There is a nest in Virginia with four bald eagle chicks this year. I believe our Clark Fork nest is the third nest ever documented with four live chicks. I'm sure there's other successful nests like this but out of human viewing. It's awe-inspiring and impressive to know the eagle species is doing so well. What an education to be able to watch them and see their behaviors and growth.

The biologist checked on them several times this last week while I was gone. Evidently, the parents brought another fawn to the nest. She got some photos of it. These parents are having to bring in BIG meals now.

During the past few years, the parents would sit on a couple of higher dead trees for hours watching the chicks during the week or two as they got ready to fledge. Sometimes a third white-headed mature eagle would be there as well. We surmised it was an adult offspring. The parents didn't chase him away or appear threatened. It was almost as if the third one came to keep an eye on the kids also.

This year, I don't see the parents sitting on those dead trees. This is a little different behavior. The nest is so much larger this year. Perhaps the parents aren't as concerned. Plus they are much more experienced now. I see them coming and going frequently during the day, still bringing in food.

Sue that is fascinating about the 3rd eagle watching also. It seems like they "brought in the troops" to help watch over their young - like an extra nanny.

These parents are incredible. Thank you again, Sue, for sharing with us.
carolyn

GOOD NEWS! One has definitely left the nest. I spotted it down on a branch about 20 feet below the nest, doing more flapping. I can only confirm two in the nest all morning. I thought I saw one fly across the river to one of the dead trees, but their dark feathers make it difficult to know. Both parents have taken positions this morning on the two separate dead trees, like they have in the past at time of fledge. Just now I spotted what I thought was one eaglet flying from across the river and a second later, the parent follows him. Here's the video on one chick on the lower branch.

http://youtu.be/-Tp3FuMpbSc

Then the parents brought in a huge fish, but there are only two chicks eating in the nest. A third is way down in the lower branch trying to figure out how to get back up for food. I haven't spotted the fourth one definitively yet.

whoo hooo two off and two on......your video clearlyl captures the branchers problem. Mom and Dad sure have their hands full. Now you will be seeing juvies everywhere. This has been so awesome to watch through your posts. Interesting that dad took off to keep an eye on the oldest flying over the river.

Good News Sue.......

That is neat that Dad is following to make sure the oldest is safe. It's great to see the one below the nest and the others happily eating. Thank you!
carolyn

The biologist was out today to check on the eaglets. There's definitely only two in the nest. One is somewhere where we can't see him. The one that is on the branches below the tree has not been able to fly anywhere. It ended up on some lower branches and has slowly worked its way up several feet. But it's still at least 30 feet below the nest. The biologist thinks it could be Joker, the youngest. At least it's still safely in the tree and unhurt.

Sue

We watched an eaglet work its way back to the nest slowly over a few days. The parents fed it in the branches. Will be interesting to hear if the parents feed this one as well.

That's very reassuring, Golden1. The eaglet down below has really made no progress. He is back down in the bottom. I suspect he's tired himself tremendously with attempts at flapping. He tries every now and then this evening, but he looks fatigued. The biologist assures me that the parents will continue to feed him. So I'm going to watch for that. Still no sign of the other one that left the nest. The parents are probably nearby guarding the two fledglings. I've see them come and go at the nest all day. I will worry until I see that fourth one.