March 16, 2014

3/16, Brooding at J. Hood Wright Park

Now in their third nesting season, the red-tailed hawks at J. Hood Wright Park in Washington Heights have wasted no time. This go-round, they are in line with other area nest schedules rather than running a week or two behind.

Checking the nest late Sunday afternoon, I was cautiously coming to the decision that I could just barely see a hawk in the nest, when another hawk landed on the railing above the nest.

Red-Tailed Hawk and Nest (6559)

It appeared to be the female returning from a meal break.

Red-Tailed Hawk (6566)

She looked around for half a minute, waiting for the male to get out of the nest. A switch-off was in progress.

Red-Tailed Hawk (6567)

Whoa. Nice belly band on that guy.

Red-Tailed Hawks and Nest (6569)

And then he was off and gone, while she hopped into the nest. Aside from what might have been an egg-turning about 15 minutes later, there was no further activity before I had to leave.

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