Raptors Galore

Spring time love making among the raptors is at an all-time high—or so it seems The red-shouldered hawks are paired off and making babies all over the place. I spotted my first Cooper’s Hawk. So cool. This one was alone, I think, and sighted near the Peterson Regional Medical Center. Then there was the Osprey, hunting on Lake Nimitz last week and the tough little American Kestrel near G Street a few days later. Raptors galore.

Cooper’s Hawk

They commonly nest in urban/suburban areas so this might’ve been part of a nesting couple.

Most frequently, I’m seeing the aerobatic flights of red-shouldered hawk couples and hawks carrying kills back to their partners. Nesting season is in full swing and I’m assuming the sightings are males are bringing food to their females who are guarding the nest. Chicks should be hatching soon.

March 10

One of two red-shouldered hawks seen near Louise Hays Dam.

March 2

One of two red-shouldered hawks seen along the river trail near Dietert Center.

The hawks tend to return to the same nests year after year, so it’s important to leave the nests alone. Plus, we don’t want to mess with the cute little hawklets about to be born. OK, they aren’t called hawklets. They’re called eyas (eyases for plural references). But I like hawklets. Maybe it’ll will catch on.

After about six weeks, the hawklets will fledge, but they’ll remain dependent on their parents until they’re about 18 weeks old. I can’t wait to see some babies!