Winter - a good time to spot the Birds of Prey
Nope, it's not toasty warm and yep sometimes the wind has icicles in it, but that doesn't have to spell an end to all outdoor activities - just means we might need to dust off the old adventure wear! Dressed in the right attire, and maybe accompanied by an appropriate warm drink or fellow body, this is one of the best times of year for some nature watching.
Humpback whales have well and truly begun their northerly migration to breed and give birth and we're in prime whale watching time here. This year 27,000 whales are expected to pass through the region so there's a good chance you'll be rewarded for leaving your place of warmth. Lennox Headland is always a great whale watching spot.
If the whales aren't performing there's also the birds of prey to look out for, which can be just as mesmerising, particularly at this time of year. It's breeding season for many of these birds and their courtships can involve spectacular aerial displays, where they dive from great heights, loop the loop, soar in unison or join talons and cartwheel through the sky! Just watching them skim the water to catch a fish with their talons is kinda cool too.
There are a number of birds of prey recorded around Lennox including; Wedge-tailed Eagles, White-bellied Sea-Eagles, Brahminy Kites, Ospreys, Black-shouldered Kites and Pacific Bazas. It can be a challenge to tell some of these birds apart, key features to look for are; the way they hold their wings when flying, the shape of their tails and their colour patterns.
Here are two of my favourites birds of prey and probably the ones you're most likely to see around Lennox Headland.
Humpback whales have well and truly begun their northerly migration to breed and give birth and we're in prime whale watching time here. This year 27,000 whales are expected to pass through the region so there's a good chance you'll be rewarded for leaving your place of warmth. Lennox Headland is always a great whale watching spot.
If the whales aren't performing there's also the birds of prey to look out for, which can be just as mesmerising, particularly at this time of year. It's breeding season for many of these birds and their courtships can involve spectacular aerial displays, where they dive from great heights, loop the loop, soar in unison or join talons and cartwheel through the sky! Just watching them skim the water to catch a fish with their talons is kinda cool too.
There are a number of birds of prey recorded around Lennox including; Wedge-tailed Eagles, White-bellied Sea-Eagles, Brahminy Kites, Ospreys, Black-shouldered Kites and Pacific Bazas. It can be a challenge to tell some of these birds apart, key features to look for are; the way they hold their wings when flying, the shape of their tails and their colour patterns.
Here are two of my favourites birds of prey and probably the ones you're most likely to see around Lennox Headland.
Brahminy Kite
|
White-bellied Sea-Eagle
|
Until next month, hope you spot a few whales, see some frisky birds of prey and more importantly get your monies worth out of your adventure wear!
Article published Lennox Wave July 2017
