Small Scopes

Birdwatching over the web

When Doug Carrick retired to live on his secluded Hornby Island property, he had no idea that a pair of nesting bald eagles would bring the world into his backyard.

That happened last week when a website showing live video images from the eagles' nest brought the birds' every move onto computer screens around the world.

"It's captivating for everyone," said biologist David Hancock, who helped get the images on the web after seeing Carrick's videotapes from a camera he had set up in the nest.

"People are blown out of their mind to see the eagle at nest level."

Hancock said the website, which began operating March 27, has already had a big response: Bloggers have picked up on it, and there have been calls from Venezuela and the U.S. from people wondering about using similar technology to watch other birds.

The eagles are oblivious to the camera, making website visitors bystanders to the birds' daily routine.

The images show the birds interacting, changing places over the eggs, and the wind blowing through their feathers.

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posted by Tako John @ 8:36 PM