An Eyas Sighting at the Cathedral
The wait is over! At least one eyas is now big enough to show up over the edge of the nest.
One Chick at 888 7th
I’ve been corresponding with Brett Odom, who has a view of the 888 7th Avenue nest. He confirmed on Monday that there was only one chick in the nest.
Brett asked me about the fledglings and if they would have any problems getting down from such a high floor. I figured out the height of both 888 Seventh Avenue and the former nest on Parc Trump. They’re a floor apart! So, if the chicks could do it two years ago, I think we’ll be fine this year.
Tuesday, May 8th
Jean joined me this evening. Unfortunately, so did another “Owl Tour”. The group was fairly loud and spread out, so the owls went to high branches this evening rather than the low trees and bushes near the Willow.
All three went quickly across the drive and we lost all but the Fledgling, who sang softly before heading into the area of the Loch.
Monday, May 7th
The three owls were close together this evening. The fly out was fairly normal, except that Herringbone went immediately towards the nest cavity, and was chased by an American Robin. The owl was mobbed for a bit, and then ask it got darker, the robins all became quiet.
Herringbone, who I think is the male went into the cavity. Soon a screaming bird, which sounded like a European Starling, left the hole! Owls 1 – Starlings 0! The male then left the cavity. By this time, the female arrived and took a turn inside the cavity. Both were in nearby trees but then we lost them.
Chris and Fig were with me tonight.
Highbridge Nest Update
Views of the Highbridge nest are disappearing as the trees leaf out. I almost slid down the steep hill near the nest taking these obscured shots.
Both parents were off the nest as I took these pictures. These may have to be my last pictures of the Highbridge nest this year.
Sunday, May 6th
Jean and I were the two regulars on Sunday, plus we had a few locals. The temperature was cool, so the park was relatively quiet.
I arrived around 7:30 pm. to find the Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk in the Willow with the three owls! The Red-tail was too busy chasing Robins to see them, but it did have me worried. It went all around The Pool, and ended up landing on the Willow three times.
The three owls were much harder to find in the tree than usual tonight. I couldn’t locate the third one until it flew out for the evening. They landed on a nearby tree and were off before I could get some solid pictures. They quickly moved 150 feet north, and we lost track of them. I bet they wanted to move away from the area, just in case the Red-tail was still around.
Other trees are starting to be fully leafed out near the Willow. I wonder how many days, we’ll still have with them roosting out in the open in Willow.
