Annual Report 2016: 2016 compared with 2015

I have indicated in the overview that the number of observers was restored in  2014.  

Of the  194 species recorded in this project 169 species (87.1% - a slight decrease on the percentages achieved y a similar analysis last year) were reported in one or both of the years covered by this report.  Of these 169 species:

• ·         19 were reported in 2015 but not in 2016;
• ·         13 were reported in 2016 but not in 2015 (of which 3 were reported for the first time in 2016); and 
• ·         137 species were reported in both years.

Looking at the entire 168 species there is a very strong correlation (correlation coefficient =  0.90) 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 19 species recorded in 2015 but not 2016, 

• 13 were sighted in a single month of 2015, 
• 3 were seen in 2 months; 
• 2 (Rufous Songlark and White-throated Needletail) in 3 months.  The Rufous Songlark was late arriving and infrequently seen across the COG region in 2016.  WRT Needletails the observer from the Widgiewa hotspot for this species has moved from the area. 
• 1 (White-fronted Chat) in 4 months.   The Chats were only ever seen near Hoskinstown by observers looking at the Banded Lapwings:  perhaps there is some commonality of habitat preference by the two species?

For those seen in 2016 but not reported in 2015:

• 9 species (3 additions to the area list) were seen in a single month;
• 1 species (Whiskered Tern, only the second observation in the area) were seen in 2 months in 2014;  and
• 3 species seen in 3 months;  
• Brown quail tend to be seen irregularly in the area: they are skulkers so it isn't surprising that they go missing at times.
• Silver Gull has been very unusual in the area.  However there has been a lot of water around this year so conditions have been right for more sightings than usual.
• Spotted Quail-thrush is not common in the broader COG area, although Tallaganda (just outside the area for this project) is a hotspot.  Sightings this year have been around Wanna Wanna Rd, and the nearby Cuumbeun NR has some very typical habitat.

 43 species were reported every month in both years: a similar comparisons in recent years have shown 34 -38 species.  I am unsure what has caused the increase but see it as a Good Thing. I noted in the overview post that the set of species seen every month of the project has been very stable sitting at 19 species until this year when Willie Wagtail went walkabout for a year..

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	2015	2016
1 Waterbirds	231	203
2 Birds of Prey	66	67
3 Parrots and Relatives	94	100
4 Kingfishers and other non-songbirds	120	107
5 Honeyeaters	102	92
6 Flycatchers and similar species	132	125
7 Thornbills, Finches and similar species	192	189
8 Other, smaller birds	124	123
9 Other, larger birds	95	96

The similarity of results between the two years is readily apparent.  When expressed as a percentage of total species-months the correlation coefficient is 0.99.

There is no large increase in any group.

The group with the largest percentage decrease were Waterbirds.  As noted in the overview this group of birds declined dramatically across the SE of Australia from July onwards, as flooding in the West of NSW and Queensland recharged wetlands and farmland in those areas.  As the floods have receded the birds have begun to reappear in the South East.

The species with the largest increases in number of months-recorded have been:

• Little Corella (+6, from 2 months to 8).  A flock of up to 30 birds has become regular, if not resident, around the junction of Widgiewa and Captains Flat Rds. Unquiet birds, they are hard to miss.
• Common Myna (+4 from 6 months to 10).  Small flocks of rats with wings were reported from several locations between Hoskinsttown and Molonglo River Park.  Surprisingly they appear not to have settled down but keep moving.
• Collared Sparrowhawk (+4  from 2 months to 6).  In the latter half of the year a pair have been around our house every day.  I am sure they are nesting somewhere  but have been unable to find the nest.
• Pallid Cuckoo (+3 from 4 to 7).  This is more a matter of 2015 being low than 2016 being high. 
• White-naped Honeyeater (+3 from 3 to 6).  The birds have seemed to be more frequently observed as members of migrating flocks (a mewing call rather than the chip of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters).

The species with the greatest decline were:

• Hardhead (-8 months, from 12 to 4).  The earliest duck species to join the exodus and only just beginning to return in December.
• New Holland Honeyeater (-5 months, from 11 to 6).  Almost entirely as a result of the departure of an observer from Widgiewa Rd who used to have a small resident flock.
• Straw-necked Ibis (-5 months from 6 to 1)  Better pickings and breeding sites around the flooded areas..

Links to other sections of this report

Overview

Breeding Birds

2016 compared with 9 previous years.