PHOTO: The image of a critically endangered Regent Honeyeater feeding on White Box blossoms in the Pilliga Forest taken by birdo May Whittall.
Birdwatchers and conservationists alike are buzzing with excitement after a rare sighting of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater in the heart of the Pilliga Forest.
Once abundant across south-eastern Australia, these striking black-and-yellow birds have become an increasingly elusive presence, with fewer than 300 believed to survive in the wild.
It was a case of well-spotted by Julie Squire from Pilliga Pottery who first caught sight of the bird. The sighting was confirmed the next day by Pilliga Forest Birdwatchers, John and May Whittall, with May capturing a photo of the bird.
May says the lone bird was seen feeding in an isolated flowering White Box not far from Pilliga Pottery.
“The sighting is extremely rare; the last forest sighting of a Regent Honeyeater was ten years ago in 2015 and there have been no other sightings in Central West NSW either,” she said.
“It is very exciting because most of the birds have been confined to the Hunter region in the past few years, whereas the Warrumbungles and Pilliga Forest were once important breeding areas.”
May says these birds are predominantly nectar feeders and travel through the landscape chasing the nectar flow of flowering trees.
“Out here White Box is a favourite, but they will feed from a number of trees including Mugga Ironbark and Yellow Box for example,” she added.
“Box Gum woodland is their preferred habitat, which is the one most under threat from clearing and degradation. White Box grassy woodland itself is a threatened ecological community, with around a ninety-five percent loss. They also rely heavily on Mistletoe for food and for nesting sites, especially in She Oak lined waterways.”
In the mid-1800’s Regent Honeyeaters were enthusiastically described as occurring in ‘thousands’ in some locations, and as recently as the early 1900’s were the most common species in an area. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case, with the species considered extinct in western Victoria and South Australia, the range has contracted and is patchy.
Hope flies
The unexpected local appearance has sparked hope among experts that the species may be clinging on more strongly than originally feared.
Mick Roderick, Regent Honeyeater recovery advisor for Birdlife Australia, says he is delighted with the news.
“It is so good to hear that the Regent Honeyeater has now been seen three times in approximately the same location,” he said. “It’s not breeding season but it does indicate that conditions are good, so it may stick around for a little while.
“This species are very mobile and seek out the best habitat so when they find good blossoms they will often stay there, which is a bit of a plus for the location.
“Coincidentally, the bird was seen in exactly the same spot where Swift Parrots were observed a couple of years ago, which is incredible. It is all down to good habitat and good observing.”
Mr Roderick says that there are lots of other nectar feeding birds in the location, so birdwatchers are hoping that this one is not alone and that there are other Regent Honeyeaters somewhere in the landscape that have not been found yet.
“Although, as with nearly any threatened species, the reason for their decline is loss of habitat, but for a reason we don’t understand, the Regent Honeyeater has almost disappeared, whereas other species who have lost habitat have not,” Mr Roderick explained.
I think it is mostly because they don’t adapt well to change and they are quite fussy. They are hard-wired to turn their nose up at any old blossom; they have their favourite tree and they will fly around looking for it and if most of those trees are gone, then you have a problem.”
He says that if anyone has seen, or thinks they have seen a Regent Honeyeater, they should report it to Birdlife Australia.
“We have an online report form and it is very easy to fill in,” he concluded.
“Reporting a sighting of a critically endangered Regent Honeyeater to Birdlife Australia is essential, as it helps conservationists track the species’ movements, protect critical habitats, and guide efforts to save these rare birds from extinction.”
For more information on the Regent Honeyeater and to report a sighting visit https://birdlife.org.au/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-regent-honeyeater.
by LIZ CUTTS