A survey of birds of the Lower Gordon region, southwestern Tasmania

Abstract

An area of southwestern Tasmania, the lower Gordon River, was surveyed for bird species during the summers of 1975/76, 1976/77 and 1977/78. Using a transect method of survey, 49 species were located; of these, six were considered very common, 12 common, 24 uncommon and seven rare. No new species were discovered, but the known range of all species recorded was extended by the survey. The rare orange-bellied parrot was not located during the study. Bird species were correlated with vegetation structure based on the Specht classification. This classification, in retrospect, proved to be of only limited use but still showed broad habitat preference trends. The area surveyed appears to be typical of southwestern Tasmania but is unusual, if not unique, in that not one species of exotic bird was discovered in the study area, suggesting that the area is true wilderness.