RFI: artificial watering points & impacts on birds

Hi Martin, I investigated the impact of artificial watering points on birds on Calperum Station in the Bookmark Biosphere Reserve for my honours thesis in ’96-’97. As far as I’m aware, a copy of my thesis is still in the Melbourne University Zoology Library. Further work was done by (if I am remembering his name properly) Rhidian Harrington for his PhD in the adjacent Gluepot Reserve, leading to the closure of a number of waterpoints. With the luxury of more time in the field, he was able to get a lot more detail and a better view of medium-term use than I was. To summarise very briefly, I found no significant effect of closing waterpoints on overall species richness, on the overall avifaunal composition or the abundance of the 10 or so (I forget exactly, and can’t remember where I put my copy of the thesis) species I gathered enough data on to analyse. Bear in mind, data was gathered over two one-month field trips (September and February), we were limited to 4 control and 4 experimental (closed) waterholes, and the total number of 24 hour waterpoint watches I did (separate to gathering abundance and distribution data with distance from open and closed waterpoints) was only 3 each trip. What I do remember is that the only obligate users of the waterpoints I saw (and the ones that were most closely correlated with proximity to the waterpoints) were the granivorous birds: Common Bronzewing and Crested Pigeon most notably. On the days above 30 deg. honeyeaters also made use of the water, but there was no correlation between distance from the waterpoint and their distribution or abundance. My biggest problem with gathering this data was the spread of waterpoints and dams on Calperum made it very hard to find areas that were more than 6km from the nearest water source. I hope that helps, Cheers, Mike ________________________________________ From: birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au [birding-aus-bounces@lists.vicnet.net.au] on behalf of Martin.OBrien@depi.vic.gov.au [Martin.OBrien@depi.vic.gov.au] Sent: Friday, December 20, 2013 10:20 AM To: birding-aus@vicnet.net.au Subject: [Birding-Aus] RFI: artificial watering points & impacts on birds A request for members. I am trying to compile information on the impact of man-made watering points on birds and keen to hear or be advised on any relevant references etc with respect to dry country birds in particular. I am aware that dams were fenced or removed at Gluepot in South Australia and understand a similar process has been undertaken at the Trust for Nature property at Neds Corner in Victoria. The rationale and outcomes of this work is of interest. cheers, Martin O’Brien Melbourne Notice: This email and any attachments may contain information that is personal, confidential, legally privileged and/or copyright. No part of it should be reproduced, adapted or communicated without the prior written consent of the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the recipient to check for and remove viruses. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender by return email, delete it from your system and destroy any copies. You are not authorised to use, communicate or rely on the information contained in this email. Please consider the environment before printing this email. This email, including any attachment, is intended solely for the use of the intended recipient. It is confidential and may contain personal information or be subject to legal professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use, disclosure, reproduction or storage of it is unauthorised. If you have received this email in error, please advise the sender via return email and delete it from your system immediately. Victoria University does not warrant that this email is free from viruses or defects and accepts no liability for any damage caused by such viruses or defects. DISCLAIMER:This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the School. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The School accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.