This Eagle Biologist Journal will be updated approximately once a week with an overview of what has happened in the last week and what we expect in the next couple of weeks. The Eagle Web cam is presented by BioDiversity Research Institute and made possible through the generous support of FPL Energy Maine Hydro, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
posted by Bald Eaglecam at 5:05 PM
Patrick Keenan - BioDiversity Research Institute, Education and Outreach Coordinator. Patrick's focus is to bring the science of wildlife and BRI's mission to people in Maine and around the world. His background as a research biologist and educator, help him to relate the many trials that wildlife face. Wing Goodale - BioDiversity Research Institute, Research Biologist, Eagle Webcam Program Director, Coastal Birds Program Director. He carries outs diverse fieldwork from conducting bird surveys to testing seabird eggs for mercury to capturing and collecting blood from bald eagles. When not in the field, Goodale prepares scientific papers, conducts GIS analysis, manages Biodiversity’s Web site, and oversees BRI’s live eagle Web camera. Chris DeSorbo - BioDiversity Research Institute, Research Biologist, Raptor Program Director. DeSorbo works on a wide variety of bird-focused research projects, emphasizing intensive research on bald eagles in numerous states. When not in the field, DeSorbo prepares scientific papers and works to expand the scope of the raptor program at BRI.
48 Comments:
Mar 10, 2007 21:45 (EST)
That was so exciting to watch in real time, and the video is wonderful. Thank you Willpat, as always!
On another note, I see we now have a means of putting the link - UNDERLINED - on this blog.
More technology - amazing WING!
Two eggs - do you think a third egg will show up? I do.
If Dad steps up to the plate and feeds the a second or third chick, it might really be history in the making, right there in Hancock County, ME.!
We can only hope.
Thank you Wing/BRI - such an education on the Internet! Impressive.
Sunday March 11th
6:57 AM
Since the U.S. has now switched to "daylight savings time" --- if you are in the U.S., the eagles will be getting up between six and six thirty.
I don't want anyone to get up and watch at five fifteen, which I mentioned last week was the time to watch!!
Today they didn't make the nest exchange as early as usual. I wonder whether that's because it's raining?
The female called to the male about the usual time, he answered, she got up and flapped her wings to exercise and stretch them, but he never came in. And she never flew to the limb in the background.
Maybe she sees him fly closer to the nest, and that's her usual signal to fly out of the nest and let him take over.
For whatever reason, today is the exception. Mom is still on the nest, later than usual, even accounting for the time change.
Here I am Sunday morning. Ms. Eagle hasn't moved...is she OK? Looks like it might be a rainy one up there so maybe she's just loafing out. Hope that's all it is.
March 11th 8:00am pst
I was able to log on once this am but now it says that the serves is busy. Can I only get on once a day now. Last year was wonderful when we could get on any time we wanted. Now I'm getting more rejections to see the eagles or somethings different.
The video was amazing, I e-mailed it to all my friends. Thanks so much for capturing it!
Karen in Denmark
I am from the NCTC eaglecam site in Shepherdstown WV. I have over the pass 2005-2006 season and then on. Learn't so much appreciation and love for eagles.
This video is a " MUST SEE ". Thank you so much for having the click on the page. It had me right in there with her leaning and moving. Thank you again I watch this site all the time. I am so greatful for this site.
wvgal_dana
IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAM?
I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO LIVE CAM TODAY.
SUN 1:45
FRAN
Bravo Willpat...we are enjoying another wonder of the natural world! Thanks for sharing your video skills.
Thanks BRI for providing this spectacular view in Maine.
Down here in the Pinelands of NJ, you receive a loud applause!
Sunday March 11th
The equipment is up and fine now. I seem to recall Wing saying they might be working with it on Sunday. We won't know whether they laid an egg today or not.
But we think the eagles mated again, in the tree, or very nearby, but off screen.
I don't know whether there's an egg every time they mate, but I hope they lay one more egg, now that the weather is warm.
Dad brought a big stick to the nest, just before this happened. I think my hypothesis is correct, that bringing in sticks isn't just for nest building!! Apparently it's like coming home with a dozen roses, a box of chocolates, and maybe even a diamond.
Charlie Todd, the eagle biologist, would say :"don't generalize" from this pair to the entire species. But for this pair, it seems to be true.
Wow, watching image and all of a sudden M was there with food. Switched to live video and watched her eat but couldn't see what it was. Went back to image, seems to be stuck. This is around 5:31, now 5:41 p.m. I too couldn't get on this morning, and was no image. Glad to see it is back. Can hear dogs barking too.
Karen in Denmark
I have not seen the male lately, I try to watch at least four to five times a day but no luck. Hopefully he's ok. And a thank you to Willpat for the great and amazing video of her laying her egg. Thanks again. Julie
What an amazing video. I have been watching and listening (that is great) for a couple of years now. I also monitor the one in Turner Falls, MA. No sound though. Keep us the good work. I live just east of Dallas TX near Lake Ray Hubbard and we have had out first eagle sighting ever here a few weeks ago. He caught a coot from the lake and flew off to a tree to consume it. Lots of pics in my email on that one. Again thanks, I will be watching Sharon
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REALLY ENJOY WATCHING THE EAGLES. WOW WHAT PATIENCE, SITTING ON THE EGGS FOR 35 DAYS AND THEN FEEDING AND PROTECTING THE BABIES FOR 3 MO.
THANKS FOR THE VIEWING.
MARCH 12
7:15 A.M.
To answer the question about if this is the same pair from last year. Since the birds are not banded we cannot know for sure. However, based upon their behavior (defending the nest site, building the nest, and nesting so early)I feel confident that this is the same pair that has been at the site for 13 years.
Wing, BRI
3/12 7am AZ time
We don't switch to daylight time here.
Eagle got up and checked eggs and changed her position while I was watching. I too enjoyed Will's video! It's great having so many camera people!
03/12/07.. Good afternoon everyone..First of all thanks to will/pat for the amazing video of the second egg being laid. I had watched her lay the first and its even better the second time around. I thought she might have laid a third on Friday, but not sure. I have been watching her chasing something away and leaving the nest frequently, Wing says its warm so eggs O.K. Anyone know what it is? Friday was really bad. Nice to read all your blogs again Thanks, Bev
These are observations from Judy's forum, one a video by Will, taken at three different times Monday after midnight and before dawn.
Monday March 12th
1:47 EDT
"I keep hearing something that sounds like a small dog crying! Surely it's not birds calling at this time of night. Unless it's an owl?? Really don't know what they sound like! Mom keeps looking up when it gets louder! So it must be something different."
Mon Mar 12/07
"Here is the movie about a prowler snapping Mom awake at 4:30 AM EDT"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNGEmNm-Tf8
Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:57 am
"Strange noise. I hope it's not Dad breaking off branches. Although maybe I should hope it IS. Eagle raised head, looking very intently to the right of scene. Her eyes are glowing like in a horror show."
Another observer reminded us that other wildlife are up and about at night, mating, and looking for food. There are lots of noises outside at night, not all of them "threatening"!!
Judy had the thought that if an eagle had heard dogs barking when a racoon came around in the past, then the eagle would pay attention at the sound of barking. (racoons sometimes climb nest trees to get the eggs)
3/13/07, 8:02am Mom or Dad in the nest begins squawking.
Takes off from the nest.
Still hear squawking after she/he flew off.
Came back and landed on the branch.
Jumped back on the nest and checked the eggs.
8:09am Settling back in, seems to be okay.
Did anyone else see some unusual activity between 6 and 7 p.m. on Sunday night? I have keep watching the blog in hopes that someone did. I wondered if she was laying another egg since she acted somewhat like she did when laying her first two eggs with her back end up in the air and then moving up and down.
I have yet to figure out which eagle is the male or the female. How can you tell the differene? They look identical.
Mar 13, 2007 9:38Am (EDT)
Anonymous - Dad usually has a prominent inverted V in his white neck feathers, whereas Mom is usually like a bad hair day and picked out.
Sometimes Mom will have a similar inverted V as Dad, but it's usually not a defined. I believe the V is caused from a particular grooming habit as they clean their feathers.
By all means, keep in mind, wind, weather and activity can and will change this periodically.
The next time you see them together on the nest, you can definitely tell them apart, as mom is the larger of the two.
In warmer weather when they sit in the nest, watch how each grooms their neck feathers.
I caught this last year when I watched them, but I believe it was in late April before I noticed it.
Hope this helps somewhat.
From Mrs. E.'s class
We watched the video clip of the eagle laying a second egg. Willpat did a good job writing what was happening. It gave us clues as to what was going to happen. We learned more about the eagle's different posture and what posturing meant.
Thank you for letting us view this video clip.
To the person who asked about a possible egg laying Sunday PM between six and seven PM:
one member of Judy's forum thought she saw that happening, too, and then she kind of dropped the subject because noone else got excited.
Maybe you were both right. I'll tell her you noticed it, too. I don't think there's any video available of that time period.
I have written the date (35 days from Sunday March 11th) on my calendar anyway, because the system was down a great deal of the time that day, and we will never know whether she laid an egg that day. I am hoping there has been one egg laid after the cold weather ended.
I'm being optimistic!!
Jane
HAS ANYONE OBSERVED DAD BRINGING FOOD TO MOM?
I GO ON QUITE OFTEN DURING THE DAY BUT HAVE NOT SEEN ANY FOOD BROUGHT TO THE NEST AS YET.
3/13/07
4:00 P.M.
Thank you. This is truly a miracle to witness.
3:40pm pst
Mamma got up shuffled the eggs, moved back and forth about 4 times, then resumed her position on the nest, different direction
Tuned in about 6:P17 to see both eagles in view. Guessing it was mom inhaling her supper, then dad (?) flew off.
6:25 (DST) pm tuesday 3/13/06
There is quite a feast going on right now...can't see the neck well enough but I sense that it is mom...appears ravenous(gee, where does that word come from? eating like a raven?) I didn't see the arrival of the meal.
Did anyone observe several days ago, both eagles in the nest, facing the cam, and holding up between them something that looked like a transparent brown veil? I'm just guessing it was part of a meal. They appeared to be studying it together as they held it up rather like a parade banner between them.
This is so wonderful!! I check on the eagles every day and can hardly wait until the eggs hatch.
3:33pm pst 3/13
Mamma shuffling nest material around from one side to the other. Looks like a little pile of needles in her beak
I have watched dad bringing food. It has happened several times, although I can only guess it's fish. He drops it in the nest while her back is to the camera, and the morsel is not visible. There is always lots of vocalization going on at these times.I can tell she's chowing by the way she appears to be struggling with something...pulling for instance. Looks like she's a happy lady!
I'm glad if someone else felt the bahavior on Sunday evening was unusual, too. I watched for perhaps half an hour or maybe even more and just assumed lots of other people saw it, too, and were more knowledgeable than I. I am ready to say that I do believe she may have laid another egg then. Her behavior was so out of the ordinary that I just couldn't stop watching. She was very restless and seemed to be pumping her body up and down repeatedly.
When I saw mom chowing down just after 6 it was definitely not a fish as I saw her pick up a good sized bone that was intact and suddenly it was gone. She appeared to swallow it whole!
3/12, 9:20pm-az
A windy night and mom eagle is tucked in low with feathers whipping up.
Wednesday March 14th
6:22 AM
Here's a couple more of Will's videos. The second one is a complete sequence of Dad bringing food to Mom. Mom tries to cover it up so Dad won't eat any of it himself, at first. This is called "manteling" So Dad gets out of the way and lets her eat. He comes back later to help her tidy up! They are a handsome couple, arent they??
Will's post, this morning, Weds March 14 around six AM:
"Last evening after 4 PM EDT, Mom saw something and went after it:"
http://media.putfile.com/Maine-Mar-13-1600H-Mom
"After 6 PM, dinner was served and watch her gulping the meat down:"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRy5oG-ANYY
3/14, 6:20am Ariz
Still windy this morning. Eagle is looking around and doing some housekeeping near her head. There is a boat working the water.
i was watching at the time second egg was layed. didn't know what i was watching, i am learning so much! thank you bri and wing!!!am looking forward to eggs hatching:}and advancing my education
10:37 pst 3/14
Momma or Daddy flew off the nest for about 4 minutes. Came right back, settled in and started eating leftovers, something with fur on it.
I have watched for some time now and find it so amazing. I am a teacher and will find time to introuce my students ro the wonders of this magnificant bird. Maybe,just maybe we can find a cure or a cause for the disorders that so many of our children now have. Eagles were once on the out, but have made a comeback.I hope we can learn from them and then maybe we can help our children and our childrens children.
Is it me or is one of the eagles missing? I've been watching constantly for almost 2 or possibly 3 days now and only see one eagle sitting on the eggs and one night she/he was squawking out for some time for the other bird to come and give her a break but to no avail because the other eagle just hasn't been seen. If something did happen to the other eagle can this one bird keep the eggs warm, feed herself and then do the undaunting task of taking care of 2 or 3 baby eaglets? I'm hoping nothing has happened and both eagles have been seen up to and including today, March 17.
I keep watching even during the night while the wind is howling and all the branches are blowing around as though they are going to be torn from their base and yet she keeps her eggs warm. I'm very stressed thinking she's now on her own without her mate being seen for a couple of days at least, by me. Yesterday morning I did notice she left the nest without the eggs being sat on and kept warm for quite a while. Is this okay? Please let me know if the other eagle has been seen yesterday or today so I can stop worrying.
Daddy took over this morning about 6:30 I think it was on Monday 19th so Momma getting a break!! They are a great couple!! :)
yes it was this morning the 19th around 6am that I finally saw the father. Was he missing in action for a couple of days or was I just missing seeing him?
3/20/07 10:06AM
Lots of crows around yesterday evening. The eagle was very alert, and never budged.
Toward, and after, sunset she/he vocalized an awful lot. I can't tell what the various screeches and low chatter mean. Time for me to do more research. Eagles are so amazing.
Thank you for this gift of a web cam and site for all to view.
Does anyone have more information regarding the injured male. I am so concerned.
What will happen if he can't manage to hunt successfully because of his injury.
Will we find out what the prognosis is? Is he going to survive? Will his mate be able to care for him and herself, and incubate and feed the young brood?
Mar 20 2007 1:45pm (EDT)
Lotte -- you need to see the blogs above this one - over 100 blogs.
Go to the main blog page and just below where Chris DeSorbo has pictures and information about what he does in the field are more blogs.
Hope to see you there soon!!
Hi, now I am really cocerned...can the eggs survive this latest blast from Mother Nature? I hope so, I learned so much last year, I am looking forward to more "babies" this year. Thank you for showing the world the lives of eagles...
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