The Swift Parrots were still at Mt Majura at 5pm on Saturday, in the same
areas as where Nicki saw them, but they were silent until they took off
and flew through the canopy with soft calling. A revisit again on sunday
morning didn't reveal them again but they could have easily been there and
just been quiet. As Nicki mentioned the Apple box was in flower, as were
the Scribbly Gum and the odd Yellow Box. There were also plenty of lerps
on some of the trees so they may have been feeding on those too. A raptor
in the area on sunday set off the usual Noisy Miner alarm calls as well as
a flock of rainbow bee eaters that were otherwise silent too. Great to
hear that Swifties were also recorded at Campbell Park again and using
woodlands in the ACT in addition to the more suburban haunts they have
been found in recently.
Cheers Deb
At 12:55 PM 12/03/2005, you wrote:
A (deliberately) belated report of 3 Swift Parrots at Wybalena Grove Cook
on Monday 7th March. They were feeding on lerps in mature Red Box, which
are also supporting a large population of Wattlebirds and Friarbirds at
the moment.
They were only seen that afternoon so don't come looking here, HOWEVER,
you can go searching for Swift Parrots on Mt Majura, lower western slopes
where 4 were seen this Saturday morning. They were being harassed
relentlessly by Noisy Miners so were quite easy to find from their calls.
They were never allowed to settle long enough for me to see what they
might be foraging in(and I didn't have my binoculars - sorry Ian, I was
running). The Apple Box is in full bloom, although I've never thought of
this as a good nectar species. There may be some late flowering Yellow
Box, but I didn't notice any. When I returned half an hour later, the
parrots were quieter but giving occasional chatter, and spending time in
both Apple Box and Yellow Box trees.
The best way to find them is from Antill Street, opposite the Carotel
Motel. There is a long strainght fire trail heading due east between 2
fences. Follow this for c. 750metres, then head into the woodland on the
right. About 150m in from the fence you will come to a deep gully, and
they were last seen around here, but could be anywhere through this woodland.
cheers, Nicki
--
Nicki Taws
6251 0303
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Debbie Saunders
Swift Parrot Recovery Officer
National Swift Parrot Recovery Team
02 6125 2635 (from November to April)
or
02 6298 9733 (from May to October
- Migratory season)
Debbie Saunders
Swift Parrot Recovery Officer
National Swift Parrot Recovery Team
02 6125 2635 (from November to April)
or
02 6298 9733 (from May to October -
Migratory season)
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