Black Kites swarm Broome
30th September 2013 – Broome has seen an unprecedented number of Black Kites gliding the wind currents in recent months.
According to Rick Else from the Broome Bird Observatory, he estimated a flock of over 1300 black kites hovering over the Broome Tip.
Black Kites are opportunistic hunters and are arguably the most numerous species of raptor in the world.
They breed inland from Broome and then once nested, head for the coast. What has lead to this huge increase of Black Kites? My best guess is that weather conditions led to an exceptional breeding season. The unusual rainfall of 139mm on the 6th of June, over a 5th of our annual rainfall on one day, may have led to favourable conditions.
I came across a couple of snakes on the beach, one with it’s head missing and very dead, the other not so dead – as there were lots of hawks that day, is it likely they dropped these snakes on the beach?
I’m glad I was in the area when the hawks were there.
It was interesting the number of people I mentioned the hawks to who hadn’t even noticed them!
Hi Deborah, with regards the snakes on the beach, did you get a good look at them? Did their tails look strange, thin and flat like a paddle. If so they were probably sea snakes and although you dont see them that often, I have seen them washed up on the beach. As kites do eat dead snakes, it is likely they would feed on it. With regards not noticing them, I have been watching them for months, wishing I was up there with them lol