G'day Everyone
I also agree generally in the early departure of insectivorous
migrants this season.
White-throated Needletails (WTNT) & Fork-tailed Swifts (FTS) are
insectivores and migratory, and the WTNT appear to have left early
this year except for a few pre-breeders. At least the last WTNT I've
seen were not involved in courtship or co-ordinated flying, and all
swifts studied so far do not breed until they are several years old.
This latter point means they do not need to rush off and compete for
nesting hollows in Siberia. However, there are still some FTS around
in Vic, NT & Qld. They appear to have taken over some of the WTNT
territory above forests, and I am thinking this behaviour was because
of the prolonged very hot spell, much of the SE experienced.
And yes there are cicadas still calling in Melbourne. It is
interesting that the 12 WTNT I caught in one hour in Qld were feeding
on cicadas, - a small species emerging from a farmers "nature strip"
near Gingin.
Cheers
Mike Tarburton
I agree, I’ve not seen (or heard) an insectivorous, migratory bird
since February.
Paul Osborn
Bulahdelah, NSW
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