The Biological Sciences Department is live streaming EagleCams

JOHNSON CITY (Feb. 11) East Tennessee State Universitys Department of Biological Sciences has issued an invitation to view two local nesting sites of American Bald Eagles through the EagleCam Project. One nest is in Bluff City and another in Johnson City.

A home computer or mobile device can be used as a window to keep up with the raptors as they raise their young. The nesting activity began in November with the eagles, which mate for life, bringing new materials to the nests they have maintained for several years. Beginning in January, the adult birds were spending more hours on the nests, with some mating and other courtship behaviors in evidence.  The Bluff City pair have an egg in the nest and the Johnson City mother eagle has been displaying signs of the imminent arrival of an egg. Once hatched, fledgling young eagles should be visible through June.

Dr. Fred Alsop, Biological Sciences faculty member, says, The nesting pairs have been doing well for several years. The eagles in Johnson City did fine with the lake at normal levels and they have adapted to the lower level, which causes the water to be clearer and allows greater concentrations of fish.

The EagleCam Project is the result of the combined efforts of scientists, technicians and administrators at ETSU working with private property owners, local companies and government agencies. Those involved include Re/Max Checkmate of Johnson City, the Tennessee Valley Authority, Mahoneys Outfitters, Mountain Empire Oil Company, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services and the Johnson City Power Board. Some contributed time and expertise while others provided funding and equipment to meet deadlines imposed by the eagles to have everything in place for this years nesting season.

Careful conservation measures and reintroduction programs allowed the U.S. Department of Interior to remove the American Bald Eagle from the Endangered and Threatened Species List in 2007.

Bald Eagle populations first recovered in the Volunteer State in the western counties along the Mississippi River and five years ago, the first nesting pairs appeared in upper East Tennessee.

A recent count showed that the EagleCam site has had 9,000 visits from 28 countries.

To view the local eagles, go to www.etsu.edu/cas/biology/ and click on Eagle Camera to access the live streaming and find information about the species.

Observing the eagles daily life is free, but volunteer support and donations are welcomed to allow improved equipment and services for seasons to come. Several private donors have made contributions and more are needed to ensure the success of the program.