We have an egg!
Most importantly, I am very happy to report that after three years of no eggs being laid the eagles at the BRIeaglecam1 nest have laid an egg. Courting behaviors began as early as January and were periodic. On March 23rd a heavy snow fell for a short period in the afternoon and both birds were observed at the nest. They were touching bills. The following day the egg was laid. Eagles typically lay two eggs but may lay up to three. Eggs are laid about each 48 to 72 hrs.
A bit of history of this nest
BRI began monitoring this nest in 2006 and it has been a tumultuous journey. In 2006, the nest produced 2 chicks, in 2007 the chicks died during a storm event in April. During our monitoring from 2008, 2009 and 2010 we observed no nesting but a great deal of activity in the nest including what appeared to be territorial disputes at the nest. While there are many reasons why birds may not nest, a ‘third bird’ can be a disturbance that disrupts the nesting cycle. More info…
A bit of information about this pair
Although it is very difficult to tell the male bald eagles from the females-females are larger. In addition, although these birds are not banded to reveal their identity, close observations by members of BRI’s online community have documented a dark patch near the base of the resident female’s tail. This appears to be a unique characteristic that has remained distinct for two years and this characteristic might allow us to identify an individual bird. There has also been speculation that the resident eagles at this nest may have changed over the past five years.
This nesting event is sure to bring joy to many eager followers of this webcam. Please join in the conversation at BRI’s online community where this blog is cross-posted. Also, you can find us on facebook, twitter, youtube, and of course at our website www.briloon.org. We hope to maintain this blog each week or two weeks so be in touch with questions.
Many thanks and happy spring!
Patrick Keenan
Outreach Director
BioDiversity Research Institute
posted by Bald Eaglecam at 3:04 PM
8 Comments:
Patrick-we are back again and watching from manomet!
Thank you, thank you! Great to have the blog back, which provides us with so much background information. How happy are we that we have at least one egg? Looking forward to a happy spring this year for our beautiful eagles.
Thank you for all the work you do.
Diana B.
Fairfield, Conn.
Thanks for the write-up Patrick. Getting the sponsor is terrific news!
Is there any possibility that an IR light could be placed/replaced at the Cam 1 site?
I also just read on the site that there are now 2 cams on eagles in Maine. Is that new? Or is that referring to Cam 1 and Cam 2 where the tree went down in November?
What has been done to locate the Cam 2 pair and do you know where they are and if they are nesting? Might a cam be installed this year to monitor them?
Hmmm
I made a comment yesterday that was never posted. Just about how happy I am to see the blog back!
Diana B., Fairfield, Conn.
This is my third attempt at leaving a response -- mainly to thank you for getting the blog up again. I don't know why it doesn't post ...
Diana B., Fairfield, Conn.
Thanks for this great post Patrick. We are all as excited as you about the prospect of a family this year at the Maine Nest!
Do you feel these are the same eagles as raised eaglets in 2006?
We are watching eagles for the 5th year now. My students and parents are excited. But, we wonder about the egg(s) being unattended? Is this common behavior with eagles? Seems I remember this happening last year as well.
Denise
Sonoma Ca.
I think the comment about no eggs for 3 years is incorrect. I believe 1 egg hatched 3 years ago but it was very early compared to this years eggs. There was a bad storm and the parents had to leave the nest and the eaglet died. It was heart breaking.
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