NCTC Eagle Nest in Shepherdstown — Online Webcam
Webcam at the NCTC Eagle Nest
This live webcam offers a view of one of the most famous eagle nests on the East Coast of the United States. The camera is located at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. The stream runs around the clock, allowing viewers to observe the lives of bald eagles in real time — from nest building to feeding the chicks.
History of the NCTC Eagle Nest
The eagle pair Liberty and Belle chose this nesting site back in late 2002. For more than two decades, the nest in the maple tree served as home to several generations of eagles. Over the years, dozens of chicks have been raised here, becoming part of the growing bald eagle population in the region.
The NCTC nest became one of the oldest continuously monitored eagle nests in the United States thanks to the webcam launched by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with Outdoor Channel and the Friends of the National Conservation Training Center organization.
The Resident Eagles: Liberty, Belle, and Scout
The first famous inhabitants of the nest were the female Belle and the male Liberty. They founded the colony on the NCTC grounds and raised the first chicks here. After Liberty's death in 2019, Belle found a new mate — a male named Scout. This pair continued the nesting tradition in the same maple tree.
Bald eagles are known for their fidelity to their nesting territory. Each year, the pair returns to the same location, repairs and expands the nest, adding new branches and soft materials.
The 2025 Tragedy and the New Nest
On April 19, 2025, a sudden hurricane struck Shepherdstown. Wind gusts reached approximately 75 miles per hour and destroyed the upper nest that the eagles had used for 22 years. Three four-week-old eaglets in the nest perished. This event was a heavy blow to everyone who had been following the life of the nest through the webcam.
However, the eagles did not abandon their chosen spot. Scout and Belle returned and began building a new nest — now lower on the same maple tree, about 4.5 meters from the original location, at a height of approximately 23 meters above the ground. The webcam was redirected to the new site, and now viewers can observe this recovery process.
National Conservation Training Center
The NCTC is an educational institution of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, located in Jefferson County, West Virginia. The center is situated about 75 miles from Washington, D.C., and roughly a quarter mile from the Potomac River. The center's grounds consist of mixed deciduous forest typical of the Appalachian region.
For those who wish to visit the location in person, the center's address is: NCTC Elm Grove Overlook, Shepherdstown, WV 25443. However, access to the nest itself is restricted to protect the birds — observation is only possible via the webcam or from designated viewing areas.
The Potomac River and Natural Surroundings
The proximity of the Potomac River plays a key role in the eagles' choice of this location. The river provides an abundance of fish — the primary food source for bald eagles. In the Shepherdstown area, the Potomac flows through the scenic Shenandoah Valley, creating ideal conditions for raptor hunting.
The forest landscape around the NCTC consists of oaks, maples, and other deciduous species that provide the eagles with both nesting materials and cover for hunting. The hilly terrain creates updrafts that the eagles use for soaring while searching for prey.
Seasonal Life of the Nest
The eagles follow a clear annual cycle. In fall and winter, the pair returns to the nest to repair it and prepare for the new season. During this period, you can watch the eagles bring new branches and line the nest with soft grass and moss.
The nesting season typically begins in February when the female lays her eggs. The incubation period lasts about 35 days. The chicks hatch in March-April and remain in the nest until around June, when they make their first flight. The webcam allows viewers to observe all these stages in real time.
What You Can See on the Camera
Camera 2 is positioned to capture the nest and its immediate surroundings. The frame shows a massive structure of intertwined branches, dry sticks, and grass, located on a maple tree trunk among dense foliage. In the background is a hilly forest landscape with trees stretching into the distance.
Depending on the season, the camera may show eagles incubating eggs, feeding chicks, or repairing the nest. The camera operates 24/7, providing a continuous stream from the wilds of West Virginia.
