American bald eagles steal the show

Palm Coast has two very popular residents known to Historic City News readers as “Romeo” and “Juliet” — two adult American bald eagles who have been returning to the same nest, which is estimated to be about seven-years-old, about 80′ high atop the Flagler County slash pine trees.

In late August or early September, the eagle pair usually returns to this nest to begin their nesting cycle; which includes bonding, mating, nest-orations, egg-laying, incubation, hatching, and raising their brood until their youngsters fledge and are able to fend for themselves.

“This year, thanks to remote webcam technology at the northeast Florida eagle nest, we were able to share the ritual with thousands of interested bird watchers around the globe,” a spokesman for the American Eagle Foundation told local Historic City News reporters. “Juliet laid her first egg November 14th, followed by the second one on November 17th.”

The new chicks, named “Samson” and “Delilah”, were right on schedule to hatch before Christmas; Delilah hatched at 4:26 p.m. December 20, 2013, and Samson hatched at 12:08 a.m. December 23rd before an anxious and excited audience over the worldwide web. Although nobody has forgotten the parents, the attention has focused on the still-furry chicks that will, one day, grow to be America’s national symbol.

Eagle nests are protected by federal law. The American Eagle Foundation was given the special privilege of placing their cameras and equipment onsite at the nest which is on private property.

The City of St Augustine may lack the technology (or money?) to bring City Commission meetings to the public, however, under strict agreement with the property owners to never disclose the location of the nest, and, more importantly, to protect the resident eagles and their nest tree, on October 1, 2013, the American Eagle Foundation began providing “live video streaming” from the wild eagle nest.

The live video stream focuses on the nest tree and its canopy, and if you happen to be watching at the right moment, you may catch Romeo or Juliet flying to the nest tree. You will be able to recognize the Dad Eagle, “Romeo”, by the black “liner” around his eye. The
Mom Eagle, “Juliet”, is larger than Dad and has fluffier head feathers.

Historic City News would be remiss if we did not caution our readers that the eagles you are viewing on this webcam are wild birds and anything can happen in the wild. The Foundation does not interfere or intervene; allowing nature to take its course. You’ll see life and you might see death, but this is real nature in action. Please be advised that this is a live feed of a natural bald eagle nest. Eagles feed on small mammals and fish, therefore the actions of the eagles in this video feed could occasionally contain graphic content. Not all content may be appropriate for all viewers.

Mom and Dad typically remain in the nest area for 30-45 days after their young have fledged and migrated; enjoying some well-deserved time alone together in their special Florida habitat. Then, Dad will head north for cooler, less humid climates first, and Mom will leave several days later. The following breeding season, they return like clockwork and start their nesting, mating, and family-raising process all over again.

Through the years, the nest has grown considerably in size and weight — likely weighing close to a ton at this time.