NCTC Eagle Nest
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
45K subscribers
Shepherdstown, West Virginia, United States
NCTC Eagle Nest
The big (upper) bald eagle nest on the NCTC campus is now 22 years old. The nest was started in the fall of 2003 and the first eggs were laid in the spring of 2004. In the spring of 2024, the eagle pair began building a smaller (lower) nest in the same Sycamore tree. The upper nest is 90 ft. above ground level and the lower nest is 75 ft. above. Each fall and winter, the eagles add new nest sticks and begin mating for the new season. In 2025, the first egg was laid on February 10, the second egg Feb.13 and the third egg on Feb.16. Both adult eagles take turns incubating eggs for 35-38 days before hatching. We hope to see these eggs start hatching the week of March 17.
Shepherdstown, West Virginia, United States
US- Shepherdstown, WV
Shepherdstown is a historic town located in Jefferson County within the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, United States. Situated in the upper Shenandoah Valley along the Potomac River, it borders Maryland to the northeast. The settlement occupies a compact area of 0.37 square miles, characterized by Cambrian-aged limestone bedrock that forms cliffs near the river. It serves as a significant cultural and educational hub in the region.
Established on December 23, 1762, by acts of the Virginia House of Burgesses, the town was originally named Mecklenburg after its founder Thomas Shepherd. It is one of the oldest towns in West Virginia, alongside Romney. The name changed to Shepherd's Town in 1798 before contracting to Shepherdstown after the Civil War. The town played a role in early American history, including hosting James Rumsey's steamboat trials and serving as a county seat from 1865 to 1871.
The Shepherdstown Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 with a boundary expansion in 1987, defines much of the town's architectural character. Notable landmarks include the Rumsey Monument and Steamboat Museum, the Entler Hotel and Museum, and Elmwood Cemetery, which holds graves of Confederate veterans. The area features brick structures from the late 1790s and the historic Opera House, reflecting its long-standing artisan and commercial heritage.
Cultural life in Shepherdstown is vibrant, centered around Shepherd University, formerly Shepherd College, which hosts the Contemporary American Theater Festival. The town attracts visitors with its local arts scene, independent movie theater, and numerous restaurants and shops. It has also gained attention for paranormal tourism, billed as one of the most haunted towns in America, featuring the show Ghosts of Shepherdstown and various ghostly legends tied to its historic sites.
The population was 1,531 at the 2020 census, reflecting a dense community with a median age of 21.9 years due to the university presence. Access is primarily by car via WV Routes 230, 45, and 480, with nearby airports in Baltimore and Washington D.C. The town is walkable, though limited public transportation exists outside the university shuttle. Its economy benefits from tourism, education, and its historic preservation status.
The EARF Engine
