Michigan eagles are ready to hatch eaglets. How to watch

Bald eagle lovers can watch raptors at two sites in Michigan as the eagles wait for their eggs to hatch.

Harry and Harriet, a pair of eagles near Traverse City, laid their first egg of the year on March 2 and have three. Meanwhile, a second pair, Soren and Skye, laid their first egg on Feb. 20 and have two.

Harry and Harriet nest in a white pine tree on 58 acres along the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay near Traverse City. Soren and Skye nest in a pine tree in west Michigan.

Watch Harry and Harriet and their three eggs

The Great Lakes Bald Eagle Cam on Youtube lets viewers view 24/7 4K footage of the wild bald eagle nest, offering an eye level view:

According to the livestream log, the first egg was laid on March 2, a second was laid on March 5 and a third on March 8.

None of the eggs has “pipped” at this time, according to the log.

Watch Soren and Skye and their two eggs

Falconshire Raptors offers a livestream to watch the eagles care for their eggs.

“As we approach hatching of the eaglets, we have watched Soren and Skye diligently incubating, rolling and protecting their precious eggs, FR3 and FR4 for almost 35 days now. They have been taking turns like clockwork, one leaves and the other is there in a heartbeat ready to take over. They really seem to enjoy this demanding job, and both will stay on the eggs for as long as 12 hour shifts,” a post from Falconshire Raptors says.

The nonprofit group said the first egg, FR3, was laid on Feb. 20. They expect a pip on about March 27. Egg two, FR4, was laid on Feb. 23 and it could see a pip by March 30. A “pip” is when chicks chip through the egg and begin breathing.

“The internal pip will allow the chick to absorb the nutrients in the egg yolk and take its first internal breath. This process gives the chick strength to start the external pip. Please remember that 35 days is for 1st pip, however it could take up to 40 days for the eaglet to fully pip and/or hatch,” the group explained.

Where can I see bald eagles in Michigan?

Bald eagles nest in a variety of habitats close to open water. They may place their nests in live trees, on constructed platforms or on utility poles.

Eagles can be found year-round in Michigan. Nature sanctuaries and other protected areas often provide the best places to find them.

Is the bald eagle Michigan’s state bird?

No, the American robin was chosen as Michigan’s state bird in 1931 after being favored by the Michigan Audubon Society.

Bald eagles are protected by the Bald Eagle Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

How many bald eagles are in Michigan?

A statewide survey in 2023 by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources found approximately 900 breeding pairs, compared to 359 breeding pairs in 2020 and just 83 in 1980.

What do bald eagles eat?

Bald eagles are opportunistic foragers but prefer fish as their primary food and are found in great densities where fish are abundant. They also eat sea birds and ducks or hunt over grasslands and marshes for small mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, prairie dogs and muskrats.

Bald eagles eat carrion and are notorious for robbing osprey of their catches, the Smithsonian said.

Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan eagles are ready to hatch eaglets. How to watch

Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press

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