HAWKS

FRIDAY July, 13 2012 Quick update-

The immature Hawks are beautiful. They are often observed flying together, gliding and swooping at the earth. They are becoming much more proficient with the flight maneuvers and hunting skills. Unfortunately, it would appear as though they come up empty every once in a while and the intended meal of lizard, mouse or gopher gets away. Score one for the reptiles and rodents.

A couple of times I have heard that unmistakable cry for assistance from one of the young Hawks. [One does not have to be of the same species to recognize the concern and panic in the vocalizations. Heck, even my dog acknowledges such cries. A couple of years ago Zack (the Mitred Conure) let out such a cry and the dog went nuts barking and trying to get outside. So we check it out, and sure enough, there was a good sized Rattlesnake in the aviary.]

ANYWAY, the immature Hawks let out two to four quick cries, repeated regularly with a minute or two in between. You can immediately tell the sounds are coming from a stationary position differing from those that slide across the horizon in earshot. Suddenly the cries stop when an adult appears delivering the food. Presto! After a couple of gulps – on with the living the life of a maturing Hawk.

IF YOU WHISTLE, THEY WILL COME

This is so cool. I’ll be down there checking on the watering station without a Hawk in sight, but whistle a couple of times? Here they come! More often than not the two of them together, but sometimes they respond from different directions. They circle above crying out there calls, and then almost motionless, hang in the air with their heads cocked to the side watching.

FLIGHT ESCORT BACK HOME

Probably about five times now one of the immatures, recognizing the pattern I guess, will parallel me driving home (around the corner). Just to the west about 200 feet away this Hawk shadows me home and when I get out of the truck in the driveway it starts calling. Obviously it is now the Hawk’s turn at observation of where this other animal stays when not peering into his life since late April. LOL One of them has even flown between the house and an outbuilding a few times….gliding by and looking at the open arches and windows. So cool.

HAMMOCK HAWK?

Looking downhill about a week ago I noticed one of the immature Hawks slowly circling the site where most of the observations of the nest were performed. It was slowly circling then suddenly, swooped down and landed on the wooden crossbar of the hammock and started swinging. I KID YOU NOT! Unbelievable, here’s this young raptor holding on and swinging on the hammock. Following about 45 seconds of that it took off for another adventure somewhere else.

Well I’m going to get outside….hope you all have a great weekend,

My best to you and yours, Lew

Thought this might be a better way to document the development of a neighborhood family of Red Tail Hawks. I will post the most recent material at the top of the list. Mr. & Mrs. Hawk nest sitting.