The Black Eagles have laid their first egg of the season!

The first egg of this breeding season for the Black Eagle pair, Mahlori and Makatsa, was laid on Wednesday evening, April 19.

The Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR) Monitors have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first egg since the Eagles started preparing their nest, in Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden, by bringing in a variety of sticks and green leafy sprays.

Also read: Black Eagles choose tried and tested nest for new breeding season

One of the ways in which the monitors can determine if an egg has been laid, other than the obvious – seeing a white circular shape in the nest, is by monitoring the behaviour of both Eagles.

Makatsa, the female, will stay in the nest to incubate the egg and will let Mahlori take over so she can rest. This behaviour has been noted by BEPR monitor Dougie Crewe on the morning of April 20.

Also read: First official monitoring of the black eagles underway

“We estimate that the egg was laid at 16:55 on April 19,” explained Gerald Draper, Chairperson of the BEPR, “based on behaviour today it is a 90% certainty. The second egg is due on April 22/23.”

If everything goes according to plans the first egg will hatch in 44 days’ time. To stay updated and for more information on the Black Eagles, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/blackeagleproject/.