Flies and Winds are bothering Female Red Tail May 14, 2009

The high winds were making it hard on the female red tail when she was standing on the side of the nest today trying to feed the young. You could see her losing her balance. Also noticed that she was being bothered by the flies around the nest. You can see clouds of them around the park when you go for a walk. Still no little head sticking up over the nest and the female is dipping her head deep in the nest to feed. WE keep hoping to catch sight of them every day.

Nest is a busy place all day long May 13, 2009

When I arrived at work the nest was a busy place. The male was bringing in food, the female was feeding the young. Still no sign of the young as the nest sides are quite high. I can hear the yount quite clearly and see signs of movement but they are not sticking their heads up. It is great to see both male and female so active on the nest. I am sure neither one is getting any rest any more.

More fun on the red-tail nest May 11, 2009

Just as I was leaving work I saw both red-tailed hawks out of the nest. The one was just soaring around enjoying the day. The other was sitting on top of the elevator shaft on the construction site. The female dived off the elevator site and did her high speed descend towards the nest but NO it was toward a small bird in the air. She got it with her talons then went to the nest. She then immediately started to feed the eyas. WOW talk about amazing. The male had something in his beak (obviously for the nest) and was flying around the air with it. He finally went into the nest with it. See the attached photos. Again more wonderful memories of red-tail nest.

Male Red-Tail Brought in Dinner screaming May 10, 2009

Stopped in with Carol L today to see how things were at the nest. We were treated to see mom sitting on the nest. Shortly after we saw and heard the male flying in with his talons filled with food. You could hear him doing the red-tail call quite some distance away (hey ma I brought home the bacon). He landed with his food, dropped it off and then returned to his balcony on the construction site. The female immediately started to feed the young. We should see head above the nest edge within a couple of days.

Nest shows signs of more and more activity May 8, 2009

Coming into the nest

Taking a break

Feeding the young

On arrival at work today I could see signs that the female is needing to feed the young more and more often. She is standing on the side of the nest feeding at least once an hour during the day time. At lunch I saw her fly off the nest. She flew around our building and was joined by the male who then again disappeared. The female went hunting on the apartment building (I saw the pigeons fly off the building quickly). She then flew to the construction site and sat on top of the elevator lift for the while. The most exciting time was when she quickly flew from the top of the building lift to the nest. A matter of seconds, feet first wings tucked in and right on the nest. Very very cool. Later in the afternoon we saw from the 5th floor -she was standing on the nest tearing apart some food and again feeding the eyas and also herself. We all can't wait to see the babies.

Red-Tail Hawks at least 2 babies Eyas May 7, 2009

Feeding the young

Trouble standing on the edge of nest
Today there was a lot of excitement on the nest. Started off very worried because no one had seen the male red-tail hawk for a long time. Finally at lunch I went down stair with my binoculars and just stood there to watch. The female was leaning against the tree having just fed the young ones. She then flew off the nest - she was very restless. (Earlier she had been jumping from branch to branch). Now she flew off to the construction site and around the building. I asked a couple of guys who work outside if they had seen the two hawks and they said no. All of a sudden from behind the huge building cranes one hawk comes flying and then the guys yells here comes another. The female lands and starts screaming. The males lands and she is screaming at him. This goes on and on and on. (I have seen this behaviour with the two of them before). The female flies off and so does the male. The female chases after the male and they both go back to the nest and again she starts to scream at him. This is not your normal red-tail sounds. The female takes off again - she flies south. The male settles down on the nest for a very short time. Off to my right I see the female being chased by a crow. She loses him. The male having done is duty for a good 5 minutes takes off to the construction site and is gone again. lol. Within 15 minutes the female returns (with no food) and settles on the young. WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. Now there was some great flying and some great red-tail screaming and can you believe it I did not have my camera as they said rain all day. Here it was a beautiful sunny day. I enjoyed it all but I have to say the male is one lazy red-tail. The female has her work cut out with him.
On my way out to a program I saw an amazing site. The female was feeding the young. Yes I saw two little white head lift up to get the food. The sun was shinning really bright so who knows there may be more but there are at least two eyas. She was doing the feeding for a good 15 minutes then settled down again.
After work I went home to grab my camera hoping to get a shot of the babies but the sky was too dark. The female was feeding the young and her head was bobbing in two directions which confirms at least two babies. I did notice the female was having a hard time standing on the edge of the nest. In one photo you will see her with one leg in the air. This happened a few times. Within a few days we will be able to see the babies easier.
Fun on the red-tail nest.

Female Busy Feeding and Caring for young - Where is Male May 6, 2009

The female is busy getting up a feeding the young (we don't know how many she has) on a regular basis. She is also doing a lot of preening of her breast feathers. No one has seen the male red-tail since last week. We hope he is coming early in the morning when no one is at work or late at night!!!!
Took these shots just as I was leaving. Had to shoot right into the sun.