White-tailed eagle nest in Durbe — live webcam online

White-tailed eagle: king of Latvian forests

This predator is one of the largest flying birds in Europe. In Latvia, the white-tailed eagle is on the verge of complete extinction, although occupied nests of these birds continue to exist. The wingspan of an adult exceeds two meters, and the distinctive feature is a short wedge-shaped white tail, which gives the species its name. Up to 130–150 pairs of white-tailed eagles nest in Durbe, making this area unique. At the same time, triplets (three eggs in a nest) have been recorded in only two nests per year.

Nest at 23 meters: architecture of predators

The white-tailed eagle nest in Durbe has been known as a nesting site since 2014 and is located on a spruce tree — an unusual choice for this species. It sits at a height of 23 meters, with a diameter reaching 2 meters and a height of up to 1 meter. The birds use their home for decades, and the weight of such a long-used nest can reach one ton. In 2016 and 2017, observations of eagle nesting in Durbe were the most successful.

Threats and protection: why the species is in the Red Book

Deforestation deprived white-tailed eagles of the large trees needed to build nests, and in the 20th century the species suffered greatly from human economic activity. Today, the main threats to the white-tailed eagle are poaching (shooting for sport and taxidermy), nest destruction during logging and fires, and lead poisoning in areas of mass waterfowl hunting. Despite its protected status, the raptor remains vulnerable, and the installed online webcam helps not only to observe them but also to draw attention to the problems of population conservation.

Life on camera: from clutch to fledging

The digital webcam in the white-tailed eagle nest in Durbe transmits video in real time and captures how the birds furnish the nest by bringing twigs, how the female lays eggs, and how chicks hatch from them. However, equipment is not immune to failure. In March 2014, one of the eagles bit through the camera cable installed in the nest. And once in early May, a white-tailed eagle chick in Durbe defecated on the webcam installed near the nest, making bird observation impossible.

Surroundings of Durbe: where to look for other raptors

If you are interested in other birdwatching locations, pay attention to the Pape Nature Park in Latvia. It has an ornithological station for studying birds and provides an opportunity to observe birds of prey. This park can be considered a kind of bird corridor where you can see almost all bird species found in Latvia. And for those who want to see more, there are specialized ornithological tours in Latvia, including bird of prey watching.

What you can see on the camera

The live stream opens a view of the nest of two white-tailed eagles, located at the top of a conifer. The birds sit in a large nest made of twigs and branches, one bird looks to the side with its beak open, the other faces the opposite direction. In the background, a wooded hill with dense mixed forest consisting of coniferous and deciduous trees is visible. The camera is aimed at the nest of birds of prey in their natural forest habitat. Watching this magnificent scene through the online camera means becoming a witness to the untouched nature of Latvia.