It is not too early to begin looking out for pre-breeding behaviour of Little Eagles. Paired sightings can be expected to be followed by observations of courtship flights and then nesting.
To recapitulate: In the last 2 seasons there have been (only, so far as known) 2 successful nestings in the area. One (the ‘Lower Molonglo pair’), most recently at Strathnairn, the other (the ‘wetlands pair’), most recently at Campbell Park. All 4 individuals have been of the pale variety. When a pair is seen together, the female is usually conspicuously larger.
Any nesting by Whistling Kites will be of interest. There seems to be a nesting pair every few years, but not each year. Most recently the nest has been in the restricted-access area of JWNR.
From: casburnj [
Sent: Saturday, 12 July 2014 11:27 AM
To: canberrabirds
Subject: [canberrabirds] Lower Molongolo - Little Eagle
On Friday 11th at 12.30pm one pale coloured Little Eagle was soaring very high above the RSPCA during the minutes I watched. It gradually moved along the eastern side of the river above the Defence centre and then over the grasslands in the direction of the riding school. There are a large number of Rock Doves that reliably perch on the sheds at the riding school. The Rock Doves can be seen from the bike path.
Also out in the wind towards Scrivener Dam were a pair of Australian Kestrel, one Black-shouldered Kite and one Collared Sparrowhawk. Five Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo noisily flew out from the pines on the northern side of the river heading in the direction of the riding school.
Large numbers of Red-rumped Parrot and also Galah are still feeding aroung the Weston ponds below the RSPCA.
Very strong winds early afternoon – and hard riding!.
Jean
