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NCTC Shepherdstown, West Virginia - Bald Eagle Family

Belle and Liberty's Family History
Outlined below is a brief tribute to this remarkable and loving couple; Belle and Liberty

In 2002 beautiful Belle and Liberty took up residence and began nesting near the Potomac River. As a devoted and loving couple they successfully raised and fledged many off spring since then and they shared ten wonderful years together!

Liberty and Belle built their nest late in 2003.On Valentine's Day, February 14, 2004 Belle laid her very first egg. Belle and Liberty successfully raised and fledged two juvies in 2004, one in 2005 and triplets in 2006. In 2007 Belle and Liberty had three eggs but none survived the spring storms. In 2008 Belle and Liberty successfully raised and fledged triplets. In 2009 Belle laid three eggs but only one egg hatched and that chick successfully fledged. In 2010 Belle laid four eggs again during some horrific spring storms with record snow falls for the area. As a result of the storms only one egg survived the spring storms. The surviving egg hatched on March 21 and this beautiful gift was promptly nicknamed Spring. Belle and Liberty had another successful season and Spring successfully fledged on June 14 2010.

The 2011 season started out like all other seasons very normal; Belle and Liberty spent time working together often side by side to prepare the nest and make ready for the nesting season. In February Belle laid two eggs, one on Feb 5 and the other egg on Feb 9, and everything seemed to be on course for this beautiful family. On March 17 one of the eggs hatched and the new chick was active, healthy and strong and we quickly nicknamed her Lil Paddy! Unfortunately, a day before the hatch Liberty, Belle's devoted partner, suddenly disappeared ....leaving Belle to care for the new chick herself.

During this critical time frame, a young male intruder arrived in Belle and Liberty's territory and started to threaten Belle and her new chick by perching in the attic and even landing in the nest. This intruder's threatening behavior caused Belle to remain close to the nest to protect her baby Lil Paddy and the remaining egg. At times we observed Belle offering her beak to Lil Paddy, which Lil Paddy readily accepted. The beak to beak exchanges continued and by all appearances these exchanges really modelled a feeding pattern but there was never any food exchanged between Belle and Lil Paddy as no food was ever delivered to the nest. Belle was not able to leave the nest area long enough to hunt and fish to provide for Lil Paddy because the male intruder continued to threaten the family and unfortunately the Lil Paddy died. Ironically, Belle was able to leave the nest briefly on day four and returned to the nest with a fish just moments after Lil Paddy died. It was a heartbreaking turn of events for this family. Liberty, the long term mate of Belle, was never seen again. Weeks later a body of an adult bald eagle was discovered on the grounds, which may have been the resident male Liberty. As time went by and given the long absence of Liberty, the young male continued to visit the nest and no matter how rude Belle was to him he persisted and finally Belle accepted the young smitten male, nicknamed Smitty, as her new mate...will this trend continue stay tuned!

A detailed summary of these events can be found here:
forum/viewtopic.php?showtopic=165694&topic=165694#165694

A live streaming cam for observing this family can be accessed by clicking on this link below:
http://outdoorchannel.com/Conservation/EagleCam.aspx

A secondary still cam that refreshes every 30 seconds and is on 24 hours a day is also available click on link below:
http://www.fws.gov/nctc/cam/stillimage.html

2011-2012 Season:

• streaming video on:
  
• Intrusion(s) January 24, 2012 Female Intruder; failed attempt to claim the nest/territory; February 16 (no visual confirmation) birds were on high alert; February 18 Intruder entered the nest another failed attempt after a brutal fight in the nest
  
  
• eggs laid: February 5, maybe 5:27 pm, seen 5:34 pm; February 8, maybe 10:49 pm, seen 11:11 pm
  
• Hatched: March 14, 3:38 pm (38 days; male was incubating before and during the hatch); March 16, 7:20 am (37 days)
  
• First Feeding by New Male: March 19, 3:23 pm
  
• Branched: May 25 (72 days)
  
• Fledged: June 3, 2012 (11 Weeks of age or 80 Days) & June 4 2012 (11 Weeks of age or 80 days)

Note: Our fledge dates vary slightly from the official update posted on the NCTC web site, they have the fledge dates listed as June 1 & June 4 2012 http://outdoorchannel.com/Conservation/ ... s2012.aspx

Screen captures of Belle and Liberty

Belle and Liberty sharing one of their famous 'niparoos' - January 22 2011


Liberty chants at Belle - January 14 2011


Belle and Liberty - Exchanging a Loving Look - January 5 2011


(Information from the National Conservation Training Center)

Link to last year's thread for this nest

March 17 2011 - Hatch Day
Lil Paddy and Belle


Lil Paddy


March 18 2011
Lil Paddy


RIP Lil Paddy May you Soar High and Soar Forever Free

Memories of Belle and Liberty; each totally devoted to the other

Belle and Liberty - January 22 2011


Belle and Liberty-Feb 1 2011


Belle and Liberty - Feb 3 2010
First of four eggs are laid during the horrific Spring Storms


These captures were taken by our very own devoted and dedicated NCTC family Irisheyes, Deewerms and Debs

Belle and Liberty - February 10 2010
Despite heavy snow falls, this pair continues to be devoted to protecting their eggs!


Belle and Liberty Mating - January 28 2011


Belle and Liberty - January 18 2011


These captures were taken by our very own devoted and dedicated NCTC family Irisheyes, Deewerms and Debs

Here is a video profiling Belle and Liberty's life together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FizcaIog ... e=youtu.be

Warmest Thanks to Terri for making this video...it is amazing

Belle and Smitty 2011

Belle and her new partner Smitty - May 2011

Screen capture by deewerms

Smitty - March 26 2011
Small patches of dark colored feathers visible on Smitty's head and tail feathers.


Belle protects Lil Paddy from the young male intruder nicknamed Smitty
March 18 2011

Bev, Doreen and Friends to our new thread ....looking forward to a wonderful 2012 season

245 pm
Nest is empty.

Thanks Debs.. I too am looking forward to this season...

Hi Friends!

Shiny brand new season to start. That is a delight. I just wanted to leave a happy welcome to new season and new hopes note.
smiles,
carolyn