The raptors are all looking down on me

White-bellied Sea-eagle takes a dim view of me possibly too close to her (probable gender) in Townsville Town Common Con. Pk today. Should be another set of eyes (juvenile) looking out from nearby nest soon.

Osprey overhead at dam wall. Several aborted plunges, two big splashes. No fish. But did see off presumed partner to female Sea-eagle.

Swamp Harrier skirmished briefly with Osprey and Sea-eagle before heading south out of their territories.

Black-shouldered Kite nowhere to be seen today. Hard stare came yesterday as I walked under dead tree much used by several raptor species near the airport fenceline.

Ravens too quick for Channel-billed Cuckoos

Channel-billed Cuckoos are back and looking to sneak their eggs into raven and crow nests. The two seen today are possibly birds heard over weekend near Town Common entry gate. Bad news for the biggies, Australian Ravens have already reared early young this season. And the once-dominant Torresian Crow - a later breeder - is less common hereabouts nowadays. But I saw a Pied Currawong - another parasitised species - across town the other day. Near Anderson Park, whose tall gums draw many Channel-billeds seeking night-roosting. Watch out, Currawongs!

And watch out, young Black-shouldered Kite. Bird enjoying bit of preening in the morning sun yesterday found itself under fire from three White-breasted Woodswallows, offended by the Kite daring to sit atop 'their' tree. Kite flinched and flinched again before surrendering the perch. Next time seen, the immature's streaky breast may be as adult white as the Woodswallows'.

Plenty of white on show this morning with White-throated Heron waiting patiently for me to move away from nearby pool so it could get back to feeding. Mud in many pools ankle deep a few days ago is fast drying out.

Which is good news because of a sudden Magpie Geese - missing since our wet week late in May - are returning. None two days ago; 190 yesterday; 600 today. Sorry, hard to capture image of 600, two, plus a few, have to do.

And finally down to one. Nice little male Olive-backed Sunbird. Like the colour? It's done with HDR plugin comes with latest version of Gimp. (You didn't need to know that, but there's some showing off involved).

Falcon small dark and handsome

Small, dark and handsome! What could be better to spot yesterday atop bit of cane trash than dark morph Brown Falcon (Falco berigora)?

Something so beautiful is worth another two looks.

And another up for 'raptorousness', Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), atop dead tree, enhanced by blue-sky morning.

Tyto flying high on hotspot listings

Eight of Australia's top 10 birding hotspots are in North Queensland.

Tyto Wetlands sits fourth equal, according to listing site, eBird, sharing with Kingfisher Park, Julatten.

But metre for metre, minute for minute, it appears at present Tyto (90 hectares) offers more birds than any other spot in the land, with 70-80 species possible from an easy morning's walk (say four hours).

Townsville Town Common heads the hotspots, but dry conditions mean much reduced listings lately. Western Treatment Plant, Werrribee, Victoria holds second. It's great area would require a marathon walk or much driving to tally 70-80 birds. Cairns Esplanade sits third, but waves farewell to many of its prize species in April-May. Seasonal variation also cuts in Kingfisher Park counts.

So, Tyto rules, okay?

The bad news? Can't find any Grass Owls or Little Bitterns, and all the White-browed and Spotless Crakes have gone, likely because the Wet didn't happen this year.

Also probable will be depleted fish, frog, reptile and insect cycles, with consequences for all their predators.

The heat's on even the hottest hotspot.

Today's highlight, resident pair of Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) on fallen tree over reeds at western end of lagoon. Flight by one (possibly male) drew calls from mate before it too flew off.

Black-shouldered Kite catches the eye

Catching the eye this week, Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) pauses during long spell of pair bonding above a creek near Ingham.

Here's another kite inspecting possible roost in pandanus along Orient Station road after also doing aerial manoeuvres with its partner.

Also at Orient Station, two looks from and at Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis). Hobby numbers remain higher than formerly.

Wish I could up and fly

Flying's not just about getting from there to here: Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes) cruising in to a wetlands. 

It can be aerial spotting for breakfast: Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) hovers over pasture.

A means of collecting webbing for nest-building: Brown-backed Honeyeater (Ramsayornis modestus) engages in one-sided tug-o'-war.

Or just a way to find a place to be warm and look good: Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii). 

Wish I could up and fly.

Rare finds among the raptors

Rare find today at Jourama Falls as this Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) circled near the camping ground before dropping from sight amid trees on the other side of Waterview Creek. My first sighting of the species for some years. Pity about the picture.

Bit better images of Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), in Tyto Wetlands yesterday ...

... and also along Orient Station road.

And little Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis) sitting in middle of back road the other day. Inched up for capture (and trip to vet) when bird flew off without hint of harm (in spite of seeming breast wound). Happy days!      

Ratty Kite more glare than share

Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) posted along Orient Road this week looks in no mood to share lunch (possibly rat).

Another notable sight along the road, flock of 10 Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus).  My first sighting of a flock anywhere near Ingham. Birds probably won't stick around, though pasture grasses are seeding prolifically at present.

Which is of little interest to Black-faced Woodswallow (Artamus cinereus), pausing from  breezy pursuit of insects, more or less as the Budgies looked down from their chosen eucalypt.     

Yellow-billed Spoonbill stands out

Uncommon species in Tyto, Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes) stands out on paperbark limb, near front lagoons this week. Another of species seen today near Orient Station, with two Royal Spoonbills.

But most Brolga (Grus rubicunda) have quit the coastal pastures, probably all up on the Atherton Tablelands, unlike bird above, near roadside pool today.

Also near road, Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), one of nine raptor species spotted this morning along Orient Road, though above picture taken a wee while back.
Click pix to enlarge  

Getting sneakily technical with wee Grebe

Sneaky way to sneak up on Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae) in Tyto this week: (tech alert!) attach Kenko 2X converter to 100-400mm F5.6 lens. So what? So Kenko somehow tricks Canon 7D to retain some autofocus, which it won't allow with Canon 1.4X converter, let alone 2X. Image quality suffers a bit, but even at ISO1600 above picture not bad (tech ends). 

Nothing technical about Australasian Darter (Anhinga novehollandiae) closeup. Bird surfaced in small Tyto pool but wouldn't risk emerging fully to fly off, so ducked and dived for several minutes until I walked away.

Long-distance noisy 400mm shot of Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) on fallen tree near Orient Station this week was to be paired with 2X image, but bird put breakfast ahead of posing.   

Soft image high-angled Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), near Orient Station, also put food first and took off before tripod could be deployed for steadier picture.

Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus), in Tyto, sits still, too far away for sharper detail. No 2X at hand at time, but nothing technical fixes things if the bird is simply too far off.   
Click pix to enlarge