Waverley cemetery: suburban wildlife haven for high-flying raptors
Submitted by Chickowee on 27 Jan 2015.
A group of silent overseers is keeping watch above the Waverley cemetery.
Situated high on a cliff-top, the 137-year old graveyard overlooks the ocean between Bronte and Clovelly beaches in Sydney's eastern suburbs. In the cemetery, amongst the white-marbled gravestones decorated with Victorian and Edwardian monuments, one can easily feel alone. But visitors to the cemetery are under the close watch of a higher presence with a corporeal purpose.
Waverley cemetery is home to some of Australia's most fascinating birds of prey. Some are capable of flight speeds of up to 300 kilometres per hour, yet once they pinpoint a target – as small as a matchbox – they can effortlessly maintain a position, before dropping, and performing a final swoop.
