What a great breeding season. The Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagles have been extraordinarily successful again, fledging three healthy young from this nest. As these young eagles develop their hunting skills they will continue to grow more and more independent. Eventually they'll disperse for good. Juvenile eagles from our area may move either North or South, with no real preference. They'll spend the next 4-5 years in exploration, their wanderings based in part on climate and food availability. Once they've reached maturity they'll develop the distinctive plumage that makes Bald Eagles such a striking icon. If they reach that stage these young birds will be ready to raise their own broods, hopefully continuing the comeback of our national symbol.

The success of the Bald Eagle recovery has led to the delisting of the Bald Eagle, removing them from the federal Endangered Species Act. Bald Eagles will continue to receive protection under a variety of federal and state laws. Bald Eagles will continue to be listed as threatened in the Commonwealth of Virginia. For more information check out our website at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/news/release.asp?id=133

Although our young eagles are officially fledged they're still in the neighborhood. They are learning the skills they'll need to survive on their own once their parents aren't providing for them.

While these young birds still rely to some extent on their parents for food, observers have noted them attempting to hunt on Lake Whitehurst which abuts the Norfolk Botanical Garden.