Thousands of budgies flock to an outback dam – in pictures

Wildlife photographer Charles Davis has been photographing nature for more than a decade. Budgerigars can usually be seen in flocks of about 100 birds, but after rainfall can number in the thousands. Capturing such a gathering was something he had always wanted to do

Charles Davis

Main image: The flock swarming in on the water like a vortex of green feathers. Davis set up an ultra-wide 14-24 lens on a tripod at ground level and fired the camera remotely as the birds came in. Photograph: Charles Davis/The Guardian

  • A full chatter of budgerigars in flight. The last two years of good rain has meant this year has been one of the best ever for the wild budgies.
    A full chatter of budgerigars in flight. The last two years of good rain has meant this year has been one of the best ever for the wild budgies

  • Some budgies take a rest in a dead tree as thousands of their friends continue to circle. Davis ditched the ultra-long telephoto lenses to shoot wide.
    Some budgies take a rest in a dead tree as thousands of their friends continue to circle. Davis ditched the ultra-long telephoto lenses to shoot wide

  • A black-shouldered kite hunts for mice as budgies fly past knowing the kite is not a threat to them. For five days in a row Davis went out before dawn to the dam on a remote cattle property near Alice Springs.
    A black-shouldered kite hunts for mice as budgies fly past knowing the kite is not a threat to them. For five days in a row Davis went out before dawn to the dam on a remote cattle property near Alice Springs

  • The chatter of budgies in the sky above the water. As dawn broke the birds arrived in small flocks until there were thousands at the dam.
    The chatter of budgies in the sky above the water. As dawn broke the birds arrived in small flocks until there were thousands at the dam

  • Thousands of budgies perch along the branches of a dead tree giving it the appearance of having leaves.
    Thousands of budgies perch along the branches of a dead tree giving it the appearance of having leaves

  • Budgies taking off as danger approaches in the form of a falcon. Davis used a slow shutter speed of 1/20th of a second to show movement.
    Budgies taking off as danger approaches in the form of a falcon. Davis used a slow shutter speed of 1/20th of a second to show movement

  • A black falcon stalks from the sky for any slow budgies. Falcons exploded through the budgies and kept them preoccupied, meaning that Davis didn’t have to hide while photographing them.
    A black falcon stalks from the sky for any slow budgies. Falcons exploded through the budgies and kept them preoccupied, meaning that Davis didn’t have to hide while photographing them

  • Thousands of budgies land at the dam to drink. Davis found that being buffeted by the constant motion and noise from the birds wings while photographing them was like riding in a helicopter with no door.
    Thousands of budgies land at the dam to drink. Davis found that being buffeted by the constant motion and noise from the birds wings while photographing them was like riding in a helicopter with no door

  • Budgies taking flight from long dry Autumn grass. There were so many budgies flying around that Davis became cold from the volume of air they were displacing with their wings.
    Budgies taking flight from long dry Autumn grass. There were so many budgies flying around that Davis became cold from the volume of air they were displacing with their wings
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