On their way home

The Little Eagles that breed in the Australian Capital Territory and nearby New South Wales are heading back to their nesting areas. At least two females are back at their previous nest sites and the males are on their way too. Several birds are fitted with GPS-trackers and the project team have been following their movements. 

Y4 (above), a male Little Eagle who has bred in the Canberra area in recent years is on his return from the Northern Territory where he spent the non-breeding season. He spent his time in the area at the northern end of the line in the figure below. He seemed to begin his journey on the 23rd July, then went back north. There was a period of heavy rain then and this might have caused him to go back for a few days. He left again on the 30th July and kept going south.

He overwintered in the same area last year and left on the same date, the 23rd July, taking a very similar route each year. Compare the two routes in the figures. He immediately headed south-east, crossed into northern Queensland, then tracked south over western Queensland. He clipped the north-eastern border of South Australia this year but kept just ouside last year. Then he crossed the border into New South Wales east of Tibooburra and from there headed for Canberra.

It seems that he took a determined direct route home, with no lengthy stops. His northward journeys were less direct and with stoppages. Perhaps he is in more of a hurry when returning to his nest site and partner.

By the time you read this article Y4 will likely be back at his nest site. His partner from previous years is already there waiting for him.