In the morning I had been down to the Cooks River helping to survey the local birds. In the afternoon, I decided to go for an exercise bike ride to Barton Park. I had been there recently, the day before in fact. On that visit, just before leaving, I had spotted a large family of Teals. Tow parents and at least 8 very young chicks. Its a bit morbid perhaps, but I thought the presence of the chicks may attract some predators.
When I arrived at Barton Park, I went to Landing Lights Wetland. I noticed the Teal family straight away. They were all out cruising on the far side of the main pond. I counted 10 chicks. There is a reason for so many chicks – they lose a lot to predators.
I thought his was a bit dangerous – the parents taking the chicks out like this. I started walking around the wetlands, and on the way a lurking predator did fly off. It was a Brown Goshawk.
It flew off too fast to get a decent photo. I continued on my way, and then spotted another raptor – a Grey Goshawk. I have seen these birds a few times before, but never had a really good encountered with them. This time was better. Much better.
The Grey Goshawk flew around a bit, then settled in a tree. It didn’t stay there long. It flew past again.
Then it must have flushed out the Brown Goshawk. It took off from where it was hidden, and flew away.
The Grey Goshawk then settled for a while on the antenna on top of the building.
It soon took off again.
I didn’t see it after that. Here is a Red-browed Finch –
A White-faced Heron took off from the market gardens nearby and flew over.
I went for a walk up to the higher level near the sporting grounds. The White-faced Heron and been flying around and came in to land on one of the lights –
A Great Egret flew past –
I walked out to Muddy Creek and back, and returned to the wetlands. There was a White-faced Heron that had caught something in the creek –
The Great Egret had landed in the wetlands. It stayed for a while, but then flew off.
This had been a most interesting afternoon. Needless to say I didn’t spot the Teal family any more that day.