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Hi all
After a sweltering day in Dungog 40 + degrees, I
was inside when I became aware of Swifts outside around 8 P.M. We regularly get
White-throated Needletails at home. With recent sightings of Fork-tailed Swifts
in Sydney & Central Coast I was keen to add one to my "home list" . I soon
became aware of a smaller swift and locked the binoculars onto it and followed
its path. It was smaller and white rumped with a clear white throat ( whiter and
bigger than the Fork-tailed Swift, more like the Needletail ) but the tail
rather than being forked , only had a slight indentation. The tail was also
short like a Needletail rather than elongated looking like a
Fork-tailed. The birds flight was different to the Needletails, and
wings were more fluttering than Needletails. I followed it for a few seconds
before it disappeared in the mob.
Around 150 White-throated Needletails present .
Wind had been fairly strong from the North West but had died completely.
Sky clear. The swifts were flying from very low to very high and seemed to be
hawking in a Southerly direction.
Great way to finish a hot day and a great bird to
add to the home list..
Cheers
Dick Jenkin
DUNGOG NSW
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