~Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk~

[~Sage~]

A gorgeous and almost totally white Red-tailed Hawk favors an area of Cambria, NY with open field, a vineyard, apple orchards and dense trees. She was reportedly spotted in 2008 in the same area, though we didn't spot her til recently. In February we saw her flying with another RTH of normal coloring.

Sunday, I first spotted her at the edge of the vineyard, just sitting and looking around the ground for something to eat. After checking a nest of other RTHs up the road, we came back and I spotted her from another road, perched high in front of the more densely wooded area. Another hawk was soaring nearby, disappearing, reappearing, and then to my astonishment it flew directly to the white hawk, landed on her, and began mating. After the session, the male dismounted to a spot on the branch near the white female.

I hope we can spot the nest and document the nest activity.






See the hawk? Next shot shows how it looks from where we were parked. Can you spot the hawk below?



Mating!

[~Sage~]

More pix from another road when I spotted her at a different place

Here is the white RTH shot from the car


This shot is not zoomed as much


This is how it really looked from the car with the naked eye, but I'm getting pretty good at spotting her! Can you find her from here?

[chrissy]

Greetings! Wanted to thank you for posting this. A few years ago a white pair of RTs were reported nesting in Victor, NY along Rt. 96. I was so sad when they couldn't be found. Maybe this is that same pair?! Good news indeed!

[~Sage~]

I guess we'd have no way of knowing for sure, chrissy. This white RT was seen in this location last year, but that's all I know about it.
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~Peregrine Place~