Backyard Goshawk, Ivanhoe

Major surprise during a late breakfast- 9.45 am – looked out and saw a large bird on the back steps behind the house, just below our bird-bath. Lots of splashy dark brown markings – a juvenile Brown Goshawk. Eyebrows and heavy legs clearly seen, tail out of sight behind it. It stayed there for a minute or so, then took off and flew through the garden. When I got out with the camera, it was perched in our neighbour’s big Sugar Gum, but again it took flight when I raised the camera. Its movements around nearby gardens could be traced by numerous alarm-calls. Brown Goshawks were regular visitors in the 1970s but in recent years they have not been seen very often. Our house is above Darebin Creek – major local bird-route. Anthea Fleming