The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve: Final

REGENT HONEYEATER ANTHOCHAERA PHRYGIA
EPBC Act: Endangered TSC Act: Critically Endangered Priority in Area: Low
Regent honeyeater. Photo © M.
Shepherd/OEH
Occurrence in the Survey Area
Extremely rare visitor. Regent honeyeaters are listed as uncommon
in Eddison (2008). They were not recorded in the current survey
and there are no records within the Atlas of NSW Wildlife.
Nonetheless, there are reports of birds within the reserve, including
recent records one near Burmah Road and a pair in the McKeowns
Valley (I. Eddison pers. comm.). Nonetheless, there is little suitable
habitat within the reserve and any individuals sighted are likely to
be passing through on their regular winter migration.
Regional Conservation Significance
The regent honeyeater has severely declined across its range.
Within the region, the species is occasionally recorded in the
Burragorang Valley and Cumberland Plain (DECC 2007) with
important areas existing further north in the Capertee and Hunter
Valleys. It is a sporadic visitor to the region with its occurrence
dependent on the concentration of flowering of key tree species,
and the absence of flowering elsewhere. Key food trees from the
region include mugga ironbark Eucalyptus sideroxylon and white
box E. albens. These trees do not occur within JKCR although flowering Eucalypts or trees with lerps
may on occasion attract regent honeyeaters en-route to elsewhere or when usual flowering resources
have failed. Overall, JKCR does not contribute to the regional conservation of this species.
Threats in the Survey Area
No threats recorded as this species is a very infrequent visitor.
Management Considerations
No management required.
The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve 49