Riverwood Coopers Hawk Family Update

[Vince]

The chicks have gotten pretty large but Mom is still bringing meals.
The lighting in the forest made it difficult for me to get better shots
Here I caught her preparing for a hunt


She was successful and spent considerable time appearing to clean the victim and was calling the chicks


Three of the chicks were waiting in the nest for lunch


While the forth was perched on a nearby branch

[Lloyd]

That's a nice update, Vince. Thanks for posting!

[surfinbird]

Great set , thank you for posting . I do have to say that thier eyes look like my cats when it's about to get kitty treats .

[Vince]

Thanks for your comments
Vince

[steve rossi]

Thanks for the update Vince, I went today to the Coopers nest I had been watching and they have all left the nest and the nest was completely gone,apparently the hawks dismantled it themselves ,I was surprised to see this.

[Vince]

Hi Steve,
Long time no see.
Yes, that is unusual. The nest in these pictures was used last year and there is one in the woods behind us that has been used more than one year. Maybe some hawks would rather tear down than renovate. They need to call Mike Holmes.
Vince

[mr.sharp-photo]

i was there today and i'm not sure if there is more than 1 nest.  i've seen 1 nest before and its now covered by other trees' foliage. but i could definitely hear 1-2 hawks calling as its parent sat on a branch 50 feet away.

[Vince]

They're is only one that I'm aware of and I believe the Coopers won't let another hawk nest in the same forest or within a certain range. This one can be difficult to see because of the foliage.