Swift Parrots Kambah

[Brian Jones via Canberrabirds <>]

Today around 2pm there were about 15 in the tree closest to the N-W corner of Hungry Jacks. They were feeding on buds and flowers as shown in the video frame grabs below.

Brian

On Tuesday, 25 May 2021, 4:51:46 pm AEST, Philip Veerman <> wrote:

I checked again at about mid day today. This time at first only noticed about 4 Swift Parrots at the side of Drakeford Drive. One at the top of the big tree in front of Hungry Jacks. Then I checked out beside Athllon drive. Did not notice any. Could still hear them in the big tree in front of Hungry Jacks but not see them from where I was standing, then saw two groups totalling I believe 18, fly out to go to the smaller trees at the side of Drakeford Drive. Then I needed to go. 4 other people also there to see them.

 

Philip

 

From: Canberrabirds [ On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: Sunday, 23 May, 2021 9:35 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Swift Parrots Kambah

 

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

 

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