Last eaglet hatches at Botanical Garden

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The third of three bald eagle eggs at Norfolk Botanical Garden hatched sometime after midnight Sunday.

A Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist confirmed the third eaglet as soon as all three could be seen on the Eagle Cam together, according to a news release.

The third egg was laid February 6.

The first egg of the season was laid on January 31 and hatched March 11. The second egg was laid February 3 and hatched March 13.

This marked the seventh year the pair of bald eagles have nested at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and the fourth time the pair have hatched three eggs.

There was speculation that the first egg laid in a snow filled nest may not have been viable because of the cold temperatures. The adults were diligent and successful at keeping the eggs warm enough for the incubation process, according to the release.

Garden employees installed an Eagle Cam to help keep track of the progress of all three chicks. The public can follow the efforts of the eagles to successfully raise their brood with the Eagle Cam by visiting their website.

The camera was a collaborative project of Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to provide high quality, 24-hour live streaming video coverage of the nest.