Brown Honeyeater 67

Grey Butcherbird 33


Australian Raven 17



Wooller, 1999. 10 species.


Nil

GENERAL COMMENT

This small reserve is characterised by a low species diversity of birds, however it is utilised by the

endangered Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo. A flock of eight birds has been recorded using the reserve,

although there is no record of activity or plant species utilised. Sites such as Wal Hughes Reserve may

form part of a valuable network of habitat remnants providing food resources for the mobile Carnaby's

Black-Cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain. Currently, the pine plantations at Gnangara provide a food

resource for Cockatoos over-summering in the Perth Metropolitan Region. The impact of the future


survival of the Cockatoos that reserves such as Wal Hughes Reserve are not only retained, but also that

native vegetation is maintained in good condition.

Site Name

Wandoo Heights

Site Location

Red Hill

31º48'38"S, 116º03'32"E



20 ha

Vegetation Complex

Darling Scarp

Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)


Galah 40


Pallid Cuckoo 10







Weebill 50 X





Red Wattlebird 10


Brown-headed Honeyeater 10 X

Brown Honeyeater 60


Scarlet Robin 20 X


Rufous Whistler 30


Magpie-lark 30

Grey Fantail 40

Willie Wagtail 30



Grey Currawong 10 X

Australian Raven 70

Tree Martin 10

Silvereye 70



Hyde, A. & O. Gear (ND): 29 species


The Restless Flycatcher record is unconfirmed. White-tailed Black-Cockatoos referred to in this list

may be Carnaby's or Baudin's Black-Cockatoo. Both species are mobile and may utilise the site

periodically.

GENERAL COMMENTS

More than one third (36%) of the species recorded at Wandoo Heights is considered significant by

Bush Forever on the Swan Coastal Plain. This Darling Range site shows the same relatively high

species diversity in bush birds as other Darling Range sites in the project. Significant species include

Common Bronzewing, Splendid Fairy-wren, three thornbills, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Scarlet

Robin, Golden Whistler ,Grey Shrike-thrush and Grey Currawong. Brown-headed Honeyeater is now

extinct on the Swan Coastal Plain, although it may never have been common there and Grey

Currawong is now largely extinct on the Plain (Storr & Johnstone, 1988). Mobile and/or migratory

species recorded at Wandoo Heights which require more complex vegetation include the three cuckoos,

Western Gerygone and Grey Fantail.

The large number of significant species recorded at this site is likely to be due to the size of the site, the

excellent condition of the vegetation and the degree of connectivity with nearby bushland in the

Darling Range. Maintenance of connectivity and measures such as weed control and appropriate fire

regimes are relevant management techniques for this site.

Site Name

West Swan Oval

Site Location

West Swan

31º48'36"S, 115º59'54"E



6.8 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

Not mapped


N/A








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)



Brown Goshawk 10 X


Nankeen Kestrel 10




Corella species 10

Galah 30



Pallid Cuckoo 20





Weebill 10 X

Western Gerygone possible 80


Red Wattlebird 70

Little Wattlebird possible 50 X

Brown Honeyeater 80




Rufous Whistler 70

Magpie-lark 50

Grey Fantail 20

Willie Wagtail 10


Grey Butcherbird 30


Australian Raven 80

Mistletoebird 20


period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Tree Martin 20

Silvereye 80



Nil known


N/A

GENERAL COMMENTS

This site comprises remnant Banksia woodland with adjacent parkland. The woodland and parkland

were both surveyed for birds.

Two species of ducks, both known to nest in tree hollows, were recorded in the bushland. Eight species

of birds recorded at the Oval are considered significant under Bush Forever. With the exception of

Common Bronzewing and Yellow-rumped Thornbill, these are mobile species, suggesting that the

bushland is a useful corridor.

Management strategies such as weed and dieback control, both identified by the local council, could

increase the conservation value of this reserve. Limiting access from the adjacent fire station and

reducing the numbers of periodic fires are also important management strategies. There is potential for

planting on the margins to buffer the remnant from nearby semi-rural areas. Extensive planting could

be undertaken on the playing field if this under-utilised recreation site were designated a conservation

area.

Site Name

Wireless Hill Park

Site Location

Ardross

32º01'53"S, 115º49'36"E



35.2 ha

Vegetation Complex


Local Natural Area

ID no.

N/A


336








period


Breeding

recorded on

survey site

Maximum

number

recorded

(waterbirds)

Frequency of

occurrence

(% of

surveys)

Significant

species (Bush

Forever)

Painted Button-quail 13 X

Silver Gull 13

Rock Dove* 38




Galah 13






Rainbow Bee-eater confirmed 50

Western Gerygone confirmed 13


Red Wattlebird 100




New Holland Honeyeater possible 25 X





Rufous Whistler 25

Magpie-lark 50

Willie Wagtail 75


Grey Butcherbird 50


Australian Raven 88

Tree Martin 38

Silvereye 13




Database of WA Birds: 2 surveys, 25 species

City of Melville (ND): 43 species



Whistling Kite, Yellow-rumped Thornbill

Database of WA Birds: White-naped Honeyeater

City of Melville, ND: Collared Sparrowhawk, Yellow-rumped Thornbill. The Brown-headed

Honeyeater records in this report are a highly unlikely occurrence and may refer to White-naped

Honeyeater.

Two of these species (Whistling Kite and Collared Sparrowhawk) are mobile species and may

periodically utilise the site. While generally regarded as sedentary, Yellow-rumped Thornbill may be

locally mobile, and may utilise the site at times. However, it is also possible that the species is now

locally extinct. White-naped Honeyeater is a mobile species now uncommon to rare on the Swan

Coastal Plain.

GENERAL COMMENTS

Three sedentary species regarded as significant under Bush Forever have been recorded in Wireless

Hill Park. These are Painted Button-quail, Common Bronzewing and Inland Thornbill. Painted Button-

quail is now patchily distributed in larger remnants on Swan Coastal Plain: the Wireless Hill record

represents the only record for this species in this project. .Mobile species recorded at Wireless Hill Park

and regarded as significant under Bush Forever are Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, 4 honeyeaters,

including Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, and Varied Sittella. Remnant-dependent species recorded on

the site are Western Gerygone and Rufous Whistler.

One 'small flock' of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo was recorded in trees on the site. There is no record of

their use of the vegetation. Sites such as Wireless Hill Park may form part of a valuable network of

habitat remnants providing food resources for the mobile Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo on the Swan

Coastal Plain. Currently, the pine plantations at Gnangara provide a food resource for Cockatoos over-

summering in the Perth Metropolitan Region. The impact of the future staged removal of the pines at

Gnangara is as yet uncertain (Cale, 2003). It may be important for the survival of the Cockatoos that

reserves such as Wireless Hill Park are not only retained, but also that native vegetation is maintained

in good condition.

bird surveys in selected perth metropolitan reservesbird surveys in selected perth metropolitan...

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