Red-shouldered hawks are highly elusive so environmental groups took advantage of the fact that a pair have been using the same tree to nest in Allendale, New Jersey for the last four years, installing a camera on said tree to watch the birds' movements. The birds, however, will have none of that.

Allendale's Fyke Nature Association managed to raise funds to buy and install a web cam costing $6,000 in the tree that the pair of red-shouldered hawks frequented. A few weeks ago, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey finished installing the camera so everything was set up for the birds' return to Allendale.

The red-shouldered hawks did return but not to the same tree.

Jim Wright, deputy marsh warden for the Celery Farm and involved in the project to install a camera to observe the red-shouldered hawk's nest, said discovering the new nest felt bittersweet. After all, they spent so much time and effort getting the camera installed in time for the birds' return. Still, they are happy that the red-shouldered hawks are nesting in New Jersey once again. That's what's truly important.

There's no guarantee that the birds' will be nesting in this year's tree next year as well, so it would've have been great to have observed the red-shouldered hawks this year. The camera can't be simply moved and installed over the new nest as this will disturb the birds, which appear to be already incubating one egg at least.

David Wheeler, Conserve Wildlife executive director, said the non-profit group was anticipating observing the red-shouldered hawks because they are not always seen compared to other raptor species.

In the 1930s though, the bird was one of the most common species of hawks in New Jerseys. Their numbers quickly declined, however, when swampy forestland, their habitat, were replaced by buildings. The red-shouldered hawk was included in 1979 in the state's endangered species list. Currently, no more than 200 pairs of the bird are nesting in New Jersey.

As the camera can no longer be used, it will be taken down and sold. After the sale, Fyke will provide refunds to everyone who contributed to the project.

Those eager to check out bird activity in the wild can view some of the other cameras Conserve Wildlife has in place, like one in Jersey City trained on nesting peregrine falcons and another in Somerset County's Duke Farms observing bald eagles nesting.

Photo: Brad Schram | Flickr