Hi Tweeters,

For the last month or more, I have suspected that Red-tailed Hawks
were planning to nest in the forested wetland near the school where I work.
Two individuals were seen in close association with regularity, usually
around the area in question. One day I heard a screeching commotion and
looked up to see them apparently mating on the branch of a cottonwood. Today
while walking into the wetland area with my student naturalists my suspicion
was confirmed. We spotted the nest and two very agitated adults. We
retreated quickly.

The nest is located at least fifty feet up in the fork of a large cottonwood.

I plan to notify the staff of our school to avoid the area near the
nest. Unfortunately, the adjacent field is used heavily: dog walking, sports
practices, etc. In addition, we've had minor vandalism of our nature trail.
I'm sure the area is visited frequently evenings and weekends by bored kids
looking for "excitement".

Are there any suggestions for ensuring the success of the nesting
birds? If I witness purposeful harassment of the birds is there anything
that can be done?

Thanks,

Michael B. Brown
Puyallup, Washington
H-253-841-4281
W-253-841-8733
C-253-208-9588
borealis at borealis.seanet.com
Nature Trail- http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us/elem/firgrove/brown/trail.htm
Home Page- http://www.seanet.com/~borealis/Resume.htm

"...I found myself suddenly neighbor to the birds; not by having imprisoned
one, but having caged myself near them."

-Thoreau
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(o!o)
((___))
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