On July 24, 2026, Mom, the resident Hays bald eagle, returned to the Glen Hazel nest and found tall summer grass rising through nearly every corner. Thick greenery surrounded her as she stepped through the sticks and carefully inspected the overgrown nest.
She stood among the swaying plants with her head held high and her pale eyes wide, pausing often to study the strange new growth around her. The open bowl of branches had become a small meadow high above the Pittsburgh river valley.
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Hays Bald Eagle Steps Into an Overgrown Nest
Mom did not leave after landing. She remained inside the Glen Hazel nest and slowly explored the grass-covered structure.
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She peered between the plants, examined the nest material and occasionally nudged sticks with her powerful beak. Tall blades brushed against her body as she moved through the greenery.
The nest still appeared to command her attention, even though summer growth had changed nearly every visible corner.
During nesting season, bald eagles regularly add sticks and fresh material while incubating eggs, feeding young and caring for the nest. Once that activity slows, seeds trapped between the branches can begin to grow. Warm temperatures, rain and sunlight then help grass and other plants spread through the structure.
By late July, the Hays bald eagle nest looked less like an eagle nursery and more like a rooftop garden.
Close-Up Reveals Mom’s Powerful Features
The visit brought Mom within strikingly close view. Her pale eyes tracked the surrounding territory as she turned her head from side to side. The close-up revealed the sharp curve of her yellow beak, the fine white feathers around her face and the dark layers folded across her back and wings.
At several moments, a pale membrane swept across her eye. This was her nictitating membrane, a translucent third eyelid that helps protect and moisten the eye without fully blocking her vision.
The brief flashes of that membrane made the close-up even more remarkable, revealing a feature that often passes unnoticed from a distance.
Mother Eagle Stays Alert as Train Horns Echo Below
Mom repeatedly lifted her head and turned toward sounds moving through the valley. Even while standing deep in the grass, she kept scanning the territory around the Glen Hazel (Hays) bald eagle nest.
Loud train horns echoed below as she watched from the treetop. The calls underscored the unusual setting the Hays eagles call home.
Their territory rises above a river corridor crossed by bridges, rail lines and industry. It is far from remote wilderness, yet the bald eagles continue to return to this rugged pocket of Pittsburgh.
Tall Grass Transforms the Familiar Hays Nest
The nest looked dramatically different from the one Mom used during breeding season. Earlier in the year, the adults moved across an open bed of sticks while preparing for eggs and caring for their young. By midsummer, grass had pushed through nearly every visible opening.
Some plants reached Mom’s chest. Others leaned across the nest and partly hid the branches beneath her feet.
The overgrowth may look unusual, but large eagle nests can collect soil, leaves and other natural material over time. Seeds carried by wind, birds or nesting material may settle between the sticks and begin growing once rain, warmth and sunlight arrive.
When nest work resumes, the adults may flatten the grass, pull it away or bury it beneath fresh branches.
Hays Mother Eagle Takes One Final Look
Mom paused among the tall grass and looked across the territory one last time. She then spread her broad wings and lifted away from the nest.
As she departed, the view opened across the river, bridge and industrial valley below. Her brief visit offered one final look at the Hays nest during the quiet summer months.
The nesting season may be over, but the Glen Hazel territory remains part of the pair’s world.
For now, tall grass covers the floor.
But the Hays bald eagles still rule the rooftop.
This live cam experience is provided by pixcams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is tall grass growing in the Hays bald eagle nest?
Seeds can enter a bald eagle nest through wind, rain, bird droppings or nesting material. Over time, soil and other organic matter may collect between the sticks. As a result, grass can begin growing during warm, wet summer weather.
Do bald eagles visit their nests after nesting season?
Yes. After the active nesting season ends, adult bald eagles may return to inspect their nest and monitor the surrounding territory. However, the frequency of these visits varies between eagle pairs.
What is the membrane moving across the eagle’s eye?
The membrane is called the nictitating membrane. It acts as a protective third eyelid and helps clean and moisten the eagle’s eye without completely blocking its vision.
Will the eagles remove the grass before nesting season?
The adults may flatten, remove or cover the vegetation when they begin working on the nest again. Bald eagles often add new sticks and soft material before the next breeding season.
Where is the Hays eagle nest?
The Glen Hazel nest belongs to the Hays bald eagles near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In addition, the territory overlooks a river corridor surrounded by bridges, rail lines and industrial development.