Like to be involved in the honeyeater migration survey in April?
A feature of the local birding scene is the annual honeyeater migration which passes through the ACT each spring and autumn. The autumn movement is the more obvious as birds return in flocks from their breeding grounds in the Brindabella Ranges and beyond.
A Yellow-faced Honeyeater
In autumn 1985 and again in 1997, surveys of migrating honeyeaters were conducted along the Murrumbidgee River Corridor. COG members helped with the surveys and we are again seeking volunteers for a repeat on the survey in April 2025. The aim of the survey is to identify the number of birds and species on migration and the direction of their movement.
All levels of experience are welcome. If you haven’t surveyed before or want to develop your identification skills this is a great opportunity to do so.
The passage includes not only Yellow-faced and White-naped honeyeaters, but many other species including Red Wattlebirds, White-eared and White-plumed honeyeaters, and various raptor species. In 1997, ninety-three species were reported during the passage. The survey therefore provides a great opportunity to view the migration and also to record other species in the area.
Much has happened over the past 22 years including bushfires, habitat changes and expansion of the urban footprint. It is timely to repeat the survey and to document any change in honeyeater numbers passing through the local region.
For information about the earlier surveys see Chris Davey, Canberra Bird Notes, Vol 11 (no 1), pp 2-14, and Nicky Taws, Canberra Bird Notes, Vol 24 (no 3), pp 145-166.
What’s involved?
The survey involves counting the number of birds passing through nine locations on the Murrumbidgee River corridor.
When: The mornings of 12, 19 and 26 April 2025, to coincide with similar survey dates in 1997.
What: Count the number of each migrating species over 15 minute periods between 8:00 am and 1.00 pm and record these on a special survey sheet.
Where: The sites are at Uriarra Crossing, Casuarina Sands, Kambah Pool, Pine Island, Point Hut Crossing, 2 sites at Tharwa Sandwash in Gigerline Nature Reserve (Gigerline A, and Gigerline B), Angle Crossing, and Williamsdale.
Who: Teams of 2-3 observers will count birds at each site. Experienced observers will be teamed with less-experienced observers.
A White-naped Honeyeater
Help and support: For those who want to take part, but are not sure of their honeyeater identification, a bird identification outing along the Murrumbidgee Corridor will be held, meeting at Kambah Pool carpark at 8:30 on Saturday 5 April for a walk along the river. Updated information will be made available on the Canberra Birds web site and via the Canberra Birds Discussion List.
To sign up or to discuss the survey, please contact Chris Davey by Friday 21 March at daveychris12@gmail.com. Could you also provide a mobile phone number if you have one. To help with arranging teams can you also please indicate the suburb you live in.
Volunteering for all 3 dates would be ideal, but surveying for 2 or even 1 of the designated dates will still be useful. Let Chris know if you have a preference for any of the nine
sites, or are happy to be assigned to a site. There is also the option to survey at a different site on each date.
Depending on the number of volunteers, additional sites may be added.
I encourage you to get involved with this interesting survey. It will be a lot of fun, and you will be contributing to a very worthwhile citizen science project.
Kim Farley
President, Canberra Birds