Let the nesting season begin: Pittsburgh Hays bald eagles lay first egg

Such a power couple.

The Pittsburgh Hays bald eagle couple — the first pair of the formerly endangered eagles to nest within the city limits in more than 150 years — have entered their eighth nesting season on the same bluff above the Monongahela River.

A live webcam captured the first egg of the season at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Watch the webcam live at the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania and CSE Corp. of Murrysville.

“We have upgraded the quality of the camera stream to 1080P resolution, and viewers can expect a very sharp picture of the nest this year,” said Bill Powers of CSE. We also have more volunteers moving the camera and capturing video clips, so that our viewers won’t miss any of the action this season.”

Typically the Hays pair raise one to two eaglettes per season. Eggs are laid within several days of each other and hatch sequentially after 35 days.

The Hays pair has raised 10 offspring in all since 2013. The scorecard: one eaglette in 2013; three in 2014; none in 2015; two in 2016; one in 2017; one in 2018; and two last year.

Both eagles will take turns incubating the egg constantly. The female will do most of the work while the male will hunt, mostly fish, and bring food to his mate.

The Hays couple have built four different nests on the same hillside since 2013 overlooking the Monongahela River, a busy railroad line and a scrap yard.

Views of this popular urban eagle nest are possible from the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, where a cadre of observers and photographers monitor the birds.

Other eagle pairs in the region — Harmar, North Park, Crescent Township and along the Youghiogheny outside of McKeesport — have been seen renewing their pair bonds, mating and spending time close to their nests, according to local photographers and the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

“Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is excited to bring Pittsburgh’s Hays Bald Eagles into homes, classrooms, and offices again this year through the live webcam,” said Jim Bonner, executive director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. “We are hopeful for another successful year for this eagle pair, which has become very popular both in Pittsburgh and across the world.”