Current Projects
Bell Miner Associated Dieback (BMAD)Dieback is a condition that begins on the leaves and spreads to the branches, which can lead to tree death. In the case of BMAD, sap-feeding parasitic insects feed on eucalypt leaves and their protective sugary coating known as lerp, is fed upon by the bell miner.
Bell miners are a natural part of eucalypt forests, and they normally have a minor (and positive) impact on forests. However, bell miner populations have increased in size in some areas, and the birds have become more widely distributed. Research now suggests that bell miners are increasing their habitat due to an increase in forest structure availability, particularly areas with a thick understorey of any plant species and a canopy containing eucalypts. The removal of weedy understories has led to the relocation of some colonies on a property in Creek's Bend near Kyogle NSW but not in others. Long term monitoring is now required to monitor the treatment of weedy understories containing plants such as Lantana camara using glyphosate and fire or a combination of both to restore schlerophyll forests to native species. This monitoring is also required to determine the influence of restoration on the presence of bell miners and other fauna species, positively or negatively. Bell miner nesting preferences: does micro-climate affect success?Despite the studies already undertaken, little is known about the reasons behind their habitat choice and reasons for dispersal. In order to better understand the relationship between bell miner activities and the potential for them to contribute towards tree dieback, and the reasons behind any dispersal and colony movements that may occur, it is necessary to determine why this species chooses certain plant species for nesting. A previous study found that bell miners nest in the understorey, possibly because the plant species growing there have dense foliage which could be a protective cover that reduces the negative effect of microclimates. However, it is unknown why bell miners choose the understorey to nest in and whether microclimate has any affect on nest success.
Possible Postgrad ProjectsUnderstanding the dispersal dynamics of bell miners: do they disperse and can this be monitored? (Honours project) Supervisors: Dr Berndt Janse Van Rensburg Dr Kathryn Teare Ada Lambert van Rensburg Lab link Habitat restoration and the bell miner: how do they respond? Supervisors: Dr Paul G. McDonald Dr Kathryn Teare Ada Lambert ABEL link How do Grey-crowned Babbler group dynamics and dispersal change over time in an urban habitat? Supervisors: Dr Paul G. McDonald Dr Kathryn Teare Ada Lambert ABEL link |
Bell-Miner-Colony ProjectThe bell miner, Manorina melanophrys, is a native honeyeater, endemic to eastern Australia. Like the noisy miner, Manorina melanocephala, bell miners defend a territory year-round from other bird species, particularly the eucalypt canopy where they spend most of their time feeding. Unlike the noisy miner, bell miners prefer a thick understorey of any plant species for nesting. Due to their nesting and foraging behaviour, this species has been implicated as the cause of eucalypt dieback.
However, as this species is opportunistic and will nest in exotic plant species such as Lantana camara, it is now thought that its presence is a symptom of dieback and forest disturbance where an increase of their food source, namely herbivorous insects, has occurred. Little is known, however, about how or why a bell miner colony chooses a particular site for colonisation and whether they claim a site after insect numbers have increased and the trees are already showing signs of stress long before tree death occurs. In order to determine this, we need more information on the location of colonies, their habitat in terms of understorey plants and any information on how long a colony has been in the area. Therefore, a project has been started for everyone to report the location of colonies and other information that can be provided. You can tell us about the bell miners in your area by visiting: |