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Bald Eagle Live Web-cam ... OAKBAYCAM.com
By Marie O'Shaugnessy

This article first appeared in the September - October 2002 edition of the Victoria Naturalist and has been reprinted here with the generous permission of the author.

Earlier this Spring, as winter released her icy grip upon Lotus Land, Gwen Greenwood, co-ordinator for the Bald Eagle Nest Tree Project, asked me if I would keep an eye on a nesting pair of Bald Eagles. Oak Bay Tourism had sponsored and funded the eagle camera that was mounted on the top of the Oak Bay Fire Station training tower. It was this creative idea that allowed me on so many occasions to peer into the private world of this Bald Eagle pair.

Realizing how busy I was with work, I assured her that I wouldn't have much time to monitor despite the fact that this nest site was close to my home. How little did I realize then that these majestivc birds would capture my attention for the entire nesting season!

I have over the years been fascinated by these magnificent, regal birds of prey, and have felt a natural kinship with them. At the top of the food chain they are undisputedly adept at killing, scavenging, pirating and masters of their realm - the sky. When watching them take to the skies, I am in awe as they soar and glide. They harness 'thermals' to provide lift for their seven foot wing span. When they reach their chosen altitude, their performance is one of grace and beauty that leaves me enthralled no matter what time of year or what conditions prevail.

Infrequent visits by me to the nest sight in early spring certainly indicated that a resident pair of Bald Eagles were interested in starting a family. The month of March reassured me that my hunches were correct and by April an adult female, the larger of the two, was sitting on eggs.

Eagles, on average, lay two and sometimes three eggs. This year was no exception and by May 9th a positive report of two eagle chicks was confirmed at this nest site by the installation of a nest-cam.
When inclement weather stalled my visits, I was able to watch the story unfold as I sat at my computer. At other times, weather permitting, you would find me peering through binoculars or hunched awkwardly over my camera trying to capture the fascinating activity that went on in the canopy above. Interested and curious folk would arrive at my usual station who also were hoping for a glimpse into the world of birds high atop a 150 ft. Cedar tree.

Three years ago I had noticed that an Eagle pair had built a nest in the same tree. Choice of trees for Eagles is very important as their nests have to be high enough to allow for viewing of their territory and strong enough to hold an ever increasing weight that accumulates over the years. They usually add more branches to the existing nest year after year.

Three years ago one eaglet successfully fledged from the lower nest in this chosen tree. Last year this eagle pair took a "time out" from raising young. Instead they built a new nest at a higher point within the cedar tree. For reasons unknown, the lower nest was abandoned. Their decision was a positive step, for this year two young hatchlings fledged. In May 2002, I first caught site of the hatchlings the weekend that Victoria hosted the Annual General Meeting for the Federation of British Columbia Naturalists.

I had just completed leading a waterfront bird field trip and asked the participants if they would like to see an active Eagle's nest. Upon our arrival, and to the delight of us all, two little grey, 'fluff-balls' peered over the edge of the nest and waved a stubby little wing shoot as if to say "Hi" as we positioned our binoculars.

From that moment on I became hooked, and dedicated many moments at the nest site just gazing up or viewing from my computer chair as I 'clicked' onto the web site. This activity afforded me many hours of pure enjoyment as I watched a parent bird arrive on screen with fresh kill.

Their food source was usually some unfortunate Glaucous-winged gull caught in flight. Earlier in April I had photographed what looked to be the tail of a cooper's Hawk in the nest as one adult sat incubating.

Although fish is the preferred diet of Bald Eagles, they do take other birds including gulls and ducks as well as small mammals and carrion. The availability of gulls, their primary food source at this location, is evident by the many carcasses in and around the nest and at the base of the tree. I have even seen a pair of Bald Eagles hunt as a team although they usually hunt alone.

Over the warm days of July I was able to observe the two developing eaglets on a daily basis. They have grown to the size of their parents now and have replaced their grey down with glossy brown feathers. July 18th was a memorable day for me as I stood looking skyward. I was priviledged to witness the older of the two hatchlings take its first flight above the nest tree. "Awesome" is my choice of word to describe the sensation that filled me as I watched.

This experience was thrilling not only for me but I am sure for the bird as well as it circled above me. The joy I felt can only be shared and understood by other birders and 'Nature lovers'.

As I watched the eaglet circle over the fire hall and land successfully beside its concerned sibling perched on one of thir favourite branches, I felt priviledged to be a part of this momentous occasion. There was much bill rubbing between the two eaglets that were interesting to witness. This apparent closeness between the two eaglets was unusual, for the drama in the nest is not for the faint hearted. Fratricide usually occurs where an older hatchling kills the yuounger one. The availability of food and the length of time between laying of the eggs dictates whether this happens. We can only assume that these two siblings were hatched within a day or two of each other.

The milestone of first flight, for the two young eagles occurred approximately 75 days after hatching. Earlier in July I had observed the two progress from exercising in the nest to hopping along branches. As I watched it became apparent that the nest did not support two birds exercising at the same time so the older one would beat the cowering younger one with its massive wings causing it to retreat to the very edge of the nest. This activity caused me some concern although the watchful parent bird showed no interest in intervening.

I recall July 9th as a new bench mark for this energetic twosome for they were exercising their wings as though they were on a trampoline in the nest. By July 12th, one was heading out of the nest and hopping along an ample branch. Within two days the younger eagler had joined its sibling and it too had become a "brancher". There they stayed a good part of the day, surveying their new world as the adult birds continued to bring food to them.

Many hours would pass before an adult showed up at the nest site so at times the young would hop back into the nest to sleep or sift through the debris of feathers and other undigestible substances from a previous meal.

The Eagle family is now away from the nest a great deal during the day. At times I have seen the young return alone and together. During the week of July 22nd, the young appeared to be back at the nest tree by dusk. Their high pitch call for food as they spot an adult eagle returning is quite resounding.

As the month of August approaches, this family of Eagles will be seen less frequently together for their departure draws nigh. The nest now appears empty the last few evenings when I have visited. July 29th was the last day I saw the eaglets in the nest at daybreak. During the next two weeks the family of eagles will migrate.

It would be pleasant to think that the adults are teaching their young to fish and hunt out off the waters of Oak Bay for I have seen this little family sitting on Mary Todd Island at the marina. The young have the instinct to hunt but do not have the skills so much of the time they must observe their parents.
Mortality, as high as 50% or greater is not uncommon during the first year of life for a juvenile eagle. Research suggests that the young migrate even before the parent birds leave their breeding territory. How they find their way to important food gathering areas is unknown. Eventually both juveniles and adults arrive at coastal estuaries and rivers and gorge themselves on salmon returning to spawn. These gathering spots for eagles after a spring and summer of raising young must be like a much-needed holiday.

I have watched this pair of adult Bald Eagles with renewed interest this year. Although saddened by their departure, I can look forward to the return of the adults once again at the end of September. As the last days of summer blend into that lovely colourful season we call fall, I know for sure they will be back once again to renew their bond and proclaim their territory as Mother Nature looks on.