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White-tailed eagle

Merikotkas

Haliaetus albicilla

 

This year the white-tailed eagles left their visits to the feeding ground until February, for several reasons. The dominating easterly winds have kept the sea open, and remarkably many waterfowl are still moving around. But in the last week eagles have been there in camera view for nearly half of the daylight hours.

Starting with early morning, the first arrivals are smaller fry: two magpie couples and the hooded crows; if all seems in order the very alert and cautious ravens then arrive. Eagle calls can be heard from the forest, they keep an eye on the arena.

There are minor wrangles between the eagles, but it isn’t really serious, just settling the hierarchy on the small feeding ground territory. Other birds come there because the birds of prey with their large and strong beaks tear up the frozen chunks of meat, and there are plenty of contenders for the smaller pieces.

In addition two buzzards visit for food, and in early morning a blackbird. A quite interesting show!