BIRDS OF A FEATHER FOUR

Behind our house, in the middle of the golf course is an evergreen tree (not sure what kind- fir, spruce?) with a very large nest sitting at the very top. Chuck had noticed it a while ago and brought it to my attention.

In the last 2 weeks that nest has been the site of some exciting activity.  We have a breeding pair of Red-tailed Hawks that have taken up residence.

Chuck and I have been keeping a close eye on the goings on with binoculars. One of the birds (I assume the female) has actually been sitting down inside the nest, which leads me to assume she has already laid eggs. 

When Becca was here last week, we were out walking the course in the late afternoon and saw 3 elementary school age boys hanging around the tree and staring up at the nest.  Then one boy started climbing the tree.   I started freaking out, fearing he was going to upset the pair and they would abandon the nest.  Unfortunately, we were to far away to do anything about it.  Luckily, the boy's tree climbing skills were sub par, or he thought better about it, because after he had climbed up 10 or 12 feet, he gave up and climbed back down.

We were so worried that the pair had been frightened away that we have been watching the nest closely. We were so relieved to see the pair return to the nest. We are hoping to view the raising of their chicks.

Not everyone is thrilled with the residence of this new family.

The local Magpie population must have nests around the area as well, and are being ever vigilant to keep the hawks away from their nesting sites.