Friday, July 18, 2008

TULSA: HERE A HAWK, THERE A HAWK, EVERYWHERE A HAWK, HAWK!


Tulsa Hawk Map courtesy of Jackie Dover

I'd mentioned that over time as they had sightings of other hawks that the Tulsa Hawkwatchers might want to try mapping territories. And Wow! A day or two later suddenly a map appears with the current sightings. They're completely ahead of me. I am so impressed by the work Tulsa's new Hawk Watchers and the folks on the KJRH forum are getting done.

Here's a note from map creator, Jackie Dover--

Hello, from Oklahoma:

My KJRH Hawk Forum friends--Catbird and Catgirl (photographer Cheryl Cavert)--suggested I email you a copy of the first of a series, no doubt, of working maps of the Tulsa areas where we've had RTH's observed and reported since the establishment of Kay/Jay/Thunder's nest.

It's a work in progress, but it is something. I can send you significantly updated maps as they may develop.

I enjoy your blog, most recently the chickadee in the rhubarb, the Spokane ducks, and the continuing saga of the RTH's bouts with frounce.

I am a total layman in this hawk business. But I'm an animal lover, and I'm learning. We have a wonderful Forum group with lots of good humor, expertise and enthusiasm.

Sincerely,

Jackie Dover (Bville on the Forum)

Bartlesville, OK

Hey Jackie, you can bet your boots we'd like to see those maps as they progress. Every time someone studies a new set of Red-tails we learn more about these wonderful birds. They're so adaptable and there is no doubt in my mind that we'll see differences here and there from the New York City hawks as we progress.

Two new sets of Hawks in as many days, here's Cheryl's photos and report below


Photograph of Perryman Ditch Hawk 2 by Cheryl Cavert
Cheryl Says---



This is the one I think is the parent, Hawk 2- or at least an adult due to the red tail when it flew off. In the picture of it yelling at me - it was not happy that I was getting so close to where hawk1 was perched.


No question Cheryl that if the bird has a red tail, is yelling at you for being near a fledgling, and is being allowed in the territory at this point in the breeding season, the bird is one of the parents. Red-tail parents are beyond picky about who gets to traverse their boundaries at this time of year. The intrusion of an non-parental adult would bring on the war cries and a major battle.


(Further explanation about the Perryman Ditch location and Cheryl's adventure finding them below.)




Photograph of Perryman Ditch hawk 1by Cheryl Cavert
(And be sure not to miss the bug eyed Blue Jay scolding the Juvenile above.)
AND MORE FROM CHERYL--
Hello Donna,


This morning when I returned from my morning errands and hawk watching , I could hear a ruckus going on a block away from me. As I have heard and seen some red-tail hawks in my neighborhood recently, I hurried out with my camera and binoculars (and one of my escaped cats!!)




I live about 1 1/2 miles south east from Thunder's nesting site, and then another 1 1/4 miles east is the Langenheim twins. I took a few pictures of the two hawks I spotted. My guess is that one is a parent and one a juvenile. The parent resembles Jay in the pale belly - so maybe a sibling/parent/offspring - guess we'll never know. For now I have referred to them as Perryman Ditch Hawk 1 and 2 - for the area I have been seeing them in. Just thought you might like to see some hawks perched in some trees (rather than cell phone tower equipment!!!)
Cheryl

I like Red-tails perched where ever they decide to do it, but yes, it is nice to see them perched in trees now ans again.



I'd asked what kind of area the two new fledglings who's photographs were posted on Tuesday, the Langenheim Twins, as they are currently called, were found and Tulsa Hawkwatcher and their discoverer Rose Culbreth came through like a trouper with the information.

Donna,
I am one of the Tulsa Hawk watchers, the one that first sighted the Langenheim Park Twins. You had asked some specific questions and I will try and answer a few:



The park itself is described on the City Parks webpage as below:


7.7 Acres Designated Parking with handicap spaces. Playground with 3 big toys, designed to look like a castle. Sports Field, large open field on the east end Lighted tennis courts. Picnic Tables
All of the non vegetative objects listed above are at the north and middle of the park.


The south side of the park, closest to the bank building they like to perch on, has many huge sycamore, pine, oak and sweet gum trees, none of which has a nest in it that I can find.


There are though, three rather large squirrel nests in those trees. The park has many squirrels, rabbits and smaller bird species and although I have not seen any, I am sure mice, voles, and other rodents. The first sighting of an adult was this afternoon just a half block west.


(It sounds like a very nice, varied, and high prey base. D.B.)
Do the Hawks build stick nests when they build in trees or is that just on man made structures?
Rose Culbreth




Hi Rose,
Excellent answer to my questions about the green area the birds are using for their fledglings. Red-tails are particularly partial to having an open area bounded by some tall trees. It's perfect for hunting.


Yes, Red-tails use sticks and twigs to build their tree nests as well. In fact they often have to bring far more of them the first year in order for the nest to work out for them in a tree. And experienced pair will pick a nice crouch in a tree they like.



I've not had as much experience with tree nests as ones on buildings but John Blakeman, the Ohio Red-tail expert tells me that sometimes they will start by sort of dropping sticks into the crouch until some catch then they begin weaving a rather messy bowl. This part I've seen. They push twigs down from top to bottom and through the sides until the "feel" is right. Though they will continue to add sticks all the way through the nesting season but usually not as many as in the initial stages. If they choose the site again next season they'll add a whole new layer and the nests tend to grow and grow.




California Condor courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

OUR CALIFORNIA CONDOR MAVIN MONA WRITES ABOUT HER OWN SIGHTINGS OF CONDORS AND SENDS FRESH CONDOR LINKS

Donna,

I still have not been able to find news on the survival of the condor chicks, but I did find this new website asking for the public to report condor sightings. It's a positive move, as the birds are expanding their movements. I have been fortunate enough to have seen them twice at Pinnacles National Monument, one of the release and reintroduction sites. The closest was when my husband and I were hiking on one of the high trails and two flew by at eye level. We heard their soft wing beats and our hearts just melted! Another time, they roosted in a big white pine tree high on a hill above our campsite.They took forever to choose which branch to sleep on so lots of flying in and out of the tree. The next morning, several were still in the tree, so we got to watch them begin their day.



1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Jackie, thanks much for the map!

Jeff in Tacoma