Yesterday evening, about 30 minutes before dark, I saw a smallish raptor with a flickering flight mode speeding along our property boundary at less than roof-top height before turning on a course that took it onto the street and out
of sight as the alarm call of a Common Blackbird sounded in its wake. I sat on the porch for about three minutes thinking about what I’d seen and concluded it was probably an Australian Hobby. Suddenly, the bird reappeared following the same route as
before. I waited a few more minutes and decided to see if it might be perching somewhere on the street between circuits.
I walked onto the nature strip and serendipity! There it was, perched on a street lamp and, as with previous encounters I’ve had with hobbies when perched, this one tolerated a fairly close approach, about 5 metres. I scrutinised
it for some 60 seconds before it took off. I then sat on the porch for ten minutes but the hobby came no more. However, I was surprised to see a group of small bats plunging and turning like leaves blown against the sky and, knowing nothing about bats, wondered
if it’s usual to see them abroad this time of year. I suppose it’s not unreasonable to assume their presence might have drawn the hobby to the area.
John Layton
Holt.
