Through Briony Mitchell, an Honours student from Monash University, radio tracking of the May 2011 captive bred released birds has been a possibility. Briony reports that 5 of the 11 birds were predated subsequent to the release. Two of these were seen to be taken by a small hawk, probably a Sparrowhawk. Another two birds are 'missing'.
Though this is disappointing, the results aren't surprising. We know that larger birds are a serious threat to small birds. When there's only a handful of Helmeted Honeyeaters in the wild, any predation is a set back.
As Peter Menkhorst, Chair Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Team, observes "That is one reason we need large numbers of releasees for re-introductions to succeed."
The true positive coming from the radio tracking is that we can say for certain what has happened to these releasees rather than speculating. It gives the Recovery Team much more knowledge when planning for future releases.
Thanks Briony.
Image: Briony preparing to track the releasees (L), A Helmeted Honeyeater with transmitter (R)
Photographer: Emma Campbell
