A family of Red-tailed Hawks have taken up residence on the roof of Central Church in Cambridge. In consideration of the birds, the church has postponed their scheduled roof replacement and abstained from the ringing of the chimes until the young have fledged.  Two of the four young were in the nest when I dropped by after work on Friday, and their mother was busy tearing up what was left of a squirrel to feed her large offspring.

Only one of the juveniles had yet to be observed to take its first flight.  Red-tails fledge at around six weeks of age, although it will be be another month or two before they are capable of hunting for themselves.  They are an adaptable species, one of the few predators to have found a niche in our urban landscape.  Cities have their own dangers, however, and the newly fledged young are at considerable risk from traffic and large structures while they find their wings.

I returned on Saturday for another session with the hawks, but the nest was now empty.  A large number of people were gathered along the surrounding streets for a passing parade, and I spotted two of the young watching the fuss from a nearby rooftop.

Good luck to you all.