Hi Robert and others,
Ospreys have been observed on the south coast of New South Wales regularly
for at least 20 years but to date no-one has observed them breeding.
Because they often choose tall dead trees or power poles on which to nest
any nest should be obvious to inquisitive birdwatchers. The southernmost
recent NSW successful breeding site is at Lake Macquarie, as was the case
when North published his 'Nest and eggs....." in 1912. Although he did
refer to a 'report' of a nest in a lofty gum tree at St Georges Basin, I
would think that this was probably a Sea-Eagle nest. An attempted nesting
at Bensville, on the NSW Central Coast, in the 1990's, and more recently, an
attempt at Narrabeen Lakes last year, both failed.
Competition with Sea-Eagles is a possible factor preventing Ospreys nesting
south of Lake Macquarie, however the two species co-exist well in northern
New South Wales. I would think that it is more climate or habitat related.
I have given it much thought over the years as there would appear to be
suitable habitat in southern NSW and Victoria but no breeding. The Osprey
is generally a tropical species, although the South and Western Australian
populations are exceptions. No genetic work has been carried out comparing
Ospreys from different parts of Australia but blood samples that I sent to
Grnamany, along with some sent by other researchers, indicate that the
Australian subspecies is genetically quite different to Northern Hemisphere
birds. Whether the Australian Osprey is a separate species is still being
determined.
Regards
Greg Clancy
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