Avifauna changes along a Eucalyptus regeneration gradient

Birds were surveyed at six sites within Eucalyptus macrorhyncha-E. rossii ( Red Stringybark-Inland Scribbly Gum) woodland in the Peel landscape north o f Bathurst, New South Wales. These sites were paired and represented three stages along a regeneration gradient following clearing and grazing. Over t he two-and-a-half years of surveying 47 bird species were recorded. General ly, a decrease in the number of species and individual birds was recorded a long the gradient with time since disturbance. Moving along the regeneratio n gradient, a succession in the bird fauna was evident, although 15 species were recorded across all stages. The avifauna along this regeneration grad ient was dominated by species that predominantly forage and move within the tree canopy. Microhabitat use by birds varied seasonally, particularly wit hin early regeneration sites. This study highlights the need to consider, a t local and landscape scales, the effects on avifauna of the restoration ac tivities currently underway throughout Australia.