Bird Survey Data, South East Queensland Peri-Urban SuperSite, Karawatha, 2007-2008

Brief description

Bird surveys for 33 one-hectare plots in Karawatha Forest Park. The plots are at 500 m intervals in a grid that covers the entire Park. Each plot follows the elevational contour and is 250 m long x 40 m wide. Five repeat surveys were completed during the period August 2007 to January 2008.

Full description

Bird surveys Three circular bird survey points (BSP) (30m radius) each covering 0.28ha, (0.84ha total / plot), were positioned along the midline at each plot. The spatial positioning of BSPs along the midline was at, 0-60 meters, 95-155 meters and 190-250 meters.Each BSP was surveyed by a single observer to avoid multiple observer biases. Counts lasted a total of eight minutes, initiated after a two minute settling period, using sightings only for abundance estimates. A two minute settling period is used to alleviate disturbance effects of the observer walking to the centre of each BSP with all sightings within this period considered to be opportunistic recordings that will be used for matching birds to habitats. Replicated surveys of plots throughout Karawatha Forest Park were made on five separate occasions during the sample period. All surveys were conducted during the early morning beginning 30 minutes after sunrise continuing through for 3-4 hours. No surveys were carried out if cloud cover exceeded the ratio of 3:8 which creates difficulty in identifying canopy species due to effect of contrasting light. This rule also excludes the possibility of surveying in rain. High wind velocity also reduces activity therefore no counts were conducted above 15 knots. All birds seen within each BSP were identified and recorded with an estimation of the height of the bird within the vertical stratum of the forest. Birds heard during surveys were recorded opportunistically. All birds viewed flying directly above the canopy was not included as present within the forest. Aerial sallying insectivores flying at a height less than 20 meters above the canopy layer were included.

Notes

Bird identification Bird counts