Update March 22, 2007
I understand that there is concern about the male eagle and an injured talon. I have not had an opportunity to see the injury, but I suspect that if the bird is indeed injured the talon will heal on its own.
The goal of this project is to provide a unique view into the lives of eagles, where we all see in real time the birds in both fair and difficult conditions. Eagles across the country face the same challenges as these birds do, including storms, physical injury, food shortages, and contaminant loads such as mercury. This is unedited real footage.
These challenges are real for these birds, but they have adapted to these conditions and have amazing abilities cope with what they face in the wild. Watching these birds weather major storms to keep their eggs warm, cope with injuries, and feed their needy chicks, shows just how hard it is for eagles and other birds to successfully reproduce.
What we can do as citizens and researchers, is learn from these birds and see through them what other eagles, birds, and wildlife are facing. What we are observing with this camera is unique. This particular pair is extremely successful. They have raised 20 chicks over 13 years. This is not common and we are very fortunate that they have laid eggs two years in a row. It is common for eagles to take a year off from nesting, or fail.
Many eagle pairs across the country and in Maine try and fail to successfully nest. Birds will start on the nest and abandon because of disturbance, they may lay eggs but not have the strength incubate through bad storms, or their nest trees may topple over.
Additionally, eagles in interior Maine exhibit some of the highest mercury levels in the country while coastal populations are exposed to contaminants such as PCBs. Contaminants such as mercury, PCBs, and others are associated with a variety of impacts on behavior, immune response, and reproduction.
Consider as you watch, that eagles across Maine are facing similar difficulties as they try to nest.
Wing Goodale, BioDiversity Research Institute
The goal of this project is to provide a unique view into the lives of eagles, where we all see in real time the birds in both fair and difficult conditions. Eagles across the country face the same challenges as these birds do, including storms, physical injury, food shortages, and contaminant loads such as mercury. This is unedited real footage.
These challenges are real for these birds, but they have adapted to these conditions and have amazing abilities cope with what they face in the wild. Watching these birds weather major storms to keep their eggs warm, cope with injuries, and feed their needy chicks, shows just how hard it is for eagles and other birds to successfully reproduce.
What we can do as citizens and researchers, is learn from these birds and see through them what other eagles, birds, and wildlife are facing. What we are observing with this camera is unique. This particular pair is extremely successful. They have raised 20 chicks over 13 years. This is not common and we are very fortunate that they have laid eggs two years in a row. It is common for eagles to take a year off from nesting, or fail.
Many eagle pairs across the country and in Maine try and fail to successfully nest. Birds will start on the nest and abandon because of disturbance, they may lay eggs but not have the strength incubate through bad storms, or their nest trees may topple over.
Additionally, eagles in interior Maine exhibit some of the highest mercury levels in the country while coastal populations are exposed to contaminants such as PCBs. Contaminants such as mercury, PCBs, and others are associated with a variety of impacts on behavior, immune response, and reproduction.
Consider as you watch, that eagles across Maine are facing similar difficulties as they try to nest.
Wing Goodale, BioDiversity Research Institute
posted by Bald Eaglecam at 12:09 PM
29 Comments:
I understand being "torn" between helping an injured bird or a situation it may be in. Here in our community in Florida we have an "eagle preserve". In the early hours of Feb. 2nd a tornado went directly thru this preserve and destroyed the nest and toppled the tree. There were two chicks approx. 2 months old in the nest at the time. The male was injured but captured a day after the tornado. He was taken to a rehab facility. Two days after the storm one of the chicks was retreived and after a short stint at the same rehab facility this chick was placed in another nest in another county with the hope that the eagles there would adopt this young one. The male has since been returned to this same area. He and the female have been spotted together. It is the best we could hope for. I was so devestated when I saw the destroyed area where I knew these eagles had made their home for their family. I still long to help them but am trying to understand and resist the temptation.
Thanks for this website. It is a service to all hwo know and love these creatures.
Thank you, Wing, for the update.
I am constantly amazed at the resilience of this nesting pair.
Once, several years ago, I saw an eagle in flight as I looked out from where I live. It does not happen very often here in Mid- Maine, I guess. Our lake freezes up in winter so they can't fish. I will never forget the sight of that beautiful bird circling in the sky. This Web Site is the closest I can come to watch the wonder of it all unfold before my eyes. Thank you.
Thanks BRI for posting some answers and a whole lot of useful information on the trials and tribulations of eagles everywhere...ours being No exception! I am so fortunate to be a spectator in the great world of nature. Thanks for the opportunity.
3/22 ditto to the three above postings. thank you BRI for the info
3-22 at 4pm
Nest exchange at four o'clock. If it is Dad who took over, he seemed to have hobbled just a tiny bit into position. Right now it looks like he's nibbling something from in the nest. Hang in there Daddy-O!
This is a unique situation for us to be able to watch these eagles as they tend to their eggs and then care for the chicks when the eggs hatch. Wing's comments were very well put. I think just about everyone has the same opinion as me; and that is we're privileged to be able watch these two eagles as they face the trials and tribulations of trying to bring some new eagles into the world. This has been happening in the wild long before webcams were around. We just need to remember; mother nature is not always kind.
your site is very informative and i look forward to watching as nesting progresses
your site provides a link to Windows Media Player, which i now have to view the live feed
could you also provide a link to the software everyone is using to record the feed, WMP does not record
thanks and keep up the good work
eJane
March 22 5:23 P.M.
Just checked in and happy to see a new blog. Thank you so much for the info. These eagles are truly dedicated and awesome to watch. I was lucky enough to hear calls and look up to see two bald eagles flying low and fly by right over my head! I have had other sightings but never so close.
Karen in Denmark
3/22just saw the male bring food to the nest, ate some.female took the rest,he is hunting successfully!!!!:}yahoo
3-22-07
6:10pm ET
Dad just landed w/some food. Was eating well. Mom finally got up and grabbed some of the food and flew off. But it WAS DAD who caught and landed w/the food! I saw him limp a bit getting into nesting position afterwards.
Hsppy to read that the male brought food, that he ate some and the female grabbed some too.
I am so glad things seem to go as they should.
Here is a combined clip from March 22 of when he brought in some food (a white bird it looks like) around 6:07 p.m. and then a nest exchange around 6:40 p.m. when he looks rather amorous.
http://judykb.org/memar22ab.asf
Goose bumps every time I watch. Thank you for the update, information, and the obvious conccern you have for these amazing birds. I have experienced vey little to match the wonder that they inspire in me.
I am certainly cheering dad on as he continues to provide for his soon to be babie!Mom isn't doing too badly either...
Watching these eagles is such a privledge. I am in awe of their strenth, patience and responsible attitude towards their young. Oh if only the human race could learn their traits. Wondering if we could hear a little about what the eagles eat, how much and what they will feed their young. I'm sure many of you already know this, but I imagine there are some "newbies" and it sounds like a class or two that are monitoring the site. I stll marvel seeing that mother in the recent storms - sitting with drenched feathers and protecting her young. I am also wondering who might threaten our birds, I am thinking owls, racoons, etc. However; if I was them - I'd sure think twice - it appears that she is pretty serious ! Thanks again for all the information and the enjoyment.
March 23rd
Thank you very much for writing a new journal entry, and telling us if Dad has a talon injury you expect he'll recover. So far he's doing great.
And thank you for stating your objective with the camera.
AND perhaps best of all, thank you for setting the camera so we can have color at 7 AM. Everyone is delighted. Sunrise was at 6:31 but this is a Big improvement. Thanks so much. Going back to look at the beautiful golden waves!! :-)
THANKS FOR THE LATEST INFO.
IT IS HARD NOT TO BE EMOTIONAL WHEN THINGS ARE NOT GOING PERFECTLY WITH THESE AMAZING BIRDS.
CAN ANYONE INLIGHTEN ME AS TO WHY MOM/DAD SIT WITH THRIR BEAK OPEN. IT CERTAINLY IS NOT BECAUSE IT IS HOT.
KEEP UP THE RESEARCH. I CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE HEALING OF DADS FOOT.
FRI. 3/23 8:30
3/23 8:30 am pst Fri
I just donated my $50 and sent good thoughts for Dad's fast recovery of his hurt leg.
I watched all last year and have come back this year for more.
Thanks to all for helping this couch potato enjoy the "great outdoors" and our wonderful country and wildlife. Much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the update. We all have to remember the balancing act that animals in their natural environments are doing to survive and resist the temptation to make judgments. I was once kayaking near a great blue heron nest at sunset on a pond in western Maine. There were two young in the nest and as I watched, a hawk came in to attack the nest. The adult great blue herons came to the defense of their young. I was torn watching, knowing that if the hawk was successful, a young heron would be killed, yet if the herons successfully defended the nest, the hawk would return to its nest without food. (In this instance, the herons were successful). That said, I'm definitely on the side of these eagles.
I have been watching the cam since last evening ( with a few hours break ) and have not seen the male nor have I seen the female eat . Has anyone seen him today ? Or seen her eat in the last 24 hours ?
3/23/07
I just saw the male eagle leave the nest for a few minutes and when he returned his foot appeared to look better (in my opinion compared to the other times I have seen him get on and off the nesting area). He didn't use his wing to balance this time. I do believe he is on the mend -- thank God!
I can't believe how attached I've become to these two eagles. LOL. I have a feeling that I'm not the only one though :)
Keep getting stronger, daddy eagle.
"God is good to all and takes care of all He has made." Ps. 145:9
Dad made his first appearance today (Mar 23rd) around 12:33 p.m. and it was a most welcomed site!
Mom had left right before that after apparently spotting Dad. There was eagle chatter inbetween her leaving and him landing.
Here is the video:
http://judykb.org/memar23ne.asf
Thanks Wing for your update and insight. I know that we all appreciate any information & updates we get from all of you guys.
I am thinking postive that Mr Eagle is going to make a full recovery. It was nice to finally see him bring some food to the nest. That makes me feel alittle better :)
His foot is still "clenched" but hopefully he is on the mend. We can only hope...
Thanks again Wing!
Lori
I'm curious to know how some people are able to record video of the eagles? Is it special software you have on your computer?
I use Windows Media Recorder Pro. Here is the web URL http://www.wmrecorderpro.com/
I don't know what others use, but this works great for me.
We are watching from Cape Cod and are hooked. Can anyone tell us why mom/dad was panting today? Could it have been that warm? We find it difficult to tell the difference between mom and dad, can anyone give us a clue?
My brother told me about this eagle cam on line just yesterday and explained that the male may have been injured and hadn't shown up for a while. I was lucky enough early this afternoon to hear the male in the distance and the female answering excitedly and then seeing the male coming to the nest. I was enthralled! It brought tears to my eyes to see the male eagle finally return. What an incredible experience this is and I thank and praise you people who put such huge efforts in studying wildlife and how the tainted environment and encrouchment of humans on their habitat is affecting all wildlife. Warm wishes to all people who wish wildlife well and really care, esp. those involved.
I could be wrong but I think it may be the dad holding the fort now. His white seems brighter and more full then the females. Ive had a hard time seeing anything tonight. I'll be sure to check it out again in the morning!
3/25 7:30 a.m.- This morning is the first opportunity I have had to get a good look at what's going on with our male eagles foot. When he landed to take over at the nest, he did not use his left foot at all. His toes are clenched. I am wondering if anyone knows of any other eagles who were able to hunt despite this kind of compromise? Is it possible the male would do more brooding, and the female more hunting? Has anyone noticed if the male is on the nest longer these days? Thank you BRI.
Thank you to Judy Bakstran of judyjb.org for the wonderful media recordings she included in her blogs. I hae been unable to watch as much as I would like. It was great to see Mom and Dad together. My second graders are keeping track and some are watching from home. Thank you all.
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