In the past couple of years a once common raptor of the plains, the Black-shouldered Kite, has been worryingly scarce … even as its favourite prey, Mus musculus, has been abundant.
In recent months I’ve started seeing the return of a few of these beautiful small kites and at the weekend I spent an hour in the company of the bird pictured below. Spotted first on a high exposed perch it appeared to be surveying its surroundings for a likely meal. Over the next hour it departed on five occasions to hover over an adjacent area of rough basalt grassland, returning four times with a House Mouse … an 80% strike-rate.
Unlike most other raptors, the Black-shouldered Kite can be quite confiding and this bird allowed me to approach within thirty metres. What a privilege to be able to witness it hunting successfully. After each meal it uttered some gentle contact calls, an effort I suspect, to attract the attention of a mate to share its territory with.
Fingers crossed for a successful breeding season for this charming raptor.
Black-shouldered Kite , Moolort Plains, 18th June 2022
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Natural Newstead 
Geoff
You have excelled with these. Bravo.
Allan
Hi Geoff,
I think this is a black shouldered kite, perches on the dead tree outside my bedroom in the morning, Mt Alexander is in the distance, to the south. Added the wedgies that sometimes sit there too
Love your work. Apologies for the quality of my snaps.
Regards
Jan S
Jan Savage m: +61 447 005 959 e: deloraine3551@gmail.com a: PO Box 1098 Castlemaine VIC 3450
Hi Geoff good to know you have been able to find one, and hopefully more.
We have three pairs on nests in the area at the moment, one is on her second clutch without much of a break, they were still feeding the previous young and re-building the nest at the same time.
Good luck with your search.
Hi David – good to hear from you. That’s really interesting to hear of nesting in June, typically doesn’t commence until perhaps a month later in this neck of the woods but I’ve seen no nests at all in the past couple of years. All the best, Geoff
Magnificent images of this majestic kite Geoff. Well done,
Regards
Bevan Hood
What a privilege to share time and space with this beautiful bird.
Fabulous pics and observation Geoff! We’ve seen a few around this year on both sides of the Loddon just north of Baringhup.
Hi Geoff
I am generally a silent viewer but had to comment on your great pictures of
The Black Shouldered Kite
What a beautiful bird
Keep the pics coming
Many thanks
Sent from my Galaxy
Magnificent collection of images.
Gorgeous photos of one of my favourite raptors.
As I’ve not been home for 5 yrs, I’d didn’t know they had been recently scarce. So, really looking forward to seeing them next yr!
Here’s hoping.
Dear Sir, Thank you so much for your photos, I so enjoy them, I have wondered if they use a mouse plague to enhance their breeding program, shall be interested to see what happens. I live in the north west slopes and plains of NSW and have yet to see them here, Regards Dian Bedggood
Sent from my iPad
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Brilliant photos Geoff. Inspiring.
Lachlan McKinnon
Beautiful images Geoff. Lots around my area at present, ie south western Vic.and lots of juveniles spotted too. Think all is well with them at least in this part of the world.