Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Male Spotted Eagle-Owl

This is the 98th article in an ongoing series that highlights the riches of Pigeon Valley, the urban nature reserve in the heart of Glenwood. The focus of this article is on the male Spotted Eagle-Owl.

There is one particular bird I see and recognise regularly (and I am sure this is reciprocated). About 80 per cent of the daytime hours he (I think I have got this right) is sitting on a high branch of a Chaetacme aristata (Thorny Elm) tree just back from the one gate to the reservoir area, up Princess Alice Avenue and near Morris Hodson Avenue. You are welcome (not that I have specific permission from him) to stand outside the gate, best just at the edge of the road, and took roughly north-west.

A very still (generally) rectangle is the bird in question, a Spotted Eagle-Owl. Best if you do not get much closer; he is entitled to a degree of solitude. In August, I informed my readers that there was now a pair. After that, one dusk in November I heard a strange rasping noise not far from that spot, and I read that the nestlings call in this way for food, around dusk. So I hoped there were young on their way. Yet, in November, this bird disappeared. I had dark thoughts, that it or its mate had eaten a poisoned rat and in the process killed itself and its young.

However, early in December it reappeared in its usual place – so at least the male had survived. Then, in the early hours of Christmas Day, I heard a male and a female calling to each other (yes, they do have slightly different calls). Since then, I have realised that the female often sits in the same tree, but usually very hidden in the leaves.

ALSO READ: Exploring Pigeon Valley: The Emerald Cuckoo

As to the success or failure of a nest, I just don’t know. However, the Spotted Eagle-Owls are now a fascination of mine. I spent New Year at Kamberg Nature Reserve. My very first act of the New Year was to leap out of bed around 6am, when I heard the call of White-necked Ravens and the single note of a Spotted Eagle-Owl. My immediate thought was that the Ravens were harassing the owl – and, indeed, there on a fence was the owl with the ravens around.

Fortunately, my no doubt bizarre appearance was enough to end the interaction. For the time being, I am grateful that we have these birds with their remarkable eyes and their ability to remove any excess members from the rodent population in the area. I will keep you posted on any developments!

Crispin Hemson chairs the Friends of Pigeon Valley, a group that undertakes clearing of alien plants, keeps records of bird and mammal sightings and alerts management to any problems.

The Friends have a monthly walk at 7.30am on the second Saturday of each month. Email: friendsofpigeonvalley1@gmail.com.

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