While monitoring small terns (Fairy and Little), beach nesting birds and breeding Australian Pelicans by boat on the Gippsland Lakes near Crescent Island in late September we came upon an immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle perched in a dead tree near the Pelican rookery.
Please click on photos to enlarge.
This bird had been observed in the area in recent weeks feeding on cygnets – there are a significant number of Black Swans nesting in the area with many parents with cygnets on the water and some still at their nests.
A young Sea-Eagle (1) such as this one still learning to hunt, would find the cygnets an easy target. Ravens – possibly Little and if not Forest – are also feasting on the cygnets in this area.
As we approached the young Sea-Eagle I knew it was going to fly, so I took the opportunity to capture some photos of this beautiful raptor as we motored slowly by.
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NOTE (1) This bird’s feather colours indicate it is likely to be from last year’s breeding season – May-August 2021.
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