The first of the four proposed 1999 Regent Honeyeater Breeding Surveys
last weekend did not find a single Regent although two people were sure
they heard one on the river site on Huntingdale. Surveyors were Doug
Bateman, Carole Probets, Sue Kitchen, Iain Hackworthy, Mark Anderson and
myself. The weather was glorious - no frost or fog, and no cold winds, with
bit of cloud after midday.
Searches along the Capertee to Glen Davis road and to Glen Alice and out to
Huntingdale found generally low numbers of honeyeaters other than Fuscous
and White-plumed, except where there were a few flowering white box. In
these isolated white boxes, often just one flowering among many others,
were many Fuscous, White-plumed and Yellot-tufted with smallerl numbers of
White-naped, Black-chinned, Noisy Friarbirds and Little Lorikeets. However
many White-boxes are just starting to bloom as well as Blakeley's Red Gums
in heavy bud. A few ironbarks in flower but not attracting birds.
Noted Sunday morning that as we walked Goolooinboin, pairs of Little
Lorikeets flying in from the nearby forested slopes at the base of the
cliffs to the flowering white box, at about 9 am when the sun had warmed
things up a bit. It would appear they roost in pairs and then join up
during the day at good feeding sites. Some honeyaters were seen to spend
time taking nectar, then dash to a nearby tree and glean among the leaves,
and then back to the nectar - mixed diet? The Noisy Friarbirds were the
last Honeyeaters to arrive among the nectar.
On the 2nd bit of sealed road coming from Capertee, just past the timber
cottage on the right, is a heavily flowering White box about 50 m below
the road on the left - full of the above species Sunday midday.
Turquoise parrots and Swift Parrots were at the 2nd creek crossing on
Saturday (after the above site). Flame, Scarlet, Red-capped and Hooded
Robins seen at many places. Peregrines and Hobbies on the hunt plus Wedgies
and Little Eagles, and as is usually the case in winter, lots of Brown
Falcons perched on dead trees or posts along the roads giving excellent
close views.
Also large numbers of White-winged Choughs - parties varying from 15 to 50.
No Plum-headed finches but lots of others, including nest building
activities - carrying bits of grass. Also a group of White-crowned Babblers
busily building a nest on our first Tree Planting site corner Glen Davis
/Crown Station roads. This site is now attracting more birds than in the
past, with long grasses and shrubs/trees gaining height.
How about helping the Regents by joining in the next Capertee Tree Planting
planned for weekend of 28th/29th August -k contact is Jane Miller, Blue
Mountains - Tel: 0247 39 1190, or via SNAG
EMail
David Geering - forms will get to you this Friday at the meeting.
Penny Drake-Brockman, Examination Recitals Co-ordinator, Sydney
Conservatorium of Music.
Tel: 02 9351 1254.
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