Most pictures are from the Maine Bald Eagle Cam Discussion Forum's
thread on the Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Cam
Additional info and pictures from the Hancock Wildlife Channel's
thread on the Norfolk Botanical Garden Bald Eagle Cam
The nest is in a botanical garden in Norfolk, Virginia. Last year's nest fell apart after the last chick fledged, and the eagles now are building a new nest. The camera has been moved to focus on the new nest. They have successfully raised three chicks in each of the last two seasons.
photo of new nest ©2007 Joe Foreman, Norfolk Botanical Garden
used with permission, all rights reserved
Based on past experience, look for eggs in the first half of February, chicks in mid-March, and fledging in early June.
2007-2008 Season Egg-Laying Summary
It appeared that three eggs were laid - the first February 1 around 6:30 pm; the second February 3 or 4 (Norfolk Botanical Garden thinks around 5:30 pm on the 4th); and the third February 8 at 11:41 pm.
Starting around February 12, a four-year-old female intruder started harassing the parents, forcing them from the nest for prolonged periods, resulting in the eggs being left uncovered for hours at a time; eventually the parents appeared to abandon the nest; two no-longer-viable eggs were retrieved from the vacated nest for testing February 19; there was no sign if a third egg in or near the nest.
The original female returned to the nest area February 20, and the original pair was seen mating February 24; scientists say there is still time for them to have a second clutch.
The first egg of second clutch likely laid March 16 at 2:21 pm; second egg possibly laid March 19 around 10:40 am .The first two eggs of the second clutch were lost early March 21, possibly when brooding parent jumped up to respond large bird - possibly a great horned owl - flying near or into the nest area; the female was observed consuming one egg around 7 am and another around 4:30 pm. Stephen Living, a wildlife biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, explained the behavior is not uncommon - “The egg eating behavior serves to recapture the valuable calories and calcium that went into creation of the egg,” he said. [from VDGIF Eagle Blog]
The third egg of second clutch was laid March 22 at 12:20 pm.
Lori's photos - April 27, 2008
first sighting - 3:38 pm
birdofprey's photos - April 27, 2008
second picture shows parent removing eggshell from the nest
Kai's photo - April 28, 2008
Lori's photo - April 28, 2008
Dutch Eagle Fan's photo - April 28, 2008
Lori's photo - April 29, 2008
PattiO's photos - April 29, 2008
Kai's photos - April 29, 2008
BIRDER's photo - April 30, 2008
Zoomer4's photo - April 30, 2008
Lori's photos -May 1, 2008
EagleEye's photos - May 1, 2008
joefore's photo - May 1, 2008
EagleEye's photos - May 1, 2008
BIRDER's photo - May 2, 2008
eiguoc's photo - May 2, 2008
gogee's photo - May 2, 2008
BIRDER's photos - May 3, 2008
Eagle Lover from NYC - Starr's photo - May 3, 2008
BIRDER's photos - May 3, 2008
gogee's photo - May 4, 2008
(one week old)
Skipper's photo - May 4, 2008
SunshineCoast's photo - May 4, 2008
Skipper's photo - May 5, 2008
Here is something I haven't seen an eagle do before - it looks like Mom (I think) grabs Easter (the chick) and pulls him/her up.
BIRDER's photos - May 5, 2008
BIRDER's photos - May 6, 2008