JKNatureGallery.com
2009 Red-Tailed Hawk News
Archive January 1, 2009 - January 31, 2009
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January 1-3: We didn't search for our hawk family on these days.
January 4: Mama and Papa seem to be starting to spend more time in close proximity. The pair was sitting next to each
other this afternoon for over an hour on their favorite tall apartment complex.
January 5-6: We didn't search for our hawk family on these days.
January 7: Papa was circling over the central section of his territory late this morning apparently on patrol as opposed to
hunting. After he left the area to the West from the East the third fledgling appeared and flew through the same general
area exiting to the Northwest.
January 8: A Coopers hawk was on the hunt late this morning as it was chasing Pigeons in the central section of Mama
and Papa's territory. All the birds and Squirrels took off as the Coopers hawk made some fast maneuvers overhead. The
Cooper left to the Southwest. There was also a very brief appearance of a large bird, either a Turkey Vulture or possibly
an Eagle soaring in the distant North section of Mama and Papa's territory, it disappeared from sight quickly. Without
binoculars we couldn't make a positive identification.
January 9: Mama and Papa were flying together in the Eastern section of their territory mid-afternoon today. Early in the
evening, we spotted Mama all settled in on her favorite fire escape.
January 10: Late this morning a Cooper's hawk once again was on the hunt in a high speed stoop chasing something
beyond our sight off to the West.
January 11: We didn't search for our hawk family today. However, we did see the Red-tailed hawk that has its territory
around the Clearview Expressway near Northern Boulevard.
January 12: On a brief search we found one of our hawk parents today sitting on the railing of an office building in the
area near the 2007 nest.
January 13: Two Cooper's hawks were in the central section of Mama and Papas' territory today having what appeared to
be a good time in some Cedar trees. They postured, flapped their wings, bounced around from branch to branch for a
while before flying off to the West together and out of sight. One of the Cooper's happed to be a juvenile, we weren't able
to determine if the other Cooper was mature or juvenile.
January 14: One of our hawk parents was soaring over the Van Wyck Expressway near the nest from the 2007 season
this afternoon. I wasn't able to identify if it was Mama or Papa due to the angle of the sun and the numerous trees that
obscured the view.
January 15: Late this morning the Cooper's hawk returned and was hunting in the central section of Mama and Papa's
territory. Later in the afternoon Mama, Papa and Fledgling three appeared together in the central section of their territory.
They didn't stay very long as they all flew off to the West and disappeared from view behind a tall building. Mama and Papa
did appear to be politely chasing fledgling three as if to say it's time for you to find your own territory and mate. I have
archived the recent news from the month of December, it can always be accessed via the News Archives.
January 16-22: Mama and Papa were together everyday during this time frame. They are spending significant time
soaring together and when not in flight they are within close proximity to one another. On a number of occasions we
spotted them flying close together (within a foot or two) in perfect unison making identical flight maneuvers. The third
fledgling from this past season also made an appearance on the 21st as she followed Mama and Papa to the Western
section of their territory.
January 23: Mama and Papa spent some time in the Eastern section of their territory today. Once again they flew close
together in an Easterly direction just above the tree canopy in perfect tandem. Eventually, they both returned to the central
section near last seasons nest location.
January 24: Mama and Papa spent time in the late morning today just East of the central section of their territory. They
both flew very low exploring the vicinity just above the roof tops of the many homes in the area. Papa was siting in an Oak
tree near last seasons nest. Mama was nearby in another Oak tree that they use frequently to eat their meals. She had just
arrived with a Squirrel in her talons. The Squirrel was bent over backwards with its head near its rear legs as it most likely
suffered a broken back. After a few moments Mama started eating her catch, while she was eating Papa flew off to the East
and circled back to a White Pine tree very near the Oak tree he had previously occupied. Eventually Mama and Papa flew
off together to the West in the direction of the previous seasons nest location. The two of them engaged in tumbling flight
maneuvers for a few minutes before they disappeared from sight to the South. Shortly after loosing sight of Mama and
Papa the third fledgling appeared from the East and followed after them.
January 25: Papa was sitting high up in one of his favorite two Tulip trees this afternoon. Further to the East about 100
yards away Mama was sitting in an Oak tree. Papa spotted something and made a short, fast stoop in Mama's direction
and landed in a tree a bit to her East. We couldn't see what he was doing as our vision was obscured by some large trees.
As I went to get a better angle of view I noticed Papa landing in a Pine tree very close to last seasons nest location, he
caught a Squirrel and was getting himself situated to eat. He was now only about 50 feet away from Mama as she watched
Papa with his Squirrel. Mama eventually turned around into the direction of the sun and decided to take a short flight from
the Southwest, around to the East then circling back to where she started landing high up in the other Tulip tree next to the
Oak tree she had vacated a few moments earlier. Once Papa finished his meal they both flew off to the East together
briefly landing in a mature Oak tree sitting next to each other before continuing on to patrol the Eastern section of their
territory. As we left for the day Mama and Papa returned to the central section near the previous seasons nest site where
they sat across the roadway from one another. I have added some new images of Mama and Papa from January 15th and
a number of new images from today in the Raptor Gallery on page 32.
January 26: We were not able to search for our hawk family today. However, I did see one of the hawks very briefly as it
was in a fast, low stoop about 15 feet above the ground as it disappeared behind a house. It must have been sitting in a
tree or on a street lamp. I quickly went to look for it to see if it captured anything but couldn't find it anywhere. I have added
some new images of Mama and Papa from January 15th and a number of new images from today in the Raptor Gallery on
page 32.
January 27: At two different times early this afternoon both Mama and Papa took turns sitting on one of their favorite
chimneys on a tall apartment complex in the center of their territory. Later in the afternoon a Cooper's hawk also sat on this
same chimney for about ten minutes before flying off to the West. We weren't able to locate our hawk family later in the
day. I have added some new images of Mama and Papa from January 15th and a number of new images from today in the
Raptor Gallery on page 32.
January 28-29: We didn't search for our hawk family on these days.
January 30: In the late morning a Cooper's hawk was chasing Pigeons in the central section of Mama and Papa's territory.
In the mid afternoon Mama was sitting on one of her favorite chimneys in the central section of her territory for about 30
minutes.
January 31: All three members of our hawk family were flying in the central section of their territory. The third fledgling
from last season is still in the area. Mama and Papa are becoming more protective of their territory in the general area
surrounding the central section where they have constructed many of their prior seasons nests. On a number of occasions
they have been patrolling and vocalizing at other raptors that are passing through their territory.