June 1. Once again we restored the Hawkcam a couple times today, unfortunately it went off-line again. There is definitely a problem with the router and we don't have time to swap it out and reconfigure it prior to the youngster leaving. The timing for hardware failure is terrible with only a few days to go as the hawks are leave the nest. This morning it appeared the remaining sibling had a full crop, however, when I looked into the nest bowl there was no food left at all. This evening the younger sibling is still on the nest. I did not observe any feedings today and we still have not found the fledgling. I hope tomorrow will provide more clues as to the whereabouts of the fledgling, maybe a call to the parents or the parents delivering some food. New photos have been added to page 13 I will soon archive the Recent News for the month of May, it can always be referenced through the Red Tail Hawk News Archive Contents
June 2. Hopefully the Hawkcam situation is now resolved. Mama visited her youngster on the nest at 2pm for almost an hour, then she flew over to the camera a stayed there for some time. Papa was sitting not very far away on a nearby air conditioner, I assume he was watching the fledgling. On a visit to the site I could hear the fledgling calling out to its parents although I could not locate it. At 4:45pm Mama delivered food tot he nest and shared a meal with her youngster, she left around 5pm. My wife located the fledgling at 5:20pm by following the panicked squirrels and Cardinals in the area. The fledgling was sitting just above the squirrel nest. The Cardinals let the youngster know they were not happy it was there and forced it away to another tree and then another portion of the building. He stayed there a very long time preening and being observant. The fledgling then flew under the nest and across the parkway to a tall tree and settled in even though the Blue Jays complained they eventually left him alone. The other sibling is still on the nest tonight. New photos have been added to page 14 I will soon archive the Recent News for the month of May, it can always be referenced through the Red Tail Hawk News Archive Contents
June 3. At 11am this morning the youngster was alone on the nest and from 12:30 to 12:45 was very active flapping its wings. It looked like a possible fledge attempt, but not this time. On a field trip to the nest at 11:30am the fledgling was resting on the top ledge of a lower portion of the building near the nest for over an hour. Another field trip from 3 to 5pm in the rain we found the fledgling on a lower roof and air units. Mama came over briefly and then flew off to a nearby tree for protection from the rain. It seemed she was attempting to entice her youngster into the tree with her but he stayed in the rain. At 7pm Papa delivered food to the nest and stayed a few minutes, the youngster mantled over the food while Papa stayed. About 15 minutes later Mama came to the nest and shared the meal with her youngster. Mama stayed about 15 minutes and left. Around 9pm this evening the light above the nest went out for over an hour and eventually came back on. During this time the camera view was a dark red color with a dark silhouette of the baby sitting on the left side of the nest. All is normal now and the youngster is very wet as the heavy rain continues to fall New photos have been added to page 14 The May news has been archived and can be located via the Red Tail Hawk News Archive Contents I have posted two new images on the photo highlights page 14 of the fledgling taken Sunday June 3rd as it sat on a section of the building to the West of the nest location.
June 4. The remaining youngster was rain soaked and alone this morning until 3:30pm. Both parents delivered three meals to the nest today within 45 minutes. Mama stayed on the nest for a while, Papas visits were very brief. The third meal was originally offered to the fledgling but it did not take it quick enough so Mama delivered it to the nest. We spent the last half of the afternoon at the nest location. The fledgling stayed in a very small area near the nest. Papa made a spectacular high speed stoop attempting to catch a Pigeon in flight, he missed by inches. By the end of the day the youngster in the nest was well fed and dry. The fledgling was safe sitting on a support pipe on the building. Mama and Papa were patrolling the area looking for a final meal for the day. New photos have been added to page 15 The May news has been archived and can be located via the Red Tail Hawk News Archive Contents I have posted two new images on the photo highlights page 14 of the fledgling taken Sunday June 3rd as it sat on a section of the building to the West of the nest location.
June 5. Today was filled with plenty of excitement. The youngster was in the nest this morning with Mama. It seemed Mama was really working on getting her young one out of the nest today with some interesting posturing between the two. At 1pm or so we had a second fledging. A quick call and the folks at the building and they promptly checked to make sure it did not get tangled in the razor wire. We continued to look for the fledgling, eventually one of the officers noticed it low to the ground on a railing. There were many people, cars and noisy traffic from the expressway at rush hour that seemed to confuse the fledgling. To our dismay we watched as the fledgling jump onto the street and walked under a parked car only to come out the front end toward street traffic. Luckily it made a quick "U" turn and headed into a walk-way over the expressway. The fledging attempted to fly but did not get off the ground. We stopped some folks from crossing the walk-way so as not to panic the youngster we didn't want it to go down onto the expressway. Fortunately, after a few minutes itit decided to fly toward our direction away from the expressway and landed on a stop sign to rest and gather its thoughts. From there it went into some very dense trees a short distance away, a very safe area. It stayed there for a few hours and probably over night. Its sibling was still on the roof it has claimed for itself, it stays low and out of sight most of the day. Mama and Papa are in the area keeping a watchful eye on their family. New photos have been added to page 15 I will post todays photographs of the fledglings by Noon tomorrow in the Raptors photo gallery page 4
June 6. It took nearly four hours today before I found the second fledgling doing just fine on top of local apartment building chimney. The other fledgling was eating what appeared to be a rat on top of a window air conditioner unit well over 80 feet above the ground. For almost four hours it stayed in the same spot taking in the afternoon sun on this cool and breezy day. Both Mama and Papa were very active during this time hunting and flying over their family to make sure they were doing well. Mama and Papa were working together at times pursuing Pigeons. One would panic and disperse the Pigeons and the other hawk would come from the opposite direction and try to catch a Pigeon in mid-flight. They did not seem to be very determined to make a catch but came very close a few times using this tactic. I was not able to get any up close images since both fledglings didn't leave their very high perches while I was in the field. I will post the best of what I captured in the Raptors photo gallery page 4 Hopefully tomorrow will provide better opportunities.
June 7. The officers in the area found the second fledgling as I first came to the area today. They were concerned that it was injured. The fledgling was on the ground walking awkwardly and its wings were moving strangely. However, nothing was wrong and I explained that it was just out of the nest and learning on its own for the first time and we just need to leave it alone and not interfere or spook the fledgling. Many could not believe that it was only eight weeks old today. The awkwardness was due to walking on a hill in very heavy ground cover loosing its balance many times, it uses its wings to re-balance itself. It flew to an area of weeds chasing insects. Eventually it hopped onto a low retaining wall, then a low shrub, I had to ask some pedestrians to please walk near the curb not to disturb or frighten the young hawk, they politely obliged. The fledgling then flew off around the corner and landed on a parked SUV roof rack and rested for a bit. It then flew into a nearby tree. Its sibling was resting in the sun on the top of an area building. Both are doing just fine and we hope this continues. I would like to see the second fledgling stay off the ground a bit more. I have added a good number of images from today in the Raptors photo gallery page 5
June 8. Today I arrived late to search for our hawk family, I had spent most of the day working on and installing the "Urban Red-Tailed Hawk" photography exhibit at Queens College in the Benjamin S. Rosenthal Library Rotunda. After 6pm the weather was not very good for photography. We found the two fledglings, Mama and Papa were busy providing them food and keeping an eye on them. The first fledgling was on the same roof as yesterday eating a bird of some sort. The second fledgling was much further away on top of an apartment building about 300 yards to the East, it was also eating. I was not able to get a photo of the second fledgling today. The first fledgling was very vocal and very active flying from the roof to nearby trees and then eating again. Mama and Papa delivered two meals while we were watching. As we were leaving for the evening Mama stayed on top of the building where the nest is located and Papa flew off to the South out of sight. The fledglings remained in their locations. I have added photos to the Raptors photo gallery page 5
June 9. Mama and Papa split duties today watching their family. Mama spent time with the second fledgling and Papa stayed with the first fledgling. There was not much activity today maybe it was the humidity. Papa was eating a Pigeon about 30 feet away from his youngster that continues to stay on the same building roof the past few days. Mama was watching her youngster eat about 300 yards East of the nest on the roof of an apartment building. They both stayed in these separate locations for over 5 hours. Just as we were leaving to go home Mama moved to the top of the building where the nest is located and Papa was circling over Mama. I have added photos from today on Raptors photo gallery page 5 and Raptors photo gallery page 6
June10. Papa fed the second fledgling today around 5:30pm. He landed on a railing with a rat, shortly after the fledgling flew up to Papa from behind and took the rat from his talons (see photo on raptors gallery page 6) The first fledgling has started to hunt on its own, or at least try. It spent most of the afternoon in the trees for the first time watching all the abundant prey. At one point the fledgling landed in a tree only to have a squirrel challenge it, the squirrel had a nest in that tree and was defending its territory. The fledgling did not back off and spread its wings (see photo on raptors gallery page 6) only to have the squirrel jump into his face. That was enough for the fledgling and he flew off to a nearby street lamp. I have added new photos from today in the Raptors photo gallery page 6
June11. The second fledgling spent the late afternoon on top of its favorite apartment building roof. The first fledgling was very alert and active trying to hunt again today. At one point it spent some time on the ground playing joyfully with the twigs, rocks and a plastic cup that should have been placed in a trash container. The fledgling was tearing apart the plastic cup, we were very concerned that it would swallow the material, thankfully it did not. When we left for the day the fledgling had not eaten and was sitting in a tall tree out of the rain. Papa was sitting on a tall office building with a view of both fledglings, Mama was near the nest, also with a view of her family. I have added new images to Raptors photo gallery page 6 and Raptors photo gallery page 7. To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 12. Today the two siblings spent a significant amount of time together about 35 feet up in a tree for the first time since they left the nest. They appeared to be very comfortable back together again. They rolled their heads upside down many times checking each other out. Mama stayed nearby in the same tree for a while as Papa was on top of a tall office building watching his territory from the West. The two siblings took turns flying around and attempting to hunt. Neither of them was successful but came close a couple times. The second fledgling was reported to be on the ground this afternoon and some of the folks that work nearby thought it was not able to fly or possibly injured. The youngster tends to run, hop and look awkward when its on the ground giving the impression it cannot take off and fly. The fledgling is fine and is very strong in flight. We just need to leave it alone, give it space and not interfere with its progress maturing. The fledgling also tends to play and amuse itself while on the ground tossing twigs and rocks in the air it also pounces on bugs. Later in the afternoon it was back on the ground hunting a squirrel that kept escaping under a dense shrub. The fledgling made a number of runs on the ground in an attempt to catch the squirrel and eventually gave up deciding to sit high in an Oak tree instead. I have added a number of photos from today in the Raptors photo gallery page 7. To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 13. A very gloomy day for photography and not very much activity from our hawk family. Both fledglings are doing well. One sat on a parking sign for a long time and the other spent time on an apartment building roof prior to moving to a tree near its sibling. Mama and Papa joined their family on a nearby roof around 6:30pm and delivered a meal. Mama and Papa left and continued to hunt for another meal, I decided to leave for the evening as it started to drizzle and the light was very poor for additional photography. I have added a couple new photos to the Raptors photo gallery page 8. To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 14. Both fledglings spent time near each other today. Mama fed them around 4pm, the second fledgling was finishing the meal on a condenser located on a roof. The first fledgling spent time in a couple Cherry trees before being harassed by an Oriole. The fledgling moved to an Oak tree where it stayed for over two hours, took a short flight and then found a place in another Oak tree for the evening. The second fledgling found a spot a 100 yards away in another Oak tree. I have added photos to theRaptors photo gallery page 8. To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 15. Both fledglings stayed in the same general area today. They also both spent a good amount of time sitting, relaxing and being very alert to all that moved around them. On a number of separate occasions they both chased after squirrels with no success. Mama and Papa were in the area making sure all was well with their family. When I left this evening both youngsters settled into their favorite trees for the night. I have added photos to theRaptors photo gallery page 8. To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 16. I was only able to spend a short time in the mid afternoon watching our fledglings. They both were not very active as the sun was very strong today. The second fledgling spent time high in an Oak tree and the first spent time under a staircase roof. Papa spent his time breaking off dead branches from an Oak tree and constructing a small nest like structure on a window air conditioner. Mama did not appear while we were observing our hawk family today. I have added photos to theRaptors photo gallery page 8. To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 17. Both fledgling spent a good amount of time staying out of the heat this afternoon. They both did get some practice hunting squirrels, neither one had any success. However, they did come close a couple times. After this activity they would each retreat to the shade of a large tree. Mama was circling high in the sky, it did not seem that she was hunting just taking in the sights of her territory. One of the fledglings called out to her but she did not come to her fledgling. We did not see Papa today. I have added photos to theRaptors photo gallery page 8 and Raptors gallery page 9 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 18. Both fledglings rested this afternoon and stayed out of the hot sun. Late in the afternoon it cooled off and the two fledglings became very active chasing squirrels. They even hunted different squirrel at the same time criss crossing each other in the air as they hunted in the same area. Mama was around for the later part of the afternoon but we did not see Papa today, we have not seen him since Saturday, we hope he is ok. Both fledglings spent some time on the ground today. One playing with broken twigs and the other after missing a squirrel capture. Neither hawk stayed on the ground very long and flew off to a nearby tree. Mama was sitting in her favorite spot this evening watching over her family when we left for the day. I have added photos to the Raptors gallery page 9 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 19. Both fledglings rested most of the afternoon as the humidity seemed to slow them down a bit. Fledgling one was the most active, mid afternoon it chased a squirrel that ran up a nearby branch. Later in the afternoon it flew around briefly and came back to an Oak tree and the shade. Mama stopped by late in the afternoon to check on her family, she did not deliver any food. Both fledglings became excited when she arrived. The first fledgling landed in a nearby tree when Mama arrived only to have a squirrel immediately defended its nest with a crazy dive, it landing on the fledglings back who never seen the squirrel approach. The fledgling took off totally startled by the attack landing in another nearby tree, all was fine. Papa finally appeared for the first time since I had observed him last Saturday. He arrived around 7:45pm with Mama, it was good to see him. I have added photos to the Raptors gallery page 9 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 20. Not much activity this afternoon. The two fledglings stayed out of sight until early evening. Mama delivered a small bird to the first fledgling around 7pm. Both parents checked on the locations of their family a number of times today. Fledgling two landed in a small tree about 7:30pm that happened to have a squirrel nest. Both squirrels harassed the young hawk until it left for a more peaceful location, it took a while as the fledgling took interest in the two squirrels. Both fledglings settled in for the evening about 8pm. I have added photos to the Raptors gallery page 9 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 21. Today the second fledgling remained on the roof of a building out of sight and the first fledgling remained in an Oak tree fairly high off the ground. The lighting conditions were not favorable to get many images late this afternoon. A brief but steady rain storm had us all go for cover including our entire hawk family. All of them were fine when we left them early this evening. Hopefully tomorrow will provide more photographic opportunities I have added a couple photos to the Raptors gallery page 10 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 22. Fledgling two spent the afternoon on the roof of a building so I was not able to get any photographs of it today. The first fledgling spent a good amount of time in the trees jumping around, chasing squirrels and preening. Both Mama and Papa were in the area checking on their family. It seemed that fledgling one had eaten before my arrival and the rest of the family enjoyed a meal after 7pm. The entire family was fine when I had left for the day and Papa was finishing his meal that appeared to be a pigeon. I have added a couple photos to the Raptors gallery page 10 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here.
June 23. The second fledgling was flying very strongly today on this very breezy afternoon. It appears that this fledgling is a female. She stayed mostly to the eastern side of the territory. The sibling most likely a male stayed in the general area of their nest. He was very active chasing squirrels. On one attempt he almost caught a squirrel. He swooped low to the ground approaching from the rear and grabbed the squirrel enough to flip it completely over. As the young hawk turned sharply for a second chance the squirrel quickly made it to a tree and escaped. Both parents were around all day watching over their family. All was fine when we left this evening. I have added photos to the Raptors gallery page 10 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this week click here
June 24. Both Mama and Papa spent the late afternoon and early evening with their family. The second fledgling spent a good portion of the later afternoon soaring, the first fledgling spent its time resting. At one point the second fledgling while soaring past directly in front of the moon, a wonderful moment - I posted the photo on the Raptors gallery page 10 Papa added some dead twigs to another air conditioner unit, he has been doing this the past week. Mama and the second fledgling joined him at one point and repositioned the twigs. I have added photos from today to the Raptors gallery page 10 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this week click here
June 25. Mama spent the afternoon with their family. The second fledgling stayed on rooftops that made it difficult to get a good photograph. The first fledgling chased squirrels a number of times today and rested in different trees before another try. Early this evening the first fledgling settled down on a concrete decorative element for a longer rest. Mama settled in on a high vantage point with a view of her family. Papa was not around and the second fledgling was out of my sight when I left today, otherwise all seemed fine. I have added photos from today to the Raptors gallery page 11 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this week click here
June 26. I had arrived late today, both fledglings were sitting on two different lamp posts. The second fledgling worked on a squirrel for a good amount of time. The first fledgling seemed like it had already eaten and was preening and relaxing. Mama was nearby watching over her family, we did not see Papa this evening. The first fledgling attempted a hunt before we left the area for the day, but it missed. Its sibling was staying close and keeping an eye on what the first fledgling was doing. I have added photos from today to the Raptors gallery page 11 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this week click here
June 27. Very heavy rains and thunder storms kept photographing our hawk family to a minimum today. During the half hour I was able to search for the fledglings, I did not see Mama and Papa. Fledgling one was sitting on top of the Hawkcam the entire time. The second fledgling stayed on two different lamp posts for a short time before the severe rain event started. Both fledglings stayed in the open during the storm and were doing fine when I left. I have added photos from today to the Raptors gallery page 11 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this week click here
June 28. It took a while today to find our hawk family. The second fledgling was very active hunting but not successful. A heavy rain and thunder storm rolled in once again today and I had to take cover. Later it cleared enough to look for the other sibling. We found both fledglings together, it appeared they were playing with each other and just having a good time. Another storm threatened so we decided to leave for the day. We did not see Mama or Papa. I have added photos from today to the Raptors gallery page 11 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this past week click here
June 29. Mama and Papa were both in the area watching their young today. Mama ate a meal on a nearby apartment building roof as Papa circled overhead. Both fledglings were taking turns eating a rat together. At first it appeared to be a squirrel, upon closer examination it turned out to be a very large rat. The two fledglings were busy flying and branching late this afternoon. At one point a bunch of teenagers threw a rock at one of the fledglings as it sat on a metal parking sign, the rock hit the sign and not the fledgling. These individuals did not know any better and unfortunately, did not want to know any better. This all happened very quickly, many people intervened with us very promptly and made these people move on and out of the area. In the early evening both fledglings were in a safe place and appeared to be settled in for the evening. I have added photos from today to the Raptors gallery page 11 and Raptors gallery page 12 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this past week click here
June 30. Mama and Papa were both in the area today for a brief time. At one point Mama was harassed by what appeared to be a Kestrel. The lighting late this afternoon was not that great for photography and the fledglings activity was unusually low. The second fledgling was not accounted for today, even a separate and very late search turned up nothing - we hope it is fine as this is the first time we did not observe it at some point since it was born. The first fledgling was doing well and spent the afternoon alone and not very active. Later this evening it was hunting by itself. When the sun went down it went to settle in for the evening on an apartment complex. I have added photos from today to the Raptors gallery page 12 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this past week click here
July 1. A wonderful surprise today, when I checked the Hawkcam at 1:20pm, there sat one of our fledglings visiting its nest. It was very difficult to determine which fledgling returned to the nest, however, it seemed that it was the second fledgling. I had observed the Hawkcam for about 15 minutes when the young hawk stood up, moved around and then took off for a fly. Hopefully we will have more visits back to the nest from time to time. We were able to find both fledglings doing very well today. Mama and Papa were also around providing food and a watchful eye. The second fledgling went dumpster diving today, tearing apart plastic bags and thankfully not swallowing the plastic. She also seems to enjoy landing on parked cars and admiring herself in the windshield. Early in the evening the second fledgling put on a spectacular display of soaring and diving maneuvers on this breezy day. I have added photos from today to the Raptors gallery page 12 To see a photo of the Urban Red-Tailed Hawk photography exhibit click here. To read an article published in the Queens Tribune on my photography and our hawk family this past week click here. To read an article published Sunday July 1st in The New York Times discussing our Briarwood hawk family, my photographs and the West Side hawks click here