St Helens - a landscape for woodland birds

As the sun gently warmed the morning of Wednesday 17 November, we gathered in a paddock next to St Helens Reserve. The occasion was the Landscapes for Birds field walk. Our hosts were Sue and David Rowbottom, who are both active members of the St Helens Landcare group. We were here to witness the progress of planting and natural regeneration in a section of pasture that the Rowbottoms had fenced off ten years ago to complement bushland in the reserve.

Although you’d never know it now, the site was once the venue for an important community event - the Yambuk Picnic Races. It must have been a treat sipping cool ale in the heat of the last summer before the war, as the horses were led past the bar to the start. On 27 February 1939 the Port Fairy Gazette reported:

RAZZLE DAZZLE SCORES AGAIN

                           The  picturesque St Helens racecourse fringed with its
                           belt of trees and set in ideal surroundings was the scene
                           of the annual picnic race meeting . . .

Clearly St Helens Reserve has long been appreciated for its natural beauty. It is now an important remnant of wooded wetland, a scarce habitat once widespread across Southwest Victoria. It is refuge to many species of flora and fauna and an ideal spot for Dr Rod Bird to talk about attracting woodland birds back to farms.

Michael and Rod

Rod has lived and worked in the region for over 35 years. Now retired from researching agricultural science, he has vast experience in sustainable farming, re-vegetation programs, flora and fauna surveys and conservation projects. He is also a keen birdo. With 50% of woodland birds predicted to be extinct in our region by 2050, his message is timely - get planting and regenerate habitat.

Woodland habitat has been decimated and is now a scarce resource in most districts. Some sources estimate that to support a healthy population of birds, 30% of the landscape needs to be wooded. But a minimal target of 10% is probably a more realistic goal with current land-use practices.

The best habitat for woodland birds is remnant bush with its diversity of flora. But most surviving stands are now small and isolated, unable to sustain healthy bird populations. Birds need corridors of wooded cover to permit movement for feeding and breeding. The remnant patches can be effectively supplemented by strip plantations along roadsides, and wooded corridors and shelter belts on farms. These need to be at least 50m wide to be viable.

Although re-vegetation is unable to achieve the same biodiversity found in remnant bush, it still supports a wide variety of woodland birds. And if you want to attract endemic species of birds, the formula is simple. Plant endemic species of flora.

What kind of woodland cover is desirable?

gnarled manna gum - Eucalyptus viminalis

Old mature trees are vital. When in flower they produce most nectar for honeyeaters, lorikeets and wattlebirds. The bark harbours insects for woodswallows and thornbills. Their lofty crowns are nesting sites for raptors.

Shrubs offer shelter for fairy wrens, choughs and babblers, which are otherwise prone to displacement by aggressive territorial species like noisy miners.

Sedges and grasses have seeds for finches, pigeons and parrots.

Leaf litter and fallen limbs provide food and camouflage for warblers, treecreepers and curlews.

Standing dead trees have hollows that are home to many creatures. 

deep in St Helens Reserve - a large Carex

So why bother planting trees and shrubs to attract woodland birds to farms?

There are productivity benefits. As Sue pointed out, woodland cover provides great shelter for stock, especially when calving or lambing. There is evidence that in summer livestock with access to shade drink less frequently. Cover reduces the impact of severe weather events, ameliorating catastrophic stock losses. 

It fits within the sustainable farming paradigm. Ground cover mitigates erosion and species diversity contributes to the complex biology of soils. Many of the creatures attracted, including woodland birds, provide natural protection from insect damage to crops.

The aesthetics and pleasure of living with woodland birds should not be underestimated. There are lifestyle benefits and important implications for the health and well-being of rural communities.

Finally, there is the satisfaction of contributing to a wider good. Re-vegetation promotes biodiversity and is a meaningful response to the threat of mass species extinction.

a grass tree - Xanthorrhoea minor

After Rod’s informative talk, we walked through the mix of regenerating and remnant woodland as birds busied themselves with their daily routines. Over fence and through swamp, nothing stopped our intrepid group from experiencing the wildflowers [Goodenia], giant grasses [Xanthorrhoea] and majestic gums [Eucalyptus viminalis]. There was excitement when a visitor from Tasmania familiar with bandicoots pointed out some distinctive conical diggings - now a rare sight indeed. 

signs of a foraging bandicoot

The mosquito bites and a solitary leech were soon forgotten as we talked and bonded over a delicious lunch under the trees. It was then the quote of the day was uttered:

Q: What was the highlight of your day?

A: Finding an unknown native plant.

Q: What was it?

A: I don't know!

Thanks to Michael Wright of Basalt to Bay who organised the field trip, Rod Bird, Sue and David Rowbottom, and everyone who turned up to make this such an enjoyable and productive day.