Save TEH baby HAWKS!

May 18, 2006 8:05 AM

There is a hawk's nest in the lot next to our house with babies in it. They are about to clear cut the land to put yet another crappy built house there (all in the name of "money"). Is there anything that can be done to save that nest?
posted by Hands of Manos to Pets & Animals (18 answers total)

Of course. Call the DNR for your state. A building demolition project here is on hold because of a hawk's nest.
posted by JJ86 at 8:11 AM on May 18, 2006

Plant endangered plants on the lot. Act like they've been there all along. This has been done before, so YMMV.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 9:10 AM on May 18, 2006

Plant endangered plants on the lot.

He's already got hawks! That'd just change it to "Is there anything that can be done to save those plants?"
posted by mendel at 11:00 AM on May 18, 2006

Some ideas: Try asking this falconer, he's in Atlanta* and quite possibly can steer you in the right direction. Another possibility (though might be a stretch) is the local audubon society. Also try contacting the local humane society and ask if they know of anyone who does wildlife and/or bird rescue. Finally, have you tried calling the fish and wildlife office in your area and asking them what can be done?

Hope this helps.

*(hopefully I don't have your location wrong)
posted by squeak at 12:05 PM on May 18, 2006

What kind of hawk? Some are not on the endangered specis list... However there is a lot of the awe shucks factor about hawks and nests these days so call the local TV Station. They'll jump all over it.

Set up a Web Cam?
posted by Gungho at 1:01 PM on May 18, 2006

Hey, I love birds of prey as much as anyone, but screw you and your "all in the name of 'money'" crap. Its totally not necessary to the discussion. Just your non thinking drivel added to a question that deserves more thought.
posted by CCK at 1:01 PM on May 18, 2006

Gungho: From the article I posted above:

All migratory birds are protected by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, he noted.

It's the same reason why you can't just go and stomp on Canadian Geese eggs.
posted by JJ86 at 1:18 PM on May 18, 2006

Response by poster: "but screw you and your "all in the name of 'money'" crap"

uh..okay.

let me restate:

"they are cutting down a Hawk's nest in a 200 year old oak tree so they can put up a house where people can live. Because Atlanta has a shortage of homes."
posted by Hands of Manos at 1:19 PM on May 18, 2006

Response by poster: By the way, DNR said "there's nothing we can do unless they shoot the hawks."

sad. really sad.
posted by Hands of Manos at 1:21 PM on May 18, 2006

Maybe a local tv station would be interested?
posted by JanetLand at 1:35 PM on May 18, 2006

you want to keep it pristine, buy the land yourself.
posted by CCK at 1:56 PM on May 18, 2006

Perhaps contact The Atlanta Audubon Society? Here's the page with the list of their Board of Directors. You might want to try emailing at least a few of them, in case they have heavy spam blockers and whatnot.
posted by invisible ink at 2:08 PM on May 18, 2006

Hands of Manos said: By the way, DNR said "there's nothing we can do unless they shoot the hawks."


Try the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They trump the DNR.
posted by JJ86 at 2:11 PM on May 18, 2006

D'oh. Evidently I have not had enough caffeine this morning. Squeak beat me to it.
posted by invisible ink at 2:15 PM on May 18, 2006

I second talking to the Fish and Wildlife Service. DNR should take care of it, but many state wildlife/conservation agencies are notorious for doing as little as possible in these situtations. The nest is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty as amended in 1972 to include birds of prey.
posted by Tolerant at 4:56 PM on May 18, 2006

You should really specify your goal here. Are you just trying to delay building until the fledglings have left? Would you be happy enough if the birds were relocated (unlikely, I know, but it illustrates the point)?. Or are you trying to stop building on the lot indefinitely?

I notice that you say "on the lot next to my house". You realize that somebody had to clear the trees on your lot for your house to be built, right?
posted by Dunwitty at 9:03 PM on May 18, 2006

I hate to see a 200 year old tree cut for a house. Esp. one with a hawk's nest.

I am in the development field--I suggest you lose the evil developer attitude and discuss your concerns with the builder. Be genuine and friendly, he may care about the situation, he may have a plan to save the tree. In my state saving the tree would be a requirement.

Approach him with the wrong attitude, he will tell you to fuck off and he will mean it.

Hope this works out for you and the hawk family.
posted by vaportrail at 9:25 PM on May 18, 2006

Response by poster: I worked alongside with builders and developers for six years straight. Been in those "fuck off and mean it" situations many of times...and believe me, "fuck off" is usually met with some severe legal consequences.

All I want is the hawk family to be taken care of and not disturbed. It's my opinion that Atlanta needs another house built like everyone needs another hole in the head.

I'm not a tree hugger or a mega-environmentalist, I just hate to see greedy developers have no regard for nature and beauty (but vinyl siding is beautiful, right?)
posted by Hands of Manos at 12:42 AM on May 19, 2006