Bald eagle cams in PA.

[Harley PoMMom]

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has placed a live cam on the nesting of a pair of Bald Eagles in Hanover, which is about a 45 minute drive from my house. This pair has 2 eggs in their nest: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1592549&mode=2

There is also a live cam on a pair of Bald Eagles that are now nesting within 5 miles of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this nest also has 2 eggs: http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/

They are so amazing to watch. The male and female take turns sitting on the eggs.

[Squirt's Mom]

How cool! Two have been found shot near here recently. :(

[My sweet Ginger]

Oh Lord, have some mercy on these poor parents.

Has anyone been watching these live cams? The eagle in Hanover right now is totally buried in snow up to it's neck!! I'm afraid they are going to freeze to death. Their determined devotion brings tears to my eyes. Very cruel March this year. :(:(:(

BTW, thank you so much Lori, I really enjoy watching them. I hope there will be hatchlings in 2-3 wks despite this awful weather.

[Squirt's Mom]

I haven't been able to access the webcam the last couple of days. Hope they are ok!

[Harley PoMMom]

The cam in Pittsburgh will load for me, however the one in Hanover will not, I wonder if all the snow we got is interfering with its reception??

[My sweet Ginger]

That's strange, I get mine here and the snow is STILL coming down.
He/she is not buried anymore but it's a snow white eagle now.
I'm really afraid their eggs will not survive this as they need to stay constant 101* F. I know it's what it is in the wild but oh boy, such harsh living.

[Harley PoMMom]

That is strange, the Hanover cam still won't load for me. We are getting a lot of snow today, it has snowed for 12 hours straight. I now have several snow mounds that are well over one foot in my back/front yard from all that darn shoveling. :eek::eek::mad:

[molly muffin]

ohhh got both of them to load (took the Hanover one a bit of time and persistence) how exciting!!

Snow is a great insulator so as long as there is a bird on the eggs all the time, they should stay warm.

Hoping so anyhow.

[My sweet Ginger]

Good to know Sharlene although it's kind of hard for me to conceptualize that snow = insulator. :rolleyes:
The Hanover eagle is still sitting on the eggs tho looks more like siting on the snow. :o Thank god it looks like snow has finally stopped falling.

[molly muffin]

I read they also have an area fog their bodies for keeping eggs warm. Yes Hanover good up shook off snow turned and laid back down. Still haven't seen her mate. But did see both on the other nesting eagles.

[labblab]

I read they also have an area fog their bodies for keeping eggs warm. Yes Hanover good up shook off snow turned and laid back down. Still haven't seen her mate. But did see both on the other nesting eagles.

Sharlene, you must be dictating your reply through a device because I think a few bits have gotten scrambled in transmission. :p :)

But I think we can figure out most of what you were intending to say. ;) :D

[molly muffin]

Oh goodness!!! That didn't work out so well. LOL tablet typing.

There is an area on the eagles bodies that keeps the eggs closer to the skin and therefore warmer. I saw the eagle at Hanover get up, shake off the snow and then settle back down. A bit concerned to not see the mate show up though.
I did see the mate of the one nesting at the other PA site, they were both at the nest for awhile.

[molly muffin]

whew, okay found time lapse video pictures where the mate showed up this evening. :)

[My sweet Ginger]

That's a relief. It's hard to tell who's who, huh? :rolleyes:
Also check out the great horned owl cam, Savanna Georgia. There are two baby chicks and mom just brought a mouse for dinner. ;)

[Harley PoMMom]

There is an area on the eagles bodies that keeps the eggs closer to the skin and therefore warmer.

Yep, I have read that too, and it's called their brood patch:
A brood patch is an area of bare skin on the abdomen of some birds that becomes highly vascularized during incubation. Many species lose feathers to clear this area. The increased blood supply to the skin which increases the warmth in this area. The brood patch is placed in direct contact with eggs for more efficient heat transfer.

http://www.ccbbirds.org/what-we-do/research/species-of-concern/virginia-eagles/facts-about-eagles/

There is a video from last year that shows the Pittsburgh eagle fighting off a raccoon that was trying to get their eggs: http://www.pixcontroller.com/eagles/Images/CBS-NationalNews_2-28-14.pdf

[Squirt's Mom]

My youngest grandson has been here this weekend and we have really enjoyed watching the birds! He is taking the URL to school with him tomorrow to see if they can all keep an eye on them.

[molly muffin]

Oh that is so cool Leslie!!!

[Harley PoMMom]

In our "York Daily Paper" they had an article along with a pic of the snow covered eagle sitting on their nest, the article stated that this would not harm the eagle nor the eggs. I just can't believe that they lay their eggs at this time of year...BBRRRR!!

Leslie I am so glad your grandson enjoyed the eagles!

[Squirt's Mom]

I saw that nest filled with snow! All you could see of the bird was the head and every now and then you could see the feathers there move in the wind.

[Harley PoMMom]

Just wanted to let you all know that are watching, the eggs should be hatching open very soon, they are saying by this Tuesday they should be hatched!!!!

[Gabriel]

Just wanted to let you all know that are watching, the eggs should be hatching open very soon, they are saying by this Tuesday they should be hatched!!!!

Wow that is so cool :)

[Squirt's Mom]

It's so exciting!

[Squirt's Mom]

Have they hatched? I watched some of the PA sunrise with them then got busy. When I just checked on them it says "access denied" and the screen is black. :(

[Squirt's Mom]

The camera is working again and the sitting bird is more alert than I've seen them yet.

[Harley PoMMom]

I was watching the Pitt eagles and the one sitting on the nest was panting and had opened up their wings a bit on each side, must of been hot. On the website for the Pitt eagles it says that one of their eggs cracked open last week, so that leaves just one egg to hatch, hope the little bugger makes it.

[Harley PoMMom]

The Hanover eagles have one baby eagle that has hatched!!!! Lines are jammed up so it is taking much longer to load up.

[Squirt's Mom]

Oh Cool! Can't wait to see them!

[molly muffin]

Hope the one egg in Pittsburgh makes it too.

Watching to see if can see the baby in Hanover.

so exciting! Was sad that one of the eggs had broken.

[Harley PoMMom]

Both eggs in the Hanover nest have hatched!!!

The expected hatch of the Pitt eagles' egg is 3/24 - 3/27.

[molly muffin]

ohhhhh! I haven't seen them yet have you ?

[Harley PoMMom]

Yes I did!! There is also a pic of them hatching out on Facebook, I'll see if I can find it.

[molly muffin]

Oh that would be great Lori. How exciting it is, new life.

[Harley PoMMom]

Try this link for facebook ~ https://www.facebook.com/groups/414921745343756/photos/

[molly muffin]

Oh they have some good pictures. Screen captures. Thanks for the link!

[Squirt's Mom]

How wonderful! Both eggs viable! Can't wait to tell Quentin! :D:cool::D:cool:

[Squirt's Mom]

awe, wonder, joy - I tuned in this morning to see one of the parents sitting on the nest. The screen blanked and started refreshing and when it came back on, both birds were standing in the nest, the hatchlings visable. They both watched the babes a minute then one flew off. The remaining bird started eating breakfast. One of the hatchlings was quite active while the other was very still and I thought we had lost one already but it started moving. It must be the second born and is just weaker than its nest mate.

As the parent was eating, it would check the babes repeatedly. The stronger of the two got in position to look the parent in the face/eye. When the parent noticed, it started putting its beak next to the baby's beak...and the baby responded. Soon the parent was feeding that baby! It would pull off small bites and give it to the babe. The younger of the birds got to the edge where its mate was being fed and the parent touched beaks with it a couple of times but that one didn't respond so the parent went on feeding itself and the other baby.

When the parent finished its meal, it slowly worked its way over the babies and settled, rocking back and forth. It reminded me of human moms rocking their babes to sleep.

I was just awestruck watching this and cannot thank you enough for sharing with us, Lori.

[Harley PoMMom]

I am glad to share! Just want you all to be aware that it could get a bit gruesome; it is known that the stronger eaglet may kill the other one, and, also, when they are eating the bird/fish may still be alive.

[labblab]

Thanks for the warning, Lori, cuz I am not feeling too kindly towards big raptors right at the moment. A hawk landed on a baby robin in my yard yesterday and it was not a pretty sight, especially since I had been watching those eggs being nurtured for days and days, too, through storms and cold. The poor little thing was panting from terror before the hawk flew off with it and all I can hope is that it was quickly a meal. I know it's the cycle of nature and all that, but it made me feel so bad for my little baby bird, and for the mom and dad. All those days of sitting on the nest and watching and waiting and then gone in an instant. I apologize very much for being a downer but it really is a good warning to let people know what they may be seeing. Nature is not always pretty, that's for sure.

[Budsters Mom]

Okay, I'm not watching ANYMORE! :o I prefer the scenario of the happy little family in my head much better!:D

[Jenny & Judi in MN]

watching eagle cams is tough. I did it for awhile but only 50% of the eagle babies make it through their first year and seeing what they eat is sad. The fact that the egg hatched after all of that snow is awesome though

[Squirt's Mom]

The "circle of life", as Sir John put it, can be tough to watch, no doubt about it. Understanding this is just how it goes doesn't help much. But I don't see the death of those fish or birds or the baby Robin in the same light as some of you. Yes I cry and get nauseated at times but I come back to that "circle" part. A circle is smooth, no depressions, no ridges, no breaks, no edges - it's just a circle, no beginning no end, just continuation. All parts of the circle are one, even those parts that make us cry. In that circle I find peace and acceptance. Without death, there would be no circle. So while that phrase, "circle of life", has a surface message that can offer an explanation for some of the things we are made aware of, it is fraught with a much deeper meaning and encompasses all parts of life, including death.

I am constantly astounded by the tenderness of the parents with these babes. Such a fierce looking bird, one we know can rip a small animal to shreds with those talons, yet each step is carefully placed, food is offered so gently, and when they sit back on the nest after their meal or trip, the rocking gets me every time. I know why they are rocking but it still touches me to watch.

The Hays nest has a chat that is interesting. That egg is due anytime now.

[labblab]

Les, I don't know that we actually think very much differently about these things, especially as to the mysteries of life and death and the interlocking of the two. But in the midst of our conversations about these eaglets, my judgmental human mind just found it unfair that "my" robin baby's life was stolen in order to perhaps feed somebody else's baby. And it made me really sad, especially for the parents who had been working so hard to nurture it. But of course, that may be exactly what happens to the weaker eaglet, as well.

I've been trying to remember a Native American parable that I read back in college days (I think from a plains tribe, maybe Sioux) about a little creature named Jumping Mouse. If I remember correctly, we enjoyed all of Jumping Mouse's adventures and all that he learned and saw as he scurried around on the ground. He was always mindful and so vigilant, though, of the flying shadow overhead. He did everything he could to avoid it, but of course, one day the shadow swooped down and snatched him up in its talons. Jumping Mouse was terrified and our hearts ache for him as everything goes black. But then, a few moments later, something magical happens and Jumping Mouse opens his eyes to see that he is now looking down on the earth below as he soars and spins. And it is then that we realize that Jumping Mouse has become a part of Eagle. And so a new adventure begins.

I've always felt so touched by this little story, and normally my own heart rises when I see the eagles and hawks soaring. But even before the robin, this particular hawk has been rapidly depopulating my backyard of many little furry creatures that I have loved to watch. So I dearly wish he/she would find some other tall tree to lodge in for a while. :o :o :o :o

[Gabriel]

Les, I don't know that we actually think very much differently about these things, especially as to the mysteries of life and death and the interlocking of the two. But in the midst of our conversations about these eaglets, my judgmental human mind just found it unfair that "my" robin baby's life was stolen in order to perhaps feed somebody else's baby. And it made me really sad, especially for the parents who had been working so hard to nurture it. But of course, that may be exactly what happens to the weaker eaglet, as well.

I've been trying to remember a Native American parable that I read back in college days (I think from a plains tribe, maybe Sioux) about a little creature named Jumping Mouse. If I remember correctly, we enjoyed all of Jumping Mouse's adventures and all that he learned and saw as he scurried around on the ground. He was always mindful and so vigilant, though, of the flying shadow overhead. He did everything he could to avoid it, but of course, one day the shadow swooped down and snatched him up in its talons. Jumping Mouse was terrified and our hearts ache for him as everything goes black. But then, a few moments later, something magical happens and Jumping Mouse opens his eyes to see that he is now looking down on the earth below as he soars and spins. And it is then that we realize that Jumping Mouse has become a part of Eagle. And so a new adventure begins.

I've always felt so touched by this little story, and normally my own heart rises when I see the eagles and hawks soaring. But even before the robin, this particular hawk has been rapidly depopulating my backyard of many little furry creatures that I have loved to watch. So I dearly wish he/she would find some other tall tree to lodge in for a while. :o :o :o :o

That's a touching story:)
Nature can be so cruel in order to survive.
I've had to stop feeding the birds here because rats started stealing their food in broad daylight. We've had a rat overpopulation explosion here before so don't want to start another one.

[Squirt's Mom]

Excitement in the Hays nest - Dad removed half a shell early today and it was first thought there had been a hatching of the remaining egg. But observers saw them rolling an intact egg around 5:30 this morning - after the half shell had been removed. So it seems the remaining egg is still there, waiting to hatch.

[Harley PoMMom]

It is announced that the Pittsburgh Hays eagles remaining egg in the nest was not viable and they have abandoned their nest. :(

[Squirt's Mom]

I watched a video earlier today of Mom and Dad in the nest. They seemed to be cleaning up and sort of bonding. So sad to lose both their babies. :( Hopefully they will have better luck next year.

[molly muffin]

Oh so sad. :(. Yes. Better luck next time. To they on lay eggs once per year?

[Harley PoMMom]

Yes, normally only once a year do they lay eggs, and they are lifetime partners, they did lay 3 eggs last year and ALL 3 babies made it!!

I just tuned into the Pittsburgh Hays site and see an eagle in the nest???

[Squirt's Mom]

From what I understand, this Eagle pair will tend that nest regardless. That is their home. They will lay their next clutch in that nest. The female is there sleeping this morning.

Last year, this pair raised 3 babies successfully. I'm just so sad for them.

[Harley PoMMom]

Just bumping up this thread, it's that time of year!!

Oh, here is the link: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=1592549&mode=2