Hello all
Following a Swift Parrot/Regent Honeyeater talk
given to some members of the Far South Coast Birdwatchers in Merimbula on June
17, 2009 by Chris Tzaros and Dean Ingwersen, a visit by them and others
found only small numbers of Swifts at Tura Beach (Merimbula 'suburb') where they
had been seen a few days earlier.
The following day Chris and Dean searched the
southern area of the shire with no luck and then set off north on the Princes
Hwy where they had success in Corunna State Forest (nth of Tilba) with a count
of 350 birds. Further sightings were 100+ in Mogo SF, 105+ in the Benandarah and
Boyne SFs. All were feeding on Spotted Gum blossom and lerps.
Hearing mention of Spotted Gum flowering Max
Sutcliffe went to Nelsons Beach in Mimosa Rocks NP and found 50+ on June 20. I
have just returned from that site and there are still about 50 birds there
feeding on Spotted Gum blossom and lerps and also on flowers of Coastal Banksia,
as well as sunning on dead trees. Max, Russ Namitz, Di Waldon and I watched
these birds for some time. There were a few Musk Lorikeets feeding with them,
Fuscous and White-naped Honeyeaters and dozens of Rainbow Lorikeets. The latter
were not feeding with the Swifts.
Spotted Gum grows naturally north of the Bega
River and is still flowering well so there should be opportunities for
sightings. The lerps infestations are thick and Chris Tzaros says if it
rains the lerps washed off would cause the Swift Parrots to feed on the
ground. With 600 known birds and plenty of food there must be others. Please
report any new sites.
Barbara
Jones
