ML616971135

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

A large flock of swifts - estimated around 150 - hawking above the Nullarbor Roadhouse on a grey and stormy morning. Attention drawn to the birds by noticeable buzzing / trilling sounds as individuals or small groups flew lower and closer. Medium to large sized swift with darkish brown to blackish underparts and no obvious white throat, ruling out White-throated Needletail. When birds banked, or hovered, tails appeared forked, and tapered to a fine point when closed. Relatively thin wings also ending in quite a sharp point and giving a scythe like appearance in flight. The flock stayed in the same area for over an hour, stretching up in a high column rather than operating over a broad area with the highest birds drifting out of sight. Photos taken for identification - conditions very overcast and windy.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 90D

ISO

3200

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/8000 sec

Dimensions

1867 pixels x 2164 pixels

Original file size

393.09 KB