Blackwater Refuge, Maryland - Bald Eagle Cam

http://www.friendsofblackwater.org/camhtm2.html
The camera has frequently updating still shots, and uses infrared technology to provide "night vision." They hope to have it daily back online around December 10th. It is turned off from 11 pm - 3 am to reduce bandwidth expenses.

The nest is located in the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland's Eastern Shore. This is one of the first nests to have a cam, and has been online since 2005. The pair has successfully raised three chicks in 2005, and two each in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Based on past experience, look for eggs in late January, chicks in early March, and fledging in mid to late May.

2009-2010 Season:

• adults in area: seen on osprey nest September 18th
  
• cam on: December 12
  
• eggs laid: January 20, ~4 pm; January 23, 3:42 pm
  
• hatched: February 26, 5:28 pm (37 days); seen February 28 6:16 am (36 days)
  
• named: April 27 - Avis (likely female) and Aquila (likely male)
  
• fledged: May 21 (84 days), May 22 (83 days)
  
• last seen: both June 22, one June 25; cam had problems and went offline June 27

(Information from Friends of Blackwater; 2008 screen cap by soph9)

Link to the thread for the previous nesting season

5:54 am EST,

They were staying close to each other; still a little sleepy maybe.

Hi Blackwater :bye:: D looks like a mighty good perch :thumrt:

Caught a glimpse of them today but only got one scap!!

Good morning,

Thanks Debs,
...and a mighty fine "one" scap it was that you got for us. :grin:

7:15 a.m., Eagles not visable on the nest at this time.

Morning Blackwater

Hi Cal

Just caught a glimpse of them both; I see Ma is there now alone. Can see new nesting materials in the nest too :thumrt:





Now off to work I go hi ho

Nice catch Debs,
Hope you have a productive day at work and have some fun too. :grin:

Nice pics, Debs! I noticed that there was a fish in the nest, and a little later it looked as if Mom was enjoying lunch as Dad looked on.

And it's now getting dark, and we have an eagle snuggled in the nest - and a couple of minutes ago, she poked around a bit - and then settled back into the nest.

The earliest they have laid an egg since I've been watching is January 23 - and it's especially hard to tell preparation from the "real deal" on the nests with refresh cams - a lot can happen in the 30 seconds between refreshes.

But I'm planning to keep my eye on this cam!

(Note: they do have night vision, though I think they shut it off for part of the overnight period to save bandwidth.)

Edited to add more description and replace the attached pictures
I saw a fish in the nest around noon - and shortly thereafter, I noticed Mom dining while Dad stood by. And while I wasn't paying close attention, it seemed as if one or both were there a lot this afternoon.

Then around 4:00 pm, I noticed that Mom(?) was nestled in. I've seen her get up and stretch, and reach down underneath. I've seen Dad come to visit (and they might actually have changed places between refreshes) - but I have not been able to see if there's anything underneath her. It's now 6:30 and the cam is on night vision, and Mom has her head tucked in, so I think she's planning to spend the night.

More pictures from earlier today: