About the Friends

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Yellingbo, Woori Yallock Creek sub-catchment, Australia
Have you ever wanted to contribute to conservation of a threatened species? The Helmeted Honeyeater is Victoria's state emblem and is listed as: 1. Critically endangered (DSE Advisory List Of Threatened Vertebrate Fauna In Victoria - 2007) 2. Threatened (Victorian Govt. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988) 3. Critically endangered (Federal Govt. Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) Can people make a difference to this bird's long-term survival? We believe anyone can. Check out the 'Take action' button on our homepage (www.helmetedhoneyeater.org.au), then contact us for more details.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

2011-12 Helmeted Honeyeater breeding season

Keep checking in for an update.

24/8/11.
They're off to an early start out in the wild at Yellingbo. 2 pairs have eggs and 4 additional nests are being built.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Guest speaker - Peter Menkhorst

AGM
Guest speaker - Peter Menkhorst, Chair
of the Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Team
  • Sunday 4 September 2011
  • 12 noon start (lunch at Robert Eadie Pavilion)
  • 2pm AGM (theaterette)
  • 3.30pm finish
Venue: Healesville Sanctuary - free entry with your paid up membership. Join now to take advantage of this great offer.

Review of the Reintroduction Strategy is underway

Much has been learnt about the Helmeted Honeyeater over the 22 years a Recovery Plan and captive breeding program has been in place. 2011 marks the start of a major review of the reintroduction strategy.

Some interesting snippets:
  • Definition of success of captive bred released birds? Greater than 40% survival to 12 months after the release.
  • Birds were making use of burnt habitat within 10 months of the Black Saturday bushfires
  • Females never settle in their natal colony
  • With habitat loss being a major issue for long-term survival, we cannot rely on conservation measures on public land being the sole answer. Private landholders play an important role

Friday, August 12, 2011

Breeding season has started

It seems like such a short break between breeding seasons for the Helmeted Honeyeater. July sees the birds in full swing establishing and defending their territories. Now that we're in August, nest building and courtship behaviour is hotting up both in the wild and in the captive breeding program. how long before the first eggs and nestlings? Stay tuned.

Image: Courtship behaviour of a Helmeted Honeyeater pair
Photographer:
M Serong