The jacky winter, left, is a grey/brown bird with white eyebrow and tail panels, and the two genders are of similar appearance.

Its early name was brown flycatcher, club president Max Burrows said. It is also known as postboy, white-tail or peter-peter, after its call.

"A study of records indicates the bird has been recorded only sporadically on the peninsula, mainly around Dromana, Merricks North and Main Ridge areas," Mr Burrows said.

Bulldog Creek Road was a centre of reports as well as further north around Langwarrin, Frankston and Seaford. Most reports were from before 2000 with only five reports in the new century, in fact there had been only two reliable reports since 2004, he said.

Jacky winter is an engaging bird. A typical robin is normally seen sitting on a fence or tree and dropping to the ground after insects, but jacky winters also catch prey in mid-air.

They favour lightly wooded habitats with an open shrub layer and much bare ground or ecotone between densely timbered habitats and clearings. Habitat is Australia wide, except the north of Western Australia and the desert areas of NT and Queensland.

"It would appear the jacky winter has never been common on the peninsula, but in earlier times it was recorded regularly," Mr Burrows said.

Readers with information can call Max Burrows on 97890224.