Birding

Australian Hobby breeding in Broome

January 10, 2021 by Clare M No Comments

One of the advantages of cycling around Broome on the many bike paths is that you observe more birds than you would if you travelled by vehicle. For most of the year the weather is perfect for cycling and when there is cyclonic weather about it is not recommended that you travel at all.

Over recent weeks we have been watching the activity at a telecommunication tower between the airport and Frederick Street opposite the Broome Senior High School. A pair of Australian Hobby have nested very high up and have been taking advantage of the large number of cicadas around at the moment. The Australian Hobby have been collecting the cicadas and taking them back to the nest.

**Australian Hobby** returning to the nest

There are ample places for the pair of Australian Hobby to perch on the surrounding masts. The two juvenile Australian Hobby are very close to fledging.

**Australian Hobby** perched near the tower

**Australian Hobby** with a large cicada

We have enjoyed watching the development of the Australian Hobby family over recent weeks. It was nice to have a bird species that we knew for certain that we could find on New Year’s Day and add to our 2021 year list!

Written by Clare M

Clare and her husband, Grant, have lived permanently in Broome, Western Australia since 1999 after living in various outback locations around Western Australia and Darwin. She has lived in the Middle East and the United States and traveled extensively in Europe. She monitors Pied Oystercatchers breeding along a 23km stretch of Broome's coastline by bicycle and on foot. She chooses not to participate in social media, but rather wander off into the bush for peace and tranquility. Thankfully she can write posts in advance and get away from technology!