February 2002

Swifts Across The Strait is the newsletter of the Swift Recovery Program. The Swift Par- rot is a threatened species endemic to south- east . Come Autumn, parrot populations migrate from their breeding grounds in Tasma- ✾ Project Officer Migrates North nia, to winter on mainland Australia, returning ✾ Changing History? again to in Spring. The sporadic and seemingly unpredictable movement of the parrot ✾ Successful Surveys 2001 mean that a large number of people are needed ✾ to keep track of its distribution, and to collect in- 2001 National Survey Weekend formation on the bird’s habitat requirements. Results ✾ & Regent A Swift Parrot survey is conducted every May and August. Observers Workshops. from eastern South Australia through to southern look for Swift in an effort to trace the movements of this rare and ✾ Winter Habitat Conservation elusive species. This publication gives bird observers feedback on ✾ Endangered Swift Parrot results from their search efforts and gives others an insight into the Found In New National Park” behaviour of this unique and remarkable parrot. Photo: D. Watts ✾ New Swift Parrot Volunteers ✾ Swiftie Snippets ✾ The Volunteer Experience and Tarcutta). These surveys have resulted in the largest known record ✾ Swift Parrot Web Page of Swift Parrots on the NSW south By Debbie Saunders ✾ Freedom at Last coast, with 85 in Boyne State With an increasing number of Swift ✾ Parrot records coming in from NSW, , north of . Crazy Swift Parrot! and with limited information avail- Swift Parrots were also recorded in ✾ large numbers (153 in total) on the Swift Parrot Monitoring in able about habitat requirements South-East Tasmania, 2001 within this state, last year the Swift western slopes of NSW, with over Parrot Project Officer position was half of these records from new sites. ✾ Swift Parrots at Gunnary TSR relocated from to NSW. From these targeted surveys over ✾ Birding Holidays With this change in location from 100 foraging observations were made, providing important informa- to Queanbeyan, the previ- ✾ Feathery Features ous project officer Simon Kennedy tion about habitat preferences in (DNRE) handed the position on to both coastal and western habitats. ✾ The Great Swiftie Search Photo Consequently, we are now well on myself, Debbie Saunders, from NSW Competition NPWS. Consequently, targeted sur- our way to gaining a better under- standing of the Swift Parrot habitat veys wer been conducted last year ✾ Tales from Tasmania for Swift Parrots on the NSW south requirements within NSW borders. coast (between Nowra and The Swift Parrot Recovery Team ✾ Don’t Forget... Merimbula), north coast (between would like to give special thanks to Port Macquarie and Tweed Heads) Simon for developing such a great and western slopes (between Temora mainland project for the Swift Par-

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 1 rot recovery program, as well as for existed. It might not have been in my providing ongoing support through- lifetime, but it was certainly within out the Swift Parrot season last year. the lifetime of my grandparents. He certainly has made a significant contribution to the long-term conser- At the next exhibit was a stuffed par- vation of Swift Parrots and their rot mounted on stick like a child’s toy habitats over his three years (1998- at a fete. (No offence to the taxider- 2000) as project officer. Some of his mist, but a stuffed bird is simply not achievements over this period in- the same as the real thing). The bird clude: was a stunning Paradise Parrot. This species also became extinct in the era = successfully expanding and co- ordinating a large network of of my grandparents. It can now only volunteers throughout Victoria be brought to life in our imagination. and NSW, for the National Sur- The display also included information vey Weekends on other parrot species that are fac- ing a similar demise as the Paradise = recording the largest number of Parrot. These included; the Ground Swift Parrots and detailed for- 85 Swift Parrots were recorded in aging observations, by any indi- flowering Spotted Gum habitat on Parrot, the Orange-bellied Parrot, the vidual the South Coast of NSW this Night Parrot and, oh no…… my be- year Photo: Debbie Saunders loved Swift Parrot!!! (Not that any = identifying and mapping prior- ity Swift Parrot sites in Victoria of the former species are somehow less important or spectacular than the = developing, coordinating and Simon is now also migrating north, Swift Parrot of course – they are all presenting the inaugural Swift this time to Queensland, where he unique, magnificent birds in need of Parrot Volunteer Workshop will be working on Brigalow conservation.) = establishing and implementing projects. I am sure he will continue habitat assessment techniques to be as successful there as he has However, to see the species that I am that are scientifically viable and been for the Swift Parrot Recovery currently working on displayed in the therefore can be used to support Program. The Recovery Team and museum with doom stamped upon it, Swift Parrot habitat conserva- Swift Parrot volunteers wish Simon made me stop and think about the dire tion efforts the best of luck in his new venture. consequences for this species if the = preparing numerous reports on foraging ecology of Swift Par- current recovery program was not im- rots in Victoria and NSW plemented. Without the recovery pro- gram, the volunteers or the ongoing = publishing “Foraging ecology Changing History? and habitat use of the Swift Par- conservation efforts being undertaken By Debbie Saunders rot on the south-western slopes throughout its range, the Swift Parrot I recently ventured to the National of ” in Corella may be destined to sit stuffed on a Museum of Australia in , 25(3): 68-74, a scientific bird re- stick beside the Paradise Parrot, col- where, amongst other things, I found search journal lecting dust, void of the charismatic a fascinating array of information behaviour and beautiful calls that the = reporting on all mainland win- about Australian fauna. However, I ter surveys since the beginning Swiftie is renowned for. I only hope found it hard to comprehend the of the Swift Parrot recovery pro- that as a member of the Swift Parrot number and diversity of species that gram (1995-2000) Recovery Team, I am not only able are now extinct because of human to make a positive contribution to the = reviewing Victorian forestry pre- intervention. scriptions and recommendations long-term survival of this species, but for protection of key habitat el- am able to inspire others to do like- For instance, I looked at the bottled ements at Swift Parrot foraging wise. Hopefully together, we can Thylacine, got within 15cm of the sites change the history books and make real thing – the real dead thing that the Swift Parrot an example of how = keeping volunteers informed of is. How could we have possibly let Swift Parrot issues and survey conservation efforts can stop the ex- things get to such a stage that this results by compiling and distrib- tinction of native wildlife by facili- species became extinct? The video uting the newsletter “Swifts tating the retention of viable, self-sus- footage of the last Thylacine in cap- Across the Strait” taining populations. May we not al- tivity was heartbreaking. It wasn’t low the Swift Parrot to become an that long ago that this creature still example of what we are about to lose!

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 2 Successful ingly successful with a total of dreds more Swift Parrot records Surveys 2001 1809 Swift Parrots recorded dur- than any previous survey con- ing the May survey and 1692 ducted for the recovery program. The national Swift Parrot and Swift Parrots recorded during the This is likely to be the result of a survey August survey. The majority of growing network of volunteers, weekends are held twice a year records were from Victoria (1646 greater coverage of potential during the Swift Parrot winter May, 1647 Aug) with the NSW Swift Parrot habitats and increas- migration period (March – Oc- records (163 May, 45 Aug) be- ing levels of volunteer experi- tober). The surveys are con- ing confined to the South Coast ence. and Central/Southern Western ducted on the last weekend in The number of sites surveyed last Slopes. No Swift Parrot records May and the first weekend in Au- year totalled 452 in NSW, 248 in have been received for Queens- gust, by a large network of vol- Victoria and five in Queensland/ land or South Australia this year, unteers in NSW, Victoria, South South Australia. From these despite several volunteers doing Australia and Queensland. The mainland surveys, over 700 sur- surveys. Nonetheless, last year’s surveys are becoming increas- vey forms were submitted to the survey weekends resulted in hun- Swift Parrot Project Officer for the 2001 season. Of the 550 vol- 2001 National Survey Weekend Results unteers/bird groups currently on the mailing list, over 260 partici- pated in the surveys, accounting # Swift Parrots # Swift Parrots MAINLAND REGIONS for approximately 700 hours of May August field work. Other volunteers have VICTORIA also assisted with administration work, totalling over 40 hours. Maryborough-Dunolly 283 571 The major food sources used last North-East 295 65 season in Victoria were nectar and Bendigo 147 49 lerps on Grey Box, Red Ironbark and Yellow Gum. On the NSW Rushworth 637 595 south coast, the major food source St. Arnaud 284 357 was Spotted Gum nectar and in- sects/carbohydrates amongst the Southern Victoria 0 10 bark of the Broad-leaved Gippsland 0 0 Ironbark. In comparison, the ma- Sub-Total 1646 1647 jor food sources on the western slopes of NSW last year were NEW SOUTH WALES lerps on White Box, Yellow Box Central W Slopes 4 6 and Apple Box as well as White Box nectar. SW Slopes 52 39 The Swift Parrot Recovery South Coast 105 0 Team would like to thank each Central Coast & Tablelands 0 0 and every one of our volunteers for their personal effort. With- North Coast & Tablelands 0 0 out such a large and dedicated NW Slopes 0 0 network, we would be unable to collect such extensive and Sub-Total 161 45 valuable information about QUEENSLAND 0 0 Swift Parrots on the mainland. SOUTH AUSTRALIA 0 0 THANK YOU!!! MAINLAND AUSTRALIA 1807 1692

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 3 Swift Parrot & = Simon Kennedy (Department of Natural Resources and En- whistling method. Who knows Regent vironment, Victoria) what we may attract when next in Honeyeater Work- = Mike Weston (Threatened Bird the field!!” Network) Adam Leavesley - Canberra shops. = David Geering (NSW National “Thanks for the talk. It was great By Debbie Saunders Parks and Wildlife Service) to find out what’s going on with The Swift Parrot and Regent = Franchesca Andreoni (NSW Honeyeater workshops held last Network) Swift Parrots and Regent year were a huge success with over = Felicity Faris (Victorian Honyeaters.” 100 people attending in Bendigo, Threatened Species Network) David McDonald - Canberra Canberra and Gosford. These = Robyn Jewell (Volunteer) “A number of COGites (Canberrra workshops, funded as part of the = Kaye Pointer (Volunteer) Ornithological Group members) Natural Heritage Trust Endan- = Mary Satchell (Volunteer) gered Species Program for Swift participated in an excellent work- = Ros Wallace (Volunteer) Parrots, resulted in 24 new areas shop today (21July) at the National = Anthony Overs (NSW Na- being surveyed during the national Botanic Gardens on the Swift Par- tional Parks and Wildlife Serv- survey weekends. Volunteers re- rot/Regent Honeyeater survey pro- gram.” Mel Fleming – Woy Woy “You gave a great workshop – you were entertaining as well as [effec- tive in] getting the information across. It was very well organised and I enjoyed the whole day. I haven’t seen any Swift Parrots or Regent yet but I am certainly listening out for them whenever I go bushwalking. I have already filled in my first data sheet from my allocated survey area and will have another done after some field surveys next week.”

Volunteers enjoying the field component of the Bendigo Swift Parrot Workshop Winter Habitat Photo: Debbie Saunders Conservation

cruited at the workshops have re- ice) Landcare and Bushcare sponded positively by sending in = Raymond Brereton (Depart- Thanks to Mason Crane and Chris survey data sheets of a very high ment of Primary Industries, MacGregor (Gundagai Bushcare) standard. Every participant I have Water and Environment, Tas- who provided us with valuable in- spoken to since the workshops has mania) formation about Swift Parrots and commented on how successful the White Box flowering in their local sessions were and that they found Feedback received from Swift Par- area. This information resulted in the them to be both informative and rot and Regent Honeyeater work- discovery of three new Swift Parrot enjoyable. It is great that we were shop participants included: able to give something back to our sites and over 50 birds in the Tumut existing volunteers and provide Teresa & John Van der Heul – area! new volunteers with the necessary Narooma information to confidently partici- “You all put a great effort into pre- Following on from this success, sev- pate in the national survey week- paring the presentation last Satur- eral Landcare and Bushcare groups ends. Congratulations and thanks day, which went over extremely have now been contacted regarding to everyone involved in the organi- well. Many thanks to everyone. We the protection and enhancement of sation and presentation of the Swift Parrot habitat in NSW and Vic- workshops including: thoroughly enjoyed it. Esther & I will be practicing our newly learnt toria. Members of Landcare and

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 4 “Endangered Swift Parrot Found In New National Park”

Media Release, October 2001 One of the largest single sightings of the highly endangered Swift Parrot in NSW this year has been made in a new national park just south of Wagga. The Swift Parrot has been reduced to about a thou- sand breeding pairs in Australia and the sighting of 40 birds in the new Livingstone National Park has been greeted with some excite- ment. NPWS Swift Parrot project officer Debbie Saunders, said to- day that it was great to see such a large flock of Swift Parrots at this time of the year when the birds are heading back to Tasmania for the summer breeding season. The 12,000 ha Livingstone National Park is about 25 km south of Wagga and was created on January 1 this year following the completion of the Southern Comprehensive Regional Assessment. Ms Saunders said that the birds were seen feeding on flowering Ironbark eucalypts as well as a parasite known as lerps on some White-box eucalypts. “This is the only observation of Swift White Box flowers at the new Swift Parrot site near Adelong, NSW, where over 40 Parrots within a NPWS conservation reserve this year,” she said. Swift Parrots were recorded. Photo: Debbie Saunders

Bushcare groups who are regularly out in the field can provide important on-the- ground information that may lead to the identification of new Swift Parrot sites in their local area. It is therefore anticipated that next season an information package and presentation will be developed for such groups wishing to participate in the Swift Parrot recovery program. The successful revegetation programs currently being im- plemented for Swift Parrot habitat in Tas- mania will provide a basis for these main- land projects. If anyone would like to reg- ister their local Landcare or Bushcare group for the Swift Parrot Recovery Pro- gram, please send contact details to: Debbie Saunders, NPWS, PO Box 2115 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 or [email protected]

Land for Wildlife Land for Wildlife Extension Officer Nick Clancy will be using our Swift Parrot data from the National Survey Weekends in Queensland, to inform relevant Land for Wildlife land-owners about Swift Parrots and their habitat requirements. He will also be passing on the National Survey Week- end data sheets to these land-owners, thereby increasing community awareness Large ironbarks in Livingstone NP where over 40 Swift Parrots of Swift Parrots in the northern extent of were recorded this year. Photo: Debbie Saunders their range.

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 5 The Volunteer key relates to the volume of flower- aggressive species, although this is ing of the surrounding trees. Sim- not normally the case. Our presence Experience ple things maybe, but everyone left and new groups of Swifties were the By Steve Paton the workshop with specific ques- only thing that disturbed them. This I have been actively participating in tions answered and their problems weekend will stick in our memory bird surveys for six years now, in clarified. for years to come. We were some- which time I have met many inter- what relieved when the day was fi- Armed with this new information, nally over because with all the con- esting people, been into some re- we set forth for the May count to- mote and wonderful places, as well stant looking and intense listening, I ward Heathcote and surrounding vi- could feel a headache coming on. as seen, and played my small part cinities. A year before, we had in helping, a number of endangered That night I could still see Swifities, flagged three just behind even when I closed my eyes. species. Sharing these experiences Heathcote as possible sites for It wasn’t until days later that a great with a good friend, (as I do with Ian Swifties. No birds had been previ- sense of pleasure crept into my Hance), enables both of us to dou- ously recorded in these forests. memory of what we had seen, as did ble check our findings, increase our Nonetheless, we felt they were the realisation that we may have coverage and most importantly, al- worth surveying because they had helped save some vital habitat. The lows us to share some special similar vegetation to our other birds may not be seen here in num- moments together, as well as relive Swiftie areas. Just to show how bers like this for years to come, but them at a later time. I began chasing fussy the birds can be, all our for- when they do we hope to be there. Swifties in forests outside ests had been void of birds only a Until then we will be happy doing Maryborough in August ‘97, where couple weeks before the official our counts, as we know that it is help- a flock of 200 had been recently seen count, however 392 birds were re- ing to give a better understanding of by then project officer, Chris Tzaros. corded on the count weekend. Eve- the bird and it’s environment, regard- We failed to find any Swift Parrots, rywhere we seemed to turn we heard less of whether we actually sight however a nil count was still and saw Swifties, with over 200 be- them or not. important as it raised the question, ing recorded from our new forests. why have the birds have moved on? In these numbers, Swifties were the We found heavily flowering Red Ironbark and Grey Box covered in lerps, but there was not a Swiftie in sight. What makes the birds choose one area over another is a mystery. Yet having almost given up hope, what a surprise it is to find a little face staring down at you from above, annoyed to have been inter- rupted half way through a meal of unopened White Box buds. Look- ing straight on, the Swiftie face re- sembles the result of a kids colour- ing competition. This is not to say that the Swift Parrot is not a cute looking bird, indeed it is their won- derful colouring that makes them so endearing and unique.

With each count it has become a lit- tle easier to recognise the signs that Swifties may be nearby. Yet we will never stop learning. Despite all our surveys, the workshop at Bendigo in April taught us a couple of things we didn’t know. For instance; the middle of the day is not an ideal time to find Swifties. Likewise, when fill- Swift Parrot up close and personal– unique and endearing or resembling a kids colouring competition? Photo: Debbie Saunders ing out the bird species present, the

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 6 Swift Parrots at of young White Box trees, mostly 2- I have also recorded Little Lorikeets 3 metre tall. There were larger trees there in the past. The Swift Parrots Gunnary TSR in this spot, but the birds seemed to stayed at the TSR for many weeks, however not once were they sighted By Anthony Overs prefer the thicker foliage of the saplings. The first birds arrived to in the ironbark woodlands, despite During the National Survey roost about 25 minutes before sunset, several attempts to find them. Why Weekend in May, we received a followed by a constant stream of 2 were the Swift Parrots absent, message from Marnix Zwankhuizen or 3 birds. The Swifties made their especially when the ironbark was that about 30 Swift Parrots were characteristic ‘reet-reet’ calls and lots flowering so well with lots of roosting in the Gunnary Travelling of other quieter social calls while honeyeaters present? A possible Stock Reserve (TSR), an 18 ha preparing to roost. By sunset there answer is that the large number of reserve near Boorowa on the south- was not a noise to be heard, although Noisy Friarbirds and Red west slopes of NSW. This was the several birds kept a watchful eye on Wattlebirds present kept the Swift first time that Swift Parrots had been us as they tucked their bills away Parrots away. However many other recorded at this location - on the under their wings. With just enough smaller nectarivores were present, southern side of the Taylor’s Flat Rd light left to observe them, we watched and previous observations have and Crookwell Rd junction. The

When Psyllid insects feed on leaf sap they create sugary houses called lerps – which Swift Parrots love to eat. Photo: D.Saunders

each bird finally nod off to sleep. A indicated that large honeyeaters and TSR is mostly White Box and Apple pair of Diamond Firetails were also Swift Parrots can co-exist in the Box with some Blakely’s Red Gum roosting in the White Box saplings. same place if there is an abundant and Yellow Box in the lower areas. food resource. The surrounding countryside is About 40km to the north-west of predominantly cleared with scattered Gunnary TSR on the edge of the The foraging preferences of Swift paddock trees. I went to this site a Dananbilla Range, there were up to Parrots at each of these sites raises couple of times to make some 30 Swift Parrots on the private some interesting questions: detailed foraging observations, property “Khsharthra” feeding on the = why weren’t the Gunnary Swift including a visit with volunteer Lee nectar and lerps of Mugga Ironbark Parrots feeding on the Mugga Halasz, and a visit with former Swift and White Box. About 5km to the Ironbark nectar which was only Parrot Project Officer, Simon north-east of Gunnary TSR there is a a short distance away? Kennedy. We recorded about thirty substantial strip of vegetation along = why weren’t the Gunnary Swift foraging observations at two sites, all a ridge which features good stands of Parrots feeding on nectar when of which were on White Box and Mugga Ironbark. There were the “Khsharthra” birds were? Apple Box lerps. numerous nectarivorous birds These observations and subsequent including Yellow-tufted, Black- questions emphasise the importance We were also fortunate enough to chinned, White-plumed, Yellow- of surveying as many areas as observe the Swift Parrots roosting in faced, White-naped and Fuscous possible over the range of the the TSR. We counted 52 birds Honeyeaters, Eastern Spinebills, species, including areas where there coming in to roost in a large cluster Noisy Friarbirds and Red Wattlebirds. is no obvious flowering resource.

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 7 Swift Parrot Web swift.html otherwise he would become human- Environment Australia – Recovery ised during his extended stay. To Page Outline for Swift Parrot Joanne’s credit, even though the in- jured Swiftie spent over 12 months This year we are planning to develop www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/ in her care, he kept his preference an exciting web site for our fantas- threatened/action/birds2000/pubs/ for natural foods such as nectar-filled tic volunteers who participate in the swift-parrot.pdf flowers as well as his instinct to keep National Survey Weekends in May Landcare Unit and Department of and August. It is anticipated that the well away from people. Such behav- Education Tasmania – iour is essential for a successful re- web page will include the following ‘Powerpoint’ presentation on helping components: lease back into the wild. Cherie con- the Swift Parrot developed by tinued Joanne’s high level of care primary school children pictures (image files) and calls while we waited for his plane ticket www.discover.tased.edu.au/ (sound files) of Swift Parrots back to his release site in Tassie (see landcare/swiftparrot/resources.asp photos of Swift Parrot habitat “ Crazy Swift Parrot!” story below). and food resources Tasmanian Regional Forest Once he arrived in Tasmania, Brett general information about the Agreement – Management Gartrell (University of Tasmania) ecology of the species Prescriptions for Swift Parrot habitat fitted him with a radio-transmitter information about current www.rfa.gov.au/rfa/tas/raa/other/ and released him with some other rd threats to the species parrots/ Swifties on Saturday 3 November the national Swift Parrot recov- Or just search the web for “Swift 2001. They were given a soft release ery plan Parrot” and see what else you come from the aviary near Hobart, how- survey data sheets accessible for up with. ever once they left the cage, none of printing and data entry by vol- them looked back. The birds entered unteers a heavily wooded Blue Gum (E. links to other relevant Swift Par- Freedom at Last globulus) forest and joined up with some wild Swift Parrots on the first rot and threatened species sites By Debbie Saunders results of volunteer surveys day. Joanne’s bird has since been The Swift Parrot Recovery Team found foraging happily in Blue the “Swifts Across the Strait” would like to thank Joanne Egan newsletter Gums and socialising with other par- (WIRES North Coast) and Cherie rots on a couple of different occa- photos from ‘The Great Swiftie Collins (WIRES South Coast) for the Search’ Photo Competition sions. A great success for everyone excellent and professional care given involved! to the Swift Parrot that came in in- Any other ideas or suggestions are jured last year. We were never quite Crazy Swift Par- more than welcome – this web page sure what happened to him, other is for you so please let us know what than he collided with something near rot! information you would find most the Colonial Surfside Caravan Park By Cherie Collins (WIRES) valuable on this site. Email at Woolgoolga on the north coast of In August last year I had the [email protected] NSW. Collisions with wire netting privilege of being asked to care for fences, windows and cars are known a Swift Parrot for a few weeks, to result in a significant number of Here are a few existing web pages while Debbie Saunders arranged Swift Parrot deaths each year. Due that some of you may find transport for his trip back to Tassie. to the speed at which they fly, and interesting: He had to be flown south on a plane the resulting high level impact of Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife because all his mates were heading their collisions, only a small propor- Service – Swift Parrot Information across for Tasmania and tion of birds are able to be released Sheet www.parks.tas.gov.au/ he wasn’t strong enough to migrate following a crash. Joanne cared for wildlife/birds/swparrot.html with them. The first step was to seal the Swift Parrot for an extended pe- off every little gap in my aviary to Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife riod of time since he was not fit for ensure he didn’t escape (imagine my Service – Threatened Species Note release during the migratory season embarrassment if he had escaped Sheet (inc. small photo) last year. She provided him with a after being in care with Joanne Egan www.parks.tas.gov.au/esl/swift.html wide array of flowers, fruits, seeds from WIRES in Woolgoolga for and nectarivore mixtures throughout Birds Australia – Swift Parrot over twelve months). Pouring rain the year. She also had to resist spend- Information Sheet (inc. diagram) delayed the job, so for the first home.vicnet.net.au/~birdsaus/birds/ ing too much time admiring him,

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 8 couple of days he had to remain he arrived I got on the ‘net’ to do Swift Parrot inside his small cage within the some research. To my relief there aviary. was enough information to help me Monitoring in out. Gathering food was the next I was told he had two types of calls - South-East challenge. Collecting native flow- one when he was feeding or just sit- ering bushes every couple of days Tasmania, 2001 ting and the other when he was fly- was a bit difficult because there ing. The first morning that he was weren’t too many flowering. But I By Alan Wiltshire out of his cage I heard his feeding carried my secateurs with mw eve- A series of fixed-point surveys were call. It was so distinct and loud for rywhere, so as to take the opportu- conducted in southeast Tasmania be- such a small bird, and it was such a nity of collecting anything that I hap- tween 16 October and 19 Novem- buzz to hear him. It took a few more pened to pass during the day. I also ber 2001 in order to monitor the days before he gave the flying call gave him cut up fruit with a special state’s migratory Swift Parrot popu- lation. I visited each of the sites, re- ceiving assistance from Justin Febey, Sheryl Hamilton, Suzannah Kenny and Raymond Brereton. This season an additional 9 sites were vis- ited giving a total of 73 sites. The new sites included: = Little Beach Highway = Little Beach Reserve = Petcheys Bay =“Marchweil” = Apollo Bay = Billys Creek = = Chigwell =“Ringrove”

Preliminary analysis of the data shows that approximately 230 Swift What are you looking at? I’m not crazy – I’m just getting excited ‘cause I’m Parrots were recorded at 19 sites. heading home! Photo: Debbie Saunders Musk Lorikeets were recorded at 11 sites and Common Starlings were nectarivore mix sprinkled on top. He recorded at 19 sites. Observations on and when I heard it one morning seemed to enjoy apples and pears for Swift Parrot foraging were also re- while in the bathroom I was so ex- a while, but then he got sick of those, corded for 13 sites. A final report for cited I called Debbie that day to let so I tried oranges, mandarins, kiwi the 2001 fieldwork will be produced her know that I’d heard it. I would fruits, passionfruits & bananas. He in early 2002 after all the data has hear him call at 5.30 am every morn- only nibbled slightly at these, and I been entered into the Swift Parrot ing , and then I’d hear him again in started to get worried he would lose database and then analysed. the afternoon. Sometimes it would weight. Next I tried a mixture of go on for hours. He was also very seeds - success - he gobbled those hyperactive in the mornings; he up every day along with his native couldn’t stop flying around the avi- flowers. ary, running along the perches, climbing up the walls and literally Finally the day came to hand him hanging upside-down from the roof over to Debbie for the drive over and branches. The two lorikeets in Clyde Mountain to Canberra airport the aviary next door must have to catch his (plane) flight back to thought he was a bit crazy! Tassie. I already miss his daily wakeup call although he was only My knowledge of Swift Parrots was here for a short while. It was a pleas- Blue Gum flowers, the main food source for Swift Parrots in Tasma- a bit limited - in fact, I knew next to ure and an experience to have cared nia. Photo: Raymond Brereton nothing about them. So on the night for this little Swift Parrot.

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 9 New Swift Parrot Swiftie Snippets Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. It is also listed Volunteers Almost all survey sheets from in the following states as: Victoria last year recorded the As the new Swift Parrot Project Of- TAS – Endangered – Schedule Red Wattlebird, however, there ficer, one of the most rewarding parts 3 of the Threatened Species Pro- were very few records of Pur- of my job this year has been to work tection Act 1995 ple-crowned Lorikeets, despite with so many devoted, friendly and VIC – Threatened – Schedule 2 the abundance of Musk and Lit- helpful volunteers! The 2001 sea- of the Flora and Fauna Guaran- tle Lorikeets. Where did the son was very successful for adding tee (FFG) Act 1988 Purple-crowns go? new recruits to our mainland volun- Other threatened species re- teer network, with 60 additional vol- corded last year during the Swift unteers joining the program! Birding Holidays Parrot and Regent Honeyeater Whether these volunteers participate .’; surveys included the Brown Richard Nowotny & Diana in the surveys, help out in the office Treecreeper, the Glossy Black Bryant – Birdwatching for or just like to keep informed about Cockatoo, the Painted Everyone! what is happening in the Swift Par- Honeyeater, the Hooded Robin, rot world, it is great to know that Richard and Diana are a “young” the Grey-crowned Babbler and there is continuing enthusiasm and middle-aged professional couple the Black-chinned Honeyeater. support for Swift Parrots and their who regularly bird locally, interstate So next time your are out stalk- habitats throughout their range. and overseas. They enjoy showing ing Swift Parrots, remember that Thank you to the following people visiting birders around their home you never know what you might for volunteering to become involved town of , and further find! with Swift Parrots and I look forward afield in Victoria - when their other Although Swift Parrots resem- to working with you next season commitments permit. There is no ble Lorikeets in appearance, charge – as the hospitality they they are more closely related to receive on their own travels is more the broad-tailed parrots such as Adams, Joan Lambert, Jenny than sufficient. Weekends are Rosellas. Andreuuatha, Judith Larkin, Bill usually the only suitable time. Please In flight, Swift Parrots can be Bann, Glen Leavesley, Adam call or email them to explore identified from lorikeets by the Bannerman, Melanie Lovett, Mary possibilities or to ask for advice or red feathers under both the tail Bilney, Roger & Carolyn Masters, Greg assistance. Phone: home (61) 03 and wings – absent from the Brook, Pillip McDonald, David 9645 6870 mobile 0438 224456 Musk, Little, Purple-crowned Bushnell, Dennis McGuiness, Julie (Richard) Email: and Rainbow Lorikeets. The Cairns, Louise Molony, Heather [email protected] Collins, Cherie Nichol, Alan & Marg Swift Parrot is also a more slen- Conden, Ray & Sue O’Neill, Lisa der bird with a dusky red tail and Australian Ornithological Crane, Alison O’Neil, Margaret a very unique call. Services - 2002 Tours Crawford, Adam Pelling, Mike The Swift Parrot recovery pro- Darwin, Kakadu NP & Davis, Naomi Summerrell, Richard gram is a tri-state project with Kununurra; 25 June – 8 July Dooley, Sean Mawbey, Angela recovery team members from (and you can still participate in Drake, Shirley Roper, Marion the Department of Primary In- both of the National Swift Parrot English, Terri-Anne Ruff, Manfred dustries, Water and Environ- Survey weekends in May and Farley, Sharon Ruming, Shane ment (DPIWE) in Tasmania, August as detailed in Diary Gellatty, Jacqueline Semmens, Ros NSW National Parks and Wild- Dates!) Graham, Mark Standen, Roger life Service and the Department Great Victoria Desert; 6 – 23 Gray, Pamela Starr, Simon of Natural Resources and Envi- September Halasz, Lee Strauch, Laura ronment (DNRE) in Victoria. Plains-wanderer Weekends; 2 Harris, Stuart Tomlinson, Moya The recovery team also has – 3 Dec & 9 – 10 Dec Hart, Brian Wallace, Rosalind members from the Threatened Heibel, Dorothie Wassens, Caroline Bird Network (Birds Australia) For further details: P.O. Box 385, Herring, Matthew Webster, Alan and the Threatened Species Net- South Yarra 3141 Victoria Australia, Hoking, Brad Williams, Justin work (World Wide Fund for Na- Tel/Fax: 03 9820 4223, Mobile Johnson, Diane Williams, Desley ture). 04173 10200, Kaye, Lyndal Williamson, Ann The Swift Parrot is listed as En- Email: [email protected], Kelly, Lindsay Wilson, Dennis dangered Nationally on the En- Webpage: www.philipmaher.com Korodaj, Terry Wyatt, George vironment Protection and

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 10 Feathery Features Victoria The Great Swiftie Some Birds of the Victorian Search Photo Feathery features provides a Forests. $13.20 W Flentje 53 selection of call recordings, videos species including 18 honeyeaters. Competition and books of Australian birds for New South Wales For all those budding photogra- both novice and experienced Bird Calls of the Hunter Region phers out there – here is an oppor- birdwatchers. The following $13.20, Hunter Bird Observers tunity not to be missed; The Great selection was sourced from the Club Bird Observers Club of Australia Swiftie Search Photo Competition! (BOCA) web page. To place your 2002 is the inaugural year for this orders please Ph: 1300 305 342, Videos $33.00 each great competition, and the only rule is that the winning shot must be as- Fax: 03 9894 4048, Mail: BOCA, Australia’s Birds: Woodlands sociated with the Great Swiftie PO Box 185, Nunawading 3131, or Life histories & behaviours of 23 Search (National Survey Week- Email: [email protected]. species of Australian eucalypt ends). All you have to do is cap- woodlands. Includes Yellow Robin, Rainbow Bee-eater, White-winged ture a fun-filled moment in your Field Guide to Australian Bird search for Swifties – the photos Chough, Spotted Pardalote & Song – Cassettes $12.50 each don’t have to be brilliant since there . 49 mins. is a category for everyone includ- 12 Cassette tapes including the Feathered Nomads (Laszlo ing: Regent Parrot, Masked Owl and Erdos Nature Film) Swift Parrot calls. Nomadic birds & mammals of Golden Swiftie - photos that show Australia’s semi-desert – parrots, Swift Parrots and/or their habitats NatureSound – David Stewart – plovers, pratincoles, harriers, cuckoos, exquisite fairy-wrens, CDs $25 Parrot Prowl – capture what vol- Crimson & Orange Chats, to name Australian Bird Calls: a few. unteers get up to when they are Favourites searching for Swifties The calls of 57 species of Australia’s birds, such as Superb Field Guides Kids Kreation – photos of kids or Lyrebird, Australian Magpie, The following field guides are the photos taken by kids involved in Crested Bellbird, Chiming most widely used and are available Swiftie searches Wedgebill and the rare Noisy at most book shops and cost Scrub-bird are something to hear around $30 -40: Winners in each of the categories and enjoy. The Slater Field Guide to will receive the following: Australian Birds (Peter, Pat & = Five rolls of Kodak/Fuji film Listening Earth - Andrew Raoul Slater) Skeoch CDs $23, Cassettes Field Guide to the Birds of = Certificate from the Swift Par- Australia (Simpson & Day) $16.75 rot Recovery Team The Field Guide to the Birds of A Morning in the Australian Australia (Pizzey & Knight) = Photo published in the Swifts Bush Field Guide to Australian Birds Across the Strait newsletter and The melodious song of magpies, (Michael Morcombe) on the new Swift Parrot Web the chuckling of Kookaburras & Site the haunting calls of Bush Stone- curlews may be heard among a CD-Rom $49.50 = Photo incorporated into the beautiful tapestry of morning Birds of Australia version 5.0 CD- Swift Parrot Photographic li- birdsong. ROM Simpson & Day’s Field brary for promotion of the Guide to the Birds of Australia is Swift Parrot Recovery Process Bird Song around Australia now available. A royalty on the Australia general sales of the CD-ROM will be Learning Bird Calls: A Training donated to the Australian Bird Aid $7.70 Environment Foundation. Bird Calls of Eastern Australia $12.65

SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 11 Tales from Diary Dates Tasmania Contacts: Debbie Saunders 1800 66 57 66, David Geering 1800 62 10 56

By Jess Abrahams 2002 Dates Event Contact What a buzz its been to produce April – October Swift Parrot season! Debbie Saunders Swifts Across The Srait this year. Debbie Saunders Sat 25 & Sun 26 May Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater Like many other areas in south-east & David Geering Tasmania this season, Blue Gum (last weekend in May) National Survey - Autumn ( Globulus) flowering in Capertee Valley Regent Honeyeater Sat 13 & Sun 14 April David Geering the bush around my place in Habitat Tree Planting (NSW) Ridgeway has been fantastic. And Debbie Saunders so have Swift Parrot numbers. As I Sat 3 and Sun 4 August Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater & David Geering edit these stories of rare and elusive (first weekend in August) National Survey - Winter Swift Parrots, I watch them race and Capertee Valley Regent Honeyeater fly across the sky outside my win- Sat 7 & Sun 8 August David Geering Habitat Tree Planting (NSW) dow. Landcare group workshops on the July TBA protection and enhancement of Swift Debbie Saunders Indeed a dozen or so Swifties are Parrot Habitat on the mainland nesting in the neighbourhood and Lurg/Benalla Regent Honeyeater several have even bred successfully, August TBA David Geering as juveniles can be heard begging Habitat Tree Planting (Victoria) for food. How lucky I am to share my backyard with an endangered Interestingly, the most abundantly Don’t Forget... species. Long live the Swift Parrot! flowering Blue Gums in Ridgeway are not found in the park, but rather Please report all sightings of the As a Summer Interpretation Ranger line the gravel roads of our neigh- Swift Parrot, as well as send for the Parks and Wildlife Service, bourhood. While the birds nest in the newslatter contributions to: I run environmental education ac- hollows of the older White Pepper- tivities on the urban/bushland fringe mints and Stringybarks (Eucalyptus The Swift Parrot Recovery Team around Hobart. A special event in obliqua) inside the park, they prefer Threatened Species Unit to feed on the Blue Gums in town. my program this year was a mini NSW National Parks and Wildlife Unfortunately this has led to two fa- “Swiftie Search”. This activity in- PO Box 2115, Queanbeyan, NSW, tal collisions in Ridgeway already volved a walk through the dry grassy 2620. ph 1800 66 57 66 White Peppermint (Eucalyptus this season. pulchela) woodland of Ridgeway Until April 2002 Park. Swift Parrots have also created quite a scene at the local native plant nurs- Michael Saxon With ears attuned to the high- ery. The birds have been bathing on Threatened Species Manager pitched ‘kit-kit-kit’ call of the mass in the nursery’s large pond, de- [email protected] Swifties, we eventually located a lighting customers and staff with small group of three birds flying their wet and noisy antics. The nurs- After April 2002 across the sky at great speed. ery is owned by local Ridgeway resi- Debbie Saunders dent Will Fletcher, who lent his ex- Swift Parrot Project Officer tensive botanical knowledge to the [email protected] “Swiftie Search’. Will also stocks Swift Parrot brochures and Newsletter produced and edited by notesheets at his nursery in order to Jess Abrahams raise awareness amongst his custom- ers of this much-loved local bird.

TBN DEPARTMENT of PRIMARY INDUSTRIES, SWIFTS ACROSS THE STRAIT page 12 WATER and ENVIRONMENT