After the early morning bird survey along the Greenway, I headed home for lunch, and then headed to Barton Park in the afternoon for some more bird photography. This visit, it was a pair of juvenile Black-shouldered Kites that provided the best subjects.
My previous visit to the park had been relatively quiet. But you can never tell in advance how a visit will go and whether it will be worthwhile.
When I arrived, I spotted this Great Egret at the Landing Lights Wetland –
After checking the old sporting fields, I spotted a Black-shouldered Kite hovering near the old stadium. I made my way there. On the way, I met Ada, another bird photographer. I told her about the Black-shouldered Kite I had seen. On the way, we spotted a Striated Heron hunting in the Spring St Canal – I would return for some photos of it later.
Once we climbed up to the area outside the stadium, we saw the hovering Black-shouldered Kite, and also a second one perched on a light inside he stadium. Here is a series of photos –
It was not continuous shooting with the Kites. I think one of them may have down off early on, and most of the photos are of one, but they both seemed to be juveniles. Also, there were quiet times when we could to find any of them. During one of our waits, we saw a Double-barred Finch –
After the Kites left, I went back down and found the Striated Heron still hunting.
I then met up with local birder, Michael. We headed to the old sporting fields to look for more raptors. We didn’t spot any, but we did see a few Brown Honeyeaters.
Back down at the wetlands near the cycleway, we heard the call of an Australian Reed Warbler. We eventually spotted it.
Michael had been on the lookout for more raptors. He had missed the Black-shouldered Kites, so he was happy to spot a Grey Goshawk in the old stadium.
Superb Fairy-wren
Willie Wagtail
As we were leaving, we spotted another Australian Reed Warbler –
This had been been a very good afternoon of bird photography.