A survey of large forest owls in State Forests of south-western New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

A survey of large forest owls was conducted at 261 survey points within State forests of south-western New South Wales, and an additional 10 sites within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area in May-June 2004. A combination of listening, playback of recorded calls and spotlighting was used. Barking Owls Ninox connivens were recorded primarily from River Red Gum Eucalyptus camaldulensis vegetation associations (n = 8) and once from mixed Western Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa / River Red Gum association. No records of the Powerful Owl N. strenua or the Masked Owl Tyto novaehollandiae were obtained. Four other nocturnal bird species were recorded during the surveys: Southern Boobook N. novaeseelandiae (n = 74), Barn Owl T. alba (n = 61), Australian Owlet-nightjar Aegotheles cristatus (n = 46) and Tawny Frogmouth Podargus strigoides (n = 8). In light of the low frequency of Barking Owls recorded in this and other recent surveys, consideration needs to be given to upgrading the classification of the Barking O...