The famed black eagles of the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden have done it again.
The much-anticipated hatching of their egg has eventually been confirmed by the dedicated monitors of the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR).
According to committee member Dougie Crewe, BEPR monitors estimated the hatch date from about May 24.
“All eyes were on the nest as we eagerly awaited any sign that a chick had hatched,” Dougie says.
Finally, on May 25, monitors noticed a change in behaviour in both Mahlori and Makatsa, but they were still unable to confirm the presence of a hatchling as their webcam could not focus on the nest.
For three days, dedicated monitors watched intently for any sign of a chick, but the protective parents would not allow them even a peek.
On May 28, with eight monitors on duty and many park visitors present, the male eagle, Mahlori, came swooping over the ridge, dropping off fresh prey, which Makatsa immediately brought to the nest to feed the chick.
Unfortunately, the chick remains elusive, and no actual sighting of the latest addition has yet been made.
According to another committee member Johan van den Berg, the site of this year’s nest is proving to be problematic.
“It is at a spot that does not allow the Africam streaming camera to zoom into the nest. One can also not get a good view from below or above. One cannot risk getting too close to the nest as this may cause a serious disturbance for the eagles,” Johan says.
Although the chick has not yet been sighted, all the signs that a healthy chick is in the nest are there. Hunting activity has increased, and Mahlori is doing his best to provide for his family with the regular delivery of prey items to the nest.
