Our newly christened fledgling, Storm, is 12 weeks old.

Storm is now considered a Fledgling. We can also call Storm a Juvenile at this point, or “Juvie” for short. Storm has grown and advanced so much in just the past week, we have an overachiever on our hands.

As you all know by now, Storm branched the morning of June 20, 2025, on American Eagle Day, how appropriate. Storm first flew to the perching branch where Soren and Skye will perch while at the nest, this was about 6:45 am.  

Then Storm proceeded to fly to the northside of the nest branches and climbed very high on those. She was up and down and back and forth like a pro. We had a hard time keeping her in the cam, and some very strong flights during this time.

Storm eventually perched back on the adult perching branch and sat there for some time. Then poof, out of nowhere, Storm flew, she fledged the nest at 11:36 am the same day, June 20, 2025. This was very unexpected as Storm went from branching to fledgling the nest in less than 5 hours. Normally they branch around the tree for at least a week or more before they take the leap and fly. Storm had some pent-up energy that morning and flew from the nest with a purpose. Many of us veteran Eagle cam watchers have never seen this happen before. It was amazing to watch!

We believe that Storm went to look for Soren and Skye when she fledged the nest that morning. Storm watches mom and dad fly in and out and knows the direction they take. Storm didn’t return the night of the 20th; however we could hear her squeeing, or calling to mom and dad, off the nest. So, we knew she was still nearby. Soren arrived at the nest with food about 1:00 PM and he waited and looked around, waiting for Storm to come claim her well-deserved lunch, however Storm did not come to the nest. Soren ate part of the prey and left the rest for Storm, which is what the adult will do when they are luring them back to the nest. Another great milestone, Storm’s first night sleeping off nest happened the same day as fledging.

On Saturday, June 21st we did not see Storm return to the nest. Some Juvies will fledge and return the same day, some may not return for several days, some do not return at all after fledging. So, we wait and see, as they are on eagle time. Soren and Skye could have been feeding Storm off nest as well. Then Sunday morning June 22nd, at about 9:00 am, Soren brought a squirrel to the nest, and we could hear Storm squeeing away. This worked as Storm arrived and mantled that squirrel immediately. Yay, it was so good to see her in the nest again. Then after eating and branching for some time, Storm was off again!

Since branching and fledging, Storm has not spent a night at the nest. This is a great milestone, as they would normally come home and spend the night and fly again for the day. We believe she is hanging out with Soren and Skye and sleeping near them at night. We wish we could see if mom and dad have taken Storm to the river with them, which is where they get the fish they bring to the nest. We can tell that they are river or small lake fish.  

We continue to watch Storm perfect her flying skills and return to the nest, mainly to eat when food has been delivered. When will Storm fledge for good? We wait and see, however it could be within the next 2 weeks, at the rate that she has advanced. She’ll know when the time comes and will begin her journey into her first year as a Juvenile, learning the ropes of life on her own. She will watch and learn from other eagles during this time and make friends along the way. How far will she fly to? We don’t know, however they can cover a lot of ground in the first year and fly thousands of miles away and return to the natal nest area. Storm will figure it out, as she follows her instincts.