FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Harrier back today//screech owl in holly

[Dthomp2669@xxxxxxx]

Hi Birders,
 
While washing my lunch dishes around 1 PM today here in the Charlotte Park  
section of West Nashville, Davidson County, a few blocks east of the  
Cumberland River across from Bell's Bend, I looked out the window just in time  
to have 
a superb look at a harrier just as it flew BETWEEN THE HOUSES just above  my 
grassy side yard.  All the field marks were evident as the bird flew  down my 
back yard, lifted slightly to clear a neighbor's chain link fence, then  
continued along the grassy areas of the back yards of six houses before it went 
 
out of sight.  During the flight, it sent hundreds of starlings and robins  
into 
the air in frenzied flight.  The harrier does not appear to be really  
hunting.  It is more as if the bird is just having a jolly time putting  fear 
into 
the birds on the ground much like my male poodle loves to put fear  into the 
squirrels as he chases them off my deck.  Of course, it may have  noticed the 
rabbits which inhabit an area under a woodpile in the yard of a  neighbor a 
couple of houses behind me.  Sometimes, I see them scampering  across the yards 
behind me when they emerge to feed.
 
My yard has sort of become a magnet for hawks with so many birds feeding  
here. ( A non-birder friend says it looks like a #$% *&@^ aviary around  here)  
Since I've been home from Florida, I've had Cooper's, red tail,  sparrow hawk 
and harrier.  Sharpies, peregrines and a red shouldered have  also been seen 
from time to time.  Being reasonably close to the river  right across from 
Bell's Bend, a very rural area, probably has a lot to do with  it.  There are 
loads 
of squirrels in the trees for the larger species and  plenty of birds 
everywhere for the smaller ones.  I still haven't seen a  mouse, so, 
hopefully,.............
 
The screech owl was in the holly tree/tall bush beside my bedroom window  
last night and serenaded(?) me a couple of times.  When I was outside  around 4 
PM, I heard something rustle in the leaves under the holly and looked  to see 
what it was.  I didn't see anything in the leaves below, but while I  was sort 
of under there, I looked up to see the screech sitting motionless up  about 
roof height.  I came inside and peeped through the drapes, and it was  still 
there.  I haven't noticed the great horned around since my  return.
 
There is rarely a dull moment with all the birds around here.  It's  hard to 
accomplish anything when I'm always stopping to see what is out  there.
 
Cheers, prayers & good birding,
 
Dee Thompson
Nashville, TN

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