Capertee Valley

I've just spend the last couple of days in the Capertee Valley. Well, I actually arrived at midday Tuesday and had to leave at 3.00PM Wednesday.  The sole purpose of the trip was to try and get a handle on how many Regent Honeyeaters we might have in the valley, what habitats they were utilising and what they were up to.

In a nut shell.  I found Regent Honeyeaters across the length and breadth of the valley, locating a total of 140 birds.  I clearly didn't have time to visit all potential sites but selected those sites that were representative of where they were likely to be.  For example of about 11 km of river that I'm able to access I probably walked about 4km.  Similarly, I didn't look in every patch of flowering White Box.  I'm hoping I will have more time later this month to have a really good luck.  Regardless, we are obviously in for a good year.

Regents were present in both flowering White Box and along the river utilising the Needle-leaved Mistletoe that has now commenced flowering.  I suggest that anyone visiting the valley will have no trouble finding these birds along roadsides.

Other interesting birds seen.  Swift Parrots are still present - I found these at five locations.  A flock of over 400 Plum-headed Finches sitting on a fence along with much smaller numbers of Zebra Finches was impressive.  At the same location were Budgerigars (now present continuously in the valley since 2002).  A Spotted Harrier was nice, not commonly seen in the valley.  Painted Button-quail appear to be increasing again.  Pallid Cuckoos have returned (just in time for the honeyeater breeding season).  White-backed Swallows were seen at four locations.

Another glorious day in the valley!

Carol.  Did you track down that Black-eared Shrike-tit?

Cheers

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW  2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382



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