Cooper's Hawks Fledged at Sam Smith

[Brian Bailey]

I hadn't heard or seen anything lately about the Cooper's Hawk nest at Sam Smith Park, so I stopped by this morning to have a look.  One juvenile was hanging around the area of the nest calling repeatedly.  At first, I didn't recognize the call as a hawk.  I thought it might be a young Blue Jay.  It sounded like a softer, hoarser Ring-billed Gull call.

I have no idea if this is the only surviving chick, or just the only one still looking for parental support.

Along with all the usual suspects, there numerous Caspian Terns, 2 Red-Necked Grebes, and a fly-by Great Blue Heron.  (I normally don't see many GBHs in this area, but they seem to be more common this year.)

BB

[Brian Bailey]

Because a couple of people have already asked:

The nest is at the first bend in the road as you follow Col Sam Smith Drive (the Kipling extension) south from Lakeshore Blvd W. There is a paved path that continues straight where the road curves. The nest is almost directly above the path in one of the first deciduous trees, just to the west of the path.

I didn't see either of the adults around, but it is possible for a bird to sit on the nest and be invisible from the ground.

The nest location is not secret.  It's actually right across the street from a high school.

BB

[old stork]

Hi!
Couple of weeks ago I saw 3 fledglings.
On anothe rnote the red neck greebes lost their eggs last week.
Good birding

[Brian Bailey]

Where did the grebes nest?  I saw them attempting to build a nest on a partially submerged rock at the east side of the harbour in late June, but I thought they had abandoned the attempt.

I saw the adult grebes there last week, but it was the first time I had noticed them since early July.

BB

[old stork]

:cry:
the nest was in a liitle bay near the place where formerly stood a viewing platform. They incubated 3 eggs for about 20 days, then the nest was empty, racoons?foxes?
The pair is still around.