WASHINGTON — Since they were installed in 2016, webcams focused in on a bald eagle nest at the National Arboretum in D.C. has become one of the most popular animal webcams in the world.
“Mr. President and the First Lady are great stars representing the American eagle,” said Al Cecere, president and founder the American Eagle Foundation, the foundation responsible for D.C. Eagle Cam.
Cecere said the cameras have seen 94-million views in 109 countries since its inception.
For hours people have watched the streams, whether it’s to see the eagles keep their eggs warm during a blizzard, or to watch as eaglets peck their way into the world.
From the WTOP news room, to school classrooms and eagle research facilities, people from all walks of life tune in to the cameras that give viewers an intimate look at the life of the eagle, the symbol of our nation.
Cecere believes a lot can be learned about these creatures by watching them raise their young.
“We learn how gentle an eagle can be,” Cecere said.
He said the birds are very gentle with their eggs, eaglets and will do what it takes to protect their nest.
At the end of the 2017 nesting season, First Lady left the nest for a time. While she vacationed, Mr. President kept watch at the nest.
When she returned in September, the foundation said both eagles began doing some “nestorations” in preparation for the 2018 breeding and nesting season.
Cecere said this year’s eagle cam will offer better video and audio quality, with the installation of new pan/tilt cameras and microphones around the Tulip Poplar Tree where the nest is located.
The foundation said it is also encouraging viewers to interact with its team and eagle experts throughout the season through live question and answer sessions.
