About a month ago, I posted a thread here with pictures of two Red-shouldered hawks mating -- the female of which was still in immature plumage. I returned to the same area this past weekend and found the female again. She was very approachable as usual and let me take some pictures of her.
As I was following her around a small area, she started calling and another RSH was calling back from a nearby stand of trees. She then flew into the trees and immediately another RSH flew out -- this time an adult -- and perched nearby. They continued calling to each other and I discovered that the female had gone in to land on a nest about 30 feet off the ground in a pine tree. I could only see the very top of her head, as she was fully down on the nest and then she got VERY quiet for the rest of the time I was there but did not seem bothered by my presence. The male flew off, presumably to hunt.
Anyway, I am very excited because it seems like these two are acting like they are sitting on eggs and I am hopeful I will get the chance to photograph some chicks in a month or so! If anyone has any advice for how to behave around them in their nest so as not to disturb them, I would appreciate it. In particular, are there particular behavioral signs that will indicate they are getting agitated by someone being too close to the nest? Should I refrain from using flash on them at the nest? The nest is literally about 10 feet from a road in an office park, so there are cars going by pretty much constantly, and the female hawk seems very habituated to people -- I have walked to within 30 feet of her before without her flying away. But I definitely don't want to interfere with the egg-sitting and chick-raising, so I'd appreciate any input on how to handle that.
Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of our new mother-to-be -- notice her front side is kind of mashed down and dirty from sitting on the nest.
Beautiful shots of a beautiful raptor, Chris. Properly exposed and with fine detail. I like the pose in the second shot.
I can wait to se the chicks. I hope Lou will see this thread. He can give you some really good advises.
Socrate
Nice shots, Chris. Did you know that the female Canada Goose actually plucks her breast bare in that area so that she can spread her feathers to lay her eggs on?
I'm in the process of body clipping my Shetland stallion for his show this weekend. I'm leaving all his coat for the neighborhood birds if they want it for their nests. Should be soft & nice....
Hi Chris, I got your PM and I think you will do the right thing here. First of all I am thinking they are both young birds and most likely first nesting as the RSH likes to nest in a hardwood tree (Oak, maple) and most of the time hight does not matter as they like the first heavy crotch but yours have picked a pine. Little different but thats life. OK remember this, its a lot easier to drive a nesting raptor off eggs/egg than it is off of the young so if you get to close you really can't see into the nest and most of the time she will let you know if your to close. While incubating I would stay away for at least 3 weeks and keep the nest to yourself at this time. Others may see it bit not hold the interest you do. Should you see any one going close and causeing a disturbance tell them they are breaking the law and if they continue you will call the authorites Nesting raptors of all kinds are protected by law. I would suggest while your waiting out the incubation to find a good spot at a fair distance that allows you some view into the nest and pay attention to the sun when you look for a spot. You should try to keep at least 250 feet if you can and even more if you have the glass to support it. It is very important when the eggs hatch that you not drive either parent off the nest if it is hot as a youngster can cook in a very short time. Remember heat and cold they have no feathers and relay on the parents for that protection so it goes a bit more than just protecting the eggs. Consider yourself really lucky in your find and if you take care of them they will be back for many years for your enjoyment.
One other thing, the land, is it private? If so ask the owner if you can place a predator guard around the base of the tree and trim off any saplings that could allow a coon to get up into the nest. BTW be sure your spot you pick will have an opening for the young to leave the nest for first flights and you to see it. Don't worry about if one lands on the ground just keep an eye on it so no predator can get to it and the parents will feed it on the ground or it will most likely be able to fly up to a branch for protection.
Lou
Shasoc wrote:
Beautiful shots of a beautiful raptor, Chris. Properly exposed and with fine detail. I like the pose in the second shot.
I can wait to se the chicks. I hope Lou will see this thread. He can give you some really good advises.
Socrate
Thanks, Socrate, I sent Lou a PM and now he has given me a good bit of advice here in the thread. The female really makes it easy on me, she announces her presence and then lets me walk right up to her -- I couldn't ask for a more cooperative subject!
Imagemaster wrote:
Nice shots, Chris. Did you know that the female Canada Goose actually plucks her breast bare in that area so that she can spread her feathers to lay her eggs on?
Tony
No, I did not know that. I knew that small perching birds get a bare patch for sitting on eggs, but I didn't know that larger birds did the same thing. Thanks for looking and commenting, Tony.
Nello Milanese wrote:
Great shots Chris! good thing they allow you to get quite close. keep an eye on them and cross fingers for some shots w the little guys
Thanks, Nello, I am really hoping it turns out that way!
sbeme wrote:
Wow! What detail!
I feel like backing away from those talons.
Scott
Thanks Scott. All the credit goes to this female hawk, this is the third time I have encountered her in the last six weeks and she has been so accommodating each time. I just hope she keeps tolerating me!
Lil Judd wrote:
Wonderful news Chris & great shots of her.
I'm in the process of body clipping my Shetland stallion for his show this weekend. I'm leaving all his coat for the neighborhood birds if they want it for their nests. Should be soft & nice....
Keep us updated
What a find....
Lil
Thanks Lil, it sounds like you are providing some great nesting material there! I will definitely post updates as things develop with this pair of hawks!
