I think the value of pine plantations as habitat for birds depends on the
location of the plantation, the types of microhabitats within it, and the
nature of the surrounding landscape.
Remnant woodland in the predominantly agricultural landscape on SW
South-west Slopes of NSW can be quite scarce. I've found that pine
plantations that adjoin patches of eucalypt woodland, especially alongside
roadside eucalypt woodland corridors, can have quite a lot of native birds,
including small passerines such as Red-capped Robins, Yellow-rumped
Thornbills and White-plumed Honeyeaters. I don't know if they use these pine
plantations for refuge, foraging and/or nesting, but obviously if there is
invasion of native understorey and groundcover plant species from the
neighbouring eucalypt woodland, or if there is riparian vegetation along
creeks within the pine plantation, the more likely that it would be suitable
as habitat for a range of bird species and activities.
Stephen Ambrose
Ryde, NSW
-----Original Message-----
From: Birding-Aus On Behalf Of
Greg and Val Clancy
Sent: Wednesday, 5 August 2015 9:22 AM
To: Kim Sterelny; Peter Shute; 'David Clark'
Cc: birding-aus
Subject: Emus and Pines
The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos at Coutts Crossing, north coast NSW,
regularly feed on the seeds of the pines (Slash Pine Pinus elliottii) in a
small plantation across the road from our place but the forest is generally
quite sterile. The surrounding native forest is full of birds. A few
species do occasionally use the pines as they move from one patch of native
bush to another but the value of the pine forest is very limited. I have
seen a Common Ringtail drey in one pine and Grey Butcherbirds appear to nest
in the pines. A flock of Spangled Drongos also moved though them a couple
of years back but the mix of native trees around the edge and though the
plantation would account for most activity.
I have been ringbarking the pines to make way for natural revegetation but
the local council is considering whether they will remove them all. The
pines have not been managed so have little commercial value.
Regards
Greg
Dr Greg. P. Clancy
Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide
| PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460
| 02 6649 3153 | 0429 601 960
http://www.gregclancyecologistguide.com
http://gregswildliferamblings.blogspot.com.au/
-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Sterelny
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2015 8:04 AM
To: Peter Shute ; 'David Clark'
Cc: birding-aus
Subject: Emus and Pines
I have certainly seen sulphur crested cockatoos in the pine belts aound
Canberra tearing away at cones; I would guess the larger black cockatoos
have the physical and manipulative capacities to do the same. King parrots
do not seem to; there are many small flocks of these in Canberra at the
moment, but they are eating fallen acorns
Kim
Kim Sterelny, School of Philosophy, Research School of the Social Sciences,
Australian National University, Acton, 0200, ACT, Australia
or
61-(0)2-6125-2886
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