birding-aus

Swift Knowledge

To: "David Siems" <>, "BIRDING-AUS" <>
Subject: Swift Knowledge
From: "Bruce Cox" <>
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2003 11:59:52 +1100
 
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

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