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 tenuirostris) move through our study area during June or July when nectar production is relatively high. Resident and breeding species (New Holland Honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae, White-cheeked Honeyeater P. nigra, White-eared Honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis and Little Wattlebird Anthochaera chrysoptera) 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. © 1988 CSIRO. All Rights Reserved.