It’s 2024. Do you know where your Swainson’s Hawks are?
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February 21
A new crossword puzzle is now available! Click here to download my FREE Project Hawk themed puzzle. No login or checkout required – just download, print and start solving!
I’ve also been working behind the scenes on the Project Hawk website to make things a little more streamlined and easier to navigate, including the ability to now click on a photo for a larger version. Of course, the bigger your screen, the bigger and better the photos look!
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Project Hawk
March 4
I’ve been contemplating some things… Thinking a lot about how the story here on Project Hawk is so very incomplete and how the concept itself is truly an evolving idea.
I based much of the early years’ content on the photos I took, doing my best to set the stage for and tell the story of that moment in time. But what about that time that Mama hawk swooped so close over my head that I could feel the whoosh of air (but have no photo or video or even recall the date). Or when the “feeding tree” (an important part of the Hawks day to day) had to be felled due to disease. These moments are part of the story too but I don’t have dates to record them all here.
Going forward, you can expect the look and feel of Project Hawk to adapt and change. I’ve already made a few aesthetic changes to the site and have many, many ideas for new content swirling in my head. You can also expect more photos and videos to be added throughout, so stay tuned for that!
The other thing I’ve been thinking about is… what happens when Mama hawk doesn’t come back? She undoubtedly is the reason this saga even exists. Will Papa 2023 find a new mate? Will he come back to the ‘hood? Will their offspring (and Mama & pre-2023 Papa’s offspring) come back here to start their own families? How would we even know? So many questions.
No matter what unfolds, I will continue to tell the story here.
April – May
According to the (unofficial) neighbourhood Hawk Watch, Swainson’s have been spotted in the area.
In the morning of May 3, 2024, I spotted a likely candidate sitting on a pole near the usual stomping grounds. I wasn’t able to get out for a closer look but I am happy to know that they are back. It remains to be seen whether it is our Mama hawk and her partner from last year or not.
Stay tuned!
May 19
It’s a dark and rainy May long weekend, and guess who I heard flying overhead today? Yes, I heard them before I saw them – a pair of Swainson’s hawks! And as things always go, the first shots (handheld, no tripod) were not that revealing of who this pair was.
However… I did manage this shot which could possibly be the same Papa hawk from last year. The image is not clear enough to determine if they have a leg band or not so we will have to wait and see…
May 23
As I was chatting with one of the hawk-watching neighbours today, we saw a couple of hawks flying around. They were quite a stretch away from us so I wasn’t able to capture the best photos but we can make some assumptions about what we saw…
“Mama” is darker (a dark morph Swainson’s hawk) and “Papa” looks very similar to last year’s male… just need to confirm the leg band. Also, it would be helpful if the rain would stop for a few days so we can get some good light for photo ops!
In other birding news… a pair of American robins have taken a spot in our lilac tree. No eggs yet.
May 28
While out in the yard today, I spotted a hawk way off in the distance flying over their feeding grounds. They seemed to be sticking around so I grabbed the binoculars. Imagine my surprise when I saw another hawk, and another, and another – all within short side to side movements of the binoculars. Well, what do ya know!
Now I am more curious than ever… Do last year’s brood come back “home” with Mama and Papa? If so, this may explain what I saw last year one time when the babies were out feeding – I am fairly certain there was a third young one nearby feeding at the same time. This made me think there must have been 3 babies last year, not just 2… I am still not completely sold on only 2 babies in 2023.
I will have an opportunity this year to be more present and observant. Any guesses on how many young’uns there will be?
Papa hawk confirmation
June 9
Just by chance I noticed someone on a pole not far from our backyard. I took a chance that I would have time to get the camera and head out to get some shots. And lo and behold, there was Papa.
I have not yet personally seen Mama this year but soon hopefully!
June 28
By this time in the season, it is highly probable that Mama is busy on the nest and that the littles have hatched. This year, I will not go near the nest area to confirm this (as I’ve done in previous years) so as not to add any stress to Mama & Papa. I will be patient and wait for the babies to make their way out into the open.
In the meantime, we’re seeing Papa out and about in the usual spots. I went to the Hill side to get these shots. He definitely had me on his radar!
While taking these photos of Papa, I had taken my glasses off, folded them up and carefully put them in my hoody pocket. When I was done and heading home, I went to put my glasses on but an arm fell off! What the heck! Sigh… so I carried on home and tried to reattach the arm (NOT a standard eyeglasses arm joint). It took me a whole day to finally reattach the arm.
Oh, by the way, if you were wondering about the status of the Robin’s nest: it has long since been abandoned. The magpies kept coming by the first few days, landing in the lilac and checking out the nest – whether or not mama and/or papa were there! Too bad!
A gift
July 13
A fellow hawk watcher picked this up on her walk today. Could it possibly be a Papa feather??? It sure seems likely given the area where she found it is frequented by our local Buteo swainsoni family… however…
I’ve been researching this particular feather’s attributes on The Feather Atlas though finding this exact match is proving difficult… they don’t have any light morph Swainson’s hawk feathers and the best match seems to be a Great Horned Owl? I need to try taking another in flight pic of Papa to see if he’s missing any obvious feathers so we can rule him out as the owner.
Mama hawk confirmation
July 19
Hooray! I finally have photographic proof of Mama hawk. I saw someone perched on one of their regular light standards. Even through the binoculars, it was hard to tell for sure though the bird was very dark, much like Mama. Decided to take a quick drive down that way and sure enough, it was her. I thought for sure Mama would notice me and/or the hawk-watching-mobile but surprisingly, she didn’t seem to even really look my way. Fingers crossed.
By the way, we’re in the middle of a heat wave that’s going to continue a few more days yet. Today’s high was 32°C.
The photos aren’t as clear as I would like since I was still a distance away from her when I took them but here’s your first look at Mama hawk in 2024, enjoy!
July 20
I had this bright idea early today to go for a little bike ride along the pathway. My theory was that if Papa (or Mama) was out hunting, at least I could watch them as they came inland to the nesting area and confirm the location of the nest. It’s hot already (31°C) but I have water with me and I’m not that far from home.
Papa was out there flying over the hunting grounds (at least I think it was Papa – no binoculars or camera on hand to confirm). Oh good, I’ll just ride back and forth along the path until they head nest-ward. I waited and waited and waited and watched while they soared back and forth. Oh, there they go, they got something! Nope, missed. More soaring and soaring and man, I’m getting hot out here.
Finally they made a catch and I knew they would make a pitstop at one of the light poles before heading to the nest. I made my way sort of close to them, thinking I need to be far enough back that I can at least take a video with my phone to show the area they fly to after the pitstop. They didn’t go nest-ward but as I watched, I could hear another hawk calling. I did manage a quick video with my phone to capture the call. Oh, maybe that’s Mama?? OK, let’s go have a look.
Getting to a lower position in the alley was ideal because it was easier to hear and try to follow the calls… or so I thought. I inched along, going this way and that. Oh, it’s coming from over here. No, it’s over there. What the heck, now it’s over here again? I stuck around for a while trying to pinpoint the location but it was just getting too hot. Maybe I’ll try again later.
About an hour later…
I was trying to get some shade in our backyard when wouldn’t you know it, I heard that call again. So I peaked down the path and sure enough, both Mama and Papa were on a pole. Ran for the camera and snapped a few just before Papa flew off. While I was following Papa with the camera, I missed seeing where Mama went.
I suspect that the babies must be almost ready to fledge if both Mama and Papa are out and about together…? That’s my story today (so far).
4 hours later…
Still hot. Saw someone on the usual pole and took a drive down to see who it was. It was Papa. If not for the leg band, I might have mistaken him for Mama at that angle (first shot). After a few quick pics of Papa I headed over to the nest area but couldn’t hear or see anything. I thought I heard something faintly but couldn’t confirm where.
Back out to the open space and there was Papa again. If I had the nerve – or rather, if I wanted to risk being thought of as a threat – I would’ve got out of the hawk-mobile and walked closer for these shots. I kinda wish I would’ve because I can almost make out the identification numbers and such on that leg band of his… if I had been closer…
I was wondering if those leg bands get hot? I mean, he’s standing on a pole (which itself must be hot as heck) in 31°C temperature.
July 21
It’s not all work and drudgery here on Project Hawk (it’s definitely a lot of work but I love it!). Once in a while I find something fun that makes me smile or even outright laugh that takes the edge off the seriousness of keeping this online diary. Today I present you with a small compilation of videos of the juveniles over the years, doing what they and all creatures do: poop. Most instances were captured completely by accident.
Enjoy!
July 25
A much cooler (20°C) day today and finally the wildfire smoke ebbed off.
Papa was on a nearby pole so I jumped in the hawk-mobile and headed down the lane to hopefully get a few shots. My mission this season is to get a good shot of that leg band of his!
Wasn’t able to get the leg band because the line of sight wasn’t quite right. One of two things are going to happen when these birds (most birds, I suspect) take the position as shown in the first photo: either they’re about to take flight, or, they’re gonna poop.
Not much exciting otherwise. Although… as I sat in the hawk-mobile, snapping away, Papa wasn’t bothered with me at all. I’m sure he knew I was there but maybe he doesn’t know like Mama knows it’s me. I watched a person walking along the path, nothing unusual there. Papa started squawking at them right up until the person passed below Papa and carried on their way. Papa watched intently to make sure the person wasn’t going to cause trouble. Well, that’s weird. Usually that sort of behaviour is reserved for me and the other local hawk watchers.
Another… gift?
July 26
Nice and sunny, relatively cooler day today… and windy. During my morning rounds around the yard & gardens, I spotted something in the grass. Ew, what is that? Is it something dead? Garbage? Thought I can’t be 100% certain of its origin, I am 100% certain it was a regurgitated pellet (most likely from our local hawks or an owl) – there’s sure a lot of fur in there. Wouldn’t that be funny if Papa was leaving a memento for us…
July 27
We heard the hawks flying over our home before we saw them – that same call that I’m still not used to. I had been in the yard of course. The camera was in the house of course. By the time I got the camera, they were still both perched on the streetlight (surprise, surprise!), they appeared to be eating. I stayed in position until Papa flew off, then I hopped in the hawk-mobile and drove to where Mama was.
She paid me no mind at all. I find that kinda weird. I mean, it is Mama, right? Our same old Mama from years past… yes? She didn’t stay up there long and flew off to the secret nest location. I didn’t know she had anything in her claws until I downloaded the pictures a few minutes later. Click the third photo to watch a short animation of her flying off with the kids’ food.
To clarify, I don’t really need to know where the nest is (it would simply be helpful to know for historical purposes and to note how often and to what degree of distance a pair will change locations). All I really care about is the babies, or should I say, when the babies are out of the nest – and that will be any day now.
First baby of 2024!
July 28
When other birds tell you something is amiss, listen to them.
I was out in the yard when I heard a ruckus from the crows across the street. At first, you don’t think anything of it because sometimes they talk a lot. But when they don’t let up, it’s time to look up.
Sure enough, the crows were warning of the presence of one of our Swainson’s. Not only that, they were swooping and cawing at the raptor constantly. As usual, I didn’t know who the culprit was initially – I just kept snapping photos (without the support of a tripod – one day I will share why it’s so difficult to be steady with the big lens), confirmation of who it was will come later. For now, capture the moment.
I should’ve known it was Mama. It seems she might be up to her old tricks of trying to snatch a Magpie (see August 7 of 2023). Though she didn’t have any prey in those talons of hers, there’s no doubt in my mind that she was probably attempting an attack on some unsuspecting Magpie – or maybe a crow? Come to think of it, I didn’t hear the Magpies yelling, just the crows. I could be wrong, but I don’t think the hawks have this sort of gang confrontation issue with rodents.
5 hours later…
There’s a lot to be said about spontaneity. For example, Better Half and I saw someone on a pole close by and decided to go for a little walk to see who it was. I took a few pics as we got closer, not entirely sure who it was. Then they flew off. I said, “If it’s feeding time, this would be a good time to follow them to see where the nest is.” And off we went.
We walked down one alley ahead of where the old nest would be. Sauntering, chatting, looking at every tree when I just happened to see some movement in a tree the next block over. Wait, what? Could it be? Yes. Yes, it could be. Yes, it is!
From that position, it was unclear who exactly was moving around up there, though a good guess would suggest it was probably Mama. Alrighty then, let’s go a little further. Every few steps I took a few pics from a slightly different angle. Some angles did not offer good views. Let’s go to the corner. Okay, that’s a bit better. I can sort of see at least 2 bodies moving up there. Let’s cross the street. Oh yeah, sorta kinda seeing something up there. It looks like TWO babies! And they were having a tug of war with their food! OMG. LOL.
One last place to go – up the alley behind where the nest tree is. Still not quite a clear view. Better Half is a little ahead of me and loudly whispers my name to come and see the view. YES! It’s a baby! OMG, my cheeks are still hurting from smiling so broadly! Do you see who I see in the first photo of baby?? And then Mama broke up the party by leaving the nest tree and flying to the top of another, squawking at us in her usual “I see you, now go away!” voice. Took a pic of her up there. But before heading back home, I just had to take one more shot of baby – I couldn’t help myself!
Today was the BEST day of my retirement so far!
Today’s nest excursion and discovery was completely unplanned. As I said in yesterday’s post, it is not necessary to know the nest location but now that it is now known and noted, I won’t be going back. I will instead wait ever so patiently for the little ones to leave the nest, which I think will be a few more days yet.
July 30
Today I thought I would take a bike ride up along the path just to see if I could locate the nest from there. It’s a fair distance from the nest (compared to practically being under it 2 days ago) so I didn’t expect any harassment from either Mama or Papa. The only gear I had on me was binoculars, my phone and the small point & shoot camera.
I saw someone on a pole up ahead and as I got closer – and with the help of binoculars – I confirmed it was Mama. She didn’t pay any attention to me whatsoever. I even stopped, took a pic of her, nothing. I rode up a little more, located the nest through the binoculars, took a really bad picture and watched the 2 little ones for a minute. All the while, not a peep from Mama. For perspective, from where I was on the path, the nest is roughly a block away.
“You do realize I have to go and get the good camera now”, I said out loud to myself.
I went home, dropped the binoculars, grabbed the Canon and at the last minute decided to just walk back up there rather than lug this massive lens on my bike (I’ve done it before, it’s so awkward). Switched my bike helmet for my “I’d Rather Be Birding” cap and off I went.
Ya know, I haven’t yet determined if it’s the camera (I mean, it’s not at all inconspicuous) or me walking that Mama hates so much. I barely got to the railing on the path and I could already hear Mama squawking – I’m at least 2 blocks away from her, and the nest. OMG Mama, seriously? No way I could pass up this opportunity. It’s probably the only chance I’ll have to get a picture of the babies in the nest from that perspective… or any other perspective, at least this year.
I knew what to expect. I would keep walking and Mama would keep squawking. We go way back, her and I. I made a point of taking her picture as I got closer… oh! Maybe she doesn’t like her picture taken?!? Anyway, I kept walking to the vantage point with the best view of the nest. She squawked on. Took a few pictures of the babies in the nest (confirming 2, not ruling out more just yet). Keep in mind, the nest shots are taken from almost a block away – at least I had the railing to help steady the camera.
Mama’s going on and on. I finally decide that’s enough and start heading home. Mama’s still yelling at me but suddenly she stretched her neck and stopped yelling, you know like when you get a tickle in your throat and you have to cough or have a drink to clear it and you have trouble talking for a bit. After that, the squawking was more like little squeaks. Oh my, I laughed. She kept trying to squawk. It kept coming out squeaky until I was almost out of “get-out-of-my-space” range then she was back to her regular squawking.
On my way home, there were a few Magpies hanging out in the grass when I noticed this one. Wings out – reminded me a little of the hawks protecting their food, but in this case it was probably a cooling strategy. It’s possible they may also be molting.
Camera Gear
August 2
For the camera nerds out there – or just if you’re curious – here’s the camera gear I’ve used to take photos and videos of our Swainson’s Hawks over the years.
First up, the Nikon EM SLR with a 70-210mm lens. Used in 2003 and 2004.
In 2017, this little point and shoot, the Canon PowerShot SX240 HS was the first one I used to capture that wild scene in the middle of the road. Later that same day, I used my iPhone 6s to get a surprisingly decent video of one of the babies on the fence.
For the first part of the 2018 hawk season, I was using my Canon T2i and its 55-250mm kit lens with mostly disappointing results. In mid-August I did a lot of research and made the decision to upgrade my lens to the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary telephoto lens – it changed everything for me. Suddenly I could take a picture and there was a whole story behind that moment.
While just about ready to give up finding the babies one morning in August of 2022, I happened to drive by a fence where one of them was perched. They didn’t stay long but I caught them on video with my iPhone 12.
Fast forward to August 2023 when I upgraded my camera to the Canon 90D. I won’t need to upgrade my gear for a very long time.
If you’ve watched any of my videos on Project Hawk, you will know that I haven’t always used a tripod but when I do, it’s the Manfrotto Element tripod. “Oh I’ll be fine”, I said to Steve at Saneal Camera on that day in 2018 when I bought the Sigma lens, “I have a tripod”. He in fact knew that I did not have a sufficient tripod that would hold the Sigma. I returned, humbled, to Saneal Camera 2 days later to buy a tripod that I absolutely needed.
I weighed the Sigma for you here – almost 3kg with the Canon 90D and tripod collar attached. Add to that the lens fully extended (about 16½ inches from lens end to the eyepiece of the camera body) and you can understand how difficult it would be to wield this awesome lens and keep it steady without at least some kind of support like a fence post or railing.
Here’s the not so great shot I got of Mama peeking out of the nest today. She didn’t seem to a) notice me; or b) care that I was in the hawk-mobile.
August 3
How many times here have I said I’m not going back to the nest because I don’t want to cause any unnecessary stress? I definitely won’t be getting close to that nest tree. However, there are vantage points closer to the nest that aren’t out in the open like where I was on the path a few days ago. The spot we went to this evening was the same place where we first identified movement in that tree. But there was no movement, not that we could see.
Here I am with my lucky Project Hawk hat on (get yours here) and Better Half is with me, surely they haven’t fledged yet? No, not yet. All we had to do was go down to the corner again and voila, baby in the tree! They moved around a lot. In fact, they moved to the front of the tree (we would have seen them from where we just came from). Okay, let’s go back up that way. Got better shots from that angle anyhow… but we didn’t see the other young one.
In my unprofessional opinion, I think they will fledge soon. This young one looks a little bigger and stronger than those first shots on Tuesday. I’m going to wager a guess Mama’s gonna boot them out of the nest on Monday, August 5th.
I had to bump up the ISO to 2000 and exposure down to 1/500 due to the lighting so these photos aren’t super clear and I usually crop them for better viewing here… and no tripod of course!
Babies have fledged!
August 4
I received a message this morning from a neighbourhood hawk watcher who told me there was a lot of action at the nest tree. Possibility of fledging?
This evening, they messaged me again to let me know the 2 babies have definitely fledged. Now hanging out in a tree a little bit closer to the old nest tree. “I’ll be right there”, I messaged back and jumped in the hawk-mobile.
Yes, they were still there. Chatted with and thanked the fellow hawk watcher and took a few not so great pics. Once again, it’s overcast and later in the day so the lighting was an issue. I adjusted the brightness on these photos just a bit to get a clearer picture. Also, the baby at the top wouldn’t turn around so y’all get a baby hawk butt with that one.
I was wrong about the fledging date but not by much! I will confirm the number of babies once they get out in the open a bit more. At this time however, it appears there are only two.
It just occurred to me that this might be the first year that we have confirmed the actual fledging date rather than a date range.
August 5
Now that the babies are officially out of the nest, I can get some better shots (and hopefully video!) of them.
I headed out about noon to scope out the most likely place for them to hang out. Remember when I mentioned the significance of landmarks? There is a particular set of posts and rooftops that the young ones are most likely to be when they’ve newly fledged. For once I was smart, and drove to the area from where I would have a good view from the driver’s side. Oh, look, there’s a baby!
I stopped and took a few shots but could hear another little one not far away, but very quiet. Not to worry, they’ll get their voices soon. And sure enough, almost as soon as I turned the corner to get just a wee bit closer, you-know-who showed up – Mama hawk… and then Papa. I didn’t see them right away but I sure heard them. I made as if to leave but what I was actually doing was turning around so I got a better view of baby from the driver’s seat. I crept slowly forward until I was just under the wire where baby was perched. No sign of the parents this time. Didn’t locate the second baby either.
About 6pm I went out for another quick drive. And as expected, one baby was on the usual rooftop. I could faintly hear the second young one but couldn’t find them. As usual, Mama came flying out of nowhere, landed on a pole and proceeded to yell at me.
August 6
To be honest, after last night’s wild thunderstorm (thankfully no hail in our neighbourhood), I was a tad concerned about how our wee hawks faired. It wasn’t until about 7:30 this evening that I decided to go for a baby-spotting drive.
Of course I was on the wrong side of the hawk-mobile. Rather than taking the shots from the driver’s seat (while parked of course!), I had to park, hop in the passenger seat and shoot away. Only saw one baby this evening. And although I never did see her, Mama was definitely in the area. Sorry for the dark pics.
Just look at the size of those wings!
August 7
I didn’t have a clue what this year’s Diary of a Hawk Watcher was going to be like. How I would be documenting everything? Would it be daily? Or just every few days when I felt like getting out? Should I write more story-like? Today I decided that I have to make at least one attempt a day to get out to see the hawks, and write it however it comes out. As for the pictures (and videos soon hopefully), I never really thought about adding more than maybe 4-6 per day here. Did I ever have a hard time choosing the photos for today (out of about 200)!
Remember when I said that bird watching very much involves listening? And when you’re listening and the other creatures are in an uproar, there’s probably a good reason for that.
Around noon today, the crows were definitely perturbed. I finally looked out the door and there was Mama on a pole across the street. Oh good, a photo op! As usual, the crows were swooping at her. I had thought maybe she caught another magpie but no, whatever her catch was, it was definitely furry. Snatched a few pics and then she finally flew off in the direction of her little ones. Those flying photos definitely didn’t turn out.
It didn’t take me long to decide that I should really take a drive to the current Buteo swainsoni outdoor dining venue but I waited about half an hour before leaving. This time I went all the way around and circled back so that I would have the best view from the driver’s seat.
I barely got within view of the venue when I heard Mama starting up already. Okay then, I’ll take your picture Mama. So fierce and majestic all at the same time. Where are the babies though? I don’t see them where they should be.
Drove a little farther, slowly, stopping now and again. Could hear something faintly but still couldn’t… Oh, there you are! Two of the babies were on the roof. From my vantage point, I could see at least one of them eating. The first shots of them though… awwwww!
Oh and of course Papa was on the nearest pole, also yelling his heart out.
I did a bit of back and forth in this spot. Driving forward a bit, looking back and thinking I gotta back up. Those were the best vantage points that I may not get a chance to use again. What great shots I captured of the two of them having a little battle for the food. In one way, it was awesome to see the little ones a little closer but unfortunately, some of the images also show their meal quite clearly. Ew.
An experiment with burst shots from today:
What a great day for this hawk watcher!
August 8
Thought I’d try a different vantage point today, to see if Mama would bother me way far away from but within viewing distance of the babies. Yeah, that’s a good idea. Go across the busy street from them. No way Mama would think it was me. Right? Pffft!
There I was, lugging not only the camera but also the tripod – with legs extended for easy setup. I could hear someone almost as soon as I crested the small ridge. Sounded like a baby. Walked a little farther. Oh gee, that sure sounds like Mama. Sigh. It was. But interestingly, another bird was swooping at her as she was flying overhead. It appeared Mama had a bit of lunch on board, maybe that’s what the smaller bird was after?
I didn’t stay on the hill long. Decided I may as well go to the usual spot and try to get some video. It’s too far from where I was to focus properly on the littles who were almost a block away.
My idea of setting up the tripod on my hawk-mobile door (so that I could take video without getting out of the vehicle) didn’t pan out. I ended up opening the door and setting up the tripod on the ground after all. The photos turned out fine enough and I do need some more practice with the video but not too bad for the first outing this year.
Eight minutes of the 2 babies on a roof. In slo-motion. No audio. With the use of a tripod!
August 9
Sometimes (most all times) it’s more about the experience than getting the perfect shot.
On a whim, I rode my bike up the alley just to see who was around. Sure enough, the 2 babies were on the usual roof. I only had the little point and shoot camera so the image isn’t all that clear. Surprisingly, neither parent was around because for sure they would be scolding me, right?
Went home, hopped in the hawk-mobile and drove back to the spot, sneaking up via a slightly different route that isn’t so obvious.
Lo and behold, that seemed to work! The angle from which I was taking the shots wasn’t perfect but I managed a few good shots of the raptor siblings. By the by, we’ve decided that we ought to name the babies this year. Will let you know when we figure that out!
After supper, I took another unplanned bike ride to the baby zone. One baby was on the roof. Rode a little farther and could see 2 on a pole. As I rode closer, I realized it was MAMA and the other baby! Oh, for sure she’s gonna say something when I ride under them. No. She did not say a word. Whoa. That’s weird. Road past them and stopped to message Better Half. I fully expected to be noticed on the ride back, even slowing down a bit as I rode beneath them. Nothing.
I also did not have the big camera with me. Is that it? Is that the reason she gets so mad? That enormous lens throws a kink into her day and she has to tell me all about it? Was it the bike helmet that threw her off? I don’t know but it was pretty awesome to be so close to her and the other baby.
August 10
Sometimes when you go looking for birds, you won’t find them.
Around 3pm I decided to go for a quick drive to the baby hood. I went the same way as yesterday, all sneaky-like up alongside their usual perching place. Nothing. Hm. Okay, I’ll drive down a little farther, looking at every pole and tree and fence along the way. Still nothing.
Went home and exchanged the hawk-mobile for my bike. Maybe if I ride up along the path to get a different perspective, and check the long grass area while I’m at it. I did see someone flying high above me (probably Mama) but no squawking. Turned off the path to the grassy area to have a good look in there (you may recall my experience in August of 2020 in that same grass).
Almost as soon as I pulled off the path, I found this feather. It appears to have come from the same bird from about a month ago – see the size comparison. Just a few more feathers and I’ll have a full bird! Just between you and me, I still believe it’s possible this is from one of our hawks, not an owl – I could be wrong but I’m gonna stick with that for now.
No babies or parents in sight.
August 11
At the top of this page, I added a quick link to get to the most recent post instantly, rather than scrolling and scrolling and scrolling to it. 2024 is already getting long! Now on with the show…
This afternoon I took the obligatory drive to the supposed baby hawk hangout. No babies again, anywhere. Both Mama and Papa eyed the hawk-mobile and voiced their displeasure. Just for fun, I went home, ditched the hawk-mobile and got on my bike. Rode up the path, right across from where both Mama and Papa were perched – neither one said a word!
After supper I decided to go for a walk to the same spot then backtracked on the path. It wasn’t until I was almost near the end of the railing on the path when Papa started squawking at me from a pole. Okay, the babies definitely aren’t on this side, they must be on the hill side. I could hear a baby so very faintly but couldn’t determine an exact location.
Papa left a pole, headed for a tree on the hill where I could see a person walking and started squawking again. They probably had no idea what Papa was going on about. My deja vu moment: after the person was gone, Papa came flying out of the trees pretty much straight at me but well above my head – I did not see him until he was a little closer and then he flew up to a pole. I had this same experience with him last year at a slightly different location. If you listen carefully – even if you can’t see them – you can tell by their call that they are flying at you.
Papa flew back to the trees. After a few minutes of trying to find the babies through the camera, I was just about to give up and guess who came along… yep, Mama. Okay Mama, I’m going but not before getting a shot of you putting your foot down. By the way, I got some of the clearest shots yet of that leg band of Papa’s – fingers crossed we’ll get that sorted out this season!
August 12
In the summer, I sometimes set up the tripod in our yard just in case some bird comes around. I did not do that today. Papa flew right over our house. Remember when I told you about the challenges of wielding the big lens? Somehow I managed a fairly decent shot despite no tripod to help steady the camera.
I had gone for a bike ride up on the path earlier with the same results: no squawking from either Mama or Papa, no babies sighted though I absolutely heard them on the hill when Papa dropped lunch for them. Then another drive in the hawk-mobile to their other hangout also resulted in a whole lotta nothing. Well, except for Mama on a pole. When she’s looking at me like that I don’t even notice the food she has at her feet (and the gross guts stuck to the edge of the light). She only squawked at me a little bit this time.
The neighbours have been noticing hawks in trees closer to us. What is unclear is who the hawks are, babies or otherwise. Trying to spread the word about Project Hawk so that anyone interested has a photo guide to who’s who in Hawk land.
August 13
When I went for my now routine bike ride up the path early in the day, I could not for the life of me find those youngsters, despite Papa flying all around in a frenzy every time someone walked by a batch of trees on the hill. I’m sure they must be there somewhere, I can hear them. My bike and perhaps the bike helmet are the best disguise. Both Mama and Papa were around but no squawking at me, even though I was stopped and watching them both through the binoculars.
Just by chance this afternoon I was looking through the binoculars from home. Saw Mama on a pole. She definitely had food. Now if I can just watch her long enough to see which way she goes, at least I’ll have a rough idea which part of the hill she’s going. Imagine my surprise when she flew to this side, not the hill side. This calls for the hawk-mobile!
Sure enough, as I got closer to the “usual” hangout, there were the 2 babies! Oh yeah, Mama was right there too. You are beautiful, Mama. Didn’t stay too long but long enough to get some shots of the little ones being little ones.
August 14
Trying to get into a routine of going for a bike ride regardless of the hawks. Since I’m retired now, it’s a good way to keep active. I rode quite a ways along the path today before finding 2 babies on separate poles. I’ve only been taking the small point and shoot camera with me on my bike because I think the big camera lens is somehow triggering for Mama and Papa and of course the big lens is cumbersome. The first 2 shots were taken with the little camera.
Around suppertime, I took a quick drive down to the usual spot but only saw Mama and one of the babies. I have a feeling the other baby was a little closer to me but I couldn’t locate them. And of course, Mama was squawking at me. I was a fair bit away from her and the sun was in the wrong place so the shots of her and the baby aren’t that great.
At least I know the babies are around so there will be plenty of opportunities for photo ops over the next few weeks.
Project reveal
August 15
I got out for a bike ride before it got too smokey today. I saw a couple of hawks flying over the hill, assuming it was Mama and Papa. As I rode further, I saw someone on a pole. Oh, it’s Mama! I opted to bring the Canon T2i today with the 55-250mm zoom lens, just to see if that would cause a stir. No stir caused. Mama even looked right at me while I was taking pics. Still not great photos though. Maybe tomorrow I will lug the Canon 90D with the Sigma lens to see if that stirs things up.
Been working on something for about a month now. To be honest, I started this sculpture/diorama in 2023 after an experience with Papa hawk. I’m perplexed as to why I didn’t add this story to the 2023 page of Project Hawk but I will tell it here and show you the result.
It must have been late July or early August of last year. I was walking up on the path, trying to see if I could locate the nest area from a higher vantage point. All I had was binoculars and my phone. I picked a likely spot and looked through the binoculars. It all happened so fast, Papa hawk was coming out of the stand of trees, flying right at me – without saying a word. I think I looked up from behind the binoculars just as he was flying high over my head, then he started telling me to go away.
It was this experience that stuck with me. A few days afterwards, I started the sculpture. It sat unfinished for at least a year. I didn’t set out to make a masterpiece, I just wanted to save the memory of that moment somehow and I think I did it. It is made with polymer clay and miscellaneous items and materials. I also added LED lights to mimic sunshine. It measures about 6½” x 5½” x about 1.25″ deep. Anyway, it’s done now and it’s sitting on my desk beside Max, my juvenile Swainson’s hawk sculpture.
7:45
Well, that was wild. Just got back from a quick ride up the alley to identify who was on a pole nearby. It was Mama. And yes, I lugged the camera with the big Sigma lens on my bike. I stopped behind a pole (just in case she sees me) to try for a photo, not great. Rode a bit farther, looking left and right to possibly see the babies – no to that.
Okay, how about taking a chance of going home up on the path… Not a problem! I stopped a fair bit behind her, got off my bike, parked it and used it as a makeshift tripod to take her picture. Hm, no reaction. Well of course I have to try to do the same to get a closer front shot of her. Did the same thing: disembarked, parked and used the bike seat as a tripod. She didn’t say a word! Going to try this method tomorrow too!
August 16
It’s a bit of a dreary day, overcast with off and on rain. I opted first to take the hawk-mobile down the lane for at least some shots of Mama who was perched on one of her usual places. She started saying her bit as I got closer (and by closer I mean that I’m still a fair distance from her but close enough to get a couple of half decent shots). I didn’t have to drive too far for her to stop talking so I can assume that the babies are on the hill, not in the neighbourhood.
There was a break in the rain and I hopped on my bike for the usual ride up to the path for hopefully a better vantage point – of her and the babies – and yes, with the big Sigma lens. Wouldn’t you know it, as soon as I was getting within closer range to her, she flew off hunting, away from me. No yelling.
I’m a bit torn (yes but no) on not being yelled at. On one hand, her silence means that I’m not a threat and she can go about her day with no added stress or worry that her babies might be exposed. On the other hand, when she’s yelling, it usually means the babies are around somewhere close and it’s the babies that I really want to document. The best thing for me to do is hope that this bike-riding disguise holds up for the rest of the season and I’ll be able to get the shots.
August 17
A bit overcast again today. On a whim after lunch, I hopped on my bike for a quick trip down hawk alley – Canon 90D with the big Sigma lens on board. Low expectations for seeing anyone, not just the babies… and by anyone, I usually mean Mama or Papa, unless otherwise noted. I rode all the way up to their usual stomping grounds. Didn’t hear or see anyone.
For a different perspective, I went up to the path again. Still nothing. Until there was something. Oh, I think I hear the babies – which can be difficult to verify with all the traffic noise. Yes, I do hear babies. Oh, it’s Papa! Oh, there’s some movement in that tree. Oh, both babies are there! Papa didn’t pay me no mind. This disguise (of a bike and bike helmet) is working perfectly! I hope I can continue with this method of hawk-watching that doesn’t interfere with Nature.
After supper, I just had to get out for one more quick ride – the light was perfect but would anyone be around?
The only one I saw was Mama on a pole (and Papa flying off in the distance). She was expressing her displeasure at one of our neighbourhood hawk watchers. As I rode by neighbour, I said I wasn’t going to stop to chat so that Mama wouldn’t associate me with the scary lady with the umbrella (lol) and give up my disguise – she agreed. Once again, I rode up the path so I was right across from Mama. Got off my bike. Propped the camera on the seat. Took her picture. Not a peep from her.
Mama and the magpies… again
August 18
DISCLAIMER:
Today’s entry contains descriptions and photos of animal predation.
My first outing after lunch today wasn’t a complete fail. I saw both Papa and one of the babies flying over the hill. I managed a couple of not completely terrible photos of both of them. I honestly thought these were going to be the only pictures for today’s entry.
I went for a second bike ride around 4:30. Not sure why I did that. I guess my reasoning was you just never know what time of day the hawks will be around, so why not. I only saw Papa flying off in the distance.
After I got home from a third ride around 7ish, a fellow hawk-watcher (umbrella lady) stopped by and we chatted about the hawks and the garden. Then Better Half joined the conversation. Another neighbour was passing by on her daily walk and stopped to chat also. A few minutes later she said “There’s a hawk.” Wait, what? We all went to see what was happening… in our front tree!
Mama was in our tree and it looked like she had a magpie… again! Then the magpies began yelling at and swarming her, chasing her from tree to tree. I ran to get my bike, helmet and camera (which incidentally was already setup on the tripod in the yard). First I rode down one alley. I only managed one half decent shot. I just couldn’t see Mama in the tree. The magpies were going crazy.
Then the corvids chased Mama back to our side of the street. I followed the ruckus down the street to a likely alley. As I turned into the alley, there was a lady with her 2 young kids walking and I thought I wasn’t going to be able to track Mama so easily. And I had just ridden right under the tree where Mama and the screaming magpies were – and now the crows have joined the swarm, so I backtracked. Then Mama flew off again and the mischief of magpies followed her.
I rode back up the hill (really getting my workout today!) and then back down again, determined to find the tree where Mama was taking her lunch. That was an easy task actually – just followed the noise of the magpies and crows… oh, and now a raven too! And there she was, at the top of a tree at end of the street. She seemed to be staying there so I got off my bike and used it as a better-than-nothing tripod to take sooo many photos!
The magpies and crows eventually ebbed off their cackling, crowing and swooping and swarming when Mama started eating. Feathers were flying everywhere. I stayed there for about 20 minutes. I know she looked at me but this bike disguise is working great! Finally she flew off. I didn’t know it until I went home to review the pictures that she had taken what was left of that magpie with her – Mama’s gotta eat too! Come to think of it, in all these years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her just sitting there eating.
August 19
What a quiet day in the neighbourhood! On my after lunch bike ride, I only saw Papa flying over the hill. It was a hot day at 31°C so I didn’t stay out too long.
Yesterday when I was riding home after the kerfuffle with Mama and the magpies, I passed by an area strewn with magpie feathers. Was this the spot where Mama grabbed the magpie and then went to our tree? Anyway, I’m kind of glad things are a little quieter today.
Can I just say that my love of these hawks stems from a love of birds in general. I take a lot of slo motion videos of Blue jays and sometimes share them on my Instagram. Today I got a lot of footage of TJ and Peanut, our neighbourhood pair of jays. Decided to put together a little montage of those videos, enjoy!
August 20
I’m not an early morning person. But given incentive, like oh, I dunno, all kinds of hawk action just a few houses down from you, might just get me going a little earlier than noon. Just before 10am I heard what I thought was a baby with a touch of Mama calls thrown in. Shortly thereafter, message from umbrella lady, “Saw a baby and Mama’s yelling at me”.
With bike gear donned, off I rode just a few doors down from us, following Mama’s calls. Okay, there’s Mama – snap, snap, snap as many pics as possible. I hear the babies but they must be tucked into the other side of a tree, I’ll have to ride around. Yep, as I thought, tucked in. Oh, is that a baby on the grass??? Snap, snap, snap! Oh, is that Mama again? I see umbrella lady way down the block – Mama’s giving her the what for.
This is a lot of excitement before breakfast. I think I’ve got enough pictures for now. As I’m reviewing the photos, I realize it was in fact PAPA in the grass, not a baby. And Papa’s got baby’s breakfast in hand. Cool!
So now I’ve downloaded these pictures and I realize it’s not even 11am yet. The babies are probably still around, possibly eating – it takes them forever to eat a meal. Maybe I should go out again.
As a side note… it sure is weird being virtually invisible and almost right in the thick of the action!
I see Papa on a pole. Can’t say for certain if it’s the same meal he caught less than an hour ago. Oh, that’s Mama. I think I’ve seen this before where Papa has a meal, then Mama comes along and Papa steps aside while she eats. What’s more interesting though, is the calls that Mama is making. Is this like a “Hey mate, thanks for breakfast!” kind of call or… is she calling for the kids or… a combination thereof?
Couple minutes later, a baby flies to the pole and both Mama and Papa fly off. Mama goes to a pole across the street and Papa is flying overhead, maybe hunting again? Anyway, that was a lot of excitement for today already!
August 21
Another early (for me) start for hawk-watching today.
I rode all the way up to the standard area and didn’t see anyone. Well, that’s unfortunate. Patience persevered and I finally spotted a little one at the top of a tree. I always hope to but never expect to get the same quality of photos or footage as previous outings… like yesterday, for example – definitely some excellent images acquired! The story matters just as much (or more sometimes).
I should mention that I even had the tripod with me on my bike ride today. Oh my, that’s a lot to carry! If it comes to it though, I can just walk the bike. Anyway, I was able to get some video as well as some photos today.
This always happens: I’m flipping back and forth between photo and video mode on the camera, and what I should have caught on video (like the bird flying), I get a photo of half a bird flying away… or conversely, I’m in video mode and miss the best closeup photo (yes I know you can take photos in video mode but it’s just not the same). I’m also working on learning how to retain focus on moving objects – in both modes… I’m still very much learning this photography/videography game!
I would have loved to have had this sequence of photos on video instead, but that’s how it goes! One baby and Papa were on the pole. Then another baby flew in and Papa flew off.
August 22
As I was about to head out for some baby watching this morning when umbrella lady walked by. She was heading off in a different direction today so as not to provoke Mama. And I’ve got my tripod strapped to the handlebars of my bike so it’s not as cumbersome a weight as without being secured.
As I got close to the presumed area, I am so sure I can hear a baby but not from where exactly. Just a little peep and then they would stop. Rode back and forth a few times. Oh, there they are! Just one baby but I’m sure the other one was nearby somewhere. Snapped a few photos and took some video. Not a lot of action in the videos so I may not share them today. I figured that was enough for now so back home for breakfast.
An hour later I decided to go out one more time. I should have just stayed home! First thing I realized is that I still had my glasses on (after my dilemma on June 28th, I don’t bring them along anymore). Oh well, I’ll just be careful when I take them off… A sign of things to come…
Just after I decided to carry one, there was some kind of altercation in the neighbourhood… to which I stayed at a distance just long enough to make sure no one was going to be hurt. Then I continued on my way.
Much to my dismay, there was exactly zero action in the spot I was at earlier this morning. Well, I’ll go up to the path. Maybe I can see something there. Oh, okay, I see a couple of babies flying. I’ll unstrap the tripod. Oh look, there’s a deer up there too! Things never work out when you rush. I laid my bike in the long grass, took off my glasses and laid them beside it.
I was fumbling to attach the camera to the tripod when 2 of the legs decided to loosen. There goes my ideal height. I have to readjust all the legs. Oh come on! LOL gotta laugh because now the deer is gone. Okay, I’ll take a couple of quick shots of whoever’s flying over there (still can’t tell if it was 2 babies or papa and a baby). This isn’t really working out, I should just go home. Picked up my glasses and proceeded to restrap the tripod. Looked on the ground. That’s a lens. OMG seriously?! So now I have to get back home with glasses sans one lens in its proper spot and a heavy camera over my shoulders that keeps sliding to the front, impeding pedalling.
Anyway, here’s the pictures I took during the first round! I may add more after I visit the optometrist!
UPDATE: Glasses fixed!
Went for one last ride this evening. Rode all the way to the end of the usual area, no one around… hawks, that is. Umbrella lady was heading home from her walk with umbrella retracted… well that’s weird, I guess Mama and Papa aren’t around. We met up half way and walked (I was on my bike, half walking it) towards home. Then we saw what we presumed were 2 babies flying inland. They must be coming home to roost for the night.
It was the 2 babies, hooray! This was a better end to my wildly weird day than I expected!
August 23
Didn’t see or hear a Buteo soul on my first outing this morning. I was okay with that since I knew I could probably try again at the end of the day when the babies come inland to roost for the night.
Then about 1:30, I heard Mama not too far away. I looked out back and saw someone who I assumed to be Mama since that’s one of her usual perches. All kinds of surprises can happen when I actually download the photos and look at them on the computer – like the bad photo I took of what I thought was Mama, was actually the baby I later got photos (and video) of in the tree.
A storm is forecast for later this evening so I may not get out for those roosting shots after all?
August 25
I think I’m going through withdrawals. I was so bummed out that I didn’t get any good hawk-watching in yesterday. I thought it was going to be the same today.
On my first outing, I’m pretty sure I must have just missed the babies being close because they weren’t around, at least not right away. As I returned from my now daily ride up to the old stomping grounds, I decided to dismount and hang out in the green space nearby. Umbrella lady stopped by and we watched a couple of hawks flying overhead. At one point, I saw all 4 of them flying overhead.
I had the camera at the ready, watching what I could through the lens. Then I realized, “There’s a million dollar shot if I can get it”. That million dollar shot would have been a hawk flying right in front of the moon. I watched them soar closer to the moon. Closer… closer… There! I would have got it… if I was in the proper focus mode. And yes, I said the F word. However, I did manage another missed opportunity shot – great shot of the moon and a blurry hawk flying above it, as you can see below.
Tomorrow’s another day…
August 26
I was so disappointed that I didn’t see any babies (or any hawks) this morning, despite going out to what now seems to be a good vantage point at least 4 times. That’s when I decided to take a walk up the hill – no bike, no helmet, just me, my “I’d Rather Be Birding” cap, the camera with tripod attached. It would be a test to see if first of all, could I find the hawks and secondly, would I be a target now without my disguise?
I had barely crested a spot near the top when I heard that distinct, “oh, no you don’t!” call from Mama. Uh oh, ha ha, she’s found me. Better set up the tripod quick. And let me tell you, she came at me at least 10 times. I actually got a couple of in-focus shots as she headed my way, but they really don’t do her justice. I’ve learned that if she’s got her wings slightly tucked like in the second photo, she’s coming in fast – gophers wouldn’t have a chance! Whoosh! Definitely heard that when she went over my head. In the third photo, she’s just gliding in but don’t let that fool you, she’s still fast and “whooshes” are definitely heard.
Funny enough, I heard the babies. Then wouldn’t you know it, there was one flying around with Mama, talking, wondering what the heck was Mama so worked up about. I decided that was probably enough and I started back down the hill. But Mama kept coming at me. The last swoop at me was witnessed by a lady walking her dogs up the same path I was coming down. She asked what that was. I told her it was a Swainson’s Hawk, a female. She doesn’t like me but I’m sure you’ll be fine (she was). Mama escorted me most of the way – how nice of her!
Just to clarify, I would much rather be invisible. Less stress for all involved and I can still get the photos.
August 29
This is the part of the hawking season that gets tricky. Suddenly you don’t see them around at all, no matter what time of day or location. But given my last encounter with Mama on the hill, I would speculate that everyone’s spending the day up there and still come back to the neighbourhood at night – though I would also venture that their neighbourhood is growing, so we might not see them in the usual spots as regularly.
You know how sometimes when you make decisions on the fly (pun intended!) and that choice makes everything worthwhile? Like this evening when I went for a wee walk up on the path, just with the camera… didn’t see anyone… started walking back to the intersection… the choice is to cross the street and carry on south along the path, or… cross the street and go up the hill. I chose door #2.
As I reached roughly the same spot where Mama had a swoop-fest over my head the other day, there was still no sign of the hawks. I had another choice to make: call it a day and go home, or go up to the top. Door #2 is winning today!
As I reached the top, I half expected to be screamed at and or swooped at. Neither happened. I walked along the ridge for a bit, looking all around when a fellow came up to me and asked, “Is that a camera?” and then proceeded to point at that funny shape on the mound I had just ignored and told me it was a hawk. It sure was! I thanked the fellow profusely, telling him that this was the reason I was up here and proceeded to figure out the best way to close the gap between BABY hawk and me.
There was a lot going on. First of all, from my perspective, baby was in the tall grass (taller than them) and boy was it difficult to focus on the bird. Tied for second place was the light and people walking their dog. My best chance of getting a good shot was going to be from the east of baby, looking sunward which means bumping up the ISO. At the same time however, the couple had asked if I was taking a picture of that raven (I didn’t see a raven anywhere) and I said no, there’s a hawk on the other side of the mound – to which he replied that they wouldn’t go that way (but they did anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ).
Despite all that, I managed of couple of not quite focused shots before the baby flew off over my head towards the ‘hood. It was good to see a young one today!
Inspired creations
August 30
During a recent visit with my mom, I was showing her all the stuff I’ve been making and realized I hadn’t yet shared all of my hawk-inspired art/creations here.
Images are labeled with the year I made said creation. So far, I have created 7 works of varying media. In chronological order: the painting, my music album, Max the sculpture, a light switch plate, an enclosed hawk scene lit with flashing LEDs, a clock and my latest Papa hawk scene. I learned a ton with each one and would do them all again differently (my biggest regret is applying resin to the hawk on the clock – should have left that part unfinished)… and also make new ones! So without further adieu, here’s the images:
August 31
Today marks 7 years since that day one of the baby hawks was having dinner in the middle of our street. I’ve been obsessed with these birds of prey ever since.
After an overall regretfully bad experience up on the hill yesterday, I wasn’t sure if I would go up there again today… until I saw and heard a baby flying up there. But this time, no bike, no helmet – just me, the camera & tripod and a bottle of water… and a different access route. Because I was carrying the camera already attached to the tripod, I had retracted the lens so the weight would be more manageable.
As I had hoped, there were 2 babies still flying around near the top. I made my way up bit by bit, pausing for a drink here and there and working out the best route. I had stopped several times along the way to take a few shots of the kids flying around. Gee, I should get up to the top so I can get closer to them. Hmm, I’m not having that focusing problem. Up, up I go. OMG, I forgot to extend the lens – no wonder they seem so far away! Sigh…
Once I sorted that out, I was able to get a few half decent in flight shots of at least one of the babies, including an action shot – you guessed it, pooping in flight! Just look at how they spread their toes in the second shot – relief! I am also extremely surprised that I got a shot of Mama and NO swooping or yelling! Near the end of today’s excursion, Papa was hovering over the area I was in and calling a bit but no swooping. Pretty good outing overall.
September 1
I had this thought yesterday about Mama and Papa… how they are both very specific at who they yell and swoop at (me and umbrella lady, for example). Like, do they have a discussion over evening entrails about who their enemies in this land are? Life questions that may never be answered.
I would’ve gotten out to the hill earlier than I did today (about noon) but I needed to do a few things first. It was already really warm when I did finally get up there and met with umbrella lady. Saw all four hawks flying around, pretty sure I also saw a fifth but they were soaring very high and I wasn’t able to get decent shots. These are the best I have for you today.
On the other hand, I did get some good video of our blue jays and even a robin in our yard today. If I have time, I may add those here later. I will be posting snippets on my Instagram account when I get a chance.
September 2
I heard a baby nearby this morning so I grabbed the camera and walked close to the nest area where there were 2 hawks flying quite high. No good shots from that outing but about an hour later, I was in the yard when I heard them again, flying right over us. What I initially had thought were 2 babies was in fact a baby and Papa hawk.
4:35PM
Again I heard a baby but just faintly. Then I thought I heard Mama and peeked out back and saw someone on a pole close to the parking lot – the babies must be close (within a 3-5 minute walk). Upon further inspection of the photos, it was in fact Papa on the pole. Super easy decision to gear up with the bike, helmet, tripod and camera (forgot my water but I wasn’t far from home) and head over to the path to have a look.
As I crossed the intersection, I saw 2 babies on a pole right at the tunnel on the hill side. Snapped off a couple of shots before going through the tunnel just in case they decide to fly off before I get to the other side. One flew off but only 2 poles to the south. I still had one on the pole to snap photos and take videos of. Since I was virtually beneath the pole, I changed my vantage point to a slightly higher view – better lighting too.
I was very happy to see the littles just hanging out rather than trying to follow them in the sky.
September 3
Be patient and they will come. I was out in the yard again this afternoon when I heard a baby and one of the parents. I looked up and there was the whole family of four flying overhead. There was a fifth bird but I couldn’t verify who or what it was and they eventually went away. The only shot I managed to get was just clear enough to identify Mama hawk.
Can I just say that I really and truly respect Mama, despite our less than ideal interactions over the years. I feel like this documenting that I do – the stories, the photos, the videos – is all a part of me and my story too. This “Project” is just one chapter in that tale. Also, I’m feeling that pang of “they’re going to be gone soon” and I’m struggling a little with that if you’re wondering what the heck I’m going on about!
But I finally got a shot of that elusive bird that’s been in our neighbour’s tree for the last couple of weeks. I’m fairly sure it’s a Chipping Sparrow but the possibility is there that it could be a White-crowned Sparrow. I will try to confirm that in the coming days.
September 4
I wasn’t going to post anything today but after having a look at today’s pretty bad photos that I took of the family flying high overhead today, I came across this photo of Mama and Papa flying close together. Though the quality is lacking, this might be one of the better photos I have of the two of them close enough together to show their size difference. Mama is at the bottom, Papa at the top. Though it is possible that Mama was soaring a little lower in altitude in this shot, it still shows that she is a fair bit larger than Papa.
This is by far the easiest way to identify the male and female in a mating pair – the female is always larger (this is the case in most all birds of prey species).
DID YOU KNOW that Swainson’s hawks have been known to live up 25 years old in the wild.
What is even happening??
September 8
It feels like ages since I’ve had something to add to this little journal of mine! Haven’t seen much of the hawks for a few days and was beginning to think they started their long journey to Argentina. But I was wrong! Yay, me!
As seemed to be the usual, I heard someone flying over our place. At first it looked like about 3 of them, flying way high. Already had the camera set up in the yard for other avian photo ops so at least I didn’t have to scramble for my gear. Something was off though…
What at first glance I thought was Papa, I just knew it couldn’t be. No, this hawk was too light in colour, almost white in places (couldn’t tell at this point if there was a leg band or not). I did get a decent shot of Mama during this initial flyover.
And then things got weird! I managed to get some not great (not sharp) burst shots of the interactions between this mystery hawk and Mama. I didn’t really see much of what was really happening through the lens because I was so busy just trying to keep them in frame. What I would have initially thought (in my very unprofessional opinion) that this was some kind of mating ritual… if it was at the beginning of the breeding season. But why now? Was this some kind of aggression from the mystery hawk? If so, why? They are in Mama’s territory, not the other way around.
If you know what’s happening in this video, do let me know!
After the kerfuffle, I saw Mama fly over to, and soar over the hill as usual. I lost track of the stranger hawk. And as always, the story really only becomes clear once I am able to download the photos.
By the by, I did finally get a cute video of an American Robin in our bird bath:
I haven’t even had my coffee yet
September 9
I had just sat down this morning to do a few edits on yesterday’s post when the unmistakeable sound of a Swainson’s hawk went by my window. Wait, what?! I grabbed the Canon T2i (the semi-retired from hawk-watching but still very functional emergency bird-watching camera that I now keep in my office for just such occasions). Okay, can’t see them from here, they must be in a tree somewhere. And just to clarify, yes, it was definitely a Swainson’s that I heard, but it did not sound like our Swainson’s. Yes, I can absolutely tell the difference.
I ran downstairs, grabbed the Canon 90D (with Sigma) and went outside. A hawk was at the top of a tree across the street. Upon pointing the camera that way (propped only on the fence), I could tell a couple of things: first, the magpies were very much harassing this raptor and secondly, this looks like mystery hawk from yesterday. To reiterate: this is NOT Papa hawk – no leg band, their bib is darker brown (Papa’s is a more orangish-reddish-brown hue) and their wing & belly are much lighter than Papa’s.
They did not have a meal in hand, so it’s unclear why the magpies were harassing them. Eventually, this mystery hawk flew off in the direction of the hill and I can go back to having my coffee and contemplate so many questions I have about this new arrival… Is this hawk trying to take down our matriarch Mama? My very unprofessional opinion is that this hawk is female due to their comparable size to Mama (very similar). Is this one of Mama’s kids from prior years, or an unrelated passerby? Was this interaction with the magpies this morning a botched magpie kill attempt? Do incidents like the one with Mama yesterday happen all the time and I’ve just never seen it? Is it all just coincidence? Two days in a row… same bird….
Later that day…
I have confirmed that the “visiting” Swainson’s is most definitely a light-type female (Swainson’s hawks have many colour configurations) due to the dark “bib” (as compared to Papa’s more colourful bib). See this article that explains this better. Now I see what my winter project is going to be: determining the colour type of all of the juveniles we’ve seen…
As a side note to all this late-season excitement, I no longer feel the need to be on my bike when out looking for our raptor friends. Although I will admit I was wearing my bike helmet yesterday while out in the middle of a green space taking photos of Mama and the rogue hawk. Umbrella lady is also leaving her umbrella (aka hawk disguise) at home (unless it’s raining!).
September 10
It seems like the last posts of this hawk-watching season are going to be all about this new rogue female Swainson’s in the ‘hood.
After some errands today, I just happened to look out back to the green space and saw what surely must have been a hawk – I suspected it was this new hawk – at the top of a new very tall cell tower. I did not see any of our hawks up there this season (that doesn’t mean they weren’t up there, it just means I didn’t see them there) but did see a crow up there one day. Rushed back inside to grab everything: camera, tripod, glasses and better shoes!
Yes, it was her. I just took the photos as fast as I could because you always know they’re going to fly off at any second and it’s better to get crappy photos than no photos at all. But before she did fly off, funny enough, a crow swooped at her a few times. So now I’m wondering if the magpies were chasing her yesterday just because she’s new in the neighbourhood? Ha! I have no idea but if she’s going to hang around for a bit, I’ll document what I can of her.
Project Hawk is not a scientific journal. However, I am fully aware that once the birds have left the nest, they aren’t “babies” anymore – they would more accurately be called fledglings and/or juveniles. I use baby/babies/young ones/littles/juveniles interchangeably throughout Project Hawk when referring to the offspring of Mama & Papa Swainson’s hawks.