Re: Regent Honeyeaters and Tree Lucerne

[Pat Macwhirter <>]

Dear list,

My family owns an historic property at the north end of Western Port Bay. In view of Michael's comments about Regent Honeyeaters at Hampton I thought this quote from memoirs of the family who lived at Harewood from 1853 to 1967 might be of interest. The 'wood-paddock' referred to in the passage is where Tooradin airfield now stands.

'The wood-paddock , within sight of "Harewood" house, still contains many varieties of birds.  In the Spring the Whip-bird's resonant crack and the immediate response of his mate, indicated that a nest might be found in the adjacent scrub.  The Regent Honey-eaters were observed near their nests and with their beautiful gold and black plumage made brilliant flashes of colour as they flew among the sweet-scented manna-gums.  Numerous, also, were the white-eared and singing varieties of the Honey-eaters, while Black and White, and also Scarlet-breasted robins were often seen.  The bronze-wing pigeons are common and the Spur-winged Plover frequently call from the sand-rises.  Quail are plentiful.

In the large Cypress trees beside "Harewood" house, the Blue Herons build their nests and in the marshes, among the salt-bushes, are those of the Spotted Cranes.  At dusk, the delicate Owls, with their beautiful fawn and white plumage, fly about and with nightfall the Duck fly up the Creeks, and the soft call of the swans may be heard.

A pretty sight was to see about 200 Gang-gang Cockatoos with their neat grey plumage, the males with scarlet heads and crests, eating and playing about the grass and clover near the house.'

I won't be back on the list for two weeks - I'll have to catch up with any comments when I get back.

Pat

Patricia Macwhirter BVSc (Hons), MA, FACVSc
Registered Specialist in Bird Medicine
Highbury Veterinary Clinic, 128 Highbury Road, BURWOOD, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Ph: (03) 9808 9011 Fax: (03) 9888 7134





>The only records I know of Regent HEs around where I live in SE
>Melbourne were of single birds seen feeding on Tree Lucerne in August:
>in 1947 and 1953.
>
>Michael Norris
>5, Deakin Street, Hampton, Victoria, Australia 3188
>roughly 37° 55' S  145° E