Kite

Outside a Red Kite just circled our garden, I could see its gaze scanning the field lingering on the hen coral, the hens all ran for cover when it was still far off but it is not interested in them it is the two big black rooks that have build a nest in the top of a 35 meter eucalyptus tree bordering our field that are its focus. I think it was circling finding a good updraft it went over one spot a couple of times low down then third time it powered down into the spot then soared almost vertical with massive acceleration, twice the height of the tree and straight down again wings folded talons out. In a couple of long stretched out seconds loads of stuff happened ;one rook rose up from underneath, the other had a messy launch from a branch a few meters from there nest lots of flapping and feathers flying as branches whipped around it in summer squalls. Both went for the same side of the Kite trying to twist and turn it off trajectory, the three fellflew down through 10 meters of branches, separated, recovered flight and with one crow ending up in front the kite gave chase and they were swooping across the maize fields just above ground level then soaring up into open air twice as high as the trees all in a few short seconds. It looked like the kite was drawing the crows away offering some aggression and just avoiding the harrying until they were circling a kilometer or so away one crow went in with big hits to the Kite’s wing while the other went off in a broad swoop towards the nest site. The Kite sends the harrying crow spinning down and uses the few seconds advantage to gain some height and make a straight vector for the nest the crow that had arced off was also heading in to the nest at a tangent and again the Kite was deflected, the second crow arrived and they all headed off to do the thing across the fields. The Kite gives up and heads off to hassle at another tree top venue, the crows return to their nest to make a fuss and tell the world how brave and clever they are. The kite got their first hatchlings about 10 days after they hatched, this is their second clutch. I wonder if they have learned how to defend the site well or if this was a temporary victory. It was a close run skirmish; it seems to me that a mere flapping of a butterfly’s wing could tip the balance against them. Ah well time will tell - that was a almost live glimpse through my window at work… best get on and do some.