More California cousins

Several readers have noted that it seems rather late for the California redtails to be starting a nest. I agree. Maybe they are just practicing. But anyhow, they are not the only ones out there. A website correspondent from the west coast writes:

The two hawks that have been seen are not the only ones in the LA area. We have a pair that have a nest in a steeple of a church on Wilshire Blvd. near Crenshaw Blvd., and we have a pair that have a nest on the tall white building at Northrup Grummun at Marine and Aviation in Lawndale. I am quite familiar with the ones at Northrup, they have been there for several years and we see them teaching the eyasses to fly and perch.

About 2 years ago, there was a cute sight when we had a stiff breeze and one of the hawks was teaching a baby to land on a telephone pole. The hawk came in and landed perfectly, the baby flared and put his feet down just as a stiff gust hit him. He was pushed back about 20 feet, decided that this was not a good day for lessons and promptly flew back to the nest.

I also have seen some around the LAX airport, but do not know where they nest. We also have some up near the Hollywood sign. So LA has several pairs, they just haven't made a media splash until now.

Ronnie