Swifts etc.

["calyptorhynchus ." <>]

I agree absolutely, I would see WTNT every summer in Canberra from 1994 (when we arrived) to the mid 2000s without having to go out and look for them, from January to March.

Since then I have seen them every summer, but in fewer numbers, and latterly, by deliberately going out before each storm that passes to look for them.

In the old days you could see dozens to hundreds, now only small groups.

This is distinct by the way from the situation in the Brindabellas. I'm sure a small population stays there (or used to stay there) as until a couple of years ago you could guarantee to see them on Wark's Road and similar places between January and March whether the weather was stormy or not. But, as I said, I haven't seen WTNT up there for a couple of years now.

John L

On 8 January 2018 at 20:31, Terry Munro <> wrote:

Hi Philip

I think it's around 2 years since I've seen WTN here in Watson

Terry Munro

On Mon, 8 Jan 2018 at 10:18 AM, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

In my early birding days (mid 1970s) swifts (mainly WTN) were a regular summer observation. From November onwards but surely they would be seen by the last week of December. This continued well into my years in Canberra, indeed the WTN was an inclusion on V2 of the GBS chart.  I think I saw none last year (i.e. 2016/17), I think only one the year before, and none so far this summer, even with days of what would be thought of as suitable weather. But that is just me, I don’t get out much but I have been looking. What is concerning is no one has so far mentioned any in our AOI on this line.

 

Philip