Survey results - why do you access this website?

The results are in for our latest Blog survey - Why did you access this website? From a total of 24 responses:
A. I love birds - 7 responses
B. Research - 7 responses
C. Mistake. Not interested - Nil
D. Interest in environment - 7 responses
E. Looking for a way to get involved - 4 responses

Thank you. This helps us tailor the website further.

Prickly Currant-bush & school children

It continually surprises me what children connect with when we're talking to them about the Helmeted Honeyeater and its habitat. Prickly Currant-bush, Coprosma quadrifida, is one of those things. Why? If you have some ideas lets us know.

Do they relate to it being a great place to get away from predators? Do they like the idea of a hiding place being a source of food as well? Hmmm... Anyway, we received some fabulous letters and pictures from Warburton Primary School students after their recent revegetation day at Yellingbo. We hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we have!

How long do HeHo's live?

We're often asked this question. On 7/06/09 at Yellingbo a 14 years and 7 months of age male was spotted. How do we know? He was banded as a young bird & his hatch date recorded. Members of the HeHo Recovery Team tell us that this makes him the oldest known-age wild Helmeted Honeyeater.

8/1/10 - he's been spotted again by the Field Ornithologist, making this bird 15 years and 2 months old.

The Friends 20th b'day

23 May 2009 was a great day. The sun shone, the speakers & displays were really interesting, the guests were happy, the food was great and the depot shed on Woori Yallock Creek was full. Thank you to everyone who has been involved with the Friends over their 20 year history - our members and partner groups are vital!

Image 1: Bob Anderson President FoHH, Karina Cartwright Healesville Sanctuary, Mick Kealy Parks Vic, Bruce Quin DSE cut the cake as representatives of the Helmeted Honeteater Recovery Team's Operations Group at Friends 20th bday May 23, 2009
Photograph by: S. Tardif

Image 2: It was standing room only at the Friends 20th bday.
Photograph by: S. Mitchell

The Friends turn 20 - 23/5/09

On 23 May 2009 the Friends turn 20. Have you been involved with the Friends in the past and lost contact? Now may be a great time to renew that relationship. Download our membership form here , send it in and we'll make sure you receive an invitation to the Friends 20th birthday celebration.

Image: SP Ausnet staff spent the day planting HeHo habitat on a previously grazed section of the Woori Yallock Creek arm of Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve.
Photograph by: S. Tardif

Invitation to Members Day - 22 March 09

Members Day for the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater starts at 11am at the Rangers house, 1217 Macclesfield Road, Yellingbo. We will start with a talk by Rupert Baker, Senior Vet at Healesville Sanctuary, followed by a BYO picnic or BBQ lunch, and the unveiling of a plaque at our nursery to commemorate the contribution Steve Craig made to the formation of the Friends in 1989.

Not a member but would like to attend? You can join on the day!

All welcome.

Animals affected by bushfires - a practical way to help

The Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Assoc. have notified us that they have started an appeal for all animals, birds etc burned and injured in the Feb/Mar 09 Victorian bushfires. JE have started the appeal with $100,000 and are asking for donations to be made either:

• at their shop, The Judith Eardley Save Wildlife Centre, 193 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Vic
  
• or at the Commonwealth Bank Healesville, BSB 063689, Account no. 1020 1157

If you're wondering about a practical way to help... this could be it.