Three Bridges Eagle Cam Nesting Season Update Archives / 2021-23
These are updates that were posted during the 2021-2023 nesting seasons on the Three Bridges Eagle Cam webpage.
March 7th 2023 - Last update of the season
There aren’t any eagles nesting on the platform but there has been a lot of activity at the tower.
We think that the Three Bridges pair is using the same nest in a tree that they used in 2022. This season the pair began incubation on February 19th. NJ Eagle Project nest monitors work closely together to monitor the tree nest while also watching the cam and comparing notes. We believe that the tower is in the Three Bridges pairs territory so they do visit it now and then.
The tower is being used by other eagles and raptor species. On February 25th, there was quite a bit of activity. An immature eagle was on the tower with an adult.
February 25, 2023
At one point another adult buzzes them. Then another immature eagle comes into the nest. We don’t know if this was an “extra” adult or one from the Three Bridges pair.
February 25th, 2023
The closeups of the immatures give a great look at the different plumage immature eagle have until their 5th year, when they get the white head and tail feathers. While plumage on individuals vary these birds are between 2- 3 years of age.
Zoom+ February 28th, 2023
Nest Monitor, Mary Ellen Hill has seen a pair of kestrels on the tower daily. On March first a pair of adults, an immature eagle and a red-tailed hawk all stopped by the platform.
March 1st, 2023; red-tailed hawk
While it is disappointing that the platform isn’t being used for nesting this season, it is still neat to see the birds that do use the tower and platform. As the NJ eagle population continues to increase, at some point in the future there will most likely be a pair that will use this platform for nesting.
February 7th, 2023
The pair were seen spending time at the platform nest in the morning and afternoon today. They copulated and chased an intruder eagle away. There have been no eggs laid at the tree nest so we're still waiting to see where they choose to nest this season.
February 7, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 2nd 2023
Today a pair of American Kestrels were seen on the cam copulating. Both of the birds were banded with silver leg bands. In 2012 Kestrels were listed as a NJ Threatened species due to a decline in their population since 2000. Kestrels naturally nest in cavities, but will also nest in man-made nest boxes.
Kestrel pair
Kestrels copulating
One of the kestrels expelled a pellet as can be seen in the series of two photos below. Pellets are the indigestible materials such as fur, bones and feathers from their prey.
Kestrel expelling pellet
Kestrel expelling pellet
January 24th, 2023
The view from the cam was stunning at sunrise. A kestrel visited the tower as well as an immature eagle.
January 24th, 2023 
January 24th, 2023
January 20th, 2023
An adult eagle brought a fish to the nest platform today. We still don't know where the pair will nest. They have been seen at the tree nest they used last season. In 2022 they laid their first egg January 19th. So they should be choosing their nest any day now.
January 20th, adult with fish
January 6th, 2023
A pair of American Kestrel's perched at the platform today. These are the smallest falcon's in North America with beautiful plumage.
January 6th, 2023 A pair of American Kestrels perched
January 5th, 2023
The pair was back at the nest yesterday and the female was seen bringing in a stick.
January 5th, 2023
January 3rd, 2023
Today there was more eagle activity at the nest platform. Two eagles were at the platform and buzzed again by a red tailed hawk. The pair then copulated. Nest Monitor Mary Ellen Hill was able to zoom in and get some great closeup views of one of the eagles.
Zoom+ January 3rd, 2023, copulation
Zoom+ January 3rd, 2023
Zoom+ January 3rd, 2023
December 27th
Cam viewers witnessed some interesting activity at the nest platform. A pair of eagles was seen on the platform. They were buzzed by a Red-tailed hawk and the pair defended the nest. A pair of eagles has also been seen working on the tree nest that we assumed the Three Bridges pair used last season. Since non of the eagles are banded we can't know 100% that it's one or two pairs. But most likely it is the Three Bridges pair using both the nest tree and platform as their "territory".
December 27, 2022: Pair defends nest from Red tailed hawk
December 27, 2022
This afternoon a Peregrine Falcon visited the tower to eat its lunch.
Peregrine Falcon December 22, 2022
Subadult eagle December 9, 2023; photo by: Barb Mckee
Eagle nest monitor Mary Ellen Hill reports that she hasn't seen the pair on the nesting platform, but she did see them perched on the arm of the tower December 4th.
December 4, 2022. eagle pair on tower @ Mary Ellen Hill
Below is from the 2021-2022 Season
The Three Bridges eagle cam was deactivated for the season on March 31st at 5pm.
Thank you to everyone who has supported and viewed this eagle cam!
March 9th, 2022
It looks like the Three Bridges pair has chosen another location to nest this season. The camera still captures some interesting wildlife. On Monday March 7th there was alot of activity at the nest platform; a pair of mating kestrels, an adult and an immature eagle both visited the nest platform. The camera will be turned off the end of March if there continues to be no nesting activity.
March 7th, 2022
March 7th, 2022. Immature eagle visits nest platform
March 7th, 2022: American Kestrels mating
February 25th
No eggs have been laid at the nest and the eagles are being seen infrequently. There is a strong possibility that the pair is nesting in another location. Yesterday 2/24/22 an adult eagle was seen on the cam and one was even defending the nest from a red-tailed hawk. If the pair is nesting somewhere else, then they could still consider the tower their territory. We don't know for certain if this eagle was from the 3B pair. We will have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks.
2_24_22; eagle defends nest from hawk
February 17th
After not being seen on the cam for a week, the pair showed up early this morning. They mated twice and worked on the nest. They were there for a little over an hour. Hopefully we'll see them more over the next few days as they get closer to laying eggs.
February 17, 2022
February 17th, 2022
February 17th, 2022
February 10th
On Tuesday February 8th the Three Bridges pair brought grass to the nest and mated several times. But were not seen at the nest on Wednesday or Thursday. We are still two weeks out from when they laid eggs in 2021.
Zoom+ 2_8_22
Zoom+ 2_8_22 mating
Zoom+ 2_8_22
January 28
eagle project volunteer Diane Cook, put together this video from earlier today, showing an adult flying and perched at the tower.
The Three Bridges eagle monitors have been kept busy the past few weeks. The pair has made only a few appearances on the nest cam. There is another nest in the area and eagles have been seen at that nest.
We aren't sure if the Three Bridges pair is the pair seen on the second nest or not. The nest monitors report seeing other eagles both adults and immatures in the area. Nest monitor Mary Ellen Hill got this photo of an adult with a pheasant near the second nest.
January 25, 2022 by Mary Ellen Hill
Last season the Three Bridges pair didn' start incubating until Feb. 24th. If they are on the same schedule this season then we are still a few weeks away from egg laying. Two adults were seen on the eagle cam Jan. 27th.
January 27, 2022
Jan. 9
Diane Cook captured these screenshots this morning of the pair in front of a beautiful sunrise and mating.
Zoom+ January 9, 2022
Zoom+ January 9th, 2022
Jan. 8
An American Kestrel has been seen perched on the tower. Yesterday Mary Ellen Hill captured this screenshot of the Kestrel and eagle perched very close together.
January 8, 2022
Dec. 15
The live stream began shortly before 7:00am. Viewers were greeted by a beautiful sunrise.
Dec. 13
We're proud to annouce a new feature for Three Bridges Eagle Cam fans to connect and learn from each other. Viewers will be able to chat with other viewers from around the world about this nest and bald eagle management in New Jersey. This feature is being made possible with support from PSE&G and our Bald Eagle Project volunteers, who will act as moderators. Chat will be available when eagles are more active and moderators are available to participate in the live chat. Our goal is to ensure that chat remains a friendly place for viewers to be able to share their thoughts and encourage all to read our live chat policy for commenting.
Dec 8
The new live stream is set to begin on Dec. 15 at 7am. You can read more on the Conserve Wildlife Blog.