A cahow egg on the protected sanctuary of Nonsuch Island has begun to show signs of imminent hatching, which can be watched live via the online CahowCam.

Jeremy Madeiros, the chief terrestrial conservation officer, spotted the cracking during a routine nest check this afternoon, and said the event came several days ahead of schedule in burrow No. 831.

All signs point to “a very active chick” — which was expected to emerge anywhere from a few hours' time to 48 hours later.

The live hatching can be watched by webcam at www.Nonsuchisland.com.

The camera has been live streaming for the past six nesting seasons, and Mr Madeiros said this year had been “record breaking” so far: 12 chicks have been confirmed, five of which hatched on Nonsuch.

JP Rouja, team leader for the Nonsuch expeditions, reported that 600,000 viewers had turned in last season.

Through the project's collaboration with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, that number is expected to exceed this year, he added.