Because of my travels in 2023 and changes in the BotSoc membership structure, I have not been visiting the Gardens as often as I used to.
3 February 2024
My first visit this year was on my birthday in February. The birds were surprisingly quiet, but I did get a few actions shots of one of the Adult Eagles.
A Black Sparrowhawk also put in a brief appearance.
1 April 2024
On my visit on 1 April, the adults were very active. Nest building was in full swing as the mating process had begun. 
One of the Eagles landed in a tree nearby to gather some nesting material.
I can see these magnificent birds a thousand times and never tire of the sight of these incredible eagles almost within touching distance.
I get goosebumps every time when they fly overhead and look directly into the camera.
The crows were there to cause chaos as always.
It wasn’t just the crows that did not like the presence of the Eagles. A peregrine Falcon also took offence with their presence.
17 August 2024
Makatsa laid her egg and from the reports on social media all went well and the chick hatched on 25 May. When I visited on 17 August, she was already grown up and just weeks away from fledging.
The crows were present as always and irritating the adults.
As always the adults were absolutely breathtaking.
31 August and 1 September
I had a feeling the young Eagle would fledge on Monday 2 September, but I visited on 31 August and 1 September, hoping that I may be wrong and she would fledge while I was there. The weather on the Saturday was not great, and there was little activity. The young Eagle did however do a few exercises.
The Sunday was a lovely morning, but other than exercising, it was obvious that she was not going to fledge.
The adults put up a spectacular show with a few low-level fly-bys.
One then landed on the top of the waterfall. Even tough it was just below where I was standing, it was completely hidden from view, and I had to walk down the path to get a view, looking almost directly into the sun.
Even tough the youngster did not fledge, I had a lovely time relaxing on the bench and enjoying her antics on the nest.
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