I also saw some of the ones that Geoffrey mentioned. I have long video of one at ANBG on 11 October 1992, that many others saw. There was also the one Regent
Honeyeater that stayed for a few weeks in the flowering ironbarks in the vicinity of the car park in front of the ATO office in Belconnen town centre (in August 1998). I have a lot of video of that one. At one stage I parked my car in the car park and the
bird appeared in the overhanging branches over the front of my car about 2 metres from me. Although most of the time it was very active. Those two videos have a lot of the mimicry behaviour. Also the one at Tuggeranong town centre opposite the Alpha hotel
I think 4 years ago, a bit before the blitz day. That was there for about a week. I remember it was not there on the blitz day, - at least not whilst I was looking. Somewhat more distant was the one that turned up as I was doing one of the surveys for David
Lindenmayer’s project at Nanangroe.
As for the White-fronted HE that David mentioned, I thought it was only seen at Jerrabomberra Wetlands for one day (certainly not for weeks). The bird (or more
likely another, of the same species) arrived at my home about a week later and was seen by me every day (except one) and by a total of over 60 people, for nine weeks.
I don’t recall and my quick search did not find the Henry Nix article Geoffrey mentioned.
Philip
From: Geoffrey Dabb [
Sent: Tuesday, 26 March, 2019 1:32 PM
To:
Subject: FW: [canberrabirds] Regent Honeyeater
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.
