The Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Environment Team have spent the past 18 months painstakingly working to protect and improve the habitat of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater, without ever having laid eyes on the species.
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All of that changed for the Environment Team Leader, Leith Hawkins, with his first sighting of the bird last week.
The sighting was the culmination of two years of searching for the elusive creature and coincides with the publication of an exciting new work on the species.
"It was exciting to finally see a Regent Honeyeater in the wild - it makes the research and years of work tangible and gives me hope that we can make a difference to the bird's survival," said Leith
The Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Environment Team have been responsible for a project to protect the Regent Honeyeater, through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program.
Recently, the team has worked on the definitive guide to the Regent Honeyeater which has been compiled by Birdlife Australia. The book, titled Saving the Regent Honeyeater - A Conservation and Management Guide, was launched last week, fittingly in the Northern Tablelands which comprises prime habitat for the species.
The book has been designed for landholders and members of the community, primarily to improve their understanding of the species.
"It is imperative for the species' survival that we arm ourselves with as much knowledge as possible, to give it the best chance for success," said Leith.
"The comprehensive guide contains crucial information about the bird, including its history, feeding and breeding habits, favourable tree species, vital habitat and impacts for restoration."
The all-encompassing guide is the first of its kind, covering a complete range of facts, to be published on the species. Leith would like to see landholders, schools, community members interested in conservation, libraries and universities, access copies of the work. Copies will be available from Local Land Services offices across the region.
For further information about the book, contact Leith Hawkins, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Environment Team Leader on 0408 912 447 or leith.hawkins@lls.nsw.gov.au.