Rufous Scrub-birds Atrichornis rufescens in the Gloucester Tops of New South Wales: Findings from surveys in 2010–2016

Abstract

An isolated population of Rufous Scrub-birds Atrichornis rufescens in a high-altitude area of the Gloucester Tops, New South Wales, was surveyed annually in spring in 2010–2016. The 5000-ha study area formed part of the Barrington Tops and Gloucester Tops Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). The Rufous Scrub-bird, which was the trigger species for the KBA nomination, was found to have a widespread distribution in the study area. Thirty-seven territories were identified; 20 of them had long-term occupancy, with records from at least three successive years and, in most cases, records from all or most years. The other territories were more transitory, occupied for 1–2 years but then with no further records or else a long gap between records. Rufous Scrub-birds were not detected in an area of their former habitat that had been burnt in a major fire until 6–7 years after the fire. Usually, the Scrub-bird territories were wellspaced, with separations of ≥300–400 m between their centres. Under favourable conditions, territories were sometimes clustered more closely together, but this seemed not to be sustainable: in each case, one of the clustered territories eventually was abandoned. Rufous Scrub-bird territory densities in the Gloucester Tops survey area were in the range 3.3–4.0 territories km-², similar to previously reported 1981 baseline levels, which suggests that there has been limited change to the species’ status within an area of core high-altitude habitat over a 35-year period.