It looks like our red-tailed hawks are back again for another season, nesting in the same pine tree, just outside our office window on the UW campus. One of the birds was in the nest this morning, rearranging some twigs and getting the place in order.

According to Cornell University, “red-tailed Hawks typically put their nests in the crowns of tall trees where they have a commanding view of the landscape. They may also nest on a cliff ledge or on artificial structures such as window ledges and billboard platforms. Both members build the nest, or simply refurbish one of the nests they’ve used in previous years. Nests are tall piles of dry sticks up to 6.5 feet high and 3 feet across. The inner cup is lined with bark strips, fresh foliage, and dry vegetation. Construction takes 4-7 days.”

They should be in the nest for 42-46 days. If they are successful, we can look for one to five eggs, which incubate for 28-35 days.