[Bristol-Birds] Re: [bcbirdclub] Re: Golden Eagle and Common Raven Dogfight

Bob,
Guess you don't want to hear about the adult Golden Eagle fly-over I had at the 
house this afternoon - third since mid-December... ;o) Seems they're hunting 
the ridge line above Big Cedar Creek. 

The Sharp-Shinned is still making sporadic appearances to dine on Sparrows, 
Juncos, and such. A L-H Shrike chased finches from the feeders yesterday 
afternoon. Also had a possible Redpoll a little bit ago at the feeder in the 
back. Didn't get good looks though due to fading light... Still seeing Siskins 
and occasionally a Purple Finch or two as well as the R-H WP.
Enjoy the birds...
Richard Kretz
Lebanon (Elk Garden area), VA
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob 
  To: opiehunter@xxxxxxxxx ; bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ; 'buchanan co bc' ; 
'virginia birds' 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:02 PM
  Subject: [bcbirdclub] Re: Golden Eagle and Common Raven Dogfight


  Tom Hunter you make life very rough for those of us who have to work and have 
a raptor addiction.

   

  Bob(Bebirding)Riggs

  Lebanon, VA

   


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: bcbirdclub-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
[mailto:bcbirdclub-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Thomas Hunter
  Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 11:07 PM
  To: bristol-birds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; buchanan co bc; virginia birds
  Subject: [bcbirdclub] Golden Eagle and Common Raven Dogfight

   

        Travis Ratliff and I decided to do a couple of hours of birding before 
the rains hit Russell County today. We started with 3 male Northern Pintails 
mixed in with 75 plus Mallards at the mudhole at Elk Garden.

        We travelled on to Corn Valley and were treated to quite a show. As we 
parked and got out of the truck to scan the mountains we saw a couple of Ravens 
soaring above the ridge line. We then saw 2 immature Golden Eagles come out of 
the treeline. One of them had a large object in his talon and he and his 
companion began to play a game. The one would soar over the ridge then drop the 
object and then catch it before it hit the ground. The companion would follow 
behind and then chase the other back over the ridge. After they tired of the 
game one of the Eagles left but the other began slowly circling the ridgeline 
and of course the Ravens began chasing. Travis and I watched a continuing 
dogfight between the Eagle and the Ravens. The Eagle would soar high with the 
Ravens in pursuit and then would dive towards the ground with 2 Ravens hot on 
his tail.Then the Eagle and the Ravens would emerge from the treeline in a 
vertical climb except this time the Eagle was doing the chasing. The number of 
Ravens kept increasing until there were 12 or more still soaring with the 
Eagle. Each time the Eagle would roll onto his back with the talons up the 
Ravens stopped their pursuit and scattered. This went on for over 10 minutes 
and all of this time I did not see the Golden Eagle flap his wings. It was a 
spectacular exhibit of flying skills.

        Oh yes, we also saw 4 Red-tailed Hawks, 2 American Kestrels, 1 
Sharp-shinned Hawk, 1 Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, numerous Cedar Waxwings and 
Yellow-rumped Warblers.

         


        Tom Hunter
        Tom & Laverne Hunter
        Russell County Bird Club
        Lebanon, VA

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