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
