Baby Hawk Re-Nested With Bucket Truck

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center wildlife staff returned a baby red-tailed hawk back to nature in Shaker Heights today using a bucket truck from the City of Shaker Heights Public Works Department. The hawk fell from its nest and was spotted by a passerby who contacted our Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Program. Rehab staff had been caring for the unharmed bird since June 14.

To return the young hawk to its wild family, Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator Amy LeMonds determined where the bird was found, contacted the homeowners and worked with the City of Shaker Heights on a re-nesting plan. LeMonds fashioned an artificial nest out of a laundry basket, attaching rough matting to the top edges to provide traction for the bird’s talons. Artificial nests are often successful in reuniting a baby bird back with its natural parent caretakers when the original nest cannot be reached or is destroyed. In this case, the hawk nest was beyond the reach of the bucket truck.

This morning, a City of Shaker Heights Public Works Wildlife crew attached the artificial nest to the tree below the natural nest using a ratcheting strap. Wildlife Director Dave Wolf then made the bucket trip back up and placed the baby into the secured basket. The hawk is now reaching ‘branchling’ stage, when it will be hopping from branch to branch, strengthening its muscles and learning to fly, still under the care of mom and dad. The baby appeared to be in great shape after being placed in the basket, almost immediately eating the food supplied by the rehab staff.
The parents have been observed tending to a sibling in the original nest.

Center rehab staff often teaches would-be baby bird “rescuers” to place displaced birds back in their original nests or to use the artificial nest method. For small birds, a milk carton makes an excellent hanging artificial nest.

The nonprofit Lake Erie Nature & Science  relies on donations to fund our Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Program, which provides services at no charge to the public. To donate or for more information, stop by 28728 Wolf Road in Bay Village, call 440-871-2900, email info@lensc.org or visit www.lensc.org online.

These photos provided by the City of Shaker Heights. Visit our Facebook page for a full album of photos!