• Skip to Content
• Online Services
• Commonwealth Sites
• Help
• Governor

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

• Hunting
• Fishing
• Boating
• Wildlife Watching
• Wildlife Information
• Habitat
• Education
• Licenses
• Permits
• Forms
• About VDGIF

News Release

Bald Eagles Have Laid Their First Egg

Norfolk, VA (February 10, 2009) — The bald eagles at the Norfolk Botanical Garden have laid their first egg of the 2009 season. The egg was laid on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 4:10 p.m. Most bald eagles lay two eggs, although nests with one or even three eggs occur. Eggs may be laid over the course of several days. Bald eagles typically incubate their eggs for 35 days, although this pair averages 37 days. This is the sixth year this pair has nested at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, successfully raising nine young eagles in that time.

Bald eagles suffered severe population declines throughout much of the 20th century, due at least in part to the presence of the pesticide DDT in the food chain. Following the banning of DDT and the listing of Bald Eagles as endangered by the federal government in 1973, eagles began a recovery that led to their removal from the federal endangered species list in 2007. Bald eagles continue to be listed as a threatened species by the Commonwealth of Virginia and their protection and management is the responsibility of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF).

The public can follow the lives of these eagles through the Eagle Cam, a joint project of VDGIF, the Norfolk Botanical Garden and WVEC.com. This high quality web cam provides 24-hour coverage of the nest with a blog posted by DGIF wildlife biologists explaining what's happening. The eagles can be visited in person (from a distance of course) by visiting the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

View the Eagle Cam at
www.wvec.com/cams/eagle.html

Learn what's happening at the DGIF Blog
www.dgif.virginia.gov/eaglecam/

Visit the Norfolk Botanical Garden's NEW website
www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org

###

About Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF)
VDGIF is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia. They provide scientific knowledge about the eagles for the Garden staff and on the VDGIF blog. Wildlife Biologist Stephen Living updates his blog each week.

It is the mission of the VDGIF to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities

About the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
The Norfolk Botanical Garden is a site on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail developed and coordinated by VDGIF. The trail, which provides opportunities for the public to enjoy the Commonwealth's diverse wildlife, was the first statewide birding and wildlife trail in the United States. This year is the fifth anniversary of the completion of the trail. For more information visit www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/

About Norfolk Botanical Garden
Norfolk Botanical Garden represents an oasis of over 30 theme gardens encompassing 155 beautiful acres. From signature plant collections to WOW- World of Wonders: A Children's Adventure Garden, this diverse natural beauty can be explored by tram, boat or walking tours.

Norfolk Botanical Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums, is recognized as a Virginia Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For more information, visit www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org.

About WVEC.com
WVEC.com is the ABC affiliate serving the Norfolk, Virginia area, including Virginia's Eastern Shore and northeastern North Carolina. They host the live video stream on their website www.wvec.com, making it possible for thousands of national and international bird watchers to have a rare look inside a Bald Eagles' nest.