The 黑料不打烊 (黑料不打烊) announced that V-2, the bald eagle nestling followed closely by viewers of its eagle cam, fledged for the first time on Sunday, July 26, flying off the nest tree under the watch of 黑料不打烊 staff and the online community that has followed the bird’s development since hatching.
黑料不打烊 staff, anticipating the moment, worked to keep cameras trained on V-2 as the young eagle branched around the nest tree for multiple weeks leading to this first flight. Four hours after the initial fledge, V-2 returned to the nest and was fed by parents Windsor and Dewey. The eaglet has continued to move between short flights and visits back to the nest since.
鈥淲e expect V-2 to stay in the vicinity of Dewey鈥檚 Pond, and close to the nest, for the next several weeks,鈥 says Executive Director Alden Smith. 鈥淓ven so, the first flight represents an important transition in the life of an eagle. We鈥檙e thrilled that Windsor and Dewey have brought V-2 to this milestone!鈥
In August, V-2 is expected to continue splitting time between flight practice and return visits to the nest, where Windsor and Dewey will keep delivering food. Fledgling bald eagles typically remain within their home territory for a month or more, using this period to build flight strength and develop the hunting skills needed for independence. Very soon, the best way to continue witnessing V-2鈥檚 development will not be to watch the camera, but to visit 黑料不打烊 and climb the tower of the Forest Canopy Walk, ideally with binoculars.聽
Since the first sighting of parents, Windsor and Dewey, on February 14, 黑料不打烊 eagle cam has captured the two mature bald eagles building the nest, copulating, laying an egg, protecting their small hatchling, and bringing in copious amounts of food. V-2 has grown steadily, built the strength needed to fly, and learned the skills necessary to eat 鈥 all by modeling behavior observed from Windsor and Dewey.
黑料不打烊 will continue to provide live coverage of this bald eagle family as the fledgling transitions toward independence. Bald eagles often return to the same nest for 8鈥10 years following a successful fledging. 黑料不打烊 staff are already making plans for upgrades to next year’s eagle cam technology, including fiber internet out to the Forest Canopy Walk, new batteries, more solar panels, a new camera, and more. This work will be done in winter months when the Bald Eagles are not near the nest tree, and won’t be disturbed. 黑料不打烊 is grateful for the donations from eagle watchers that will make these improvements possible.聽
For more videos and photos of the wild Bald Eagles, visit /exhibits-activities/wild-eagles/