Report on the 2016 nesting of the White-bellied Sea-Eagles

 

There has been a Sea-Eagle nest in the Newington Nature Reserve at Sydney Olympic Park by the Parramatta River for many years, with a succession of eagle pairs renovating the nest in the breeding season. There are few early records of successful breeding however and several eagles have been found dead. Following the death of a pair of breeding eagles in 2004, necropsy and chemical analysis of tissues was undertaken in order to determine the cause of death. Further study was recommended. Their success or failure appears to be closely linked with environmental conditions, particularly the accumulated Persistent Organic Pesticides in Homebush Bay and the Parramatta River.

As in previous years since 2009, the breeding relationships, behaviour and diet of the White-bellied Sea-Eagles were studied using video CCTV cameras and by limited physical observation during daylight hours, from the time of nest renovation to fledging and beyond where possible. In early 2016 a new Research Proposal was submitted and all approvals gained. The Scientific Committee, established by the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (the Act), has made a Preliminary Determination to support a proposal to list the White-bellied Sea-eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster (Gmelin 1788) as a Vulnerable Species.

In late February 2016, the female disappeared from the area. She appeared to have been showing signs of distress and her return was considered unlikely. Several other eagles were seen in the river and forest area. By mid-April, a new female was seen with the male and mating was observed. She was probably an unattached female, possibly young. During April and May nest renovation began with the new female in Nest 3 in an Ironbark tree – the nest used in 2015. Renovations continued in May and June, with the eagles bringing sticks to build up the rails, or edges, of the nest and fresh leaves to line it. As previously observed, both eagles assisted in the construction stage.

For the complete report of the arrival of the new female (Lady) see

New Female 2016

The first egg SE-17 was laid 19 June 2016 - 09:00pm.
The second egg SE-18 was laid 23 June 2016 - 01:15am.

      SE-17 one day old                   SE-17 and SE-18

For the complete report see

Sea-EagleCAM Study 2016