Following my post in January 2010 about the decline of some bird species in the Sunshine Coast region of southeast Queensland over the past 30-40 years, I have gathered more information from local birders which confirm my earlier suspicions.
There has been little reduction in the area of suitable habitat for the species concerned, so other factors appear to be involved. These most likely relate to prolonged drought or other climate changes. The key species of concern are as follows.
Spotted Quail-Thrush. There were regular sightings in the vicinity of the Blackall Range and at sites such as Widgee and Wild Horse Mountain up until the 1980s. Since then, apart from a handful of records in the Eudlo area in the 2000s, I can’t find any sightings in the Sunshine Coast-Gympie region.
Crimson Rosella. Formerly common across the region in rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest at all altitudes, it is now found only in the highest parts of the Conondale and Blackall range, and in small numbers. There are many sites were Crimson was the dominant rosella in the 1970s but where only Pale-headed occurs now. A recent sighting at Widgee was the first in many years.
Satin Bowerbird. A similar story, with populations now concentrated in the highest parts of the Conondale and Blackall Range. The bird was formerly a regular winter visitor to lowland sites where it has not been seen for many years. In places such as Little Yabba and Booloumba creeks, where it was once a common resident, it is now scarce.
Red-browed Treecreeper. The species is now absent from some mountain sites in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and Gympie region where it was once regular.
These species are all close to or at the northern end of their distribution in south-eastern Australia, although the first three have isolated populations in the highlands of north Queensland (the quail-thrush having been discovered recently up that way).
Observers have noted steep, parallel declines in populations of several formerly common mammal species in the region such as Boebuck, Red-legged Pademelon and Greater Glider.
Perhaps the recent rains may turn things around.
Thanks to local birding folk who sent me information.
Greg Roberts
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