birding-aus

[Alwyn Hunt <>]

Hi to all birdos,
I've been rapt by a raptor.
This septuagenarian has not long since joined BA and has recently commenced
Atlassing. Thoroughly enjoying the experience. On a recent (20/02/99) survey
of Inman River estuary, Victor Harbor, SA., I was fortunate to see at close
hand (15-20 metres) a raptor in the form of a Grey Goshawk White Morph
plummet at incredible speed from height and disappear out of sight
into reeds at the waters edge and emerge 20-25 seconds later with unidentified
prey and retire to the crossarm of a nearby services pole (less than 10
metres away) to devour it over a period of about 5-6 minutes. Indelibly
printed on my mind is the superb braking and steering exhibited by the
bird over the last milliseconds of the dive, seemingly from about 4-5 metres
above the reeds. Oh !... to have it on "slowmo" to replay !  The prey
was concealed by the perch so I couldn't identify it but there was no feathers
or fur discarded. The Goshawk was seemingly unfazed by my close presence
and remained in spite of a strolling couple passing between me and the
services pole and chatting loudly while observing.
Pizzey and Knight (p.130) shows SA at the very Westerly edge of the
Goshawks' range and not even extending as far as the site where the sighting
occurred. I don't recollect having seen one before.  Is it rare or
common throughout the rest of the range shown in P&K ??

Regards to all,
Alwyn Hunt.
Victor Harbor, SA.