From:
To:
Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 02:42:26 +0000
Subject: [canberrabirds] Harrier
Hi,
I had a great morning with two lifers. Firstly,
after an hour of patient waiting, I finally saw the little bittern at Acacia
Inlet at my fourth attempt. Despite being a bit unsure about exhibiting
such patience twice in one morning, I ventured to the Fyshwick Sewage Ponds to
see a spotted harrier. Fortunately my luck held - I
think.
I had amazing views of a harrier but it didn't completely
add up to the description and illustrations in my Pizzey/Knight field guide,
either for an adult, sub-adult or juvenile. It was eating a bird, possibly
a coot, and, when disturbed, it flew small tight circles around my head and
later perched for some time nearby. I also saw it earlier flying low over
the overgrown area between ponds 3 and 4. It had all the hallmarks of a
spotted harrier but it had no facial disc, its face had large light
patches but it did have a grey lore. Its back was dark, with
brown streaks down its pale throat and belly. It did have long yellow trailing legs, a long,
barred tail and black
"fingertips". In short, the plumage was strange but everything else matched up with the
description of a spotted harrier. I hope someone can confirm that
this is what it was.
Other obs
were cisticolas and a whistling kite. Also, please be warned that a
very large huntsman has taken up residence inside the logbook at the gate to the
ponds. I tried to persuade it to resettle but without luck.
Maurits
Zwankhuizen
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