Someone asked what birds we all saw on the weekend. Well, not only the
highlight but practically almost the only bird I saw was a magnificent
juvenile Pacific Gull perfectly shadowing a remote control model glider
plane off Sandringham Harbour headland (Bayside, Victoria). Not only were
they similar in size but the gull seemed fascinated and followed its every
move, back and forth along the headland and beach. It was usually tailing
it but positioned just slightly above it. At one stage the glider slowed
after a turn and the gull lowered its legs and attempted to land on the
gliders wing ! It was quite a sight. The birds feet made brief contact
with the wing but evasive action was taken by the grounded pilot to avoid
any calamity, especially with the aircraft being well over the water. After
that the gull lost interest and returned to food patrol.
I was expecting the bird perhaps to give it a peck or two but never expected
it to try and land on the thing. Perhaps hoping for an easy ride....
Cheers
Karen, Hampton VIC.
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
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