Although Noisy Miners are a nuisance, they do lead me to plenty of interesting sights. This time they were complaining about this Grey Goshawk that was invading their territory:

The Grey Goshawk looks soft and fluffy, with its light grey and white plumage and large eyes. But it has a fierce beak and strong feet, fit for catching and eating its prey. Evidently it can catch birds as large as a heron.

The Noisy Miners chased the hawk from perch to perch as I watched. The next picture shows the bird at the moment that it decides to take flight. The branch above the hawk seems to be in just the wrong place for optimal wing deployment:

Each time it took flight, the Grey Goshawk uttered a series of short, high-pitched chirps that clashed with the shrieking of the Noisy Miners. Almost as if it was telling them off!

Wing deployment progressing despite unfortunate position of upper branch:

Wing deployment looking good, initiating detachment from lower branch:

The hawk took off and coasted through the tops of the trees. Soon after it disappeared from view, a group of cockatoos burst from the tree tops and circled the area, shrieking and shouting in alarm.

This was my first sighting of a Grey Goshawk. What a beautiful bird.

Common name: Grey Goshawk

Scientific name: Accipiter novaehollandiae

Approximate length: 40-55 cm. Wing span: 70-110 cm.

Date spotted: 24 February 2020 (summer)

Location: Manly Dam Reserve, New South Wales, Australia: 33°46’36.9″S 151°14’47.7″E