Hawk eggs hatch
Just in time for Earth Day, two red-tailed hawk eggs began to hatch in a nest 70 feet above the Cornell campus April 22. Viewers from 165 countries glimpsed a tiny beak through a hole in the egg as the mother looked on.
Since March 19, nearly half a million people have watched 24/7 as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s live cam has streamed high-definition footage of the female hawk, “Big Red,” and her mate, “Ezra.”
People from more than 150 countries have witnessed the hawks bringing sticks to build their nest on a light pole high above Cornell’s athletic field. They’ve watched Ezra present Big Red with gifts of voles, squirrels and pigeons. They’ve seen the pair taking turns to keep their three eggs warm through wind, rain and snow.
Viewers woke April 23 to find Big Red protecting her brood from several inches of snow. A third egg is due to hatch any day now. Also check out activity on the great blue heron cam.