Captive-bred endangered regent honeyeater spotted in Hunter Valley backyard

Martins Creek resident Sheree Grant was shocked when she spotted this endangered Regent honeyeater in her backyard. (Supplied: Sheree Grant)

The sighting of a critically endangered bird in the Hunter Valley is giving wildlife experts hope the species is surviving and possibly thriving.

Sheree Grant was in her backyard at Martin's Creek near Maitland when she noticed a bird in her birdbath different to any other she had seen before.

"Once I got a better look, I realised it was a regent honeyeater," Ms Grant said.

"I was very exciting to see such a rare bird in my garden. The adrenaline was pumping a little."

It's estimated there are are just 250 to 300 regent honeyeaters left on the east coast of Australia.

Ms Grant noticed the Regent Honeyeater had a small band around its legs and alerted Birdlife Australia. (Supplied: Sheree Grant)

Not only was it a rare sighting, the bird also had bands on its legs.

Ms Grant reported the sighting to Birdlife Australia, which has been managing the monitoring of honeyeaters.

She discovered that 50 of the Taronga Zoo-bred birds were released into the Tomalpin Woodlands on land owned by the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council in November 2022.

They were fitted with tiny transmitters for tracking.

"From Sheree's photos, we were able to identify the bird as 'Red Orange, Pink Metal'," Birdlife Australia Woodland manager Mick Roderick said.

Mick Roderick at Birdlife Australia is helping run recovery efforts for the Regent Honeyeater and the Swift Parrot. (ABC News: Anthony Scully)

The honeyeater got its name from the coloured leg bands placed on it by researchers before it was released into the wild.

Hope for the species

Mr Roderick said what was most exciting about the sighting, was the fact the honeyeater was seen 40 kilometres from where it was released, more than three months after it had last been tracked.

"We had no idea where he had gone," Mr Roderick said.

"He wandered around quite a bit. He had quite a reputation among the tracking team.

"The chances of having a photo sent to us of a lost bird is pretty incredible."

An endangered Regent Honeyeater in a backyard at Martins Creek. (Supplied: Sheree Grant )

Mr Roderick said the discovery would allow BirdLife Australia and Taronga Zoo to gain the required permits to be able to continue their work in helping save the species.

"It's great to see this bird alive and well," he said.

"Hopefully he has found other regent Honeyeaters to associate with."

Birdlife Australia is asking anyone who sees a regent honeyeater to report it via phone or the Birdlife Australia website.