Fledge – The Eagle has Flown!

May 17th was an action packed day! The last update was practically old news as it was shared. 

Bald eaglets can fledge as early as 12 weeks. A fledge is when the eaglet leaves, not only the nest, but the nest tree itself. Many eaglets do return to the nest, mostly following an adult with prey. They may return to sleep at night, or not. Parents will continue lessons for survival. A fledgling will need to learn how to hunt and eat prey out of the nest. By the end of July or beginning of August, the eaglets from this nest will most likely leave their family and begin life on their own.

Today’s big news in case you missed it, is that H58 has fledged 3 days ahead of her 12 weeks hatch date. She had been very active branching in the days leading up to her first flight away from the nest tree. On May 16th, H58 pushed higher and higher on the branch until she went as far as she could on that branch.

H58 really tested her skills as she turned and leaped from her perch.

H58 flapped her wings and continued down to the nest.

While perched at the top of the branch, viewers were treated to nice close up views of H58. 

H58 has reached the milestone of sleeping on the branch. She slept up there for the last 2 nights, coming down in the wee hours of May 17.

Early in the morning of May 17, H57 and H59 were on the nest “beaking”. Birds touch beaks as a way to clean each other’s beak. While her siblings were busy, H58 had other things on her mind. 

H58 worked her way up to the top perch of the branch. Something had her attention as she kept looking around. Was an adult perched nearby, encouraging her to fly? She crouched as her siblings looked on…

…and off she flew!

Last year before both eaglets fledged, they flew to another branch in the nest tree that was out of cam view. Did H58 do the same, or had she truely fledged? I could hear eagle calls mixed with those of the turkeys. Each time, her siblings looked toward the sounds. Was that H58?

H57 and H59 took turns flapping and jumping. Did they want to follow their sister? A little over an hour later, breakfast arrived! H57 almost got knocked off the branch. Thankfully all was well, and both H57 and H59 ate.

Eagle calls stopped once the adult flew off and left the 2 eaglets to feed. Thankfully the cam operator began to pan, searching the area for H58. She was gone! H58 fledged this morning May 17, 2025, just shy of her week 12 hatch date.

H59 and H57 remain in the nest for now. How soon before they go, and who will it be? 

H59 is older, and suspected to be female. Will the younger brother, H57 fledge first? He wasted no time in hopping up to the knot of the branch and back down again. 

H59 is not out on the branch, but sure catches lots of air during those flapping exercises!

H57 continued to reach a higher perch on the branch as the morning went on. He is looking relaxed on his perch as he dangles 1 foot over the edge. H59 watches and takes note.

Fish was delivered to the nest several times throughout the day. H57 and H59 wait for the next one.

Late in the afternoon, H57 and H59 see something coming.

H58 finally makes an appearance. Her landing was a bit fast, but she pulled up to stop just fine. Those landings will improve with practice. Landings of newly fledged bald eagles can be clumsy. She did just fine.

About an hour after her arrival, H58 was just in time for dinner. The female arrived with a nice fish.

H58 came down from the high perch in record time.

H58 was her same old self, pushing her way to steal the prey, and eat. 

The 3 eaglets took their positions on the branch and nest. H58 is at the top in her favorite spot. H57 is on the knot. H59 is in the nest, but shows off her wings.

Who will be next to fledge? How long will H58 continue to visit the nest and her siblings? She will come and go, as will her siblings when they fledge until the time comes to go out on their own. Viewers, stay tuned to the cam. What an exciting day, and there’s so much more to come!