Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater survey results

Here is a summary of the Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters recorded during the National Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater Survey weekend in May 2005:

The May surveys were a success with over 400 survey forms submitted and good numbers of Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters recorded.  In the Capertee Valley 52 Regent Honeyeaters were recorded during the national surveys.  A few Regent Honeyeaters were also recorded in Mt Kaputar National Park near Narrabri, NSW and Chiltern Box Ironbark National Park near Chiltern, Victoria.

Victoria provided the largest Swift Parrot counts with over 1000 recorded across the state.  Swift Parrots were found to be most abundant during the national survey weekend in the Bendigo-Castlemaine and Maryborough-Dunolly regions, followed by the Rushworth and St Arnaud regions.  Grey Box was the most common forage tree used by Swift Parrots in Victoria with both lerps and nectar being eaten.  Although 25 Swift Parrots were recorded in the north east region, there have been flocks of around 150 Swift Parrots recorded in this region since the survey weekend.

In NSW Swift Parrots were predominantly found in the southern half of the state with the largest congregation of 50 birds being on the south coast amongst the flowering Spotted Gum forest.  The Spotted Gum in the hunter valley is also proving to be a favourite area again with regular sightings since the survey weekend.  Despite drought conditions on the western slopes of NSW flocks of up to 40 Swift Parrots have been found in woodlands outside of the official survey weekend.

In April, Swift Parrots were recorded in both South Australia (8 birds) and the ACT (approx 60 birds), despite the absence of records during the survey weekend. The Swift Parrots in the ACT stayed for over a month, being the longest recorded visitation to the ACT for the species.

The next Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater National Survey Weekend is coming up on the first weekend in August (6-7th) - if you are interested in joining our network of volunteers and doing surveys for these endangered species please contact Debbie Saunders or David Geering for more information.

Debbie Saunders
Swift Parrot Recovery Officer
National Swift Parrot Recovery Team
PO Box 2115 Queanbeyan NSW 2620

02 6298 9733 or 1800 66 57 66
or

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