Changes in the bird community in the Pilliga Forests, New South Wales, between 1918 and 2004

Abstract

In October 2004, a traverse through the Pilliga State Forests (the Pilliga Scrub) was undertaken and sixteen 2-ha area searches for birds were conducted periodically along the approximate route traversed in October 1918 by Dr J.B. Cleland, who also recorded birds. The 2-ha survey bird lists were combined into one list, which is compared with the list and counts published by Dr Cleland. The two lists are snapshots of the Pilliga Scrub bird communities of their day; the species in each list are broadly similar, but with different relative abundances. The bird community has changed, reflecting changes in the vegetation as land use has changed from pastoral to less disruptive forestry and conservation. The 1918 bird community is similar in structure to those found in fragmented remnant woodland of the Southern Brigalow Belt today, and the 2004 bird community is similar to those of continuous, less disturbed Southern Brigalow Belt vegetation.