Any lingering doubts about T2's commitment and ability to refurbish the Franklin Institute nest must have been put to rest this week. He has been a non-stop nestorator!
Each day the nest grows higher when seen from the ground looking up...
... and deeper when looking into the nest bowl via the Ustream cam. This screen shot was taken today, March 11.
The main action of nest work begins at sunrise. T2 is finding pine fronds to his liking from the newly planted trees over at the Barnes Museum.
He doesn't spend much time on the nest, leaving Mom to organize his pine fronds.
He is also doing better at bringing in big, useful twigs....
... and sometimes he brings food items for Mom. He spent quite a while looking out from the nest, trying to locate her in the nearby trees, perhaps hoping she'd fly in to accept his food.
Here's a series over the past few days showing how the nest has developed:
March 7 - lots of soft greenery in the nest bowl ready for eggs!
March 8 - some paper appeared, but nothing like Dad's trash collection.
March 11 - a delivery of dried oak leaves...
... which later were woven more deeply into the bowl.
... you can be sure that within a few minutes, T2 will make his move.
This morning, they were sitting on one of the most visible and public spots in Center City - right on top of the pediment of the Central Branch of the Free Library...
... but that did not deter T2 in the least!
Kevin Vaughan took this remarkable series of pictures a couple of days ago.
After the excitement, they settled together on nearby branches to catch some more early morning rays...
... and do some preening. T2 has the nictitating membrane, or 3rd eyelid across his eye. This membrane protects the eye when hunting, but in this case is probably from the gust of wind which is ruffling up his feathers. You can see how deep and dense his plumage is, excellent protection in all weather. Note also his fearsome, needle-pointed talons that appear almost to be made of steel.
Last Friday, March 8, we had an unexpected morning snow squall that lasted for a few hours. It didn't seem to bother the hawks at all - T2 made a breakfast delivery to Mom who is impossible to see as she is crouched down at the back of the nest.
He then sat for a while on a nearby lamp pole, intently watching the flakes fall past him...
... and then it seemed that he was trying to catch them in his beak!
But then enough of playing around - time to go hunt.
Over the fall and winter, T2 has become an excellent hunter, catching mostly rats...
... and voles.
He starts hunting at first light...
... and continues steadily throughout the early morning, using the perch and pounce method to look down from a lamp pole into the grassy areas below that are filled with vermin.
As soon as he sees a hapless vole, he pounces down into the grass, scattering leaves and debris.
His powerful talons crush the vole...
... and he "mantles" - spreading his wings out to deter any other hawk who might consider stealing his prey.
When his prey stops struggling, he lifts off from the ground...
... and carries the vole in his talons, along with leaves and grass, back up to the lamp pole.
He then moves the vole from his talons to his beak...
... and gets ready to take off from the pole...
... and head out to find his mate.
These days, Mom is most often found perched somewhere near the nest, catching early morning rays, and ready for whatever activity T2 has in mind.
We hope that she will soon be spending more time on the nest as she gets closer to laying her eggs. But for now, she and T2 are spending time together, in trees...
.... and in flight.
These are the last few days she will have to fly before entering the demanding phase of egg laying and incubation.
Posts
Thank you, Della, for yet another fascinating, informative, beautiful post! You are so great at weaving narrative together with the gorgeous pictures. Thank you, photographers! Bravo hawks! Ann in Devon
ReplyDeleteThank you Della for this wonderful update! So much hanky-panky is definitely good to see...anxiously await those eggs!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful blog and photos! I check it and the cam every day, as I always check in with Pale Male too! Wish I could get to Center City more often.
ReplyDeleteLinda in Blue Bell
Beautiful, just love the photos and updates. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteDottie d
Bridesburg
Phila. Pa
Nice photos! Della, so nice to read your narration, its a "real world" nature series! Love seeing the hawks around town.
ReplyDeleteThey seem to be on the same schedule as one of our local pairs. Lots of flying around and no eggs yet. Wonderful to see them back!
ReplyDeleteAnn F. in Brooklyn
Great photos! Is nice to see our friends are back for another year! Look forward the next few months.
ReplyDeleteM.H.
Appreciate yoour blog post
ReplyDelete