L. Forró szerk.: Miscellanea Zoologica Hungarica 12. 1998 (Budapest, 1998)

Bankovics, A., Fuisz, T. I.; Hangay, G.: Occurrence of birds in New South Wales, Australia

MISCELLANEA Tomus 12. ZOOLOGICA 1998 HUNGARICA p. 99-106 Occurrence of birds in New South Wales, Australia by A. Bankovics, T. I. Fuisz and G. Hangay (Received August 31,1998) Abstract: Birds of five different localities representing diverse habitat types such as mountain rain forests, dry sclerophyll forests, semideserts and extensive agricultural areas were observed and identified in New-South Wales, Australia in January 1998. The list of observed species is given in tables according to taxonomic order. Key words: Australia, NSW, birds, Aves, faunistics Introduction In January 1998 two researchers (A. B. and T. I. F.) of the Hungarian Natural History Museum were invited by George Hangay for a one month ornithological trip. During the trip several characteristic habitat types of New South Wales were visited, and occurrence of bird species were recorded at the locations. The range of natural habitats included from semideserts to mountain rain forests a whole series of natural landscapes, additionally agricultural and urban areas were also studied. For the identification of birds several field guides were used (Slater et al. 1986, Simpson & Day 1996). Birds were identified with 10 x 50 binoculars and a Leica spotting scope. On several occasions secretive passerine birds were lured to the observers from dense undergrowth by imitating their sounds by whistling or with a small tool (Audubon Bird Call) emitting high frequency squeaking noise. As these areas were visited at the middle of the Australian summer, the native bird species were often incubating or already rearing their young, and some Palearctic migrant species from the Northern hemisphere were also present, "wintering" in Australia. Results and discussion Hereafter we give a short description of the most significant areas visited, and a list of observed bird species with common names, scientific names and authors' names. The list of birds follows the taxonomic order published in Schode & Tidemann (1997). The list of locations is compiled in chronological sequence. Olinda Station and surrounding areas, 4-6th January, 1998. This property, which is primarily a cattle station, is situated West from the Great Dividing Range, near the Wollemi National Park and Coricudgy State Forest, at the foothills of Mount Coricudgy. The area is composed of a mosaic of agricultural landscapes and forests. The pastures of cattle properties are interspersed with small rocky outcrops, covered with small remaining patches of dry sclerophyll forests. Outside the boundaries of the grazing paddocks at lower elevations larger stands of dry sclerophylous forests can be found. As the elevation