D. & B. K., Clunes.

Rainbow bee-eaters seem to often depart about mid-March, but there have been later reports. The latest known to me is a 1986 report of an immature bird on March 31. There are no local reports from April.

They will spend the winter in northern Australia, or perhaps even into New Guinea and beyond, making a welcome return to us in about the first week of October

These birds seem to occur only at Clunes and Campbelltown as far as the Ballarat region is concerned. I am unaware of any in the Lexton or Beaufort districts, where habitat might be suitable.

They were irregularly seen south of the Divide until 10 or more years ago, but these reports seem to have ceased.