Reporting new nests

CCB is interested in any eagle nest that is not currently included in the VaEagles database. We ask that you report nests that are unknown to us so that we may add it to the database and include it in future Annual Surveys. The nests within the online database will be updated periodically.

 

If you have observed a nest that is not documented in the VaEagles Nest Locator, please provide us with at least one of the following:

1) a hardcopy map,

2) the geographic coordinates, and/or

3) a written description of the nest and location.

 

Please be aware that bald eagles are sensitive to human disturbance. Human activities around the nest during sensitive times of the year may cause nest failure or abandonment. Map eagle nest locations from a distance. If you have access to the internet, mapping a new nest and deriving its geographic coordinates is easiest using either Google Maps or by downloading Google Earth. Both of these techniques can be used to create a digital copy of a mapped nest that can be emailed to CCB.

 

Learn how to:     Map nests with Google Maps     |     Map nests with Google Earth

 

 

Creating a Digital Map of an Eagle Nest with Google Maps

Go to Google Maps online and click on the "My Maps" tab on the left panel. Click the "Create a new map" link. Enter your google account email and password or create a free account. In the left panel, give your map a name and description. Select "public" or "unlisted" (either is ok). Public maps will be included in the search results on Google Maps and Earth. Unlisted maps will not be included in search results. Clicking and dragging on the vertical zoom bar to zoom and click and drag on the map to reposition.

 

To map an eagle nest use the "Add a placemark" button located at the upper left corner of the mapview. Then click a position on the map where you would like to create your placemark. Enter a name and description for the nest. To edit placemark name and description later, simply click on the placemark and edit in dialog box. To delete placemark, click on placemark and click "Delete" on the dialog box.

 

To send digital map data to CCB, select "Send" (in the upper right of the Google Maps window) and place CCB's email address in the recipient's field:   To:  conbio@wm.edu

 

 

Creating a Digital Map of an Eagle Nest with Google Earth

A digital file of nest locations can be created using Google Earth.

 

To Begin: >> Download Google Earth if you already haven’t (free software program) by clicking here <<

To add a nest location in Google Earth, click on the pushpin icon on the toolbar menu at the top left of the screen.

 

The New Placemark dialog box (popup) appears and a New Placemark pushpin icon is centered in the viewer inside a flashing yellow square. Position the Placemark by dragging it to a desired location with your mouse. Approximate the location of the nest as best as possible. You can zoom in/out of the image to see specific landmarks, including trees, buildings and roads. Your cursor will change into the shape of a pointing finger when you place your cursor over the Placemark – this indicates it is ready for moving and placement.

 

In the New Placemark dialog box, you can name the nest and change placemark icon, style, and color in this dialog box if you like. You can later edit the name, description, latitude and longitude, and other properties of a placemark by right-clicking on the placemark and selecting "Properties" from the dropdown menu that appears.

 

To save a single file containing all your placemark points:

Right-click on "My Places" on the Places Panel (on the left side of the Google Earth window) and select
"Add > Folder"...  Name the folder what you would like to call the file containing all your points.

 

On the Places Panel, click (to highlight and select) and drag each of your placemarks (by name) into the folder icon of your newly created folder, so that each placemark becomes nested below the folder icon.

 

Highlight your new folder on the Places Panel so a shaded bar appears on it.

 

Click File > Save > Save Place As. The "Save file..." dialog box will appear. You can name the file and click the dropdown arrow on the "Save in" bar to save to a specific location on your hard drive. This creates a .kmz  file that can be emailed to CCB. This file will contain the geographic coordinates of the new nest(s).

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