November 7, 2026, Sydney Olympic Park, Australia. The Sydney Sea Eagles have reached an exciting milestone as SE37 and SE38 returned to their nest following their first flights. Just two days after venturing beyond the nest, the young siblings were reunited, and their parents, Lady and Dad, had plenty of food waiting.
The reunion marked a welcome moment for the eagle family after a windy fledging day left both youngsters perched away from the nest. By Saturday evening, SE37 and SE38 were back together in the familiar branches where they had spent their first three months.
Video recorded and shared by SK Hideaways on YouTube. Footage courtesy of Sea-EagleCAM at the BirdLife Australia Discovery Centre, Sydney Olympic Park.
Watch Live ← Sydney Olympic Park sea eagle nest cams
Sydney Sea Eagles Take Their First Flights
The excitement began on November 5 when both young white-bellied sea eagles left the nest. SE38 was the first to venture out, making several trips between the nest and a nearby tree. During another attempt, a gust of wind caused the young eagle to lose its balance and land in a neighboring tree.
Meanwhile, SE37 was busy exercising its wings when the wind carried it away from the nest and onto a nearby branch. Both youngsters had officially reached the fledging stage, although their first departures involved some unexpected help from the weather. SE37 returned to the nest later that day. SE38, however, remained away from the nest, spending the next two days exploring the surrounding trees.
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SE38 Returns Home to a Big Fish
On November 7, SE38 finally made its way back to the nest. Lady welcomed the young eagle with a large fish, providing a meal after its time away. SE38 eagerly ate before settling down for a rest in familiar surroundings. However, the family reunion wasn’t quite complete. SE37 had been spending time away from the nest that day and didn’t return until later in the afternoon.
Once both siblings were back, Lady and Dad continued delivering food. The newly fledged eagles spent time feeding and moving around the nest before settling together as evening arrived. After two days of separate adventures, the siblings were finally together again.
A Remarkable Season for Lady and Dad
The successful fledging of SE37 and SE38 is especially meaningful considering how the 2026 nesting season began. In April, part of the Sydney Sea Eagles’ nest collapsed, leaving the structure unable to support eggs. Lady and Dad spent May and June rebuilding their home before beginning another breeding attempt.
Their efforts paid off. SE37 hatched on August 13, followed by SE38 on August 14. Over the following weeks, the chicks grew from tiny, white, down-covered hatchlings into strong young eagles preparing for their first flights. Now, nearly three months after hatching, both youngsters have ventured into the surrounding forest and successfully returned to the nest.
What Happens Next for SE37 and SE38?
Although the young eagles have fledged, they are not yet fully independent. Fledging is only the beginning of learning to fly, hunt, and survive beyond the nest. Young sea eagles generally remain dependent on their parents for food while developing these important skills.
For SE37 and SE38, that means more opportunities to practice flying through the trees, explore their surroundings, and return to familiar perches. Meanwhile, Lady and Dad may continue providing food as their offspring become increasingly confident in the air.
For now, the Sydney Sea Eagles have given us a memorable conclusion to an exciting week: two successful first flights, a return to the nest, and one more family gathering high above Sydney Olympic Park.
