Juvenille Red Tail Hawks Visits me at Home August 18, 2009

Hi there. Home due to illness and was sitting in the backyard the last two days. Yesterday was treated to a beautiful large female red tail swooping over my rooftop going after the pigeons. Today I went out side to read and have a look to see out of the corner of my eyes a red tail hawk circling above the sky quite high. Stood up and went inside to get my camera and though maybe with some luck he will come closer. Well he sure did as he used my backyard as a runway screaming the whole way while he chased the pigeons. See first photo. He then sat on top of my largest tree (I couldn't see hime without my binos) and the red tail chased anything that came in my yard for over an hour. He circled me while I sat there - up and down the yard. I honestly could not get a shot as he was so fast (I have shots of a tail, a head, a wing etc). I feel lucky to have this one shot. This young fledlging was calling the whole time. The adult was circling the lake in the distance. I never did see the young catch anything but what an amazing morning. I was telling my friend Carol how much I missed watching the red tails well the last two days was wonderful. Nice to have them come to you in your back yard and work.

Red Tails Hawks and Migration

I will post very soon once I hear the migration has started for the red tails.

Red Tail Watch for 2009 is now over

I hope you have enjoyed the red tail family this year. This has been one of the best experiences of my life. I enjoyed watching the adults build the nest, the female sitting on the eggs, wondering how many little eyas there will be, seeing the eyas for the first time, then realizing there were 3, watching them fly, playing together and more.

I will be watching for any sightings of the red tail hawks family but it appears they have moved on.

With any luck there will be a family in the nest next year.
Thanks for you emails and comments. Please keep the notes coming.

Ann
ann.brokelman@gmail.com

Saw one fledgling soaring above the building today July 28, 2009

Peregrine Falcon

What a beautiful sight it was - one of the young red tail hawks soaring high above the building. Heard the young red tail but I couldn't find him then all of a sudden he flew out of the trees and soared above on the buildings. He looks really good. He landed on the building and was running on the ledge. He then flew higher up to the top. By the way a peregrine falcon flew by the building also.

I had had a couple of email that people had heard him but no sightings.

Occassional Sightings of Red Tails July 25, 2009

Spend a couple of hours looking today but I know they will not be back at the nest area - there are birds in the trees and 24 geese under the trees. They are feeling safe enough to come back.
As you can see people are hearing and seeing them. They are around but just not as visible as before.
Here are emails of sighting over the last couple of days.
From Adrian: Thursday July 23, 2009Fred (the youngest fledgling) just flew by screeching his head off. He went over the upper parking lot but I don't know where he went to. He was flying low but steadily. No gliding
Fred flew low over us again and was very vocal. I am looking for him, but can't go far
From Adrian: Friday July 24, 2009I'm in front of the building (opposite the mall) and can hear Fred calling out. Sounds a long way away, maybe over in the direction of the Y.
From Bob: Friday July 24, 2009
I was getting off the 401 today by the Best Buy and Wal Mart and my wife saw two red tails, looking down on the field to the east as one was on a light post and the other near by on an overhead highway sign. We thought it must be the parents hunting.

No sign of any red tails - I miss them July 23, 2009

Well I knew the time would come but I honestly hoped not so soon. I spend the good part of 2 hours looking for a sign of any of the 5 red tails and it really seems they have moved to another location. I have been told the youngest fledgling has been seen by the nest but only for a short spells. I also looked all over for him with no luck.

I will continue over the weekend looking for them.

The good news was I found in my search a Cooper Hawk family - a female with 2 young. They are very close to where the Red tail family lived. In fact they live in the woods where the young were going to play. I am sure that is why they have moved elsewhere.

One Adult and One Fledgling seen today July 22, 2009

Report from Adrian:
saw an adult hawk flying around over the square in front of the building. Heard a baby once but otherwise, it has been quiet.
The older 2 fledglings have definitely moved to a new location - the youngest fledgling is still hanging around a bit.