More help wanted in my hunt for substitutes for tree lucerne
(Chamaecytisus palmensis/proliferus) as a source of nectar for wintering
honeyeaters.
Flame Heath (Astroloma conostephioides) is well known as a source of
winter food for birds: the CSIRO's "Food of Australian Birds" lists 11
honeyeater species which have definitely been recorded feeding on the
flowers (nectar or pollen).
But what about Cranberry Heath (A.humifusum) which is the locally
indigenous counterpart of Flame Heath in southern Victoria ? The only
passerine recorded feeding on it in the CSIRO book is the Common
Starling (stomach contents included the seed, so it may have been
feeding on the berries).
Does anyone have records of other passerines feeding on Cranberry Heath,
please. Or explanations of why this plant should not be visited by HEs?
Michael Norris
PS. The New Zealand Department of Conservation web pages, praised on
Birding-Aus recently in connection with Kiwis, recommend tree lucerne as
a garden plant for feeding indigenous birds. In Victoria the State
government researchers have identified it as a serious environmental
weed.
PPS. About 5 kms. from me almost all the nature strip trees in one
street are Red Ironbarks (Eucalyptus sideroxylon pallens), another
well-known sources of nectar for HEs. They are currently in bloom and
look stunning with the combination of the deep pink-red flowers, near
black bark and grey-green foliage.
|
