National Arboretum, Washington, DC (AEF) - 2018 thru 2023

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National Arboretum, Washington, DC (AEF) - 2018 thru 2023

Post by windsong » Tue Feb 20, 2018 1:57 pm

POSTS FOR 2023 START HERE - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&start=1680#p609196

STATS FOR 2023 are here - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&start=1680#p609196

2023 Event Log - tabs for each month are at the bottom - hopefully coming soon


POSTS FOR 2022 START HERE - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&p=501068#p501068

STATS FOR 2022 are here - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&p=545#p545

2022 Event Log - tabs for each month are at the bottom (Note - 2022 log starts with October 2021 ~JudyB)

POSTS FOR 2021 START HERE - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&start=1500#p379474

STATS FOR 2021 are here - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&p=544#p544 (scroll down past 2019 & 2020)

2021 Event Log - tabs for each month are at the bottom (Note - 2021 log is a continuation of the 2020 log ~JudyB)

POSTS FOR 2020 START HERE - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&p=274265#p274265

STATS FOR 2020 are here - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&p=544#p544 (scroll past 2019 stats)

2020 Event Log - tabs for each month are at the bottom

POSTS FOR 2019 START HERE - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&p=156537#p156532

STATS FOR 2019 are here - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&p=544#p544

2019 Event Log - tabs for each month are at the bottom

Note: the official name of this nest has been changed to the National Arboretum Bald Eagle Nest Cam, to better describe the location and to properly credit AEF's partner at the US National Arboretum.
USDA2.jpg
- cam sponsored by AEF and USDA

Could there be a more perfect place for this bald eagle cam than in the Capitol of the US--Washington, D.C.? We would like to welcome you to our third year of coverage of the AEF's eagle cam which is located in the Arboretum in the nation's capitol.

LINK TO BOTH CAMS VIA WEB PAGE -- https://naeaglecam.org/
The cams are streamed on YouTube, and you may be able to find them there by searching National Arboretum Eagle Cam A or National Arboretum Eagle Cam B; I'm not including links because the YouTube URLs tend to change frequently.

LINK TO AEF EVENT LOG (March 1 - June 30, 2018) -- AEF event log
AEF EVENT LOG 2 (July 1-August 31, 2018) -- AEF event log - part 2

LINK TO 2017 HWF THREAD -- 2016/17 Thread Click Here

Link to previous forum - start of 2018 season

2017-03-14 17_17_45-Post to Facebook - Internet Explorer.jpg
- Mr President sheltering The First Lady and the eggs
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG



In 2014, this pair Bald Eagles chose a tulip poplar tree for their nest - hopefully we will see some of the flowers - in the Azalea section overlooking the Anacostia River high above Mount Hamilton at the U.S. National Arboretum. The beautiful National Arboretum is operated by the United States Department of Agriculture. This is the first Bald Eagle pair to nest in this there since 1947. This "patriotic" cam may be watched 24/7.

The pair of eagles in this nest have been named "Mr. President" and "The First Lady"

Both The President and First Lady here---some helpful ways to ID them
mrp and tfl differences.jpg
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Tue Feb 20, 2018 1:58 pm

z9wLT3W5DB1009171033.jpg
- Washington Family 2017
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.

STATS FOR 2018 ---

(some information below added by JudyB)

* Cam on -- January 1st, 2018

* Eggs laid --
1st egg - March 25, 2018 at 4:30pm
2nd egg - March 28, 2018 at 2:46pm

* Eggs Pipped --

* Eggs hatched --
April 30, 12:16 pm (36 days)
May 3, 4:13 am (36 days)

* Named -- June 27
DC6 - Victory
DC7 - Valor

* Branched --
Victory - June 24, morning
Valor - July 3, 12:06 pm

* Fledged --
Victory - July 12, 8:44 am (it started with a misstep, so an accidental fledge, but s/he was observed flying towards the nest later in the day - so s/he is now flying!) (73 days)
Valor - July 26, 1:06 am (also an accidental fledge, slipping off a branch during the night, but observed flying the next morning) (84 days)

* Sad News --
- Valor did not return to the nest, and was found on the ground in a nearby neighborhood on July 30, and taken for an examination; there were no broken bones and initial blood work didn't show anything abnormal, and the next morning Valor was banded (silver on one leg, purple & white on the other) and taken to a facility with a larger flight run to gain strength and experience in flying
- Valor arrived at Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research on August 2nd, and they reported that he was severely underweight and anemic, with signs of long-standing nutritional and developmental issues; a follow-up report a few days later didn't indicate any improvement, and on August 7 we learned that Valor tested positive for West Nile Virus, and was not improving after a week of aggressive supportive care, so they made the hard decision to humanely euthanize him to end his suffering. Rest in peace, Valor, and fly high and free, far beyond the sky.

* Last seen --
Victory - August 18 ("flying into the distance and out of sight" per the American Eagle Foundation)
Mr. President and The First Lady - August 21

Some Special Moments from the 2018 Season
R7cHHDOk8V1009171034.jpg
- young chicks
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.

LjTIx0WsIi1009171034.jpg
- eaglets being feed at about a month old
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.

Note for 2019:
On March 20, 2018 Pauljk noted "So, this year TFL started doing a little dance for MrP. I didn't see her do that last year, but I wasn't able to watch as much then. By my count she started doing this on March 15. I'm wondering if this behavior actually coincides with the start of her fertile period. If so, then we might expect the first egg between around March 25. If that happens we may have a good indicator for next year. Just a thought." Click Here to go to the Post
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Tue Feb 20, 2018 1:58 pm

About the nest ---

flowering tree nest.jpg
flowering tree nest.jpg (92.08 KiB) Viewed 14518 times
-- The nest tree and the nest
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.


There isn't much history on this nest as it was a new one in 2014. This pair fledged one eaglet in 2015 after which the American Eagle Foundation went together with the National Arboretum to install 2 HD cams near the top of the nest tree. The cams are totally powered by a solar array. This solar array was built by Alfred State College, SUNY College of Technology and was partially funded by the Department of Energy and Environment.

In 2016 2 eggs were laid and the resulting eaglets Freedom (D2) and Liberty (D3) successfully fledged on May 26th and 29th.
In 2017 2 eggs were laid and the resulting eaglets Honor (D4) and Glory (D5) successfully fledged on June 22th and June 19th.

map.jpg
-- Map of the National Arboretum where the nest is located somewhere in the lower left corner in the Azalea section.
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.


A quote from Al Cecere: “Live-streaming cameras that feature our nation’s symbol in our nation’s capital … you can’t get much more American than that,” American Eagle Foundation Founder and President Al Cerere said in a news release. “It’s a great addition to our Nest Cam Program and we hope it brings joy to a lot of people.”

sinage.jpg
-- The "eagle gate" blocking folks from getting too close to the nest.
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Tue Feb 20, 2018 1:59 pm

The beautiful view from the nest ---
view from the nest.jpg
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.


A few recent articles concerning this nest cam --
Live cam of bald eagles nesting - Time


2017-06-21 18_52_24-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam - Internet Explorer.jpg
-- June 21, 2017 Honor and Glory on their favorite perch together
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.

We all watched with bated breath on April 20, 2017 when Honor become stuck in the nest, was rescued and successfully returned home the next day.
*Honor gets foot stuck and has to be rescued - Arp 20th - 7am
*Honor ok and returned to the nest - Arp 21st - 4:58pm


The solar panels that provide power for the cam
solar panel.jpg
solar panel.jpg (97.87 KiB) Viewed 14518 times
© 2017 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.


ABOUT THE DC EAGLE CAM PROJECT

In 2015, American Eagle Foundation staff traveled to D.C. to install state-of-the-art cameras, infrared lighting, and other related equipment in-and-around the nest tree with the help of volunteers and experienced tree climbers. The USDA's U.S. National Arboretum ran a half-mile of fiber optic cable to the cameras' ground control station, which connects the cameras to the internet. The entire system is powered by a large mobile solar array (containing several deep cycle batteries) that was designed and built by students and staff from Alfred State College, SUNY College of Technology and was partially funded by the Department of Energy and Environment. USNA has implemented a backup generator that will kick in if prolonged inclement weather causes the solar array to provide insufficient power to the system. In 2016, APEX Electric, Inc. (Kenmore, Washington) traveled to DC to assist the AEF in successfully installing audio equipment in and around the nest tree.

In 2017, a microphone was installed, further enhancing the experience for our viewers. It was a treat hearing the sounds of the nest tree, especially the vocalizations of the eagles.
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Tue Feb 20, 2018 2:46 pm

STATS FOR 2019 ---

(information below added by JudyB)

I didn't see any reports of major disruptions, though there were other eagles occasionally seen in the area, and the pair worked on their nest and mated as usual, but they never laid any eggs.

Some Special Moments from the 2019 Season

There are pictures of the adults on the nest, but without eggs or chicks, I'm not really finding a special moment to highlight for this year - hopefully there will be lots in 2020.

all images are © 2019 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STATS FOR 2020 ---

(some information below added by JudyB)

* Cam on -- January 17, 2020

* Eggs laid -- none

* Last seen --

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STATS FOR 2021 ---

(some information below added by JudyB)

* Cam on --

* Adults return -- Mr P - August 12, TFL - October 7 (there have been other eagles around as well)

* New Female -- from the Log, courtesy of American Eagle Foundation: TFL was at the nest on and off until mid-February, and MrP was there consistently - and other eagles visited (presumably female since he would chase off a male); there was a confirmed visit by TFL on February 14, and a younger female with some dark feathers on her head was there on the 15th, working on the nest with MrP; on the 16th an eagle who may have been TFL dove at the female visitor (no apparent contact and both flew off, with the visitor returning a few minutes later); the young adult and MrP were acting like a bonded pair, so she was given the designation V5 on February 18. They worked on the nest through the spring - but no eggs were laid.

* Eggs laid -- none

* Last seen -- as far as I can tell, they didn't really take a summer break


MrP and the new female, April 2, 2021, screenshot by Ferenz

Image

all images are © 2021 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2020

Post by windsong » Tue Feb 20, 2018 2:47 pm

STATS FOR 2022 ---

(some information below added by JudyB)

* Cam on -- stayed up through the summer

* Adults return -- from the log, it seems that neither MrP nor V5 were away for very long

* New female named -- V5 was given the name Lotus (for Lady of the United States, and for the flower) on December 26, 2021

* Eggs laid -- February 17, 5:05 pm; February 20, 6:39 pm

* Eggs pipped -- March 24, late evening; March 27, 6:21 pm

* Eggs hatched -- March 25, 4:36 pm (36 days); March 28, 11:31 pm (36 days)

* Sad news -- DC8 did not not survive the hatching process; long-time observer Elfruler reviewed the activity during the hatch and thinks one of the adults accidentally poked the initial pip/cracking area with their talon, interfering with the delicate transition from the support system inside the shell to the systems developing within the chick. As Elf noted, adults don't help the chicks hatch because there are so many processes that need to switch over at exactly the right time - quite miraculous if you think about it. And happily this sort of simple accident is very rare. Fly free, little one, far beyond the sky.

* Banded -- May 2, 2022 (there's a video)

* Named -- DC9 was named Takoda on or by June 5 (used in log that day)

* Branched -- May 25, 7:36 pm (from the log)

* Fledged -- June 19, 5:56 am (83 days) (from the log)

* Last seen --Takoda was still there July 19 (great video); per Facebook, adults were there July 30 (a September 13 visit was also reported; they apparently don't go far and stop by occasionally during the off-season)


Some Special Moments from the 2022 Season

MrP and DC9, March 29, 2022, screenshot by Kitcat11848
Image

Lotus and DC9, March 29, 2022, screenshot by Kitcat11848
Image

Takoda/DC9, May 10, 2022, screenshot by Ferenz
Image

all images are © 2021-2022 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

STATS FOR 2023 ---

Please see the opening post for 2023 - viewtopic.php?f=44&t=72&start=1680#p609196



Some Special Moments from the 2023 Season


all images are © 2022-2023 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Tue Feb 20, 2018 2:47 pm

Reserved
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Mon Feb 26, 2018 4:20 am

Monday February 26, 2018

We start a new season with a new forum. What a great day!

If you look at the first post on this thread you will find all the regular AEF DC nest info, and link back to the old thread. The old thread on the old forum will be locked from posting in a a couple of days, but will still be available to view for reference just like previous archived threads. If you found your way to the new thread, give us a post and let us know you are watching. :D

DC weather cooler, but no rain
2018-02-26 07_00_20-Washington Hourly Weather - AccuWeather Forecast for DC 20006.jpg
MrP checking out the nest
2018-02-26 07_05_03-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Mon Feb 26, 2018 5:36 am

TFL and MrP hanging out at the nest this morning
2018-02-26 08_34_12-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by Sandy » Mon Feb 26, 2018 6:16 am

Good morning Washington DC

Mr. President and the First Lady remain at the nest site.

Sandy

All images © 2018 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.
Attachments
Wash 1.jpg
Wash 2.jpg
Wash 3.jpg

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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Mon Feb 26, 2018 6:55 am

Some interesting views from the nest that you don't often get to see:
2018-02-26 09_45_49-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
2018-02-26 09_46_53-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
2018-02-26 09_47_03-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
All images © American Eagle Foundation, DCEAGLECAM.ORG.
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by Sandy » Mon Feb 26, 2018 7:55 am

Washington DC

Looks like Mr. President is staying close to the nest. Maybe Mr. President knows something we don't.

Sandy :faint:

All images © 2018 American Eagle Foundation, EAGLES.ORG.
Attachments
Wash 1.jpg

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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Mon Feb 26, 2018 8:30 am

Yeah, glad to see you made it Sandy. Yes I think eggs are really going to come any time now. At least that is what I hope :rh:

All, I was asked if we would be moving the other posts from this year to this new thread. Alas no we won't. there is no easy way to copy over. We literally have to generate a new post and copy the info and attaches the pictures for each and every post. But the old thread/forum will still be available for view (there is a link on the very first post of this thread). And from this day forward we will be posting here, so we should at least capture the egg laying and forward. Thank you all for your understanding in this.

Well someone just came in and was calling their mate. Not sure which eagle just yet.
2018-02-26 11_27_21-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
2018-02-26 11_27_47-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
2018-02-26 11_28_25-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
All images © American Eagle Foundation, DCEAGLECAM.ORG.
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Mon Feb 26, 2018 8:35 am

Couple more pics
2018-02-26 11_30_59-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
2018-02-26 11_32_16-Live Washington DC Bald Eagle Cam.jpg
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Re: Washington, DC (AEF) - 2017/18

Post by windsong » Mon Feb 26, 2018 8:40 am

From the neck and head, I'd guess this is MrP. We also know he has been spending a lot more time at the nest recently.

While I was posting MrP flew off, zoomer went out to look for him nearby, but did not find him. I suspect he will be back again in a bit.
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