Bird Week Day 2 - Phillip Island kestrels

I was able to appreciate just how very handsome is Australia's Nankeen kestrel recently.

Nankeen kestrel. One of a pair near The Nobbies, Phillip Island (September 2013)

The "insurance shot" shown above gives some idea of where this bird was perched - as do the pictures below.

The birds were perching on the dark, rocky prominence seen at the extreme left of this picture.

Near the same lookout a Southern Right Whale mother and calf were pointed to us by a passing enthusiast.

A Silver gull is included for size comparison :P

At Cape Woolamai this Nankeen kestrel left me in awe of its ability to remain motionless in extreme wind

It's BIRD WEEK 2013 so don't forget to vote at Australia's Favourite Bird!

Bird on!

An obliging Nankeen kestrel

This Nankeen kestrel was perched on a roadside power pole near Bass in South Gippsland. It was being harassed by a Magpie lark and I was pleased to see it move to a more photogenic position at the top of a deciduous tree.

In populous central Victoria it is not often that one can safely stop the car, turn around and return to get a closer view of a bird you'd seen when travelling at 100kmh. On this occasion I was travelling a smaller country road (the road between Bass and Reef Island - obviously not a major thoroughfare!) and there was a handy farm entrance in which to park the car. Safety was not guaranteed however as 5-6 cars still passed in those few minutes and the road had no real shoulder to speak of.

The perils of birding in Victoria!

Nankeen kestrel (Falco cenchroides)

Raptor Domain

Ahhhh KI! where I nearly ticked Boobook, Barn & Barking Owl and Blue-winged kookaburra all in one day - not to mention close views of a wedgie & kestrel!

From the people that brought you the Alice Springs Desert Park bird show comes Kangaroo Island's Raptor Domain. This was a show with an intimate feeling which was really interactive. Anyone that wanted to was able to have close contact with the birds and the presenter was great as well.

Website: Raptor Domain

Ruby, Nankeen Kestrel

Ellen, with Boo, the Southern Boobook.

Kids from our group experience talons, courtesy Casper the Barn Owl.

Ellie, the Barking Owl

Jedda

Like I said, the presenters were excellent (guess who got a Bronx cheer from our mob)!

From the holiday video.....

Mr Qwirk & the kestrels

This is Mr Qwirk. He is a peculiar man. He has an inflated rubber glove taped to his forehead.

Behind Mr Qwirk is a large tent.

Late in the afternoon there was an even better show than Mr Qwirk. Firstly it involved an Australian hobby (lifer!!) soaring around the venue catching large flying insects.

Then appeared no fewer than six Nankeen kestrel which appeared to see the hobby off and commenced their own feast, intermittently perching on the tent uprights or light towers. We could see them targeting the large flying bugs and suspected they were also feeding on the wing but were pleasantly surprised with the photos:

Mr Qwirk finishes his act by bursting his inflated glove with juggled sabres. I reckon it would be even better if he did it with the hobby!