Hawk Release

Close up of the hawk!

On Friday morning, the Audubon Center got a call from the Raptor Center. They were sending a rough-legged hawk up with a volunteer to be released on our property. Its always exciting to see an animal released. We were lucky enough to be able to share this with about 40 fifth graders that were visiting - what a memorable thing for them to see at the end of their trip!

Showing students the hawk right before release

Back to the wild!

Birding near Kearney

Me and a couple of my crane friends!

After an amazing morning in the blind yesterday morning, my parents and I grabbed a quick breakfast. Next up on the agenda, driving around south central Nebraska looking for birds. There were the usual suspects and a few birds that haven't made their way back to Minnesota yet. I saw my first kestrels of the year - a couple males sitting on the power lines. Robins, red-winged blackbirds, sandpipers and various waterfowl. LOTS of hawks and turkeys. Hundreds of geese and of course THOUSANDS of cranes. I am still on the lookout for fewer less common species but we will see how it goes.

CRANES!

Red-tailed Hawk

My dad nearly hitting a wild turkey. Okay he wasn't even close but this pictures makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Red-winged Blackbird

AWESOME!

I got a treat tonight - we had a falconer come to the center and talk for our winter family camp. She brought a gyrfalcon and harris hawk. Both beautiful birds and I was excited just to see these birds. This was easily the highlight of the week for me!

female white phase gyrfalcon

harris hawk

Coopers Hawk

Check out these pictures I took on my latest trip home of a coopers hawk hanging out in my parents yard. Based on the red eyes its an adult bird and helps explain the feathers my dad has been finding in the yard :)

Dakota

Check out Dakota's nice beak! 

She is a red-tailed hawk and turned 20 this year. During her first year, she was shot in the wing for an unknown reason. The wing didn't heal correctly and now she lives at the Audubon Center. 

Anyways. this morning, I finally got enough courage to go ahead and cope (trim) her beak. I also did her talons (toes nails). Dakota was a patient teacher. Looks good, right?