FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] Red-tail nesting underway !

["Wallace Coffey" <jwcoffey@xxxxxxxxxx>]

A sedentary pair of Red-tailed Hawks, likely old established resident, have 
begun their nesting season in Washington County, Va.

Dave Worley and I discovered the birds 17 Dec. at a nest along Kelly Chapel Rd. 
not far from the Middle Fork Holston River.  The nest is an old structure, 
large and bulky.  It is situated in the crotch of a tree within a narrow strip 
of woods between open fields and the roadway.  We parked nearby and stayed for 
nearly 30 minutes enjoying the show.  Our vantage point was just below eye 
level with the nest.

We are not aware of any previous December nesting activity for Red-tails in 
Southwest Virginia or Northeast Tennessee.

The female carried nest material to the structure and we watched her for nearly 
a half hour as she worked persistently at placing sticks in the proper places.  
One branch was plucked from the outer limbs of a nearby tree crown.  She was 
especially careful to settled down in the nest to make sure the cavity shape 
would be a satisfying fit.   Nest preparations are not quite complete because 
no evergreen bows adorn the rim.  Hemlock, white pine or new spring growth from 
hardwoods are frequently used to warn intruders that the nest is occupied and 
defended.

The male perched a couple of feet above the nest.  He remained nearby and 
attentive as she worked.

The size of the nest suggested it had been used one or more nesting seasons.  
Red-tails often reoccupy their former nests.

Eggs are usually laid from late February to April at this latitude.  The 
unseasonably warm weather may have stimulated the nest preparations.  Later 
winter storms and prolonged, deep, cold spells might delay further activity 
until the longer warm days of early spring.  We will check back during January 
and February in hopes of establishing incubation and an early date for eggs.

Dave is concerned that Great Horned Owls will appropriate the nest for their 
own clutch before the Red-tails begin laying.  Maybe we can determine if that 
happens.

Let's go birding.....

Wallace Coffey
Bristol, TN