I tend to use Mt Painter NR in Cook mainly for exercise
rather than birding as the acres of saffron thistles don’t seem to
attract much. However as it is on Canberra’s
western edge, migrants can regularly be seen passing on their way to other
spots. So today I went in the hope of seeing my first Dusky Woodswallows for
the season. No luck on the woodswallow front, but an amazing raptor display.
Firstly a female kestrel poked in and out of a hollow several times. Then an
old wedgie flew over. Then a peregrine perched briefly on one of the higher
trees. And finally a Brown Goshawk shot through the lower reaches below the
reservoir. All in the space of 20 minutes. b
