An afternoon with the Eagles

20 July 2024 - Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens

It had been many years since I last visited the Botanical Garden's which aside from their floral beauty have been put on the map by the resident and nesting Black Eagles (Verreaux's Eagles).

It had been reported that a nest had been constructed and egg's were laid, so I opted for a late afternoon visit to have the sun behind me if and when I did get an opportunity to see them.

The Gardens are certainly popular and the car park was pretty full when I arrived. It is a fair walk to the waterfall view site, but there are more than enough birding distractions along the way. The Aloes were flowering which attracted many Sunbird's - here an Amethyst

Male Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina)

as well as Cape Weavers, who also love Aloes

Male Cape Weaver (Ploceus capensis)

And later a female White-bellied

Female White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala)

When I got to the viewsite, it turned out to be a waiting game. I had a brief glimpse of the female on the nest, but no sign of the male. Dark-capped Bulbul's fluttered around me

Dark-capped Bulbul (Pycnonotus tricolor)

A male Cape Rock Thrush landed close by and as quickly flew off again

Male Cape Rock Thrush (Monticola rupestris)

Cape Robin-chats hopped along the walkway

Cape Robin-Chat (Dessonornis caffra)

Suddenly an Eagle came from high up, went into a steep dive and and then stalled before landing against the light at the top of the waterfall

Verreaux's Eagle (Aquila verreauxii)

It spent some time surveying its domain before flying off the way it came, but much lower

When it returned

It landed just above the nest and a few times I managed to get both birds in frame - but there were certainly a long way off and high against the cliff

It then decided to move on again and flew back to roost nearer to the falls, by which time it was pretty dark, as the sun set behind the ridge

It really is a privilege to have these magnificent Eagle breeding on our doorstep and in Gauteng - long may they continue to stay and breed..