birding-aus
Fingal Head Lighthouse
near Tweed Heads NSW
24/1/99
Locals had tipped me off with an observation that I was fortunate to
confirm.
After sunset one evening I had placed myself on a headland near Fingal
lighthouse, which affords a view across to Cook Island, about one
kilometre off shore. The island is said to be a breeding ground for
the Short Tailed Shearwater. This fit with the presence of thousands of
birds soaring above the island. From my eye at a thousand metres they
might well have been crested terns.
Then I saw it. A White Bellied Sea Eagle flew directly out from the
mainland to the island, plunged out of sight into the rookery, and
reemerged in a flurry of bird activity. It seemed to be carrying a dark
object which I presumed to be a chick. A small flock of crested terns
followed the eagle half way back to the mainland, mobbing it to no
avail.
Half way back the eagle was passed by another eagle on its way out to
the island. This eagle, slightly smaller and presumable the male of a
pair, performed a similar feat. Shortly another eagle, which may have
been the original, reappeared for another trip.
Altogether we observed a total of four sorties to the island. As we
arrived during the first sortie there may have been more before we got
there.
Locals had told me that this is a reliable show, occuring every evening
at Fingal Lighthouse
Yours in Birding
Stuart Collins at Palm Beach Qld
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
To unsubscribe from this list, please send a message to
Include "unsubscribe birding-aus" in the message body (without the quotes)
|
