Long Reef – Looking for Raptors – 9 July 2023

I spent another great day at Long Reef. The aim was to photograph any raptors that were there – in particular, Osprey, hunting for fish.

I arrived a little before 11 am, but was I too late? Recently, the afternoon has been the best time. But it looked like some of the local Osprey had caught fish earlier that morning. I heard this from a wildlife officer, who was at the bottom of the path down from the lookout. She was there to keep people away from a seal – which was sleeping on the rocks nearby.

So, the last part of the track was blocked, but it was possible to still get down onto the sand by traversing the pig face slopes on the side of the track further around. There were a couple of other photographers there, and more turned up sprung the afternoon.

We soon spotted this Osprey with a fish –

And there was some whale action –

There were a few Black-browed Albatross flying out near the island.

But an Osprey did make a brief appearance.

Two Sooty Oystercatchers flew past to the island.

The Osprey was hunting.

It dives for a fish –

This dive was not successful.

It dives again, but pulls out.

Then a White-bellied Sea Eagle appears on the scene.

The Osprey tries to drive it away from its hunting territory.

A White-faced Heron flies in –

Another Osprey flies past, with a fish.

And the closer Osprey dives again –

This time it is successful. It has caught a nice fish.

Meanwhile, this Kelp Gull flies past –

And here is the sleeping Seal –

I climb up to the lookout. From here I could photograph the Osprey eating its fish –

Another Osprey arrives.

It too is hunting.

It does not catch a fish on that dive.

It flies towards Fishermans Beach and comes back with a fish.

It too lands on the cliff to eat.

And one more Osprey arrives as I start to leave.

It had been a very good day. It was also good to catch up with the other bird photographers on the Headland.