White-bellied Sea-Eagle breeding in the Western Port area, Victoria

Abstract

The number of known active breeding sites for White-bellied Sea-Eagles Haliaeetus leucogaster in the Western Port area of Victoria has increased from one in the early 1980s to either six or seven in 2014. Three sites are located on French Island, two on Phillip Island, one at Devilbend Natural Features Reserve, Mornington Peninsula, and possibly one on Quail Island. A key factor in the increase in population is the creation and expansion of habitat reserves, especially French Island National Park, and subsequent change in management. All but one of the nests were built in tall trees. Surrounding habitats include forest, woodland, pines, farm trees and a swamp. Nest-site fidelity at several sites was low, owing to nest abandonment and collapse, with rebuilding of nests usually occurring nearby. In addition to the breeding pairs on French Island, other unpaired adult and immature Sea-Eagles are regularly observed there.