A lot of prior preparation went into the Assumption Day festivities at Kalumburu. Guitarist Danny Ambi made his usual helpful contribution to the success of the Feast Day, 15 August.
Photo: CAS

Sing to Yahweh, sing to the music of harps,
and to the sound of many instruments;
to the sound of trumpet and horn
acclaim Yahweh the King!
Psalm 98:5-6

Highlights of Issue 6, October-November 2009

Balgo - 25 years of Luurnpa Catholic School

Notre Dame, Kimberley

On the shores of Mission Bay

KCP again successful at the ACPA awards

Derby - Year of the Priest: Celebrating 30 years

Kimberley Wild - Whistling Kite

KCP Magazine - Issue 6, October-November 2009

KIMBERLEY WILD

Whistling Kite (Haliastur Sphenurus)

The Whistling Kite is a raptor of medium size and is found in most parts of Australia including the Kimberley, particularly in the open and lightly wooded areas of the region.

For such a large bird, the Whistling Kite makes a very shrill, thin sound and can be seen gliding gracefully on the wind thermals of the Kimberley. Unlike its cousin, the Black Kite, which has a tail shaped like that of a fish, the Whistling Kite has a cream tail which spreads out like a fan. Being a scavenger, it is often seen swooping down on to highways to retrieve birds and reptiles killed by passing traffic. In fact, the diet of the Whistling Kite includes a huge variety of prey including also other birds, amphibians, fish, crustaceans and insects.

The female Whistling Kite lays between two and three eggs of bluish-white colour which sometimes have red-brown blotches on them. The incubation period is about 35-40 days and in the Kimberley the breeding period is February to June.

The nest is a platform of sticks resting in the fork of a tall tree.