The Great Horned Owl in Methuen is still incubating eggs in the nest.  Here we are at April 1st from a starting date of around Feb. 16th when she was first observed on nest.  She is likley very close to the time when the eggs will hatch.   According to the Birds of North America Online the clutch is almost always two eggs but can range from one to four.  Incubation is almost always by the female only.  She remains on nest throughout, and the male delivers prey to her at intervals throughout night.  The first delivery generally takes place shortly after dark.

While parked for a moment on the north side of South Union St. on the west side of the Duck Bridge, I looked through my binoculars towards the clock tower.  My hope was to spot one of the peregrines perched on the north side of the tower. No luck……but, a bird the size of a Robin was perched on the crown of a nearby tree.  The colors were a bit unusual so I took an extra moment and redirected the binoculars.  What a surprise to find an American Kestrel! Walked out onto the bridge for better lighting and better angle for photo.  Shared the photo with local hawk expert, Paul Roberts, and he commented with these words “the kestrel looks like an absolutely gorgeous adult male….. Absolutely gorgeous.”  Agreed!

The Kestrel is the smallest of the falcons in North America.  The male has a rusty brown back and tail with slate blue wings.  The female is slightly larger with a rusty brown back and rusty brown wings. 

The Kestrel is known for hovering in one place while searching for prey.  They use their very sharp eyesight to scan and then capture grasshoppers and crickets as well as small birds and mice.

According to Mass Audubon the population of American Kestrels in Massachusetts has dropped precipitously in the past few decades.  In response, Mass Audubon is launching a nest box program aimed at helping the American Kestrel population recover.  Thanks to this South Union Street sighting, we’ll now keep an eye open for confirmed breeding activity in the general area!

A Great Horned Owl is nesting nearby in the Nevins Bird Sanctuary in Methuen.  It most likely laid eggs in the last week or two.  Typically the GHO will lay a total of two eggs although they may sometimes lay up to four eggs.  Then the female GHO will incubate the eggs for about 30 days.  The female stays on the nest through even the roughest of weather until her incubation work is complete.  She may even be observed covered in snow, but no matter what the weather, she remains on her nest for the duration!  Stay posted for further developments and hopes that eggs will hatch by the middle of March!

During a morning visit to scan the Merrimack River, observed this Bald Eagle cruising towards the west on the north side of the river.  It landed in a stand of trees and then flew around and up the opening above where the Spicket River spills into the Merrimack.  It was a cold dark morning, but the majesty of watching this Eagle made for a terrific start to the morning!

For those with an interest, 3 additional photos posted:  Jan 24 Eagle photos

The recent onset of colder weather has resulted in numerous Bald Eagle sightings along the Merrimack River in Lawrence.  This Bald Eagle was spotted on Wednesday morning from an overlook on Merrimack Street.  Read the rest of this entry →