Hello all,
I've been reading with interest the correspondence
re Osprey nests on artificial sites. In Townsville a pair of White-bellied
Sea-Eagles have nested for the third year on an artificial site. In 2002
Bunnings planned to build a warehouse on vacant land near Louisa
Creek, where there was a huge very old sea-eagle nest in one of
the trees on the site. This is situated in the suburbs about 10km from the
centre of Townsville, close to a busy arterial road.
After protests from local bird/environment groups
and negotiation with Bunnings, the developers waited till after the
breeding season was over and the young had dispersed. Then the whole nest was
moved to some supporting framework on the top of a pole about 25 metres away but
still near the creek and the remaining trees. This was experimental
as we could find no record of this species using artificial sites. The first
season, 2003, the birds took no notice of further construction or traffic
at the parking lot right below the nest and raised 2 young. In 2004 one fledged
successfully and the other was found dead below the nest badly affected by lice.
At present they have 2 well feathered young. This morning one was in the nest
and the other on the timber support at the side. If anyone is coming through
Townsville I'd be happy to show you the nest.
Cheers
Jo
