Square-tailed Kite

[Julian Robinson <>]

I should have added "Sydney" in the subject line, but then
no-one would have read this.

Seen yesterday on Bell's Line of Road, just west of Kurmond (betw
Kurrajong Hts and Richmond) where the road follows the top of the
ridge.  The road being narrow and busy with far too many semis it
was a classic "dangerous birder" sighting, a couple of U-turns
and unsafe parks required to consumate my first sighting despite aghast
noises from non-birding passenger.  But the views (of bird and
countryside) were excellent as it soared at and above the treetops being
bothered by two pee-wees the whole time.  It seemed a particularly
spectacular raptor, perhaps due to the  long wings.  The BA
atlas shows quite a few sightings just to the east around the Hawkesbury
so it's not wildly unexpected at this location.

Sorry Julie :)

Julian