Black eagles move out, peregrine falcons move in
POORTVIEW – Peregrine falcons move in to empty nest left behind by black eagles on top of the waterfall in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens.
NC44MRwalter
Rick Marais
rickm@caxton.co.za
POORTVIEW – The Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens plays host to some of the most interesting bird species in the area. The black eagles have been firm favourites of visitors since the gardens opened their gates in 1982. According to spokesperson at the gardens Ronnie Tshabalala, a slight change occurred around 17 September when two peregrine falcons moved into the eagles’ empty nest.
He added that the two new birds are now slowly but surely becoming an attraction at the garden and that they have affectionately named the two falcons Scruffy and Speedy.
Tshabalala explained, “The peregrine falcons can be found on all of the continents except Antarctica. The name ‘peregrine’ means to wander or wanderer and this makes us wonder how long these falcons will remain with us, but they are beautiful to look at and the local photographers enjoy taking photos of them. They don’t build nests and they are known to occupy empty nests of birds like eagles and hawks.”
“If you have time over a weekend come and visit the gardens to come and take a look at our beautiful falcons,” concluded Tshabalala.
