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George Swann has E-mailed me regarding two
Swiftlets he saw and photographed at Broome Port on 14 February. He saw them
well, took many pictures and expects to be able to "nail the
species".
Adrian Boyle and Chris Hassell
(per phone call from Adrian), searched the Port area unsuccessfully on 15 Feb.
but then watched and photographed (revealing images I'm told), a similar
Swiftlet about 9 km away. On returning to the Bird Observatory, they discovered
a House Swift among the Hirundines flying to roost!
Preliminary indications are that
the Swiftlet may be an Indonesian form of Edible-nest
Swiftlet.
This is exciting, challenging,
stuff. Following on the report of a Swiftlet and Silver-rumped Spinetail from
Broome in December, (George Swann & Bill Rutherford), there is a recent
report of all dark swiftlets from southern Queensland (Uniform?) (Eric
Vanderduys), older, outstanding, claims of Mossy-nest Swiftlet from near Ashmore
Reef (John Darnell), as well as Black-nest Swiftlet (Dion Hobcroft) &
Dark-rumped Swift (Carter et al.) from Christmas Island yet to be
resolved.
Mike Carter
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