Hey everyone, I have been off the forum for a while due to traveling and I will have some shots to post soon from Elkhorn Slough and the Palo Alto Baylands, but I wanted to give everyone an update on my two red-shouldered hawk nests, which I have posted here about from time to time.
First, the bad news. The newer of the two nests (the one with both normal-looking adults and two chicks) is now empty. Both chicks are gone and there is no sign of them anywhere. They were being checked on every day or two by a group of birders and photographers -- one day they were there, gone the next. The speculation is that they were taken by a great horned owl, which do occur in that area. A sad end to their young lives, but it is also the way of the natural world.
But there is also some really great news. My other pair of hawks, which I have been photographing since February with the female in immature plumage, actually has TWO chicks, not one! Both are geting big and starting to jump around the nest, according to reports I have gotten over the last few days. I plan to go out there this weekend to see them and try to take some more pictures, but of course I am very excited about this news!
Great to hear about the Hawks and the chicks look great. Very nice captures. Sad to hear about the ones that didn't make it. Thanks for sharing and great story.
Great story and love the color in both of these. Looks like the light was on your side. Just wish the pine needles didn't cross the eye in #1 but nothing can be done about that. Please keep us posted and sorry to hear about the other nest.
I was resently watching a green heron nest and the mother has recently turned up missing but the eggs are still there. Wondering if an aligator got her or she just abandoned the eggs. Not sure! Would have love to see some chicks.
Hi Chris, will hope for the best on the missing family and glad to hear of good of the original hawk family you have been following. Good to hear from you
Hi Chris. Thanks for the update. Sad to hear about the missing family, but I'm happy to know that the other family is doing great.
Nice shots BTW.
Socrate
HI Chris Sorry to hear about the youngsters at the one nest. Besides an owl I would think the racoon is the culprit unless you have a lot of owls in the area.
That was if you remember why I made mention about placeing a preadator guard on the tree/trees. The very first year of the pair I was monitoring a coon took 4 all at once. Th DEC was there with me to verify that this is what I though happened and I did find marks in the tree trunk so the following years a guard was put in place and no more trouble from the coons. An owl like the GHO will even take an eagle chick as the eagle is no match for it at night but come daylight its another ball game.
Lou
May 15, 2008 at 05:48 PM
anthony whitmo Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
Beautiful shots and a poignant story. I am watching a RS nest in a local park, I see 2 chicks but only one parent on the nest and feeding, I can't figure out where the male bird has gone but mom is very attentive.
Chris, I hate hearing that stuff. It's nature, it's life, it's the way it is, but I hate it. The family you've been following, however - well, that's great news and I'm looking forward to seeing them
Thank you all for your comments. I am going to visit the family with surviving chicks tomorrow morning. My internet is still down at home so I haven't been able to get on the Forum very much, but hopefully it will be fixed soon!
I wish the remaining ones the best of luck. . . They have their work cut out for them.