Did a run down to the Treatment Plant in the late afternoon. Concept was simple. FInd a spot where the birds might be active on dusk and wait. While it was a bit of fun, the score card was pretty low, but we had a picnic, Peek-nic on the seaside and listened to waves, and the birds and felt the light breeze on our brows, so what’s not to like.
On the way to the location we had a look at the screechy falcon, and she didn’t disappoint. But she managed to upset a Willie Wagtail by landing in the same tree as said Willie had a nest, and a battle ensued.
In the end the Falcon gave in, which is more to the credit of the wagtails perseverance than the Falcon’s desire to move.
Just to add to her misery, a pair of Black-shouldered Kites have nested in the same area, and the male came by to give the poor old Falcon a bit more of a hurry on. Being stooped by a Black-shouldered Kite was just to much for her dignity and she retreated down the roadway to a safe tree, to be harassed by some Welcome Swallows who soon lost interest in the game. She sat in the tree and complained to her young. The nest is one she’s used in a previous season, and without getting too close (See reference to Bird Photographers Code of Practice and best OHS management in a previous ramble), we think that the nest contains Two young. Which would be really nice. They both seemed quite large, (the little tiny bit of each we could see from a distance) so probably be on the wing in the next couple of weeks. Then perhaps she’ll calm down again.
As the sun set, I turned my hand to landscape photography, and sort of remembered how much fun that used to be. Might even give it a bit of a revival.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 