There has been a White-bellied Sea-Eagle nest in the woodland for many years with a succession of eagle pairs renovating the nest in the breeding season. Historic observations go back to at least 1991.
There has been White-bellied Sea-Eagle sightings reported in the surrounding area around this nest dating back to 1967. Other reporting dates are 1973, 1977, 1984, 1985, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002. (Source Atlas of Living Australia).
For information about what has happened so far this year look at our News page.

1991:   The early records are incomplete, but eagles have been observed in the Newington Armory Woodland or fishing along the Parramatta River for many years. Both juvenile and adult Sea-Eagles have been seen in the area, but there are no early records of successful breeding, this is not to say that this did not occur.

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2003:   The first recorded young in the nest was in 2003, when a juvenile was photographed on the nest. That bird fledged, and left the area.

    Eagle Chick on the nest just before fledge 2003
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2004:   A pair of Sea-Eagles built a nest in a Grey Mangrove tree on the banks of the Parramatta River – their favourite day-time roost. They in fact built a second nest there, as their first was unstable. The female was sitting on eggs, which were expected to hatch soon, when she sadly died. The male was found dead nearby floating in the Parramatta River. Tests were conducted and it was probable that both died from the same unknown cause.
Ref: Symons R (2005) Organohalogen Contaminants in WBSE from Sydney.pdf
      Roach A (2008) PBDEs in Sediment Fish & WBSE Sydney Harbour.pdf

              Nest on the river 2004                               Female & male at the river roost 2004

       

                Nest on the river 2004                               Dead male found in the river 2004
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2007:   The (2008-2015) Female arrived in the Sydney Olympic Park area in about 2007 she was about 4 to 5-years old.

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2008:   In the years from 2004 to 2008, eagles were reported, but not nesting, until 2008, when the 2008-2015 female nested successfully. Nest renovation and egg laying was observed and photographed from a hide nearby. The first record of a chick was in mid August. The male Eagle was seen injured and disappeared whilst the chick was still in the nest. However, there is other Sea-Eagles passing, waiting for the opportunity to claim a mate or a territory. A young adult male took on the parenting role until the chick fledged in October. The young Eagle was found injured shortly after and taken into care, where it sadly died. Just after the chick fledged, a more mature male moved in and took up residence with the female.

    The stand-in Male on left                               Fledgling that died in care   ----------------------------------------