Hi all
The recent discussions about Brown Gerygones in NSW has some interesting
parallels in Victoria.
Brown Gerygones have been recorded in what would normally be considered unusual
habitat in Victoria for several years. In summer 1997-98, they inhabited
gullies with some of the minor species typical of Cool Temperate Rainforest or
Wet Forest in West Gippsland. Before this, there were a couple of records from
West and South Gippsland in similar habitats. The Atlas of Victorian Birds
(1987) mainly noted these birds from lowland (Warm Temperate) rainforests in
East Gippsland and the adjacent plains. Within this "traditional" range, I and
others have recorded them in creekline vegetation often dominated by a tall
form of Kunzea ericoides (?) and other species of riparian scrubs. In addition,
I've got a recent record from Coast Banksia Woodland (with a large
vine/epiphyte component) on the Gippsland Lakes.
There are also recent records from around Melbourne; a least a couple are from
the Cool Temperate Rainforest/Wet Forest vegetation but there were two records
from the lower Yarra, presumably both in River Red Gum and Black/Silver Wattle
dominated vegetation.
It seems that Brown Gerygones have consistently expanded their range westward
and diversified their habitat choice in the past decade or longer. In their
previous range, they are using drier habitats as is shown in NSW but in
contrast, many of these records are from summer. The habitats further west are
on average drier and possibly more open, and have been used in different
seasons.
These trends make me ask: are these birds expanding their range because of
habitat changes or an increasing population in their "normal" range? Is this
climate change at work?
Cheers
George
==============================www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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