I recently received this note from Mary Grant of Clydesdale …“saw “my” pair of Wedgies for the first time in a while yesterday morning (6th Feb) about 7.30am, together with what looked like TWO juveniles! At one stage all four were in the air together, over my 20 acre paddock, then the two juveniles landed in a tree and one commenced begging for food. Couldn’t clearly see if the other one was doing the same. If indeed both are immatures, what a thrill. Obviously there is plenty of food around, but I have never seen a pair with more than one young before. Since moving here nearly 10 years ago, I have seen that pair of Wedge-tails produce a young one every year, even in the driest years of the drought. They must be exceptional parents. I am assuming they are the same birds – certainly they follow the same routine each season”.
The number of Wedge-tailed Eagles in the district certainly appear to be at healthy levels. It is a common sight to see one or more of these majestic birds most times I venture out. A couple of days back I had a close encounter with two birds, near the railway bridge at Joyces Creek, as they were gliding low along the basalt ridge to the west of the lake.
Wedge-tailed Eagle, Joyces Creek, 12th February 2012.
I think at least one of the two was an immature bird based on the degree of honey colouring on the neck and upper-wings, not altogether obvious in these photographs.
Another view of the same individual.
Geoff Park
listeningearth
pkavanagh
EJ
francescincotta
darrylobryan
nathankwong
nungeena
john1055283
A person who’s family has lived in the Mount Franklin area since the 1840s told me the land to the west and over to Tarrengower is known as the valley of the eagles [possibly a story from local Jarra people]
Wonderful. I just had a pair come over, low down. I was alerted by every bird on the place going mad. But it got me thinking – I’ve seen other raptors catch things, or at least dive at them, but I have never, ever seen a wedgie look like it has or is about to get a meal. Has anyone?