The conservation value of private property; a case study of the birds of Woopenatty, Arrino, in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia, 1987–2002.

Abstract

Woopenatty was a 7,293 ha wheat-sheep property in the Geraldton Sandplains biogeographic region of the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia. Data were collected on the presence of bird species seen on a weekly basis on the property from October 1987 until the end of 2002. A total of 133 species was recorded from the property during this period with 52 species of resident, 16 species of regular visitor, 15 species of irregular visitor and 50 vagrant species. The avifauna of the property was compared with records collated from 1904 from eight locations within a radius of 110 km of the property and from records within a radius of 50 km of the property from two Birds Australia atlases (1977– 1981 and 1997–2002). Seventy-four percent of the species, including many dependent on remnant native vegetation, recorded from the other localities were recorded on Woopenatty. The property was clearly of importance for conservation of the avifauna of the Geraldton Sandplains. This study illustrates the importance of publishing descriptions of regional biota in order to assess changes over time and the significance of remnant native vegetation on private property to conservation. Suggestions for setting priorities for conservation and management of such remnant native vegetation are made.