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Fork-tailed Swifts en masse in QLD.

To:
Subject: Fork-tailed Swifts en masse in QLD.
From: Michael Tarburton <>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:19:29 +1100
G'day Swift watchers

I have recently asked why there are so few FTS swifts in WA, NT & SA this season. Well now we know why. A very large proportion of the population is, or should I say was near Townsville on 26 Jan. The observers could not find them the following day.

Don't criticise them, as none of us since 1974 have seen more than 8,000 FTS in a flock!

Len & Chris Ezzy, Janet Robino, Peter Valentine, & John & Christine Stewart plus others have witnessed this huge flock, estimated to cover 50 sq km. They and others went looking for them the next day and found none. I saw 50 heading NE between Winton & Longreach on 21 Dec, so apparently they knew of the party that Townsville was going to throw.

Question now is - where have they gone.

BBC film crew also want to know, as they expect me to find 90-100,000 for them to film. They wont believe I cannot predict when or where these birds will be.

Have you seen them? If not please look out for them and let me know how many you see.

Thanks & Happy swift watching

Mike

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Prof Michael Tarburton

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