Notes on the Birds of Nadgee, Particularly the Striated Fieldwren Calamanthus fuliginosus

Abstract

Nadgee Nature Reserve and adjacent protected areas in the New South Wales/Victorian border region conserve habitat for a rich avifauna. During spring 1995, 89 species were recorded including six threatened taxa. The Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris, Sooty Oystercatcher H. foliginosus and Hooded Plover Thinomis rubricollis were scarce along the coastline. The Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus was common in the coastal heathland. The Eastern Bristlebird Dasyomis brachypterus was uncommon with a total of 26 individuals found in a variety of vegetation types. The Striated Fieldwren Calamanthus fuliginosus was uncommon, although in its preferred habitat which was low, dry Allocasuarina/Hakea/monocotyledon heath, it had a relatively high density of 0.62 birds/ha. The densities of two other heathland species were estimated: the Tawny-crowned Honeyeater Phylidonyris melanops was abundant with a density of 1.6-2.1 birds/ha; the Southern Emu-wren Stipiturus malachurus was common with a density of 1.6 birds/ha.