USS Eagles, Irv and Stella have been busy nest building, and their fall construction project has reached an impressive milestone. By November 8, 2026, the pair had collected and delivered 224 sticks to their nest! That’s already 93 more than the 131 sticks recorded during October and November of 2025.
Watch Live <—— nest & approach cams
With so much activity happening before winter, it’s an exciting time to watch this familiar eagle pair prepare their nest for another breeding season. But why are Irv and Stella bringing in so many sticks? And what does all this nest building mean for the months ahead?
Receive updates like this one in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter. 🦅
Irv and Stella’s USS Eagle Nest Building Reaches 224 Sticks
The difference between this year and last year is remarkable. During October and November of 2025, Irvin and Stella brought in 131 sticks. However, by November 8, 2026, their current count had already reached 224.
That’s 93 additional sticks, with much of November still ahead. The numbers highlight just how active this year’s nest preparations have been. Bald eagles regularly maintain and expand their nests. They gather branches, reinforce the outer structure, and rearrange material already in place.
At the U.S. Steel nest, both Irvin and Stella have been participating in this work. Some sticks require considerable maneuvering before the eagles can position them. Others become part of the ongoing nestorations as the pair adjusts the nest’s shape and structure. For eagle watchers, every delivery offers another look at how these powerful birds build and maintain their enormous homes.
Why Do Bald Eagles Build and Repair Their Nests in the Fall?
Bald eagle nest building isn’t limited to the weeks immediately before eggs are laid. In many areas, established pairs begin repairing and strengthening their nests during autumn and continue working throughout the winter.
Bald eagles construct nests using large sticks, then fill gaps with softer material such as grass, moss, and other vegetation. Both adults collect nesting material, although females generally perform more of the actual placement. And these nests can become enormous!
A typical bald eagle nest measures approximately 5 to 6 feet across and 2 to 4 feet tall. Because eagles may reuse and enlarge the same nest year after year, some eventually grow much larger. Bald eagle pairs frequently return to existing nests and add fresh materials over successive breeding seasons.
What Is the Purpose of All Those Sticks?
The outer framework supports the nest, while smaller materials help fill openings and create a more suitable nesting surface. As the breeding season approaches, eagles may add softer lining and shape a depression in the center known as the nest bowl.
That is where eggs will eventually rest if the pair uses the nest for breeding. However, heavy nest-building activity does not guarantee eggs or tell us when egg laying will begin. For now, Irvin and Stella’s work is consistent with the normal preparation and maintenance behaviors seen in established bald eagle pairs.
What Should USS Eagle Cam Viewers Watch for Next?
With 224 sticks already recorded by November 8, one question is especially interesting.
How many more will Irvin and Stella bring in before the 2027 nesting season?
Viewers can watch for additional branch deliveries, rearranging of the nest structure, softer nesting materials, and increased attention to the nest bowl. It will also be interesting to see whether both eagles continue collecting sticks at the same pace or whether their activity changes as winter approaches.
Their work doesn’t tell us exactly what the next breeding season will bring. Still, it gives viewers an opportunity to watch the preparations unfold, one branch at a time. And after everything this nest has experienced through the years, there is something special about seeing Irvin and Stella return to the familiar routines of building and caring for their home.
224 sticks and counting. Irv and Stella may have plenty more nestorations ahead!
Thank you to pixcams for providing the live stream and helping others learn about Bald Eagles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sticks have Irvin and Stella brought to the USS nest in 2026?
As of November 8, 2026, Irvin and Stella had collected and delivered 224 sticks during their fall nest-building activity.
Why do bald eagles bring sticks to an existing nest?
Bald eagles use sticks to repair, reinforce, and enlarge their nests. Many pairs return to the same nesting site year after year and continue adding new materials.
Does fall nest building mean Stella will lay eggs soon?
Not necessarily. Bald eagle pairs may begin preparing their nests months before egg laying. Nest-building activity alone cannot predict when eggs will arrive.
That is quite a big nest. So good to see Irvin & Stella. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful video .