Birds and mammals in areas scheduled for once-only harvesting, Otway National Park.  R. H. Loyn and M. A. Macfarlane.  November 1985. 17 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

Birds and mammals were studied in January 1984 on four areas selected for once-only harvesting in Otway National Park, Colac Region, South-western Victoria. Distinctive features of the fauna are described.

Yellow-bellied gliders (Petaurus australis^†) were especially common and honeyeaters (Meliphagidae spp.) were feeding on exudates from incisions made by gliders in the bark. Satin bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) were also common, feeding in understorey and the tree canopy. Other notable species included rufous bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti), blue-winged parrot (Neophema chrysostoma), white goshawk (Accipiter novaehollandiae), beautiful firetail (Emblema bella), forest raven (Corvus tasmanicus), eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) and long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus).

Likely effects of harvesting are discussed; some species will benefit and others will be affected adversely. Measures are suggested to conserve certain species in these areas by retaining particular features.

All species found are sufficiently widespread in the Otways that the limited extent of selective harvesting proposed should not have significant effects on their local status.

^†Nomenclature details follow Strahan (1980) for mammals and RAOU (1978) for birds.