I did not go out yesterday but today there were about 20 Swift Parrots in two adjacent small
trees beside the silt trap beside Lake Tuggeranong. They were feeding actively and quite close. Outnumbering the Noisy Miners that mostly ignored them, although I did notice
4 times that one NM did try to chase them away. The Swift Parrots keep very much together. I have seen them each day I have been out there but this time, not at the car park. Today was the first time since I reported them that there were no other people there
watching them. As others would have noticed they are very acrobatic in clambering in the trees and rarely feed head up. Most of the time when feeding their head is the lowest part of their body.
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: Tuesday, 25 May, 2021 4:52 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Swift Parrots Kambah
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
