Raptors swoop in for quick kill
THE Geelong Field Naturalists Club has a web page devoted to recording club members’ sightings of birds in the local area.
It is a great way for the members to share and record their observations so others can keep tabs on local birdlife.
There is also the facility to record the sightings on the international database, ebird.
I regularly check to see what birds are making their appearance around Geelong.
When I checked this week I was fascinated by the number of raptors that are being seen.
Of the latest 20 observations listed, 12 were raptors, with eight different species recorded. There were three wedge-tailed eagle sightings, two little eagles and two whitebellied sea-eagles.
Nankeen kestrel, collared sparrowhawk, Australian hobby, black kite and swamp harrier had also been seen.
We have about 20 raptor species on our local list, several of which like the square-tailed kite are rare visitors.
Each of the raptors has its own method of obtaining a meal. Wedge-tailed eagles are part hunter, part scavenger while the hobby preys largely on small birds captured by swift pursuit.
Kestrels have a superb hover-and-pounce method of catching mice and lizards.
Sea-eagles are renowned for their ability to catch surface-swimming fish, and black kites are largely scavengers.
Swamp harriers are wetland and grass “beaters” that fly low and slow, ready to drop on to small mammals and birds.
This diversity of hunting technique and prey choice allows such a large number of raptors to thrive in the one area. There is little competition for the food resources on offer.
We are indeed fortunate to be able to see so many so close to town. Wildlife information and questions can be sent to ppescott@gmail.com