All 5 red-tail (male female and 3 fledglings) see at 1:30pm today. July 5, 2009

Youngest fledgling



Female coming into the nest

All is well at the red tail nest today. Just got back. All 3 fledglings were safely sitting in the tree when I arrived. One in the nest, one by the steps in a tree and one in the middle tree half way up. Again I found them by their crying as mom circled above. The one in the nest eventually flew away and landed on the back of the construction site balcony and was still there when I left. The female was very active today doing alot of soaring around. The male was being chased by a cooper hawk at McCowan and Ellesmere . It was quite low and I had a good look at the cooper hawk - male. So overall looks good today.

All red tails seen today - July 4 2009

Eyas Flying


Youngest Eyas

Female vs Kestrel


Chris checked early this morning(6am - I can not even open my eyes at this time) and found 2 eyas (youngest and one of the big females) and she also thought she heard sounds from the woods.
Bob and his wife arrived today in the morning and here is there report:
We spent a couple of hours, mostly from the lower parking lot. Couldn't find them anywhere until my wife noticed one of the eyas on the grass below the large steps up the the bldg. He was in no hurry to go anywhere until he fluttered to the triangle island in the middle of the parking lot. We thought it was hurt and not able to fly and finally after an hour he flew to the wall. Then we saw two others come from
nowhere and perch across the street and the other right above us where the one we thought was hurt joined and both cried for their mother for 1/2 hour before we left.
My wife was so excited !!
My report:
I arrived at 2:30 and saw 2 right away as well as the parents soaring above which created the eyas into a big crying fit. I also thought I heard another one from the woods. I went to look but could not find one. Lots of flying around by the 2 eyas. The youngest one was flying much higher today yahoo. When Adrian arrived we also looked but could not find the 3rd one. I am sure the 3rd one will show up at dinner time. Also at one time the female was on the construction site and was being attacked by a kestrel. I have a few shots of it. It was quite a distance aways.
So at least all of us at one time or another saw all 3 eyas and the parents.

Red-Tails Hawks - saw 2 adults and 3 eyas today July 3, 2009 (double click to enlarge photos)

Eyas flying - a little to close to get all of him- youngest one

Youngest eyas sitting in tree

Male with food - see eyas on branch crying

Male in tree with food, 2 eyas already there and youngest eyas flying in (bum shots)

Youngest eyas sitting across the street on sign

Adult soaring above the nest

Stopped in at the nest this morning. Was very happy to see the eyas who had the problems yesterday sitting in a tree. Other two eyas in the nest. Almost immediately the male arrived with food and sure enough the youngest started to cry and tried to get to the nest. Almost made it - landed below the nest and had to jump branch to branch to get in to the nest. I don't know how much food he got if any as the other two certainly would not let him near it. I am sure he got the leftovers at the end. (See photo attached of his flight into the nest)
The other two are really growing strong and wonderful flyers. The male and female were both seen today soaring around the area.
The only concern I have is the youngest is also a road surfer. That means he is not flying high he is flying on the road surface. He almost hit a car when he flew across the road and on his way back he road the road no more than 1 foot off the ground. Very dangerous. I left as I just couldn't watch any more of this.

Youngest Eyas finally fledge - Scary moments July 2, 2009

Youngest eyas falling down the wall

2 eyas playing on the ground







The last eyas finally fledge today but not without some terrible moments. The afternoon started with the 3 playing on the ground having lots of fun chasing bugs, pinecones, and a squirrel. They flew from tree branch to tree branch and just hung around. I took some great shots of two of the eyas playing - I hope you enjoy them.

The youngest eyas decided to take a second flight - oh dear straight to the wall and missed. He was hanging onto the vines on the wall (see photo) for a few seconds then fell head first to the ground. He got up slowing and moved towards the wall and sat there for a while. Finally he layed down on the wall (not responsive, head twitching, and one eye shut the other open) and I called the Wildlife Centre for advice - and they were to send someone. He was like this for over an hour when he decided to stand up. All of a sudden the male red tail came in with food and all H-ll broke loose as all the eyas wanted to go to the nest included this one for food. He decided to fly towards the building and flew into the window (twice). He was running around crying for his food and then just flew off and landed in a tree. (Ok so we were shocked - fell on his head, hit his head twice on the window) and he could still fly to find his supper.
When the wildlife person arrive she assessed the situation and felt he was doing fine, the head twitching was gone, he was flying and he actually had reached the nest for food and was crying because there was no food left. Lastly with him now flying he was now out of reach. Thank you A for all your help.
Not a great first couple of flights for the youngest but we hope that he is ok tomorrow.

Canada Day at the Red Tail Nest - Leslie and Mike

Report from Leslie and Mike at the nest:

On the way home, we dropped by the Red-tail nest. We got there a little after 5 pm and stood by the corner of the parking lot. It was very quiet. Finally, I saw the one eyah sitting very still in the nest. I wondered if it was ok. Then, the screaming started. The male showed up with a rat, which he dropped in the nest. All of a sudden the other two eyahs appeared. While the one in the nest ate, the other two kept us entertained. One was behind us, on a low branch of the evergreen. Then, it flew into the nest. Next, one of the birds flew into the top of the evergreen behind us, and looked like it was posing for a pic. We saw the female flying near the cranes, and the young cried until she disappeared around the building. What a wonderful way to celebrate Canada Day.

July 1, 2009 2 Eyas flying all over the place, Male bring in food

Love this shot of the eyas- underneath it says no parking -

Eyas just chilling

Youngest eyas still in nest - I have asked a couple of people about the fact he has not left the nest yet and they have said not to worry - he may have been late being born

Supper is served

Landing of the eyas

Male with food

Stopped by this morning and my first sight of 2 eyas was one sleeping on the wall of the parking garage and the other on the fence. I have photos I will put up later. Shortly after there was a lot of crying going on. All 3 were hungry (by the way one is still in the nest and not flying) and the male red-tail came flying in the area. The 2 eyas were on the chase to catch the male. He had the 2 flying all around the parking lot chasing him. He finally dropped the food at the nest and eventually left it there (bird of some type). When I left 2 on the nest were busy eating. One was still in another tree crying.

Photos to come

Dinner was served. A nice juicy Rat June 29, 2009

Report from fellow birder Adrian who stopped in for me while I was away.
June 30, 2009
Late this afternoon, one of the eyas flew around among the trees close to the nest and perched on low branches, seemingly unafraid of people. He was mesmerized by a squirrel on a nearby branch and stared at it, cocking his head from side to side.

At one point he/she flew over the road that leads into the TDSB parking garage and landed on the low concrete wall beside the wide staicase into the building. We were 10 feet from him. Then he moved to a low branch of the tree just beside that concrete wall- again, we were incredibly close.

This time he saw a small bird flitting around and stared intently at it, cocking his head from side to side again.

It seemed to me that the eyas we were observing so closely might have had a sense that both the squirrel and bird looked tasty but just didn't know the next steps.

They're the sweetest babies and it has been a great priviledge to spend time with them

June 29, 2009
It has been raining heavily and all three eyas are perched on branches near the top of their tree and are soaking wet.

One of their parents drop a rat into the nest early this morning. They were very vocal. I saw at least 2 of them flying.

They are safe and sound.