East Maitland Tip raptor HEAVEN!

Dear Birders

After reading yet another incredible bunch of sightings on Birdline from the East Maitland Tip on April 17, I had to chuck a sickie to check it out; that’s once I noticed it pop up on BL. I got up here at 12pm and was simply gob-smacked. I was greeted by the friendliest council staff who warmly welcomed me as I had to dump some household rubbish of steak strips and chicken carcasses (you know how it is, I sneak into anywhere). I was glad as the meat was really starting to reek by the time I got there from work. Once I threw the big black bags and opened them it was like a scene from Hitchcock’s “The birds”. I was almost swooped by dozens of the Black Kites, in fact I counted at least 162 and another 97 circling at the southern end of the tip. There were also 6 Spotted Harriers, 12 Swamp Harriers, 32 Whistling Kites, 14 White-bellied Sea Eagles and 5 Wedge-tailed Eagles all queueing up to have a go at my offal – they showed no fear and I was getting a little nervous with all the attention I was receiving from other people like the crazy old pigeon lady. Sadly, I was forbidden to take my camera out so I simply had to enjoy this wild encounter with such an extreme number of raptors. The Black Falcons were eating bits of strip steak I was throwing high in the air and every now and then I would swear I was seeing what looked like a Grey Falcon – don’t know, that would be too unbelievable now wouldn’t it? I did see 21 Black-shouldered Kites too, but at least two had a very interesting black line on both leading wing edges, which makes me think they were Letter-winged Kites. The place was going off. I was really disappointed that I was unable to take any photos of my most incredible encounter. When I left the site I waved at the friendly council man who was so kind to let me in and I am now driving all the way back to Penrith shaking from excitement.

Best wishes Akos L.