At 1700, 10 September, from a locale familiar to He-who-must-obey i.e.
beneath the Hills hoist, I saw a loose, swerving flock of some twenty
Galahs approaching at about twenty metres. Then I noticed a raptor coming
towards the flock from above and behind. It was a either a Collared Sparrowhawk
or Brown Goshawk, not sure but, going by its size, probably the latter.
The hawk dived into the group, flew along for a couple of seconds before
exiting and climbing up behind it again and repeating the incursion.
The agitated galahs began to descend as the hawk left the flock and executed a
shallow, downwards glide that carried it out of view. A few seconds later I lost
sight of the galahs which were also descending.
Somehow, I got the impression the hawk wasn't really in hunting mode. To be
anthropomorphic, it seemed to be just foolin' about, havin' fun. Perhaps like an
old-time fighter pilot buzzing the airfield in order to stir up the
paddlefeet.
John Layton
