I and other there at about 2 p.m. today. Certainly a lot more than 60 Swift Parrots present, within a small number of trees, but it actually is hard to count
the numbers. Maybe 80 (?) Because they were active at that time and new groups arrived. When I first noticed the Swift Parrots I was a little reluctant to report them because it was a quick view of a flying flock. I am glad I did though and went back to be
confident. The Superb Parrots appear to have moved on.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: Sunday, 23 May, 2021 11:50 AM
To: 'Adam FitzGerald';
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Swift & Superb Parrots Kambah
That is really good. At least double my estimate of the numbers but the most I saw in one flying flock was about 20.
The trailered flashing advisory sign on the side of Drakeford Drive is about 30 metres from where I saw them yesterday.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Adam FitzGerald via Canberrabirds
Sent: Sunday, 23 May, 2021 11:40 AM
To: Canberrabirds
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Swift & Superb Parrots Kambah
Up at crack of dawn this morning to head to Kambah (Jenke Circuit) to try & see the Superbs. Got there about 0645, nothing heard or sighted, then about 0720, a small group of 10 Superbs flew in an easterly direction over the car park towards
Drakeford Drive & continued out of sight.
A few seconds later & a small group of 10-15 Swifts arrived from the northern end of the car park & landed in the tree directly above the trailered flashing advisory sign on the side of Drakeford Drive. Within less than a minute, another similar sized group
flew in from the west and a group of about 20-30 flew in from the south, all landing in the same tree.
They stayed here for 5-10 minutes before a number of Rosellas flew past alarm calling. All the Swifts took off as one group, did a loop above Drakeford Drive & landed in the top of one of the large Eucalypts within the medical centre car park. They stayed here
for the next 15-20min (that's when I left), all in the very top of the tree, preening in the sunshine. No feeding, no calling at all, just thawing out.
One of my many images attached of the collective group in flight. I've counted 64 birds in this one image!
Cheers,
Adam FitzGerald
