Here we go again...the Red-shouldered Hawks of Tingsgrove and Beyond have begun their nesting season and the hoping and long weeks of waiting have begun.
As I said in an earlier post the female surprised me a few weeks ago when I was out in my garden and never knew that she was perched near her old tree, the one that I always pray she will come back to. When her mate flew in with a meal, she met him in another tree on the grove and that was the end of it for our land, once again...
I knew after checking over all of my yearly journals that they had to be getting close to breeding time and tree selection, but where? It was eerily silent except for hearing them from a distance. On Friday the 23 rd of March, I had just about given up hope of locating the nest sight prior to the spring canopy of leaves forming. I was actually on my way home and I spotted it. An absolutely beautiful parcel of land with a pond, and lovely woodland trees and some really great landowners. However, it is a full 9 acres away from home and located just off of a busy two lane road. Lots of people walk their dogs, run bike along these roads, not to mention the cars, yet this is their way, and it has worked a long time before I ever came along.
I mentioned the neighbors...wow what great friends I have made over the years in following this pair of hawks. Each family involved is very excited about the nest and looking forward to a great outcome.
I want to take this time to thank Kelley, DeAnn, and David, along with their 3 families for allowing me time to walk upon this land, to observe, take journal entries, photographs, and share in this wonderful 12 week long process...
When at first I locate a nest sight, then I immediately make contact with the landowners, to make sure they are not Bird of Prey haters...many people are, and I am always relieved when I find out that they enjoy the hawks also.
This shall be my first entry of many I hope.
So many things can happen, infertile eggs, eggs that do not thrive, Great Horned Owls, Raccoons, high winds and heavy rains...so many things of nature factor in to having a successful season.
There are many new followers this year that do not know what others may recall, when I say, there were two nesting attempts last year and both of them failed following heavy storms...and that is not something that I would want to see happen again...
not this season~
As I said in an earlier post the female surprised me a few weeks ago when I was out in my garden and never knew that she was perched near her old tree, the one that I always pray she will come back to. When her mate flew in with a meal, she met him in another tree on the grove and that was the end of it for our land, once again...
I knew after checking over all of my yearly journals that they had to be getting close to breeding time and tree selection, but where? It was eerily silent except for hearing them from a distance. On Friday the 23 rd of March, I had just about given up hope of locating the nest sight prior to the spring canopy of leaves forming. I was actually on my way home and I spotted it. An absolutely beautiful parcel of land with a pond, and lovely woodland trees and some really great landowners. However, it is a full 9 acres away from home and located just off of a busy two lane road. Lots of people walk their dogs, run bike along these roads, not to mention the cars, yet this is their way, and it has worked a long time before I ever came along.
I mentioned the neighbors...wow what great friends I have made over the years in following this pair of hawks. Each family involved is very excited about the nest and looking forward to a great outcome.
I want to take this time to thank Kelley, DeAnn, and David, along with their 3 families for allowing me time to walk upon this land, to observe, take journal entries, photographs, and share in this wonderful 12 week long process...
When at first I locate a nest sight, then I immediately make contact with the landowners, to make sure they are not Bird of Prey haters...many people are, and I am always relieved when I find out that they enjoy the hawks also.
This shall be my first entry of many I hope.
So many things can happen, infertile eggs, eggs that do not thrive, Great Horned Owls, Raccoons, high winds and heavy rains...so many things of nature factor in to having a successful season.
There are many new followers this year that do not know what others may recall, when I say, there were two nesting attempts last year and both of them failed following heavy storms...and that is not something that I would want to see happen again...
not this season~
I
am also linking with World Bird Wednesday, please visit other birding
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too cute, tucked down into that nesting site! glad you are able to document their progress - and i hope they will be successful this year!
ReplyDeleteMary, awesome shots of the Hawk and its nest. Great post and fantastic photos.
ReplyDeleteWow! Terrific set of images, and I love your collages. I'm hoping for the best of outcomes with your Hawks!
ReplyDeleteLovely raptor nesting, great photos.
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely wonderful that you are capturing these birds in their nesting habitat, Mary. Great shots of them and the environment around them. Love those redbud trees. Mine are still blooming and they are gorgeous. I wish they could stay that way all season. Thanks for dropping by - gave me an opportunity to see your collages and your interests. ~ Sue
ReplyDeleteComprehensive coverage. The nest is perfectly camouflaged...Thomas
ReplyDeletewonderful images - and story of the circle of continuing life. These are such beautiful creatures. I am glad they have found a sanctuary and you are able to observe them.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the beautiful purple flowering tree - so lovely.
Thank you Mary for stopping by my blog. I tried to log into you yesterday through Mosaic Monday - but for some reason I kept getting an error message.
Have a wonderful week.
My fingers are crossed that these two beautiful Red-shouldered Hawks will have a successful year. From viewing your fabulous photos, it looks like they selected quite a cozy spot for their nest. How fortunate you are that the land owners will allow you to observe the pair on their property. Looking forward to future hawk updates and more lovely images!
ReplyDeleteHow fascinating to see that through your eyes, Mary. I'm looking forward to the emergence of the new family. Hope you're doing well.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news Mary .... now my fingers are crossed for the next 12 weeks.
ReplyDeleteIt's always wonderful to watch nests of any birds! And the touch of color from the redbud trees really makes a pretty photo! Enjoy your week! ♥
ReplyDeleteThere's a nest about 40 yards from our house, but I can't get a good clean capture of it. I could watch these beautiful creatures all day.
ReplyDeleteSo excited you must be to have this wonderful opportunity.
ReplyDeleteYour shots are wonderful!
Look forward to following the season with you.
Beautiful shots, Mary! I hope the nesting is a success this year! Look forward to the photos.
ReplyDeleteWell done in finding that nest again Mary. With all those trees in many acres it can't be an easy job. Good news that the landowners are bird lovers too and hopefully keep an eye on the hawks. Great collages again.
ReplyDeleteExciting to see this hawks nest!
ReplyDeleteGreat post for WBW!
Hi Mary,
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for the hawks, a stunning bird brought to life by your photos.
There are a lot of bird of prey haters in the U.K. too, hence the demise of the Hen Harrier, shot to near extinction as a breeding bird in England! If only people could just appreciate their beauty!
J
Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES
Wow, beautiful photos! You got some really great shots! I hope you have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteGreat series!! I can't belief that people hate birds of prey, they're just part of nature. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Mary. Love your mosaics! Love the hidden nest and the redbuds are breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jann
How exciting -- I hope they are successful in the next 12 weeks. Looking forward to your posts. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots of the nest.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finding the nest. It's wonderful that you have met so many friends in this area making it possible for you to follow the hawk pair's story.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! Wonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds - and trees! Hope the best for the hawks this season.
ReplyDeleteNice captures. Hope the hawks do well. It looks like flowering plums in the woods. Pretty.
ReplyDelete