The Hays bald eagles are tending to their first egg of the season.
Viewers spotted the egg in the nest early Tuesday. It been laid sometime while the nest camera was turned off to conserve energy. Nest camera operator PixController plans to live stream footage 24/7 from this point forward.
The Pittsburgh pair had a dramatic breeding season last year. Their nest was destroyed in a wind storm after the female laid her first egg, and they hastily built a new nest to hold another egg. In the end, their efforts were worthwhile. The birds fledged one chick.
In past years, the Hays female has laid as many as three eggs, each about three days after the other. Bald eagle eggs take about 35 days to hatch. If viable, viewers can expect to see a chick hatch around March 20.
See the live feed from the Hays nest:
The nest is along the Monongahela River on the south side of Pittsburgh. About 11 miles northeast in Harmar Township, another pair of bald eagles are nesting. Click here to view that nest camera.
In central Pennsylvania, the Hanover eagle nest cam is also in operation. That pair laid its first egg last year on Feb. 10 but has not yet produced one this season.
Check out more Pittsburgh coverage on PennLive.
