April 01, 2005
The Cam Tree
On the morning of March 8, Blackwater Refuge experienced a strong storm with powerful winds -- this was the same day that our eagle nest camera was accidentally pushed down. The staff at the Refuge could see the Eagle Cam on the video monitor in their office, and they said the nest was really rocking.
Eagle nests in general get very heavy because the eagles add to them year after year. It's possible that over time, either the weight of a nest or the age of a tree will bring an eagles' home to the ground, but our cam nest apparently did well in the storm, which had wind gusts as high as 50 mph.
As for the cam tree, it's a loblolly pine. About 60% of eagle nests in the Chesapeake Bay region are in loblolly pine trees. Eagles probably like the loblolly because of its immense height and sturdy nature. These beautiful and majestic trees are a common sight at Blackwater Refuge, and they provide a wonderful canopy for a quiet walk in the woods.
Visit this Ecology page to see photos of the loblolly pine and to learn more about its popularity with wildlife.
Posted by Webmaster at April 1, 2005 02:51 PM