Seymour, my oh so cute poddy calf

Wedge-Tailed Eagle, rehabilitated and released
at Fourth Crossing

Flying to Freedom

Swamp Wallaby, raised and released
at Fourth Crossing

Wild Red-Necked Wallaby and joey at Fourth Crossing

I've heard of it before, but never quite believed it until I saw it with my own eyes.

The other evening just on dusk, after feeding my poddy calf (Seymour - he's so cute!) I saw two majestic Wedge-Tailed Eagles fly low over the paddock and then land in an old, barely leaved, eucalypt tree (which make great platforms for raptors to view the surrounding area). I mentioned to my husband that it was a grand site and was so pleased to see these birds - my first true wildlife love - make home at Fourth Crossing.

My next vision blew my mind! The two birds - appearing to work in unison - flew low over the ground, madly flapping their wings and performing spectacular twists and turns.

At the same time madness erupted as a mob of grazing roo's - mainly wallabies - scattered in all directions. The eagles did not fly away with a start, but chased the wallabies creating utter confusion in the mob.

What were they doing? Well, I've heard through the wildlife grapevine that this is a cunning trick that eagles use to make roo's drop their joeys from the pouch - apparently, delicious raptor tucker. Whether a roo drops the joey on purpose in an attempt to save itself or the joey is dropped due to sheer fright where upon the muscles relax and the pouch is opened, no one really knows. I personally don't believe that a roo would abandon their joey in such a way - but that may be my emotions dictating my sense?!?!?

One of the wallabies that was being chased was heavy in the pouch. The eagles seemed to concentrate on this wallaby. Maybe the bigger the joey, the easier it is to fall out?

All of this happened in an instant, but during that fleeting moment my mind was in a quandary as to whether I should let nature take its course or if I should intervene and save the poor roo's from a terrible fate.

In the end my hands made up my mind for me as they began to clap loudly. The birds flew off and the wallabies all darted for cover.

I've released both eagles and roo's on my property. And although I'd love to see both these species thrive and flourish on my land the thought of "my kids" eating each other just doesn't sit well with this wildlife mum!!

I say, let them go do it on the neighbours property where I am oblivious of the oddities and cruelties of nature. Out of site, out of mind - and all is well at happy camp Fourth Crossing!

*** After uploading this story and re-reading it - a memory from just a few weeks back was jogged in my mind. Hearing eagles screeching overhead I rushed outside to see a low flying eagle with something large in its talons. I immediately thought it was a large hare..... but it did have something long hanging down - I thought at the time it was gizzards - but maybe it was a roo tail......