Without detracting from the wonderful phenomena of the Hackett Swifties, may
i put forth an observation re the flowering eucalypt that sits on the
northern edge of the drain and close to the fence as observed by Jenny B and
Geoffrey D in today's emails. Being a flower sniffer from way back I took
a sample home to sniff regularly and deodorise my car and it now sits in
front of me as does Brooker's Field guide to Eucalypts Vol 1, SE Aust.
Before observing the flower/fruit configurations I would have agreed with
Jenny B on Apple Box (E. bridgesiana) though Geoffrey is indeed correct in
naming a late flowering Bundy, Large Flowering Bundy in fact (E. nortonii)
which Brookers states normally flowers between AUG-OCT. The stated period
for Apple Box to flower is JAN-MAY. The clinger in identifying this tree to
the notice (like myself) is the sessile buds mostly numbering 7 with a
distinct scar present between the operculum (Snugglepot's hat) and the bud
itself.
If you visit the swifties again, take time to sniff the flowers on this
tree, and enjoy the wonderful honey saturated frangrance!
Stuart Harris
"Everything is relative, everything is valid!"
From: "Geoffrey Dabb" <>
To: "Canberrabirds" <>
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Swift Parrots at Majura NP
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 17:02:40 +1000
Although I've only been there 5 times, I think, I've clocked up a few hours
(4 this morning, 0830-1230). Following is a summary drawing on my obs and
others' reports. Feel free to correct me.
(1) SPs at Majura were first reported by Nicki on 12 March. They have been
around ever since, apparently increasing in numbers. A number of about 60
has been reported several times recently. Jenny's report today of 67 is
the highest estimate so far.
(2) A large number of these birds are juveniles, perhaps about half. (An
indication of these is the lack of red in the tail and on the shoulder.
However the crimson wing-bend can sometimes be concealed when overlapped by
the feathers on the side of the upper breast. A yellow-orange iris is a
reliable sign of an adult bird.)
(3) They have been observed feeding on insects and flowers, mainly the
latter. Trees used are Apple and Yellow Box. More recently they are
taking advantage of the later-flowering Bundy, a good example being the
large tree at the inlet to the gully from the tank-overflow. They have
also used Silver Wattle.
(4) Inter-actions with Noisy Miners have been variously reported. My own
observations are that those 2 species will feed or perch in proximity and
do not react strongly to one another. Perhaps this has varied over the
period. However there is strong interaction with P Currawongs. The
Currawongs will fly at or towards SPs which are quick to retreat from them,
sometimes a large aggregation being put to flight simultaneously. This
seems to be 'play' on the part of the currawongs, and is most noticeable
early in the morning when the currawongs are most numerous and active and
the SPs most unsettled.
(5) The SPs drink at intervals througjhout the day from the tank overflow,
sometimes a dozen at a time. However not all birds drink, some do so very
briefly, and an occasional one for a longer period. The extent to which
they need water is not clear to me. They are nervous drinkers but do not
come to water more frequently than the rosellas. SPs seen low down <2m are
probably wanting to drink.
(6) Overall pattern of movement is difficult to monitor because of the
area that they cover, but on the assumption there are 60-70 birds there are
busy periods (all active sometimes in 2 or even one large group(s)) and
quiet periods (birds dispersed into smaller resting groups, with just
singles or up to 5 or so flying around).
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