Yes, John, below is an extract from my article in CBN 30(3) 97-116 (2005) where I describe post 2003 fires BSK breeding on Cooleman Ridge. I recall it certainly was a quite vicious swooper, similar
to my experience with Brown Goshawks. Jack Holland
“It was also clear, however, that chicks had hatched in the first nest, and with this the behaviour of the parents changed significantly. Late in the afternoon of 30 October one bird flew off the
nest to its mate and then, again from more than 100 m, flew straight at my head forcing me to duck for cover. As there was a very strong south-west wind blowing it pointed into this 20 or so metres above me and swooped me again several times as I beat a hasty
retreat, each time making audible noises as it passed within a metre of me. This made watching the nest a much more hazardous task, in fact a number of people in the area remarked to me that they had been swooped in the same fashion while innocently walking
along the path. However, late on 13 November I took up the challenge and for the first time I was able to discern a brownish shape in the nest from about 100 m away, despite being swooped several times. Late on 27 November I again ran the gauntlet but was
rewarded for the first time with seeing a fledgling, typically much duller and with extensive orange around the head and upper breast, sitting in the top of the tree about 5 m from the nest.”
From: Canberrabirds <>
On Behalf Of calyptorhynchus via Canberrabirds
Sent: Sunday, 20 October 2024 11:27 AM
To:
Subject: [Canberrabirds] swooped by a Black-shouldered Kite
Has anyone ever been swooped by a Black-shouldered Kite?
This morning at about 9 I was standing by the roadside at the top of the Apollo Road/Naas Road Paddock when I observed a BSK in a dead tree on the other side of the road (the west side). It was joined by another and they swirled around
calling (I don't know whether this was courtship or two birds facing off over territory). During this one of the birds, which had been flying at about 10 meters off the ground, deliberately swooped lower over me, down to within two meters of my head.
I think it was an excess of either amorousness or aggression; there was no sign of a nest they were defending.
At the Paddock I finally achieved the double, and saw a male Hooded Robin at the top of the paddock (using a tall dead tree as a lookout before the kites appeared), and three Brown Treecreepers further along the ridge, observed from further
down the road. Also Diamond Firetails.
--
John Leonard
Canberra
Australia
www.jleonard.net
