May 15, 2019

Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot surveys 2019

The first of the biannual survey periods for the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and Swift Parrot commences this coming weekend. We are seeking your assistance to search for both species across their range in Victoria, NSW, ACT and southern Queensland.

As has been the approach for many years, the targeted survey periods occur on the third weekend in May and first weekend in August, and up to a week either side. Thus for 2019 the two survey periods are:
– 13th to 26th May*
– 27th July to 11th August

If you are interested and available to help do searches at our suggested locations this May, we encourage you to get in touch with your regional coordinator. Or, if you are uncertain of who your relevant regional coordinator is and/or where you would like to search, send us an email (woodlandbirds@birdlife.org.au) and we’ll forward your message through to the right person. Some areas may have coordinated surveys already planned, but for the most part we are simply asking people to conduct searches for these critically endangered and rare species.

The May and August survey periods are now embedded in many peoples’ calendars and it is a great way of maximising participation in seeking out these elusive birds. But it is important to remind everyone that BirdLife Australia maintains the sightings database for both species, so we are also very interested in any opportunistic sightings of both species at any time of year. We have pieced together the update from the August 2018 surveys, which you will find here noting that it includes a detailed account of sightings of both species throughout the remainder of 2018.

If you find either species, you can complete and submit the survey form (word and PDF versions) which can be found on our website. It can be returned either to us directly or to your regional coordinator. Alternatively you can simply email or call us. If you undertake a search but are unsuccessful in detecting either species, please let us or your regional coordinator know but it is no longer necessary to fill out these sheets for unsuccessful searches. During the surveys, we encourage you to submit records of other bird species from the locations you have visited to the BirdLife Australia ‘Birdata’ Atlas, either through the website portal or the app.

Sightings of Regent Honeyeaters are of particular interest at any time. Please let one of the team know as soon as possible if you see one or more, including – where possible – a precise location and any colour leg band details. A photo for confirmation is also helpful if possible. You can also contact us with Regent Honeyeater sightings using a Freecall number (1800 621 056).

Dean Ingwersen, Chris Timewell, Caroline Wilson & Emily Mowat
Mick Roderick M 0421 761 237 mick.roderick@birdlife.org.au

(*Apologies from the editor. Computer downtime and some emails not arriving have caused this notice to be late. IB.)