New report from the Bronx

I received the following report and photos from Christopher, up at Fordham.

From: Christopher Lyons
Date: April 26, 2007 7:18:20 PM EDT
Subject: Rose and Hawkeye

Although I've yet to see a fluffy white head poking up, I feel pretty confident that I saw Hawkeye and Rose feeding newly hatched offspring today (Thursday).   For the last few days, there's definitely been that familiar feeling that something was up, when I was observing them.  

Hawkeye suddenly showed up (around 12:40pm or so), probably with food.   I didn't see him until he'd already landed.   Normally, he and Rose don't spend that much time together on the nest--either he leaves or she does--but this time he hung around at least 15 minutes, fascinatedly watching as Rose seemed to be tearing up some food item into very tiny pieces, and (I hopefully assumed) feeding those scraps to hungry little beaked mouths.  It was definitely a big occasion, though given how little time Rich Fleisher and I are able to spend nest-watching, I can't say it was the first feeding, if feeding it was.   It definitely reminded me of the last two years around this time.  

Although no chick was spotted until May 4th last year, Red-Tail eyasses are very feeble when they hatch, and barely able to lift their heads, let alone climb up to the top of the nest to look around.   Even in 2005, when Hawkeye and Rose were using a tree nest near the library that I could observe from almost eye level, I was unable to see the chicks when Rose first started feeding them, no matter how hard I looked.   It could still be another week or so before Rich or I can confirm their presence photographically, or begin to form opinions as to how many there are.   If there are any at all, of course.    ::knocks wood::

Rose and Hawkeye inspecting their nest (click to enlarge)





(Photo credit - Chris Lyons)