Heartbreaking: eggs ECC5 & ECC6 are not viable (see statement)
From ECC:
Every eagle season is a new experience, and this season has been like no other. To clear the air and speculation, ECC5 and ECC6 will be deemed non-viable and will not hatch.
Liberty left the sight of the camera at 6:20AM this morning with the new male, M2, and neither have returned as of 5:00PM (update: she has returned as of 5:21PM, but is not incubating).
Eagle eggs require a lot of temperature regulation to stay viable, and it is a delicate balancing act that the eagles have perfected. However, without the help of another eagle, it would be close to impossible for Liberty to pull it off by herself.
With all of this comes disappointment and sadness, however, we have gained a lot of insightful knowledge into the often hidden lives of our amazing national bird. With hundreds of local bald eagle photos being sent in from sources around the DMV area on the lookout for Justice, to the abundance of juvenile and mature bald eagles that have been seen on the nest cam, it is amazing what we all have learned just by looking up towards the sky.
However, the season may not be over just yet. There are still a few possible outcomes that we are monitoring for:
1.) Liberty & M2 had a confirmed mating this morning before disappearing for the day - if Liberty is fertile this or subsequent matings could result in additional eggs. There are a lot of additional biological factors that would be in play here, but it is not out of the realm of possibility.
2.) Liberty returns with M2 and continue to use the nest throughout the Spring.
3.) Liberty returns next season with a mate.
We are still holding out hope for Justice, but there is still no update. The longest another eagle cam has seen a male disappear and return has been up to two weeks.
For more information on Eagle egg temperatures, please use this link: raptorresource.blogspot.com/…/eggs-and-cold-weather…
To watch the Eagle Cam, go here: www.eaglecam.org
Our mods and ECC Staff will continue to answer questions in the chat under the Eagle Cam.
Heartbreaking: eggs ECC5 & ECC6 are not viable (see statement)
From ECC:
Every eagle season is a new experience, and this season has been like no other. To clear the air and speculation, ECC5 and ECC6 will be deemed non-viable and will not hatch.
Liberty left the sight of the camera at 6:20AM this morning with the new male, M2, and neither have returned as of 5:00PM (update: she has returned as of 5:21PM, but is not incubating).
Eagle eggs require a lot of temperature regulation to stay viable, and it is a delicate balancing act that the eagles have perfected. However, without the help of another eagle, it would be close to impossible for Liberty to pull it off by herself.
With all of this comes disappointment and sadness, however, we have gained a lot of insightful knowledge into the often hidden lives of our amazing national bird. With hundreds of local bald eagle photos being sent in from sources around the DMV area on the lookout for Justice, to the abundance of juvenile and mature bald eagles that have been seen on the nest cam, it is amazing what we all have learned just by looking up towards the sky.
However, the season may not be over just yet. There are still a few possible outcomes that we are monitoring for:
1.) Liberty & M2 had a confirmed mating this morning before disappearing for the day - if Liberty is fertile this or subsequent matings could result in additional eggs. There are a lot of additional biological factors that would be in play here, but it is not out of the realm of possibility.
2.) Liberty returns with M2 and continue to use the nest throughout the Spring.
3.) Liberty returns next season with a mate.
We are still holding out hope for Justice, but there is still no update. The longest another eagle cam has seen a male disappear and return has been up to two weeks.
For more information on Eagle egg temperatures, please use this link: raptorresource.blogspot.com/…/eggs-and-cold-weather…
To watch the Eagle Cam, go here: www.eaglecam.org
Our mods and ECC Staff will continue to answer questions in the chat under the Eagle Cam.