And speaking of Honeyeaters…

A Regent Honeyeater was formally recorded on the Coal Point peninsula a few years back and as a Critically Endangered Species, with only 800-2000 known birds, it is certainly worth seeing what we can do to support its ongoing survival by increasing its foraging habitat. Additionally what’s good for the Regent Honeyeater is also good for the Squirrel Glider.

Regent Honeyeaters are generalist foragers that need nectar producing trees, being a honeyeater, There are quite a few local trees and shrubs that would be just thing to lure this visitor to your bigger backyard and give it chance for surviving into the future. Local Eucalypts which are to its liking include Swamp Mahogany-Eucalyptus robusta, Grey Gum-Eucalyptus punctata and Spotted Gum-Corymbia maculata. Insects make up about 15% of their diet and a shrubby understorey provides the right habitat for bugs as well as for nesting materials.

Trees In Newcastle has produced A local resource on Creating Stepping Stones for Nectar Feeders outlines what plants you can supplement your garden with if you have

• A large block in coastal forest or sheltered gullies
• A large coastal garden on sandy soil
• A courtyard on sandy soil
• A large garden on swampy soils
• A small garden on swampy soils

A Regent Honeyeater fact sheet is available online.