Re: Needletails

There was an e-mail earlier this afternoon expressing surprise at seeing Needletails in the middle of a series of storms rather than at the leading edge.  I wasn't going to comment but then I just saw a posting with "Saw three WT Needletails ...... Clear skies".

This offers an opportunity to comment on the oft-reported occurrence of needletails on storm fronts.  Ever thought about why swifts are often in large flocks on storm fronts?  The updrafts offer opportunities to feed on insects swept upward, or onward.  I see no reason why swifts wouldn't find the same situation elsewhere in a belt of storms.  The situation is probably akin to honeyeaters being attracted to flowering trees - that's where the food is!

Where are these swifts when there is no storm activity?  I suggest they are probably still in the same general area but much more dispersed seeking out a likewise dispersed food resource.  The three birds reported in clear skys is probably an example of this.  It could well be that the birds are also foraging at far greater heights thus the reporting rate drops dramatically.  

There have been many swift sightings over the past two weeks or so as a very slow moving low pressure trough has generated a pretty impressive series of storm cells.  We now have a large high pressure system over the south-east of the country resulting in more consistently fine weather pattern.  Result - far fewer swift sightings.

It's all food for thought.  Any needletail authorities like to comment?

Cheers

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW  2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884 9382



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