Eight Years with Red-shouldered Hawks
by Mary Key

The Red-shouldered Hawks were around all winter. Never a day I didn't see or hear them. Hunting around the house and over the low wetland along the Wappingers Creek between Rt. 376 and Red Oaks Mill Road. Around late February, early March, they hung around their old nest more and more. They were in that old oak tree or in the nest itself for short periods. By April they were on the nest every day and I had the pleasure again of observing them closer and often. Then April 18th, Central Hudson Tree Service men came to trim trees along their lines. There were 4-5 men with colorful helmets working, working and calling to one another and twice they used the cherry picker for a very short period but never the nest tree itself. The nest tree is close to my neighbors' front door. The men worked here all day much to the hawks' displeasure. The hawks screamed and screamed and circled about. I kept wishing the men would finish soon. The next day the workmen were gone and so were the hawks. I feel deserted even though I do hear them occasionally but never in the tree. I suppose they have started another nest elsewhere but it's late. I've lost close friends. Every year the nestlings had different personalities. Played - ate - took baths in a teaspoon of water - and so on and on.

Now I have a crow's nest to watch in a pine tree down near Rt.376 at the lower edge of my lot. A good 400 ft. from the old oak tree where the hawks were. Two plus four adult crows seem to be feeding. They are not my favorite bird but I'll have to do some research in my "Bent" books.

Mary C. Key
Wings Over Dutchess, May 2001