Fledgling Soaring and screams like an adult Cool July 15, 2009

Soaring and screaming like the adults

Mmmmmmmm any mice in here

What a beautiful bird


Today I stopped in for a very short time. Saw all 3 fledgling as they flew all over the place. They were definitely hunting (poorly) but trying to catch squirrels. At one point a gull went by with food in his mouth and the 2 oldest fledgling took off and chased him for the food. Man did the gull take off into the woods fast. Only one fledgling came back and no sign of the gull (mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm). The other fledgling was flying around and soaring then all of a sudden I heard that red-tail call I love (if you have never heard it go on the right side of my blog and double click COOL THINGS ABOUT THE RED TAIL HAWK and listen to the call). It was so amazing and cool at the same time. The babies are growing up.

photos to be posted later

Fledgling Talon Touching in the sky July 15, 2009

Adult with full crop and bringing food into the nest

Fledgling playing on the ground

When I arrived yesterday I had just missed the excitement. Daniel told me that two the fledgling were playing in the air and grabbing each others talons. I have seen this with Peregrine Falcons but not with Red-Tail Hawks. Daniel was really excited about it and I wished I had seen it. What I saw was 3 fledgling screaming for food. lol. Two were in the nest and one in the tree below. I looked for the female and saw both adults on the crane in the construction site - then takeoff here they come both with food in their talons. The male landed in the nest first and then left - then came the female. The one female fledgling took over the food, mantled it and the other 2 watched. It looked like a pigeon so hopefully all 3 will eat. Wait the adults come in with more food and drop it on the ground - looks like two rats. Guess who leaves her food and go to grab both of them and takes them to the nest - Yup the female fledgling and again the other 2 are watching. (Pretty soon the one female will be too big to fly lol) I had to meet someone and when I returned 45 min later all 3 were quiet so I hope that means they all ate something.
A hawk friend told me - if they are not getting enough food they would not be able to fly and all 3 are flying really well.

Fly baby Fly - Fledglings flying all over the sky July 13, 2009 (double click to enlarge photos)

All 3 fledgling flying - wanted to give you all the different angles - enjoy





Arrived at the nest to see the 3 fledgling soaring around the building. Beautiful sight.
The adult arrived with food and 2 fledgling were able to get something and of course one didn't - he cried for food up in the nest and then finally layed down up there. I do worry that the youngest is getting enough food. But the flying on all three looks good.

Female to the nest but no fledglings there - July 12 2009

Youngest fledgling resting

Adult with food


Met with Bernie and Florence in the afternoon to see the fledgling and no sign of them. The female came into the nest with a rat and sat there. No cries no sign of the the fledgling. The female flew off into the woods. We went for a walk and finally heard some crying and Florence saw 2 of them hiding in the woods. We did not want to bother them as one was eating and the other was resting on a branch so we just kept walking. Saw one more on the path and he was out in the open. Again we did not want to bother them so we enjoyed the look and left. I did try to take a photo but it was too dark. Later one eventually flew toward the building and landed on the roof - layed down and rested. A adult flew behind him.
NOTE:
For a long time there were only a couple people at work who watched the hawks and made sure they were safe and sound. Now that they are in the open people are starting to go into the area and look for them. I can understand this as they want photos of something wonderful and beautiful. Unfortunately it is driving them away. Even with them flying deep into the woods people today went deep into the woods to try and find them. The safety and well being of the hawks must come first. The hawks will always come out in the open at another time for photos. Please respect them and let them be. If they go into the woods - chances are they are eating (which they were today) or need privacy. Look from a distance do not go into their space.

I will continue to monitor the nest daily as I have since the first day back in march.

Soaring Fledglings today July 12, 2009

2 fledgling soaring for the first time


Enjoying the day


Fledgling flight shots




This morning I was joined by Jim B at the nest. We were treated to some high flying by all three fledgling as well as some nice close ups. For the very first time 2 of the young red tails were soaring around the SCC. They would flap 2 times then soar. First one did it then soared to the woods then the second one followed. Amazing. The third one watched. There was a lot of crying going on and I though perhaps we may be lucky to see food brought in but no luck. Great to meet you Jim.

Photos to follow later tonight.

Amazing Experience - report and photos by Chris McConnell July 11, 2009

Photos by Chris McConnell



Chris and I try to see who can take the best poop shots where ever we go. Chris calls it the Pooperazzi Shots!

I went down to visit Ann's red tail family and saw all three fledges (heard them long before I saw them!). One was in the nest eating, with a sibling on the next branch watching, and the third was busy moving from perch to perch practicing his hunting skills. I took some shots, then went toward the parking lot and sat under a small tree to watch him. A few minutes later he took flight, and I knew that he had flown close by. I thought he may have even landed at the top of MY tree...little did I know he'd not only flown into my tree but he was under it with me, on a branch about 7 feet above my head! I was as startled as he was. We spent about 15 minutes together, most of the time with him looking at me and tilting his head, wondering if he should fear me or hunt me. They are so inquisitive and naive at this age! Oh, one other really cute thing he did was, he kept looking at the trunk which was about 2 feet away from him. He would watch something, a bug I assume, and slowly open his mouth really wide and lean forward a few inches (not nearly close enough to eat it), and look like he was stretched as far as he could trying to reach it and would start to chew, as if to say "I so wish I could eat you!". It was in slow motion, and he did it a few times - it was adorable. Due to the heavy shade I didn't end up with as many shots as I'd hoped but it was great to spend some up close and personal time with such a regal, stunning creature.

Thanks Chris stunning shots.

Storm passed through all three red tail fledglings ok July 11, 2009

Keeping an eye on the squirrel and taking a scratch

Drying out


Youngest fledgling

Groundhog comes up between all three fledglings

Stopped by the nest after the storm and all 3 fledglings are fine. The one was in from the building with wings outstretched drying out. She was being harassed by a robin who has a nest nearby. It was dive bombing the fledgling. The other 2 were in the trees sitting in the sun.
Watched them for a bit and one of the sisters was very interested in a squirrel passing under the tree. I was sure the oldest was going to go after it but it just kept a very close eye on it.