Eaglet Hatches at Police Academy; DC's Eagle Couples Keep Eggs Safe

Second egg should hatch soon

An eaglet hatched in an oak tree on the grounds of the Metropolitan Police Academy in southwest D.C., Wednesday.

A crack was spotted Tuesday in one of two eggs in the nest of bald eagle couple Liberty and Justice. The pip -- the small hole the eaglet makes as it tries to break through its shell -- was fully visible by Wednesday. 

A live camera is trained on the nest, courtesy of the Earth Conservation Corps. You can vote on names for the eaglets here.

The couple's first egg was spotted Feb. 5; a second was spotted two days later. The second egg pipped Wednesday evening, meaning another eaglet should hatch within 24 hours.

Across town, two nesting bald eagles at the U.S. National Arboretum worked to ensure that none of this week's winter weather affected their two eggs. 

The arboretum says its live eagle cam showed the female eagle -- known as The First Lady -- sheltering her eggs from the storm Monday night and into Tuesday morning. Her mate, Mr. President joined her for several hours in the nest, adding an extra layer of warmth. 

Wildlife biologist Dan Rauch tells The Washington Post that the eggs should be fine, despite the snowy weather. 

The eggs are expected to hatch the last week of March.

D.C. has seen a resurgence of of bald eagles over the past few years. It's a sign of how the improving health of the Anacostia and Potomac rivers, environmentalists say.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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