Sea-eagle's nest near Hopetoun, Western Australia

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My last post was about one of the attractions of the Fitzgerald River National Park near Hopetoun in south-east Western Australia. Just before you get to Quoin Head there is a sea-eagle’s nest situated on a rocky promontory. Although it is a long way off, you can see it on the outcrop on the left of the photo. While not positive, I think the nest belongs to a white-breasted or white-bellied sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), a species which extends from India and Sri Lanka through Southeast Asia to all coastal regions of Australia. They have a massive wingspan of up to 2.2 metres and a powerful, hooked beak. The head, neck and underparts are mostly snowy white while the back wings and tail are almost black. The tail is wedge-shaped with a broad white tip. My research revealed that the nests can be up to four metres high which ties in with the photo. The breeding season is between May and October. Two eggs are laid but usually the first to hatch gets most of the food and the second rarely survives.