Eagles 'branch' out and make first flight

Well, as you can see from this image, the eagles have left the nest! Following about a week of exploring nearby branches around the edge of the nest the eagles have taken their first flight. They will remain in the area of the nest during the weeks to come as they develop the ability to fly. The adults will also continue to feed them and they will likely frequent the nest for perching and feeding.

Unfortunately, we have lost the internet connection on site but we anticapate solving the problem in a few days. In the meantime, you might check in on our ospreycam where ospreys are growing fast and on our looncam where you can hear the sounds of Maine's wildlife live.

Also, because we recieve many questions about where eagles go after departing the nest I would like to direct you to our wildlife tracking page where we have outfitted several eagles with sattelite transmitters that document the movements of birds. This is an ongoing project and we anticipate having two more birds come online later this summer.

Until next time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Eagles preparing for their first flight!

Hello, I am happy to report that these two eagle chicks appear to be happy and healthy. As we enter their tenth week they have been flapping their wings...an important method of developing breast musculature and preparing for their first flight. In the coming weeks you should see these birds 'branching'--moving to the outer edges of the nest and perching on nearby limbs. This is the final step before testing out their wings for the first time.

Many thanks for your interest in the webcams and don't forget to post with questions. Have a wonderful day.

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institue

Eaglets are growing fast: Warm weather!

Hi All,
I was very lucky to have to make a visit to our on site computer today. I got an early start and was pleased to arrive safely on an unseasonably warm day in late-May. When I approached I could hear the sounds of eagles at the nest amid a constant breeze. I recorded video while I dealt with a few computer issues. Checking in on the image now and then I glanced at the video feed I saw a chick wrestling with what looked like a six foot eel in the nest.

It is amazing to see how quickly these eaglets are growing. Now at 6-7 weeks they appear to loaf around the nest bowl. Occasionally they stretch and flap their wings. In only a few weeks they will begin to consider making the leap into flight.

Please join us on youtube for video highlights of my visit to the site (several videos)...the webcam still offers the best view of the nest!

Until Next Time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institue

Chicks are nearly one month old!

Hi All,
Well...it has been too long! Seeing these eagles care for their young has been tremendous. Have you noticed fish piling up on the edge of the nest at times?

I have received various queries about the eagles being left alone in the nest. Not to worry, this is normal especially given this spring's mild weather.

These chicks are now nearly about four weeks old. As you can see they are moving around the nest bowl more readily but still possess downy gray feathers--their contour feathers are yet to begin to grow in but should start to grow in the coming week or two. These birds still have a long way to grow! It will be six weeks from now (perhaps more) before they are likely to make their first flight!

Let's keep our fingers crossed for these birds and enjoy peeking in on their journey.

Thanks for all your interest and support.

Wish you the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Insitute

Two Chicks!

Hi All,
It is wonderful to see these two chicks already growing fast. As you are probably aware the second chick or 'eaglet' hatched last Friday afternoon. The pair has been very active at feeding these young and keeping them warm and dry. This is critical because the recently hatched chicks are unable to regulate their own body temperature. They rely on warmth from the adult eagles.

Well, please keep in touch with comments and questions and enjoy these birds!

Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Eagle chick 'number one' has hatched!

Hello Everyone,

If you haven't hear the news then I am happy to report to you that the first eagle egg has hatched on BRI eaglecam2. It hatched sometime during the night. In the image above captured by JO in our online community (thanks JO), you can see the chick on its first day being fed by an adult.

As may be apparent eagle eggs hatch asynchronously usually two or three days apart. This strategy gives the older bird a head start and better chance of survival in years of food shortage.

Well, I am sure that everyone is looking forward to watching the season continue to unfold. Enjoy a wonderful day!

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Eggs could hatch soon!

Wow! Time has been flying. These eagles have faced several storms and by all accounts they have done well to protect their eggs from harsh weather. The eagle laid the first egg on March 8th...that means that eggs could begin to hatch as early as this weekend! Admittedly, it will likely be sometime next week but we'll have to keep a close eye on these birds...especially given the fact that they have afforded us only brief glimpses of the eggs over the past weeks!

Please keep watch and update us with your observations!

Until next time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Wet Weather!

Hi All,

It is great to see these birds keeping the eggs covered throughout this very wet and cool weather we are experiencing in Maine. Keeping eggs warm along with turning eggs occasionally are critical for the embryo (and chick) to develop inside the egg. If all goes well we could see chicks hatch around April 12th...

Please keep in touch with questions and observations and continue to share this webcam with your friends and family. We will all be keeping watch.

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Eagles are diligently incubating!

Hi All,
Just wanted to post a quick update. The eagles at this site have been incubating the egg and probably benefiting from what has been a week of beautiful weather in Maine. For the sake of the eagles I hope this nice weather persists.

Do not be worried if at times to see the eggs unattended for short periods of time, especially in this fine weather. This is normal. Also, you will likely see the eagles turning the eggs so that they are heated evenly and develop properly.

The incubation period generally lasts for 33-35 days at which time the first egg will hatch followed by the next eggs each day or so. Eagle eggs, like the eggs of some other raptors hatch asynchronously. This could be considered to be nature's way of mediating the survival of offspring so that in times of low food abundance at least the first chick to hatch will survive because it will out-compete its siblings for food.

Please be in touch with questions and comments of your observations.

All the best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

Eagles lay their second egg!

Hi All,
I am happy to report that the eagles are now tending two eggs in the nest. The second egg was laid last evening, March 11th, at about 6:07 pm. Eagles typically lay two eggs but a third would not be out of the question. Let's keep watch and please post if and when you see a third egg. Also, I know that many of our blog followers are timid about joining the online community but there are very nice updates by our many members. It may be worth checking out.

Thanks for all your support and interest.

Until next time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

A new sign of the season-the eagles lay egg #1

Hi All,
I am very happy to share the fantastic news that the eagles have laid and egg on the afternoon of March 8th at just a bit after 4 pm. I was hoping to see a second by now...eagles usually lay a second egg 36 to 72 hours after the first. I would encourage you to visit our website at www.briloon.org to watch a video blog about what we might expect to see.

Thank you for all your support. This is an exciting sign of the season. Please be in touch with questions and observations. I also would like everyone to know that we expect a power outage on the camera site during part of the day on Saturday. I am very sorry, in advance, for this necessary repair. Let's keep our eye on the egg!

All the Best,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute

February in Maine!

Hi All,
I apologize for not posting sooner. Frankly, I am not sure what happened to my other recent posts from this year. More important is the fantastic activity that we have been seeing at this nest. It is clear that a pair is settling in to nest here this year. The birds have been very active adding sticks to the nest and moving them around to get them into position to create an intertwined and stable platform.

Over just the past few days they appear to be adding 'softer materials to line the nest bowl. Notably, just today the female was observed excavating a small bowl in the finer materials and then, later, settling into an incubation position. All of these are fantastic signs that these eagles are eager to nest. Last year eagles at this nest--likely the same pair--laid eggs on April 1 and April 3. That said, eagles in Maine may lay eggs as early as early March.

These photos two photos show the progress that the birds have made over the past month the initial image is from 1/25/10 and the second from just this afternoon 2/23/10.


It will be interesting to see how these birds behave as the anticipated storm passes through later this week.

Many thanks for all of you posts and questions. Please keep them coming! It looks as though we have a great deal to look forward to this season.

Until Next Time,
Patrick Keenan
BioDiversity Research Institute