Sunshine Coast, Queensland
One wader, which was preparing for its imminent and perilous journey
northwards, unexpectedly found its ultimate destination inside the stomach
of a Peregrine Falcon.
A group of birdwatchers at the Toorbul high tide wader roost was admiring
the bright new plumage of a flock of about a couple of thousand waders,
when a Peregrine flashed in from the west, over the treetops, and was upon
the flock before they had sensed its presence. A moment later, every other
wader was airborne, as the Peregrine settled on the mudflat with its prey,
which was possibly a Curlew Sandpiper.
The peregrine gave the watchers a couple of minutes clear viewing from a
distance of about a hundred metres, before it flew off. The waders settled
back to the roost.
A few minutes later the Peregrine returned, this time appearing to play
with the flock, rather than seriously hunting, but did not stay long. The
waders had very long necks for the next ten minutes or so, but the
Peregrine did not return.
Jill Dening
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