Our friend Mick has arguably the most difficult job in Australian bird conservation – he’s responsible for the BirdLife Regent Honeyeater recovery programme. With just 300 birds left on the planet Regent Honeyeater is one of the most critically endangered species in Australia. Despite a long-standing reintroduction programme their range is contracting and recovery is stalling. Regent Honeyeater once ranged abundantly from Adelaide to south-east Queensland but much of their preferred woodland and forest habitat has been cleared for agriculture over the years. Continuing habitat destruction, including the clearance of nectar-producing trees, and the poor health of many remnant woodlands, as well as competition for nectar from other honeyeater species has increased pressure on the dwindling population, which is now believed to move between widely spaced patches of remnant habitat to survive and breed. We’ve been privileged in the past to experience these birds at one of their strongholds near Newcastle and returned to the area today, not in search of Regents but to see how the habitat is doing under the increased pressure of human activity. The situation isn’t good and although a major planned development of industrial units was stopped a few years ago (see my 2014 post) the whole area remains under threat. It seems incredible that one of the core breeding areas for one of the Continent’s most critically endangered species should suffer such degradation and abuse. We salute Mick & BirdLife Australia for their efforts to help stop another iconic bird species from becoming extinct. Please people give the birds the respect and space they deserve.