Female Couldn't Wait to Leave the Nest Today April 30, 2009

Male Landing on Nest

Male just settles his wings

Female squacking at Male

Female leaves (all this happens in less than a minute)

Female gone

Male left with eggs lol

Female leaving again 2 hours later

I picked the right time to watch the red-tail nest to day. Brought my camera to the 5th floor window at break time and Jack and I were able to see a really terrific sight.
The female was on the nest resting and you could see the beautiful red tail feathers. Her red tail feathers were actually twitching. In the distance the male came in and landed in the trees behind the nest. The male then came from behind to land on the nest - with the wings just barely down the female with her mouth open (I could swear she was complaining about something) stands up and takes off. The male is left standing on the side of the nest staring into space then at the nest (you could just here him say - like man I am in big trouble now). The female was gone so fast you could count to five. I laughed. That was one lady who sure did need a break!!!!!!!!!! I had to leave about 2 hours later and the female was just coming back to the nest. She headed to the nest and just as she was about to land - well she changed her mind and took off and went back around the building and flew away. I guess she decided to take a few more spins before her little ones arrive.
Now the photos are again taken from inside the building so they are not great. Enjoy

Young ones should arrive within a week April 29, 2009

If the books are right the eyas (baby red-tailed hawks) should arrived any time within the next week. Will keep you posted. Female sitting very quietly on nest.

Red-Tails Weathered Storm OK April 26, 2009

With winds hitting over 100ks over the last couple of days and having received a call from Carol who was worried about the nest I stopped in today to make sure the red-tailed hawks were ok. Arrived to see the female sitting quietly on the nest and the male soaring around the nest. To the right I noticed two red tails high in the sky. The male let out a cry and went on the chase. He is a beautiful red-tail. The speed is amazing and the cry of danger loud and clear. Watched for a good 10 minutes when I was lucky to see him return. He circled the nest then went to rest on the condos that are being built next door.

Day to Day work for Red Tails April 24, 2009

Female Red-Tail Hawk is sitting almost all the time on the nest. I very seldom see the male these days. I did walk under the tree today and found the remains of her meal (leftover carcass and feathers yummmmmmm). Not too long till hopefully the eggs will hatch and the male will become more active again at the nest.

One brave (or stupid) squirrel April 21, 2009

A note from Jack:
Some excitement this morning on the nest. I was about to go our for a little break at around 10:00. I looked out and saw some movement just below the nest. Upon further investigation, I saw that a squirrel was in the branches just below the nest. I continued to watch as the squirrel moved closer to the nest. About the same time the male hawk did a fly by but didn't come to the tree. As the squirrel came closer to the nest the female on the nest must have heard the squirrel and she became really big with her wings spread and I can only guess that she voiced her complaints as well. The last I saw, the squirrel backed off. I will let you know if anything else happens.

Exchange of Jobs today April 17, 2009

I was looking out the window today on the 5th floor at the right time. Female was sitting on the nest when all of a sudden to the left come the male flying from the construction building (Sky Diver my nickname for him) so fast feet down and lands in the nest. It is always so exciting watching the male fly in - he is so fast and tends to come in out of nowhere (from above the building where I work or when I am outside from behind my back) and makes a dramatic landing. They both stayed on the nest for a few minutes talking about the eggs lol and then the female red-tail hawks took off and the male immediately starts to move the eggs around. You could see him put him head in the nest and roll it back and this went on for about 2 maybe 3 minutes. Then he sat on the nest. I had to go back to work but I would have like to see if the female returned immediately to the nest (as has been her habit in the past). We are now half way into the sitting period. Another 15-20 to hatching time.

Female Sitting and Male Flying April 16, 2009

Most days seem to be the same right now. The female is sitting on the eggs and the male is having a good time flying around the buildings. I seldom see him on the nest these days only when he is bringing in food. Hard to get many photos these days. I did see him on the back of the building being built today resting. Ann

Both on the nest April 15, 2009

Jack saw both red-tailed hawks on the nest first thing in the morning. He noticed that they were taking turns covering the nest. I have also seen the one red-tailed hawk flying around some office building nearby. The female seems to be very content sitting on the nest (which is quite large now) and very difficult to get a shot of her in it (only the top of her head).

Blue Skys Female quiet on nest again. April 11, 2009

Stopped in today to show a friend the nest. Female sitting very quietly on the nest. No sign of the male.

Quiet at the Nest today April 10, 2009

Stopped in today but female red-tailed hawk was just sitting quietly on the nest. No sign of the male at all.

Nice day finally Apirl 9, 2009

The female is sitting on the nest. She was very alert and looking around every time I looked at the nest.

Red-Tail Alert April 8, 2009

A cold bitter windy morning with the female red-tailed hawk flat on the nest this morning. By the afternoon the sky was blue, sun was shinning (still cold) but activity had started on the nest again. Went out for lunch and could hear the red- tails talking on the nest. Both male and female were up there. The male left to go to the woods and continue to bring fresh branches to the nest. As I approached my car he circled the parking lot very low with a branch in his talons. Amazing. The male went back to the nest and circled again. What a show. This went on a couple of times. My friend Miyuki was amazed at how large he was. Late afternoon I looked out to see the female on the nest only her head up and looking around but in the air 2 red-tail hawks were flying by. All of a sudden out of the woods the male red-tailed hawk chased after them. He circled them and chased them out of his territory. They did a bit of a dance but eventually they left. I did not see the male come back - I assume he was escorting them to the border.
Note from Colin: When ever intruders fly over below the 'safety zone', "resident" birds, Redtails and other raptors, will always escort intruders our of their territory.
On another note: Arrived home to have the fox sitting in my yard again.

Very Cold, Snowy and Windy April 7, 2009

Today it was a cold, winters day for the red-tail hawks. When driving to work this morning I saw the male red-tailed hawk flying in the woods on the south west corner. He landed on a tree and was sitting on a branch. Looked like he was hunting. (this is in the cooper's hawk area)
The female was laying very low on the nest. When I was watching the nest with the binoculars she stood up stretched out her wings and then she turned around then lay back down facing the 5th floor window. Her head was up and looking around for a short time. Very soon she lay flat down again out of the wind and snow.

Snow Rain Mom Tight on the Nest April 6, 2009

Nasty day outside. It is snowing and raining with heavy winds. Every time I looked at the nest the female red-tailed hawk is flat on the eggs. Not much movement at all. Saw the male red-tailed hawk fly by once late in the day.

Still Nest Building Today April 5, 2009

I stopped in today at the nest since we had a beautiful blue sky, sunny and warm. Pickup up a coffee and parked my car to wait. Did not have long to wait.
Off the construction site feet first over my head comes Sky Diver (my new nickname for the one red-tailed hawk) flying straight into the nest. The second red-tailed hawk was on the nest. Only a minute later he takes off into the woods and lands on a tree - I can see his wings flapping and he flies right back to the nest with a large stick. So they are continuing to enlarge the nest. Back and forth he goes. I decided to only stay for short time so not to disturb them. Took a few shots and then left.

Rainy Day - April 3, 2009

Rained hard all day - when I looked at the nest the female red-tailed hawk was hunkered down on the eggs. Did not see the second hawk at all.

April 2, 2009 Interaction on the Nest

Photos taken from the parking lot.


First thing this morning noticed the male and female on the nest. The male brought in a stick for the nest. The female then took off for a short flight and the male took over the nest. It is amazing how they share the nest duties.
Report from Jack in the afternoon:
You wanted excitement, well here you go. At around 3:30, Girish (the young scruffy man you met earlier today)was looking at the nest when he saw one of the hawks return. When he looked again with the binoculars, it had what appeared to be a squirrel in its mouth. When I got out there for a look the female hawk was digging at something she held in her talons with her beak.

Stayed Late at Work and What a Treat April 1, 2009

Had a late day at work and decided to check out the red tails downstairs by the nest. Saw the red-tail hawk fly by. Sat on the planter and figured ok I will wait a few minutes and see what happens. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a hawk land on the construction site beside my building. Waited again. Then to my dismay I saw a piece of construction paper flying down towards the nest (or so I thought) and I decide to take a shot of it only to discover it is the red-tailed hawk flying down fast. WOW. It lands on the tree beside the nest and perches there for a couple of minutes then jumps over to the nest and lays back down. OK it seems like it was an hour but it was a matter of minutes. So exciting. I have some photos I will post.
It rained all day and just at the end of work the sun comes out and a beautiful blue sky.
To make my day even better I come home and there is a fox on my front yard. Great day.