Swifts and Guineafowl

G’day, Further to my Bunyas Fork-tailed Swift sightings, posted by Mike Tarbuton (and thanks for not criticsing my poor grammar), I’d just like to mention what occurred five minutes later about one or two kilometres further up the road to the Bunyas. A group of eight Helmeted Guineafowl wandered across the road and proceeded to forage, chuckle and cackle in the grassy roadside scrub. I realise that this species isn’t “real” in Australia, and I’m not a big fan of game-birds generally, but these chaps were so much fun to watch as they went (noisily) about their business. Actually, haven’t they been “accepted” for inclusion on the Australian list based on established escapees in northern Queensland? What’s wrong with the southerners? Cheers – Trevor.