www.ustream.tv/channel/the-franklin-institute-haw-cam
Thank you, Franklin Institute, for providing us with this amazing resource.
Here's how the nest looked tonight at about 11 PM. The low level of light makes it look much grainier than it will be in daylight.
Hawkwatchers who saw the nest in daylight today observed that one of the hawks - most likely dad, the tiercel - had already brought in some plastic bags for nesting materials.
Here the is tiercel last Sunday perched in one of his favorite trees at the corner of 20th St. and the Parkway.
Though his feathers are fluffed out in the wind, he is very plump after his winter of feasting on the pigeon population in this area.
A couple of weekends ago, Kay Meng, Carolyn Sutton and I watched the hawks catching some rays on the sunny side of the Family Court Building.
The pigeons in the Logan Square area seem spectacularly unafraid of the hawks. They travel in large flocks.... safety in numbers? ... and frequently gather on the stone balustrades of the Central Branch of the Free Library.
When they break out into smaller groups, they still stay packed together.
We noticed a couple of white pigeons who really stood out in the crowd - not a good idea when hungry red-tail hawks are close by.
This white pigeon seemed unconcerned about the risk it might be taking stepping away from the flock.
At one point, dad swooped straight into the flock on the Library, scattering them to the skies.
He did not make a kill, and perched on the now empty ledge of the Library.
The pigeons swiftly regrouped and in minutes were back, but a little farther along the balustrade.
Kay Meng
We were hoping to see some nest activity, but the hawks did not go near it. The sticks have definitely been replenished, though, since we were last there.
Kay Meng
The tiercel flew to a tree beside the Barnes construction site....
... and then launched up into the blue sunny sky.
Kay Meng
We watched him swing in lazy circles above us, gradually gaining height.
Kay Meng
And finally, after he had soared and glided into the distance, we took a walk over to the Barnes Museum site. The building is just about complete, and now they are working on the landscaping. It looks as if there will be many new trees and smooth walls for perching, as well as stretches of lawn that will certainly tempt squirrels and other rodents.
In short, the Barnes landscaping looks very hawk friendly, and should provide some great play areas for this year's eyasses.
The image below looks across the entry plaza of the Barnes (still surrounded by construction fences) and over to the Franklin Institute in the background. The nest is directly above that silver trash can, in the window furthest to the right on the top row.
Here's another view over to the Franklin Institute, with one of the white Civil War monuments - a favorite feeding perch for young eyasses - in the middle.
This is turned slightly to the right, and shows another open area that will have grass and trees. The big trees on the left run along the Ben Franklin Parkway and are favorite perching and roosting spots for the haggards.
This is looking at what will be the main entrance into the Barnes Museum. I'm standing on the corner of 20th and the Parkway.
Della Micah
Here's what it looked like two years ago prior to the start of the construction.
The Barnes Museum will be opening this spring, and is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to the Parkway museum area that also houses the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the newly refurbished Rodin Museum, as well as the Academy of Natural Science, and of course the Franklin Institute.
No doubt the Franklin hawk family will be front and center, taking in all the excitement. The activation of the Franklin Hawk cam today, along with temperatures that will be in the 60's tomorrow, bring spring, eggs, and eyasses ever closer.
Thank you again, Franklin Institute -- you're the best!
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