Our Bushland-Lower Hunter Valley

22/12/2025

Thank you to the community and dedicated partners in who supported monitoring and reporting of the elusive and exquisite Regent Honeyeater, through the captive breeding and release work the last few months.

Check out the December2025 Community update, out now!

Below is the full low-down on all the amazing work behind the scenes, to recover this local unique visitor to lical bushland that is some of tte most important remaining habitat for the species.

The 2025 Regent Honeyeater Community Update is out now!

Find out all about the amazing work that happened through the Recovery Team and partners, supporters and Community in this bumper edition, highlighting the species movements, breeding and release program and wins!

This is hosted on Birdlife's web page and the partner page, Our Bushland-Lower Hunter Valley web site's Recovery Team & Captive Breeding section, where you can download this 2025 December community update #1 and resources from multiple partner organisations:
www.ourbushland.com/regent-Regent Honeyeater Project

You can also view the update directly: https://www.calameo.com/read/00410789593a26ebe30de

Photo: Regent Honeyeater in mistletoe, Capertee NP, Paul Bowler

08/11/2025

🚨 On the lookout for H5 bird flu in Australia’s birds

We’re fortunate that H5 bird flu (H5N1) hasn’t reached mainland Australia – but we need to stay alert this spring and summer.

You can play a vital role in early detection and awareness by keeping an eye on your local birds.

Birds associated with water that may be found at wetlands, beaches and lakes are particularly at risk. Raptors such as eagles that scavenge on dead birds are also susceptible to H5 bird flu.
If you notice any unusual signs of disease or find clusters of dead birds, remember the steps:

👉 Avoid – do not touch the birds.
📸 Record – take photos or a video and note your location.
📞 Report – call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

🔗 Learn more about how to identify symptoms and what to do if you suspect bird flu: https://brnw.ch/21wXfuP

Please share this message far and wide to help raise awareness for early detection. 💚🐦

📸 Veni, Nico Smit, Ken Griffiths, Jade Craven & DMVphotography

08/11/2025

UPDATE: Tickets are sold out, you may join the waitlist to be notified if any become available

🌱 NATIVE PLANT GIVEAWAY 🌿
– Free Tickets Available Now

Our popular Native Plant Giveaway is back on Saturday 22 November, and tickets are now open for registration! 🆓

👨🏼‍🌾 Be one of the 300 lucky residents to receive a free pack of six native plants to grow at home. 🏡 Tickets are first in, best dressed and limited to one per household, so get in quick!

📍 You’ll be able to choose your preferred pickup location when registering – Cessnock (Mount View Basin Park) or Kurri Kurri (Birralee Park).

⬇️ Secure your free ticket today before they’re gone!
https://events.humanitix.com/cessnock-lga-native-plant-giveaway-2025

23/10/2025

Keep your eyes out for these beautiful birds, as they settle into their new home in !

Report any sightings here: https://birdlife.org.au/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-regent-honeyeater/?srsltid=AfmBOor6igJEiJPx2Xpm1dCofCJidl2fG1DZIgUKWpUUUUCWi6Jpko3G

20/10/2025

A record number of 69 captive bred Regent Honeyeater has been released into NSW, Lower Hunter on Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) lands on Wonnarua Country in Tomalpin woodlands last week and this week.

This initiative is a partnership with Taronga Zoo, NSW DCCEEW, BirdLife Australia and Mindaribba LALC and the Regent Honeyeater Recovery Team.

Over 438 birds have been released since 2015 in NSW and Victoria, striving to boost the population of this critically endangered species, where the Lower Hunter and Capertee is currently a stronghold for the species.

More information on this exciting news here:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-16/critically-endangered-regent-honeyeaters-released-hunter-valley/105897506

What to do if you see a Regent Honeyeater in your yard?

You may be lucky to see a released bird at your bird bath, or feeding on blossom or nectar flowering shrubs in your garden. But don't keep it to yourself- Report it to BirdLife Australia here!: https://birdlife.org.au/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-regent-honeyeater/?srsltid=AfmBOoqB19dkk5aHZapqxApn_mJis3BJV-KdEO7AIXKoXpaG7w8opMR_

These birds are now being tracked by the dedicated team, and so monitoring their local movements, breeding habitat (fingers crossed!) and their health and wellbeing is an important part of the release success, to ensure the safe settling of these birds into their new home!


Photo: James Bennett

Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council Hunter Local Land Services NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Hunter Bird Observers Club (HBOC) Taronga Zoo Sydney Australia The Australian National University

11/08/2025

☀️ 🥚 🥓 🦜

Why not book your Brekky with the birds, with the Hunter Bird Observers Club (HBOC)!?

WHAT'S ON | Grab your binoculars and join East Maitland Landcare for a spot of breakfast and birdwatching on Saturday 30 August 🐦🌳 Tour the site, learn more about local bird species, and meet the Landcare volunteers working to shape a more sustainable Maitland.

📍East Maitland Landcare site along Durban Crescent, East Maitland
🎟️ Tickets are free, registration is key ➡️ mait.city/breakfastwiththebirds