Bald Eagle Nest at Blackwater NWR
At the end of Blackwater NWR’s wildlife drive is their famous Bald Eagle nest that sits in a loblolly tree on the left, in clear view for the public to see.
When I visited a couple weeks ago, I got lucky the pair was at the nest for my photos.
Unfortunately, you can see the loblolly tree is dead and time will tell how much longer it can hold the heavy nest.
It is possible for a Bald Eagle nest to get as large as 10 ft wide and 12 ft deep, and can weigh as much as two tons.
Bald Eagle Nest – January 7, 2026
I decided to go through my older photos to see the growth of this nest over time.
It fascinated me so I’m sharing two of them below from the years 2018 and 2012.
Same Bald Eagle nest & healthy loblolly – May 24, 2018
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Same Bald Eagle nest – January 1, 2012
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Bay Photos by Donna 
That’s a great name for a tree! Any idea where that comes from? Our Ash trees are all dying, Ash die-back disease š¦
Not sure on the loblolly name idea. Unfortunately, this tree is in a narrow stand of trees surrounded by and succumbing to the brackish waters of the Blackwater River. Sorry to hear about your Ash trees, we have crepe myrtles that are being attacked by a couple diseases. š¦
This is so fascinating. Thirteen years is a long time. A privilege for us to see.I wonder what has killed the tree, but then I wonder how heavy a nest a tree can carry. Very nice photographs in both posts. Much appreciated.
Thank you, Sandy! I thought the comparison was neat to see too. The nest tree is in a narrow stand of trees surrounded by the brackish waters of the Blackwater River and slowly eroding the stand. š¦
Iām always amazed at how big Eagle and Osprey nests can get.
Truly amazing, I agree!
Oh, I love the old photos that show just how beautiful the tree was. Is it the nest and Eagles that have killed the tree? They are a gorgeous pair!
Thank you, Deborah! Unfortunately, the nest tree is in a narrow stand of trees that are surrounded by the brackish waters of the Blackwater River. The strip of land is almost gone. š¦
Wow! They’ve added on some levels to their home. That tree better grow quickly to keep up with the eagles.
Unfortunately, the tree is demised…. It’s within a stand of narrow trees that are succumbing to the brackish waters of the Blackwater River. I imagine the nest will topple the tree one day. š¢
That is so sad.
Looks like a skyscraper nest!
For real! š
Gosh, that’s a lot of sticks! I don’t suppose it was the nest that killed the tree was it? š¤
No, unfortunately the tree is in a narrow tree stand surrounded by brackish waters of the Blackwater River; the land strip now almost gone.
The nest is indeed quite big; it reminds me of the Sociable Weaver nest that get so big that trees can fall. It is quite interesting to see how it has evolved. (Suzanne)
Thank you, Suzanne! Those Sociable Weaver nests are really, really amazing!!!
Wow Donna ! that is some nest. It would have taken many days to build it. Raptor nests are amazing and it is interesting that they need them so large. I have noticed having looked into our largest eagle’s nest that the area inside enables them to move around far more than smaller birds in a bowl nest, especially when their is more than one nestling. Great pics of the family and nest.
So huge! I didn’t know they can get that big. Fingers crossed when the inevitable fall comes, the nest will be empty.
My fingers are crossed too, that the nest will be empty. It’s going to go some day. š¢
I’ve only seen one Bald Eagle’s nest and it wasn’t close-up, but it wasn’t that large. I had no idea they weighed that much or were that big! I hope the weight of any ice or snow from the recent bad weather doesn’t cause this dead tree to lose the branches that support the nest.
That is one impressive nest!
Wow, that is a huge nest! Great captures of the eagle pair. What a shame about the tree. The eagles might have to find another spot next time. Looking forward to seeing some photos of the eaglets in the near future!
Thank you, Sue! It will be a big disappointment when the refuge loses this nest, it is in plain view for the public across a waterway. I’m hoping for eaglet photos in a couple months! And a few more years for the tree to stay strong!
Thank you for answering my question. Poor tree.
How cool you were able to capture the nest and tree over time – excellent comparison!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed!