16 June 2023

In North America we call our smallest falcon a “kestrel” (Falco sparverius) because it resembles the well known Eurasian or common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) in Europe. Both are cavity nesters that use holes in cliffs, trees or buildings.

Wildlife artist and blogger Robert E Fuller (@RobertEFuller) has live nest cameras at his farm in Yorkshire, England including two on common kestrel nests. When he tweeted this video three days ago the eggs in Jeff and Jenny’s nest were about to hatch. Yesterday the first three hatched. Today the chicks are growing fast and the last egg awaits.

Jeff & Jenny's four kestrel eggs are due to hatch any day ????
Watch as this first time pair expertly swap brooding duties ? ?
And keep your eye on my live cams for the first hatchling??? https://t.co/SbZV1ZUifP#kestrel #birdsofprey #robertefuller pic.twitter.com/fkR1zUkakC

— Robert E Fuller (@RobertEFuller) June 13, 2023

Watch more nature videos on Robert E. Fuller’s channel on YouTube.

p.s. The Live stream is a composite of many nests. Jeff & Jenny’s is at top right, as highlighted below in the screenshot.

30 March 2023

Seven years ago I wrote about two great-horned owl nests on local bridges — one on the Homestead Grays Bridge incubating eggs, the other with young at the Anderson Bridge in Schenley Park.

A lot has changed in seven years. At the Homestead Grays Bridge there is still a nest but it’s occupied by a red-tailed hawk this year. We saw the hawk incubating last Sunday from the Duck Hollow parking lot. Bring a scope if you stand here.

The nest is where it’s always been, even seven years ago, on a cross bar flush to the upright above the pier. For better viewing, look at it from the Homestead side.

Meanwhile at the Anderson Bridge all is quiet. Even the traffic is gone. The bridge was closed suddenly in December 2022 for a four-month patching operation because it was too dangerous to stay open. Last week the project became a 3-4 year total rehab, though work won’t begin for another year.

The bridge was rusty seven years ago when the owl family lived there. Imagine how bad it is now!

Nearby residents sometimes hear a pair of owls hooting but no one has reported them on the bridge. I wonder where they are.

Read the tale of two owl nests in this vintage article from 2016:

(2016 great-horned owl photo by Dana Nesiti, remaining photos by Kate St. John)

24 March 2023

UPDATE on 26 March 2023: First egg hatched around noon on 26 March.

It’s been more than a month since the first egg was laid at the Hays bald eagle nest and today, 35 days later, we’re watching for a hatch.

Bald eagle eggs hatch in 34-41 days but thanks to eaglestreamer.org‘s record keeping we know that the Hays eagles hatch at the early end of that spectrum. This year’s predictions are:

Estimated hatch dates (based on 35 days incubation):

Egg 1 – 3/24/23; Egg 2 – 3/27/23.

— eaglestreamer.org

Watch the Hays Bald Eagle Nest Camera. When the eagle rolls her eggs, look for a pip!

You can also:

• Join the conversation on YouTube or Facebook.
• Stop by the Hays Bald Eagle Viewing Area on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Click here for directions.
• Check the Hatch and Fledge countdown clocks at eaglestreamer.org.

(photos are screenshots from the Pittsburgh Hays Bald Eagle Camera at ASWP.org)

17 February 2023

It’s that time of year again when Southwestern Pennsylvania’s bald eagles refurbish their nests and start to lay eggs. Two Pittsburgh area nests, Hays and USS Irvin, are in the midst of Egg Watch.

Hays Bald Eagles:

Yesterday morning the camera was zoomed out to see both eagles at the nest tree. It will zoom close to watch for eggs. UPDATES

• 1st hatch at Hays nest, 26 Mar 2023 @noon
• 2nd hatch at Hays nest, 28 Mar 2023 @7pm

By the time you read this the first egg may have arrived, but watch for a second in the day(s) ahead. Here’s how:

• View the Hays eaglecam at the Audubon Society of Western PA’s Hays Bald Eagle Nest Camera.
• Join the conversation on YouTube or Facebook.
• Stop by the Hays Bald Eagle Viewing Area on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail. Click here for directions.
• As soon as an egg is laid, visit eaglestreamer.org for the hatch and fledge countdown clock.

USS Irvin Bald Eagles:

This pair has been on site since 2019 and on camera since December 2021. There is no in-person viewing location so check them out on the USS Irvin eaglecam. UPDATES:

• 1st hatch at Irvin nest, 5 Apr 2023 @5:23pm! Click here for news.

(photo of Hays bald eagle pair by Dana Nestiti at Eagles of Hays PA, map via gmap-pedometer, screenshot from ASWP’s Hays Eaglecam, screenshot from USS Irvin Works eaglecam on YouTube)