Stuart Rae

 Black Mountain Peregrines

This is the Telstra Tower which stands on top of Black Mountain, a hill, about 1km from the city centre of Canberra. It is surrounded by Red Stringybark/Scribbly Gum forest which holds lots of nest holes for various animals including Galahs, Crimson and Eastern Roselas.

Two days ago, I was walking through the woodland at the base of the mountain, when I saw an adult female preregrine soaring low over the canopy, obviously hunting. It is usually Brown Goshawks that I see hunting there, so I was a bit surprised.

The woodland canopy was busy with migrating Silvereyes and Yellow-faced Honeyeaters on migration down from the higher Brindabella Mountains several kilometres away. And there were numerous rosellas sitting outside their nest holes, staking claim prior to the next breeding season. So there was abundant food for the peregrine.

Then, the next day, I was walking around the summit of Black Mountain when I heard the distinctive harsh calls of a peregrine coming from the tower. Sure enough, there were two adult birds perched on the second top section, on the supporting struts for telecoms antenae. Yes they are in the picture above, but it is not the best of shots, taken with a phone.

The tower is 195 m tall (640 ft) and an obvious man-made feature to attract peregrines. Yet, this is the first time I have seen them there, or heard any. The tower has been closed to the public for a few years, so perhaps the quietness has helped to attract the peregrines. Although the visitor pviewing platform is a long way below where the birds were.

Now, the question is, will the peregrines stay to breed on the tower next breeding season?