Bas Hensen wrote "A single Regent Honeyeater was seen 17+18 Dec. feeding in
flowering Black
Bean trees, in the company of Noisy Friars and Little Wattlerbirds, on the
bank of the Macdonald river in St Albans, N. of Wisemans Ferry. Odd for
this time of the year."
Not really all that odd. Regent Honeyeaters typically leave the Capertee
Valley (THE major remaining breeding area for the species) soon after
breeding has been completed. This may be in November or as late as
February if there has been a good flowering year.
This year has seen no breeding in the Capertee Valley (OK, one nest that
we know about) and the birds departed early. This coincided with a radio
tracking study of Regent Honeyeaters following on from a previous such
study in 2000/01. We have thus been able to keep tabs on some very
interesting movement patterns initiated by these birds. Of particular
interest is one of our radio-tagged Regents currently residing in the
middle of the Wollemi National Park on the Colo River.
There has been a theory that Regents use the Colo as a route to the
eastern side of the ranges (not necessarily one that I favoured). It
could well be that this is exactly what these birds do. I would strong
urge anyone birding in the Hawkesbury to be extra vigilant for Regent
Honeyeaters (they are typically extremely cryptic at this time of year)
and PLEASE report them to me immediately so we can add just a few extra
pieces to the jigsaw of Regent Honeyeater movements.
Cheers
David
David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo NSW 2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382
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