Julian, interestingly the dusky woodswallow and welcome swallow also have
been associating in my local patch this month, after being absent from here
since before Xmas. I can't recall these two species consorting previously.
Again they don't seem to be in any hurry to leave, with 5 and 15
respectively late today almost in the same spot as they were on Monday
morning. Also in the active MFF were 9 female/immature flame robins, the
biggest group I've seen here for several seasons, and an altitudinal rather
a spring/summer migrant. Also noticeable in this month's MFFs have been
diamond firetails (up to 25 seen together) and yellow-rumped thornbills,
both non-migrants.
I've really been enjoying all the chat line postings of the continued
presence of the dusky woodswallow in such good numbers of a species thought
to be declining. However, I don't expect them to be leaving quite yet, as
they one of the last migrants to leave, often staying round until about the
second week of May, and with some over wintering. At least in my patch I
see my highest numbers of welcome swallows during the winter, often near
water.
Jack Holland
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