Irvin and Stella, the eagles nesting near U.S. Steel’s Irvin Plant, welcomed the first eaglet of the season, USS 8, during the overnight hours Thursday. It’s the eighth successful hatch at the nest, according to U.S. Steel media representative Andrew Fulton.
Stella produced three eggs this season, but it is believed that the first egg was not viable. The hatch came from the second egg, which Stella produced on Feb. 16, he wrote in an email.
Videos of USS 8 can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICcOidEd7GY and here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTuI2sUmi8Q. The Steel City Eagles Facebook group faithful are overjoyed and keeping watch.
The third egg arrived on Feb. 19, Fulton said, and the watch for a second hatch continues. On average, it takes 35 days for bald eagle eggs to hatch.
Click here to look in on Irvin, Stella and USS 8 via live webcam.
Helen is a copy editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but she's currently on strike. Contact her at hfallon@unionprogress.com.