26 March 2017
Six weeks ago on February 13, the Hays bald eagle nest tree blew over in a storm while the female was incubating her first egg. Within a week the pair built a new nest nearby and, though they can’t be seen on the webcam, observers on the ground can tell the eagles began incubation on a new egg on February 19.
Bald eagle eggs typically hatch in 35 days. Today, March 26, is the 35th day.
Eagle fans don’t wait until hatch day to begin their vigil. Yesterday Dana Nesiti (Eagles of Hays PA on Facebook) arrived before dawn and captured the photo above. I stopped by at 3pm and found Eaglestreamer and LFL on duty.
Eaglestreamer has tracked the Hays eagles for years and told me that their first hatch date is often Day 37 so there’s still time to be there for the big event. (See Eaglestreamer’s hatch website here.)
Even if you miss the hatch, the eagles will be exciting in the days ahead as they bring food to the nest.
Click here for directions to the Hays viewing area. On Facebook, see Hays bald eagle photos by Annette Devinney, Dana Nesiti, Dan Dasynich … and many of their friends.
UPDATE MARCH 28: HATCHED! Without a webcam on-the-ground observers look for parents-feeding-young behavior. This behavior was confimed on 28 March 2017. Eaglestreamer writes: “2 fish delivered back to back as was finally able to get a peek at small bits of food being torn and offered with lowered beak.”
(bald eagle photo by Dana Nesiti, Eagles of Hays PA on Facebook. Eaglestreamer and LFL photo by Kate St. John)
Too bad about their nest but amazing how quickly they rebuilt. They must like the area. They have been very good parents so we can be pretty confident they will have a successful season raising their babies. So many baby eagles to watch across the US. Blessings to those who took the time to install and maintain cams for us eagle lovers.
Thank you Eaglestreamer and LFL for keep a good eye on our parents!! And thank you Jersey for sharing this. Great picture!!