The NCTC Eagle Nest has entered one of the sweetest stages of the season, because Bella and Scout now have two eaglets. After days of careful watching and growing anticipation, the first egg hatched on March 27, 2026, and the second followed on the morning of March 30, turning the nest from a place of waiting into a nest full of brand-new life.
Watch Live <—— nest & approach cams
For viewers who have been following every shift, every incubation exchange, and every quiet clue that a hatch was near, this is the moment the whole season seems to brighten. What began with two eggs and a lot of hope has now become two tiny eaglets tucked beneath the watchful care of Bella and Scout.
See the Moment the 2nd Chick Starts to Separate From the Shell
Two Tiny Eaglets Bring a New Energy to the NCTC Eagle Nest
With both chicks now hatched, Bella and Scout are stepping into one of the most demanding parts of the nesting season. These early days are delicate. The eaglets are still very small, covered in soft gray down, and fully dependent on their parents for warmth, shelter, and food.
That is what makes this stage so compelling to watch. Every feeding matters. Every careful movement from Bella or Scout matters. Even the way the parents stand over the eaglets or settle gently into the nest can tell viewers just how much attention these tiny chicks need right now.
The chicks look so small against the nest, but that only makes the moment feel bigger. After all the waiting, there they are, together at last.
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Why This Is Such an Important Milestone
A successful hatch is always meaningful, but having both eggs hatch gives the season a much stronger start. Nest watchers know how much can happen between egg laying and hatch day, which is why this moment feels especially rewarding. It marks not just one success, but two.
Now the focus shifts from anticipation to development. Viewers will be watching for those first little feeding responses, stronger head lifts, sibling interactions, and the gradual signs that both eaglets are settling into the rhythm of nest life. In many ways, this is when the season begins to feel most alive, because every day brings visible change.
What Viewers May See Next From Bella and Scout
Over the next several days, Bella and Scout will likely spend much of their time brooding the eaglets closely. This is especially true while the chicks are still young and vulnerable. Viewers may not always get a full look at both chicks. One parent will often keep them tucked safely beneath their warm feathers.
As the eaglets gain strength, they should become easier to see during feeding times and parent exchanges. Their tiny movements will become more purposeful. Their heads will lift more often and the nest will slowly shift into the fast-paced rhythm that comes with raising two hungry chicks.
This live streaming experience has been provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
FAQ
When did Bella and Scout’s eggs hatch at the NCTC Eagle Nest?
The first egg hatched on March 27, 2026, and the second egg hatched on the morning of March 30, 2026.
How many eaglets do Bella and Scout have now?
Bella and Scout now have two eaglets at the NCTC Eagle Nest.
Where is Bella and Scout’s nest?
Bella and Scout’s nest is near the National Conservation Training Center. Which is located about a 1/4 mile from the Potomac River near Shepherdstown, West Virginia USA.
What happens after both eagle eggs hatch?
After both eggs hatch, the parent eagles focus on brooding, feeding, and protecting the eaglets during their earliest days.
