The other day, I went for a drive through the area ravaged by the Pinery bushfire in late 2015. The area is regenerating well, and is looking great at the moment. Following a bumper cropping season, there is also a mouse plague in the area, and consequently an influx of birds of prey.
I had heard there was a pair of Letter-winged Kites, a rare irruptive species in this part of South Australia. The plan for the morning was to search these out, and then look for any other raptors before an approaching storm hit the area.
A couple of birding friends were also out that way, and I soon had a message to say that they had located them, only one road away from where I was looking.
As I arrived, one of the kites was flying around. It soon settled in a tree, with a mouse in its talons. after a while the other bird also flew in and settled close to its mate.
By this time it was getting late, so I made a quick tour around some of the nearby roads, where I saw a juvenile Spotted Harrier from a fair distance. I managed a few shots, but they are heavily cropped.
Last week, some Letter-winged Kites were reported less than an hours drive away on a property near Port Wakefield. Letter-winged Kites are an irruptive species normally associated with remote outback locations. They are an Elanus kite, similar to the much commoner Black-shouldered Kite. It wasn't until new year's eve that I had a chance to try for them. The property owners were kind enough to allow birders access to look for the birds.
When I arrived at the property, a fox crossed in front of me and ran across a paddock, being soundly scolded by a bold little Willie Wagtail. Willie Wagtail 1 - Fox 0!
On a power pole was a Brown Falcon, and in trees around the homestead were a few Black Kites.
As I followed the instructions through a couple of paddocks, a small kite flew over and hovered in front of me - Black-shouldered.
I scanned the trees again. Another small kite flew in - Black-shouldered again! Then a shadow across the ground. I look up at another Black-shouldered Kite.
By now the raptors are beginning to thermal overhead. Black Kites, Whistling Kites, and another Black-shouldered. Then into my view flies a Letter-winged Kite! Unmistakeable!
Over the next couple of hours I saw 6 of these beauties, perched in various trees and also flying. An amazing birding experience.
Also on the property were a few pairs of Australian Pratincole, another species difficult to tie down, so I had a quick look for them, and found some in a tiny paddock by an old farm building.
