Black kite Nest 4 Oct- 2019

Thursday 10 October 2019

I visited at about 3:50 pm. At 4:00 pm the black kite flew over to the right lookout tree, flew around a bit, perched again then flew back to the nest tree with a stick.

It looked as if it might have been placing the stick in the nest then settled out of sight.

Sunday 13 October 2019

I arrived at 10:40 am. I thought I saw some movement at the surface of the nest but conditions are cloudy and dull, so it was hard to see detail. I first located the nest on 8 September 2019 but I don’t know when eggs were laid. According to BIBY, incubation is 28 days and nestling period is 40 days.

At 11:40 am, just as I was about to leave, the black kite suddenly flew from the nest to the left lookout tree.

She perched out of sight for a couple of minutes, flew back around the nest tree, back to perch in the left lookout tree again, back around the nest tree, landed on the right lookout tree then finally went back into the nest, all in less than five minutes.

I have not seen her mate since I’ve been watching her on the nest. I’m don’t know when she’s getting food.

 

Black kite nest 3 August 2019-

Thursday 1 August 2019

I arrived just after 3:30 pm and one black kite was on the lookout branch. It stretched and preened a bit. Ten minutes later it flew to a tree about 150 m away. At about 4:05 pm I heard it calling. I noticed the other one flying overhead very high. The one in the tree flew back to the lookout branch but the other one kept flying. The one on the lookout branch then flew to a tree about 300 m away.

At 4:30 pm the one in the tree flew down to the ground at the edge of the swamp and appeared to drink.

It flew into the halfway tree, stayed for a minute then flew towards the main road.

At 4:50 pm one flew to the top of nest tree and called a couple of times. It few over the road and a masked lapwing took off after it.

Monday 5 August 2019

I arrived at 3:40 pm and didn’t see any black kites.

At 3:55 pm three kookaburras flew into the tree and started to laugh. A single black kite flew at them once then flew away along tree line towards main road. At 4:05 pm the kookaburras all flew away.

Wednesday 7 August 2019

I arrived at about 3:45 pm and saw one black kite flying around. Shortly after 4:00 pm it landed on the lookout branch, appeared to be eating and called a bit. It was dive bombed by Indian mynas.

It circled near the nest tree, getting gradually lower until it landed at the edge of the swamp and appeared to drink.

I saw the other black kite then a group of five birds. They could have been black or whistling kites or maybe ravens. The black kite flew near the nest tree then went out of sight.

Monday 12 August 2019

I arrived just before 4:00pm. Shortly after that, I heard alarm calls and saw one black kite flying in front of the tree line then landing in a tree about 200 m from the nest tree. About 15 mins later I heard a few calls. No black kites landed in the nest tree or nest.

Thursday 15 August 2019

I arrived just before 4:00 pm and saw one black kite cruising around near the nest tree, quite low and slow. It was chased by another bird, maybe a magpie-lark when it was almost at ground level near the drinking spot.

I noticed three birds circling over the low lying land. I think they were kites and I think smaller birds were flying at them and amongst them.

Two black kites circled lower over the new houses and flew very close to each other at times. They didn’t land in the nest tree or nest.

There is more activity now. Lots of houses are being built and there are tradies around, learner drivers and walkers and joggers.

Monday 19 August 2019

I arrived at about 3:35 pm and didn’t see any birds. At 4:31 pm I heard a call and saw one black kite on the lookout branch. It called in three separate bouts and another flew slowly overhead but stayed high and passed over. At about 4:41pm the one on the branch flew low and slow over the last houses then both slowly circled and soared over the land near the nest tree. A third one joined them for a while. Two seemed to disappear but one stayed and did some swoops and dives but didn’t retrieve anything.

Friday 23 August 2019

I arrived before 3:30 pm and there were no birds in the nest tree. A while later I saw what may have been birds of prey flying over the flat land.

At 4:30 pm I moved to where I could see the nest. At 4:45 pm, one black kite flew to the lookout branch while being chased by another bird. It called briefly then flew to another tree about 150 m away along the tree line towards the main road.

It flew back into the nest tree a few minutes later and gave a brief call. It stayed for a while and may have been eating.

Week from 27 Aug 2019

I didn’t see any black kites in nest tree or flying.

Monday 2 September 2019

I arrived 3:45 pm and saw no black kites. The nest tree was flowering at the top and there were lots of lorikeets.

I saw a couple of birds of prey at the end of the development that could have been black kites or whistling kites.

At 4:50 pm a black kite flew into the nest tree and landed in the top bit and called.

I didn’t see another. Five minutes later a whistling kite flew over the nest tree towards the main road and seconds later the black kite flew after it.

I think it landed on a power pole. I saw it land back in the nest tree at about 5:30 pm then fly out again and fly around a bit.

Thursday 5 September 2019

I arrived at about 3:45 pm and didn’t see any black kites. I heard some calling at about 4:15 pm but couldn’t see a black kite. I think it was in one of the trees less than 200 m from the nest tree.

I saw a couple of birds of prey, which I think were whistling kites, briefly over the flat land.

Monday 10 September 2019

I visited at 3:40 pm even though it was cloudy with showers. I saw both black kites flying low over the land on both sides of the road. One even went down into a fenced housing lot and was chased by a masked lapwing.

I watched them circle over the houses for quite a while then lost sight of them. I didn’t see them go to the nest tree at all.

I heard a call at 4:40 pm just as I was about to leave. One flew over the road, low enough that I worried about it being too close to a tradie car going past. It joined the other black kite flying low near the nest tree. One went along the tree line and the other went to the ground then flew along the tree line too. They perch in the trees between this stage of the development and the early stage, where I used to walk from in 2016.

Black kite nest 3 April-July 2019

Tuesday 30 April 2019

Well, today I got such a surprise. I went to see how much development had occurred on the land where my black kite nest used to be. There were roads all over it and houses are starting to go up. It’s still fairly quiet but people are walking and cycling around.

As I walked towards the site from the bottom entrance I used to use, two black kites started to fly around overhead! I thought they would have left for good last year. I wondered if they were going to try to use the nest the Australian hobbys used last year but they went over to nest tree 3, which was still there with its nest intact!

I drove onto the site using the new road from the top, which follows the path I used to walk down. I was able to drive around to near the nest tree, which is only about 50 m from a new road.

I saw the black kites in the nest tree. They were calling and flying then did what looked like a mating attempt.

One then sat on the nest!

They flew away but were flying around over the developing area, rather than the open land that is hopefully flood prone and safe from developers.

Thursday 9 May 2019

Today I was parked fairly near the nest tree from about 4:30 until 5:00 pm. I did not see the black kites at all but saw an adult white-bellied sea-eagle fly over towards where its nest had been. I also saw a black-shouldered kite and at least three yellow-tailed black-cockatoos.

Friday 10 May 2019

I decided to go and have a look in the morning and saw one black kite in the nest tree!

Tuesday 14 May 2019

Today I arrived at about 3:25 pm and saw one black kite in the nest tree. I stayed in the car and the other flew from somewhere in the tree to land about one metre behind the first. By size, I could tell the male was behind. Almost immediately, they mated!

After this, the male flew in circles over the nesting territory getting higher until I couldn’t see him. At about 4:00 pm I noticed 6 birds that looked like black kites circling over the open area beyond the development. About 5 minutes later I saw the male and the female called to him. He didn’t come over to the tree but flew around fairly close. They didn’t go into the nest. I noticed other birds nesting in the nest tree: rainbow lorikeets in the top, little corellas halfway down and scaly-breasted lorikeets further down.

Monday 20 May 2019

Today I saw one black kite sitting on the lookout/mating branch. It flew away after a while. Later I saw both flying together over the park. Neither were in the nest.

Wednesday 22 May 2019

I arrived at about 3:50 pm and there were no black kites to be seen. One appeared on the usual branch in the nest tree about 15 mins later. I moved the car along to see the nest. I heard the whistling call and saw one flying with something in its talons. It landed below the nest, was joined by the other and they ate. They mated briefly after eating.

One flew away – I think it was the female – then flew back quickly. It seemed to have food in its talons and landed in the tree behind the nest tree (the one also growing from the lowest ground).

The other joined it then one flew low over the road and landed on the ground on my side of the road (cleared housing lots). The other stayed in the tree calling. Magpie larks chased the one on the ground back to the nest tree. The other joined it immediately then one flew again.

Tuesday 28 May 2019

Today I spent about an hour watching from about 3:30-4:30 pm. Two black kites patrolled the tree line behind the nest tree near where the development ends (park side). Neither went to the nest tree.

Thursday 30 May 2019

When I arrived at about 3:40 pm, one black kite was in the perching branch in the nest tree. I saw another flying then landing in the hobby tree. It began calling. Another pair of black kites appeared and flew together for a while then flew along the tree line up towards the main road.

The black kite in the nest tree flew over to them then seemed to follow them. One came back for a few minutes and wiped its beak on the perching branch. It left. At 4:40 pm it came back and sat on the perching branch. Neither went to the nest today.

Thursday 6 June 2019

I arrived at approximately 3:45 pm. One black kite was on the perching branch in the nest tree. It whistled often but I couldn’t see the partner.

I saw a whistling kite circling near the nest tree, a hobby flying past the nest tree, a nankeen kestrel and two black-shouldered kites hovering near houses. At about 4:10 pm a black kite flew in, landed on the perching branch beside the other one and immediately mated.

It only took a few seconds. It stayed on the branch and then moved along about 2 m from the other one towards the tree trunk. Both stayed quite still. At 4:27 pm one flew away and landed on a streetlight closer to the undeveloped low-lying land. At 4:30 pm it flew over the newest stage of the development and low over the nearest house being built. Neither went to the nest today.

Tuesday 18 June 2019

I arrived at about 3:40 pm and saw one black kite on the lookout branch perched and quiet. It didn’t flush when a truck drove past.

Two big piles of mulch had been dumped on top of the hill next to the path close to the nest tree. Men were working on a house about 100 m from the road I park on. There was some vehicle and rivet gun noise and talking.

I saw a white-bellied sea-eagle fly along tree line behind nest tree towards the main road. I also saw an Australian hobby fly around its tree a couple of times.

At 4:35 pm the black kite flew away over the back trees. I didn’t see the partner or hear calling.

Friday 21 June 2019

I arrived at about 2:25 pm. One black kite on the lookout branch called a few times. At about 2:42 pm another flew from the tree. I hadn’t seen it there, and am not sure if came from the nest. It flew low over the road and playground. I think it may have come back flying high up and landed in a tree near the end of the established street but it could’ve been a whistling kite.

Just before 3:00 pm one flew over to the trees behind and to the right and at 3:00 pm flew back with something small and long in its beak.

It landed back in the tree and seemed to eat. The other flew in and landed on the right. It was the much bigger female.

They mated briefly with some calling.

One flew to a higher branch then the other did and the first one flew away. Then the other did and they both flew over the old park. At 3:22 pm one flew around the nest tree but didn’t land.

Wed 26 July 2019

I arrived at about 3:40 pm and parked where I could see the nest because I couldn’t see a bird on the lookout branch. From there I noticed a black kite looking out from a bare branch near the top of the tree.

Two little corellas were squawking but flew away. At 3:53 pm the black kite started calling. I saw a black kite  flying towards the nest tree then another (a third one). The flying ones flew together then one went behind the tree line and the other landed in the tree between the nest tree and the hobby tree (middle tree). At about 4:02 pm the perched black kite called again then flew along the tree line towards the main road and the one from middle tree followed.

A group of ten plus common mynas had flown in and when the black kite flew away one stood on the nest. The little corellas came back and were in two different ends of a hollow 3-4 m apart. Scaly-breasted lorikeets appear to be nesting the tree too.

Tuesday 2 July 2019

I arrived at 3:35 pm and both black kites were on the lookout branch.

Five minutes later one flew away to the back between the floodlights. They don’t take flight if cars go past or people walk along the path even with dogs.

They flew out a couple of times and perched on lampposts in the middle of the new development. At 4:20 pm they flew back into the nest tree and called briefly but I don’t know if they mated as they were hidden by foliage. They were not in the nest. At 4:27 pm one flew back into the nest tree (I hadn’t seen it leave), I think with food. It perched a few metres below the nest and appeared to be eating. I think the other one was right near it hidden by a branch.

At 4:44 pm the other one flew to the middle tree, the eating one flew across the new development then the other one did soon after.

Tuesday 23 July 2019

It’s been three weeks since I’ve visited the black kites. I arrived at about 2:40 pm and 5 mins later saw a black kite flying. It landed in the middle tree. A few minutes later I heard calling and I realised there were two. I think they mated for a few seconds.

One flew around for a bit then landed on the lookout branch at 3:55 pm. The other stayed in the middle tree but called a bit.

I saw a white-bellied sea-eagle circling overhead. I also saw an Australian hobby and a black-shouldered kite. The piles of soil have been used for planting trees on the slope down from the road closest to the nest.

At 4:10 pm the male black kite flew back along the tree line towards the swamp and the black-shouldered kite took off after him. They retreated to trees in their own territories. A couple more flights and short chases followed with intermittent calling.

At 4:15 pm the male black kite flew into the nest tree and made a second mating attempt then flew to another tree.

He flew to the ground and stood near the swamp then flew around again.

At 4:25 pm he flew into the nest tree and made a third mating attempt!! I didn’t click the camera in case they could hear it and it interrupted them but the mating attempt was just as brief as the previous ones and he flew out of the tree straight after.

He flew then she flew after him towards the lights and the black-shouldered kite territory. The black-shouldered kite chased them briefly then the Australian hobby may have chased them or may have just been flying back into its tree from last year. I saw both black-shouldered kites. They started hunting as it got later.

At 4:35 pm one black kite landed in the middle tree and one landed on the lookout branch. They both seemed to be eating something.

At 4:45 pm I moved to where I could see the nest but didn’t see any birds go into it. At 5:00 pm they were both back on the lookout branch appearing to eat. Sunset was at 5:08 pm. The lookout branch is only a few metres below the nest.

I waited until later today, until 5:20 pm, to see if either black kite went to the nest. One flew out from the tree twice and came back to the lookout branch once.

Thursday 25 July 2019

As I drove in at 3:50 pm I saw one black kite flying over a cleared block to my left. I parked where I could see the lookout branch. There were no black kites on it. The black-shouldered kite was hovering and landed on the lookout branch! It did this several times then I saw the other one. They were both flying and hovering periodically. I heard the black kites call every so often but could not see them.

At 4:05 pm I saw a masked lapwing chasing one black kite in the tree line behind the nest tree.

There seems to be more tradie traffic and more houses are being started. It won’t be long until people are living in them.

At 4:20 pm a black kite flew over the road and circled over the empty blocks.

I saw the black-shouldered kite land in another branch near the nest, maybe eating. I have hardly seen the black kites and no one is in the nest.

Two common mynas were harassing a corella at its hollow. It was screaming and raising wings defensively. There are lots of lorikeets, I think scaly, and I think nesting in hollows in the tree.

At 4:50 pm one black kite flew back into the top of the nest tree. The black-shouldered kite flew after it briefly then left.

The black kite landed near the top of the tree.

At 4:55 pm it flew out and over the new house sites. I haven’t seen the two black kites together.

Monday 29 July 19

I arrived at 3:40 and saw no black kites. At 4:00 pm a black kite flew out from the nest tree across the development. I’m not sure if it came from the nest. At 4:15 pm a black kite did circles near the nest tree, landed on the ground at the swamp then flew into the tree and called briefly. It’s really hard to see the black kites perching from the nest side of the tree.

I didn’t see any activity for more than half a hour but heard quite a lot of alarm calling from near the lights. At 4:55 pm one landed in the top of the tree and called briefly.

I couldn’t see the other; maybe it was masked by leaves. It flew away after a couple of minutes.

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BLACK KITE NEST 4 Jan-Sep 2019

Sunday 31 March 2019

Today I saw 4 black kites near the nest site  (flying on the other side of the road).

The whistling kites appear to be at their nest. A pair is roosting near the nest and one flew out from the nest tree when I drove in.

Sunday 7 April 2019

Today I went to the black kite nest site and there were about 30 black kites flying very high overhead. They passed over but about an hour later as I was about to leave four or five passed much lower over the trees. In the last week we have had a lot of rain after months of dry weather and a very hot summer with gardens and lawns dying. When hundreds of black kites first appeared in the Hunter Valley in mid-March 2013, I think there had been wet weather or a big storm beforehand. This is pretty much the same time of year that black kite numbers in the area are increasing.

One whistling kites appear to be at their nest flew out from their nest tree when I drove in and roosted with the other one for a while in a nearby tree.

Thursday 18 April 2019

Today I saw 12 black kites flying over the open area near where I park if I’m not looking at the nest.

Friday 12 May 2019

Today I saw 2 black kites battling with the whistling kites near their nest. I think the whistling kites are incubating already.

I tried to find the black kite nest but I can’t see at all in the tree I’m sure it was in. I’m going to have to look for another nest tree.

Sunday 21 July 2019

I visited the site today and couldn’t see any trace of the nest. I think a black kite may have left the tree or a nearby one to fly over to others flying over the open area. The whistling kites were not in their nest either.

Sunday 8 September 2019

I arrived at about 3:30 pm and only saw one or two distant birds of prey too far away to identify. They were flying over the flat land. At about 3:50 pm I went for a walk and noticed a black kite perched in the shade on a bare branch fairly high up in one of the gum trees near the entrance to the park. I took a few photos then it called and another black kite flew in and mated briefly with it.

It then flew and perched in the next tree for about a minute then flew away. Three other black kites flew over me then flew away. The female flew over the vacant land opposite the park, did some circles over the road then flew back to the same tree and perched. She called a few times. I don’t know if she had seen her mate or was just calling for him. She looked as if she had a brood patch.

She flew out to a row of slim upright gums and when I walked to where I could see them better – from 100 m- she flew back to the top of the nearest tree to me and perched in lovely afternoon light.

She flew again at about 4:40 pm over the vacant land again the landed in the row of slim upright gums again. She called as she landed.

I decided to walk up the opposite side of the road to the trees and look for a nest and I found one!

It was a fairly large one about 2-3 m from the top of an 18-20 m tree. I can park about 100+ m from it near another vehicle and stay in the car with a good view. The sun set behind it so it will be best to watch in the morning. I parked there for about 10 minutes but couldn’t see anyone in the nest so I left.

Monday 9 September 2019

At about 5:15 pm I dropped by the nest. It was raining lightly and the light was dull but I could see a black kite on the nest. At 5:25 pm the bird flew off the nest and over to the top of yesterday’s lookout tree. I stayed in the car but a lady was standing at the base of a lamp post about 3 m from the base of the lookout tree. There was no sign of another bird in the nest or change of incubation duties.

At 5:30 pm it flew over the park and vacant land then at 5:33 pm it landed back in the nest. At 5:34 pm it flew out again to the lookout tree. At 5:36 pm it did another few circuits and landed in the tree next to the lookout tree. At 5:37 pm the lady got into a car. The car left at 5:39 pm and the black kite flew straight back to the nest.

Thursday 12 September 1019

In the morning I had a look at the nest for 10 minutes. It couldn’t see a bird in it. In the afternoon I arrived at about 4:30 pm. I didn’t think there was a bird in the nest but a few minutes later a bird got out of the nest and flew to the lookout tree. I got out to get my camera from the back of the car and got back into the car as quickly as I could. The black kite did several circles, including over my car, then got back into the nest. When it sits down it is hard to tell if it’s there at all.

Leaves from the next tree blow in front of the nest and the sun is right behind it too.

I stayed until 5:40 pm and saw the black kite sit up a couple of times then settle but did not see the partner come to the nest.

I am hoping to see feeding at the nest sometime.

Sunday 15 September 2019

I arrived at 12:35 pm on a sunny day. The nest appeared unoccupied and I couldn’t see black kites on the lookout tree or the one beside it.

At 1:05 pm I saw a black kite sit up in the nest and move around a bit. It sat back down and the nest looked unoccupied again.

At 1:30 pm I heard a call then a black kite flew off the nest when a noisy car came up the street and did a u-turn in front of me.

It landed in the tree next to the lookout tree, flew a few low circles over the vacant land, landed in the lookout tree again then flew back to the nest. It got down low in the nest again. The leaves from the other tree are a pain, blowing in front of the nest but I need to stay in the car so I don’t disturb her and I can’t park in a better position.

At 2:30 pm, the black kite flew to the lookout tree, landed, preened a bit, did a poo then flew back to the nest.

After sitting in the car for more than two hours I didn’t see the mate.

At 2:46 pm the black kite flew out of the nest and chased another bird for a short distance before returning immediately to the nest. I think it may have been a channel-billed cuckoo but I only got a quick glimpse.

Saturday 21 September 2019

I arrived just after 4:00 pm. I couldn’t tell if anyone was in the nest. The light was bad, the sun was almost behind the nest tree and there was cloud behind as well.

At about 4:20 pm a  black kite flew off the nest, did a few circles over the vacant land then perched in the tree beside the lookout tree. It flew back to the nest after a minute and settled down out of sight. I haven’t seen a partner yet.

At 4:40 pm the black kite flew off the nest briefly then returned. There was some wing and tail movement before it settled down out of sight.

At 5:10 pm I saw a pair of black kites circling over the lookout tree moving over the vacant land near the nest tree and out of sight. I don’t think the incubating female was one but I did have my eyes off the nest for a little while.

At around 5:20 pm I saw two white-bellied sea-eagles go over separately and another black kite and a falcon fly towards the open land.

Saturday 28 September 2019

I visited briefly and didn’t see the black kite.

Monday 30 September 2019

I visited at 2:45 pm on a cloudy afternoon, the only time I could. I became aware of a black kite flying around. It did a few small circuits over the road then went back into the nest. It seemed to shuffle a bit then settle down out of sight, as if it was incubating.

Black kite Nest 4 2018

Saturday 1 September 2018

This morning I ducked in quickly at about 2:00 pm to look at the nests. The nest near the entry and the whistling kite nest were both empty. Black kites and whistling kites flew on the other side of the road, and had some skirmishes.  I could see one had food, which it dropped then caught in the air. A black kite flew over me.

After my shopping, I decided to call in again on the way home, at about 5:45 pm. Both nests were still empty. Black kites flew around the site every so often. I just had a feeling that they were guarding a territory. A whistling kite was calling from a perch in a tree. I saw a magpie – from the middle nest – have a go at it.

At least I thought the calling was the whistling kite. But sometimes the whistle seemed to be coming from where the black kites were flying behind the trees. i couldn’t see where they were very well. I walked towards the entrance nest and was shocked to see a large black kite sitting in it, calling!!

Was it a youngster, calling for food? I didn’t think so, as I hadn’t seen any bird in the nest before. Was it a female, calling for her mate to feed her?

I don’t know when it got into the nest, but after a few minutes it flew out very competently.

Tuesday 4 September 2018

I visited the nest during the week, which I never do, but it has been raining for a couple of days (most unusual). I stayed in the car where I could see the nest. Teh nest looked empty. I saw the black kites fly overhead a few times but they didn’t land in the nest tree or nest.

Sunday 9 September 2018

I visited this morning at about 8:30 am and stayed until 10:00 am. I saw a whistling  kite sitting in the whistling kite nest and another in a nearby tree.

I didn’t see any black kites in the nest or nest tree, but periodically up to four flew over the site, sometimes quite low.

Saturday 15 September 2018

I visited the site around lunchtime and saw a whistling kite in the whistling kite nest.

 

I didn’t see a black kite in the black kite nest but saw one sitting in a tree about 80 m from the nest. It allowed me to approach quite close and take photos that were almost full frame. I hadn’t seen it until I was that close.

 

There were two black kites that flew over every so often and landed in the nearby trees every so often.

 

Sunday 16 September 2018

Today I parked across from the site at about 2:30 pm. I watched three black kites fly over the road and on the opposite side to the nest tree. I did not see a bird in the nest or any birds approach the nest.

 

As a bonus, I think I saw a swamp harrier and later an Australian hobby go over. A magpie had  a good go at one of the black kites.

Saturday 6 October 2018

I’ve been away on holidays so haven’t visited the nests for 3 weeks. I stopped by at about 4:30 pm and couldn’t see any birds in the black kite nest. But after about 15 minutes of watching, I heard a black kite whistling. I saw it fly in and land on a branch about 2 m from the nest. It seemed to be eating but flew away without visiting the nest. No birds responded to it from in the nest.

I had a quick look at the whistling kite nest to see if any other birds had taken it over. As I drove up to it, a whistling kite flew out of the tree. I don’t know if it was on the nest, or in the tree, or an adult or juvenile.

Thursday 8 November 2018

I can’t believe I haven’t visited for so long! I stopped at the nest site for a while this afternoon and to my surprise, a pair of whistling kites landed at the black kite nest; one on the nest and one beside it.

A black kite was circling over the area, and I also saw a grey goshawk and black-shouldered kite!

Monday 26 November 2018

Today and last week, when I went to the site there was only one black kite circling. I can’t see anyone in the nest either. One the plus side, there are lots of other birds of prey, including a black-shouldered kite, grey goshawk, brown goshawk and a white-bellied sea-eagle flies over quite often.

Sunday 23 December 2018

Today I got such a surprise! I have been going to the site a lot in November and December to photograph all the birds of prey and hadn’t seen a bird on the black kite nest. Today I walked in and saw one bird sitting on it!

I walked around a little and it did not leave so I suspected it was a juvenile almost ready to fledge. I got in the car and parked where I could watch. I first saw it on the nest at 7:04 pm and it flew at 7:27 pm strongly and competently away. I waited until 7:50 pm but did not see it return.

I walked in a bit further and saw a lovely whistling kite in its nest tree but not in its nest.

Wednesday 26 December 2018

I dropped in today at 6:37 pm and stayed until 7:45 pm. I didn’t see a black kite on the nest or anywhere at all, which is unusual. I did see a pair of whistling kites nearer to their nest, and a black-shouldered kite on a power line!

Black kite nest 3 2017 – 2018

Wednesday 16 August 2017

I saw 2 black kites, so I went over to the tree where they had attempted to nest last year. There was a small nest still there.

They didn’t fly over to it but one was eating something red while on the wing.

Wednesday 6 September 2017

I arrived at about 4:15 pm and left at about 5:10 pm. I saw a pair of black kites around the tree they attempted to nest in last year. The site is quiet: no activity and all the heavy machinery is gone.

Tuesday 19 September 2017

I saw the black kites in the tree in which they built the nest last year.

Wednesday 22 November 2017

I went back a few weeks ago and was shocked to find I couldn’t get onto the site anymore at all. I went to my lower entry and the land was all dug up and trucks were working on it, right beside where the black kite nest was. I think I saw a black kite flying over the devastation.

Today, there was no sign of the black kites and the soil goes right past their nest.

Thursday 8 February 2018

I went to have a look at the site today and it is completely inaccessible from all approaches. There are mountains of soil and the black kite nesting tree has definitely been taken out. This is where it was:

Wednesday 29 August 2018

Today I had a look at the site from the side where the eagles used to be then went around to look at the site where the black kite nest was. To my amazement, there was a single tall eucalypt remaining, with its base at the level of the swamp I used to walk around. It was about 35 m tall and had a nest to the right of centre, about 5 m from the top.

I am almost certain that the tree they had before was growing on the top of the slope that went up from the swamp. I  wish I’d made better notes. As I looked at it, a single black kite flew around the tree then landed in it, roughly level with the nest. He sat for a few minutes.

He then flew around  and landed on the nest! I heard a begging sound while he was on the nest, which may have been chicks, or perhaps the female wanting food. The female incubates the eggs and the male provides food. The black kite I saw did look like he was feeding something but I could not see any heads.

Incubation is 33 days, time in nest is 42 days. Now that I know there’s a nest, I’ll be back to check it!

Wednesday 5 September 2018

I arrived at 4:15 pm and stood behind a big gum tree where I could see the nest. I couldn’t see any birds in it. There were rainbow lorikeets in the tree and a sulphur-crested cockatoo flew in and then out. A magpie landed about a metre from the nest and preened itself for about 7 mins and I was afraid it had taken over the nest. At 4:50 pm I saw one black kite fly low over the dirt wall behind the nest tree. At 5:13 one flew past again.

At 5:29 pm – at about sunset – a black kite landed in the nest tree, about 5 m from the nest.

It roosted for a few minutes then when I looked back it was gone. I saw one a bit later fly away from the nest area. I left just after 6:00 pm and none had returned to the nest tree.

Extra!

To see the black kite nest I have to walk through a narrow strip of trees. I had walked about 20 m past a large gum tree with a nest in it. I thought the nest belonged to a raven or magpie. At 5:29, I suddenly saw what looked like a falcon flying directly towards me. It landed beside the nest and I heard a bird begging sound. It was almost dark, so I had to use ISO 5000 to get a photo at all. Luckily the bird moved onto the branch. I think it is an Australian hobby!!!!.

Sunday 9 September 2018

I went in the weekend so I could go a bit earlier in the day. I didn’t see the black kites at all, but one may have been in the nest. The tree is so isolated, and there is a road at the top of the dirt slope, right near the edge.

I saw the Australian hobbies come to their nest a few times. They fly in fast and call when they are nearly there. I saw one come to the nest and found out that the other had been in it.

I also saw the two of them sitting on a branch.

Their tree is very tall – at least 30 m – and the nest is right up near the top. It’s on the edge of the older part of the development near a park that doesn’t seem to be used. I can see it and the black kite nest at the same time!

Wednesday 12 September 2018

I visited the site at about 4:30 pm and saw an Australian hobby go to their nest several times (male feeding female?). The visit only takes a second or two and is so fast I can’t get a photo. One sometimes sits in the tree near the nest.

I didn’t see any birds go to the black kite nest. Late (6:43 pm, and the sun set at about 5:30 pm), I saw a black kite fly over the site, sort of behind the nest but didn’t show any interest in it.

It’s hard to tell what the birds were later on in such poor light: falcon, whistling kite, black kite or raven. One landed on a street light.

Tuesday 10 October 2018

I can’t believe it’s been so long since I visited the nests! I stopped in today at about 9:30 am but because it was a week day diggers were driving up and down behind the black kite nest tree and men were talking loudly. I couldn’t see any birds in the nest.

I had to go past the Australian hobby nest tree to get to where I could see the black kite nest tree. I looked carefully before proceeding and didn’t think anyone was in the hobby tree but as I got closer a hobby flew into the tree and started what I think was an alarm call. I hurried past, then looked back at the nest from my position watching the black kite tree. I saw a head bobbing in the hobby nest. I am almost certain it was a baby by the bobbing, wobbly movements. I have some poor photos, which I’ll put up later.

Whistling kite Nest 4 August 2018

Saturday 11 August 2018

I dropped in to check the nest and was thrilled to see one young whistling kite sitting upright in it!

The spots on the upper wings could be clearly seen. When it stretched, the whistling kite pattern on the underwing could be seen.

I stayed in the car to photograph it then moved the car over to the side of the road. I got out and four birds of prey circling in a group flew over me: two whistling kites, one black kite and one brown goshawk. They flew past to have a look at me then circled higher and away. It will be interesting to see if the black kite or brown goshawk attempts to nest after the young whistling kite fledges. Brown goshawks have nested in that tree in the past, in one of the previous whistling kite nests.

Luckily, the young whistling kite should fledge before building starts on the site. It doesn’t look as if much has been done since last I visited.

I think the nest is near the top of the tree at about 30 m. If the tree fell down, the nest would be on the edge of the cleared site. In the photo below, the nest tree is one the far right (top not shown) and the dirt can be seen less than 40 m from it. The wind was causing lots of sand and dirt to blow away.

Sunday 12 August 2018

Because the chick looked so strong yesterday, I went back today to see if it had fledged. The nest looked empty, but I wasn’t sure if the chick was resting.

I think I saw the black kite and brown goshawk fly over, then the two whistling kites, but they were so high they could hardly be seen. An adult white-bellied sea-eagle flew over and one whistling kite took it on!

I had a walk around and saw a black kite sitting in a tree.

It flew off then, as I walked to the other end of the site, I thought I saw it sitting in a tree again. I took a few photos, noticed the spots and realised I was looking at the precious baby whistling kite!

A couple more clicks and I retreated back to my car and left. What a relief that it had fledged and could soon move on to a safer, quieter place!

Saturday 18 August 2018

I popped into the site to see if another bird had taken the nest. The nest was empty but I saw a whistling kite on a branch near it. I think the bird was an adult because I couldn’t see spots.

I saw up to five black kites, a brown goshawk and at least two whistling kites circling on the other side of the road (where I can’t get to!). Sometimes they came over my side, and seemed to flush a small flock of 12-15 galahs several times.

After a while, two black kites perched in a tree near the entrance to the site with food. They looked like a pair because the one on my right was bigger.

I had a look for nests and found two more in the tops of gum trees! Neither had birds in them (that I could see).

I waited for about 30 mins ( inside the car to stay out of sight) but did not see any birds go into the nests. I will be keeping watch!

Saturday 25 August 2018

It was about to rain for the first time in absolutely ages, so I popped out to visit the nests. At first the whistling kite nest was empty so I checked the other two nests: also empty. I waited for a while in the car then walked back to check again. I saw a magpie go into the middle nest, which looked too small for a large bird of prey anyway. An adult whistling kite flew in circles above its tree and it screamed.

I saw a whistling kite with a small stick in its beak fly over to the whistling kite nest. I got back into the car and drove to where I could see the nest from the car. A whistling kite landed on the nest and I could tell by the spots it was the juvenile.

It flew away and I saw what looked like an adult land on a high branch about 4 m from the nest.

When it flew away, I realised it was a black kite.

I saw a couple of birds land in a tree not far away so I walked over to see which ones they were. I couldn’t get to where I could get a clear photograph of both – an annoying branch was in the way – but I’m almost certain by the spots that they are two juvenile whistling kites! One must have left the nest before I saw my one.

 

Whistling kite Nest 4 April-July 2018

Here is a link to some backstory, then I’m going to write about this year’s whistling kite nesting to see if it’s successful.

Saturday 14 April 2018

A small park where I previously found nesting birds of prey is now being dug up for development. I can’t see the nest tree, which used to have three nests in it. I think it may have been cut down

A pond that has been home to water birds as long as I can remember is now surrounded by mud.

Sunday 6 May 2018

I saw a pair of whistling kites in a tree in the park!

Then, as I walked carefully around the trees, I saw a small nest that is well hidden.

The developers have been working around the trees.

Sunday 20 May 2018

Today, I visited the park. I could see three birds of prey circling over the flat land several hundred metres away so I walked towards the nest tree to get a photo of the nest. To my surprise, a head popped up!

I felt terrible about disturbing an incubating bird so I retreated and left the park.

Saturday 2 June 2018

Today I did a five minute check of the nest. I drove the car into the park and stayed inside, so I was not a threat. An adult was on the nest.

Nearby (50-80 m), two wood ducks and a purple swamphen were clinging to their destroyed habitat.

Sunday 24 June 2018

As I drove to the site, I saw both whistling kites in the air, chasing some ravens. When I drove in, I couldn’t see where they went. They didn’t appear to be in the nest, but seemed to be defending it.

Sunday 1 July 2018

Today I had a quick look at the site just before dark. I saw one whistling kite fly to the normal guard roost tree. There are big piles of sand and soil even closer to the nest tree.

There are signs that people have been driving around the nest tree itself.

Saturday 28 July 2018

I’ve been away, so have missed quite a few weeks. I visited the nest but did not see any birds in or around it. The clearing/road work near the nest continues, but the tree is still there. It’s the tallest one.

I hope the development doesn’t continue across to the last piece of land because it is a nice little woodland with 40-50 mature trees with broken branches and hollows. Lots of parrots were looking at nest sites.

 

White-bellied Sea-Eagle nest 1 2018

Wednesday 7 February 2018

I have walked past the nest several times this year without seeing or hearing the sea-eagles. This afternoon I heard them honking quite urgently in the trees further in than the nest.

Saturday 9 February 2018

I didn’t see or hear the sea-eagles this afternoon. The houses are being built rapidly along the new street closest to the fence that is the boundary between the new development and the property the nest is in. I’m not a good judge of distance but I estimate they are no more than 50 m from the nest.

Friday 16 March 2018

I saw one eagle fly low back to the trees behind the nest and almost immediately heard squonking. I didn’t see them at the nest.

Sunday 25 March 2018

I went for a walk in the late morning. We had had heavy rain during the week and there was a lot of wet grassland and the swamps had filled. I heard the sea-eagles – maybe on the other side of the swamp – but did not see them. I did see a whistling kite cruising over the swamp.

Thursday 12 April 2018

When I arrived at about 5;15 pm, I saw one of the adults roosting on a bare forked tree.

Thursday 17 May 2018

I went for a walk at about 5:00 pm and saw one sea-eagle fly back into the nest area. It flew into the trees that are further in from the development.

There are houses all up the street closest to the nest tree and people are already living in many of them.

Tuesday 29 May 2018

Tonight I visited the nest to see if I could see the sea-eagles. At about 4:45 pm I heard a great kerfuffle and saw birds flying all around the trees. I suddenly spotted one of the sea-eagles, but just for a few seconds.

Friday 1 June 2018

This afternoon, at about 4:00 pm, I again saw a single sea-eagle flying near the nest. I am alerted by all the other birds lifting off and squawking.

Monday 25 June 2018

I walk past the nest a few times a week, but have not seen the eagles recently. Sometimes I hear them and tonight I heard other birds doing alarm calls. People have moved into lots of the houses in the streets closest to the nest. It means I can’t park where I want or stand and watch with my camera without looking suspicious. Some houses have backyards that will go right up to the boundary fence (40 m from the nest tree).

Saturday 28 July 2018

I visited the nest in the middle of the day. There were no birds so I took some photos to show how close the end of the development is to the nest tree. And there are more houses to be built.

Thursday 23 August 2018

I visited the nest at 4:50 pm and stayed until 5:50 pm, well after sunset. I was hoping to see the eagles fly in from the swamp towards the nest, but didn’t see them. Every so often I heard alarm calls from behind the nest area. The Sydney sea-eaglets are about four weeks old now, so nesting season is well underway.

White-bellied Sea-Eagle nest 1 July-December 2017

1 July 2017

I visited the nest at 4:19 pm for 30 minutes, but did not see the sea-eagles.

17 July 2017

I arrived about 10 minutes before sunset (4:58 pm). I saw a single eagle fly from the swamp area straight to the nest. It may have had a stick or leaf in its talons.

It seemed to crouch down but its back stayed in view. After 3 minutes it flew back to the swamp (5:01pm). I can’t discount that it was a changeover of parents on the nest, but I only saw one bird the whole time.

21 July 2017

I visited the nest from 4:40 pm until sunset. I saw more house foundations being made, closer to the nest in between the 2 new roads. There was also a crane, water truck and excavator. I didn’t see the sea-eagles.

4 August 2017

I arrived at about 4:30 pm. I was shocked at how many new house foundations and fenced lots there were closer to the nest, in the middle section between the 2 new roads. Luckily, in the closest section they haven’t progressed the one house (which has plastic ribbons flapping nastily) or started any more.

A single sea-eagle arrived. It may have been holding something.

It seemed to sit a while then leave after 4 minutes. I couldn’t tell if it was a changeover.

Friday 18 August 2017

I arrived at 4:35 pm on a very windy day. At 4:45 pm an eagle flew to the nest. I think it was holding some smallish food in its right foot.

The other eagle popped up out of the nest.

At 4:48 pm the first eagle flew out of the nest, did a small circuit and landed back in the nest.

It was being chased by a magpie-lark.

The eagles appeared to be standing because I could see their backs. Their heads bobbed up as if they were eating. Every so often their wings came up as if they were being caught by the wind.

The original one flew into a leafy tree to the right of the nest tree and stayed there for about 10 minutes. The one in the nest popped its head up every so often.

The first one left at about 5 pm. It looked well fed. The other eagle settled back into the nest, out of sight.

Saturday 26 August 2017

I arrived at 4:32 pm and watched the nest from the car. Twice I heard one or both eagles but did not see them. Finally I saw them fly to a tree about 50 m from the nest tree at about 5:25 pm. They settled and appeared to bed down for the night. I  feel so sad for them. I don’t know what has happened but it was 15oC when I left at 5:45 pm  and getting colder. I don’t think eggs or chicks could survive for long without the parents.

Thursday 14 September 2017

Time goes so quickly between visits. Today I visited for about an hour. At 5:38 pm I saw an eagle fly from the swamp in the direction of the nest. I think it landed in a tree about 50 m further into the private property from the nest tree.

Soon after, I saw another fly in the same direction. I think they both went into one of the larger trees further in but it was almost dark and I couldn’t see them. They didn’t come over to the nest tree.

Friday 29 September 2017

Today I arrived at about 5:20 pm and at about 6:00 pm I saw one sea-eagle fly to the trees further in than the nest. At 6:05 pm I saw the other fly in with something in its talons. I don’t know if they are roosting in there or flying past. I stayed for another 10 minutes but didn’t see either one visit the nest.