These updates are provided to follow the release of captive bred Regent Honeyeaters in April 2017 (see Release updates 2017)

Update No. 35, 23 August 2019 (2yrs + post 2017 release)

Recent sightings

Two Regents located in the Chiltern area; one male - Orange Metal Green Black (OMNP) a 2017 release bird which had lost a leg band but identified through a unique, tiny, 5-digit number inscribed on the metal band. This bird was last recorded on 23 October 2017. The other Regent was a wild bred female with no leg bands.

The Regent OMNP is now the 14th Regent confirmed alive 12 months or more post the 2017 release. See image of OMNP in 2017.

Monitoring of the male Regent (OMNP) and the wild female nest found that it had almost reached incubation commencement but had recently been abandoned.

Update No. 34, 13 August 2019 (2yrs + post 2017 release)

Recent sightings

Two Regents were identified near Pooley’s Track on the south side of the Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park, both being captive bred birds released in into the area in April 2017.

The birds in the above image were found 4kms away from their point of release 800+ days ago but in the meantime have travelled around the Park and beyond. The male of the pair, Metal/Pink Pink (OMKK), was last recorded in September 2018 in Whorouly (Update #28), over 40kms to the south west of Chiltern.

The female, Orange Metal/Blue Yellow (OMBY) was last recorded (in Chiltern Mt. Pilot NP), just prior to the May 2019 survey (Update #32).

See: Update No. 39 & Update  No. 40 for breeding sucess in 2020

Flowering update

The continued absence of Noisy (and Little) Friarbirds demonstrates the patchiness of flowering in the Park (and indeed in most of north east Vic and southern NSW).  Mugga Ironbark & White Box (& Hybrid Box-Ironbark) are still carrying reasonable to heavy bud that will provide ongoing flowering resource for another three months.

Update No. 33, 24 June 2019 (2yrs + post 2017 release)

Recent sightings

A male Regent Honeyeater has been recorded in western Sydney, some 463 km from where it was released in 2017 near Chiltern in Victoria.

This record registers the longest documented ‘single sector’ distance travelled of any released Regent Honeyeater to-date.

It was reported the banded bird occasionally called and was accompanied by another, non-calling and un-banded Regent i.e. a wild bird.

This incredibly valuable information helps improve our understanding of the species longevity, habitat use, and movement potential in the environment.

Chiltern update

Several Regent observations in Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park (Ballarat Road/White Box walk area) have been recently recorded, including verification of at least one wild (un-banded) bird. A team of locals are actively searching the Park to track down, check for bands and photograph these birds.

Update No. 32, May 27, 2019 (2yrs + post 2017 release)

Recent sightings

The first sighting of a Regent Honeyeater returning to Chiltern for 2019 was a 2017 release bird Orange Metal / Blue Yellow (OM/BY) which was last recorded on 18 August 2017.

The recent sighting of a 2017-year release bird is the 13th 2017 Regent recorded more than 12 months post release.

Flowering

Mugga Ironbark in Chiltern is only now about to flower (many weeks later than usual) and is looking sparse; however prospects are perhaps not as dire given reasonable White Box and Hybrid Box Ironbark flowering is anticipated June/July onwards.

Update No. 31,10 May 2019 (2yrs + post 2017 release)

Recent sightings

Two female Regent Honeyeaters released in 2017 at Chiltern have again been sighted many hundreds of kilometres from their release site. These birds were regularly observed in Stratford then Maffra in Central Gippsland throughout the first half of 2018. The new sightings in 2019 mean they have potentially spent over a year in the Gippsland region.

• Blue Yellow / Orange Metal (BYOM) Cann River, East Gippsland in February 2019.
• Orange Metal / Blue Orange (OMBO) has been recorded in Melbourne (March to May 2019).

Flowering

Observations by the Regent Team indicate poor flowering prospects for the Chiltern area in 2019. Mugga Ironbark is now set for an unprecedented 2nd consecutive year of below average flowering. Like most of South-eastern Australia there were extended, extreme heat events over the summer, particularly in January 2019. As a result, early Ironbark budding that had commenced following decent mid-December rain has largely aborted.

Mistletoe flowering has provided an unbelievably valuable (often the only) nectar (& insect) resource to a host of nectivorous species over the dry summer and early Autumn.

These updates are provided to follow the release of captive bred Regent Honeyeaters in April 2017 (see Release updates 2017)

• Update No. 30 - November 2018
• Update No. 29 - October 2018
• Update No. 28 - September 2018
• Update No. 27 - August 2018
• Update No. 26 - August 2018
• Update No. 25 - March 2018
• Update No. 24 - January 2018

Update No 30. 2 November 2018 (19 months post release)

Following on from Update No. 29 and the need to determine the identity of the breeding male Regent Honeyeater, a number of high magnification images were studied looking at leg band colour combinations and trying to determine the unique metal band number.  Eventually, by piecing together information the exact identity of the bird was determined.

Captive bred male Regent Honeyeater (Orange Metal Yellow Green bands):

• Date of birth: 15 Dec 2015
• Release date: 28 April 2017
• Last seen: 18 August 2017 (in Chiltern)

Recorded breeding experience:

• 12 June 2017, pair bond formed (female OMYR):
• 30 July 2017, nest commenced: (but abandoned several days later following rain event)
• October 2018 (successful breeding with wild female)

Now is the time to spot Regents visiting gardens with:

• Plentiful flowering native shrubs including Bottlebrush and Grevillea.
• Bird baths, ponds or dams (especially now that the temperatures are on the rise – Regents will dip in and drink regularly from reliable water sources).
• Large flowering trees such as late flowering Mugga Ironbark or Yellow Box (currently in full blossom in parts of NE Vic & Southern NSW) and even planted Silky Oat (Grevillea robusta) which will flower in a month or so.

Update No. 29, 26 October 2018 (19 months post release)

Successful wild female / ex-captive male breeding event recorded.

This is the only successful breeding event recorded to date this season (Australia wide). The male is a 2017 release bird - Orange Metal (left) and is one of six potentially surviving males released with at least one green band on the right leg (this one is missing one band). Photographic investigations to determine the unique metal band number are pending.

Two fledglings around 2 weeks out of the nest have been raised on the edge of Chiltern Mt Pilot National Park.

Update No. 28,  September 2018 (18 months post release)

At least 6 Regent Honeyeaters were sighted at dispersed locations during September. Five were all part of the 2017 release and one a 2015 release, which is good news as these birds have survived in the wild since their release. 

Whorouly - 4 (+?) Regents (all 2017 release cohort) were recently recorded near Whorouly – feeding on flowering White Box.

Warby Ranges – Sighting of a Regent with Mauve Green Orange Metal (UPOM) leg bands (now sporting only one Green band on its left leg). This bird was last seen on 1st May 2017. This is sensational news as one could have assumed this bird had died relatively soon after its April 2017 release.

Killawarra – Sighting of a Regent with White Orange Red Metal (WORM) is another sensational find. This is a 2015 release bird, last seen in August 2016 at Chiltern.

Flowering

Dry conditions this Autumn and Winter resulted in a lack of Mugga Ironbark flowering, blossom was almost non-existent this year.

During September there was some patchy but, in some areas, (relatively) bountiful White Box flowering. 

Map showing recent Regent re-sightings

Spot a Regent Honeyeater in the meantime?

Please search flowering White Box remnants or other areas where honeyeaters are present.  Reports of incidental sightings have proven to be very valuable in the past. Remember to check for bands with binoculars and take & forward photo's were possible.

Report any sightings

Contacts: Glen Johnson  (DELWP Wodonga) 02 6043 7924 or Dean Ingwersen, (Woodland Bird Program Manager and
Regent Honeyeater recovery coordinator, BirdLife Australia), 03 9347 0757 ext 247 

Update No. 27,  August 2018 (16 months post release)

Surveys in May 2018 near Chiltern found 4 of the 2017 release Regent Honeyeaters. A further survey in August found another Regent and 2 Swift Parrots.

At least eight captive reared Regents have now been recorded alive 12 months + post their April 2017 release.

Also the Regent Honeyeaters previously recorded in Gippsland nick named ‘Thelma and Louise’, were recently recorded in the Maffra area. Update No. 25

Male Regent Honeyeater, this is a captive reared bird - Orange Metal White Pink (OMWK) leg bands. It was last recorded in late October 2017 (following a failed nesting attempt near Chiltern).

Flowering update

Dry conditions have resulted in remarkably poor autumn / winter (Mugga and White Box) flowering compared to other years. The May and August surveys (and other monitoring in between) in Chiltern resulted in ‘almost nil’ observations of the usually dominant Noisy & Little Friarbirds, and very few target birds.

Update No. 25, 7 March 2018 (week 48 post 1st release)

Almost two months on from the original sighting, the Regent Honeyeater ‘Blue White” is still periodically being observed in at a garden in Stratford.  Using an automatic camera, it was discovered that a second regent was in the area, (Orange Metal ‘Blue Orange’). Both regents are females from the 2017 release over 200 kilometres away.

Two of the ex 2017 release Regents sipping from a garden bird bath in Stratford, Victoria – located over 200km away and almost 11 months post their release at Chiltern, North East Victoria.  

First sighting at Chiltern in 2018

The first regent sighting at Chiltern was recorded in a garden bird bath. The male regent Orange Metal ‘Orange Green was last recorded in Chiltern in early November 2017. The bird was still wearing an old transmitter (fitted in late Aug. 2017). Harnesses are designed with a weak point to enable the transmitter to drop off the bird. Accordingly, while this one is taking a bit longer than usual, the observation is great as it documents Orange Green’s ongoing survival despite still wearing its backpack and antennae.

Flowering update

Grey Box (Eucalyptus macrocarpa) is in full swing in North East Victoria, although birds and bees are generally scarce indicating there’s little nectar or pollen associated with its current flowering. And unfortunately, Mugga Ironbark (E. sideroxylon) flowering prospects in and around Chiltern this year appear to be below average with relatively poor levels of budding currently observed.

Update No. 24, 24 January 2018 (week 42 post 1st release)

The second confirmed evidence of an ex release Regent Honeyeater ‘crossing the Alps’ (or perhaps going the long route) to Gippsland was made in January 2018 when one of the 2017 released birds (Blue White Orange Metal - BWOM) was discovered at Stratford by an observant resident.  

The previous record of a Regent travelling to Gippsland was in November 2016 when one of the 2015 release birds was recorded 270 km from the Chiltern release site at Outtrim in East Gippsland. This bird subsequently returned to Chiltern and was photographed on 7 June 2017 (Update No. 10).

Update No. 23,  18 December 2017 (week 36 - post 1st release)

The Regent Honeyeater nest being monitored at Wangaratta unfortunately failed last week – just several days prior to chick fledging date. For the male (one of the returning birds from the 2015 release) this marked its fifth and ultimately unsuccessful nest attempt for the season.

One of the two birds with working transmitters, the banded wild male, last seen in Chiltern on 30 October was recently rediscovered when detected by a vehicle mounted scanning receiver at Bethanga Bridge (approx. 40km from Chiltern).  The bird was spotted in Silky Oaks that were in peak flowering on the Lake Hume foreshore in this area.   After ‘disappearing’ again for more than a week, the Regent was again detected a further 10km north at Talgarno on the southern shoreline of Lake Hume.

A rediscovered Regent Honeyeater detected in Silky Oaks that were in peak flowering, its blossom appeared to provide the primary nectar source for this solo Regent.

Update No. 22, 5 December 2017 (week 34 - post 1st release)

A pair of nesting Regent Honeyeaters is still being monitored in Wangaratta.

One of the two birds with working transmitters is still being periodically detected in farm land towards Mt. Pilot but it appears that all other Regents have moved beyond the park boundary.

Update No. 21, 21 November 2017 (week 32 - post 1st release)

9 individual Regents have been recorded since the last update which is not surprising given the seasonal movement of Regent Honeyeaters out of the Park and dispersing throughout the landscape.

• Two remaining birds with working transmitters have not been located – despite widespread searches beyond the park.
• A nesting the pair in Wangaratta are now being routinely observed.
• Reports have been received of a pair of Regents in Glenrowan and a single bird in Carboor (55 & 60km respectively from Chiltern).

Nest failure

One of the last nests to be monitored in Chiltern came to a familiar ‘nest failed’ end. The Regent Honeyeater 'Orange/Metal Yellow/Black' had been diligently incubating for a couple of weeks but around the time its eggs were due to hatch last week she went missing (despite the male still being observed in the nest area). She was found dead in the middle of Chiltern township - approximately 5km from the nest area. The bird’s death coincided with a rain event – she was found drowned – unwittingly unable to get out of a bucket positioned under an overflow gutter that she’d chosen to dip into. Nest monitoring video will be looked at to see if predation also played a part in the nest failure.

A huge volunteer effort

The Regent Honeyeater Community Monitoring Project Coordinating Team extends thanks to over 210 members of the community that have contributed over 3000 volunteer hours in the past 32 weeks. Over 6,200 individual Regent Honeyeater observations have been logged into the Regent Honeyeater app over that time.

Update No. 20, 7 November 2017 (week 30 - post 1st release)

28 individual Regents have been recorded since the last update:

• 25 Regents from the 2017 release
• 1 Regent from the 2015 release
• 1 wild banded and 1 wild unbanded Regent

The number of Regents recorded are down due to only 2 birds with working transmitters. Also there has been increased movement due to nesting and changing food resources (flowering) in the region.

Regent Honeyeaters on the move

There has been a noticeable movement of Regent Honeyeaters away from the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park as Mugga and hybrid Ironbark flowering comes to an end. The Park has provided important food and shelter for Regent Honeyeaters over the last seven months but seasonal declining in flowering coupled with a seasonal bounty of flowering native plants in parks and gardens throughout the region (including incredible remnant Yellow Box flowering) has resulted in Regents becoming scarce in the Park.

A nest building pair was detected in Wangaratta (approx. 40km straight line distance from Chiltern). One of the pair is from the 2015 release.

First fledgling

The season’s first fledgling was recorded last week. Above image was taken on day one of fledging. Images: Neville Bartlett.

Five days later the season’s first fledgling is still going strong - actively flying from tree to tree to take insects from its parents (the wild unbanded male and one of the 2017 release females).

Update No. 19, 26 October 2017 (week 28 - post 1st release)

A total of 36 individual Regents have been recorded (leg bands confirmed/birds alive) since the last report:

• 31 Regents from the 2017 release
• 3 Regents from the 2015 release
• 2 wild Regents (1 banded and 1 un-banded)

A new transmitter was attached to one of the few single (un-paired) males still being monitored. Transmitters on the remaining five birds have only one week or so of battery life remaining.

Nesting

Volunteers and coordinators are monitoring multiple nesting attempts (several at chick feeding and others still at incubation stages). Unfortunately, 2 nests both containing chicks were found to have failed due to avian predation (in one case a raven was detected by 24 hour surveillance camera as part of Gem's research).

Regent Honeyeater feeding one of the chicks in a nest. Image taken one day prior to the nest being raided by a raven resulting in nest failure. Image: Glen Johnson.

Regent Honeyeater identified as OMRN (Orange Metal/Red Navy) at watering point displaying bands. Image: Greg Hardam.

Update No. 18,  9 October 2017 (week 26 - post 1st release)

A total of 43 individual Regents have been recorded (leg bands confirmed/birds alive) since the last report:

• 38 Regents from the 2017 release
• 3 Regents from the 2015 release
• 1wild banded Regent
• 1  NEW wild un-banded Regent.  This stunning (vividly yellow and black coloured large) male  has rapidly paired with one of the 2017 release females.  

Only 5 Regents have working transmitters (all are in one location).

Multiple nest are being monitored and many have progressed to the incubation period. Image: Philip Dubbin.

A new observation of a wild un-banded male Regent Honeyeater. Image: David Hancock

A new observation of a wild un-banded male Regent Honeyeater (same bird as above). Image: Philip Dubbin

Flowering

• Mugga Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) blossom which has been the key Regent nectar resource for the last eight months is rapidly coming to a season end.
• Red Box and limited Hybrid Box-Ironbark is currently flowering in the park, but there is also a high chance of Regent Honeyeaters feeding in remnant vegetation on private land, particularly native gardens containing flowering bottlebrush and grevilleas.
• Patches of remnant Yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora) is heavy bud or already flowering in nearby regions.

Now is the time to keep eyes (and ears) peeled for Regents in your native garden and flowering patch of bush. Also watch bird baths and farm dams for dipping Regents as the weather continues to warm!

Update No. 17, 26 September 2017 (week 24 - post 1st release)

A total of 42 individual Regents have been recorded (leg bands confirmed/birds alive) since the last report:

• 38 Regents from the 2017 release
• 3 Regents from the 2015 release
• 1 wild banded Regent

There are now only five birds with working transmitters which means it is more difficult to detect birds.

There have been multiple nest attempts  - again all abandoned at early construction stage - but for one that was abandoned (despite no predation) following the last of a three egg clutch being laid.

Update No. 16, 12 September 2017 (week 22 - post 1st release)

A total of 59 individual Regents have been recorded (leg bands confirmed/birds alive) since the last report:

• 56 Regents from the 2017 release
• 3 Regents from the 2015 release

There are currently 17 birds with working transmitters although the majority have batteries which are due to cease operation soon.

The 5000th individual Regent Honeyeater observation since the April release was clocked up recently - all logged with GPS coordinates via the Regent phone app. - thats help to generate distribution maps, (yellow dots indicate observation). Thanks to Vanessa Giles, DELWP Wodonga.

Nesting

Multiple pair bonds have been established and there's plenty of preliminary nest construction attempts being recorded.

Spider webs are key nest binding material collected along with sticks and bark. Image: Glen Johnson.

Twigs beging collected to construct nest. Image: Greg Hardham.

Unfortunately to-date nests have been abandoned at an early (pre  egg/incubation) stage - a likely combination of:

• frequent adverse weather events (high wind, rain and cold) -  Regents seem to abandon nests that get wet early in construction.
• inexperience (all birds were relatively young at time of release and none have nested before)
• interactions with other animals? (including other honeyeaters pinching nest material?)

As in past releases, pairs may have three or more attempts before they get to incubation and chick feeding stages (presumably gaining valuable nest building and defence experience along the way?).

Update No. 15, 29 August 2017 (week 20 - post 1st release)

A total of 61 individual Regents have been recorded (leg bands confirmed/birds alive) since the last report:

• 19 Regents with working transmitters (but that number will rapidly drop down to the most recent five newly fitted Tx's)
• 38  additional Regents (2017 release cohort with leg bands only)
• Three returnee Regents (2015 release birds - one with a working transmitter)
• One wild Regent (now banded and wearing a working transmitter)

Two Regents were recorded dead since the last update. A male (transmitter wearing bird) was found dead - marking the first recorded death in almost 3 months. The second mortality was observed in the talons of a Goshawk. It was a (non transmitter wearing) female mate of one of the 2015 release birds.  Subsequent observations found the male bird had re-paired with another Regent.

: start of nesting

Transmitter update

The number of trackable Regents has reduced due to batteries running out.  The Regent Team managed to capture 7 Regents and fit new transmitters to the five males caught.

Regent team preparing to fit a new transmitter. Image: Glen Johnson. 

Regents on the move

The Regent observers have noticed the population has split into numerous smaller widespread groupings making monitoring more challenging (especially given the anticipated reduction in the number of birds with working transmitters).  

The much travelled 2015 Yellow Yellow Red Metal (YYRM) has, for the last 80 or so days since it's Gippsland return, bunkered down in one relatively small area on the south side of the Park. This week it was recorded with its mate (female Orange Metal Red Pink) over seven kms away on the north side of Chiltern.

Update No. 14, 15 August 2017 (week 18 - post release post 1st release)

A total of 66  individual Regents have been recorded (leg bands confirmed/birds alive) since the last report:

• 21 Regents with working transmitters
• 41  additional Regents (2017 release cohort with leg bands only)
• Three returnee Regents (2015 release birds - one with a working transmitter)
• One wild Regent (now banded and wearing a working transmitter)

A 2017 release "Orange Metal Yellow Yellow" is well travelled.  It was one of the first birds recorded north of the freeway and has since traversed all parts of the north side of the park.  But in recent times it had gone missing (it's not wearing a transmitter). Fortunately, Dave Hancock recently confirmed it is alive and well 52 days since its last observation - - having joined a small group again on the north side.

Image courtesy Philip Dubbin, which shows that insects (& bugs) are an important component of a Regent 'Honeyeater' diet.                
 

Image courtesy Philip Dubbin, with spring approaching Regents are starting to pair up. 

Update No. 13, 1 August 2017 (week 16 - post 1st release)

A total of 69  individual Regents have been recorded (leg bands confirmed/birds alive) since the last report:

• 21 Regents with working transmitters
• 44  additional Regents (2017 release cohort with leg bands only)
• Three returnee Regents (2015 release birds - one with a working transmitter)
• One wild Regent (now banded and wearing a working transmitter)

Update No. 12, 19 July 2017 (96 days post 1st release)

A total of 69 individual Regents have been recorded (confirmed alive) since the last update.

• 22 Regents have working transmitters.
• 4 Regents from the 2015 release (one wearing a working transmitter) have been observed.
• One wild Regent (now banded and wearing working transmitter) observed.

None of the transmitters attached at the time of the original April releases are now working (their 10-12 week battery life has expired).

Small groups of Swift Parrots are also being heard (& seen) in the Park.

Map

The monitoring program has found there are two groups of Regent Honeyeaters in the south of the park with a recent breakaway small group being recorded back in the north   Map source: Vanessa Giles, DELWP Wodonga GIS Officer.

Update on flowering (Regent Honeyeater food source)

Mugga Ironbark: the mainstay of Regent Honeyeater food so far post release is officially on the wane.  Regent's are still finding later flowering trees and there are some small stands of trees still coming into flower.

White Box:  after an amazing (rare) four consecutive years of good flowering  - there's barely a bud in bloom in 2017 in the Chiltern – Mt Pilot National Park)

Hybrid Box Ironbark:  unfortunately there's relatively low "hybrid" tree numbers in the Park.  Fortunately, those present are budded up really well with flowering to commence in a month or so.  Hybrid flowering is arguably a Regent's preferred nectar source (at least in this Park) - so while few in number our past experience is that it will be perfect for Regents to transition into following the decline of Mugga Ironbark flowering.

Red Box: already commenced flowering in the Park. This species is considered a more marginal nectar source for Regents, however several birds observed only yesterday feeding from blossom - and it's also an exceptional insect resource when flowering.

Yellow Box: prolific early flowering in neighbouring districts e.g. Boorhaman roadsides  - another preferred Regent resource but minimal of this species in the Park.

Golden Wattle:  the first observation of a Regent in the flowering of our national floral emblem -  Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) occurred in the Park on the 1st July.

Update No. 11,  3 July 2017 (82 days post 1st release)

At the end of June two days were spent undertaking the second phase of recapture to fit transmitters and undertake health checks on captured Regents. Dean Ingwersen confirmed the good news, there were no discernible impacts from birds wearing transmitters and on average all birds (including those with transmitters) gained weight following their release.

20 Regent Honeyeaters were captured:

• 18 birds from the 2017 release (8 were fitted with new transmitters). One of the birds was identified from leg bands as being a bird that had no tail feathers on release. It survived well and now has a transmitter attached. See Update 8.
• 2 birds from the 2015 release (one fitted with a new transmitter).
• 1 wild male bird (fitted with a transmitter) banded with Green Metal Blue Blue.

A wild male bird (fitted with a transmitter) banded with Green Metal Blue Blue by the Regent Team. Image: Phillip Dubbin.          

This close up image highlights why Regents were formerly known as the "Warty-face Honeyeater" Image: Dean Ingwersen.

Field monitoring

A total of 70 individual 2017 release birds were recorded since the previous update (this included a wild bird and four 2015 release birds). The Regent Team acknowledge this is a fantastic effort from all involved in the monitoring program.

To-date, 9 of the 2015 release birds have been have been confirmed to survive 12 months post release. A recent sighting becomes the 4^th bird to have survived 2 years. It has been 804 days since this bird was last recorded. The good news is that it is a female (six of the nine returnees are male). It is hoped that more birds from the 2015 cohort are yet to be re-discovered.

Tree climbing training undertaken - this training is necessary to deploy video surveillance equipment that will allow monitoring of breeding events later in the year.

How you can get involved with monitoring.   f    

Update No. 10,  19 June 2017 (68 days post 1st release 52 days post 2nd release)

Monitoring of 70 individual regent honeyeaters has continued.

A major task has been to ensure Regents fitted with transmitters can continue to be monitored. As the batteries are starting run out the team has embarked on a recapture to replace transmitters.

The re-capture of Regents has not been an easy task. The team focused on identifying roosting sites and other sites that the birds use during the day. Eventually 11 birds were captured (4 fitted with replacement transmitters; 5 fitted with new transmitters for the first time and 2 were not fitted because they were below the minimum body weight threshold).

2015 "Yellow Yellow" returns!

The Regent Honeyeater "Yellow Yelllow" from the 2015 release was recorded 270 km from the Chiltern release site at Outtrim in East Gippsland in November 2016. In a remarkable turnaround the same Regent returned to Chiltern and was photographed on 7 June 2017.

See November 2016 update

Update No. 7, 8 May 2017 (26 days post first releases  & day 10 post 2nd release)

Monitoring

• No reported deaths since 16 April.
• 73 individual Regents (including 70 of the 2017 release birds) were recorded alive last week (this is a fantastic effort from everyone that contributed records).
• 23 transmitter birds recorded (almost daily). 
• 47 band only birds (that's a fantastic effort given it's a hard ask tracking down transmitter wearing birds let alone those without).
• 2 Regents from the 2015 release.
• 1 Wild bird.

Nectar flow

With overnight temperatures getting down near zero this could be good for nectar flow.  Apiary studies show that Mugga Ironbark nectar flow increases during frosty conditions like those being currently experienced.

Hybrid Box-Ironbark (another Regent favourite) is looking good for flowering later in the year.

Did you know?

• 868 individual Regent Honeyeater records have been submitted in the post release monitoring period to date.

• 63% of these observations were of Regents actively foraging for nectar from flowering plants (insect hawking, dipping in water, preening etc. accounted for the other records) flowering Mugga Ironbark accounts for 99.9% of those records.

Movement of released Regent Honeyeaters to 8 May 2017

Update No. 2, March 2017

Release dates: Wednesday April 12th and Sunday 16th April (Easter Sunday) in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park.  Exact numbers have not been made available yet but 2017 will be the largest cohort of Regent Honeyeaters ever released into the wild. 

The releases will provide a unique opportunity for the community to witness the world's largest Regent release to date.

Opportunities to view or monitor

There are a number of ways you can be involved but all require pre-registration which must be done by Wednesday April 5^th.  Please Email Liz Wemyss or  Glen Johnson  to indicate whether you:
1)        Wish to attend the Wed 12^th April and/or Sun 16^th April captive releases.  Please indicate:
a)        Viewing only - not participating in monitoring on the day(s); or  BYO
b)        Viewing and able to participate in monitoring on the day(s) see pt 2 below

2)        Can assist in post-release monitoring during the initial 10-12 week tracking period (and potentially up to 30 weeks of Regents in the            park while flowering resources last this season).  Please also indicate the potential level of participation:
a)        One-off day(s) - please advise date(s) if possible
b)        Regular one day per week - pleases advise likely day
c)        Two or more days per week - please advise likely days or whether weekend available.

When you RSVP - Please ensure you provide your full name, email address, mobile phone number.  
It is essential that volunteers who wish to assist in surveying register their interest as above.  We'll then provide essential information including links to free phone apps that must be undertaken/downloaded prior to arriving on site.

Regent Honeyeater captive releases 2017 - volunteer FAQ pdf

Release process – what happens on the day?

On both the 12th and 16th of April, the Regent Team require those coming to view the releases to be at the release site by 7:30am in order to complete sign- in's, safety & project briefings and allocating people to post-release monitoring groups. Everyone needs into place by 8:45am as the tents will be opened at 9:00am sharp!  Don’t miss your chance to see this amazing sight.

Volunteer monitoring opportunities

Post release monitoring is a critical part of the Regent Honeyeater conservation effort.

The 2017 project will once again provide a opportunity for volunteers to have a unique hands on role in a threatened species monitoring program.  The main activity is radio tracking and associated visual confirmations of released (and any wild) Regents, however there are also opportunities to help with radio communications, data collation, office based roles and even moving equipment around.

Monitoring will be undertaken over an extended three to more likely six month period (mid April onwards).  In the first couple of weeks post release the Regent team will probably be running a daily monitoring program (8.30am starts) but will scale back progressively over the weeks.  At least one weekend day/week will be included.  Great opportunities exist for those that can undertake monitoring on a regular basis e.g. each Monday or for several days at a time.

This year volunteers will be able to use electronic monitoring via use of some Apps for smart phones and tablets – Survey123 and HandyGPS.

Regent Honeyeater research continues

A PhD research project identified new factors influencing breeding success (or lack thereof) during the 2015 season.  Research will continue in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park this year to assist again with the monitoring program including investigating breeding outcomes and trial techniques that aim to reduce nest predation and increase the recruitment of fledglings into the population.

Update No. 1, February 2017

2017 releases

The captive breeding of Regent Honeyeaters at Taronga Zoo has been very productive over the last 2 years. The Zoo is set to provide a record number of birds (90+) for the 2017 release (well in advance of the 77 birds released in  2015).

Highlights from the Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #19 May 2016

It is one year one month since the 2015 Regent Honeyeater captive release.

• Six of the 2015 captive released Regent Honeyeaters have now been confirmed alive 12 months post release. 
• Another one or possibly two Regents were heard & or seen but the presence of bands or band combinations not confirmed.
• Also we are still following up recent sightings of three Regents on the north end of the Park (adj. Rutherglen Rd) but have yet to nail the birds' identities.

Climate

Good autumn rainfall was recorded in the Chiltern area with over 100ml in the second week of May.

National Regent Honeyeater / Swift Parrot Survey Weekend - 14 & 15 May 2016 - Outcomes

Organisers extend a big thank you to the 26 enthusiastic surveyors who participated in the Chiltern search on the weekend.  

Four ex 2015 release Regents were confirmed (two of which had not been seen so far in 2016) as follows:

• White Orange: Male last recorded on 23 Nov. (two unsuccessful nest attempts with female Orange Orange last year)
• Mauve Black: Male last seen 7 December.       
• Yellow Yellow: Male recently recorded several times at Cyanide but previously last seen on 11 Oct.

All three above were recorded on the Barnawartha Depot Road near the interface with the December wildfire impacted zone (the birds were in the un-burnt section).

• White Mauve: Male recently recorded on Magenta Rd and again at the weekend at Magenta Mine.  

No wild Regents were seen on the survey weekend at Chiltern, however a one wild male Regent was recorded on Sunday at Allan's Flat (north east of Yackandandah).

Regent nectar  - flowering status:

• Mugga Ironbark is still the 'go-to' species for Regents however, as noted in Update #18 it commenced flowering much earlier this year and has already peaked in some areas.
• Hybrid Ironbark-Box has commenced flowering and is a great nectar source in the transition before White Box kicks in.
• White Box is in heavy bud and looking good - and has just commenced flowering in the park.

Highlights from the Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #20 July 2016

Over the past two months the constant grey skies, cold and rain have made observations difficult. The only sightings have been two birds in Chiltern and one bird at Alan's Flat. More sightings are expected now that the Golden Wattle flowering has commenced.

National Regent / Swift Survey Weekend - 6 & 7 Aug 2016
The second annual National survey weekend for the year is fast approaching and your invited to join in our Chiltern Park survey on Sat 6 Aug.
The aim is to rotate as many small teams of 2 or 3 people as possible through selected blocks supporting good flowering to maximise our chances of finding Regents & Swifts

• Meet:        8.30am Cyanide Dam, Honeyeater Picnic Area, Cyanide Rd, Chiltern Mt. Pilot NP
• BYO:        drinks, snacks, bino's, GPS, mobile phone, camera with fancy lens, warm clothing & appropriate footwear
• RSVP:   to Glen Johnson  02 6043 7924 by 3 Aug (earlier appreciated) to enable catering (lunch supplied - please advise any dietary preferences e.g. vegan or vegetarian)

If you can't make it to Chiltern, at least schedule to survey your patch of SE Aust. bush on that weekend.
 

Highlights from the Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update # 21 August 2016

Chiltern Regent / Swift National Survey Weekend outcomes

• A team of 30 enthusiastic bird watchers participated in the survey on  Saturday 6 August.
• In addition members of BirdLife Ovens Murray were also out searching in the park.

Observations

• Three 'ex-2015 release' Regent Honeyeaters were observed (all three had previously been recorded this season - and are 3 of 7 Regents in total that have been recorded alive 12 months post their 2015 release).
• One wild Regent Honeyeater was confirmed only one week ago in Chiltern (near town), however, nil were recorded in the Park on the weekend.

Regent Honeyeater with blue / blue bands.  White Box flowering is currently a key nectar source. 

Regent Honeyeater with white / orange bands.

A wild (un banded) Regent Honeyeater was observed at a Chiltern property. Note the area was burnt out in 2015.

Swift parrot observations

• Seven Swift Parrots were recorded in the Chiltern Mt. Pilot National Park.
• Flowering 'Hybrid Box/Ironbark' trees were the main food source for the Swifts (and many other nectivorous species).
• 'Pure' Ironbark, which commenced flowering early this year, is nearly finished.

Highlights from the Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update # 22, November 2016

Long distance traveller

A captive bred Regent Honeyeater released at the Chiltern release location in April 2015 has recently been identified in Outtrim, South Gippsland - 270km from the release site. The bird was last seen in Chiltern on the 31 July 2016. Unique coloured leg bands and photographs helped BirdLife Australia confirm the record.

This new record sets a new benchmark for the longest confirmed distance travelled by a release bird (beating the previous 100km by a 2010 release bird observed in Howlong, NSW) but is still well short of the nearly 600km journey recorded between observations of a wild banded bird.

This record is one of seven birds that has been recorded alive in the last 12 months since the 2015 release. It is an indication of the potential for many more of the 2015 released Regents to be still alive and dispersed across the landscape.

2017 Chiltern Release / Taronga Zoo Update

Taronga Zoo recently advised that this seasons captive breeding program is going well and Taronga are on track to provide 75+ Regents for the upcoming mid April 2017 release at Chiltern Mt. Pilot NationalPark.  More details on the release will follow in subsequent updates.

As part of the species captive management and national Recovery Plan implementation - the next few releases from 2019 onwards are scheduled to be undertaken in NSW - with Dubbo Zoo currently upgrading enclosures to increase Regent Honeyeater captive breeding capacity.

Regent Honeyeater overview

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In April 2015, 77 Regent Honeyeaters were released into the Park with 39 birds fitted with radio transmitters. All bar one of the remaining 'leg bands only' Regents (a mysterious female wearing Black over Black) have been recorded. There is an intensive 7 day/week monitoring regime in place to monitor the released birds.

Regent Map update - which reflects the progressive movements (and flowering resource activity) up to 21 April.

Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #6  (Day 28 post release)

• It's turned cold - within one week we've retreated from max. temps around 23 & 24 to an average of around 15 degrees for the past week.  And wet and windy too (we had one mandatory 'helmets on' day)
• 35 Regents still with working transmitters - all recorded at least once in the last week (with an average 97% daily)
• 39 of 41 released Regents now with bands only recorded over the week (on average 22 per day - once again a massive effort given we are reliant on nailing these birds without radio tracking).
• One wild female Regent (the ex Corowa banded bird) was observed a week ago - with captive release birds.
• Swift Parrots are still in the Park (a group of three observed recently)

Image: Glen Johnson, DELWP

Focus on Flowering

While insects and seasonally lerp and other flowering plants are important resources for Regents (and other many other nectivorous bird species) - flowering eucalypts are usually the key.  

• Mugga Ironbark is typically the species of choice for Regents in this district (at this time of the year), and while this years flowering is only patchy, there's sufficient to keep the birds interested for a while yet
• White Box is in heavy bud & has just commenced flowering in some areas and the prospects are it will be the best flowering in the Park for years - we expect this species will be the new Regent focus in coming months
• Hybrid Box/Ironbark:  often provides a critical flowering link between the two species above (looks OK in some areas currently)
• Grey Box - still plenty of flowering to come although this species is sometimes more important for its associated insect activity than nectar resource (for Regents at least)

Regent Map update - which reflects the progressive movements (and flowering resource activity) up to 6th May.

The maps demonstrates that it's still not unusual to see a loose mob of 15-20 Regents in one location (near the release site) - what a great sight!  However, increasingly there's break a ways 6km to the north, and frequent examples of birds traversing this distance in quick time e.g. recorded near the release site in the morning only to be positively identified in the afternoon in the north (and back again later).  While most birds are in association with several Regents - there's one or two apparent 'loners' who are foraging in new frontiers without other Regent company.  But most love to be in the 40+ group still in the main area.
 

Still plenty of opportunity to help monitoring in Chiltern
We are maintaining a 6 day/week monitoring regime commencing daily at 8.30am (no Saturday's) - and would love your help.
With birds on the move, there's heaps of car based scanning opportunity to go with the usual foot based searching.
Pls contact Liz Wemyss         Elizabeth.Wemyss@delwp.vic.gov.au  to register and assist with the monitoring program.  Remember to bring your bino's, lunch, drinks and warm clothing.

Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #7  (Day 38 post release)

Mauve and Red banded bird - Image: Neville Bartlett

• As of 20 May there were 37  Regents with working transmitters and 38 Regents with leg bands only.
• Losses:  x1 (the 2nd in total) confirmed Regent death; x1 Transmitter battery failed prematurely; and  x1 harness/working transmitter dropped off prematurely.
• No wild Regents recorded this week.
• A Regent Honeyeater released in 2013 was identified from leg bands - two years in the wild post release.
• A female Regent Honeyeater from the 2008 release has been identified from leg bands. This bird had not been seen since release and is now 7.5 years old.  Who knows how many times she's successfully bred in the years since? And with Regents known to survive till around 12 years in the wild - there's potentially a few more in her yet!
• Some Regents  were re-captured  whilst roosting at night (x7 band only and x2 transmitter birds).  All birds were re-weighed (enabling comparisons against pre-release weights) and given a general health check.  All birds appeared in good condition including transmitter wearing birds showing no adverse effects from their back pack harness.
   

Regent Map update. Source: DELWP. This reflects the progressive foraging movements of a Green Yellow banded bird up to 14th May. As the map illustrates there's an increasing trend for many Regents to venture to the northern extremes of the park (and often back and forth).

Regent eating lerp. Image: Neville Bartlett

Lerp (the sugary protective exude/case produced by psyllids - the tiny sap-sucking nymph stage of a small insect) seasonally provides an important food resource for Regents (Swift Parrots and many other nectivorous and small foliage birds).  Neville Bartlett's pics beautifully demonstrate a Regents capacity to devour a leaf full of lerp   Note: the tiny psyllid seems to survive the feast in these pics:   

Volunteers wanted!
We're once again brim full of birds to radio track, however, volunteer numbers have somewhat dropped off .... so we'd love your assistance (and it would be great to see some of our past regulars again).  There's plenty of opportunity to team up with more experience people to learn how to track (or provide that experience to others), or you can help scribe sighting records or help with leg band binocular based sighting confirmations.  
We are maintaining a 6 day/week monitoring regime commencing daily at 8.30am (no Saturday's).

Please contact Liz Wemyss         Elizabeth.Wemyss@delwp.vic.gov.au  to register and assist with the monitoring program. Remember to bring your bino's, lunch, drinks and warm clothing.

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Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #8  (Day 49 post release)

• As of 28 May, 32 Regents now with working transmitters  - all recorded daily (five less than last update due to x2 fatalities (likely goshawk kills); x2 harness breaks - transmitters dropped but birds alive; and x1 bird not seen since 14th May (it could still be alive and just flown well beyond monitoring zone could be dead but we have not found a working transmitter on the ground as would normally be the case)
• 40 Regents (with leg bands only). Only two of these not recorded in the last week (and around 20 of these recorded daily)
• regular sightings of the 2013 Black Blue Regent (reported last update)
• x1 (possibly two) wild Regents recorded in Wodonga on the 28th May

Female Pink Blue - one of many birds that have been regularly recorded within 1-2 km of the release site. Image: Kailash Willis.

Regent Video

A slightly more in depth version of the Regent video that includes the Noisy Miner control program and additional volunteers is now available. Source:DELWP.

Radio National Science Show  - Rescuing the Regent Honeyeater

Matthew Crawford's great Regent release story recently aired on Radio National.    Listen now          

Noisy Miner Program

Additional Noisy Miner control is being undertaken in the north east edge of the Park.  
This work forms part of the research being undertaken by Colleen Fraser, La Trobe University Honours student to assess the impact of the Noisy Miner on native bird populations in the box-ironbark forests of Chiltern-Mt Pilot NP Watch a 28th May Prime News clip.:       
 

White Box flowers provide an important food source for Regent Honeyeaters during May & June. Image: Glen Johnson.

Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #9  (Day 62 post release)

Regent Honeyeater in Varnish Wattle. Image: Glen Johnson

• 25 Regents now with working transmitters  - all recorded daily (the reduction from last update due to additional harness breaks with transmitters dropped and or transmitter battery failure).

• 47 Regents (with leg bands only) - 39 of these recorded in the last week (and around 25 recorded daily) including a couple that had not been seen for 14 & 10 days respectively.

• regular sightings of the 2013 Black Blue Regent

• one wild (banded) Regent sighted again (the same female Regent banded in Corowa in Dec 2014 that successfully reared two birds)

• occasional Swift Parrot observations.

Regent movement map (reflecting over 3,500 GPS points collected to date) since commencment 14 April 2015. There is increasing movement of birds between the two core zones, including recorded movement back and forth in the one day (a 15 km straight line 'round' trip),

Tracking of individual Regent Honeyeaters has found some stay in a relatively small area e.g. 250 ha. whereas other birds (e.g. bird identified as YP indicated on map above) has covered more than 10,000 ha to date. 

Regent Honeyeater feeding in a small planted Mugga Ironbark on private property demonstrating the value of revegetation on cleared land.

Volunteers even more appreciated!

We're still maintaining a 6 day/week monitoring regime commencing daily at 8.30am (no Saturday's).  Many eyes and ears make light work of picking up an increasing number of birds with bands only.  There are now less transmitter birds to track but still plenty of birds to tick off daily.
 

Please contact Liz Wemyss   Elizabeth.Wemyss@delwp.vic.gov.au  to register and assist with the monitoring program.  Remember to bring your bino's, lunch, drinks and warm clothing.

Thanks to everyone that has helped out monitoring to date.          
 

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Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #10  (Day 73 post release)

This is the 11th week post release and it is now possible to compare and contrast this year's survival against the three past releases.

Ten weeks post release is the critical benchmark time period that equates to the minimum viable radio tracking period (i.e. transmitter batteries generally fail after this time - and reliable detection reduces significantly beyond this period)

We are now beyond the solstice - the days are starting to lengthen once more, wattles are in bud and about to open on masse. The time for Regent's to commencing pair bonding is around the corner.

• one recorded Regent death this week (in total five known to have died - with another a possibility)
• 17 Regents now with working transmitters  - most recorded daily (the reduction from last update due to additional harness breaks with transmitters dropped and or transmitter battery failure).  However, most of these are on their last legs and batteries are due to fail soon on these units.
• 47 Regents (with leg bands only) ...... (although this will change with anticipated new transmitter attachments)
• continued regular sightings of the 2013 Black Blue Regent
• one wild (no bands) Regent recorded one two separate days.

Image: Catarina Gregson

The Regents that we are aware of continue to occupy two key zones.

Regent's on the ground. Image: Ross King

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Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #11  (Day 76 post release)

A team of dedicated early risers undertook a second round of Regent recaptures to install new radio transmitters - and hence enable us to monitor at least 15 Regents (and an accompanying cohort of band only birds) for another 10 week period.
Hopefully this will stretch into the Regent breeding season.  

Recapture aims achieved       

• fit 15 new transmitters - thus increasing our capacity to monitor ongoing survival & movement, but importantly better position ourselves to document potential breeding outcomes over the next few months
• secure transmitters on a pro rata representation of birds currently in the two known occupation zones
• undertake health & welfare checks on transmitter wearing and band only birds (including weight checks to compare against pre release data)
• provide valuable 'wild' Regent trapping experience for Michael Shiels/Taronga zoo, and collect samples to increase our wild and ex release Regent disease status knowledge (key information for Taronga & associated Zoo's involved in the Regent captive management program).

Not your average roost?
As was the case with the original (20th May) night owl exercise, 'Project Recapture' targeted roost sites.
We knew that birds were using private land roosts in both occupation zones, but the finer details of the current northern roost was a little surprising (and had changed since last time).

Nine Regents made this their night roost (six were captured)                

The pre dusk congregation of approx. 35 Regents on the south side of the park was amazing to view - like watching a flock of starlings en masse - wheel and bank high in the skyline before characteristically diving into prospective night cover.  And all the while under the careful gaze and occasional attack from a resident diurnal raptor!        
               

Mist net set up. Note the Regents (small dark silhouettes) in the 8m+ mist net triangulation.

Some of the 15 Regents captured at this site (that included the Corowa wild bird and 2013 Black Blue (now with new bands).

New SirTrack transmitters are being used for the (our) first time - noticeable for antennae being slightly shorter and with a tapered rounded end.  Note the harness and its tiny metal breast crimp are not visible - already preened into feathers only a couple of hours post attachment.

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Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #12  (Day 90 post release) 

• Another two Regent deaths have been recorded since the last update (likely cause: predation by resident south side Sparrowhawk/Goshawk)
• 14 Regents now with working transmitters (we should get at least another six weeks radio tracking capacity from these units).
• 56 Regents individually recorded over the last week - that's still an impressive 72% known to be alive 12 weeks+ post release
• Regents (that we have tabs on) are still in two groups (separated by around  6-8 km) comprising 8-10 birds in the north and a large group within vicinity of the original release area.
• Ironbark flowering is on the wane but is still the main Regent tucker while White Box blossom is increasingly available (and being utilised) - and although no where are prolific as previous years there's a sprinkling of 'hybrid box/ironbark' trees in bud that offer future foraging opportunities for many weeks to come.
• Golden Wattle flowering in the Park.
• Insects are also routinely being hawked from the tops of euc's, but volunteers are also frequently treated to low level close range Regent observations while birds are taking small insects from Varnish and Golden Wattle - with birds even seen foraging on the ground.

Noisy Miner project update
More volunteer opportunities are available - this time to assist Colleen Fraser, La Trobe Honours student undertaking a series of 20 min 2 ha plot surveys to compare bird diversity and numbers in areas where Noisy Miners have been controlled against those in non control zones.
This is another great opportunity to contribute to research in the Park.
General bird ID skills and binos only required.  Please contact Colleen direct: 0407 432 461  ce2fraser@students.latrobe.edu.au
 

National survey weekend - 1 & 2 August
This upcoming weekend provides the next opportunity to gain a nationwide snap shot of current Regent Honeyeater & Swift Parrot distribution and abundance.
Schedule to check you patch of bush during this time, especially target areas supporting flowering euc's/lerps or a diversity of smaller honeyeaters / lorikeets.
http://www.birdlife.org.au/documents/WB-Swift_Parrot-Regent_Honeyeater-survey-sheet-2014.pdf

Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #13  (Day 116 post release) - August 2015

• Only six Regents have operational transmitters (there's been two more recorded deaths since the last update, but several other [alive] birds have dropped their transmitters (due to harness breaks))
• Despite this, due to the collective efforts of fantastic monitoring teams, 42 individual Regents have been recorded in the last week
• This figure includes the 2013 Black Blue and 'Corowa' wild (banded) bird
• Despite the frigid conditions, Regents are pairing up, and other small honeyeaters are already into nest construction.
• Monitoring has been reduced to 5 days/week.

Regents are now know in three distinct areas (one north and two south of the freeway) - Map thanks to Vanessa Giles, DELWP Wodonga GIS Officer  

Critically Endangered

Recently the Federal Government listed the Regent Honeyeater as Critically Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in response to a nomination by BirdLife Australia.

Regent Honeyeater with SirTrack transmitter antennae. Image: Glen Johnson

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Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #14  (Day 151 post release) - September 2015

• Three Regents wearing working transmitters.  Two of these were only newly attached to Regents last week (courtesy of an Ethics Permit minor amendment approval) which potentially means another 8-10 week window into 'where the Regents roam' into the end of spring.
• 34 Regents were recorded in the last week, many of these are paired up.  More are tucked away somewhere without us knowing where!
• Taronga staff advise breeding at the zoo is progressing well and they are hoping for a bumper recruitment season.
• No wild Regents, but still the one regular ex-2013 release bird was seen in the last week.
• The last of the Ironbark flowering and bursts of late flowering White Box is keeping all things honeyeater but flowering is slowly coming to an end.  Red Box flowering now commencing through to January plus the host of insects attracted.
• Thanks to the volunteers, staff and volunteer coordinators. 

Regent Honeyeater with transmitter. Image: Greg Hardham.

Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #15  (Day 168 post release)

• Only one Regent continues to wear a working transmitter.  
• Despite this 27 Regents were still recorded in the last week (although it's getting harder to nail them!)
• We've recorded several failed Regent nest attempts thus far! Most have been abandoned during the nest construction phase, a couple have reached but failed during the incubation period.
• Still no wild Regents in the Park/District, but the one regular ex-2013 release bird is still being routinely observed (& is paired up with a 2015 release bird).
• More recently there's been a late season influx of Noisy and Little Friarbird and small mobs of Swift Parrots still hound the last of the flowering patches in the Park.

Fine Stringybark fibres are usually a key component of Regent nests (in NE Vic) - unfortunately the material going into this Green Pink (PK) nest is one that failed. Image: Glen Johnson.

Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #16  (Day 186 post release)

The recent fledging of one young from a pair of release birds has been recorded.  Hopefully it's the first of more to come this season!
 

• Two Regents continue to wear working transmitters.  
• 18 ex captive Regents, one female wild Regent and the one regular ex-2013 release bird  were recorded in the last week.
• The later is paired with White Red (one of the 2015 release birds) and together they've commenced four separate nests, but like others, have yet to get to the incubation phase or failed at that hurdle.  

Fledgling nick named 'Lucky' or 'Plop' day one out of the nest 9 Oct. 2015. Image: Matt Lincoln. 

'Lucky' day four post fledging. Image: Dean Ingwersen (Birdlife Australia) 

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Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #17   (Day 219 post release)

• All Regent Parrots that had been monitored moved out of the Park/forest areas some weeks ago to adjoining private properties.

• One small group was recently detected several kilometres away on private property.

• Taronga Zoo are on track to provide another big number of captive bred birds for the next release - planned for Chiltern in April 2017.

• This year the bounty of flowering bottlebrush in private gardens adjoining the park have been keenly utilised by Regents - demonstrating just one of the values (along with water efficiency) of making native plants the backbone of your home garden.

• Formal monitoring of Regent Honeyeaters in the Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park has finished for this season and will resume again in 2016.

Monitoring breeding attempts

Over the last few months the Regent Team and volunteers have identified and monitored the outcomes of 11 individual breeding pairs and 25 separate nest attempts.  Unfortunately only one nesting being successful.  This demonstrates part of the reason why the Regent Honeyeater is classified as nationally Critically Endangered.

Determining the reasons for breeding failure has been a key recent focus of a PhD project by Gemma Taylor.  The use of 24-hour video surveillance of nests has provided some insight into the reasons for nesting failure which includes predation of eggs by Sugar Gliders and Squirrel Gliders, Australian Magpie and House Sparrow.  

Birdlife Australia media release

YouTube footage of Sugar Glider

Regent Honeyeater fledging 'Lucky' 28 days post fledging. Images: Graham Watson 

Regent Honeyeater fledging called 'Lucky" now well over a month (36 days) post fledging feeding on flowering bottlebrush. Lucky's parents are both 2015 captive-bred release birds. Lucky is so named as it was one second away from being consumed by a magpie (a fate suffered by it's less fortunate 'No so Lucky' sibling) on the day of fledging from the nest.
 

Over 4000 volunteer hours (plus another almost 3000 field hours from the coordinator team) have contributed over 5900 individual GPS waypoints.  A female White Pink (Lucky's mum) takes the cake for the most recorded bird this year with more than 150 separate GPS records in the 219 day post release period (to date). Map Source: Vanessa Giles, DELWP Hume Region GIS Officer.

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Highlights from the 2015 Regent Honeyeater Captive Release - Update #18 (360 days post release)

Almost a year since the mid April 2015 release the first 2016 sightings of ex-captive birds have recently been recorded.  

• Mauve Yellow :  2.5 yr old female last recorded on 11 November 2015 on private land near Chiltern was observed in West Albury in late February 2016 (approx. 20 km straight line distance from Chiltern).  
• Blue Blue:  2.5 yr old male last recorded on 27 Oct on private land near Chiltern was recently observed feeding on the big flowering Ironbark on the lake edge near the Chiltern caravan park in the company of a wild (un-banded) Regent.
• Wild bird:  see Matthew Rodgers fantastic images of both the wild Regent and Blue Blue on flicker:  

Early flowering

Despite the long hot summer this part of Australia experienced significant rain events in November and early January which could have contributed to the earlier than usual commencement of Mugga Ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon flowering in our Region - with some trees in blossom in mid Feb. this year.  In addition Grey Box Eucalyptus microcarpa is flowering reasonably well - and unbelievably within sections of the Park White Box is in reasonable bud for a third consecutive year and is set to flower well again this year. Unlike last year the Hybrid Box Ironbark looks set to also provide additional nectar resources throughout the Autumn Winter period to come.

Late nesting

Late last year the team detected another couple of nest attempts (the 26th & 27th recorded for the breeding season) on private land with one successful (at least to fledging stage).  Unfortunately all birds (parents, x2 fledglings and another pair of birds) went off the radar (despite searching) on day two post fledging.  We're unsure whether they simply left camp to greener pastures or whether the fledglings perished and adults moved on?
 

2017 planning update

Judith Gillespie, Curator, Wildlife Conservation & Science @ Taronga Zoo advised Taronga and other institutions had a 'reasonable' spring-summer Regent breeding season and are on track to at least supply a similar number to last year's release for the 2017 Chiltern release.

Regent Honeyeater nick named 'Lucky' feeding. Source: Glen Johnson.

Report sightings

https://birdlife.org.au/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-regent-honeyeater/

Regent Honeyeater ID Guide

See also

Regent Honeyeater species profile