Wedge-tailed Eagle no match for menacing Magpie

Magpies may attack passersby during the breeding season, but it's always open season on any Wedge-tailed Eagle passing by. So two Wedgies cruising over Woodstock southwest of Townsville this week drew aggressive response, specially when one had temerity to land in tree over a waterhole in middle of Magpie pair's territory.

David and Goliath interaction soon saw Wedgie sling his hook quick smart.

More D&G - on the ground - lately with Green Tree Ant heading for quick march across eye of Brown Snake. Missed the outcome as snake moved off suddenly into cover.

Looking for cover elsewhere in the Townsville Town Common Park, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos join ongoing stream of potential tenants scratching around longstanding hollow trunk. As usual, no sale. Lack of cover possibly the deal breaker.

Crimson Finches know how to build all-weather homes in cover. They've constructed and bred well since the Wet season with families showing 7-8 young.

That number topped by Black Duck (gender unknown) that appeared in front of Freshwater hide the other day with 10 ducklings. This after no ducks had been seen for quite some time.

Bit like this blogger, who decided to have a few weeks off.

Wedge-tailed Eagle allows camera up close

Wedge-tailed Eagles are big. They look big from 100 metres. Much bigger from 13m, the distance one allowed me to walk within at the southwestern end of the Ross River dam wall the other day.

Even after 'clear for takeoff' the bird relaxed again and held position atop concrete-filled steel post.

Pity the confidingness didn't include looking at me or the camera lens. Another close encounter on another day perhaps.

Huntsman bagged, turtle jagged, mantids snagged, kite ragged, monitor flagged

Wasn't hunting the Huntsman when this Huntswoman turned up in carry bag discarded by the Ross River. She didn't need a bag because she supplies her own to carry her large family of tiny offspring about.

Though looking frighteningly big and speedy to some, Huntsmen merely tickle slightly crawling up an arm - mine. Can't report on the youngsters because all were quickly returned to the bush.

Wasn't after dead Turtles either. But came upon this one initially being ripped into by pair of White-bellied Sea-eagles (their favourite food, I think). My sudden appearance led to killers fleeing and secondary feeders, pair of Australian Ravens, dropping in.

They, in turn, were driven off by immature pair of sea-eagles, which, in their turn, gave way to this immature Wedge-tailed Eagle. The eagle tried to fly off with turtle, dropped it deep in paragrass, .and all ended up missing out. Chances are pigs or dogs sniffed it out later.

As with sea-eagles, Brown Falcon likes to sit and wait for prey (big insects, small reptiles preferred) to appear.

It didn't take kindly to Collared Sparrowhawk collar its crossbar. Odd row ensued. Falcon drove Sparrowhawk to tree. Irked, Sparrowhawk took on much bigger aggressor. But lost out after bit of to and fro in tree and above.

Another loser, today near Bald Rock in the Town Common, Brahminy Kite. Three kites about the place, but no match for 14 Australian Ravens.

In all, saw four ravens take mantids (probably Brown Praying Mantis) from melaleucas within 10 minutes, one doubly successfully with two in bill at same time. Showing off, that is!

Shoving off rather than showing off, Yellow-spotted Monitor close by today decided to swim for it on my approach. Didn't reckon on departing tide. Played dead. Allowed itself to be stroked, picked up and when released swam off sedately. Luckier than the turtle.

Raptor capture rapture

Don't get many Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) touching down in Tyto. Bird today mostly ignored three birders, who tallied seven raptors (Black, Whistling, Brahminy Kites; Brown Goshawk, Swamp Harrier, Australian Hobby) between them in less than an hour - best tally of the year by far.  

Sights included Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) - perhaps even this one, overhead earlier in week - trying to bully a Brahminy out meaty morsel: a sight to (s)kite about.    
Click pix to enlarge