Hi Birders,
I was carrying out my regular 2ha 20 minute survey of the Dairy Swamp,
Tuggerah (on the NSW Central Coast) about 1130 hrs today, when all the
Masked Lapwings and ducks roosting around the edge of the swamp took off. I
was certain that it was not me that cause the the birds to depart and so
looked around to see what I had missed. A Whistling Kite passed overhead and
then I saw a Swamp Harrier, flying low over the end of the swamp. Then there
were three Whisting Kites overhead, one started to chase a much larger bird
which turned out to be a Wedge-tailed Eagle, which was joined by its mate
which flew off the ground.
There were cows with young calves in the paddock and it was possible that
one of the small calves had died and the Eagles were attracted to the
carcase. The Whistling Kites continued to swoop at the Eagles until they
glided off. Finally a Hobby flashed over the Swamp and made a half hearted
attack at a small group of Starlings. All this took place in a matter of
five minutes, and I had seen 7 raptors of 4 species! soon the Masked
Lapwings landed back around the edge of the swamp and the ducks returned.
Everything was quiet once again!
Wyong and Tuggerah are busy suburbs and are only located 500m either side of
the Tuggerah Reserve (Pioneer Dairy) which is located along Wyong Creek. It
is good to know that the Wedge-tails can some times come and call on us
here!
Alan Morris
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www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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