We now live in a condo in Decatur (Atlanta area), Georgia. It is a heavily wooded complex. Outside our unit is an even more heavily wooded area, about half a block big. In there about 150 feet high in a pine tree some Red-Shouldered Hawks built a nest and raised four birds to fledgling stage. I have no idea how they got safely out of the nest that high without being able to fly yet, but they did. They learned to fly inside that area as of a couple of days ago.
It's been a one of a kind experience for me and some others. We have listened to their vocalizing get stronger and stronger, though it is still more of a whistle than a scream. I have watched two hopping from branch to branch before they could fly. I have watched them practice flying. The other morning one was flying back and forth from one very tall tree to another. This morning I saw three of them flying together from outside that area back inside. I don't know how long their parents will allow them to stay now that they can fly, but it's been awesome to watch this and listen to it.
It's not possible to get inside that area, because it's about 40 feet deep with steep sides. I haven't been able to get any images worth anything except to me because the birds spend most of their time so high. But this photo is one that was very high up before it started hopping even higher in the tree.
Posted by Dennis Plank on July 21, 2018 at 9:37 PM
Nice story, Barbara, and it must be a lot of fun to watch. I know we get a lot of fun watching the young birds develop at our place and they don't take anywhere near as long as hawks.
Discussion
2 repliesIt's been a one of a kind experience for me and some others. We have listened to their vocalizing get stronger and stronger, though it is still more of a whistle than a scream. I have watched two hopping from branch to branch before they could fly. I have watched them practice flying. The other morning one was flying back and forth from one very tall tree to another. This morning I saw three of them flying together from outside that area back inside. I don't know how long their parents will allow them to stay now that they can fly, but it's been awesome to watch this and listen to it.
It's not possible to get inside that area, because it's about 40 feet deep with steep sides. I haven't been able to get any images worth anything except to me because the birds spend most of their time so high. But this photo is one that was very high up before it started hopping even higher in the tree.