As we approach America’s 250th birthday, it’s an appropriate time to focus on the bald eagle, our national symbol, which can be seen on currency, official seals and stamps. The species was once endangered, but thanks to conservation efforts, there are now 71,000 nesting pairs in our country.
In Quechee, one of those nests — home to a family of three wild bald eagles — has an active fan base. The Vermont Institute of Natural Science has an Eagle Cam live streaming footage from the nest, located in a white pine tree 100 feet above the forest floor. After spotting two adult eagles, Windsor and Dewey, successfully raising an eaglet there last year, VINS staff mounted two solar-powered cameras, hoping to capture more action this year.
Viewers around the world have tuned in to see the lovebirds mate and incubate an egg.
And, indeed, they have. Windsor and Dewey returned to the nest, and viewers around the world have tuned in to see the lovebirds mate and incubate an egg. Their eaglet, V-2, hatched on April 24. The pair take turns feeding their growing offspring, who has a ravenous appetite. Viewers watched as Windsor, the mom, protected V-2 during rainstorms.
The Eagle Cam has a Facebook fan page with more than 4,000 members; at any given moment, according to VINS, between 250 and 400 people are tuning in to see the eagle family in real time. In April, the New York Times named the cam No. 1 on “The Good List,” a weekly roundup of joy boosters.
In the latest episode of “Stuck in Vermont,” Seven Days senior multimedia producer Eva Sollberger traveled to VINS and climbed up the 100-foot-high tree house on its Forest Canopy Walk, which is 400 yards from the eagles’ nest. From across the forest, she saw Dewey feeding V-2 and Windsor soaring above. Hopefully, the pair will keep returning to this nest to raise more offspring in the years to come.
She spoke about filming the episode.
How did you hear about the eagles?
I first heard about the eagles through a Facebook group called Friends of VINS Live Eagle Cam. It is run by Lisa Levesque, who lives in Connecticut, and Colorado resident Marcy Hardin. These eagle enthusiasts watch the live feed obsessively and post informative and entertaining snippets from the family’s day. Some highlights include Windsor becoming a “mombrella” for V-2 in the rain and Dewey bringing some “breakfish” for V-2. The eaglet is a voracious eater and is growing and changing daily, so there are many updates.
How was the climb up the tree house?
Climbing 100 feet up steep stairs was really difficult for me. I have a deep fear of heights. Halfway up, my legs felt like Jell-O, and I wasn’t sure if I could make it. But I thought of those tough eagles, and up I went. The tower sways in the wind — as does the eagles’ nest. My 280-millimeter camera lens allowed me to see Dewey’s small white head bobbing up and down as he fed V-2.
What should people know about visiting?
There is no shade at the top of the tower, so bring sun protection, water and binoculars. After two hours in the 85-degree sun, I was cooked. Seeing the eagles’ view of Dewey’s Pond and the Ottauquechee River in person was really special.
Who watches the eagles?
I posted on the fan page to ask where people were watching from and why. Amy Goodwin Robert at Homestead Senior Living in St. Albans wrote that the residents’ day wouldn’t be complete without checking in on the eagles. Stephanie Rhoad Murray posted that her first graders at State Street School in Windsor tune in daily and are in awe of “the amazing growth and daily changes of eaglet behaviors.” The eagle family has a big fan base from across our state and beyond. We are so lucky to share the planet with these majestic birds. ➆
The original print version of this article was headlined “Eagle Eye | A bald eagle family in Quechee gains an online following”
This article appears in Animal Issue • 2026.
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