I must start this by saying that I have never had a good, confirmed sighting of a raptor near my home.
That all changed yesterday, driving home past Adelaide Airport, we sighted a hovering raptor. We were able to turn around for a second look and, from the black under the wings, were able to identify as a black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris). No where to stop, so no photo.
Today, the excitement rose. Home from the office for lunch, I went out of the back door to fill the bird-bath. As I opened the door, a sound from just outside and a glimpse of a bird departing. Not able to identify. As I ventured out, I was greeted by a deceased crested pigeon. I went further, to our rainwater tank to fill a watering can for the bird-bath and for some reason glanced up. There, no more that 2 to 3 metres away sitting on the roof was the black-shouldered kite. :eek!: A few seconds, I moved & it was gone. Again, no photo. :-C
I removed the deceased pigeon from the back door of the house, but placed its body in a place where it could be found. When I returned home after work, nothing remained - no evidence at all.
From never having seen any raptor in the vacinity of the house to a close encounter. A day to remember. o
That all changed yesterday, driving home past Adelaide Airport, we sighted a hovering raptor. We were able to turn around for a second look and, from the black under the wings, were able to identify as a black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris). No where to stop, so no photo.
Today, the excitement rose. Home from the office for lunch, I went out of the back door to fill the bird-bath. As I opened the door, a sound from just outside and a glimpse of a bird departing. Not able to identify. As I ventured out, I was greeted by a deceased crested pigeon. I went further, to our rainwater tank to fill a watering can for the bird-bath and for some reason glanced up. There, no more that 2 to 3 metres away sitting on the roof was the black-shouldered kite. :eek!: A few seconds, I moved & it was gone. Again, no photo. :-C
I removed the deceased pigeon from the back door of the house, but placed its body in a place where it could be found. When I returned home after work, nothing remained - no evidence at all.
From never having seen any raptor in the vacinity of the house to a close encounter. A day to remember. o
