I was there around 7am and saw both Sparrowhawks (female frequently, male
only briefly). The main interactions were with Pied Currawongs and the female
called loudly every time as she came in to perch after seeing off a
currawong.
Several Satin Bowerbirds were also present in the vicinity, including two
black males.
Many thanks to Alison for reporting this and giving such a clear
description of the location.
Yes I
was there too from about 9 a.m. today for about an hour, in part simultaneous
with 5 others (I think 4 of whom had cameras - I was thinking when I started
this interest long ago, relatively few people watching birds had cameras). The
adult female spent most time perched fairly high in one pine tree about 50
metres from the nest. She called a lot for about half the time and then was
mostly silent : a simple repeated yelp and quite different from what I have
heard from goshawks at the nest. Also unlike the normal from Brown Goshawk
chicks, they made no sound - though that might just be whilst I was there). She
showed no interest or aggression to the group of people watching her. At one
time she flew towards where 2 Crimson Rosellas flew through but was not clear
whether the Rosellas were alarm reacting to her presence or she was chasing
them. No sign of the adult male, if he was near he was taking no notice of her
calling, apart from that after the others left, I could hear what I believe was
him (as she was still visible) calling from some distance away. As for contents
of the nest, we could see two what appeared to be fully feathered chicks, one
perched on a branch just above and one just in front of the nest. They look
ready to leave within the next 2 or 3 days. I believe these birds spend a few
days practicing hopping or walking around the nest tree before they first fly.
Not an easy photo opportunity, the foliage was too thick to see clearly. Nest is
fairly well hidden about 2 metres below the top of one of the pines, built
direct against the main tree trunk. Hard to describe which tree but pretty much
in the middle of the bunch maybe 20 or 30 metres from the walking track. W-w
Choughs nest building on the left of the track is a clue to where the CS nest is
on the right.
I've
seen lots of Brown Goshawk nests over the years (much easier to find) but only a
few Collared Sparrowhawk nests.
Whilst
there I heard Bee-eaters flying over.
Approaching from the other side, I would describe it
as: Go along Hopetoun circuit
from Adelaide Ave and park in the small area of dirt on the right after
Fitzgerald street.......
Philip
Thanks
to Alison for the Collared Sparrowhawk post. I was one of several who had the
pleasure of watching one bird this morning.
Thanks
also to Lyndell who pointed out the nest and the two young birds perched on
branches near it.
Cheers
Julie
