Blog Archives
Welcome Swallows at White Cliffs
I was recently at the small opal-mining town of White Cliffs, in central New South Wales. Two Welcome Swallows perched on an old tin drum, which was serving to warn people about an open mine shaft:
Common name: Welcome Swallow
Scientific name: Hirundo neoxena
Approximate length: 14-15 cm
Date spotted: 19 May 2024 (autumn)
Location: White Cliffs, New South Wales, Australia: 30°50’13.9″S 143°05’24.2″E
This photo shows more of the landscape surrounding the birds. The white mounds are earth take up from underground, in search of opals:
If you’d like to see more of the town and surrounds, take a peek at my bookmark’s blog post: White Cliffs opal mines and underground motel.
Barn Swallows in Curl Curl
While walking along the beach path at Curl Curl, I spotted a few little birds perched on the cables overhead. I snapped some shots and took them home to consult my bird book. At first I thought the birds were Welcome Swallows, but then I noticed the black band across the bird’s chest. I think they’re Barn Swallows, which are less common this far down the east coast of Australia.
Barn Swallows are widespread across Europe, Asia, and North America. In Australia, they’re mostly seen in north-east Queensland and around Darwin in the north west.
Common name: Barn Swallow
Scientific name: Hirundo rustica
Approximate length: 14-17 cm
Date spotted: 22 March 2020 (late summer)
Location: Curl Curl, New South Wales, Australia: 33°46’28.6″S 151°17’34.1″E
Sydney Birder 