January 2012
3 posts
Updated Statement
Following the eagle airplane strikes last April at Norfolk International Airport, bald eagles were recognized as a serious strike hazard to aviation operations at the Airport. This conclusion was arrived at by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Services (USDA-WS) program, which is responsible for resolving wildlife hazards to aviation, thus enhancing public safety. The USDA-WS was...
January 24, 2012
Following the eagle airplane strikes last April at Norfolk International Airport, bald eagles were recognized as a serious strike hazard as part of an ongoing Wildlife Hazard Assessment being performed by USDA Wildlife Services at the request of the Airport. Due to the proximity of the eagle nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and the history of airplane strikes involving breeding eagles from...
4 tags
Eagle Found at Norfolk Botanical Garden
Bald Eagle pair at Norfolk Botanical Garden on January 8
Since the loss of his mate in April of this past year, the male bald eagle from the Norfolk Botanical Garden remained in the area and was regularly seen by visitors. In late September he was seen with a new adult female. This bird was identified as a five-year-old based on some light brown spotting on her white head and tail. This pair...
July 2011
1 post
Release Video and NX update
Check out this video from the release on the VDGIF website. There are also photos and a description of the event.
Word from The Wildlife Center of Virginia is that NX is doing well. She’s exercising regularly and not showing any signs that the transmitter unit is causing her any discomfort. We’ll look forward to her release sometime in the near future. For continuing updates on NX...
May 2011
1 post
Norfolk Eaglet Update
The eaglets transported to the Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV) on April 27th continue to receive excellent care from the staff there. Regular updates as to the chicks’ progress are posted at www.wildlifecenter.org. Of note is the fact that the youngest chick (the male banded with NV) has gained 1 kg (2.2 pounds) since last Friday.
For those who wish to continue to follow the...
April 2011
5 posts
Eagle Cam Chicks at Norfolk Botanical Garden Get...
VDGIF video captures month-old bald eagle chicks being removed from their 80-foot-high perch and lowered to the ground, where biologists from the Center for Conservation Biology attached bands to their legs, and assessed their overall health before returning them safely to the nest. This video was shot just 5 days before the eaglets’ mother was struck and killed by an airplane at the...
Eaglets Being Removed From Nest
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has confirmed that the female of the eagle pair nesting at Norfolk Botanical Garden was killed by an airplane strike yesterday morning. VDGIF wildlife biologists, acting on concerns that the adult male will not be able to provide sufficient food for the three five-week-old eaglets, determined that the birds should be removed from the...
Female Eagle Struck by Plane
This morning an adult bald eagle was struck and killed by an incoming airplane at Norfolk International Airport. It is believed that this bird was the female of the nesting pair from Norfolk Botanical Garden (NBG). The strike occurred sometime between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m. These eagles were well known through the Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Cam provided by the Virginia Department of Game and...
Supper
After spending the afternoon resting following their banding (check the CCB blog for details), the young birds got enjoy supper brought in by the female.
5 tags
Growing Up
The three young eaglets have certainly changed from the tiny fluffy white chicks that hatched over a month ago.
The chicks are well on their way to growing into their juvenile plumage, with a coat of brown feathers that they will have when they leave the nest. In this photo we can see the chicks lined up from youngest to oldest (the youngest chick on the left and the eldest on the right). You...
March 2011
4 posts
Duck on the Menu
Yesterday (March 27, 2011) we saw the deliver a prey item we’ve never seen at this nest before, a duck! Specifically, a male surf scoter Melanitta perspicillata. This species is sometimes called a “skunk-head” due to the white patches on their head. This sea duck is typically found in marine waters, or on large brackish rivers. The most distinctive feature of the male of the...
Third Egg Hatched
The third egg has hatched! At 1:30pm this afternoon (March 17th) views of the egg showed a significant crack. Camera operators kept a sharp on the nest but were unable to confirm hatching until the youngest chick raised its head during a feeding at 2:57 pm. Although it wasn’t yet able to get its head up enough to feed, it will soon be begging with its two siblings.
UPDATE - this video...
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First Feeding
The first egg of the 2011 season hatched this morning. The first hole or pip was noted at 8:21 am and by 11:25 am the female moved half of an eggshell to the side of the nest. For more details check the CCB blog.
Hatching is an exhausting endeavor the tiny eaglet. At hatching the chick weighs about 2.5 oz, the equivalent of about 12 1/2 U.S. quarters. After some time to rest and dry...
3 tags
Keeping them warm
The adult bald eagles continue to incubate their eggs, providing the necessary body heat for the developing embryos. The eggs need to be maintained at a temperature close to 105 degrees F. To help share their body heat the adults develop a specialized patch of skin on their abdomen called a brood patch. This area of skin thickens and wrinkles during the breeding season and develops and...
February 2011
5 posts
3 tags
Golden Eagle release
A golden eagle was recently released following treatment at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. A video of the release with more information can be found here. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is part of an collaborative research effort to learn more about the ecology of the eastern population of golden eagles, detailed information about this exciting effort is available here
7 tags
Third Egg
In the late afternoon of February 9th the female eagle looked to be straining and possibly laying the third egg of this season. We were never able to get a clear look that definitely showed a third egg. In 2008 we had assumed that similar behavior had resulted in a third egg but were later surprised to find only two in the nest (check the 2008 archive).
Snow in the nest blocked much of...
5 tags
Snowy Morning
This morning the eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden woke up to a bit of snow. Bald eagles are well adapted to breed in cold climates and this relatively minor snowfall won’t create any difficulties. The eggs remain warm and dry. The eagles are so well insulated by their feathers that the snow on the female’s back doesn’t even melt - most of her body heat is retained.
...
A Second Egg
At 4:56 pm on Sunday Feb 6th the second egg was laid at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. The male was present for this egg laying and had brought a fish into the nest. For a detailed account of the egg laying check the CCB Nest Blog.
How exactly is an egg created how does it move through the female’s reproductive tract? In most birds only one side of the reproductive tract is developed...
5 tags
First Egg!
The bald eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have an egg. The first egg of the 2011 season was laid at 2:49 pm on February 3rd, 2011. The female could be seen drawing pine straw up around herself in preparation, and then settled down covering the egg. Bald eagles most commonly have clutches of two eggs although this pair has frequently had three egg clutches, only time will tell how...
January 2011
2 posts
3 tags
Still Waiting
We continue to watch with anticipation as we wait to see when the first egg of 2011 will be laid. Both eagles spent significant time at the nest through the day today and have lined the nets with bunches of soft grass and pine needles. The pair spent a lot of time fluffing and rearranging this material - typically a sign that we are getting closer to egg laying - how close we just can’t...
6 tags
Eagle Cam Live for 2011
The Eagle Cam at the Norfolk Botanical Garden is live for 2011. This marks the fifth year that this exciting project has provided our viewers with an unparalleled glimpse into the lives of a pair of bald eagles as they work to raise another brood. The Eagle Cam is brought to you by a unique public/private partnership between the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), the...
December 2010
1 post
7 tags
A New Nest for The New Year
Norfolk Eagles in their new nest
Over the past few months the bald eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have been working on a new nest site within the Garden. Although the eagles were concentrating on the new nest site, sticks were occasionally added to the original nest. It is not at all unusual for bald eagles to maintain multiple nest sites within a breeding territory and to...
September 2010
2 posts
Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife Festival
The Eastern Shore Birding and Wildlife festival celebrates its 18th years this fall. The festival will be headquartered in the bayside Town of Cape Charles in Northampton County. Birders and wildlife enthusiasts flock to the Eastern Shore to witness an amazing natural spectacle as countless numbers of shorebirds, raptors (including of course bald eagles) and songbirds pour along the Delmarva...
Garden of Eagles Calendar
Dedicated fans of the Eagle Cam at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have a found a unique way to show their support for Virginia’s wildlife. Countless thousands have been captivated by the bald eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and the unprecedented chance to witness the daily lives of these amazing birds. The Eagle Cam is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries...
July 2010
1 post
4 tags
Dropping by
Although the nest area is no longer a focal point of activity for these eagles, occasionally one still perches around the nest or camera tree. Here’s a shot from yesterday with the adult male perched below the camera. You can see that the bird’s head looks a little “ragged’, as the head feathers are being molted or replaced. Both of the adults as well as the three...
June 2010
5 posts
Empty Nest 2010
At dusk this evening the Eagle Cam ended its 2010 season broadcast. Although the juveniles are still being seen around the Norfolk Botanical Garden, they are spending less and less time visible to the camera. You can see that the nest is well used from the growth and development of three eagle chicks. The adults will have to do significant work to ready this nest for next year.
We have had...
NE Back at Home
Yesterday, wildlife rehabilitator Lisa Barlow released NE at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. NE flew well, gaining altitude and flying towards the nest. He perched nearby and after a few more short flights around the Garden returned to the nest tree at about 3:30pm. You can see him perched to the right of Camellia(NC) in the photo below
For more photos check out the CCB blog here
5 tags
Busy Day at The Garden
This morning (Sunday June 13th) saw a flurry of excitement at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Just before 10 am both of the adults dropped food in the nest. Shortly thereafter, one of the cadre of eagle photographer noted that a juvenile eagle was in the canal adjacent to the nest area. The bird made its way to the edge of the canal but was unable to climb up and over the bulkhead. As it was...
7 tags
Fledged
The Eaglet at the Norfolk Botanical Garden celebrated the holiday weekend by taking their first flights!
Camellia (band # NC – and also with a satellite transmitter) took her first at 8:09pm on May 27th. Her leap was captured via the Eagle Cam by avid cam viewer Ann Shirley view the video here
Eaglet # ND followed suit on May 29th at 6:52m. Eaglet # NE flew on Memorial Day May 31st at 12:30pm. ...
May 2010
3 posts
Branching
As these young eagles get closer to fledging we can see them branching. This is the process by which the birds begin to leave the nest, exploring the adjacent branches. This allows them to increase their agility and practice hop-flying over slightly longer distances. The young eagles are in the process of strengthening their flight muscles and getting the feel of the wind under their wings.
...
4 tags
Wing Stretching
The young eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden are starting to prepare for their eventual flight from the nest. Their flight feather are largely grown in at this point. The eaglets still need to develop the muscle strength and coordination for flight. We can now see the birds stretching and flapping their wings. Eventually they’ll work their way up to “hop flight” where...
Extra Coverage
Every effort is being made to reduce any impact to the bald eagles during tomorrow’s scheduled banding and transmitter fitting. There will be a minimum amount of personnel inside the barriers and the chicks will be returned directly to the nest following the work.
In an effort to provide the public with the best view possible during the procedure, an additional web cam will be deployed for...
April 2010
4 posts
2 tags
Update on Eagle at the Wildlife Center of Virginia
The following is from an announcement forwarded by the Wildlife Center of Virginia. As our veiwers may recall, in 2008 the DGIF Wildlife Veterninarian removed the lone eaglet from this nest due to a large and potentially life-threatening Avian Pox lesion. DGIF staff then transported the bird to the WCV for care (photo courtesy of the Wildlife Center of Virginia).
The Wildlife Center of...
Update Regarding Banding/Transmitter
The banding of eagles and use of satellite telemetry provides important information about how bald eagles migrate and utilize their environment. The need to gather this information is always balanced by researchers against the level of disturbance such activities entail. To ensure that the well-being of the eagles is the paramount concern, some changes are being made to the banding and transmitter...
Standing on Their Own Two Feet
The eaglets have begun standing on their feet. This is an important developmental step for them. It indicates that they are growing stronger and more coordinated. Being able to stand also makes it possible for the eaglets to begin feeding themselves. In order to tear their food, the chicks need to be able to hold it down by standing on it. We will continue to see the adults help with feeding as...
Birds of a Feather
The eaglets at the Norfolk Botanical Garden are growing rapidly. At this point in their development they may add as much as 130 grams (roughly 4.5 ounces) in weight per day! Keep in mind that when they hatched these chicks weighed only about 2.5 to 3 ounces (71-85 grams).
In addition to adding mass these chicks are also adding feathers. We can begin to see brown feathers growing in on the...
March 2010
12 posts
Just How Big Is That Nest?
Tree climbers from Nuckols Tree Care accessed the bald eagle’s nest at the Norfolk Botanical Garden today to help band the young eaglets. All three of the nestlings were in fine shape. You can read more about the banding by biologists from the Center for Conservation Biology here.
While up at the nest the climbers were able to collect some data about the size of this nest. The nest is...
Doing Well and Growing Quickly
The chicks continue to become more mobile, moving around the nest and starting to explore the world around them. Last week they were strong enough to clamber out of the nest cup and get a look at the world around them over the rim of the nest (see the CCB blog).
Today the oldest of the chicks was able to briefly stand up on its feet. This is a sign of both improving balance and growing strength....
Eaglets Feeding
Here’s a short video of the chicks being fed late this afternoon, you’ll notice that only one of the eaglets seem very interested in the fish its mother offers. The chicks are slightly damp, but none the worse for wear from the heavy rains that fell earlier today. The adults were able to keep them brooded and warm through the worst of the rainstorm. We hope that the camera will be...
Camera Outage
The camera is temporarily off-line due to technical issues at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Staff there are aware of the issue and working to fix it. The necessary repairs have been complicated by heavy rainfall in the area today. Service will be restored as soon as possible.
A Little Bit of Independence
The nestlings continue to grow rapidly and have molted in a new warmer down, they are starting to spend more and more time uncovered by either parent. This is normal, the larger size of the chicks helps them retain body heat, as does an increasingly efficient circulation. Their heavier down acts as great insulation. As spring progresses the temperatures are becoming more moderate as well.
...
3 tags
VDGIF and Eagle Conservation
What does the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) do to conserve eagles in Virginia? This article from Virginia Wildlife (PDF) provides a great look at some of the work VDGIF biologists do.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is the state agency responsible for the conservation and management of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s wildlife and fisheries resources as...
All Three Have Hatched
As of Sunday, March 14th, all three of the bald eagle eggs at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have hatched. The second chick was seen in the early morning hours on March 13th, having hatched at some point during the night. At approximately 12:30 pm a pip was noted in the third egg. Early this morning pieces of the third eggshell were seen and shortly after 9:00am the third chick was seen being...
Signs of Hatching for Second Egg
We have seen a clear pip (initial hole at the end of the egg) in the second egg. This is an outward sign that the hatching process is moving along. This hole will be enlarged as the chick works to hatch out of the egg. The chick will continue rasping at the egg with its egg tooth until the two halves of the egg fall apart. This process may happen relatively quickly but can take days.
An Eagle Cam...
Rainy Day
The eaglet at the Norfolk Botanical garden has started to gain strength, and is now able to raise its head. despite the rain in Norfolk today the adults are keeping the chick warm and dry.
The chick hasn’t had its first meal yet. This isn’t unusual, the chick is still using the yolk it absorbed before hatching. The female has shared a few drops of water from her bill with the eaglet...
First Egg Has Hatched
After watching and waiting for a couple of days we can confirm that one of the bald eagle eggs at the Norfolk Botanical Garden has hatched. Almost 39 days since the first egg was laid biologists (and camera viewers) were able to see an empty eggshell at 1:10pm on March 11. Both adults had been quite restless while incubating throughout the day - often peering down at the eggs, letting us know...
3 tags
Still Waiting
Throughout the day we watched the nest closely hoping to catch sight of a pip (the first hole a hatchling makes in the egg). The female was quite attentive to the eggs, often raising up to peer down intently at them, perhaps indicating that she can feel or hear the chicks efforts to break through the egg. There were some intriguing views of the eggs which suggested that here might be small pips...
Inside the Eggs
The embryos inside the eggs continue the final stages of development. At this point many recognizable structures are in place and the major organ systems are largely formed. There are no highly detailed studies of the embryology of bald eagle eggs - but we can use studies from other raptors, namely American kestrels (Falco sparverius) as a rough guide to what might be happening inside the egg.
By...
February 2010
4 posts
When Will They Hatch?
Now that the eagles are settled in and incubating their three eggs, the big question is when will the eggs hatch? In addition to our knowledge about bald eagle biology, we have this pair’s previous history to help guide us.
The scientific literature generally reports an incubation period of 35 days (although various authorities may list 34-38 days). Directly observing when bald eagles lay...