I was at the beach at Pottsville, Northern NSW on Sunday and counted around 50 swifts/swiftlets. Only once did I see what appeared to be a forked tail and then only for a moment. They were definitely not white throated needle-tails… much smaller, more slender and uniformly grey/black. They were quite low to the ground over the top of me so I had extended views, though not with binoculars. Can anyone tell me if forked tailed swifts fly most of the time with their tails no appearing forked??? Anyone else see this or another flock in NNSW???
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G’day Wes yes Christine is correct, when watching Fork-tailed Swifts you see a pointed tail much more often than a forked tail. The forked tail does separate it from WTNT and Australian Swiftlets however. One complication at this time of the year if you are looking for forked tails, is that the outer rectrices may be moulting and the tail might look only slightly indented rather than forked – even when it is spread. I am still collating FTS, WTNT & Swiftlet sightings so am happy to receive any sightings that you have. Please send them directly – off list. Happy swift watching Prof Mike Tarburton On 19/11/2014, at 12:09 PM, Wes Tolhurst wrote:
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Hi Wes, Fork-tailed Swifts often fly with their tails closed so the tail appears long and un-forked and only appear forked when the tail is spread. Although I have not experienced it this year large flocks of Fork-tailed Swifts can and do occur on the NSW North Coast in some years. Sounds like what you saw. Regards Greg Dr Greg. P. Clancy Ecologist and Birding-wildlife Guide | PO Box 63 Coutts Crossing NSW 2460 | 02 6649 3153 | 0429 601 960 http://www.gregclancyecologistguide.com http://gregswildliferamblings.blogspot.com.au/ —–Original Message—– Sent: Wednesday, November 19, 2014 12:09 PM I was at the beach at Pottsville, Northern NSW on Sunday and counted around 50 swifts/swiftlets. Only once did I see what appeared to be a forked tail and then only for a moment. They were definitely not white throated needle-tails… much smaller, more slender and uniformly grey/black. They were quite low to the ground over the top of me so I had extended views, though not with binoculars. Can anyone tell me if forked tailed swifts fly most of the time with their tails no appearing forked??? Anyone else see this or another flock in NNSW???
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In my experience Fork-tailed Swifts fly with their tails closed so the tail looks pointed, they spread it open when they turn so you see the fork tail then. Cheers Chris Christine Melrose 0407705140 cmelrose099@gmail.com
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