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This morning at Callum Brae, there was a lot of
Hobby activity just off Narrabundah Lane. Appears breeding has been successful
and there are at least 2 young Hobbies learning their trade in the
vicinity.
One of them came into view with a bird in its
claws. Can't say whether it had caught it or whether parents had delivered but
it flew across the road with prey dangling. Alighting in a yellow box, it
continued it's repetitive high pitched call while sitting on a branch still with
prey dangling (possibly a juvenile starling). Within a minute or two, the local
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo pair surrounded it advancing from opposite sides while
tearing small sticks off the tree. The falcon seemed not to know what to do
continuing its calling but not moving as it clung onto its prey. The cockies
actually sidled right up to it and began to peck at it quite vigorously clearly
making contact with its feathers. Under assault the young Hobby dropped the bird
from its talons which seemed to satisfy the cockies who flew away. The young
Hobby stayed in the same place plaintively calling as an emboldened Magpie Lark
dive bombed it. It made no move to retrieve the prey which was now somewhere on
the ground below so perhaps the learning curve was a little too
steep...
Cheers
Shaun
PS Also noticed movement of 100 + Red Wattlebirds
to the south over 10 minutes.
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