Birds of Edgbaston Reserve, central-western Queensland, including notes on significant and threatened species

Abstract

Localities at the intersection of bioclimatic zones can produce interesting bird-community assemblages. Edgbaston Reserve, in central-western Queensland, known for the high biodiversity of its artesian springs complex, sits within the intersection of the Torresian, Bassian and Eyrean bioclimatic zones and straddles the intersection of two bioregions on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range. Here we present bird records accumulated through standardised surveys and opportunistic observations. A total of 143 species of birds was detected on Edgbaston Reserve. From these data we report on notable species recorded and the significance of the avifauna community found on this Reserve. In addition to Edgbaston conserving artesian-spring habitat and threatened aquatic species, we highlight the importance of this Reserve for the preservation of woodland and arid birds.