In keeping with other reports of Needletails over the weekend we observed
a remarkable sight while undertaking a bird survey at Gartsides (northern
coast) French Island National Park in Western Port (se of Melbourne) on
Saturday 14 March.
Following a severe weather change that hit central Victoria about 1030hrs
on Saturday morning, Friends of French Island National Park were surveying
birdlife during rain. To our surprise we observed about a dozen
White-throated Needletails sweeping low overhead (about midday). The sky
was completely overcast and steady rain was falling at the time. None of
those present had seen needletails/swifts foraging in the rain like this
before. Interestingly the tracks were full of insectivorous birds feeding
on various minute insects and in fact Grey Fantails were by far the most
abundant birds recorded in this part of the island o the day. There must
have been many hundreds of fantails throughout the park at the time.
Approximate location details for the needletails was :
Lat 38.19.40 Long 145.25.40
Other highlights for the very wet day were a juvenile sea-eagle, numerous
White-eared Honeyeaters and a single late Olive-backed Oriole
Our survey results will be passed onto the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife.
cheers
Martin O'Brien
Wildlife Biologist - Threatened Species & Communities Section
Department of Sustainability and Environment
2/8 Nicholson St.,
East Melbourne 3002
VICTORIA
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