A first for Belgium: Sea eagle born in Blankaart nature reserve (VIDEO)
For the first time ever, a sea eagle has been born in Belgium. One chick has hatched from the nest of a brooding pair in the Blankaart nature reserve in Diksmuide, West Flanders, and another could be on the way.
It was Blankaart conservationist Guido Vandenbroucke who first detected new activity in the sea eagles’ nest. “I suddenly noticed a change in the sea eagles’ feeding behaviour,” he says. “They clearly started feeding with their beaks facing downward. They are also sitting higher in the nest, which is usually the case when young are born. You just see that there is more activity in the nest.”
Because of where the nest is located, it is impossible to get footage of the chick, but it is easy to see that the eagles are feeding a young. The chick appears to have been born yesterday (18 April). Vandenbroucke confirms there is just one chick so far, but that more could arrive in the coming hours or days.
“Sea eagles often lay two eggs,” he says. “We are not going to send a drone to look into the nest because we don’t want to disturb the birds. Time will tell how many chicks are born.”
The sea eagle – also called the white-tailed eagle – can be widely found across Europe and Asia, but this is the first time a brooding pair has successfully hatched a chick in Belgium. Conservation organisation Natuurpunt let the public vote on names for the pair in the Blankaart. They chose Gloria because it is such a glorious event, and Guido – after the resident conservationist.
While the chick is out of view, the parents can be seen in the nest. Visitors are welcome at the Blankaart nature reserve, which is freely accessible. Natuurpunt asks that everyone remains on the paths and respects the perimeter that has been marked off to give the birds enough space and privacy.