Hi all,
I’ve just heard an interesting report on ABC Radio Australia about the fact that commercial beekeepers, in terms of nectar production, are having one of their worst seasons on record. The report suggests, that due to our wet winter and cool spring, trees and shrubs are putting all their energy in the development of green growth rather than flowering. See
Anecdotally, I also think the lack of flowering has had an impact the number of nectar feeding birds i.e. our honeyeaters and lorikeets. Personally I’ve noticed far less lorikeets about the place. For instance, just this morning on my ride to work (through Royal Park in Melbourne) there were virtually no lorikeets. Interestingly the main type of lorikeet I did see (hear) was Little Lorikeet.
The report concludes that our plants are still growing but it will take 12 months to see the benefits, and that this time next year we’ll be having a good honey season. I’m speculating that the same applies to our nectar feeding birds, certainly across southern and eastern Australia. In theory spring 2013 will be the ‘year’ of the nectar feeders!
Cheers,
Tim
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Hi Tim, The article seems to be about Victorian beekeepers, so may not be a true reflection for impending conditions for nectivores in south-eastern Australia. Either way, it is interesting in light of what we saw in NSW this year, which was a “Spotted Gum” year by all accounts. The Spotted Gums (Corymbia maculata) only flower every 3 or 4 years and when they do it really turns it on for nectar-loving birds and mammals. It was a particularly good year in the Hunter and the South Coast of NSW, where about 400/1200 Swift Parrots were recorded respectively (the latter being the biggest known concentration anywhere). Thousands of Flying-foxes departed camps and headed for these areas as well. Regent Honeyeaters were in good numbers (100+) in the Hunter as well, alomost certainly in response to the Spotted Gum blossom (the last big Spotted Gum year here was 2009 and we had similar numbers then as well). Having said that, the other “key species” in coastal NSW (Swamp Mahogany) did not go this year, so perhaps will next year. It will be interesting to see what transpires next year with this article’s message in mind and the probable low-key Spotted Gum event. Mick
________________________________ Sent: Tuesday, 13 November 2012 11:45 AM
Hi all,
I’ve just heard an interesting report on ABC Radio Australia about the fact that commercial beekeepers, in terms of nectar production, are having one of their worst seasons on record. The report suggests, that due to our wet winter and cool spring, trees and shrubs are putting all their energy in the development of green growth rather than flowering. See
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-11-12/falling-nectar-production-leads-to-honey-drought/1044622.
Anecdotally, I also think the lack of flowering has had an impact the number of nectar feeding birds i.e. our honeyeaters and lorikeets. Personally I’ve noticed far less lorikeets about the place. For instance, just this morning on my ride to work (through Royal Park in Melbourne) there were virtually no lorikeets. Interestingly the main type of lorikeet I did see (hear) was Little Lorikeet.
The report concludes that our plants are still growing but it will take 12 months to see the benefits, and that this time next year we’ll be having a good honey season. I’m speculating that the same applies to our nectar feeding birds, certainly across southern and eastern Australia. In theory spring 2013 will be the ‘year’ of the nectar feeders!
Cheers,
Tim
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Hi Tim, I live in Epping, NSW and in my local area there are masses of flowers. The local bush is full of flowering gums & blueberry Ash & all the street planted Paperbarks are out. We have Little Lorikeets about & they are rarely seen in my area, as well as the usual Musks & Rainbows. Several bush reserves near me have unusually high numbers of Scarlet Honeyeaters & there are plenty of New Hollands and White-cheeked as well. From Jenny Stiles
There are pretty good numbers of Musk Lorikeets in Kew (Vic) at the moment, along with the regular Rainbows. I’ve heard a few Littles at my local park (Hays Paddock) but haven’t been able to actually see them, apart from tiny squeaky bullets zooming about.
Bill
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Musk Lorikeets returned to the Clarence Valley, north coast NSW, in late October after an absence of many months. Last week I had the four lorikeet species at home at Coutts Crossing – Rainbow, Scaly-breasted, Musk and Little. Maybe not large numbers but the flowering Silky Oaks and some eucalypts are keeping the lorikeets around. The Musk Lorikeet is irruptive in our area and probably travels from more temperate regions such as southern NSW and Victoria when nectar is scarce there.
Greg Dr Greg. P. Clancy Ecologist and Wildlife-birding Guide Coutts Crossing NSW 2460 0266493153 0429601960