DAGSBORO, Del. — The Delaware Botanic Gardens is raising money to install an eagle camera to provide livestream footage of its resident eagle nest, located in a loblolly pine tree overlooking Pepper Creek. The nest has been active for several years, with two eaglets successfully fledging this past spring.
“The idea of an eagle cam has been very popular with our staff, volunteers and visitors and when we decided to raise funds for the camera, we had an amazingly positive response— we have raised over $80,000 for the cost of design, equipment, including two cameras, installation, live streaming and maintenance," said Delaware Botanic Gardens Executive Director Sheryl Swed.
The cameras, installed in collaboration with HDOnTap, will allow the public to observe the eagles.
Deputy Executive Director Stephen Pryce Lea, who will be leading this effort, said, "Our contract calls for installation of two cameras and reinforcing and strengthening the nest, which is scheduled for two days in late September when the eagles are gone."
Pryce Lea told CoastTV that it was a pleasant surprise when they discovered two bald eagles had chicks on their grounds earlier this year.
"The only indicator that we have here is that when suddenly we start to see fish heads along the forest floor or along the trails, that's an indicator that the parents are actually tearing up the fish to feed to the chicks," he said, "so that's when we know that we've had successful hatches and it doesn't take long before those chicks are a large and peering over the top of the nest for everyone to see."
The Delaware Botanic Gardens is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guided tours at 10 a.m. The gardens are located at 30220 Piney Neck Rd. in Dagsboro.
If you are interested in donating to the Eagle cam project, visit www.delawaregardens.org/give-today
