NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2018-2019

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Debs
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NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2018-2019

Post by Debs » Sun Nov 11, 2018 6:16 pm

Welcome to the NCTC 2019 Nesting Season

The 2019 NCTC Nesting Season is dedicated to Doreen our long time friend and reporter here at this nest; Doreen's dedication and devotion to these birds was captured in her many observations, screen captures and video footage over the course of several years. Doreen's keen eye, laughter and sunshine will be missed here; miss you buddy :brknhrt:

The long term female Belle was injured during a territorial dispute with several eagles after she laid her first egg of the 2018 season! The territorial dispute displaced the long term resident pair. After appearing severely injured on the nest; Belle never returned to the nest so we assumed she died from her injuries although we do not know for sure. With the resident female displaced several new females started to visit the nest. Then on May 31, 2018 the live cam was hit by lightening during a severe thunderstorm (tornado touched down not far from the nest) so we were not able to see what transpired after the cams went off line.

Good news ... NCTC replaced the cam and the live and still cam are up and running again (late October 2018) and there is a new pair visiting the nest. Thank you NCTC for replacing the cam!

Here is a collage of Belle Injured - February 28, 2018
A Collage Belle Injury Feb 28 2018.jpg
Belle and Smitty - Side by Side - Protecting their Nest
Feb 26 The Royal Pair.JPG
2019 Nesting Season

Intruders - Adult eagle - Feb 22 & Two large birds possibly sub adults or juveniles on Feb 23, 2019; May 7, 2019 Immature Adult Eagle lands in the nest; Hope defended his nest see video footage. June 8, 2019 - Black Snake visits the nest. During the month of June we heard a second juvenile near the nest and we heard the visitor in the attic above the nest.

Eggs Laid: Feb 20, 2019 @ 523 pm; Feb 23, 2019 @ 632 pm
Hatch Date: March 29, 2019, 1235 pm & March 31, 2019, 730 am
Loss - One Eaglet Dies - April 7, 2019 - One of the eaglets passed on; it was observed at first light; the eaglet was out of the egg cup up near top of the nest; cause unknown; could have been hypothermia as chicks are unable to maintain their body temperature at this age. The chicks had just visited that area of the nest the day prior and they enjoyed two feedings there. Sad day and a sad loss for this family. Some of us feel it was the older chick that died but no way to tell for sure.
Naming of Eaglets - After the passing of one of the eaglets; 4th Grade Students from the Chamberlain Elementary School in Charleston named the eaglets Hope Ann Faith and Angel. Angel for the little one that past away. Thank you students we love both names!
Naming of the New Female - The new female has been named Bella in honor of the long term resident female Belle.
Branching: June 1, 2019 - Hope moves up to the stump; a form of branching for this nest. June 4, 2019 Hope flies from nest to post/stump. June 6, 2019 - Hoovers above the nest. June 7, 2019 - Hope flies from the stump to the look out post above the nest. Hope perches above the nest in an area we call the attic. June 15, 2019 Hope was perched all night on the stump look out post.
Fledge Date: June 16, 2019 - Forced Fledge; 139 am - Under darkness; Hope attempts to fly up to the stump/look out post misses and falls over the nest. Hope returned to the nest on June 18, 2019. During the last two weeks in June Hope became quite feisty grabbing Dad's talons often instead of going for the fish. Hope did not want to share the nest with Mom or Dad haha.
Juveniles Last Seen: Parents continued to deliver fish to the nest and to Hope up until July 17 2019 when the cams went off line. Lightening has knocked the cams out a few times this season.
July 30, 2019 - Cams came back up no sign of Hope; Bella and Smitty are often heard in the early morning hours calling trilling from the attic. Smitty visited the nest on August 2, 2019.

Nest Location - Shepherdstown, West Virginia
This eagle nest is located approximately 75 miles from Washington, D.C. on the campus of The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services' National Conservation Training Center. The campus is in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, approximately 1/4 mile from the Potomac River. The eagle nest is on the west side of the National Conservation Training Center campus, about 90 feet high in a large sycamore tree, and is about 6 feet across and 5 feet deep, and weights several hundred pounds. It is made of branches and large sticks with a softer grass and leaf lining. Over the past couple of years there was been concern that the nest tree is dying but so far it has held up!

NCTC Resident Pair's - History

Belle & Smitty - The Resident Pair - 2011 - 2018
Belle and Smitty became a couple after the long time resident male, Liberty went missing in the spring of 2011; Smitty first appeared as an Intruder around the same time Liberty disappeared. Belle initially rejected Smitty she treated him like an intruder (she pushed him off the nest and pounced on him more then once), but this young smitten male refused to give up and eventually over a period of months Belle warmed up to him and accepted him as her new mate.

2012 was Belle and Smitty's first nesting season together and it was a memorable season. As Smitty was a young male this was his first nesting season so there were many "firsts" during the season. Belle and Smitty were also a brand new pair building a relationship and raising two young together for the first time. There were many memorable moments in 2012. Smitty's youth was obvious as he was still sporting a few dark feathers on top of his head and a few blended into his tail feathers as well. We could sense his awkwardness as he learned to cope with his new role(s). Watching Smitty mature as a loving parent was definitely one of the highlights of the 2012 season especially watching him feed his sweet baby chicks for the very first time.

2018 Important Milestones
Mating seen at Nest: Dec 2017
Adults Return: This pair does not migrate they remain in the nest area all year long as there is food aplenty.
Intrusions: Young Eagle heard but not fully seen Dec 31, 2017; Jan 27, 2018 - Sub Adult Eagle - Landed in Nest; confronted Mom on nest; spent time in the nest doing restorations! Another intrusion occurred in Feb ... a second mature eagle was seen on the nest. The resident pair were on alert much of February; the intrusions were likely the delay in eggs at this nest.

2018 Nesting Season
The season got off to a late start ... likely due to intruders that threatened the resident pair.

Egg Laid: Feb 26, 2018
Failed Season - Belle injured in territorial dispute and disappeared soon afterwards

After the egg was laid things things got ugly at this nest; a territorial dispute followed and Belle appeared on the nest with a serious injury to her wing and/or leg (possibly both) as she had problems standing. Several different eagles appeared at the nest and Belle and Smitty did their very best to defend their nest and their egg! After the territorial dispute Belle failed to return to her nest ... many of us watching feared she died from her injuries. Over the course of several weeks different females and possibly a new male were seen at the nest. Sometimes there were three birds in the mix ... On May 31, 2018 a severe weather event knocked out the cams so we were not able to observe what followed. 2018 was a very sad season at this nest!

Belle and Smitty - Season Highlights 2011 to 2017
Belle and Smitty :rh:
Smitty and Belle Collage.jpg
Smitty and Belle Collage.jpg (88.74 KiB) Viewed 9611 times
2018 - Failed Season; Belle resident female injured in territorial dispute and disappeared soon afterwards
2017 - Two Chicks; both chicks died shortly after hatch (chick one within 24 hours and the second chick died on Day 3).
2016 - Two Chicks; both fledged; we called them Big and Lil One; New PTZ Cam; Owl Intrusion March 30; Mom protected the kids! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1o2G3YP4ys
2015 - Three Chicks - one died at 10 days old; may have been accidentally crushed; two chicks fledged
2014 - Two Chicks - both fledged; we called the chicks Big and Lil
2013 - Two Chicks; both fledged; we called the chicks Kate and Will
2012 - Two Chicks; both fledged; we called the chicks Big and Lil
2011 - Smitty becomes Belle's new mate late in the season

Important Dates - 2017 Nesting Season
1st Night Female Spends on Nest - Jan 7 2017 - Belle spent night on the nest.
She stayed 13 hours on the nest (556 pm to 7 am)
Eggs Laid: 2 - Feb 17, Feb 20 2017
Hatched: Mar 26, Mar 28 2017
First chick died shortly after hatch.
Second chick started to show signs of stress in the early evening of Day 3; not interested in eating; Belle did not brood the chick at night fall; chick appeared sluggish. After dark the chick could be heard peeping. April 1 There was no sign of the chick; presumed it passed away during the night; Mom removed the body from the nest. Heartbreak for this pair!

Intrusions: This pair has occasionally experienced threats from other eagles, as well as, Owls.

Here are some dates that the intrusions occurred.
Intrusions: Dec 23 2016 - Adult - Young - Likely 4.5 years old; visited the nest; mostly white head and tail feathers; some dark feathers blended in tail and head feathers but nearly all white.
Intrusions: Dec 24, 2016 - Immature Adult - Visited Nest - Likely around 3 years old
Intrusions: Feb 25, 2017 - Young Adult Eagle - Entered nest; Dad lunged at it chased it out of the nest; two eggs appear unharmed.
Intrusions: Feb 26 2017 - Intruder Above the Nest - No visual

Belle and Liberty - The Lovees - First Resident Pair - 2002 to 2011 :wub:
Belle and Liberty were the first resident bald eagle pair at this nest. This pair was very devoted to each other and everyone watching via live bald eagle cam grew to love watching their sweet interaction as a pair. Belle and Liberty were attentive parents to their young and they spent ten years together fledging a total of 11 chicks!

When Liberty disappeared in 2011 just a day or two before the hatch of the first chick was to occur ...it was indeed a sad turn of events at this nest. Liberty's absence had devastating consequences for Belle and the newly hatched chick. A young male eagle arrived on the scene around the same time ... his presence kept Belle on the nest leaving no opportunity for her to hunt and at the same time protect and care for her new baby chick. Belle stayed with her chick protecting her from the intruder. Sadly the baby chick died of starvation; it was a heart breaking loss for Belle and everyone watching via live eagle cam. The Intruder entered the nest and Belle pushed him off the nest. Sadly Liberty was not seen again and sometime later staffers at NCTC found the carcass of a dead eagle ... likely Liberty.

Belle & Liberty - 10 Wonderful Seasons Together
2002 - Belle and Liberty take up residence at the NCTC near the Potomac River
2003 – Belle and Liberty establish their territory & work on their nest
2004 – Belle laid her first egg on Valentines Day; Belle & Liberty raised & fledged two chicks
2005 – Belle and Liberty raised and fledged one chick
2006 – Belle and Liberty raised and fledged Triplets
2007 – Belle laid three eggs; none survived the spring storms
2008 - Belle and Liberty successfully raised and fledged Triplets
2009 – Belle laid three eggs only one hatched and successfully fledged
2010 - Belle laid four eggs during fierce winter storms; one egg survived nicknamed “Spring” & she successfully fledged
2011 – Belle laid two eggs; resident male Liberty disappears just prior to the hatch; likely deceased; intruder arrives and threatens the family; one chick hatched but died from starvation as Belle was not able to leave the nest to hunt. Intruder is eventually accepted by Belle as her new mate; the new male was nicknamed Smitty as he was so smitten with Belle.

Belle and Liberty protecting their eggs in the "snow event"
Belle and Liberty Feb 10 2010 Spring Storms.jpg

Important Links
The live cam was down most of the fall but it is live now for the 2018 nesting season]

Link to the 2018 NCTC Nesting Season
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=113

Link to the 2017 NCTC Nesting Season
http://www.hancockwildlife.org/forum/vi ... ue#1048516
Link to the 2016 NCTC Nesting Season
http://www.hancockwildlife.org/forum/vi ... pic=816353

Link to live bald eagle web pan tilt zoom cam view
http://outdoorchannel.com/eaglecam

Still Cam can be found here
http://www.fws.gov/nctc/cam/stillimage.html

Here are some Face Book sites that support and provide information on Belle, Smitty.

Bald Eagles 101
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1690426617860075/

Outdoor Channel Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/LiveEagleCam ........... Live Eagle Cam

Eagle Cam Updates from the NCTC & Outdoor Channel are shared here
http://outdoorchannel.com/content.aspx?id=3933

Friends of the National Conservation Training Center

http://www.friendsofnctc.org/index.htm

Hatch Timelines
Experience shows that the first egg often hatches around Day 38 and the second egg hatches a bit earlier often Day 36 or 37 as a result of the "cooling period" of the first egg thereby promoting a closer hatch of the eggs. Once all the eggs are laid then the birds generally incubate the eggs continuously. In 2014 Belle cooled the egg one night for 6 hours straight and we speculated it was because she had a third egg to lay, which turned out to be the case.

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From time to time we may deleting posts that are not directly related to maintaining an accurate journal here.

Recognition and Thanks :ty:

Thanks to everyone that contributes here and on the forum; your observations, screen captures and video footage help to journal the lives of these majestic families :ty:

Debs
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Debs » Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:03 pm

Doreen I cannot imagine perching here without you :brknhrt:

I dedicate the 2019 Nesting Season to you my friend; Doreen soar high and forever pain free my friend :rh:

Debs
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Debs » Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:03 pm

Reserved

Debs
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Debs » Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:03 pm

Reserved

Debs
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Debs » Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:04 pm

Reserved

Debs
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Debs » Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:36 pm

November 11, 2018

Today was has been a very sad day ... as we learned of the passing of our dear friend Doreen :rh:
I cannot imagine life without you here! All the days and nights we perched side by side talking about life at this nest or about nothing at all ... not to mention the lengthy phone calls fretting or belly laughing about life's events! Doreen loved the NCTC pair and she devoted many hours here documenting, scapping and video recording all the events at this nest ... it will be hard to watch this nest without you here!

Doreen :rh: soar high my friend ... until we meet again :huggie:

The 2019 Nesting Season is dedicated to Doreen :rh:

Debs
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Debs » Sun Nov 11, 2018 7:36 pm

Nov 11, 2018

Doreen this season is for you :wub:

The eagles were at the nest early this morning; the female visited in the afternoon then the pair visited the nest just before dark. Appears they are off to a good start.

New Female - As she lands you can see a shade on her tail ... its not dark feathers.
The female reminds me of Belle; fiesty and a bit bossy with her mate!
0049 2018-11-11, 12_51_32.jpg
0065 2018-11-11, 13_09_48.jpg
Nov 11 Ma and Pa NCTC.jpg
Nov 11 Ma and Pa NCTC.jpg (34.56 KiB) Viewed 9606 times

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Ferenz
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Ferenz » Fri Nov 16, 2018 9:29 am

Hello Debs: My condolences that Doreen has passed away

Big Branch Delivery - Bald Eagles Prepare for Winter Storm - Nov 14, 2018 - NCTC Bald Eagle Nest

Image

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https://youtu.be/cVtX5f7evqw?fbclid=IwA ... vvum5FlBAA

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Debs
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Debs » Sat Nov 24, 2018 11:33 am

November 24, 2018

Hi Ferenz absolutely wonderful to see your post here ... i really appreciate your presence here and your kind words. Doreen was such a huge part of my nesting here and without her it hurts very much to be here :huggie: I know Doreen is watching over us and she wants us to perch and enjoy eagles and nature so i will think of her "spirit" to encourage us to land here!

The adults have been very busy working on their nest yet there is an intruder(s) near the nest and the birds have been alert to their presence.

Here is some of their activity from yesterday ...

:vid:

Busy Morning - Part 1 - Restorations & Straw Delivery - NCTC Bald Eagles - Nov 23, 2018 https://youtu.be/1k6rlJuTuG8

Debs
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Re: 2019 NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Post by Debs » Sat Nov 24, 2018 12:47 pm

Our new pair :rh:

Nov 23, 2018

I think the male is Smitty although we will never know for certain ... his behavior and size is in line with Smitty.
Female is on the left and Smitty on the right in this capture.
0032 2018-11-23, 06_21_31.jpg
I love it when they nibble and bit each other ... the female always wants to be boss; she reminds me of Belle
0067 2018-11-23, 06_23_35.jpg
The new pair were in the nest for hours yesterday bringing in new straw, bedding and branches
0370 2018-11-23, 21_03_49.jpg

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Ferenz
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Re: NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2018-2019

Post by Ferenz » Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:44 am

Image
Image

Debs
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Re: NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2018-2019

Post by Debs » Sun Dec 30, 2018 8:56 pm

Dec 30, 2018

Hi Ferenz great to see you here :bye 1:

The resident pair have been busy working on the nest; typically finding them active on the nest early morning and before dusk.
Hopeful for a better season here at this nest.

:vid:

Terri did a video of their activity yesterday here is the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_LhHpBiYJs

Thanks Terri :hug:

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Re: NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2018-2019

Post by Debs » Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:08 pm

A Collage Dec 28 2018 NCTC Resident Pair Morning Chores.jpg

Debs
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Re: NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2018-2019

Post by Debs » Sun Dec 30, 2018 9:10 pm

Dec 16 2018 - Possible Intruder in their Territory ...
A Collage Dec 16 2018 Intruder Alert NCTC Eagles.jpg

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bev.
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Re: NCTC Bald Eagles - Shepherdstown, West Virginia, 2018-2019

Post by bev. » Thu Jan 03, 2019 7:39 am

cannot get this cam at all this yeat
Image

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