Fwd: Wedgetail discussion

[Philip Veerman <>]

The bird can still fly………. The suggestion of that this may be due to a drone sure appears feasible. Even though it looks maybe too neat. A way to test would be to obtain a wing of some large bird (preferably already dead) and see if a drone propeller will do that sort of damage to feathers. There is film on line of an eagle, I’ve forgotten if it is Bald Eagle or Golden Eagle trained to attack drones. So it could happen if eagles think it is something to remove from their territory. But it could be something else. Eagle attacking a fox and coming off damaged, eagle trapped by a person and the person doing this, maybe as an attempt to confine and tame the bird……..

 

As for the 2^nd piece: I also have the W.A. folks I know writing a piece about 2 STK chick deaths out of a nest of 3 this season. They are reaching out to try understand what happened. Sure publish the observation somewhere but maybe there is not a lot to understand. Assuming STK is Square-tailed Kite, they are a specialist feeder of mainly nestling birds and maybe there just isn’t sufficient available food for them in the area to feed 3 chicks. Two die and are removed by parents. Obviously I don’t know but the reason is likely to be that simple, unless there is a good reason that it isn’t.

 

Philip

 

From: Julie Clark [
Sent: Thursday, 10 January, 2019 9:38 PM
To: COG Chatline
Cc: Danny McCreadie
Subject: [canberrabirds] Fwd: Wedgetail discussion

 

Hi All,

 

I am forwarding a message from an experienced and passioate birder whom I have had contact with over the past couple of years. 

 

Danny McCreadie has recently moved to Canberra from Adelaide and is particularly interested in raptors. He  is also an amazing photographer, posting photos on Flickr.

 

I thought that this email would be of interest to many COG members, particularly given that the sighting of this Wedge-tailed Eagle was East of Bungendore on Kings Hwy on 1 January.

 

Please reply to Danny with any comments/discussion.

 

Cheers

Julie

 

 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Danny McCreadie <>
Date: Thu, Jan 10, 2019 at 8:15 PM
Subject: Wedgetail discussion

 

Team,

 

I am bringing you in on a discussion I am having with Adam (Raptor Care NW Tasmania) about a wedgetail I photographed near Canberra recently with interesting feather damage. We suspect a drone, with such clear cut feathers. I thought it may be of interest. Pics attached.

 

Discussion/insights welcome.

 

I also have the W.A. folks I know writing a piece about 2 STK chick deaths out of a nest of 3 this season. They are reaching out to try understand what happened. 2 chicks (still white and fluffy) dead 50m from nest, 3^rd one fledged. If you want to see that let me know. I have draft and pics, although I will check releasability with authors.

 

Sorry for pic quality, reduced to send.

 

Danny

 

PS Julie (included in email) is a local Canberran and has been very helpful in giving me locations for my passion.

 

 WTE - Danny McC

 

--

Julie Clark