INTRODUCED pest species have again topped the count of birds living in Bathurst backyards.
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More than 250 Bathurst people took part in the Backyard Bird Count between October 22-28 last year, recording a total of 11,586 birds and 162 species.
But it was two introduced species - the house sparrow and common starling - that topped the count. Between them they accounted for 21 per cent of all the birds counted.
The most common native species was the Australian magpie, followed by the galah and crimson rosella.
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Participants in the 2018 count spotted 12 threatened species in their backyards, including one black falcon, a superb parrot and three painted honeyeaters.
A report to councillors by planning director Neil Southorn said the dominance of pest birds in Bathurst was much greater than in other areas of Australia.
"The main reason ... is usually the result of a removal of native vegetation and it being replaced with exotic plant species," the report states.
"... It is recognised that there is value placed on the European and northern hemisphere plants in the heritage parts of Bathurst.
"However, the focus on replacing native plants with exotic trees both on council land and on private property is likely to have an ongoing and serious impact upon the long-term viability of native wildlife species in the Bathurst region."
Mr Southorn recommended council look for ways to increase the proportion of native plantings within the urban and suburban environment.
The top 10
- House sparrow: 1485
- Common starling: 1039
- Australian magpie: 1027
- Galah: 670
- Crimson rosella: 626
- Crested pigeon: 550
- Common blackbird: 505
- Magpie-lark: 334
- Sulphur-crested cockatoo: 313
- Red-rumped parrot: 292
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