Annual Report 2014: 2014 compared with 2013

I have indicated in the overview that the number of observers was reduced in  2014.  Despite that I think some nuggets of information can be picked out by comparing the two years.

Of the  185 species recorded in this project 163 species (88.1% - a trivial decrease on the 89.6% given by a similar analysis last year) were reported in one or both of the years covered by this report.  Of these 163 species:

• ·         13 were reported in 2013 but not in 2014;
• ·         10 were reported in 2013 but not in 2012 (of which 7 were reported for the first time in 2012); and 
• ·         140 species were reported in both years.

Looking at the entire 163 species there is a very strong correlation (correlation coefficient =  0.91) between the number of months each species was reported in the two years.  Thus it can be concluded that the two data sets are reasonably consistent.

Of the 13 species recorded in 2013 but not 2014, 8 were sighted in a single month 1 was seen in 2 months; 3 in 3 months and 1 (Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo) in 5 months.   The absence of this Cuckoo was most intriguing as other Cuckoo species have been very evident.

For those seen in 2014 but not reported in 2013:

·         2 species (both additions to the area list) were seen in a single month

·         2 species (no additions) were seen in 2 months in 2014;

·         4 species (no additions) were seen in 3 months in 2014;

·         1species seen in 4 months;  and 

·         1 species seen in 9 months.

The ‘4 month species’ is Little Corella.  Before this year they had been unusual in the area but have been recorded most months In the latter half of the year.  They may be building up here, as they have done in urban Canberra.

The 9 month species is Red-capped Robin.  This is generally a dry country species.  After appearing a couple of times in 2013 a male bird took up long term residence on the Plain ni 2014.  Another bird was present for some time on Wanna Wanna rd. 

 35 species were reported every month in both years: a similar comparison last year showed 38 species – effectively the same outcome. .

The following table shows the aggregate number of months in which members of the broad groups of species were seen in the two years.

Category	2013	2014
1 Waterbirds	208	196
2 Birds of Prey	85	59
3 Parrots and Relatives	90	92
4 Kingfishers and other non-songbirds	130	98
5 Honeyeaters	91	95
6 Flycatchers and similar species	132	136
7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species	194	185
8 Other, smaller birds	132	120
9 Other, larger birds	93	89

The similarity of results between the two years is readily apparent except for reductions in numbers of reports for  Birds of Prey,  Kingfishers etc, and (to a lesser extent) Thornbills Finches and similar species..

With respect to Birds of Prey (ie diurnal raptors) the differences are +/- one month for most species, but with significant differences for Swamp Harrier, Spotted Harrier, Peregrine Falcon and Black-shouldered kite.   While this may reflect the unavailability of some observers, I personally used to see the Spotted Harrier and Kite on the Plain on a regular basis so believe that the birds are now elsewhere for much of the time.  On the bright side, this probably means there are few mice around!

For the Kingfishers and other non-Songbirds group the species showing particular declines are Eastern Barn Owl (reduced number of reports from folk who drive across the Plain after dark and note also comments above about mouse numbers); Australian Owlet-nightjar and Brown Quail (both as a result of  less reports from Hoskinstown)

Many members of the  Thornbills Finches and similar species” group show a drop from 12 species to 1 reflecting several observers being absent for most/all of July..  Considering the observer changes the records showing that 15 of 20 species in the group were reported in 11 or 12 months of both years is remarkably consistent.  The major changers are both relatively uncommon species:

• Western Gerygone from 4 to 1; and 
• Southern Whiteface from 6 to 2 following a drop from 9 to 6 the previous year.  This species looks to be in trouble in this area..

No group increased the number of reports by as much as 5%: the increasing species are covered above.

Links to other sections of this report

Overall picture
Breeding
Comaprison with earlier years