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I was disappointed yesterday when I returned to
this area for the first time since early November as there was no sign of
the young Whistling Kites. In "The Birds of Prey of Australia" Stephen
Debus says of Whistling Kites "the period of dependence after fledging lasts up
to two months, after which the birds disperse, some more than 2000 km".
When last seen I thought they were only just at the flying stage, so I
expected after only 5 weeks they would still be hanging around - and perhaps
they were, hidden deep in the dense foliage. The adult birds were
certainly there, whistling loudly together, both while perched and while
performing aerial manoeuvres and the "mock attack and parry" that Debus refers
to. I observed one bird take exception to a White Ibis which was perched
immediately above the now empty nest, and having displaced it, take up the
position itself.
The Jerra Creek Australian White Ibis population
has received a boost. It was a bit hard to tell amid a jumble of birds,
chicks and partially obscured nests, but I did see two nests containing 3
chicks, one with 2, and a couple of singles. In addition I counted 7
new occupied nests about 50 metres from the main colony (the Whistling Kite
nest roughly half way between the two groups).
The suspected Royal Spoonbill nest was still there,
looking bigger, but initially no sign of the birds. I later saw 2 fly
overhead but I didn't have time to check further on their
movements.
Cheers
Rod
Rod Mackay
Tel. 0407 456 330
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