What are the significant threats that peregrine chicks face in the first year of life…..Great-horned owls!  For falcons in their first year when mortality is roughly 50%, primary threats include large windows, utility lines, owl predation, and starvation.

Discovered this male Red-bellied Woodpecker one morning during a walk along the Methuen Rail Trail.  Over many mornings, it kept making an incessant series of calls that suggested a nearby nest.  After many visits and lots of patinece, finally located the nest.  No chicks yet!!

4 photos posted online: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/149893857      Click “next” in upper right corner to advance frames!

One of the most exciting parts of the birding annual cycle is to observe and monitor the breeding cycle.  This Great Horned Owl nest is one of those special treats.  This nest is located in the Heron rookery in Methuen alongside the Spicket River.  At the moment, only one chick is visible with eyes barely open.  Let’s stay tuned over the next few weeks to see if any siblings emerge and how long it will take to first see the checik upright and the with open eyes!

On a whim, stopped by the Abe Bashara Boathouse along the Merrimack River in Lawrence.  It was quite and just before 10AM.  To my surprise, looked across to the north side of river bank and observed an adult Bald Eagle perched on a branch overhanging the river.  Moved around a bit with camera to capture photos from a few different angles….all taken from the car.  While backing up, heard the Adult make a series of calls, looked up and noticed a subadult flying along the river.  A few crows joined in pursuit until the eagle laned in a tree nearby the adult.  A few images include partial leg band readings.  Tom French from MassWildlife provided further information:

Banded:  0679-04016, and N/3 burnt orange  (Banding Permit # 21963)

Banding date and location:  05-10-11   Banded as a chick (4.5 lbs) at Great Pond, Connecticut River, Hadley, Hampshire Co., MA

Siblings:  Two other siblings – K/8 (7.6 lb), K/9 (6.08 lb)

Additional photos posted:  http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/148896751  Click “next” in upper right to advance frames!  Enjoy!

Another morning alongside the Merrimack scanning for Bald Eagles when suddenly an adult Bald Eagle comes cruisng along heading west.  I fumble quickly to grab the camera and fire away as it flies right overhead.  A few minutes later it is joined by a subadult.  The subadult circles, then preapres to land on a nearby branch.  In landing mode, the subadult stretches out its legs and feet and later the discovery is made of a leg band on the subadult.  The leg band was not able to be identified other than in a general way.  According to Tom French at MassWildlife “this is probably one of the adults from the nest in Methuen just upstream of Lawrence, but it could also be one of the adults from the Haverhill nest a short distance downstream.” 

More photos of adult and subadult posted: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/148582976

Just when you think you have keen eyesight for birds, especially large ones like a Bald Eagle, you learn yet another lesson form the birding world.  Made a sweep of the Merrimack River for eagles among snow covered branches.  Almost ready to move on when a white head caught my attention.  Had a nice look at a solo adult Bald Adult just hanging out over looking the river.  No idea that another adult Bald Eagle was just behind the first and camoflaged among the branches.  Take a look at 3 photos in a series that shows off the second Adult once I moved my position!

3 photos posted: http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/148542949

While checking for Eagles along the Merrimack this morning, found not just thiad adult, but on closer inspection, discovered subadult as well!  Both perched on a branch overhanging the river!  the adult looking bird is almost a full adult and the brown eagle is a second year bird.

While crossing the newly re-opened Duck Bridge and heading north, looked over towards one of the old abandoned mill buildings behind Pemberton Mill and noticed a hawk in one of the window sills.  Turns out to be the Red-tailed Hawk that has been seen in this general area quite a bit over last few months.  It was quietly perched and seemed almost stranded and unable to move although it appeared quite healthy!

What an unexpected treat to find this sub-adult IV Bald Eagle along the Merrimack in Haverhill.  After a nearby meeting, took a ride from Methuen along Merrimack into Haverhill and spotted this near adult perched and facing into the afternoon sun on a blue sky day.  Noticed a bit of brown wash near the tip of the tail indicating this was not yet a full blown adult but very close!

The weather continues to stay cold enough that the ice in building uo just a bit on the Merrimack River.  While driving in this Monday morning to start the week, something caught my eye flying to the east just over trees along the Merrimack.  Proceeded to view from many different vantage points and best I could find was a Red-tailed Hawk.  Had a feeling that I was missing something! Kept scanning in the trees hoping that my sense of a larger and darker bird (possible a juvenile or young adult eagle might be around).  Finally located this young second year eagle in deeper vegetation.  It was farther in the branches and tougher to find.  Photos were a challenge due to distance, blacoking branches and then challenging sunlight angles.  Anyways, this photo and a few others help to document this younger eagle and inspires further possible sightings in the area!  A few more photos posted:

http://www.pbase.com/birdshots/image/148224142  Click “next” in upper right to advance frames….enjoy!