Possible Scenarios
Good morning. I have been carefully reading your observations and have had communications with Charlie Todd at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife—Charlie has been working with eagles in Maine for decades. I would like to thank Charlie for taking the time to provide us with his extremely helpful insights. Below is a paraphrase of Charlie’s comments.
Charlie feels that a mate switch is plausible, but cannot be determined by behavioral changes because there have been instances of birds nesting successfully after mate switches and without the birds being banded there is no way for us to know for sure.
Charlie indicates that there is still a chance that they may breed, although the other pairs in the area have been on eggs since March 24th. However he notes that there is a greater percentage of birds that are inactive at this time than he would expect.
Charlie suggests that we zoom the camera out (which I will do today) to see the tree as a whole to see if we can see the birds roosting in the tree near the nest—he says it is common for non-breeding birds to can hang around the nest.
He does suggest that there is a slim chance that the birds have a new nest and that it is possible for birds to be bringing in sticks, sitting prone, and copulating at the nest site even while they are tending to another nest site. The key at this point is if we see BOTH of the birds at this nest site for longer than ten minutes. Could all of you wonderful observers please write in comments with the amount of time the birds are spending on the nest and if BOTH the birds are at the nest. When Charlie next conducts an aerial survey in the area, he will keep an eye out for a new nest.
Finally, he notes that it is comment for birds to have inactive breeding seasons, especially after a nest failure. This can be caused by old age, build up of contaminants, weather, and other factors. This pair has had the best nesting success in the state between 1995-2007, 92%. The state norm is 63%, so it is possible that these birds are sliding back to the state average.
Please keep up your excellent observations and please let me know when you see both birds on the nest and the amount of time they are at the nest.
Wing Goodale
BioDiversity Research Institute
Charlie feels that a mate switch is plausible, but cannot be determined by behavioral changes because there have been instances of birds nesting successfully after mate switches and without the birds being banded there is no way for us to know for sure.
Charlie indicates that there is still a chance that they may breed, although the other pairs in the area have been on eggs since March 24th. However he notes that there is a greater percentage of birds that are inactive at this time than he would expect.
Charlie suggests that we zoom the camera out (which I will do today) to see the tree as a whole to see if we can see the birds roosting in the tree near the nest—he says it is common for non-breeding birds to can hang around the nest.
He does suggest that there is a slim chance that the birds have a new nest and that it is possible for birds to be bringing in sticks, sitting prone, and copulating at the nest site even while they are tending to another nest site. The key at this point is if we see BOTH of the birds at this nest site for longer than ten minutes. Could all of you wonderful observers please write in comments with the amount of time the birds are spending on the nest and if BOTH the birds are at the nest. When Charlie next conducts an aerial survey in the area, he will keep an eye out for a new nest.
Finally, he notes that it is comment for birds to have inactive breeding seasons, especially after a nest failure. This can be caused by old age, build up of contaminants, weather, and other factors. This pair has had the best nesting success in the state between 1995-2007, 92%. The state norm is 63%, so it is possible that these birds are sliding back to the state average.
Please keep up your excellent observations and please let me know when you see both birds on the nest and the amount of time they are at the nest.
Wing Goodale
BioDiversity Research Institute
posted by Bald Eaglecam at 10:17 AM
474 Comments:
Wing- thanks for the update and great information. No matter the outcome of this year's nest, you are doing a wonderful job of educating us all for the good of future nesting. I am so grateful for the education- and a check to show my support for our cause (and our eagles) will be forthcoming.
Angie in Mass.
Thank you Charlie Todd and hey...join us on the blog...Thanks Wing as always.
J in S.P.ME
4/1
Oh and one more thing...we know they're close by as we hear so much chatter when no one is on the nest...I hear it a lot eary in the morning. Hooray for the camera pull out.
The next 2 days will be spectacular spring days so maybe they'll be enticed.
J in S.P. ME
Thanks for the update and thoughts, Wing and Charlie. I was just watching as the camera zoomed out -- certainly gives one an new perspective on the size of the nest and the height of the tree!
No eagles in sight, though, at 7:55 PDT
Dyan in N. CA.
04/01 @ 10:47
Thanks, Wing and Charlie, for the information. Seems there is little we can know for certain about the "pair" except, of course, whether or not they lay at this nest. I had wondered, and others had commented, about the amount of time both birds are observed together indicating that they do not have eggs at another location.
Will make sure I pay particular attention to and note with care the amount of time observed of a male and female at the nest at the same time.
Thanks, again, for all that you do, Wing ... and to all my fellow bloggers who provide the many pieces to this most magnificent puzzle. Sharing and caring ... let us hope it is contagious!
JAM in IL
11 am and all is quiet. I love the new camera perspective!
The Tesoro eagles in Florida left the nest earlier this morning. One was on another tree about 50 feet away.
Have a wonderful day, everyone. Thanks for your great comments!
Sandy in Florida
WOW -- Wing just zoomed out the camera ... check out the size of that nest!!!!!
92% for a period of 12 years? How long do Eagles breed? Could they perhaps be getting older and not as fertile? Have they been watching since 1995 and they could possibly have been nesting for years before this?
I've enjoyed watching, no matter if they nest or not. Hopefully they'll be nesting shortly, but if not, its still been a good experience. Others have been on nest for a week or more, one would think that there wouldn't be much variation in timing. A lot of this is instinct.
Good luck eagles.
4/1/08 8:08am PDST
Thank you so much Wing for the information. We really needed that!
Also could you Thank Charlie Todd for all of us and I agree with J in S.P. ME have him join us that would be really cool!
8:10am Looking at the pulled out view of tree There is no one home at the Inn.
I'm going to keep the live cam up for awhile and the sound up also so while doing my own nesting can hear and check to give you information you requested Wing.
Thank You So Much Again,
Karen in WA
4/01 @ 11:14 AM eastern time
Wing, thanks! I could hug you!!! Wondering what is going on is driving us all nuts. Some insight, as you guys have provided, is so helpful in assuaging our stress levels.
We will continue to cheer on this pair...and yes, we will keep closer track of the time. I know they certainly ahve spent lots of time together on the nest in the recent past, but not so much recently.
Just now a raven chased an eagle into the nest.I believe the eagle captured something as it is picking at it.Being zoomed out makes it a bit more difficult to tell. I love this angle, though! What a different look to see how high up they are, and how forboding the surrounding neighborhood really is. Wow!
At 10:16am Central, one eagle flew into nest; sat in nest until 10:18 then to "Y" branch until 10:22 when it flew away. Lots of crow(?)
noise in background. 10:25 short landing on "y" branch.
Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL
There was an eagle on the y about 15 minutes ago with another eagle soaring around. Then the two were on the nest but only for a short time. They both flew off.
Wing, could you zoom the camera in just a little bit. I saw what I thought were 2 eagles but they could have been crows. Thanks.
I feel as if this will be an off year for these two. I still enjoy watching them and the activities at the nest. I will keep my fingers crossed for a few more days but feel the window of opportunity is closing soon.
Wing a question for you. Will you be having the Osprey and Loon Cam again this year. I believe that Loon season is just around the corner isn't it???
4/1/08 8:34am PDST
8:17am lone Eagle in nest, with the camera view out can't say who we have in there
8:18 Eagle up to Y
8:19 Eagle calling out, No sign of the other one yet
8:20 Racket calling and a flyby not sure what it was it was too fast :)
8:21 Flyby of two birds, Our eagle not happy. Our eagle still on Y
8:22 Eagle flies off. Not sure which way I looked down for a second and missed the departure. Sorry :(
Wing I documented 5 minutes total time at the nest area by one lone eagle
Karen in WA
4/1/08 8:42am PDST
OOPS forgot this on earlier post.
8:25 Crow/Raven thief in nest. Darn things there are two of them in there.
8:25 The thief's both leave after messing around in there for a short time. Also heard our eagle around somewhere close but out of view.
Karen in WA
11:50 on 4/1/08 Michigan time.
Some observations:
11:20 one eagle on Y-branch.
11:22 left the branch.
11:25 lands in nest.
11:26 2nd eagle in nest. One is on the Y-branch.
11:27 left the branch.
11:50 no eagles.
Wing...that new camera angle rocks!! I knew the nest was big, I didn't realize it was that big.
Thanks to Charlie for the information.
Apr 1 @12:05pm
Wing & Charlie -- Thank you so much for the wonderful update. This is such a great learning experience. Each year we learn something new.
I second the motion to zoom in the camera just a tad more. Or maybe it's just an overcast day that makes it more difficult to see.
--Liz (W,DC)
April 1 - 11:21 in Michigan
One eagle was on the Y branch when I signed on and just flew away. 11:27 There was just some calling and a fly-by. 11:54 - someone is on the edge of the nest and it looks like it's eating. 12:07 Eating is finished and it's just sitting there looking out over the water.
4/1 12:10 PM
One eagle has been on the nest for the last 20 minutes or so. Can't tell which one, with the camera pulled so far back. No sign of the other eagle, unless it's hunkered down in the nest. Again, too far away to tell.
Bill in Conn.
04/01 @ 12:18
12:03 - Found a lone eagle standing on the nest, watching out over the water.
Could not find another in the tree.
Wow ... the zoom in is great. Wish the eagle would turn around. My guess would be the female, but I know these observations should not be about guessing. Small wonder, though, that the eagles I have seen today look scruffy on the back of their heads ... the wind is fierce.
12:23 - Eagle still there. Alert and looking around.
JAM in IL
April 1 12:20 P.M.
I came on about 15 min. ago and saw what looked like an eagle on nest. Read blogs, then went back at 12:19 and camera zoomed in, wow, what a view of eagle. So happy to be on when camera zoomed. The info was most welcome, thanks to all in keeping us informed.
Karen in Denmark
Thanks for the zoom Wing. That helps to see that it's mom. She's been sitting there on the left side of the bowl for quite a while. I logged on @ 11:05 CST and she's still there @ 11:24. Maybe a bit protective of the nest after the Ravens came in this am??
Not giving up hope just yet. I said I was hoping for that April Fool's egg! Still time for that today!
Don't hear a thing but the water...no ravens even! Ahhh, just heard her call out, but no answer from Mr Raspy. Wow...wind is making her look like she has on a fur hat! Just took off @ 11:25CST! Now I hear calling from her. Zoom out Wing?
Lone eagle on nest for over 20 minutes - sitting on edge looking to water - maybe I'm nuts but this eagle has the look of "old mom" - sharp hook on beak - "messy hair do" - could be the wind - had a call that sounded strong at first but then rasped out to sound more like dad - currently 11:22 CST - hmm. Away he/she goes - Camera has zoomed in so can't tell if he/she is roosting in tree or not.
Donna - OKC
April 1 - 12:18 in Michigan
What a beautiful closeup. I can't tell who it is because I can't see the tail feathers. 12:24 - He/she flew away.
04/01/08 - 10:50am eagle in nest (looks like it's eating something). Camera has now zoomed in - pretty windy out today. 11:14 eagle flies off.
Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL
April 1 12:25 P.M.
Eagle just flew off.
Karen in Denmark
04/01 @ 12:25
Update:
12:03/12:24 - Eagle I found standing on nest rim just took a hard look right and flew off in that direction.
JAM in IL
4/1/08 12:30p.m.
Good idea Wing and Charlie. Please do, zoom the camera back so we can see all the limbs in the area of the nest and yes, will post only when both eagles are seen on the nest and the amount of time they spend there together.
Thanks again Wing.
Looked up at 11:54am (ET) to see an eagle at the nest, possibly eating (hard to tell from such a distance) and then just sitting quietly looking out over the ocean for the rest of the time. He or she stayed until 12:24pm. It was good to see at least one of them after not seeing them at all yesterday.
VB in SC
April 1 12:33 P.M.
Just noticed a whilte head pop up, Eagle on right side of nest down deep! Right looking at nest on screen.
Karen in Denmark
4/1/08 9:43am PDST
9:08 Lone Eagle in nest when I checked. Standing at rim of nest facing camera side. Not sure when it got there.
9:24 Left the nest to the right.
Total time at nest while I was watching was 16 minutes, but was longer since eagle was already there.
Karen in WA
4/1 EST
1:35pm Eagle has landed on the Y branch. From the sounds of his screech I believe it to be the male. The nest looks mammoth from this view. I love it. Gives us a bit of prespective. 1:38pm Looked away for a sec and he dissapeared. Not sure if he left or is in the nest. Too far to see. 1:42pm I believe he left. Will keep watching for a bit to see if he/she returns.
Cal
Pat; would rather see the close up nest. I have seen 2 eagles on nest eating somethinmg. Also saw 2 with one putting a branch in place. Looks like nesting. Have noticed when one is there it reacts to the caws of crows or ravens in the area.
really enjoy being able to observe. Thanks to all involved.
4/1 1:45pm Eastern time
Thanks for the great update Wing, Charlie Todd sounds like a caring person, thank him too!
1:30 to like 1:33 I think it was Dad that flew in from the left to head off an intruder flying with him. Dad stayed on the left Y till the coast was clear. He flew off and down to the right.
Correct me if I'm wrong but keep in mind while we're seeing this great view, the Eagles 6-7 foot wing span and 30-36 inch length. This tree and nest are alot bigger than you can imagine!
1:50 I just heard Mom call three times but I can't see her.
Sue in MD
Thanks Wing and Charlie. I'm wondering what are they main things we can do to improve the environment for these amazing birds? If toxins are a problem then where can we do the most to make a difference?
Sue
Thanks for the update! I think all of us regular observers had a feeling something was going on. What a great idea to zoom out the cam, amazing site as always! it does appear that they still spend more time apart than together :o(
You are all wonderful in the updating and information, we learn so much from you! I havebeen watching and reading for years now and would be lost without it. Keep up the excellent work and lets all keep our fingers crossed for our eagles!
Melissa, Maine
Thankyou Wing, and Charlie for this informative update!
I will continue to watch as this is one of my most favorite nests!!
From Los Angeles,
Joyce
3-3:20 pm 4-1-08
Did not see any Eagles, but heard them a couple of times in the back ground. Sounded very close. Will check back later.
Watched the single one in the nest around noontime for almost a half hour. Now at 3:30pm (Tuesday) there is no activity again. Very grateful for the update on the blog. I've never joined a blog before, but this group is wonderful.
3:45pm est
Lots of vocalization around nest but haven't seen them. They must be fairly close by since it doesn't sound like a loud screechy call and we can still hear them.
As some food for thought. I live close by the Moosehorn Refuge in Washington County and there has been a successful nesting pair on their trusy osprey nest for about 18 years--until last year. No nesting last year, and it appears, no nesting this year. They were around the next for the usual rebuilding for a long period of time, then about about two weeks ago they lost interest in the nest. They are around sitting on the ice, though, so it seems they are just an old retired couple now. Good luck to them. I remember one year that they actually raised THREE young successfully. Maybe our camera eagles are looking at retirement too.
Is it possible that the nest is now too high to be of use to them anymore? It's so tall that it looks like when it was first made the tree provided a natural buffer against winds and rains. Now that it's approaching the tip top of the tree,and they are running out of branches, maybe it's just too exposed to provide the shelter they need from the weather? Just a thought.
4:31 PM
Wing, thanks for the update. I've been checking on and off all day. I've only seen one eagle on the nest at times but was encouraged that others have seen two. I'm sad to think we may not see little ones this year, but I just donated some $$ to your wonderful research and I still enjoy seeing the eagles even if not raising young. You're still my favorite eagle nesting site as well.
Still hoping for some babies... and better weather for all in Maine!
Roxy in NC
4/1 4:40PM - Just got on and can see one Eagle on the nest. Looks like he/she is tiding up. Thanks so much for the update Wing. I love the zoom out. It's nice to see what the tree looks like. I'm keeping my fingers crossed like everyone else.
4:38PM - Both eagles are in the nest. One was there, but I'm not sure how long. The second one just arrived.
4:37 EST April Fool's
No joke, I heard eagles calling and checked back and there is an eagle on the nest again. Just one and hard to tell from a distance but looks like it's settling into the nest bowl. Oh how exciting... another eagle flew in and joined the other on nest at 4:48!! Oh can we zoom back in? Maybe we willh ave that April Fool egg.
Roxy in NC
Both eagles are at the nest. The male is sorting his sticks and the female is just sitting there. It's 3:27 CST. Lynn
I checked in at around 4:40 pm one was feeding, the other showed up I assume the female because now she is feeding and he is out on the branch and it is almost 4:55.
It is 4:39. BOth birds are on the nest.I love this new angle by the way....One is puttering about and the other seems to be looking out.It's 4:47 they are still there. But, unfortunatly, I have to fly. Ha!!
Thank you Wing and Charlie, And bloggers. This is wonderful
~Amelia, Mi.
3:35 Central; They're both on the nest! I'm not sure exactly when they arrived but had to be within the last 5-10 mins. Darned if I don't have to work occasionally!! Looks like eating motions by one. 3:50, they're still there.... This view takes some getting accustomed to. 3:55 OH, there they go!! CaroleinMN.
4:53 they left the nest. It appears they were eating. I can hear them still in the area.
Eagles are both at the nest. One is tending and other just on a nearby branch. The new camera angle (farther out) is blurry, but you can definitely see these great birds. Thanks for keeping us informed. Great enjoyment this is bringing to all of us. Judy in Indiana
4:41pm est
It looks as though there may be two birds in nest. Maybe one in nest bowl. Don't know how long they have been there.
4:46
One moved from nest bowl to Y branch. Looks like eagle on left, ?mom, is eating.
4:50 ? mom sits in nest bowl but only stays a few seconds
4:54 Mom then Dad flew away so they were there at least 13 minutes.
One eagle on nest at about 4:30; second eagle came in at 4:38; Both flew off at 4.53.
Both flew off at about 4:55 PM EST on April 1.
Roxy in NC
3:52 PM CST. Both birds have been on or right by the nest now for over 10 minutes. Appear to be eating - hard to tell at this distance - both birds left nest just now - together and are vocalizing to each other. So they had been on the nest from at least 3:37 (when I looked in) until 3:52. All quiet now.
Donna, OKC
Both eagles flew off. Bummer. They only stayed about 20 minutes. Lynn
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - 4:38 both eagles are at the nest. One flew out to the Y branch at 4:43 while the other sat on the edge of the nest. 4:48 that one jumps into the nest, while the other one is still on the branch. 4:54, both leave the nest. Both were there a total of 16 minutes.
Shelly, Portland, ME
Eagles arrived one a few minutes earlier than the other. 4;22, both left together at 4:55 est.
4/1
Both eagles on the nest since about 4:40 PM ET. One on the Y branch, one arrangin sticks. We can guess which is which. Very difficult to see what they are actually doing with the camera so far out.
4:56 PM. Heard Dad calling and when I checked the cam, they had both flown.
Bill in Conn.
4:33: Noticed one eagle at the nest.
4:39: Now Both are there. Stay until 4:53 when they both fly off. Didn't look like either of them sat in the nest bowl. Looked like dad doing his usual house keeping. Maybe all is not lost.
Ward
4-01-08
4-1-08 Both eagles at nest from 4:40 pm - 4:55.. both left nest.....
Both Eagles on nest:
4:39 to 4:54 = 15 minutes
Great info that was posted! I find myself so addicted to watching these magnificent birds of prey!!!
I myself don't mind the camera zoomed out, but not quite so far... It's hard for me to see if they're there or not....
Both eagles on the nest 4:30 ish for at least 20 minutes. Guess that means noone is sitting hatching an egg elsewhere. Students are very disappointed, gave the Eagles too much of a build up I guess.
I like this zoomed out view for the day time but would be difficult to watch at night. This view really lets you see the arial displays.
Trying to figure out if that is just endless ocean in the background or if it is just foggy and we would see some islands out there on a clearer day.
04/02 @ 16:59
16:41 to 16:54 - Two eagles in the nest! Did not see arrival.
16:41 - Found 2 eagles in the nest.
16:43 - 1 flew onto main Y, 1 remaining in nest might be eating.
16:50 - Eagle in nest moved from our left to our right. Still in nest, cannot tell what it is doing.
16:54 - Eagle in nest flew off to right and eagle on Y followed. I did not see another landing in the tree.
JAM in IL
4/1 4:33 heard calling out of picture
4:36 mom landed and started eating something
4:39 dad landed and mom started sitting and moving sticks back and forth while dad started eating
4:43 mom moves to the y branch and dad continues to eat
4:50 dad stops eating and starts moving sticks while mom is still on the y branch
4:55 both fly off out of picture but close because I hear dad calling nearby but can't see him
This activity seems alot like the pair from last year before they nested...
5:05 dad still nearby
With the weather as it still is, I hope they do wait.
Thanks, Wing, for the wonderful update and information. The camera perspective is awesome.
Mary in Ohio
4/1 4:55pm Eastern time
Both Eagles were at the nest eating from 4:37 to 4:56. (about 20 minutes).
3:50 to 4:35 Mom was doing her call every minute or two, I can't see her.
3:50
3:52
4:04
4:05
4:07
4:10-Both chattering
4:12
4:15
4:20...
Like clockwork, up to when they both showed up. There's alot of wind today.
Sue in MD
The eagles jump down and to the right all the time. How come you don't pan down and zoom in there and look to see what is down there? You may find another nest there. There is something there they like that is for sure. It may be just a perch but we won't know if you don't check it out. Chris..
The pair was at the nest for a few minutes (4:40 - 4:52-ish) this afternoon.
Judy
Decatur, GA
Tuesday at 4:45 pm
Checking in to find both eagles on the nest. Well, one is on the Y branch and one on the nest. It first appeared that the one on the nest was eating but as I watched, I noticed it moved around the nest so I believe it was arranging nesting matter again. It is hard to tell with the cam back but I understand the info we can collect by having it back a ways.
One eagle flew off at 4:54 pm with the second one directly behind the first one. It looked like they landed in a branch down on the right side of the same tree but I have watched for 15 min. and have observed nothing so I must have been mistaken....Anyway, they were both at the nest for 9 minutes that I know of and I do not know how long before I logged in.
Keep the faith.
5:26 PM eastern 4/01/08
What is it I'm looking at far off in between the two big branches? Sort of rectangular, just sitting on the horizon...At first I thought it was a ship, but it hasn't moved. Am I looking at land of some kind?
Nobody home.
4/1/08 4:40pm EDT Two Eagles on the nest both in nest bowl, now one jumps to Y branch as of 4:50pm still both there for at least the 10 minutes I was watching, computer shut down & by the time I could log back on they were gone, hopefully someone else caught the time they arrived & left. Nice to see some input from Charlie, I miss his comments. Wing, it's a little hard to make out what's at the nest at this distance, Thank God for there WHITE heads!
Thank you again Wing, BRI, Charlie & all that make this possible!
Tax season is comming and I know where my rebate is going!
Anne, NJ
Have not posted on the blog til today so here goes...
4:34pm one eagle flies in from behind nest
4:38 second eagle arrives, looks bigger than the first one. One goes up to the Y branch,other does some nest work.
Both leave at 4:53, flying off to the right.
Joy in N. B.
4/1 Checked on the cam at 3:50, both eagles at the nest. Not sure how long they were there. Both left at 3:54.
K.C. in Texas
4/01/08 2:48pm PDST
Checked in to a zoomed out view and in looking couldn't see any eagles in the tree or nest.
Very quite no sounds of any birds at all just the water and the wind.
I'll keep it up for a while to see if anything happens. They do sometimes show up around this time on an average.
Karen in WA
Have been reading the latest entries here, and am so glad to hear the eagles are still around. I've missed them every time I've check in. Right now it is 5:57PM EDT and I can hear eagle talk nearby but they're not in the nest or tree.
Karen in OH
4-1-08 5:50 pm
I'm responding to Wing's request for timing the eagles on the nest. I have watched this nest for many weeks. Both eagles have been on the nest everyday with only a few exceptions, and they usually spend more than 10 minutes at a time at least twice a day, morning and early evening (sometimes even an hour or more). I am surprised that you don't know that at BRI.
The zoomed out view is beautiful but not useful for identifying the birds, nor for seeing what they are actually doing.
I am a supporter of your work and thank you for all that you do.
4/1/08 3:04pm PDST
2:57pm Not sure but in taking another look again seems to be possibly eagle down deep in nest bowl. Looks like a head sticking up to the left of the Y closer to the main trunk.
Hard to make a positive ID from this distance. I zoomed in to full screen and I could still see it.
It could just be foliage from the tree that I'm seeing. Can't say for sure unless I had a zoomed in camera view.
There again it could just be my eyes playing an April Fools trick on me which isn't nice.
Hope someone else notices this and posts so I know I'm not going crazy.
I'll keep watching to see what it may be and post on time if I figure out that it is really an eagle in the nest bowl.
Kind of makes me feel like an IDIOT! :)
Karen in WA
Listened to calls off and on throughout the afternoon although no one in sight. A few crows but not as many as yesterday or day before. Hard winds coming in later and tomorrow, we should get quite the perspective during those winds.
4/1
Please, whoever is in charge of the zoom, please zoom back in before nightfall. We won't be able to see anything at this range.
Bill in Conn.
4/1/08 7:10 p.m. ET
WOW, I'm with the others here, thank you Wing and Charlie for the very informative update! We all really needed that!
The camera angle gave me a huge shock upon logon, but what an awesome perspective, as others have said! That nest is HUGE!! I know it was mentioned at some point about how big these nests actually are. Can someone mention that again - the dimensions?
I have been logged on since about 4 p.m. ET and unfortunately have not seen either eagle at our nest :-( I was away for a time, so hopefully I missed something!!
4/01/08 4:11pm PDST
Okay I'm either crazy or that is an eagle in the nest. I have seen this since 2:57pm - 4:11pm when posted and is still there! Only thing that really helps me is a 4:09 or 4:10 I heard what I think is Mom calling and could see what I am thinking is the head sticking up out of nest bowl deep got bigger.
HELP! can anyone else out there see this too! Maybe a zoom in would be good right now BRI if anyone is listening.
Karen in WA
Oh Well it is 4:34pm PDST and the night cam is on now and I can't see very well.
So guess I'm going to assume that there isn't anything there in the nest.
I did hear what I think was Mom making calls though, so I know I wasn't being totally crazy! :)
Still feeling like an IDIOT though! :)
Karen in WA
Wow! What a beautiful view with the cam pulled back. Nice to see more of the Eagles "hometown". The close-up today was awsome also!
Thanks so much for these breathtaking views.
I managed to figure out the video, so I mixed some of both views from today.
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/vbella39/My Videos/?action=view¤t=BRIEAGLE4-1-08.flv
First, thank you Wing for all you do. As you must know by now, we are all very grateful. Also, thanks to Charlie Todd, for your recent input. I did what you asked regarding time spent together:
Both eagles off and on between 8:20 and 10:37 a.m. PDT but not together for any length of time. Then, at 1:36 p.m. one flew in and 1:38 p.m. the other. They were both there until 1:54 p.m. One eating in the nest bowl (I presume Mom) the other on Y branch.
SLW in WA
11:13 PM EST
Doesn't appear to be anyone at home but it is hard to see anything clearly especially with the wind blowing as much as it is.
Thanks, Wing, for zooming back in. It is much more fascinating when it's "up close and personal." Here's hoping for a little "action" on the part of our diffident eagles. I guess they will do whatever they are going do and will do it as and when they feel ready to do it!
Frances
4/1 at 11:11 pm Michigan time.
I have not seen any eagles all night. I had heard crying earlier, but did not see them. Perhaps they came while I was on my way home.
Bird Goddess...I was wondering the same thing. I have never seen the ocean before, but I thought it might have been rocks at high and low tides?? At first I thought it was a ship also. LOL. And I also thought that those were rocks along the coast. Obviously, I have never been to Maine either or I would probably know more. LOL.
Wing et al...Keep up the good work.
I've been watching since last year and was so sad when the babies didn't make it. Hoping for a better year, even if they are a new pair. I also watch a pair in western MA, they are sitting on 3 eggs and have been for at least a week. This blog is a great education. Will we be seeing osprey and loons this year?
D in NH
April 2 2008
Definitely a bird in the nest at 10:45 AM CET
Can see a head sticking out on left side of nest.
This could be a good sign at this time in the morning EDT I hope.
L.O.
4/2/08 Just checked in and found both eagles watching the sun rise.
One in the nest, one on the Y branch.
3/02/08 5:50a.m. eastern.
Mom eagle just arrived on the nest. Calling out. Very windy morning in Maine. Mom is eating at 6:04a.m.. Mom calling out a lot this morning.
Dad arrives on nest at 6:13a.m. and proceeds to work on nest, moving sticks around.
Mom out onto the "y" limb, watching Dad working.
Dad out onto limb with Mom, 6:17a.m.
Mom jumps back onto nest, moves something soft around, remains standing position.
Mom leaves nest, flew away to the left at 6:21.m.
Dad still on the limb, watching. Dad leaves limb and flys to the left as well, time 6:26a.m.
I logged on at 6:04 am..
Mom on the nest
6:12 Dad arrives, picks around in bowl,Mom flies to Y branch...talking softly to each other. Dad flies up to branch...Mom comes down and does some re-arranging.
2:21 Mom leaves to the left, I can hear some calling
6:25 Dad leaves to the left.
Joy in N. B.
Hi, thank you for your continued work. Awesome job you all are doing.
I came in with 1 eagle on the nest one on the branch at 6:15 am. They appeared to be taking turns fluffing up the nest. After 6 mins one eagle left. After 5 more mins the 2nd eagle left.
Summary:
Mom on from 5:52 to 6:20 = 28 minutes
Dad on from 6:12 to 6:25 = 13 minutes
Both together 6:12 to 6:20 = 8 minutes
Mom was very vocal before Dad arrived and I think I saw a flyby a couple minutes before he landed for whatever that is worth. :?
04/02 @ 06:44
06:24 - Found a lone eagle on left Y.
06:25 - Eagle off.
JAM in IL
Checked in on the overnight, nothing going on. I was not surprised but I still keep looking!This morning the female was on the nest when I looked in at a little past six. The male showed up and worked on the nest. He flew off after about 10 minutes. She stayed for about 5 minutes longer before flying off. It looks like they have a carcass to munch on in the nest. Welcome new people! I've been watching for three years and have just started adding my two cents this year. It is so fascinating to me that so many people from all over the country are watching! It has become quite a community!
7:16am EDT 4/2
It appears there might be an eagle actually down in the bowl of the nest for at least the past 16 minutes, of not 20 or so. From this distance, it's hard to tell 100%, but I can see what appears to be a head sticking up, and it moves from time to time like a head looking about, and maybe even moving soft nest material around.
I've been able to hear mom calling, and just heard dad a bit ago.
When I first logged on and checked at around 6:07am, one of the eagles was on the Y branch - I think mom... but I didn't notice the "head" sticking out of the nest at that time.
Wing, I observed the pair in the nest continually from 6:02AM to 6:43 AM on Monday, March 31. I saw the female eating for a while at the beginning, and the male worked on the nest, going and coming back with more branches nearly the whole 40 minutes. She was in the nest after eating most of that same 40 minutes. I'm new to this, and the experience was just wonderful. I had headphones on, and I believe you have stereo microphones with the camera, and the wildlife to be heard "in the background" was interesting, to say the least. Towards the end of the 40 minutes I watched them, it sounded as if either someone was walking up towards the tree, or there was serious work being accomplished by one of the eagles off camera. But they were both together for just over 40 minutes the morning of the 31st. Hope this helps...
Phil in Searsport
I am not sure why the link I posted last night only goes to the photobuucket home page. But here it is again. It works fine when I put it in. I hope you can get to see this video from yesterday.
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f38/vbella39/My Videos/?action=view¤t=BRIEAGLE4-1-08.flv
8:21 AM here in southern Maine. Appears that there is an eagle sitting in left side of the nest. Hard to tell as camera picture is not as close as in the past. Hopefully it is she sitting there and it is a good sign.
April 2 - 8:23 in SE Michigan
There is an Eagle sitting in the nest bowl - can't tell who it is. I give up trying to second guess this pair. Yesterday I had just about given up and and now it seems they're getting serious again.
Morning, Now its 8:30am and no sight of eagles. I am getting so restless over nothing happening. Really thought we would have eggs by now. No bad wind storms like last year. Do hope we have eaglets to see this year. Been watching now also for over 3 years.....such a great site and great work by all responsible for it! Maine is a beautiful state. Going home soon from Florida to western NY....weather should be getting better soon,,,,,,,,,after all its spring. Mary Jane ....keep waiting!!!
8:34am EDT. 4/2/08
I believe there is one eagle laying in the nest bowl. Hard to tell with the camera zoomed out and the direction of the sun hitting the nest. Fingers crossed.
4/2/08 7AM CST
When I first saw the still shots this morning I thought I saw a head in the left side of the nest- looking out into the ocean.
I started watching live and see it is very windy this morning in Maine. I thought maybe the eagles' body was flattened out into the nest bowl due to the wind. So I ate my breakfast and watched.
Now, 20 minutes later, I don't think that it is a head at all, or at least the head of an eagle. The object is just not moving like eagle's heads I have seen in the past. Does anyone know what it is on the left side of the nest bowl? Is it a carcass? Large stick?
Watcher in Wisconsin
4/2 8:50am Eastern time
I sat in at 6:48, I can hear Dad. I don't see them.
6:51 I hear Mom
6:58 Mom twice
7:01 Mom and a crow
7:03 Mom
7:10 Mom
7:12 Mom
7:13 Dad very excited. Must be food! They are quiet.
7:21 Dad very excited again.
Mom has that certain way of calling for Dad, like clockwork!
9:00am it's quiet right now.
Sue in MD
April 2 - 9:10 AM in SE Michigan
The Eagle is still on the nest. This is encouraging.
9:22 EST 4/02/08 Both birds on the nest, just landed. Im on it, watching like a hawk, haven't slept all night. They are eating also.
Steve in MD
4-2 9:26am
Just looked in and both are in the nest. One is eating, the other sitting on the Y. Dont know how long they have been there.
9:30am on Wed 4/2/08. Both birds at nest for at least 10 mintues. They've been there since I tuned it. One is eating something. The other is sitting on a branch overlooking the water.
3-2-08 9:42AM One eagle on Y branch and another has just flown in. Now TWO are there.
Barb
9:44am - both eagles at the nest; one on the Y branch, one doing nestorations.
4/2 - 9:40 a.m. Both eagles on our nest for longer than 10 minutes. I checked in earlier - no eagles. Then about 15 minutes later at 7:28 checked in to see both eagles alread already at the nest. He was on the Y branch. She was eating on the side of the nest. They stayed like that for 12 minutes. Then he flew off. She went to the Y branch. She called after about 1 minute and he flew back answering. They are now both at the nests again. He is now feeding, the female on the Y branch. It's now almost 20 minutes.
I can assume that if they have another nest with eggs, they have left it too long. I hope it means they will stay with this nest and lay eggs. But it may be too late this season.
920 Both eagles on...start the count again (they are eating "the item"
924 Dad (i think) to the Y branch...crows cawing off cam
Dad off at 9:39 chasing something off? it was after squawking by both = 19 min
Dad back at 9:40 his turn at the nestover
mom off at 9:44
dad to y branch 944
Nan
These are my observations
9:35 - Both at nest. Mom eating on rim and dad on Y.
9:40 - Das flies off. Mom continues to snack.
9:42 - Dad returns and they trade places (dad now eating and mom on Y)
9:45 - Dad flies away again.
Still hoping for the best. After the winter we have had we need something good to happen :)
Tammi in Durham ME
4/2/08 9:30am ET Both eagles at the nest, Mom eating & Dad just catching some sun on the Y branch looking around. Couple of cries & Dad flew off but it looks like Mom is watching him fly around the nest. Now she's on the Y branch looking around. She calls out & Dad is back in one minute 9:45am both still at nest now Dad's eating & Mom just flew off & Dad jumps to the Y branch & starts looking around. Dad flew off 9:50am.
Anne, NJ
4-2-08, 8:30am Central time; Signed on to Mom & Dad already at the nest. One having a meal! 8:42, one left. 8:44, came back! Lots of calling. Looks like a beautiful day there. I believe it's dad eating...things are just a bit blurry...still windy. 8:48, mom took off, now Dad on Y branch. Let's see how long he stays...8:50, well there he gooeess. It's just great watching these 'guys'! Carole inMN
April 2 9:47 A.M.
Tuned in at 9:24 a.m. one eagle on y branch. Second flew in, started eating, one on Y branch flew off at 9:46 a.m. Other went to Y branch.
Karen in Denmark
4/2
9:30 AM, both eagles land on nest. Mom eats until 9:40, dad on Y branch.
9:41 dad takes and returns less than a minute later, mom on branch now and dad takes his turn at breakfast.
9:46 mom takes off and dad is up on the Y branch.
9:49 dad leaves nest.
Bill in Conn.
4/2 - Correction to former entry. She left 17 minutes after I first saw them both on the nest. But remember when I logged on they were already there and feeding.
After 3 more minutes the male completed feeding and flew off.
Several strong gusts of wind rocked tree. But other than that the weather is much improved.
4/2 9:50am
I tuned in to video at about 9:30am ET. Both eagles on nest. I don't know how long they've been there. Dad on Y branch and mom on rim of bowl working on nest. Dad flew off for a minute or two and returned. Now he's in nest and mom is on Y branch.
9:46am mom flies off and dad moves to Y branch. At 9:50 dad flies off. I have to leave so hopefully someone else will document if they return.
Looks windy today.
I do not believe that these Eagles have a nest somewhere else. They spend a good deal of time in the nest together.
In nest off and on for 20 min. while I watched. Possibly longer.
Pam, Colo.
4/2/08
8:21am CDT Two eagles on nest. One of them may have already been in nest but I didn't see it until other bird flew in.
8:45am CDT One left.
8:48am CDT Other flew away. While in nest they appeared to be eating something.
April 2, 2008. Unless I was seeing a previously posted viewing, around 9:25 a.m. give or take a few minutes, both eagles arrived. One had some kind of food. They both fed, at the same time and then separately. After around 15-20 minutes,one flew off, came back to eat and flew off again. The other stayed another 5 minutes or so and then flew off.
4-1 9:52am
I just come back to check, and they were gone. :(
4/2...9:20am mom lands in nest and dad follows. Mom starts eating and dad moves moss around.
9:25 dad hops to y branch while mom eats
9:40 dad flies off. mom watches for a moment then goes back to eating
9:42 mom hops on y branch and cleans beak and preens
9:43 dad comes back with much conversation between them.Dad eats the leftovers while mom watches from branch
9:44 mom talks while dad eats
9:46 mom flies off and dad moves to y branch
9:49 dad flies off
They stay for a total of 29 minutes. I was hoping for longer, but at least, he brought lunch.
Mary in OH
10:11 on 4/2/08 Michigan time.
9:23 - 2 eagles, one eating, one digging in the nest.
9:26 - one eagle on the Y-branch, may be female.
9:39 - eagle on branch screeching.
9:40- eagle on branch gone.
9:42 - nest eagle on Y-branch. 2nd eagle returns fromt he right, screeching loudly, male?
9:47 - eagle in the nest gone, eagle on the branch still there.
9:50 - no eagles in the nest.
Is it my imagination or is there a wild wind blowing? It seems like the camera tree is moving around much more than normal.
4/2 (Upstate NY time:) 09:22 1st eagle in nest and 2nd eagle (appears larger in size) right behind. 1st eagle fixing nest and
2nd eagle eating.
09:26 1st eagle on Y branch. 2nd eagle still eating.
09:39 Both eagles briefly "talking" to each other.
09:41 1st eagle flies off to the left of the screen and 2nd eagle watches.
09:42 2nd eagle on Y branch. Food still in nest bowl (dining room).
09:43 1st eagle back to nest. Flies in from right of screen. Both eagles "talking" to each other. 1st eagle starts eating.
2nd eagle still in Y branch.
09:46 2nd eagle flies off to right of screen. 1st eagle stops eating and goes to Y branch.
09:49 1st eagle looks straight to the left and then flies off in that direction. Food left in the nest bowl.
Hello Wing,
Two eagles were present at the nest at 6:15 this morning and again at 9:30 this morning.
9:49 am. MST (11:49 in Maine)
I have been checking in periodically during the morning and I haven't seen or heard from Mom and Dad. It has been really quiet today at the nest sight! Nothing, but the wind today! I will check back later.
T&R in New Mexico
4/2 9:08am PDST
Checked in later than normal.
No Eagles at the nest at this time
I will continue to check throughout the day.
Boy it sure is a windy day in Maine at the Eagle Inn
Karen in WA
4/2 12:25pm Eastern time
All is quiet right now.
I just missed seeing them at the 9:20 visit. Had to fill my bird feeders!
Sue in MD
hELLO EVERYONE, THESE EAGLES ARE SIMPLY STUPENDOUS. I AM DAILY AMAZED BY THEIR BEAUTY AND AMUSED BY THEIR ANTICS. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING FOR A WHILE BUT STILL TRYING TO FIND MY WAY AROUND THIS "BLOG" THING. I READ YOUR COMMENTS DAILY AND IT'S BETTER THAN MOST NOVELS. THANK YOU MR GOODALE AND THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SHARING. I LIVE VERY CLOSE TO WHERE I BELIEVE OUR EAGLES DO AND IT IS EXTREMELY WINDY BUT BRIGHT AND SUNNY TODAY. I'M HOPING THAT OUR EAGLES WILL ENJOY THE SUN ENOUGH TO START THEIR FAMILY. I'M HOPING THIS SUMMER WHILE I KAYAK I'LL LOOK UP AND SEE ONE OF OUR GUYS SOARING OVER MY HEAD.
4/2/08
Just a thought, "Wing."
Since the Eagles are spending some time on the nest we are viewing, they could not have eggs at another site. Since Mom or Dad would have to be sitting on any egg/eggs full time and our eagles (both) visit this nest often and together, then it would appear they have no eggs elsewhere.
Today on the coast of maine it is extremely windy and I mean windy. There are tremendous whitecaps on our harbor here in Stockton so the eagle must be keeping a low profile somewhere out of the wind perhaps.
I have been watching this cam since the hatching of the fledged eaglets of 06. In the past 6 months or so the eagles have made a habit of coming up in from the right, and exiting the same way. My theory is that they built a second nest, that they may have failed to finish or finished and eggs failed… I may be wrong, and it could be just a perching place for them day and night. They do this at ALL times of the day and sometimes several times a day. But it is a newer habit for sure and is worth looking into.. 2 nests could explain their sporadic behaviors. Just my 2 cents… CLC
Video of todays 940am visit
this video from a few days ago. shows them both leave down to right
April 2 9:22 AM in SE Michigan
Mom is now at the nest eating. Dad us on the Y. Both Eagles on the nest until 9:50. It's 2:50 and I've checked off and on and haven't seen anything,
9 am eastern time***both eagles were at the nest feeding***on nest aprox 15 minutes***
Thank you ALL (bloggers), not just Wing and Charlie, for making this a great site and a great blog. I was so upset after last year's failure and am still hoping we get to see a success. I have a question though. When watching the web cam, it automatically cuts out after 2 minutes. I know we are not supposed to hog the site, but it makes it difficult to "be on the lookout" when having to keep reconnecting.
Dais in Biddeford, Maine
4/2 EST
5:35pm What I believe to be the male eagle has just landed on the nest. He seems to be sprucing up the place.(no pun intended :)) 5:39pm Now he is looking out to the ocean. Wind seems to have subsided a bit. 5:44pm Eagle took off down to lands below. He seemed so lonely. :( Poor guy, needs his mate.
Cal
4/2/08 5:30 ET
5:35 An eagle lands in the nest. Can't tell if it's mom or dad. Possibly brought food? Poked around in the nest bowl for a few minutes. Now just sitting there looking around. Still very windy at the site. No calling that I can hear.
5:44 The eagle flies off to the left of the nest and down.
4/2 2:46pm PDST
2:30pm Looks to be Dad (Lone Eagle) in nest when I checked in, standing at rim of nest looking out towards the water.
2:44pm Dad flies off to the left of Y and down from the nest.
Total time while I was watching is 14 minutes at the nest. was maybe a little longer since he was already there.
at 2:48pm Heard both Dad & Mom close calling but off camera.
2:50 Still hear calling but all off camera.
Will post again later if they come back.
Karen in WA
0610 EDT one eagle on the nest. 0615 second joins the first landing on the far branch. Eagle in the nest pulls at the nesting material doing some rearranging. 0620 eagle on far branch leaves then the second eagle departs at 0624. I was sure hoping for the 10 minutes together "sign". Later at 0935 both were at the nest--one in the nest eating a fish the other on the far branch. 0939 One on the branch then takes off 0941 eagle on the nest jumps to the far branch and the second eagle returns and feeds off the fish. 0950 both take off. Can her a lot of background calling off camera for maybe another 10 minutes.
Both eagles are at the nest. Mom is in the nest. Let's hope for an egg or two!
4/2 3:11pm PDST
Both eagles in nest Dad on Y and Mom down in nest bowl in incubating position. They were there when I checked in earlier. I will go back to watching and give you as close a time as I can.
Could this be it! I hope!
Karen in WA
It's 6:15 PM EST and both eagles are at the nest. One is on the Y branch, the other (let's say she) s sitting in the nest. She has gotten up and re-adjusted her position a couple of times but the way she is sitting down in the nest right now you can hardly see her. They have both been there for at least 20 mins that I've been watching.
4/2 5:52 pm. Both eagles arrived at the nest.
One is now on y branch while the other is doing some nest work. Now he (I think) is now resting in the nest.
6:17 pm. Both still at the nest, one on Y branch, the other resting in nest.
just checked in and one bird in nest, one on y branch - it's 6:12 pm Maine time and they look as if they have been there for a while - hope someone caught their arrival. Looking very cozy - didn't see the one in the nest until it moved it's head - snuggled down deep in the bowl.
Donna
OKC
Got to run or I'd wait for departure time - with any luck there won't be a departure!!
I turned on the computer at 6:12 p.m. on 4/2. Male on Y branch, Female in nest. Still there at 6:21.
It's late afternoon and the pair have been at the nest for more than
20 minutes. One parent is sitting still and low in the nest and the other is on the Y branch. Both are relaxed and gazing out on the water. Looks like the start of something big!!!
I almost hate to post, so many of us seem to report the same thing, and it makes so much for you to wade through, Wing. But, I will only report when they are both there, or something unusual occurs.
4-2-08 5:56 pm Eagle Time
Both arrived at the nest, as of now, at 6:27 they are both still there, believe female in nest and male on Y branch. Hopefully, she at least, is settling in for a night's stay..can't help but hope they have been mating off camera...but time will tell. Lord, what a ride they are getting, wind is vicious here (and there) today.
cj in Maine
4-2 6.29pm EST So far the pair have been at the nest for about half and hour. momma keeps repositions herself. Poppa caught a wind and almost tumbles off the Y branch. Hold Tight You two!
Good Evening...,6:30 pm
An eagle is swaying on the Y branch as this is written. Hang on...high wind advisory is in effect until 8 tonight. Gusts could reach 50 mph but this should be the tail end of winds that much of Maine has experienced today.
Tonight, it will remain clear and windy with the winds staying in the 15-25 mph range.
Tomorrow will bring sunny skies but it will feel brisk even with temps in the 40's. Another windy day with gusts of wind that can get up to 35 mph. Clear again tomorrow night.
Have a nice evening and keep the faith...
okay - really have to run - but in case no one else is checking in - they are still at the nest site 6:30 pm Eastern- one in nest(darn - think it might be dad) and other on y branch. Looking very settled in. One in nest has turned to face into camera -was getting too many feathers ruffled facing out to sea. Wind is pretty strong
Donna - OKC
Both at nest tonight 630pm. I do recall seeing one nesting this morning before daylight. Now one is lying in the nest while the other sits on the y. I have seen them here today more then the past few days. I'm still hoping it's just a late start to their family.
Lori
April 2 - 6:22 PM in SE Michigan
I just logged on and Mom is on the Y branch. It's very windy. I just noticed Dad is on the nest, too. He appears to be settling in - he's really low in the nest and she's just looking out over the water. Isn't this role reversal?
Keyboardqueen: I don't remember if I responded to you - I'm on the opposite side of the state on Lake Erie - 20 miles North of Toledo.
4/2 It's 6:36 p.m. Other than the female turning around in the nest, they are both hanging tight. This is the longest I, personally, have seen them on the nest looking as if they are actually doing something.
04/02 @ 17:34
Happy to report:
17:10 - Found an eagle on the left Y. Also an eagle nesting in the bowl, face to the right! No activity, both just hangin out.
17:18 - Some vocals.
17:20 - Unidentified fly by.
17:26 - Eagle in bowl turns, faces camera & poking at nest bottom. Completes a half turn, chest down settle in with head now facing left and slightly toward camera.
17:43 - Both eagles remain in place. Gusty wind slightly rocks the cradle but really shakes the Y branch.
Practice incubation going on?? This is getting to be a significant amount of time. Hope to hear when they arrived and hope someone catches departure.
No sign of egg turning ... only position change. Meanwhile the eagle on the Y just looking around facing the water.
JAM in IL
4/2 5:56 p.m. Both eagles flew to the nest. He worked on the nest for about 5 minutes. She supervised. Then he moved to the Y branch. She settled into the nest bowl. After about 20 minutes she turned to face other way. Still in bowl after about 1 hour.
Very windy day. Their talons must grip very securely. While the branches are dancing, he seems completely at ease and stable on the Y branch.
I need to sign off now.
Both mom and dad are at the nest. Mom is laying down getting it warmed up, maybe some activity tonight. Dad's up on the branch. It is 4/2 @6:47 PM. It's nice to see them back.
4/02 @ 6:12 PM eastern
Came up to my computer with supper tonight at about 5:50. Dad was in the nest, fussing of course. Mom swooped in shortly after I got here. She fussed (probably "undid" all dad's work) by moving some sort of dead thing and snuggled into the bowl. Dad hopped up to the Y. She is still snuggled, while he's hanging on for dear life as the wind knocks him around.
6:15...I'd say this is a good solid visit...I doubt there are eggs anywhere else that would be left unprotected for this length of time in this darned wind.
Boy, we are all so trying to hold on to the belief that these two will give us a new family to coo over!
6:17...still there, both facing the water...wind is relentless.
6:21...nothing pretty about a raven's "honk" or "bark". Mom and dad didn't like it either and squeaked back, all the while both are in the same positions
6:26...good grief! Hang on dad!
6:34...still holding on, mom now snuggled facing left...closing in on one hour together at "home"
6:50...well, one solid hour...a few squeaks, but that's about it, and they are still hanging out on the home front...I just can't believe the wind.
Goodnight for now. I'll be up once more before my bedtime...hang tough, mom and dad.We love you guys!
6:50 PM EST
Both eagles present, one in the nest and one on Y-branch. Very Windy.
4/2 ES
5:56pm left for a sec and now I see the eagles (both) are back. Mom is on the edge and dad is in the bowl. Mom is moving moss around the nest. 5:59pm Dad moves out to Y branch then mom moves into the bowl of the nest seems to be huddling down. She is so low in the nest you barely see her head. Read somewhere (not sure where) that this nest is close to 12 feet deep. Wonder what the actually demensions are. Anyone know? 6:19pm crow heard in the distance made the eagles call out. They were looking out the the left. 6:27 mom rises and moves about then nests back into the bowl facing the camera. An occasional chatter is all we hear and no movement. Just a couple of eagles watching the world. 6:56pm Been a whole hours and eagles are still here. Male on the Y and female in the bowl of the nest. Wish I had more time to observe them, but have to get supper on the table for family. Sounds of a jet passing over.
Till later...
Cal
4/2/08 6:55 and both eagles are at the nest one in the bowl the other on the Y
Deb in Maine
4/2/08 6:48 p.m. ET
Both eagles are in the nest. I'm assuming it's mom lying down in the bowl and dad is on the Y branch. Not sure how long they have been here but mom?looks pretty comfy and like she's planning to stay for a while! THIS is encouraging!! All I can see of mom?is her beautiful white heading sticking up out of that nest bowl. What a gorgeous site!!
Just checked in and both eagles are at the nest. One sitting and one looking out over the ocean. Hope they stay. Louise in Tx.
Well, one has been on the branch and another has been in the next for a very long time. So......
7pm EST 4/3/08 - Dad on branch and mom sitting in nest.
WHAT A SIGHT!!!
JUST SIGNED ON AT7:04 PM AND MOM [I THINK}IS IN THE NEST [DEEP] AND DAD [I THINK] IS BEING A LOOKOUT ON THE Y.
THANKS TO ALL FOR THE BLOG. THANKS TO WING AND CHARLES FOR THE INFO.
HERE I GO AGAIN---MESMERIZED.
WATERGAL-NH--YES IT IS VERY WINDY.
Just looked in and both eagles are on the nest.
4-2-08 7:08pm
I have been watching the eagles now since 6pm and its now 7:10 pm and they have both been at the nest the whole time. The female is now hunkered down in the nest and at times seems to be poking around and re-arranging things. The male is on the "Y" and I'm hoping that this is a good sign!!!
Mom and Dad have both been at the nest for more than 40 minutes...so I think that we can safely say that they don't have eggs or chicks elsewhere. Now if they could just get down to the business at hand !!
njl306 in NH
4/2
Wing-enjoyed your comments-have had Eaglecam up since 6:10pm EST and the pair are still there.....hope this is encouraging as I was fortunate to follow the pair 2 years ago.
J from Ontario Canada
7:15 EASTERN TIME
I just tuned in two minutes ago and saw one eagle on the nest. I just hopped of to the Y branch and then flew downward out of the tree. I heard a few twitters, but nothing now.
6:38 PM EDT 4/2
Both eagles are at the nest. One is actually down in the bowl of the nest (I think Mom), and the other (I believe Dad) is on the Y branch looking out at the ocean - standing guard.
I looked maybe 10 or 15 minutes ago and dad was on the Y branch at that time, but I didn't notice mom on or in the nest at that time. However, I'm thinking that perhaps I just didn't look close enough, and therefore didn't notice her at that point, as she is blending in very well with the nest (her feathers seem to be a lighter brown than dad... so she blends in better with the nest).
6:45 PM - both eagles are in the same positions - mom down in the nest bowl, and dad on the Y branch. The wind is really picking up.
6:48 PM - both eagles are in the same positions... so it's been at least 10 minutes now.
6:58 PM - both still there, same positions - mom still down in the nest bowl. It's been 20 minutes at least...
7:06 PM - Mom got up and turned herself in the nest, and then started carefully nudging something below her - like they do when turning an egg. She turned to face the other direction and started poking around in the nest below her again, which is when Dad flew down from the Y branch, into the nest, and started joining Mom in fussing over something in the bowl of the nest under her. Her sort of got in her way, so it seemed he was maybe going to take over, and she flew out of the nest at 7:09.
7:12 - Dad is still in the nest, but not sitting down IN the bowl of the nest like Mom was. He's looking all around, sort of as if he's thinking "Now, where the heck did she go?" I've truly never seem him crane his neck and look around so intently.
7:15 - it's very, very windy - and dad finally moves to the edge of the nest, and then to the Y branch, and then flies away to the right.
7:16 - I can hear Dad's rasp, hoarse call.
7:18 PM - nest still empty.
So, they were both there for at least 30 minutes this evening - probably a bit longer. And they sure did look like they were sitting on an egg... or at least really practicing.
4/2
Wing-enjoyed your most recent comments-have been watching since 6:10pm EST and the pair have been there since then. It is now getting too dark.
J in Ontario Canada
Greetings from Florida. I observed eagle on the nest around 7:00 PM EDT. It walked around the nest for awhile then flew away.
04/02 @ 19:20
18:10 to 19:08 - Continuously observed two eagles in the nest at the same time.
Continuing an earlier post:
18:10 - Found two eagles in at the nest ... one on left Y and one nesting in bowl as stated.
19:05 - Eagle in bowl is up with head into bowl. Eagle from Y moves into bowl and both heads are down. Eagle originally in bowl is now standing while the Y eagle is busy with the bowl bottom.
19:08 - First eagle in bowl is off. Eagle from Y is still turning in bowl with head busy with bottom.
19:11 - Remaining eagle is still standing in the bowl, looking around.
19:14 - Eagle moves to main Y and flies off to the right.
Not certain as I forgot to note, but I think the first eagle flew off to the left. Also, I changed my mind more than once re id. Suspect female was nesting. Perhaps others have more positive id.
Again, seems like a signficant amount of time; might constitute practice incubation. Wish that I had caught arrival!
Cannot imagine these two would have eggs someplace else.
JAM in IL
I checked in at 6:40 pm and both eagles were on the nest. One in the nest and the other on the Y branch. The perching eagle flew away around 7:10. The nesting eagle stayed until 7:15. LOVE watching them!
4/2 4:24pm PDST
From earlier post of both eagles at nest 3:03pm PDST
Dad remained on the y and Mom down in nest bowl in incubating position thru these times with fierce winds:
3:03-3:27 when the wind gust made Mom get up and fiddles with something in the nest bowl, (don't get excited as you will see as follows NO EGG)then turns and repositions back into the nest bowl Dad still on y
3:27 thru 4:06 Dad flies down to nest from Y and then looks like they are going to do a nest exchange.
Mom goes to standing at rim by the y and Dad fiddles with the nest bowl
4:08 Mom flies off to the left of the Y
4:10 Dad is sitting in nest bowl high
4:11 Dad standing in bowl
4:14 Dad out to Y
4:16? Dad flew off I had to leave the screen for a short minute and didn't actually see him fly off.
Total time for Both Eagles being together at the nest this time for what I saw was. 1 hr. 13 min.
Nest is now empty and night cam is on time now when ready to post 4:43pm left it up waiting to see if they would come back. No Such Luck! :)
Karen in WA
4/2/08 8 p.m. ET
Where did they go??!! They were looking SO like they were going to stay at the nest!! I didn't see them leave - did something happen? I am SO bummed!!
I am curious about the meaning of both on the nest for 10 minutes or more. Last spring after they had laid eggs, this nest was left untended for close to 2 hours once.
A few have asked about when both eagles arrived this afternoon. I noted that one arrived at 2:47 PDT and the other right after. They were both there until 4:08 PDT when Mom flew off and Dad settled down in the nest (kind of). Unfortunately, I had to leave but from other entries it sounds like Dad left at around 4:17 PDT. I did get some great still pics from today.
M in Portland – I agree with what you saw in the nest bowl before Mom left, they were both fussing around where Mom was nesting.
SLW in WA
It is 3 am, Thursday morning. The wind has quieted down at the waterfront. Sunny skies are expected for the day with temp up in the 40's...a welcome sight to all of us Maine folks, I am sure.
I hope I am wrong but.....
I have been observing these eagles as you all have for the last few months...They seem to be doing what they are suppose to be doing. They started out refurbising the nest, moving things around, bringing in new matter....yes, it was hard to find nesting material at times, the weather was horrible with so much more snow than usual, but these are MAINE eagles...a large beautiful bird that has stood up to the test of time from the beginning. They continued and still continue to do everything that seems to be right. They watch over their nest, they have pretected their nest, they have stayed at their nest for long periods of time...the female has spent at least three nights in a row in the nest....YET, no egg laying that we are aware of although we have seen copulation more than once and as with normal eagles, within camera range is not the only place, it is certain....
Therefore, what is happening?
I want to be wrong and there is still a short time in which they may lay (I pray they do) but I am now believing that she is infertile. Or maybe it is him. I know facts say that all eagles do not breed each year but breeding does not seem to be the problem, egg laying does. They certainly have done all the right things yet no eggs. Their copulation just doesn't seem to take.
Therefore, my lovely eagles, go ahead and prove me wrong...We are all wishing you well and want what is best for you. We will stick by you, no matter what, we will continue to support Wing and BRI and if we do not get a successful season with you this year, we will be looking forward to you having one next year. I understand infertile mates do not stay together but, without banding, we will not know for sure....
I will stay "hanging in there" with you.. I think I can say for all, we appreciate this site and it continues to be a great source of education with all the great bloggers and most of all, because of all the work Wing does with his eagles and all the projects we do not even know about.
Love you guys and......
Keep the faith.
5:56 AM 4/03 eastern time
The way I interpret the "ten minutes or longer together at the nest" is this-
If there were eggs elsewhere, one of the two adults would have to be sitting on them. Therefore when they are both at this nest site for long periods of time then there are most likely no eggs in another nest.Last night they were together for well over an hour in that biting howling, wind, which must have kept Maine temperatures quite bitterly cold. If there is more to it than that, I am sure one of our wonderfully observant "bloggers", or Wing himself, will fill us in
I hear mom...not too far off. A calm and quiet morning on the home front, at this point anyway.
It's 6:47am Eastern Time. I just tuned in and there is one eagle on the left side of the Y branch. The sunrise (beautiful!) is making too much silhouette to see in the nest itself. Whoever is on the branch did some chatter, but it went unanswered.
Amy in MA
I can't get in very often, but when I do low and behold at least one eagle is on the nest. I hear crows but not the eagles. Oh my..... spoke too soon AWESOME I finally hear them. What a beautiful sound.
good morning all,
I signed on about 30 min ago and one eagle in nest eating. I do not know how long it has been there.
Turned around and now the eagle is sitting on a left side branch overlooking the ocean.
No noise.[calling].
Wonder where the other eagle is.
7:19am Bird on branch still there.
well here goes another day of watching.
Watergal nh
Another video put together by Peggy to music April 2nd visit between 7:06pm & 7:14pm 8 minutes of over an hour visit by M & D. Includes both departures.
Both were on nest last evening...1 roosting...for at least 1 houf, then gone.
4/3/08 at 9:23 Michigan time.
Just tuned in...no eagles on nest. Beautiful sunny day it looks like. Still sounds kind of windy, but not like yesterday.
4/3 10:15am Eastern time
I loggod on at 9:30 and nothing, all is very quiet.
9:39 heard Dad
9:43 Dad's excited
9:47 I believe I heard them both.
10:15 nothing
I just re-read some notes from last April;
-The chicks didn't make it thru the storm on 4/17/07.
-Wing went to the site on the 18th and said it looked like a hurricane hit, power out everywhere.
-Wing also reminded us how important the tall pines are because this nest is 15' deep, and very strong.
-Mom and Dad mourned for about a week, looking and looking into an empty nest bowl.
-The pair DID try to renest by the 26th, copulating and bringing more nesting material.
I guess we're still in the 'iffy' time period. I'm hoping for the best, just the fact that they are still calling this site home is a great sign.
Sue in MD
4/3 11:42 ET
Karen in Central Maine and several others have asked about the size of the nest. It is 6 feet across and 15 feet in height 30ft up in a white pine.
For those of you that would like more info on this pair of Eagles, you can go to
http://www.nwf.org/eaglecam/meetoureagles.cfm
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has a great educational site and the Eagle Cam can be accessed via their site. There is also a link to BioDiversity Research so you can blog.
This is an awesome site and as others have said, there are a great group of people posting blogs. I've never blogged on any other site but this pair of Eagles holds such a special place in all of our hearts.
After watching for years, it would be heartbreaking to think that this pair's egg laying years could end with 2007's outcome. They deserve to go into "retirement" with a successful year.
Hoping for good things for this couple.
Pam in Colo.
4-3 Wed, 10:52am CDT. They just arrived! Having lunch. I had just looked and minimized and then they came in calling... by the time it refreshed they were landed and eating. I think its Mom chowing down. Ooo.. the one NOT eating just left.(10:58) Ooops he's back and trying to edge in for some food. Mom's holding out!(10:59) "Ok, so have some! but not TOO much!" Now, 11:03, Dad left, again. We'll see for how long this time....
I was just thinking(good thing no one out there knows me... they'd say "it's about time!!" he he) it sure is a good thing only Wing has control over the zoom! I can see if any of us had the controls!! Zoom IN, OUT; no IN, no OUT we'd be sea sick! With the weather so clear I, personally would like to zoom out to see more of the surrounding area, but then with the eagle bringing in food I'd zoom in to see what it was... and so on. Mom's quiet now, no competition for her food! Well, better get back to work. Will keep an eye-out. Carole, inMN
4/3 EST
12noon. Got here just in time to see both eagles munching on some lunch. 12:01pm one eagle leaves the nest. The other continues to feed. 12:08 airplane overhead. Eagle still chomping in the wind.12:17pm crows off in the distance squawking. Eagle isn't phased by it so he/she continues to feed. 12:23pm eagle has finally finished eating..seems to be walking toward the edge of the nest. Hops over to the Y branch and cleans up after lunch. Ahh now I see her better. It is the female. Brown in color and scraggly looking. 12:26pm Eagle heads out to the left and now I hear eagles calling. Silence.....
Cal
12:21 PM EST: Saw 1 eagle standing in nest. I thought I also saw something in it's talons (possibly food). It left the "food" in the nest and landed on the Y branch where it stood until 12:26 PM.
4/3
I heard a small plane - a flyover from Charlie Todd? - at about 11:45, then within minutes both birds flew to the nest. I believe female 1st w/ food and the male close behind. He only stayed about 5 minutes as the meal was not for him. She ate, sat on the Y branch, then flew off at 12:25.
J in S.P.ME
4/3 9:29am PDST
9:08am Found eagle at nest already there eating something. Dad/Mom?
Think it may be Mom?
9:16am Still there eating looking up at times.
9:21am Still there eating
9:24am Eagle up to Y. Not sure exactly when that may have happened since I had to leave screen for a minute.
9:26am Flies off to the right. Can still hear the calling off camera.
9:27am All Quiet
Total time for Lone Eagle in nest:
19 minutes. Could be more since the eagle was already there when I checked in.
Have a wonderful day,
BBL-(Be Back Later)
Karen in WA
Has anyone ever seen a whale in the back ground while viewing the live shot. In the water of course.LOL!!!!!!
4/3 10:32am PDST
10:18am Checked in Mom? at nest already. Fiddling with the bowl
10:20am Sitting high on rim of the nest facing main trunk.
10:22am Out to rim by the Y sitting looking out over the water.
10:24am A big shack and some preening . Back to watching view of water. Very windy still
10:27am Still there by the y sitting on nest rim.
10:29 Flies off to the right but then I saw it fly below the Y and fly to the left of camera view. Don't know if that means anything?
Total time Lone Eagle at nest this time: 11 minutes possibly more since it was already there.
Karen in WA
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