Nature Woodswallows

Woodswallows · **1 Like**

What an amazing experience - watching 100+ Woodswallows feasting on Bogong Moths. These birds had landed for a rest or to enjoy a meal, but above them, others were diving and swooping on the moths. I took a little video which isn't worth putting online, but so many birds in such a small space was really something to see!

**PJ1** · 11-03-2013, 04:37 AM

Nice images. I had a few (maybe fifty) here a couple of days ago. I think they were Dusky Woodswallows, which are a partial migrant. Just occasionally on an early morning walk I have come upon a really large flock (probably thousands) as they are getting airborne for their days travel. They make quite an impression - and a lot of noise for such small birds.

tessfully · 11-03-2013, 05:20 AM

Cool! I know what you mean about being among 100s of birds. It is a very energizing and wild experience. Thanks for sharing

**RobG** · 11-03-2013, 05:40 AM

Originally posted by PJ1

Nice images. I had a few (maybe fifty) here a couple of days ago. I think they were Dusky Woodswallows, which are a partial migrant. Just occasionally on an early morning walk I have come upon a really large flock (probably thousands) as they are getting airborne for their days travel. They make quite an impression - and a lot of noise for such small birds.

Thanks! One day I'd like to see something like you saw. I've heard of things like flocks of budgies so huge they're like a cloud, but I've never seen it.

Originally posted by tessfully

Cool! I know what you mean about being among 100s of birds. It is a very energizing and wild experience. Thanks for sharing

Thank you Tess! Other times when I've seen them, they've been high up, but this time they were just above the treetops where the moths were emerging as the sun set.

slowpez · 11-03-2013, 06:52 AM

What a great site that must have been. Thanks for posting the images.
Speaking of birds, did anyone see the series "Earthflight" on PBS. Fantastic series on birds and their migration from a birds point of view. Some of the most amazing photography I have ever seen.

**Sailor** · 11-03-2013, 07:17 AM

Wow, Rob, these are sharp and crisp! Nice job.

Jer

TenZ.NL · 11-03-2013, 07:31 AM

Nce series, great how they have the moths in their beaks.

Originally posted by slowpez

What a great site that must have been. Thanks for posting the images.
Speaking of birds, did anyone see the series "Earthflight" on PBS. Fantastic series on birds and their migration from a birds point of view. Some of the most amazing photography I have ever seen.

You mean that series by the BBC? Yeah, they`re great. I have them on DVD and watch them occassionly.

**RobG** · 11-03-2013, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by slowpez

What a great site that must have been. Thanks for posting the images. Speaking of birds, did anyone see the series "Earthflight" on PBS. Fantastic series on birds and their migration from a birds point of view. Some of the most amazing photography I have ever seen.

Thanks! I'm really glad I happened to be in the right place at the right time.

Didn't see that series, but then PBS doesn't exist here. If it was on free-to-air here I missed it.

Originally posted by Sailor

Wow, Rob, these are sharp and crisp! Nice job.

Thanks Jer! That's the K5iis - I have cropped the images more than I normally would.

Originally posted by TenZ.NL

Nce series, great how they have the moths in their beaks.

Thanks! I should have mentioned that it was also fascinating to see all the moths flying from tree to tree while I was walking back to my car. It was a bit like the birds but on a smaller scale! There must be a lot of well fed birds around Canberra, because despite the number being eaten, I have still had a lot of moths trying to get into my apartment at night, drawn by the lights.

**PJ1** · 11-04-2013, 05:04 AM

Apparently the Aboriginal people used to go up to the mountains at this time of the year to feast on the bogong moths too (I think it was in one of my archaeology readings.) They are a very rich source of fat and protein. The wings were singed off, the bodies lightly roasted and they were pounded to a paste. They are said to have a slightly "nutty" flavour. But doing a taste test for us might be going above and beyond the call of duty.

**charliezap** · 11-04-2013, 05:52 AM

Neat shots Rob.Must have been great to see it in person.--charliezap

**RobG** · 11-04-2013, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by PJ1

Apparently the Aboriginal people used to go up to the mountains at this time of the year to feast on the bogong moths too (I think it was in one of my archaeology readings.) They are a very rich source of fat and protein. The wings were singed off, the bodies lightly roasted and they were pounded to a paste. They are said to have a slightly "nutty" flavour. But doing a taste test for us might be going above and beyond the call of duty.

True, it was a feast for the local Aborigines as well. At least one restaurant in Canberra has tried cooking the moths. I don't know if it's still happening. The closest experience I've had was eating stir-fried silkworms in China.

Originally posted by charliezap

Neat shots Rob.Must have been great to see it in person.

Thanks, It sure was! A real highlight of the last few weeks.

RobG
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11-03-2013, 04:37 AM	#2
PJ1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mosquito Creek, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,174	Nice images. I had a few (maybe fifty) here a couple of days ago. I think they were Dusky Woodswallows, which are a partial migrant. Just occasionally on an early morning walk I have come upon a really large flock (probably thousands) as they are getting airborne for their days travel. They make quite an impression - and a lot of noise for such small birds.

11-03-2013, 05:20 AM	#3
tessfully Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: S. Algonquin, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,860	Cool! I know what you mean about being among 100s of birds. It is a very energizing and wild experience. Thanks for sharing

11-03-2013, 05:40 AM	#4
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,292 Original Poster	Originally posted by PJ1 Nice images. I had a few (maybe fifty) here a couple of days ago. I think they were Dusky Woodswallows, which are a partial migrant. Just occasionally on an early morning walk I have come upon a really large flock (probably thousands) as they are getting airborne for their days travel. They make quite an impression - and a lot of noise for such small birds. Thanks! One day I'd like to see something like you saw. I've heard of things like flocks of budgies so huge they're like a cloud, but I've never seen it. Originally posted by tessfully Cool! I know what you mean about being among 100s of birds. It is a very energizing and wild experience. Thanks for sharing Thank you Tess! Other times when I've seen them, they've been high up, but this time they were just above the treetops where the moths were emerging as the sun set.

11-03-2013, 06:52 AM	#5
slowpez Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 18,468	What a great site that must have been. Thanks for posting the images. Speaking of birds, did anyone see the series "Earthflight" on PBS. Fantastic series on birds and their migration from a birds point of view. Some of the most amazing photography I have ever seen.

11-03-2013, 07:17 AM	#6
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 25,451	Wow, Rob, these are sharp and crisp! Nice job. Jer

11-03-2013, 07:31 AM	#7
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100	Nce series, great how they have the moths in their beaks. Originally posted by slowpez What a great site that must have been. Thanks for posting the images. Speaking of birds, did anyone see the series "Earthflight" on PBS. Fantastic series on birds and their migration from a birds point of view. Some of the most amazing photography I have ever seen. You mean that series by the BBC? Yeah, they`re great. I have them on DVD and watch them occassionly.

11-03-2013, 06:25 PM	#8
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,292 Original Poster	Originally posted by slowpez What a great site that must have been. Thanks for posting the images. Speaking of birds, did anyone see the series "Earthflight" on PBS. Fantastic series on birds and their migration from a birds point of view. Some of the most amazing photography I have ever seen. Thanks! I'm really glad I happened to be in the right place at the right time. Didn't see that series, but then PBS doesn't exist here. If it was on free-to-air here I missed it. Originally posted by Sailor Wow, Rob, these are sharp and crisp! Nice job. Thanks Jer! That's the K5iis - I have cropped the images more than I normally would. Originally posted by TenZ.NL Nce series, great how they have the moths in their beaks. Thanks! I should have mentioned that it was also fascinating to see all the moths flying from tree to tree while I was walking back to my car. It was a bit like the birds but on a smaller scale! There must be a lot of well fed birds around Canberra, because despite the number being eaten, I have still had a lot of moths trying to get into my apartment at night, drawn by the lights.

11-04-2013, 05:04 AM	#9
PJ1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mosquito Creek, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,174	Apparently the Aboriginal people used to go up to the mountains at this time of the year to feast on the bogong moths too (I think it was in one of my archaeology readings.) They are a very rich source of fat and protein. The wings were singed off, the bodies lightly roasted and they were pounded to a paste. They are said to have a slightly "nutty" flavour. But doing a taste test for us might be going above and beyond the call of duty.

11-04-2013, 05:52 AM	#10
charliezap Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: saugus ma Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,657	Neat shots Rob.Must have been great to see it in person.--charliezap

11-04-2013, 02:52 PM	#11
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,292 Original Poster	Originally posted by PJ1 Apparently the Aboriginal people used to go up to the mountains at this time of the year to feast on the bogong moths too (I think it was in one of my archaeology readings.) They are a very rich source of fat and protein. The wings were singed off, the bodies lightly roasted and they were pounded to a paste. They are said to have a slightly "nutty" flavour. But doing a taste test for us might be going above and beyond the call of duty. True, it was a feast for the local Aborigines as well. At least one restaurant in Canberra has tried cooking the moths. I don't know if it's still happening. The closest experience I've had was eating stir-fried silkworms in China. Originally posted by charliezap Neat shots Rob.Must have been great to see it in person. Thanks, It sure was! A real highlight of the last few weeks.

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