I spent another interesting and enjoyable day at Long Reef, mainly photographing raptors.
Like my previous visit, there were plenty of Ospreys and also a pair of Nankeen Kestrels hunting near the headland.
However, when I arrived, I spotted a White-bellied Sea Eagle flying with an Osprey –
I headed down to the lower level. At first, I was the only bird photographer down there, but later Celine arrived to join in the photography.
The pair Nankeen Kestrels were hunting out of the day. They would catch small insects – grasshoppers, praying mantis and caterpillars. They would hunt for ten of fifteen minutes, and in that time catch a few things, then fly off, to return a bit later. I think they may have been feeding chicks in a nest somewhere on the headland. Probably the north side. I assume that they can store food for young in their crops.
The Kestrels would fly up high with the aid of the thermals, and then dive.
They would often then hover, and wait for their prey.
They would eat their prey on the wing.
Something different. A passing White-faced Heron –
Here you can see the two Kestrels –
And then an Osprey flew past –
Back to the Kestrels –
And another Osprey. This one seemed to have a very small fish –
The Kestrels were still busy –
The tide was now quite low, so I ventured out onto the rock platform.
Red-necked Stints
Grey-tailed Tattler
Pacific Golden Plover
Sooty Oystercatcher
Pacific Golden Plover
Red-necked Stints
Back to the Kestrels –
And then the Ospreys turned up. At least three of them.
One decided it was time for a bath –
And then another had a bath –
While another waited close by –
It then left –
Again, the Kestrels were still flat out hunting –
This had been another very good day.