Yesterday I re-visited Ash Island to look for a 'mysterious' raptor seen the
day before (it wasn't located), but I was absolutely astounded at the number of
raptors. In 45 mins I observed:
2 Brown Falcons (engaged in talon-locking aerobatics)
5 Whistling Kites (3 seen circling together at one point)
2 Swamp Harriers
3 Sea Eagles (all 'young' birds)
2 Kestrels
1 Hobby
And we had a Spotted Harrier there the day before!
The Yellow Wagtail is still there by the way (that being the 'Wagtail Way').
Minitwitch results will be posted tonight.
Mick Roderick
----- Original Message ----
From: alan morris <>
To: ; Grant Brosie <>
Sent: Monday, 31 March, 2008 7:14:26 PM
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Autumn good time for Raptors?
Grant,
At this time of the year there does appear to be more raptors seen as the
young of the previous breeding season are involved in their post natal
dispersion, ie Mum & Dad have kicked them out and they have to find a new
home.Many raptors identified at prsent are often seen to be immatures who
are still gaining their hunting skills and so are probably more noticeable
because they keep missing their prey.
I know from something a raptor bander (Clive Bennett) once wrote in the late
1960s, that he documented more observations of juvenile Sparrowhawks and
Goshawks from February to May than at any other time of the year.
Alan Morris
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