Creating Stepping Stones for Frugivores

Ideally, in natural area restoration we have large bushland areas within which we are working to re-establish on-site habitat or wildlife corridors to even more extensive areas of native wildlife habitat.

The reality is often much less than this: we are working in narrow urban riparian reserves infested with Lantana, Privet, Bitou and Camphor Laurel, or we only have our own backyard in which to work. Even so, you can still make a substantial contribution to protection of native wildlife in your area by creating a “stepping stone” oasis for fruit-eating (frugivorous) wildlife.

Over time, because of loss of native fruiting species, birds and bats have become semi-dependent on weed species; a situation which could become self-perpetuating because they then become an agent for spreading these weed species (Camphor Laurel, for example). By gradual and mosaic removal of weeds, and replacement with local native species, the balance can be tipped in favour of the local plant species, without compromising the food source for native wildlife.

Gradual removal of weed and exotic garden species and replacement with the local suggestions would provide a food source for the following local frugivores; Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), Brown Pigeon Macropygia amboinensis, Rose-crowned Fruit-dove Ptilinopus regina, Superb Fruit-dove Ptilinopus superbus, Wompoo Fruit-dove Ptilinopus magnificus, White-headed Fruit Pigeon (Columba norfolciensis), Topknot Pigeon (Lopholaimus antarcticus), Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagittatus), Southern Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti), Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus) and Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus), some of which are threatened species.

Tom Clarke of the Hunter Bird Observers stated “the Schedule 2 listed Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Superb Fruit-dove and Wompoo Fruit-dove need very well established rainforest as their prime habitat and all are pretty much at their southern limit north of Newcastle. Any sightings south of Gloucester or Bulahdelah would definitely need confirmation before being accepted by the Rarities Committee. I don't believe that we should expect these species to turn up in suburban bush blocks after planting some fruiting natives.” If there is some connectivity of rainforest remnant adjoining your property e.g Martinsvile Valley and Brunkerville near the Watagans, it may well be worth keeping an eye out for these species.

These birds also require fruit as part of their diet and would enjoy any al fresco dining opportunities your garden or bit of bush may provide.
White-headed Pigeon (Columba leucomela), Brown Cuckoo-dove (Macropygia amboinensis) Emerald Dove(Chalcophaps indica) Wonga Pigeon( Leucosarcia picata) Topknot Pigeon(Lopholaimus antarcticus) Australian King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius) Eastern Koel (Eudynamys orientalis) Channel-billed Cuckoo (Scythrops novaehollandiae) Green Catbird(Ailuroedus crassirostris) Regent Bowerbird (Sericulus chrysocephalus) Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) Lewin’s Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii) Little Wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera) Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) Noisy Friarbird(Philemon corniculatus) Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti) Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagittatus) Pied Currawong(Strepera graculina) Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis ).