Bayview & York Mills Sharp-Shin Nest

[markg]

This is the third time they've used this nest in the last 5 years.  I believe they have fledged 2, 3 and now (almost) 4 chicks in those years.  The oldest is flying (awkwardly) from tree to tree.  I saw it actually fall off a branch on landing and descend about 2 metres through the tree until it caught itself.  The next oldest is hopping from branch to branch in the tree while the youngest, still looking quite immature, is staying in the nest with it's next oldest sibling.

These are some images I shot on July 2, using a Canon Digital Rebel XT with the 100-300 mm zoom lens.  Exposures sometimes adjusted in Photoshop.

All four of the chicks:



A good view of one of the babies:



The oldest in flight:



A sleek and self-satisfied parent!  If I've misidentified them as Sharp-shins, please let me know.



You can see all the photos I've posted at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markf/sets/72157600614384713/

Some shots of a parent, possibly tending the eggs, taken in the early spring can be seen at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markf/sets/72157600112099317/

[RobMcKay]

Nice shots Mark, and thanks for sharing!
Rob

[bird_guy]

Hi Mark,

Awesome pics, I would love to get some pics of these guys fledging, where is the nest in relation to bayview and york mills

Thanks

[markg]

First, I assume everybody agrees they ARE Sharp-Shins?

They are on private property, and located about 20 metres up in a black cherry tree as well!  You might be able to see them once they're flying, from the park next to St. Andrews Junior High School (may be Middle School now?) on Fenn Ave.  Enter the park from Knollwood and walk in to where the wood, heading east and go in about as far as the wood steps that come down from the school.  They're in trees on the other side of the valley from the school, but not right at the edge.

My experience in previous years is that once they're out of the nest, they will spend a week or two in the immediate area.  Their screeching for the parents to bring them food is pretty easy to hear.  You may also be able to see the parents come and go.  They sometimes will perch in the open, on branches or fences, so you may get a look at them.

[bird_guy]

My favourite birds to photograph are raptors, but i am finding it harder to find them now with all the leaves now on the trees. Hopefully i will get a glimpse of these hawks too.

Thanks

[markg]

I just was out there and don't see any activity in the nest.  Considering the earlier rain, they should be up and around.  I can hear calls in the surrounding trees, so they may already have left the nest.  I expect they will be in the area for about another 2 weeks before they leave for good.

[markg]

I've been watching again and it seems the young hawks are moving through the trees in the surrounding area, but returning to the nest some of the time.  They seem to congregate in it's vicinity when expecting a meal and a couple actually moved into it.  When the parent arrived (obvious from it's vastly superior flying) there was contention over the food, with a third young one trying to enter.   One of the fledglings drove the others off and took the whole meal.

I think the "babies" are remaining pretty close to the nest.  I don't know if they sleep in it, but they are still pretty clumsy in the trees.  They move awkwardly and landings are still uncertain.  You can hear their calls through the day and it's not hard to get a good look at them with a little patience.  They don't sit still very long, but they often move to a more open location for a while.