Duke Farms Eagle Camera
Pets, Animals - Wild Animals
Update 7/16/2014
The camera is still off line due to technical difficulties with the cable. We will attempt to fix the issue once we have permission from the state to approach the nest. Hopefully we will resolve the issue before next year's nesting season.
Update 6/5/2014
The camera is currently down due to technical difficulties with the cable.
Update 6/2/2014
The screen is showing some static/snow due to a technical issue. We cannot fix it at this time until after eaglets have fledged.
Update 5/13/2014
The banding yesterday was a resounding success, biologists banded and recorded data on the 3 eaglets, with 2 males and 1 female in the nest.
You can see recorded video from the live ground based camera on the ground (complete with sound) here;
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Duke-Farms-Eagle-Banding
Update 5/8/2014
We are proud to announce that we will be running a live stream from the banding on the ground using a mobile ustream app so that viewers can see what biologists see as they band the eaglets! You can see this on 5/12/2014 here;
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/Duke-Farms-Eagle-Banding
The broadcast will start at or around 10:00 AM EST 5/12/2014 and run for aprox 1.5-2 hours (depending on mobile bandwidth and potential technical issues).
Update 5/5/2014
Over the weekend there was some concern over the perceived lack of feeding in the nest, mainly following the flood. The eaglet's adults in this nest have raised many chicks over the years and the three healthy chicks this year is a testament to this pair's skill in parenting. That said we do not and cannot feed the chicks in the nest as they are wild birds (not pets/zoo animals) and approaching the nest to attempt to feed them would cause more disturbance than if the chicks where left for a brief moment of time without food.
Update 4/28/2014
Banding for the eaglets is set for 5/12 or 5/14. The banding will be broadcast using the webcam but no audio will be available as of yet.
Update 4/15/2014
For viewers, please note that as the chicks mature and become more independent in the nest the adult will not be inside the nest bowl as much as they where a week ago (most activity from the adults will either be feeding or sheltering chicks from rain). The adults still stay close to the nest in neighboring trees to keep an eye of the chicks and potential threats.
Update 4/1/2014
The 3rd egg has hatched. The 3rd eaglet is smaller than the other 2 who hatched on the same day.
Update 3/31/2014
The 3rd egg appears to now have a pip (hole) in the shell. Hatch should occur today or tomorrow.
Update 3/29/2014
2 chicks have hatched in the nest. Parents are starting to leave food in the nest such as fish and waterfowl to give the nesting parent and young food. The 3rd egg has not hatched yet.
Update 2/24/2014
A 3rd egg was laid on 2/23/2014 in the afternoon. Thanks you viewers for your valuable observations throughout the nesting season.
Update 2/20/2014
A 2nd egg was laid the afternoon of 2/20/2014.
Update 2/18/2014
An egg was laid in the afternoon of 2/17/2014*. Snow in the nest should begin to dissipate as temps rise during the day over the next few days. The cam will remain zoomed close in on the nest bowl to aid in detection of additional eggs.
Update 1/14/2014
Soft grasses are being deposited in the nest bowl to act as cushioning and insulation, these signs are usually a prelude to egg laying behavior.
Update
12/10/2013
It appears that the oldest of the 3 male eaglets from the 2009 nesting season has been spotted in Conowingo Dam, Maryland by a wildlife photographer. Read more here;
http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/blog/2013/12/09/duke-farms-2009-eagle-chick-all-grown-up/
Update
10/7/2013
The eagle camera is now running, the camera has been relocated to the new nest tree and is now much closer (IR and audio are still not an option as of this time due to the distance and unique site conditions). The new nest is now 80ft off the ground and sits in a cluster of branches coming off a large sycamore tree. Adults have been seen in then est in the early morning hours mending the nest. The large white object in the nest is a turtle shell likely left over from a meal in the summer for the chicks. Banding will possibly take place as well now that the nest tree has been climbed and studied.
Update
7/22/2013
After another successful nesting season, we will be shutting down the live camera. During this down time we will work on improving the viewing experience for next season by relocating the camera to provide an unobstructed shot of the nest. We hope you all enjoyed watching this season and look forward to having you tune in next year!
Update:
7/2/2013
Camera back up, network issue was resolved.
Update;
7/1/2013
After storm, some part of cameras network was reset and streaming is down. Stream will be put back when problem is fixed. Cam will probably be down for season August 1st for camera relocation work (possibly going back up in November/December to observe nest).
Update;
6/17/2013
It appears the eaglets have fledged from the nest sometime this weekend. Thank you viewers for observing this nest thru the season day in and day out.
Update;
5/20/2013
It appears the eaglets are branching out on the tree. If you see an eaglet fall or take flight please notify us immediately.
Duke Farms Main number;
(908) 722-3700
Duke Farms Environmental Stewardship Staff Contact;
(908) 547-3058
NJ State Fish and Game (in event of emergency);
(609) 292-9400
Update
5/3/2013
In regards to banding, banding by the state will have to wait until next year. The new tree and nest is taller than the last one and the additional time spent trying to safely climb the tree and access the nest will incur too much stress on the adults and eaglets. When the camera is moved to the new tree after the eaglets have fledged biologists will study the new tree and find the best route to get to the nest quickly and easily.
Update 4/30/2013
The camera is now operational.
Update 4/29/2013
We have found the likely problem (rodent damage to a wire connection). We will be doing repairs to attempt to get camera working again tomorrow.
Update 4/26/2013
We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with the camera and are working towards a solution.
Update 4/1/2013
The two chicks in the nest appear to be healthy and active. Feeding should become much more active as the chicks grow in size.
Update 3/25/2013
It appears at least one chick has hatched, biologists have observed feeding in the nest (with the adult feeding the chick the remains of the hawk from the attack on 3/24/2013).
Update 3/24/2013
It appears a hawk (likely a red-tailed hawk) attempted to attack the nest and got killed by the parents. It is currently unknown if the eggs/hatchings where harmed in the attack.
See youtube video here recorded by viewer Windy60 to see the attack (copy & paste entire url)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s8anVG-o_I
or view highlight;
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/30332727/highlight/334419
Update 2/20/2013
Upon reviewing user observations, video and consulting state wildlife biologists it appears an egg was laid on the 14th and the 17th. Thank you viewers for watching the nest so diligently, your observations are valued highly!
Update 2/14/2013 3:20 PM
Adults have been focusing on the center of the nest bowl from about 2 PM today and showing typical egg tending behavior. This may be the 1st egg laid in the season.
Update 2/6/2012;
The adults are lining the nest with fine grassy materials and feeding in the nest more frequently, going by past records egg laying may occur in the next 3 weeks. From that point adults will take turns constantly sitting on the nest to keep the eggs warm. If you spot an egg, please let us know ASAP so we can log the date and track the laying on our cameras DVR. We can be contacted at www.dukefarms.org
2013 Update;
The "new" eagle camera system is fully operational, though with several major changes due to Hurricane Sandy:
During Hurricane Sandy, 70+ mph winds tore off the upper half of the nest tree, destroying the nest completely (the camera and camera tree where spared). Luckily, the bald eagle pair built a new nest 100ft south of the current eagle camera's position in late December in another American Sycamore tree.
The view you see right now is at the max zoom limit of the camera and many branches (and likely leaves later on) are in the way of the image
We cannot move the camera at this time since the eagles are nesting and cannot be disturbed until after the young eagles have fledged. We anticipate moving the camera to a closer, less obstructed tree after the eaglets fledge from the nest, hopefully after August 2013
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Want to see another cam on our property? Check out the 24/7, day-night Duke Brook Camera
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/duke-farms-brook-cam
To see footage of the younger eaglet, "fledging" on June 25th 2011;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW5RPixeLLY
Located on the 2700 acre Duke Farm property in Hillsborough, this eagle nest with the same mating pair has been observed on the farm since 2005. In 2008 a camera was setup by Duke Farms in a neighboring sycamore tree 110 feet up, capturing footage of nesting seasons in 2009 and 2010. This camera permits the public to get a unique glimpse of the nesting, feeding and fledgling of Bald Eagles in NJ.
Duke Farms in Hillsborough, N.J., is one of the largest privately-owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state. The mission of Duke Farms is to serve as a model of environmental stewardship and inspire visitors to become informed stewards of the land. You can assist us with our habitat regeneration efforts by volunteering. To see a list of current educational volunteer opportunities, or to learn about our nature programs and tours, please visit www.dukefarms.org./
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