The construction of the new Meinig Fieldhouse at Cornell University has prioritized the protection of the iconic red-tailed hawk known as Big Red. This hawk has been a familiar presence for millions of viewers through the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird Cams, nesting on the lights of Robison Alumni Fields for over a decade. As construction began in 2024, concerns arose that Big Red might not return to her nesting site.
To address these concerns, Charles Eldermire, a multimedia producer at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, emphasized the importance of maintaining the hawk’s nesting site and continuing to provide live streaming from the location. “If at all possible, we wanted to see if we could maintain the site they were using and maintain the ability to stream from there,” Eldermire stated.
Collaboration to Minimize Disruption
Throughout the construction process, a collaborative effort was made between Cornell Facilities staff, construction workers, and ornithologists to minimize disruption to Big Red and her fledglings. Special attention was given to prevent birds from colliding with the building’s windows. Workers observed the hawks as they fluttered between steel beams and perched on cranes, creating a bond that inspired affection among the crew.
Jake Duell, the construction manager for Cornell Facilities, noted the surprising tenderness shown by his team. “It’s funny,” he remarked, “because they are the most hardened guys that I’ve known forever, and they’re so soft when it comes to these birds.” In a show of support, construction workers even adorned their hard hats with stickers of Big Red and set up a makeshift birdbath to keep the hawks cool.
Initially, the project involved the demolition of twelve aging light poles, but two of those poles had previously supported Big Red’s nest. In an effort to accommodate the hawk, the Facilities team decided to preserve these two poles, hoping that she would return to nest there once again. “We demoed most of them all down, leaving these two last winter, in the hope that the hawks would come back and nest in them,” Duell explained.
The Importance of Big Red’s Nesting Site
Big Red, now at the age of 22, represents a significant aspect of Cornell’s natural heritage. Eldermire emphasized the critical nature of maintaining her nesting site, noting that wild red-tailed hawks typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. “Each of these years that we have left, you can’t take them for granted,” he said, highlighting the importance of protecting this species for future generations.
For many viewers, the experience of watching Big Red’s eggs hatch and her chicks develop has fostered a sense of community and identity. “They become birdwatchers through those cameras,” Eldermire noted. “They then share that with other people online and out in the world. That’s the power of that site.”
The construction of the Meinig Fieldhouse not only aims to provide indoor practice, competition, and recreation space for students but also stands as a testament to the commitment to wildlife conservation at Cornell University. The careful planning and collaboration underscore the university’s dedication to both educational facilities and the natural environment, ensuring that Big Red and her legacy continue to thrive.
