Birding-Aus

northern-most population of Eastern Bristlebird

Written by

Birding-Aus

in

I believe that published reports of Eastern Bristlebird from the Conondale Range last September are premature.

Attempts last week by government officers and others with widespread field experience of this species in the region were fruitless.

It is essential that with a critically endangered, possible extinct, population such as this, that any reports be corroborated before publication. See here for more:

http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com/2011/10/extinction-of-most-northerly- population.html

Greg Roberts

===============================

To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message: unsubscribe (in the body of the message, with no Subject line) to: birding-aus-request@vicnet.net.au

http://birding-aus.org ===============================

Comments

One response to “northern-most population of Eastern Bristlebird”

  1. peter Avatar
    peter

    Sheena Gillman, Volunteer Coordinator of EBB Northern Recovery has asked for this reply to be posted.

    Further to Greg Roberts comments on the northern-most population of Eastern Bristlebird on 13/11/11;

    Dr David Stewart and Dr Rowena Thomas from DERM and myself as EBB Volunteer Coordinator (since 1999) surveyed the sites where EBB were recorded by

    Dez Wells et al, during IBA surveys in September. Unfortunately EBB were not found and it is reasonable to expect they would be located with six birders quietly spread throughout the habitat areas where the birds were seen and heard. At this time of year paired birds would most likely be present in a territory and may respond to playback. However, they also go to ground during breeding and may not call. Tawny Grass Birds were present at all sites and we know from past experience that they may cause confusion with EBB. Very few people experience a sufficient number of sightings to be familiar with the giss of this species. John Young last reported one EBB present in the Conondales in the summer of 2008.

    The Recovery Group welcomes any suspected presence of EBB – it is essential birders are not reluctant to report a potential sighting. However, the sighting

    of any such critical species must be validated as soon as possible. Volunteering for EBB is tough; steep hillsides at altitude, wading through complex grasses with fallen timber, rocky outcrops

    and ticks to boot is not most people’s idea of a pleasant days bird watching. So my gratitude as ever to those that bother to be involved, we certainly need more capable volunteers.

    Essentially any birder finding EBB should keep the location confidential and report the sighting as soon as possible to Dr Stewart david.stewart@derm.qld.gov.au or a member of the DERM team or to myself at;

    sheena@naturesound.com.au We have in the past missed confirming the presence of EBB because sighting information was not reported appropriately.

    Members of The National Recovery Team are working hard for EBB – the issues are complex. Management of feral species and weeds is ongoing not only on Parks but in private properties.

    With accumulated knowledge, I am confident this following year will deliver some pleasant surprises, however, mitigating against the further demise of ground dwelling birds is a complex issue. Critical deliberations are taking place around how best to manage future recovery actions.

    Sheena Gillman | Volunteer Coordinator| EBB Northern Recovery

More posts