Noisy Miners

["Geoffrey Dabb" <>]

Thanks Ann.   Pooling info on changing patterns with this species might help contribute to just what attracts and what deters it, locally.

 

They are certainly closer to Isaacs than Callum Brae.  In one of my survey sites, the more degraded section of woodland that now forms part of East O’Malley they were resident and always the dominant species to the extent that few other birds except for transiting magpies or rosellas were ever recorded there.

 

When I suggest it is not a ‘garden bird’ I mean that they do not reside in stretches of typical gardens.  They are typically birds of places with open-spaced tall eucalypts, suburban reserves, edge of larger reserves, playgrounds, schoolyards, golf courses etc.  Many such areas are of course incorporated in the 3-ha GBS sites.  It has been suggested that it avoids areas with a well-developed understorey layer (eg David Lindenmayer & ors, ‘Wildlife on Farms’ p21).   My tentative theory about the Red Wattlebird was based on the observation that that species tends to use and defend shrubby territories.

 

From: Ann Howarth [
Sent: Friday, 1 June 2007 8:44 PM
To: Geoffrey Dabb; 'chat line'
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Noisy Miners

 

In the 18½ years we have lived here in Isaacs I  can't recall ever recording noisy miners in our garden here which is just across the hill from Callum Brae.  Although I have been unable to climb Isaacs Ridge for about 10 years, I don't think I ever recorded them there when I was able to visit the ridge regularly.  Yet I note they are prevalent in Garran, Wanniassa and on Mt Taylor.

 

Ann Howarth