Black Kites feast on fiery offerings

Still flickers of flame here and there but the Black Kites' days of fried pickings following Saturday's fire on the southern corner of the Town Common are near done - for now.

However forecasts and rumbling clouds daily hint at rain without delivering more than a spit close to Townsville. The city swelters and suffers water restrictions with stricter regimes almost certain.

There's been debate for years over reports of kites extending fires by carrying blazing twigs and dropping them on unlit areas. Some say 'tool use'. Others 'chance, unintentional event'.

A smart kite would bet on more fires to come. An even smarter one would know a hoon with matches.