Well actually we (EE and I) are monitoring a pair of Hobbys. (Haven’t concluded if it should be Hobbies, or more realistically in this case, Hobbys—but you can see where I’m going with this)
A close cousin to their much more impressive and better documented relative, the Peregrine Falcon, it is easy to spot the similarities once they get into the air.
Speed and manoeuvrability being high on the comparison list. I’ve had the chance to watch them a couple of days in some high winds, think 70-80kph. They fold back the primaries and run on very closely tucked wings, at speeds that are almost impossible to follow in the viewfinder. A side-different to working with say, Black-shouldered Kites, that are by comparison, quite sedate.
They have a nest. And it’s high up in one of the tallest gums in the area. Cleverly placed in the multiple “Y” that gums sometimes make with 8-10 thin branches reaching out crownlike, and she has placed her nest securely in the little fortress.
Hard to gather how far advanced they are, but the past couple of days we’ve found her sitting less on the nest, so I’d be guessing her young are beginning to take on their first feathers.
Feeding appears to have its own rules. He comes in laden with a catch. Sits on a particular branch and calls quietly to her. After a suitable pause in events he moves to another tree, sits and waits.
Then the express train bursts out of the nest, or from the high-up perch where she has been surveying the scene, snatches the catch and sits on a branch just near him to consume her well earned meal. So far I think the count is mostly Red Wattlebirds, but today it was a Welcome Swallow.
She is head and shoulders bigger than he. Pretty typical among raptors, but really noticeable when they sit close-by.
After helping herself, she then flies directly to the nest and seems to be feeding small pieces from her beak, so another clue the young are not that advanced.
Lastly the thing that has impressed me is the super efficiency of them both. There are no wasted wingflaps, they glide from one tree to another, hardly using any energy. But, when needed, the wings dig in and they are gone.
Warning: Photos contain some graphic feeding moments.
The Werribee River runs behind the nest area and he explodes of the tree, disappears over the edge of the cliff and with about 3 more wing flaps is back on the tree.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Great to see, David. They are wonderful birds to watch with the young in the nest. Some impressive images here. I’m not sure where our ‘locals’ are this year.
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thanks for the insight. I have a challenge with these as they are not out in the open, so trees, shrubs and lack of space will limit what we can do
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Amazing Hobby shots David, yes it is a wonderful hobby that you have 🙂 I have always found it difficult to accept these bird only other eat birds. I have just been getting use to the fact that Currawongs survey the local area to make sure there are enough next to provide food for their young before building their nest. Yes I know what you mean the Hobby is a great example of energy efficiency, and work well together as a team. Beautiful captures as always my friend. 🙂
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Thanks Ashley, At the moment the menu seems to be some Wattlebirds, but mostly now I’ve had a bit of time, mostly young starlings. Given the starlings out number the hobbys by 100s to one, I don’t think they’ll put too much of a dent in the population. 🙂
We pamper cats and dogs, and some try to make them vegetarian, but they are at heart, wild carnivors and have their own place in the creation of things.
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A beautiful collection of shots of them. I’m very envious!
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Thank you Eleanor. It is a off to a good start so far. Just a bit to far away from home for a daily visit.
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Great observation David and the illustrating photos are a treat. They are such beautiful birds. Half a year ago I had a chance to see a pairt near Cape Schanck. It is a long way to travel for regular observation and then there was this lockdown… .
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Onya Adam. These are close enough for a regular visit, but not daily.
I have always thought them to be our most beautiful raptor.
As I said to David, the area is a bit tight for inflight shots. Very old high trees and shrubbery. The failure rate on autofocus is pretty high.
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