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Further to the conversation on Grey Falcon's.
They appear to arrive in the Parkes district (NSW) around late August to
September and stay until about March/April. Breeding has occurred with upto 3
fledgling being observed. The family parties are not afraid of humans and often
perch near homesteads in suitable trees. In most cases the birds pick an
isolated large tree (Grey Box) in a previously (last season) uncultivated
paddocks to perch, during the heat of the day and are really hard to pick out
unless one flies or some movement get's your attention. Main feeding times
appear to be in the morning or late in the afternoon and this is the time to
drive along back roads, if you really want to see one.
The main prey appears to be Galahs and crested
pigeons.
Over the last 20+ years I've regularly observed the species
between Parkes and Ivanhoe, in all habitats excepting mallee. It would appear
that they avoid cultivated fields or wheat crops in season but prefer open fields with single large trees.
Considering the distance from Parkes to Canberra and the
agricultural activities that occur it is quite feasible
for this species to wander that far, especially when one considers the
extreme variations in the seasons we have been having in the last few
years.
Neville Schrader
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