This below from the best well known source around Canberra. The book BOCG V2 retains sort of the same text, plagiarised from mine. The graph shows March as
the peak month. :
Rufous Fantail Rhipidura rufifrons
This species is an inhabitant of forest and generally requires dense multi-level vegetation, though it mostly stays in the shrub and low tree level. It is rather less conspicuous in its behaviour and less confiding
with people than its close relatives. It is both a north-south and an altitudinal migrant. It comes to our area for the summer but does not stay in the woodland and suburbs but continues into the high country. Whilst in transit it can be found in quite uncharacteristic
open habitat, including all suburban areas. It does not stay long, most records are of just one bird on one week, few records are of birds staying for more than a few weeks. Few observers would not consider one of these (most appealing) birds in their area
as a highlight. Its monthly pattern is unique, it shows probably the most extreme form of twin peak pattern of any species. This shows on individual years’ data but is even more marked when all years are combined. It inhabits the suburbs only whilst in transit.
Unlike most other migrants the duration of migration and numbers of birds is very similar both before and after January. Absent during winter, rare through summer and with clear peaks in November and March. Long-term numbers have fluctuated but appear to be
stable.
Graphs on page: 102, Rank: 84, A = 0.00341, F = 8.85%, W = 6.2, R = 0.324%, G = 1.05.
From: John Layton [
Sent: Sunday, 13 March 2016 3:45 PM
To: Canberra birds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Rufus Fantail in Holt backyard
At 1400 today I noticed a Rufus Fantail flitting around about one to two metres above the ground at the far end of our garden. A few seconds later it lofted over the fence
and disappeared from view.
I’ve had sporadic sightings of them passing through here during April, and also at ANBG but never noticed one this early in the season around Canberra.
John Layton
Holt.
