Peregrination speeds from kestrel to ibis

Peregrine Falcon wafts easily on breeze below Bald Rock in Town Common Cons. Pk, Townsville, today. Nothing like so purposeless when first seen, as black blur hurtling at Nankeen Kestrel low over the flats near the rock. Last-second side slip saw Kestrel safe. Falcon's return attack lacked resolve.

Surprise came bit later when falcon flew from dead White Ibis at edge of mangroves. Stayed within sight of the corpse but showed no sign of speedy return to it. Dead bird probably explains circling presence and minor aggression among six Whistling Kites in the general area. At no time, however, did any of them land or even fly low close to the ibis. Falcon had plucked some of neck. No clear cause of death.

Other raptors in broader area this morning: two White-bellied Sea-Eagles, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Goshawk, Swamp Harrier, Black Kite.

Young Peregrine drops in with peer and grin

What does a peer and grin (of sorts) add up to? Peregrine Falcon, naturally. This juvenile made an  infrequent species appearance in Townsville Town Common Conservation Park today.

First image bit messy. Quick clone job bit tidier but far from full fix.

Peregrines breed less than three kilometres away on Castle Hill, a sandstone outlier looming over the inner city, harbour, inner suburbia and the airport. It also looms over many of the city's Rock Pigeons. And Peregrines love fat feral pigeons.

So why waste much time in the Common, harassed by solitary cheeky White-breasted Woodswallow, and looking down on Peaceful Doves or Rainbow Bee-eaters when flocks of chubby pigeons are closer to home? Lesson juvenile yet to learn. 

Peregrine Falcon rips into highway prey

Go to a big city where Rock Pigeons flock and you may find Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) nesting on skyscraper ledges but morning encounter near Ingham falls into category of rare sightings.

Bird was ripping into Masked Lapwing beside the highway hard by local airstrip. No way of knowing if the dead bird was a direct kill or road victim. Note blood and feathers on talons.

Same morning and another rarity: first local sighting by me of Black-chinned Honeyeater (Melithreptus gularis). Trying now to see whether the species has just popped in for fleeting visit or might be spreading along the coast.

Elsewhere, female Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) comes up with fish and insects from Mungalla Station pool and surrounds.

And female Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) does a bit of scowling at Orient Station.