In another thread I mentioned the significant decline in Superb Fairy Wren numbers at my place following the advent of the new neighbours' cats. Numbers dropped from around 39 to 7 or so. Great news, however. I haven't seen any of these cats for a couple of months & Superb Fairy Wren numbers are back up to about 33. In fact, I've several times counted 9 near our house which is where I've usually seen the cats.
Superb Fairy Wren numbers at my place usually drop off after breeding is done & then pick up again about now so at least some of this increase in numbers may be due to natural fluctations. But an increase from 7 or so to around 33 is out of the ordinary, I would have thought.
That's great news, I bet the cats played a major role in their disappearance, butcher birds, currawongs and noisy miners can also influence their numbers and whether they are around or not, all small birds suffer greatly when there is even a small imbalance in their habitat. Their habitat neefs to be stable for them to thrive. Too many large predators, too many bushfires, too much drought, too much rain ect ect are all major factors, extremes don't benefit small birds.
For Australian birds, natives=life, exotics=death, so do them a favour and go plant some natives and save their lives.
Great to hear that Woko must be nice to have them back. I have been seeing loads around various areas of SA this year especially Southern regions.
I think so, doublebar. I'm not sure at all why I've seen no cats around for some weeks. Perhaps it's related to the neighbours having moved into their house which is further from my front gate than where they were living in temporary accommodation while their house was being built. That sounds improbable tho' as cats will travel many kilometers to make nuisances of themselves.
That's interesting, Rick. I've never seen so many in the vicinity of our house - up to 9. Perhaps they're adapting to human presence & find there are fewer predators where Ms Woko & I are.