Cruz is a redtail hawk we have watched grow from a baby to an adult in a large fir tree in our neighbor's back yard. We first started noticing action in the tree in May 2007 and have been watching since. Here's the log.
May 2007 - We noticed 2 redtail hawks landing in a large tree and spotted the nest. It's a lrage nest made from branches and twigs. We can't see inside the nest but it must be deep because the birds can disapper from view when inside.
June 1 - We bought a spotting scope and now have great views of the baby bird peeking out of the nest now and then. We named him 'Cruz' and don't really know if he's male or female, but have started calling it a 'him'. Pictures here & here
June 2 - 15 - Cruz grows daily and his cute white down feathers are gradually replaced with his tan, brown and black feathers. He goes from just venturing to the top of the nest in the early days to hoping on the closest branches next to the nest to in the later days hoping on branches several feet from the nest. I spotted him one day at the very top of the tree probably 15 feet from the nest.
June 16 - We watch as Cruz exercises his wings and flaps his way out and up a branch until he's at the end. Then he flaps his way to another branch and we all were expecting him to take off. But he just stayed there calling mom for food and every now and then flapping and swaying in the branches.
June 17 - We watched as Cruz flew from his home tree to a neighboring tree on our property. He is very awkward in the trees and squawks a lot when trying to get around on the swinging branches. He didn't seem to like his situation in the new tree, as his calls were 'distress' calls. His mom finally came back to the nest with some food and Cruz flew back to his home tree, coming in fast and landing about 10 feet from the nest. He was able to hop back and settled in for lunch.
June 18 - Cruz was out flying again and when I finally spotted him, his mom has again delivered lunch in the nest but Cruz had to climb up about 30 feet of the tree to reach it. It took several minutes for this but he finally made it.
June 20 - Cruz seems gone in the morning but we spotted Cruz in the nest along with mom later in the day. Seems ready to settle down for the night.
June 21 - Can hear Cruz around, but can't spot him. Cruz came back to the nest in the afternoon for lunch with mom again.
As a side note I saw both the International Space Station and the shuttle fly by tonight at 9:44 and they scooted across the sky pretty fast, 2-3 minutes. I then put the spotting scope on Jupiter. Wow! 5 moons were visable.
June 22 - Cruz is out flying again - mostly to close by trees where he lands fast and then squawks for awhile before trying another flight. The Blue Jays also squawk up a storm when he lands in a new tree, maybe he's looking for baby Jays for lunch. I'm expecting to see mom come back with lunch again.
June 23 - Cruz is in the nest in the morning, then flew to our 'Water tank' douglas fir tree to squawk for breakfast for an hour or 2. He then flew back when mom brought something to the nest. His flights are still awkward, flying straight and coming in for fast landings - often in the wrong tree or wrong spot in the tree. He then squawks loudly while scampering up the tree until he reaches the nest and breakfast.
June 24 - Still in the nest in the morning and breakfast is delivered around 9. Leaves for some of the day but then comes back to eat again in the afternoon. Saw him and mom together in the nest. Cruz hunkered down later to stay out of the stiff north wind which was strong enough to sway the rather large tree. He seemed glad to be there as he peaked over the rim of the nest to watch out our way.
June 25 - Saw Cruz flying in this morning from somewhere to the south. He was easy to spot with such a loud squawking with each wing beat. I woke the kids up explaining to my wife the sound he was making, it was such a racket! He landed in the water tank tree where he at least could see his nest tree. Spotted Cruz around 2 eating something substantial, not sure if mom brought it or not. Gone later
June 26 - Last day to watch for awhile as we are headed to Hawaii. Saw Cruz early in the nest. He hopped his way up to the top of a branch and then with the familiar 'squawk, squawk, squawk' he headed out for the days adventure. He sure won't be sneaking up on anything flying and squawking like that! Not expecting to see Cruz after we get back in July but who knows. Adios Cruz!
July 7 - Came back from vacation and surprise, Cruz is around. I heard him around this afternoon, across the valley to the east and south on our side. Then around 4 I saw him arrive in the nest tree shreiking quite a loud call. His flying is much better and he now lands with the normal flair and settle action of an adult. He looks like an adult now but still calls when he flys. He took off across the vally to the other side of Granite creek without even getting in the nest.
July 8/9 - Cruz is still around. We hear him a lot and spotted him in a few trees close by. He either squawks (hungry?) or sits quietly grooming his feathers. He likes his 'nest' tree but doesn't go in the nest any more. He still squawks when he flys.
July 10 - Spotted Cruz in the nest tree. Just sitting on a branch and grooming his feathers. Picture here.
July 16 - I can hear cruz around. Hope to spot him later.
