By the Light of the Silvery Moon

Happened to check on the Eagle Cam around 2:45 a.m. today, and saw Dad on the nest, sound asleep. He awoke at 3 a.m. and the turned the eggs, then appeared to go back to sleep, bill resting on his back. He turned the eggs again at 3:45 a.m. Another viewer had reported earlier that both parents were on the nest when he started watching at 1 a.m., and that the mom left soon after. (She may be on a nearby branch, just out of camera range.) Last night at 3:30, 30 folks had the cam up on their computer screens. Night owls, no doubt. Welcome to the Late Show with the Duke Farms Bald Eagles.

With a new cam equipped with infra-red, we have clearly entered a new phase of nest-watching at Duke Farms. Speaking of phases, tonight is a full moon. Does a nearly full moon affect the adults' activity? We'll try to find out for you. In the meantime, you may have to tune in on one of the next few nights when the moon is out and still fairly full. Last night at 3:30, 30 folks had the cam on their computer screens. Night owls, no doubt. You can get the moon phases for Morristown, N.J., about miles from the nest, here. You can get the weather forecast for Duke Farms here.

Eagle questions? E-mail Jim at celeryfarm@mail.com Some may be used in future posts.

Jim Wright writes The Bird Watcher column for The Record. He is the author of four photography-driven books about natural areas, including the New Jersey Meadowlands, and Pennsylvanias Hawk Mountain.