Roodekrans — All indications suggest that the world-famous pair of Verreaux’s Eagles, also known as black eagles, at the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden may have laid an egg.

This was confirmed this morning (May 1) by Dougie Crewe, a monitor and committee member of the Black Eagle Project Roodekrans (BEPR).

“Our monitors have been closely observing the eagles since the beginning of April in anticipation of this moment,” he said.

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“Although the nest is located in a position that makes it impossible to see the egg directly, this morning we observed behaviour from both eagles that strongly suggests there is an egg in the nest.”

Dougie explained: “While the eagles spend a lot of time on the nest in the weeks leading up to egg-laying, they still frequently leave for extended periods to fly or hunt. Mating is also observed regularly during this time.

“Once an egg is laid, however, their behaviour changes dramatically. One eagle will remain on the nest almost constantly, with the pair taking turns in short shifts.

“If they do leave the nest, it’s only for brief periods.”

He added that although the eagles left the nest for about 40 minutes earlier in the day, it was during warm, sunny conditions.

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“Shortly after they returned, we started observing the typical shift-changing behaviour that indicates they are protecting an egg.”

Monitors, who have been eagerly awaiting signs of an egg, made the most of the public holiday by flocking to the botanical garden in the hopes that today was the day.

“We’ll continue to keep a close eye on the eagles in the coming days, with our lenses trained firmly on the nest,” Dougie concluded.