Abstract
Birds were removed after counting numbers along a creek reserve established when old growth eucalypt forest on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales was cleared for pine plantations. Removal ceased after the number of individuals collected exceeded the number estimated by census to be present. Removal was followed by rapid recolonization probably from a large area of uncleared forest continuous with the reserve. This is similar to results obtained in removal experiments in North America which found the bird community contained ‘surplus’ or ‘floating’ individuals that immediately occupied vacant habitat. The large number of ‘floaters’ we identified by collection on the creek reserve assists in explaining the rapid recolonization by birds of habitats affected by wildfires and has significant conservation benefits.