Birding Bloopers #21

2007 New South Wales trip report #26

Middle Harbour, Sydney

On our short rest at Middle Harbour in Sydney (see yesterday’s post) we were admiring all the boats and yachts tied at anchor. My son asked what kind of bird was sitting on a nearby boat. At first it looked like the back of a White-faced Heron, but something was not quite right.

I moved around the bay a little and as the boat swung around with the shifting breeze I managed several full-face photos. Something that looks a little like a Great Horned Owl is not an expected bird to see in Sydney. After several great shots I realised it was plastic. It was obviously placed there to scare away the gulls, but the evidence suggested it was not doing its job very well.

Bird scarer on a boat, Middle Harbour, Sydney

For more funny birding bloopers go to my archives here.