APRIL 25
2019 - 11:33AM
Roger
Thomas
The
white-bellied sea-eagle is a rare visitor to Ballarat, so a sighting of one
over Wendouree at Easter was a surprise. The bird was soaring high above the
Ballarat North Water Treatment Plant in Gillies Street.
Sea-eagles
are large birds, almost as large as wedge-tailed eagles. The recent bird was at
first assumed to be a wedge-tail, but its shape and posture were slightly
different. Its wings were held in a deeper V-shape than those of a wedge-tailed
eagle, and its tail was shorter.
Our
sea-eagle hunts for waterbirds, fish and rabbits, which it catches in its
talons. These talons operate by ligaments that can lock in place, ensuring that
prey cannot wriggle free once gripped.
Over the
years, the sea-eagle has been seen at all of our region's larger waters, such
as Lakes Wendouree, Learmonth and Burrumbeet, and various reservoirs and other
places. However, it has never taken up residence anywhere here, nor can it be
reliably found anywhere in the district.
Most
sightings are occasional and irregular, although there are times when it
appears to be a short-tern resident at Lake Burrumbeet. This is usually in the
summer/autumn period.
European
carp are probably its main prey there.
The
recent Wendouree bird may be from the Werribee area, where a small population
exists. Immature eagles can travel long distances, so a flight from Werribee to
Burrumbeet would be no effort for a sea-eagle seeking potential new waters.
Although
the handsome white, grey and black adult sea-eagles have been seen locally,
most sightings here are of the browner immature birds. Breeding does not occur
until the birds are about six years old.
Breeding
adults do not move widely, although home ranges of pairs may be up to 100
square kilometres.
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