Three Bridges
This project is a partnership between multiple organizations to determine the effects of upgrading electrical transmission equipment on nesting bald eagles.
An adult bald eagle sits atop the new transmission tower which was replaced this past year by PSEG. Tom Gunia
Bald eagles have made an inspiring recovery against overwhelming odds in New Jersey and across the eastern United States. From just a single nesting pair at a failing nest through the early 1980s, eagles have rebounded to over 300 pairs in 2020!
The return of our national symbol has been cheered by New Jerseyans young and old. One site that has been a local favorite has been found at Three Bridges, a community in Readington Township in Hunterdon County. Eagles have nested on top of an electric transmission tower since 2015 and have sucessfully raised 12 young.
With the line of towers being replaced this year by monopoles, PSEG worked with Conserve Wildlife Foundation, the State Endangered and Nongame Species Program, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that the Three Bridges eagles would have every opportunity to continue nesting here. PSEG designed a platform on the new monopole and placed the original nest on the platform once it was erected.
After an initial period of seemingly observing the new nest platform from afar, the bald eagle pair began visiting the platform nest on February 12. Incubation was confirmed on February 24th and hatching can be expected around March 31st.
Three Bridges pair during an incubation exchange @ Dan Brill
Hatching!
Nest monitors report that the adult eagles behavior's indicates that hatching was occuring April 2nd. The sides of the nest box prevent the observers from seeing into the nest, so they have been watching the behavior of the adults. Once a chick hatches the adults will bring food to the nest and feed the chick. The below photo was take by Tom Gunia on April 5th, showing both adults starting down into the nest box.
Three Bridges April 5th, 2021 @Tom Gunia
April 14th: Two chicks have been confirmed in the nest.
Learn more:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel
- Read blog posts about this project: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4
- View/download an informational flyer
Find Related Info: Bald Eagles
Duke Farms Eagle Cam
Check out the live stream from a bald eagle nest at Duke Farms in New Jersey. Follow along as they breed, incubate, and raise their young.
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