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.

Female showing signs of feeding May 5, 2009

Again today more signs of feeding and caring for young. Saw female on the side of the nest again doing the bending forward motion into the nest.
No sign of the male red-tail at all.

Hatch Day for the Red-Tails May 3, 2009

Hatch day:
Today when I arrive to check out the red-tail hawks I noticed that something had changed. Mom instead of sitting on the eggs or sitting on the side of the nest getting ready to leave was standing on the edge of the nest looking into the nest. She was dipping her head in and out of the nest. This went on for a bit. Later she put what looked like bark, and her breast feathers in the nest. She then rested for quite some time. I was joined by Ron who lives in the neighbourhood and has seen the hawks flying around for some time. We watched the female red-tail fly off the nest for a very short time and come back with nest material. She flew over us and landed on the street light then flew into the nest. She immediately wove the material into the nest. I talked to Lyn about the new behaviour and she agrees that it looks like we have our first young eyas. HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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.