Bird Populations in a Mixed Eucalypt Forest Used for Production of Wood in Gippsland, Victoria

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Abstract
Boola Boola State Forest is a forest of mixed species in the foothills of central Gippsland. It has been used as a source of sawlogs and pulpwood since 1948 and a study was made to assess effects of this harvesting on wildlife. A survey of birds from 1975-1977 was presented. Quantitative results were obtained by mapping territories during 1 breeding season. Thirteen areas were compared, including gullies, mature forest on ridges and various age-classes of regrowth. Mapping of territories seems useful for comparing habitats in Australian temperate forests, but simple transects may be just as effective for detecting changes from year to year. Simple transects and other observations were made. Harvesting mature forest apparently reduces the populations and diversity of birds in the harvested areas. Gullies supported high populations, and some species were confined to gullies but others avoided them. The succession of bird species as forest regenerates is described; a few open-country birds enter in the early stages but after about 10 yr stands are populated by common forest birds. Some species do not return for much longer and may need nature forest. At Boola Boola 25-30% of the forest remains in a mature condition (including major gullies) and most species have survived. A list of species with their habitats is given and implications for management are discussed briefly.