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Hi All,
Simon Kennedy, Swift Parrot Co-ordinator, is making
a visit to the NSW Central Coast at present to assess the importance of the
flowering Swamp Mahogany to these parrots and John McLennan, Craig Arms and
myself were able to take him to those patches of flowering Swamp Mahogany
(Eucalyptus robustus) where Regent Honeyeaters or Swift Parrots have
been seen in the recent past.
We have been particularly pleased with this years
winter survey 20-21 May, for, for the first time ever, Regent Honeyeaters were
actually seen at two sites regularly surveyed (South Swansea & Sun Valley Rd
Erina) without us knowing before hand that they were present. This is a good
reason for running these surveys! Alas no Swift Parrots were seen and the
Regents have not been seen at either site since!
However, while showing Simon around we found 4
Swift Parrots on Sunday 11 June, at the South Swansea site, and had perfect
views close up and in sunlight! To reward Simon we took him for half an hours
sea-bird watching at Soldiers Point, near Norah Head, and were able to show him
Black-browed, Yellow-nosed & Shy Albatrosses, Fluttering Shearwaters and
White-fronted Terns. Prions could be seen well out. Simon had another reward
later in the morning with a pair of Chestnut-breasted Mannikins in the Berkeley
Vale High School Swamp feeding in long grass!
I returned to Norah Head briefly today and saw
Yellow-nosed and Black-browed Albatrosses and at least 300+ Fairy Prions in
relatively close, but it was not possible to determine if there were any
Slender-billed or other Prions present. Rain stopped play!
Alan Morris
Central Coast Regent Honeyeater Volunteer Ops Group
Organiser
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