Black Vulture – Nest Update 6

 Birds, Black Vulture  No Responses »
May 212012
 
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This observation is a continuation of an earlier post documenting observations made at an active Black Vulture nest. The previous article can be found here: Black Vulture – Nest Update 5.

On this visit we were shocked to find the baby vulture unattended when we arrived. We were also shocked by the baby vulture’s rapid growth. This juvenile has doubled in size since our last visit, and is about 3/4 of the size of an adult bird now. Flight feathers are beginning to emerge at the wing tips.

We waited for close to an hour before an adult vulture catiously returned to the nest. Interactions between the chick and the adult were minimal.


 

 
County - Denton
City - Denton
Date - Apr 21, 2012
Time of Day - Afternoon
Temperature - Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather - Clear
Habitat - Community-Church/School/Civic
Type of Behavior - Care of Young
Gender - Uncertain
Maturity - Mixed
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Black Vulture Observation Location

Red-tailed Hawk – Nest Update 4

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May 172012
 
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This observation is the continuation of a previous post. The previous article can be found here: Red-tailed Hawk – Nest Update 3

On today’s visit to the Richardson Red-tailed Hawk nest, I once again found the female sitting high a top the antenna tower. The diligent mother hawk was keeping watch on her young while patiently waiting for her mate to return with his latest catch.

Once again, I only saw one juvenile hawk today. It is begining to appear as if one eyas is all we have at this nest. I will continue to monitor this situation over the coming weeks.

The male hawk did not make an appearance this time, but the female did have a couple of other interesting visitors while I was watching. The first was a Northern Mockingbird, probably with young nearby. This brave mockingbird made repeated attempts to drive the female hawk away by striking the big bird bodily. For her part, the mother hawk was generally unimpressed by the effort.

Later, I moved to a vantage point directly below the female hawk. There, I witnessed a Blue Jay make a similar attempt to drive away the hawk. The Blue Jay impacted the hawk several times and sent feathers flying on at least one occassion. Ultimately, this effort too was a failure. Our female Red-tailed Hawk is very dedicated to to her nest and her young.


 

 
County - Dallas
City - Richardson
Date - May 16, 2012
Time of Day - Morning
Temperature - Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather - Clear
Habitat - Commercial-Retail
Type of Behavior - Care of Young
Gender - Mixed
Maturity - Mixed
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Red-tailed Hawk Observation Location

Red-shouldered Hawk – Nest Update 4

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May 162012
 
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This observation is part of a weekly monitoring of an active Red-shouldered Hawk nest. The last week’s observation can be seen here: Red-shouldered Hawk – Nest Update 3

When I arrived at the nest today there were no adults present. A juvenile could be seen, though, sitting high on the rim of the nest, hot and panting. Soon the adult female showed up. Strangely, she brought no food with her. Upon her arrival a second and then third chick became visible as they competed with each other for their mother’s attention.

 
County - Dallas
City - Dallas
Date - May 4, 2012
Time of Day - Afternoon
Temperature - Hot (greater than 89°F/32°C)
Weather - Clear
Habitat - Recreation-Park
Type of Behavior - Care of Young
Gender - Mixed
Maturity - Mixed
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Red-shouldered Hawk Observation Location

Canada Goose – Goslings!

 Birds, Canada Goose  No Responses »
May 152012
 
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These Canada Geese and their young were observed feeding on the grass in front of the Coyote Ridge Golf Club in Carrollton, Texas.

 
County - Denton
City - Carrollton
Date - May 12, 2012
Time of Day - Afternoon
Temperature - Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C)
Weather - Overcast
Habitat - Commercial-Retail
Type of Behavior - Feeding
Gender - Mixed
Maturity - Mixed
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Canada Goose Observation Location

Black Vulture – Nest Update 5

 Birds, Black Vulture  No Responses »
May 142012
 
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This observation is a continuation of an earlier post documenting observations made at an active Black Vulture nest. The previous article can be found here: Black Vulture – Nest Update 4.

The baby vulture has nearly doubled in size since our last visit a week ago. While we were on site, we witnessed The chick interact with the parent, including brief feeding activity. On several occasions the chick was seen to stretch its wings and legs.

The vulture have shifted their nest from on corner of the alcove to the other. The new location benefits photography in that the window is cleaner in this spot, and there are less obvious reflections on the glass.

Just before we left for the day, the adult bird tucked the juvenile safely under its wing as they both settled down for a brief respite.

This observation is continued at: Black Vulture – Nest Update 6

 
County - Denton
City - Denton
Date - Apr 14, 2012
Time of Day - Morning
Temperature - Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather - Overcast
Habitat - Community-Church/School/Civic
Type of Behavior - Care of Young
Gender - Uncertain
Maturity - Mixed
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Black Vulture Observation Location

Mute Swan – Tangled

 Birds, Mute Swan  No Responses »
May 112012
 
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This Mute Swan is a new arrival at McInnish Park in Carrollton, Texas.

This individual was observed preening and interacting with a a buoy anchored in a small pond. The buoy is used to mark off a radio controled boat course.

It appears the swan has somehow wrapped the buoy’s tether across the back of its neck. The swan’s irritation with his predicament is obvious in the video.

Still, from the view provided by this video, it seems a simple task for the swan to extricate himself. If the swan would just bob its head under water and then move it slightly to the side, he should be able to free himself.

Indeed, within the hour, the swan solved the puzzle and successfully escaped.

 
County - Dallas
City - Carrollton
Date - Apr 5, 2012
Time of Day - Morning
Temperature - Warm (70-89°F/21-32°C)
Weather - Partly Cloudy
Habitat - Water-Bog/Marsh/Swamp
Type of Behavior - Irritation
Gender - Uncertain
Maturity - Adult
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Mute Swan Observation Location

Great-tailed Grackle – Dunking

 Birds, Great-tailed Grackle  No Responses »
May 102012
 
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This interesting observation is of a female Great-tailed Grackle. The grackle had gathered some nest building materials and was seen to be dunking the dried straw into a puddle of water. The supposed objective may be to make the straw more pilable for nesting building. Once in place, the straw would dry and again become rigid, this time more closely following the form of the nest.

 
County - Denton
City - Carrollton
Date - May 9, 2012
Time of Day - Afternoon
Temperature - Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C)
Weather - Clear
Habitat - Commercial-Retail
Type of Behavior - Nesting
Gender - Female
Maturity - Adult
Observer - Chris Jackson
Main Article - Great-tailed Grackle Observation Location
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