Stranger in the valley: Expansion in the range of the Spinycheeked Honeyeater in central eastern New South Wales

Abstract

Evidence is given for a relatively recent eastward movement in the distribution of the Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Acanthagenys rufogularis into the Cudgegong and Hunter River Valleys of central New South Wales. Since the 1980s, this species has colonised ~200 km to the east, crossing the Great Dividing Range in the process. It is speculated that this change in distribution may be related to increasing temperatures, particularly minimum temperatures in winter. There have been no adverse interactions noted with other bird species so far, though there is the potential for a negative impact on the Critically Endangered Regent Honeyeater Anthochaera phrygia .