canberrabirds

Fyshwick STW/Kelly's Swamp

To: Canberra Birds <>
Subject: Fyshwick STW/Kelly's Swamp
From: Milburns <>
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:00:23 +1000
Late this afternoon (approx. 16:00 ) I arrived at the Fyshwick STW and literally the first bird I clapped eyes upon was a male Black Falcon flying in low from the direction of the turf factory. After upsetting all the waterfowl it landed in the last remaining large willow and was mobbed by a Whistling Kite, a male Collared Sparrowhawk (not sure if that was a sensible idea) and a Black-shouldered Kite in that order. It seemed completely unconcerned by all comers and as I lined it up in the viewfinder it departed for another session of duck bothering. It remained in view, mostly circling overhead, for over 30 minutes and reappeared later for a repeat performance over Kelly's Swamp.

Next excitement was a Black-tailed Native-Hen flushed from the bank and joining the Coots in the middle of the pond. 2 Australian Crakes were in the southeast corner of the same pond. This is the pond where the Bluebills normally reside (8 today), pond 6 perhaps? Whiskered Terns were about and the highest number I counted together was 17.

Over on Kelly's Swamp, the rather low number of ducks were mostly in the margins, possibly a result of the harassment by the aforementioned Black Falcon. All the action was at the southern end, with another Black-tailed Native-Hen in the paddock above the pond hanging close to a pile of dead branches for cover. Also 2 Black-winged Stilts.

Also seen were Australian Hobby, Brown Falcon and Wedge-tailed Eagle. As I returned to my car at the STW car park, I witnessed an Australian Raven catch a perfectly healthy adult rabbit by the hind leg with its foot and then overpower it and kill it.

Milburn

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