Birds in the pine plantations of Imbil State Forest

Following the submission of a proposal to the Queensland Government last week to convert Imbil State Forest in the Sunshine Coast hinterland to a conservation park, I spent some time surveying birds in its hoop pine plantations this week. The Queensland Environment Minister, Leanne Enoch, has undertaken to investigate the proposal, which would scrap logging and grazing leases in the 21,000ha state forest to allow plantations to regenerate as subtropical lowland rainforest, a critically endangered habitat.

I spent seven daylight hours and two hours of an evening checking out plantations and contiguous rainforest remnants in the north-eastern sector of the state forest. The area extended along forestry roads from Stirling's Crossing to near Brooloo. Not far south of Stirling's Crossing is a stand of mature hoop pine plantation that has not been logged for many years; I focused a good deal of attention here.

Of 57 species recorded, more than half – 31 species – were seen or heard in hoop pine plantations. Most of the others were in remnant rainforest adjoining pine plantations. Some species, such as Russet-tailed Thrush, appeared to be equally at home in rainforest and in adjoining pine plantation. 

Others, including Noisy Pitta, were primarily in rainforest but calling sometimes in pine plantation. Paradise Riflebird was seen both in rainforest and nearby pine plantation. 

Crested Shrike-tit was in eucalypt forest adjoining a plantation.

Five species were noted only in plantations. They included Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo and, among recently planted hoop pine, Variegated Fairywren and Red-browed Finch.

I found quite a few buttonquail platelets in the plantations that very likely were made by Black-breasted Buttonquail. I saw a female Black-breasted Buttonquail in vine scrub adjoining a pine plantation.

Red-necked Pademelons were common in both rainforest and pine plantations. 

I found a Marbled Frogmouth in rainforest with hoop pine plantation in close proximity. The rainforest remnants are so small that such species would likely feed in old-growth plantation as well. This site is just 130m above sea level; it is unusual to record Marbled Frogmouth in this region at such low altitudes. I heard a Masked Owl calling in the same area where I recently saw four owls.

On the subject of owls, soon after the Masked Owl sightings I went owling around Bli Bli and Ninderry with Chris Corben. We saw four Eastern Grass Owls at three sites as well as an Eastern Barn Owl.

It was clear from this week's foray in Imbil State Forest that mature hoop pine plantations with adjoining rainforest remnants provide excellent habitat for wildlife. See here for elist.