Bird Cams Around the World

New nest in Ohio. Thanks KF for finding this!
Ashtabula County, Ohio NEW 2020 near the shore of Lake Erie

A report from MN DNR

"Minnesota Department of Natural Resources header
First 2020 Report on Minnesota's EagleCam
Season seven at the EagleCam begins! But, did the 2019 season ever really end? The new eagle couple would probably say "season? what season?"

Bald Eagles have as many individual, distinctive characteristics as they do typical bald eagle characteristics. Some static characteristics are physical: white head and tail on adults; yellow eyes, feet and beak huge, brown wing span. Some are behavioral: they have a mostly carnivorous diet; they have stunning (some say spiritual) flight and soaring abilities, and their courtship, bonding and mating behaviors vary only slightly between pairs.

Because the physical appearance of bald eagles is roughly identical, the individual behavior of eagles helps to distinguish one bird or pair of birds from another. Here at EagleCam central, we were fortunate for the first six years to have a female on the nest sporting a band on her left leg. The camera allowed us to read the band number and positively identify her as the same female - year after year. From 2012 until her 2019 ouster she protected the territory, had stable partners and tended to/maintained this nest. She had different mates during this time period, mostly due to territorial battles, where a stronger male seized an opportunity to replace the resident male - taking over "nestorations", mating and parenting duties.

Early last year, a new pair invaded the territory and seized control of the nest from the resident female and her mate. It appeared as if the female's mate was new (different from the previous year) and she was almost ready to lay eggs. Defending her territory and nest was proving too difficult and exhausting, so she abandoned her long-time territory and nest. We have reason to believe that she moved on and layed her eggs in a nest close by and is still alive and kicking.

The new pair have not left the territory much at all since then. Camera watchers and photographers have distinguished each eagle by their physical characteristics - the female's "bib" appears disheveled and the pair rarely leave each other's company. They seem to be in close proximity to each other - while hunting, feeding and roosting - most of the time. They have been observed moving sticks, adding grasses and fur, and feeding together on the nest.

The noise, noise, noise, noise!

This fall, we were able to install (thank you Xcel Energy and Floyd Total security) a new sound system and get the microphone working. Hearing the eagle voice is a whole new experience and learning tool. Their voice might surprise you if you've never heard an angry or excited bald eagle.

Some background noise from the road, river and sky is distracting at times, but it is exciting to finally hear the whistling sound coming from those large, screaming beaks! (hint: if it gets too annoying, turn your sound off). We hope you are enjoying it!

We continue to be grateful for the generous donations to our program. Whether you make your donations on your tax forms, send us a checks, or donate online, we THANK YOU so much! Bringing a bald eagle's nest and journey to your living room, dorm room, class room or cell phone is an honor and a privilege. We hope you feel the same way about the eagles and YOUR Nongame Wildlife Program!

Stay safe and warm this weekend, warmly."

MN DNR-Update.
Info and images from MN DNR
Preparing the nest

Our "new" eagle couple seem to be on a "normal" Minnesota eagle egg-laying schedule. Fresh sticks, grasses and fur have been appearing in the nest over this past week as the couple perfect its layout. It seems this pair consume most of their meals away from the nest on the ground or in nearby trees. But they have brought some prey back to the nest, including small mammals, such as squirrels and rabbits.
The time draws nigh . . .
The eagles’ behavior suggest that it won’t be long before they have some eggs to brood over. We can hardly wait! Here’s when the first egg appeared in the previous seven years we’ve been watching this pair:
2019 - no eggs
2018 - Feb 23
2017 Jan 28
2016: Jan. 25
2015: Jan. 19
2014: Feb. 14
2013: First week in January
When do you think the first eggs of 2020 will arrive? Keep your eagle eye tuned to the EagleCam.
Juvenile sighted near nest

This week a juvenile bald eagle was seen flying near the nest. The bird was not banded and did not attract attention from our resident pair. They seem to be quite comfortable in their new territory and have little, if any competition this year. Juvenile bald eagles are about the same size as their parents, but their coloring is different. The juveniles are mottled brown and white all over, with a brown beak and brown eyes. The characteristic dark body, yellow beak, white head and tail doesn't develop until the birds reach maturity at about five years of age.