National Conservation Training Center

Second Fledge – June 26, 2026!

Early in the morning just after 6:00 am, the second of two juvenile eagles fledged from the NCTC nest!
This eaglet hatched on March 30 and was 12 weeks & 4 days old on fledge day.
The first hatched eaglet was 11 weeks and 3 days at fledge.

Bald eaglets grow amazingly fast – just 11-12 weeks from hatch to full size adult!
It’s fun to watch the young birds take off from the nest for the first time (fledge).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o8uBoMbhbs

The first fledged eaglet has returned to the nest and the second likely will too, they still associate the nest with food.
You can watch them coming and going from the nest at: https://www.outdoorchannel.com/live/eaglecam

Please join the NCTC on Thursday July 2, at 2:00 pm ET for “Live from the Eagle’s Nest".
Anyone interested in bald eagles is welcome to join us on USFWS YouTube. https://www.youtube.com//streams

Photos & video USFWS / NCTC Eaglecam – Deb Stecyk

The NCTC Conservation Lecture Series Presents:
“The Beasts of the East -The Fall and Rise of America’s Eastern Wilderness” with author Andrew Moore
June 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET
National Conservation Training Center, 698 Conservation Way, Shepherdstown, WV

This lecture will be recorded and available online July 1, 2026, at https://www.youtube.com//streams

First Fledge – June 15, 2026!

On a breezy afternoon at 2:37 pm, the first of the two juvenile eagles fledged from the NCTC nest!

This eaglet hatched on March 27 and was 11 weeks & 3 days old on fledge day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwJcA-Oq1Ys

Bald eaglets grow amazingly fast – just 80 days from hatch to full size adult! The young eaglet spent the first night in a nearby tree and returned to the nest the next morning.

It’s always fun to watch the young birds take off for the first time – the second juvenile is now 78 days old, so we hope to see his fledge in the next few days. You can watch the live action at: https://www.outdoorchannel.com/live/eaglecam

Please join the NCTC on Thursday June 18, at 2:00 pm ET for “Live from the Eagle’s Nest". We’ll catch up on the latest nest action and answer your questions too. Anyone interested in bald eagles is welcome to join us on USFWS YouTube. https://www.youtube.com//streams

Photos & video USFWS / NCTC Eaglecam – Tangel & Deb Stecyk

June 15 2026 Susie Fledges - Lovely Departure - Captured In Real Time & Slow Motion NCTC Bald Eagles Susie fledges, Congratulations Susie at 11.42 weeks of age with min...

Friday, June 12 was a tough morning for this 11-week-old juvenile bald eagle at the NCTC nest. The treble hook fishing lure shown in these photos was caught on his talon with another hook caught on a nest stick. Fortunately, after about 45 mins of pulling with his beak, he was able to get the hook released and the young bird appears to be ok. The lure remains in the nest, but we will keep a close eye on the two juveniles. They will soon be ready to leave the nest on their own or “fledge” between 11-12 weeks of age.

In this case, human intervention has the potential to do more harm than good. The young eagles could be scared off the nest and injured, as they are not yet strong enough to fly. Fortunately, with this lure and hook released from the talon there is no immediate threat, and we will remove the lure when the eagles leave the nest. As of June 15, the lure remains partially covered in the nest with the hooks down. NCTC will continue to closely monitor the nest, and we hope to see both juvenile eagles fledge soon!

Human trash can be lethal for wildlife. Fishing lines and hooks are especially dangerous and kill many birds each year. Let’s help our National Bird and all wildlife by “cleaning up our act”.

If you see fishing line or other trash, please pick it up and dispose of it safely.
Thanks for the helping hand!