LOOK what I found! I lightly edited them
Scourge of the trees
Published 16 November, 2017 | By Scott Banks
It’s tough enough having to leap from 50 metres up in the air, with a solid roof below you and grass a bit too far away to jump in one bound. But when you finally manage to fly away from the danger of the water tower and safely alight a branch, which you’ll call yours for a day or two, someone else already owns it. We caught a rogue fantail harassing our new fledgling, just because the branch was a bit close to the nest. And didn’t the fantail ensure our peregrine chick knew about it!
The fledgling (Mara) actually tried a large distracting loop around the back of the tower and back in to the trees again, but was harassed by various fantails at different points in the lap, only to find the initial culprit was still guarding the nest!
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/t ... -the-treesShepnote - That looks like a wagtail. Very fun to watch, very quick.
Well great, our Mara can fly that well now!
Sue says:
Are you sure that isn’t a feisty little Willie Wagtail, Scott? They’re ferocious and will take on anything of any size that is too close to the nest – including humans.
Poor falcons!
Cilla Kinross says:
Yes, it’s a willie wagtail (which is a type of fantail, so you are both right). I’m regularly attacked by one when I’m gardening too close to the nest, which is usually right by our front steps. I have pointed out to them that if they placed their nest a bit further from the house, they would be less disturbed, but they just ignore the advice.
Update days 4 and 5 since fledging
Published 17 November, 2017 | By Cilla Kinross
It’s all good news. Marragaay moved on (those pesky wagtails are enough to drive anyone to depart). At least she’s obviously made her way back to the woodland from the front gate, so is heading in the right direction, and is off the ground.
Bali goes from strength to strength with repeated excursions from the box, but getting quite pampered and very cheeky. He’s mantling regularly and doesn’t seem comfortable eating until the adult has left, but is happy still to be fed by mum when in the mood.
http://www.gumtreecs.com.au/wordpress/u ... e-fledging