Hi David and
Everyone,
They have to go somewhere or
die David and perhaps they have to work harder for their tucker and are hence
more visible.
I am not so sure about fires
but I believe that swifts have been driven to the coast of NSW by dry inland
conditions inhibiting insects breeding and thus depriving the swifts of food
more particularly in dryer inland areas. Perhaps this accounts for the larger
than usual number of Fork-tailed Swift sightings in coastal NSW. Fork-tails
are more commonly seen west of the divide in NSW.
I have seen swifts on almost
every visit to Warriewood Wetland (Sydney's Northern Beaches)since before
Xmas. The wetland, although drying out fast, still contains water and is a
suitable habitat for breeding insects. The swifts are congregating here as
there is increasingly fewer other sources of food.
Thinking about fires, the
smoke and heat generated by bushfires would kill off insects in the fires
vicinity and so at least have a local effect.
Anyway that's my
thoughts.
Bruce.
Hi
Netters,
Are the numerous White-throated Needletails and Fork-tailed Swifts over
a wide area a result of drought and possible fires? I thought there would be
less insects for them to feed on in a drought.
All the
Best
