In Canberra Bird Notes somewhere is a report by Henry Nix of a Regent Honeyeater turning up in a nature strip he planted, under the title ‘The Ultimate Pay-off’ as I recall.
Re Shorty’s note on possible haunts, Callum Brae is nearby. The honeyeater has been recorded there. Anywhere is possible. Since 1996 I have seen the species at –
‘North Watson’ (breeding event)
ANBG
ANU
Black Mountain Peninsula
Mount Ainslie (by Mt A Dve)
Newline corner paddock
Campbell Park (both sides of Horse Xing
I just missed Jonette’s sighting at Callum Brae on a walk I was supervising.
All except the Newline sighting were the result of reports by others. I am sure other people will have longer lists of sightings, drawing on early records when the species was less rare.
From: Dr David Rosalky <>
Sent: Tuesday, 26 March 2019 12:53 PM
To: 'Matthew Frawley' <>; 'Cog line' <>
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] Regent Honeyeater
This is amazing. It reminds me of the White-fronted HE which was around Jerrabomberra Wetlands for weeks and then disappeared only to turn up in Philip Veerman’s place. Now, I don’t believe in
UFOs, so what is going on?
Two thoughts:
1. These rare (or out of area) birds know the avid birdwatchers and decide to go to their homes for a bit of TLC; or
2. There are many more such visitations to Canberra but the locals don’t realise what they have seen and we don’t find out about them.
I’d go for the latter explanation.
David
From: Matthew Frawley <>
Sent: Tuesday, 26 March 2019 10:54 AM
To: Cog line <>
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Regent Honeyeater
Curious as to which suburb this is from?
On Tue, 26 Mar 2019 at 10:29, Alison Russell-French <> wrote:
Wow! A good one Shorty and how privileged are you!
From: shorty <>
Sent: Tuesday, March 26, 2019 9:29 AM
To: COG Chat <>
Subject: [canberrabirds] Regent Honeyeater
Well you could knock me down with a feather. Just had one at my bird bath :)))))
Could only get shots through my dirty window as it took off when i went to the front door but it came back again. It is hanging with a group of 3 Wattlebirds
but they have left now. Hope it comes back.
