Second egg of Rochester falcon couple hatches

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The second egg of Rochester’s falcon couple, Nova and Neander, hatched just before noon on Friday. The first egg hatched on Thursday just after 2:30 p.m.

Earlier this spring, Nova laid four eggs in the nesting box on top of the Times Square Building. Nova can be seen tending to the two babies that have hatched so far. The nesting box has nine cameras that people can view online.

Peregrine Falcons are on New York State’s list of endangered species. This population started declining after the 1940s because of exposure to the pesticide DDT, which caused eggshells to thin and crack. However, their population is improving because of projects to preserve nesting sites and the ban on DDT.

The nesting box on the Times Square Building, first occupied by Beauty and her partner Archer, was installed in 2008.

Other News10NBC coverage of the falcon couple: