ETSU Eagle Nest in Johnson City — Online Webcam

Unique Webcam at a Bald Eagle Nest

The ETSU Eagle Nest in Johnson City is one of the few projects in the United States where a university runs a round-the-clock live stream of birds of prey directly from campus grounds. East Tennessee State University launched this initiative in 2015, and since then thousands of viewers have watched bald eagles build their nest, incubate eggs, and raise their young. The camera is mounted high in the tree canopy, allowing every detail of eagle life to be seen without interfering with their natural habitat.

The Story of Boone and Jolene

The stars of the live stream are the male Boone and the female Jolene. The male's name was chosen through an open contest that received around 850 entries from students and local residents. Boone joined the nest in 2020, replacing the previous male, and since then the pair has become a true landmark of Johnson City.

In September 2024, the pair's life faced a serious test: Hurricane Helene destroyed the old nest. However, the eagles did not leave the territory — they accepted an artificial platform built specifically for them by university staff and rebuilt their nest on it. This case demonstrated the remarkable adaptability of bald eagles and their attachment to their nesting site.

Technical Capabilities of the ETSU Camera

The ETSU Eagle Cam project is not just one camera but an entire observation system. A total of 4 online cameras have been installed: two aimed at the nest of Boone and Jolene in Johnson City, and two more at a second pair of eagles, Franklin and Francis, nesting in Bluff City. The new season has added IR illuminators for nighttime observation, allowing the birds to be monitored around the clock, as well as an additional camera with a different viewing angle for a more complete picture of what is happening in the nest.

Seasonality: When to Expect Key Events

Bald eagles in Tennessee become active in late winter. Nest building and repair typically occur in January–February, with egg-laying in February–March. At higher elevations, where the ETSU nest is located, egg-laying begins later — closer to the end of March. The incubation period lasts about 35 days, after which the chicks hatch. Throughout this time, viewers can watch the process in real time via the online webcam.

How Eagles Build Nests at High Altitudes

A bald eagle nest is an engineering structure of impressive scale. The birds choose tall, mature pines or cottonwoods located in open areas with good visibility. A nest can weigh over 1,000 pounds (~450 kg) and reach several meters in diameter. Eagles reuse it year after year, adding new branches and refreshing the lining. Such structural durability is critical for successfully raising chicks in Tennessee's mountain climate.

Adaptation to Tennessee's Climate

Winters in Johnson City can be harsh: temperatures drop below freezing, with frequent winds and precipitation. Bald eagles cope thanks to the unique structure of their plumage. Their bodies are covered with around 7,000 feathers that lock together into a dense, waterproof layer, retaining heat even in extremely low temperatures. Additional protection comes from the choice of nesting site — high in the tree canopy where the wind is less noticeable and dense foliage creates a natural dome.

Eagle Nests on University Campuses in the USA

ETSU is one of the few universities in the country that runs live streams from multiple eagle nests simultaneously. Names for the eagles are chosen through open contests among students and the public, creating a unique bond between the academic community and wildlife. Similar projects exist at Berry College (Georgia), where the first eagles appeared in 2012, but the scale — 4 cameras with different pairs — makes the ETSU project truly outstanding in American higher education.

What You Can See on the Camera

On the ETSU Eagle Nest live stream, viewers see a large nest woven from branches, sticks, and dry vegetation, situated high in the tree canopy among lush green foliage. The camera is positioned to capture the entire nest platform and adjacent branches where the eagles rest and survey their territory. During the day, you can see the birds building, feeding chicks, or simply resting. At night, thanks to IR illumination, the nest remains visible in black-and-white mode. At the bottom of the frame are the logos of the ETSU Department of Biological Sciences, a reminder of the project's academic mission.