Honeyeaters, swift parrots not spotted on the Coast

AN AUDIT of regent honeyeaters and swift parrots at 56 locations across the Central Coast has failed to find any trace of the critically endangered birds.

A Regent Honeyeater. An audit on the Coast failed to find any trace of these critically endangered birds. Picture: supplied

AN AUDIT of regent honeyeaters and swift parrots at 56 locations across the Central Coast has failed to find any trace of the critically endangered birds.

Almost 40 volunteer birdwatchers completed the twice annual survey over the weekend of August 5-6, in which not a single bird of either­ species was sighted.

The estimated Australian population of regent honeyeaters has crashed to only about 400 birds while there are an estimated 3500 swift parrots.

Swift parrots breed in Tasmania before coming to the mainland to forage. Picture: supplied.

Birdlife Australia, the country’s peak avian conservation body, has identified public land surrounding Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lakes as “Key Biodiversity Areas” (KBAs) for these and other species.

Brisbane Water and Tuggerah Lakes KBAs “guardian” Alan Morris said the lack of sightings during the audit highlighted the plight of these critically endangered birds.

“Regent honeyeaters’ numbers crashed during the drought in the early 2000s and have not recovered,” he said. “Swift parrots breed in Tasmania but spend the winter on the mainland foraging far and wide depending on the available blossom.

Regent honeyeater.

Swift parrot. Image: Trevor Pescott

“Their breeding success has been adversely impacted by forest clearing and introduced sugar gliders in Tasmania which have been found to predate swift parrot nests. Most years they visit the Central Coast but so far in 2017 only three have been recorded.”

Any sighting of either species is recorded and these three were spotted separately outside the twice annual audits in May and August.

Mr Morris said it had been more than a decade since significant numbers of regent honeyeaters were seen on the Coast despite the creation of more suitable habitat including the Central Coast Wetland Pioneer Dairy where 120,000 trees and scrubs were planted.

“For example, at the Central Coast Wetland Pioneer Dairy over 120,000 trees and scrubs were planted to provide suitable habitat for both Regent Honeyeaters and Swift Parrots,” he said.

“These trees are now reaching maturity and hopefully we will see these key species return in the near future.”

The Tuggerah Lakes KBA is not only important for the Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters but also for more than 5000 Black Swans, 1000 Chestnut Teal and migratory shorebirds which use the lake and adjacent areas.

Brisbane Water foreshores also supports a remnant population of Bush Stone-curlews.