Dear Birding Ausers
The first record that I have of White-throated Needletails (Spine-tailed
Swifts) for the 2003/04 season is of a single bird seen by Tom Tarrant at
Samsonvale, Qld on 6 October 2003. Two and three days later Alan Gillanders
saw 15 and then 20 at Atherton, Qld, so a few must have gotten into Australia
by then. The first to be reported outside of Queensland were of 20+ at Putty
Valley, NSW seen by Keith Brandwood. The first ones (4+) to be reported from
Vic were seen at Errinundra by Paul Taylor 30.11.2003.
The first record I received or saw for Tasmania was of six birds seen 15 km S
of Wynyard by David Siems. Then 12+ birds at Eaglehawk Neck on 22.2.2004 seen
by Rohan Clarke. Next were 100+ birds seen at Cockle Creek 14.3.2004 by Gary
Davidson. A group the same size were seen in the Frecinet NP on 19.3.2004 by
Celia Browne. Feb. & Mar. are normally the most common months for this species
to visit Tasmania.
In all 86 records were sent to me &/or Birding-Aus from NSW, 35 from Qld, Three
from Tas., and 40 from Vic. A "first" were five records from Christmas Island
(IO). The Christmas Island observations were between 16-21 November 2003. The
latter were sent in by Pam & Des Agnew, & Peter & Rhonda Barrand (per Mike
Carter). There were no records from SA this year.
I wish to thank the following people for sending in sight records - an activity
that makes a comparison of data more interesting for many people: Alan
Gillanders (4 recs), Alan Morris (2 recs), Alastair Berigora (2 recs), Bob Cook
(1 rec), Bruce Cox (2 recs), Carol Probets (11 recs), Celia Browne (1 rec),
Chris Brandis (3 recs), Chris Todd (2 recs), Damian per Paul Jones (1 rec),
Darryl McKay, David Charley (2 recs), David Geering (2 recs), David Siems (1
rec), David Stewart (6 recs), Denise Brown (1 rec), Dick Jenkin (8), Dick Price
(1 rec), Duncan Fraser (9 recs), Edwin Vella (4 recs), Fiona Lumsden (1 rec),
Gary Davidson (1 rec), Graham Turner (1 rec), Greg Oakley (1 rec), Helen Newton
(2 recs), Isobel Evans (1 rec), Jade Welch (10 recs), Katie (1 rec), Keith
Brandwood (4 recs), Laurie Knight (1 rec), Len Axen (1 rec), Liz Benson (1
rec), Louise Earnshaw (1 rec), Lynda (1 rec), Mark Ley (10 recs). Marlene Lyell
(1 rec), Marnix (1 rec), Martin Obrien (7 recs), Mathew Taylor (1 rec),
Merrilyn Serong (2 recs), Micah Kawalek (1 rec), Michael Noellker (9 recs),
Michael Tarburton (1 rec.... my lowest record ever - too much time spent
watching frogmouths), Pam & Des Agnew (2 recs), Paul Taylor, Penny
Drake-Brockman (2 recs), Peter Fuller (1 rec), Peter Madvig (1 rec), Peter &
Rhonda Barrand (3 recs), Phil Gregory (1 rec), Reg Clark (2 recs), Rohan Clarke
(2 recs), Rosemary Hunter (2 recs), Roy Sonnenburg (1 rec), Russ Lamb (3 recs),
Ruth (1 rec), Sandra Boxsell (2 recs), Tim Bawden (1 rec), Tim Dolby (1 rec),
Tim Morris (1 rec), Tom Tarrant (3 recs), Tom Wilson (2 recs), Vin Lam (2
recs), Zena Easson (2 recs).
They all add up don't they. Special thanks to those like Carol Probets and
Mike Carter who sent in other peoples reports as well as their own. Thanks too
to those who sent in behavioural observations, climate observations, and
information on mixed flocks this all helps add to the picture.
I hope each of you has another good swift watching season.
Mike
Dr Mike Tarburton
Dean: School of Science and Technology
Pacific Adventist University
PMB, Boroko
Papua New Guinea
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