Maryland Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Program
The Bald Eagle: A Conservation Success Story
The recovery of our national symbol, the Bald Eagle is considered one of the greatest conservation successes of the 20th century. From an all-time low of 44 nesting pairs in the state in 1977, it is estimated that at least 1,400 pairs currently breed in Maryland. Today, the Chesapeake Bay region hosts the largest concentration of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states.
The Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership is recruiting volunteers to find and report Bald Eagle nests throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia, and to assist with monitoring these nests. By monitoring nests throughout the state every year we can track population trends and identify where action may be needed if the population begins to decline.
Bald Eagle pair nesting along the Potomac River. Photo by Barbara J. Saffir
become a BALD EAGLE nest monitor
Turn a desire to observe wildlife into a contribution to conservation of our Nation's iconic symbol. You can become a volunteer Bald Eagle nest monitor. We ask volunteer nest monitors to visit the nest at least three times during the nesting season to observe and record the following events:
- Adult and nest activity (January-March)
- Chicks in the nest (April)
- Fledged young (June-July)
All you need are a spotting scope or binoculars, three days of free time spread out over the breeding season (December through July), and a small amount of time to get trained and to input your data.
Why We Need Volunteers to Monitor Bald Eagle Nests
Ongoing and future monitoring of the health of the Bald Eagle population depends on volunteers, because state-funded surveys of Maryland’s Bald Eagle population were discontinued in 2005. The Bald Eagle population in Maryland has thrived over the past two decades, making the Maryland population among the most important in the entire United States. Continued monitoring of Maryland’s Bald Eagles is key to detecting early warning signs of population decline, not just for Maryland’s birds, but potentially for the overall North American population.
Bald Eagles are also are an important indicator of the health of the Chesapeake Bay, as their population is affected by pollution (to eagles and their food sources), development (increased disturbance near nest sites and loss of habitat), and degraded fish populations in tidal watersheds (food sources for Eagles). As an apex predator, Bald Eagles play an important role in restoring and maintaining balance in the diverse ecosystems across the state. As our continent experiences increased frequency of violent storms, we may also see increased destruction of eagle nests. We can track that important detail through our volunteer Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring program. It’s important to track the nesting data now, because we won’t be able to go back in time to collect it.
First Step
The first step to becoming a Bald Eagle nest monitor is to look at the map of reported Bald Eagle nests on this web page and find a nest that is not currently being monitored and that is convenient for you to visit three times during the breeding season (December through July). Next, visit our Volunteer Resources web page to review the guidelines and register to be a nest monitor. If you know of a nest that is not on the map, please report the new nest, whether you plan to be a volunteer nest monitor or not.
Report a New Bald Eagle Nest
You can help the program by reporting bald eagle nests. The map shows all bald eagle nests reported to the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership. If you know of a bald eagle nest that is not on the map, please send us a report.
NOTE: a green circle with a “√” means the nest is being monitored. An orange circle with a “?” means the nest is not yet being monitored.
Questions?
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at eagles@marylandbirds.org.
Data from the Maryland & DC Breeding Bird Atlas
Trend in Bald Eagle Breeding Observations, 1983-2024
The following series of maps show the atlas blocks where volunteers confirmed breeding activity for Bald Eagles during the following atlas periods:
Breeding Bird Atlas 1 (BBA1), 1983-1987
Breeding Bird Atlas 2 (BBA2), 2002-2006
Breeding Bird Atlas 3 (BBA3), 2020-2024
With each successive atlas, the number of blocks where Bald Eagle breeding was confirmed increased substantially.
Maps showing the atlas blocks with confirmed breeding for Bald Eagles from the three Maryland & DC breeding bird atlases. The maps illustrate the recovery of the Bald Eagle in Maryland over time.
Combined MBCP and BBA3 Bald Eagle Nest Data
The following is a map of Bald Eagle nest sites in Maryland as of March 2026. The map combines data from MBCP’s Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring Program and the Maryland & DC Breeding Bird Atlas 3.
Bald Eagle nests across Maryland’s ecoregions, as reported by volunteers (as of March 2026).
MARYLAND BALD EAGLE NEST CAMS
Port Tobacco
This live bald eagle nest cam is located near the Port Tobacco River in Charles County, Maryland, at the Port Tobacco River Park. Historical activity: egg laying window is January 31 to February 14; hatching window is March 10 to March 22. To follow the activity at this nest more closely and join a moderated chat, visit the YouTube page.
Friends of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
View the nest cam at this link. Learn more about the Eagle Cam at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on their FAQ page.
Bald Eagle nest on tower at Conowingo Dam. Photo by Barbara J. Saffir
History of bald eagle decline and recovery
The primary factor causing population declines through the 1960s and 1970s was DDT. This pesticide disrupts the process of calcium production, which results in egg shell thinning. DDT was not outright killing adult eagles, but thin egg shells would break when an adult bird sat on the eggs to incubate them. This virtually eliminated productivity (producing young) in not just Bald Eagles, but also Ospreys, Brown Pelicans, and Peregrine Falcons.
These species were among the first to be protected in 1972 under the new Endangered Species Act. This protection and the banning of DDT paved the way for populations to begin their recovery. Populations of all these species have subsequently recovered. The Bald Eagle was delisted (removed from the list of endangered species) in 2007. Today, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act continues to provide protection for eagles.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP MAINTAIN BALD EAGLE RECOVERY
Prevent Poisoning
Be cautious about the use of poisons for rodent control and other uses. Eagles are scavengers and will eat dead animals, including those killed by poisoning. Adult eagles may even feed these animals to their young, which usually kills the eaglets.
Reduce or stop use of lead shot in hunting. When ingested in large enough quantities, lead has detrimental effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of mammals and birds. Eagles with lead poisoning may exhibit loss of balance, gasping, tremors and impaired ability to fly. If you are a hunter, select only non-toxic shot for all small game shotgun hunting (lead shot is already prohibited for waterfowl hunting but optional for other small game). Select non-toxic slugs or bullets for deer hunting (eagles frequently scavenge carcasses of deer, pheasants and other wildlife that may harbor lead or lead fragments). If lead ammunition is used, recover and remove all shot game from the field (live prey impaired by lead ingestion, such as waterfowl, become easy targets for eagles). Hide gut piles and remains of butchered carcasses by burying or covering with rocks and/or brush. Remove slugs, bullets or fragments and surrounding flesh from any carcass remains left in the field.
Bald Eagles. Photo by Matt Felperin
Support Law & Regulatory Enforcement
Report wildlife crimes against bald eagles. Use the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) tip line (see sidebar).
Seek answers from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service about whether you need a disturbance permit for activity around a bald eagle nest. Visit this link.
Direct inquiries concerning regulatory issues related to Bald Eagle nests to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Permit Office at 413-253-8643
Give Eagles Plenty of Distance
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act specifies staying a minimum of 100 yards from an active nest. Watch the behavior of the eagles – they will let you know if you are too close!
Avoid the use of drones and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) near nests or perched birds. Eagles perceive these as a threat and may abandon their nest. If you see someone harassing an eagle or a nest, please report it to the FWS tip line.
Banner photo of a Bald Eagle flying by Barbara J. Saffir.