G'day,
The wintering population of Fluttering Shearwaters has begun to return to
Moreton Bay, SEQ. About 200 were making their way south into the bay a
couple of days ago, moving between Moreton Island and Bribie Island, when a
White-bellied Sea Eagle took an interest. After moving casually, and at
some height, towards the shearwaters, splitting the group in the process
with a fair number panicking and heading back north, the eagle descended and
picked up speed. Flying low (one metre at most) and fast over the water, it
soon caught up with the main group. Thwack! The eagle shot straight up in
the air some 15-20 metres, presumably to stall and lose all speed, and then
descended to collect its victim. I watched for a couple more minutes as it
carried the shearwater to Bribie Island and disappeared out of sight.
Sea-watching can be fun.
Is it a little-known fact that female White-bellied Sea Eagles soar with
their wings held in a deeper 'V'?
Than male White-bellied Sea Eagles, that is, not Fluttering Shearwaters!
Cheers - Trevor.
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
|
