The conservation value of paddock trees for birds in a variegated landscape in southern New South Wales. 2. Paddock trees as stepping stones

摘要: The use of paddock trees as stepping stones by birds was assessedin a grazing landscape in southern New South Wales, Australia. A totalof 70 tree sites surveyed for 20 min each inthe morning, and 36 were again the afternoon March2000. During surveys, presence, direction arrival, anddirection departure to from recorded bird. Astepping stone effect examined two ways: (1) byanalysing arrival relative tosurrounding vegetation cover, (2) analysing departuredirection their direction. An arrivaldirection obtained 150 independently acting groups birds, anda 203 groupsof birds. Both 87independently groups. Foliage-foraging tended followrelatively densely vegetated areas. There some indication thatgranivores nectarivores also preferred move along denselyvegetated This trend absent open-country species. Allgroups return place origin ormove opposite arrival. mostpronounced foliage-foraging White-plumedHoneyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus), lesspronounced species parrots. results arediscussed relation biology ecology various speciesof We conclude that have potential enhancelandscape connectivity assist movement.This further highlights conservation value demonstrated thefirst paper this series.