Camera Trapping Hawks

For the past three or four years that the Red-shouldered hawks have been nesting alongside my school, I have wanted to capture them on camera trap. Questions were always present in regards to feasibility (climbing eucalyptus trees) and most importantly, disturbance of the animals. Because of these obstacles, there have not been any realistic attempts to set cameras.

This June, that finally changed. Ever since the kiddos left the nest, they have been chilling in a hillside grove of eucalyptus and oak trees on the other side of our school.

It was a windy morning when one of our PE teachers noticed a couple of them hanging out on the ground and quickly alerted myself and chum Ryan (a should be blog contributor).

Upon investigating the area, he discovered the hawk had been snacking on a snake, which appears to be a CA King.

A camera was deployed and the hawk "performed" beautifully.

showing its mug

Feathered Friday

A new feature as we have run dry of coyote images. !

I was stoked this spring to see the return of the Red-shouldered Hawks to their nest by my school.

Their adventures have been chronicled here over the years, with last year's duel with the owls a truly fascinating experience. It unfortunately resulted in disaster for both birds. The hawks did not nest successfully and I learned through Wildcare that the owlets that fledged did not survive very long.

Three young hawks fledged this week and have been gliding and screeching over the hill above campus, thrilling students and staff alike.

More to come from this crew next Friday...

The Battle for Las Gallinas

Las Gallinas used to be the type of creek where you could raise a family in peace.

photo by Joan Robbins

There was always plenty of food to go around for everyone.

photo by Joan Robbins

And it was safe for kids to play out on the branches until the sun came down.
 

Then a new crew came around. When you're off hunting, these yo-yos take over your place and are hooting about squatter's rights.

But at heart they're decent folk too -- just trying to raise a family!

Of course once someone starts to gripe, word spreads quick and folk get murder-crazy.

Photo by Joan Robbins

And when the kiddos want to stand up and stretch their wings...

BAD THINGS HAPPEN

 

The UN comes in, the fighting begins to quell and things return to normal.

 

A year passes and calm remains -- perhaps even harmony?
The Bubos are back at their squat, while the Buteos have built up a modest home. Even the crows tend to their own business. However...

Keeping the watch

 

"Where the offense is, let the great axe fall"

The Buteos struck back this morning, knocking three owlets to the ground. Wildcare is on the case again, with plans to return the owlets to the nest tonight.

Stay tuned for more from the front lines. 

away from their nest, an owl parent looks on

All photos by Christian Naventi unless otherwise noted

Big Ups to

Joan Robbins

William Shakespeare

Wildcare

Las Gallinas Creek

Across the parking lot from my school lies a creek and walking path. The path is lined with towering Eucalyptus, whose eerie creaking sounds continually bring surprise and confusion among the students during outdoor activities.

In one of the most magnificent trees, a pair of Red-shouldered Hawks have been nesting for several years. Last spring, myself and a few other resident bird nuts at school followed the raptor pair and their young until fledging with a great, simple joy.

Recently, we have been speculating on the return of this faithful pair and another round of young.

Tuesday I arrived at work and immediately spied a group of birders with monstrous lenses trained upon the nesting tree.

"Aha," I cried, "the hawks are back!"

I sprint-walked towards the group and expected the confirmation of my thoughts.

"A Great Horned is squattin'," replied one of the birders.

Great Horned Owls do not make their own nests and are one of the earliest nesting birds, beginning as early as January. This combination allows them to take advantage of the "abandoned" nests previously used by birds that have yet to migrate back for nesting season.

Two owlets have been seen in the nest, with one appearing stronger and fiestier than the other.

How did this development impact the hawks? Well, they have traveled 50 feet down the path and have been building a new nest.

The spring shall be an exciting one along Las Gallinas Creek.