Pairs of Birds of Prey at Fyshwick

[Julian Robinson <>]

Yesterday afternoon at Kellys / Fyshwick Sewerage Ponds there were 3
pairs of 'Birds of Prey' (or, without the capitals, 4 pairs of birds of
prey):

2 Whistling Kites
2 Black-shouldered Kites
2 Little Eagles, and 
2 Kookaburras.

All except one of the eagles were 'hunting' at the same time around
3:30pm.

One of the Little Eagles looks different from the pair I photographed
last October and I'd be interested if someone monitoring them could tell
me if this is so.  The nesting tree has become thin and ragged in
the drought and you can now see the nest(s) easily from some angles. (I
hadn't realised there seems to be two platforms, one might be an older
nest).  

While I was watching one of the BSKs I was sitting on a dead branch in
the middle of the grassy swamp area with the subject Kite perched on a
long dead stick about 20m away preening, searching and once
hovering.  A peewit happened to chase the other BSK from somewhere
in a noisy flurry into the dead tree under which I was sitting, it
landing 3-4m absolutely directly above me without realising I was there.
After recovering from the chase for maybe 5-10 seconds it heard me move
and this is the look of shock as it looked down and realised it had
company so close.  It flew off immediately.

Julian