In the 90s and 00s and even into the 10s I used to see them each summer a few times, usually without storm-chasing. I'd see them as I was driving round Canberra or down to the coast, or when I was bird-watching in various reserves (but most often
on Warks Road in the Brindies). Sometimes I even saw them out of the windows in the Woden office blocks that I have worked in.
In the later 10s they got less common, and Mike Tarburton has kept us updated about habitat loss in the NE Asia and declining numbers (I wonder if Australia isn't also less of a good wintering destination as insect numbers are declining?). However recently
there is a little hope as large numbers of artificial nest boxes have been installed in Hokkaido and are beginning to be used.
However against the background of the decline in numbers generally I'm also wondering whether the last three summers haven't been conducive to Needletails in the ACT. In these wetter summers (or non El Nino summers or whatever) rain fronts come over the
ACT but they don't seem to have the very intense winds that summer storms usually have, and I think this is another reason why we aren't seeing Needletails in the ACT so much. In these conditions they don't follow storm fronts across the inland, but prefer
to stick to the coasts where they can still find strong winds to save them energy in their soaring.
On Tue, 16 Jan 2024 at 12:05, Richard Allen via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
I had a large flock (200) in late March 2022 along Mt Franklin Rd. Initially at tree height along Brindabellas then swirling high where I attempted to count them.
Previous flocks around Curtin horse paddocks low down after storms.
Richard
Sent from my iPhone
On 15 Jan 2024, at 10:15 pm, Philip Veerman <> wrote:
Yes I too, have had some correspondence with Mike Tarburton about these issues. He did for a long time post regular summaries on Birding-Aus. These contributed
to my comments. I wanted to keep my comment simple but it is good that others have expanded it. My favourite observation of this species I wrote up in CBN 13(4):130-131 (1988) CHASING AND VOCALISATIONS BY WHITE-THROATED NEEDLETAILS of a large flock of these
birds over the top of Tuggeranong Hill on 28-2-1988. One of relatively few reports of them doing what is probably courtship behaviour or just pair selection, hard to know - in Australia. I don’t think I have ever seen that behaviour repeated at least not as
obvious as then. .
Philip
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of jandaholland--- via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, 15 January, 2024 8:54 PM
To: 'Anthony Overs'; 'Kim Farley'
Cc: 'Canberra birds'
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] FW: Hints and tips on Needletails?
Thanks Anthony, I did recall a paper that Mike did for the Birdlife Australia magazine a numbers of years ago which summarised some of the reasons for its decline that Philip mentioned,
but I can’t readily locate it. However, the following link to an Australian Field Ornithology (https://afo.birdlife.org.au/afo/index.php/afo/article/view/2228) paper
titled “Recent increase in knowledge about numbers and flight behaviour in the White-throated Needletail Hirundapus
caudacutus” could be useful, Birdlife Australia members will be able to download the pdf version for free. Jack Holland
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of Anthony Overs via Canberrabirds
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2024 6:05 PM
To: Kim Farley <>
Cc: Canberra birds <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] FW: Hints and tips on Needletails?
There is a fellow called Mike Tarburton who monitors all swift records and releases a short report each year. He presented to COG in 2015. Google his details or see the birding-aus chatline archive.
Many years ago, I remember seeing a flock of around 400 needletails over the Pine Ridge property in west Belconnen (before the grape vines went in). Most were hunting insects less than 15 metres off the ground. The noise was incredible.
A few years later I picked up this road-killed specimen on Coulter Drive:
On Mon, 15 Jan 2024 at 11:25, Kim Farley via Canberrabirds <> wrote:
Lovely. John Gould could write very nicely. I am touched by his describing the sky as being peopled with birds. 'Peopled' was a common usage in past times of course and was used to describe all sorts of things - but its still a charming
way to describe what others may have simply called a flock.
Kim
On Sun, 14 Jan 2024, 6:38 pm Geoffrey Dabb, <> wrote:
‘I have frequently observed in the middle of the hottest days, while lying prostrate on the ground with my eyes directed upwards, the cloudless blue sky peopled at an immense elevation by hundreds of these birds,
performing extensive curves and sweeping flights, doubtless attracted thither by the insects that soar aloft during serene weather …’ -
John Gould, 1840
Wow... that makes sense... cheers Philip
From: Canberrabirds <>
on behalf of Philip Veerman <>
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2024 5:58:35 PM
To: 'Canberrabirds' <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Hints and tips?
About that question. Could be many reasons but most likely suggestion is reduction in insect prey in northern Asia (maybe in Australia too) or in places along their migration
routes. Hard to dispute an actual actual decrease in population numbers because in past decades I (and most people), would encounter flocks of sometimes up to hundreds of these birds, several times a year and sometimes several days in succession at any one
place, through the summer. This would be in all places I lived in from around Melbourne to Brisbane. Rarely encountered like that in recent years and it has been a gradual decline. I would not think their distribution has changed at all, though I could be
wrong on that.
Philip
From: ben milbourne
Sent: Saturday, 13 January, 2024 5:00 PM
To: Kim Farley; Philip Veerman
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Hints and tips?
Cheers Kim,
Wonder why their numbers are dwindling... also, could it be an actual decrease in population numbers or a shift in their distribution/range (yes possibly both). Were high numbers typical 10+ years ago?
From: Kim Farley <>
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2024 4:54:39 PM
To: Philip Veerman <>
Cc: ben milbourne <>
Subject: Re: [Canberrabirds] Hints and tips?
Yes, they often soar in ahead of cloud banks, weather changes and thunderstorms but are also sometimes seen in clear skies. But there is no predicting when or where you will see them. Sometimes they may zoom in not far above your head - I have heard the
swoosh of their wings. But more often they are higher than that. A couple of times I have been looking at a soaring raptor and realised there were Needletails up there too. Becoming rare now, though flocks of many 100s used to be quite common. Last time
I saw a flock of that size was around 2012 down at Shoalhaven Heads
On Sat, Jan 13, 2024 at 4:44 PM Philip Veerman <> wrote:
Needletail maybe? (AKA swifts). Two species locally. As shown in relevant books. Outside, up in the sky, at whatever altitude, at almost any location. Most of my Canberra observations
have been when hanging out or taking in washing on the hills hoist. In Australia mostly in summer to early autumn. Probably most often in late afternoons and often before rains, although why that is the case must be a bit of a mystery. .
From: Canberrabirds [
On Behalf Of ben milbourne via Canberrabirds
Sent: Saturday, 13 January, 2024 4:08 PM
To:
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Hints and tips?
Dies anyone have some refined hints and tips for needlepoint observations? Locating, timing sighting etc?
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