TALES FROM THE NEST PART 3 – 4/6-4/8

4/6

As I take up my station this morning I find Mamma sitting on a stout branch just above and to the right of the nest. 

  

 No babies visible this morning.  I have only an hour to spend at the nest this morning, and just as I am about to leave I am rewarded with the top of a downy little head just barely visible over the edge of the nest.

 I leave Mamma to her guard duty. 

4/7 – My schedule makes it impossible to visit the nest today.

4/8 – No babies visible today as I pull up to my spot—only Mamma who is sitting on the nest

  

 Winds are gusting between 10-15 mph, and there was a light rain earlier in the morning.  I am guessing this is enough to prompt mom to keep the babies warm and dry. 

As I watch I spot a Red-tailed Hawk that comes zooming in on a direct beeline toward the nest.  As it reaches the outermost branches of the big old pine tree that holds the nest it suddenly spots the occupants and does a quick “Abort Mission”.  It circles the nest about three times and then flies off to a tree across the road to think the situation over.  Could this be one of the hawks that built the nest last year?  Perhaps—but if so, it had a big surprise waiting for it this year.

  

Our hawk takes off from its safe retreat and circles the pine tree twice this time.  It apparently decides that it wants no part of what’s in that nest, and flies off. 

I watch for a while longer but see no activity.  Several of the neighbors stop to chat and ask about what’s going on in the nest.  I hand out several photos and then decide it’s time to leave.

Check again soon for more Tales From The Nest

Submitted by Gay Schroer, World Bird Sanctuary Volunteer/Photographer