I hope Tun Pin Ong does not mind me forwarding our messages and thank him
for advising me, even if he was unsure. I had the morning today (till 3 pm)
in Tuggeranong, then decided when I got out to follow up on this. I drove to
the Alpha Hotel at 46 Rowland Rees Crescent, Greenway where it is
immediately obvious there is lots of flowering Eucs. I parked my car and got
out to hopefully search for this Regent Honeyeater. Sure it helps to know
the bird well and the range of its calls and it took no more than 2 minutes
to find it. Beside the corner of said hotel there is a whole fenced off open
area inhabited by kangaroos. There is a group of 4 I think Ironbark trees
right in the corner closest to the hotel car park and road. I could hear the
Regent Honeyeater as I arrived then it flew, pursuing a Red Wattlebird, to
this bunch of trees I was standing near. The size difference and black white
and yellow pattern is immediately clear, then I watched for close on 4
minutes at the top of these trees. I lost track of it when it went across
the open area to the nearby bigger stand of trees again in pursuit of RW.
Completely certain of ID as I saw it really well and I know them well. It
was very close to the Red Wattlebirds and being very aggressive towards
them, jumping towards them and chasing them. It was as is typical doing RW
call mimicry. Although with some of its own fluty calls as well. There is
plenty of other flowering trees across the road that would also attract
them. I might go back out there with my video camera in an hour or two or
perhaps tomorrow, I don't know if my video camera is charged, I haven't used
it for a few years.
I told the front office staff of the Alpha Hotel to expect people with
cameras to arrive and be snooping around.........
Philip Veerman
24 Castley Circuit
Kambah ACT 2902
02 - 62314041
-----Original Message-----From: Philip Veerman
Sent: Monday, 20 October 2014 3:34 PM
To: 'Tun Pin Ong' Subject: RE: Suspected Regent Honeyeater in
Tuggeranong
Hello thank for that. I was in Tugg this morning. Just came home. Oh this is
from Friday..... I will be there again tomorrow. Can you tell me which area
this is...... I will look again. I might even have time about 5 to 6 p.m.
In the meantime I would really like to know about: "too often tries to mimic
other Honeyeater call". Not sure if you know of my connection to this topic.
It was me who first described this behaviour in print.......
Philip
-----Original Message-----From: Tun Pin Ong
Sent: Monday, 20 October 2014 1:17 PM
To: Philip Veerman Subject: Suspected Regent Honeyeater in Tuggeranong
Hi Philip,
I am writing u in a private email as nothing is confirmed yet. Last week Fri
during noon, I looked thru office kitchen window at level 3 of my office
block, I saw a medium sized Honeyeater w ver rich yellow band at tail tip
chased by slightly bigger Red Wattlebird just in front of me. I was not able
to see it again because I was at work and Friday was a busy day for me.
Around my DSS Office in Tuggeranong, a few gum trees have been in good bloom
for few months. Has always been stronghold and even some breeding for red
wattle bird, especially the "crimson/pink" flower Gumtree right next to my
kitchen window. Last 3 weeks, the spot has been invaded by noisy Friarbirds.
Some non birder colleagues were impressed by Noisy F feeding right next to
glass window.
My experience w RHE was very close and prolonged look in Carpertee Valley 10
years ago. And 3 years ago a single bird in upper Hunter Valley. Has been
keeping an eye on its call but RHE does not call loudly and it too often
tries to mimic other Honeyeater call.
Will glue my eye over my lunch and afternoon tea break and keep finger
crossed.
Cheers,
Tun Pin ONG
0404058118=
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