Hi Birders
Went for a short drive from home yesterday afternoon (July 27th 1997) to
the Shanes Park Civil Aviation Authority Transmitter Station near the
western suburb of Wilmont (approx 15km west of Blacktown or 55km west of
Sydney).Here I observed for about an hour (with excellent views, I wish I
had my video camera at the time), Six (6) beautiful and majestic Crested
Hawks (Pacific Baza's) in mid afternoon feeding in the canopy of
Ironbarks (Broad-leaf Ironbark).The birds were feeding on tree frogs and
leaf insects and were being harrased when pouncing from tree to tree for
prey by Noisy Miners and Grey Butcherbird.
This is the fourth time I've seen these raptors and have seen them with
young near Epping.Such birds can be quite tame and approachable within a
couple of metres (they do not mind) especially when feeding.When feeding
they sometimes hang upside down like a bat or acrobatic.
This is the first time I've seen these birds in the Blacktown Shire (Has
anyone else seen them around Blacktown?).These raptors however are
becomming more frequently seen in Sydney's northern and western suburbs.
At this locality I also saw nesting Sitella's and Eastern Yellow Robins
were also probably nesting (quite early breeders!)
The bushland remnant where I observed these birds is the home of some of
Sydney's endangered plants (eg) Grevillea juniperina and all steps should
be taken to protect it.I hope It will never come to the hands of housing
developers as it protects a significant area of Cumberland Plain woodland
typical of Blacktown shire.There is also a more larger area of
Commonwealth Property just south of this area where there is proposals
for housing (an article was published in one of last weeks Daily
Telegraph newspapers).
Other significant finds in the bushland were I saw the Baza's yesterday
in the last year have included Square-tailed Kite (a regular but very
rare raptor to Sydney's west), Speckled Warbler's, Scarlet Robins and
Brown Headed Honeyeater (all uncommon in Blacktown shire).
Has anyone birded in this area before?
Regards
Edwin Vella
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