Seasonal Patterns of Capture Rate and Resource Abundance for Honeyeaters and Silvereyes in Heathland Near Sydney

Abstract

Capture rate per unit effort employing mist nets is used as an index of abundance for honeyeaters and silvereyes. The nonresident and presumed migratory species (Yellow-faced Honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops, White-naped Honeyeater Melithreptus lunatus, Silvereye Zosterops lateralis, Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirosnis) move through our study area during June or July when nectar production is relatively high. Resident and breeding species (New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandine, White-cheeked Honeyeater P. nigra, White-eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis and Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chiysoptera) are rare or absent only during summer and there is no correspondence between their capture rates and the availability of nectar or insects, their main food sources.