[TN-Bird] Sharp-shinned Hawk Movement

Oct. 17-18-19, 2004
TN-MS

I have seen more Sharp-shinned Hawks in the past few days than I can remember 
in such a short period around here. Over the past couple of years I have 
noted a dramatic increase in their numbers compared to the steep decline they 
had 
been through the previous years. 

On Friday, in Collierville, I had 2 Cooper's and a Sharpie migrating over the 
buildings I'm working in, all circling high. I had a Cooper's try to take a 
squirrel in my yard that evening. The Cooper's scooped its victim up and landed 
in a nearby tree and there was quite a scuffle, with wings flapping and tails 
wagging and soon the squirrel dropped to the ground and made a bee line to 
another tree. The Coop did not pursue but soon flew off across the street and 
chased a Sharpie from another tree.

On Saturday morning, I had an immature Sharpie and a Cooper's migrating over 
the river in Memphis and another Cooper's at the pits. 

On Sunday Q. B. Gray and I had an adult Sharpie at Arkabutla Dam. 

On Monday, I was driving down Walnut Bend Road in Germantown, when I saw what 
I thought was a dead bird in the middle of the street. The pile of feathers 
did not move as the car in front of me passed and I drove up and stopped to see 
what had been hit. Out of the feathers popped up the head of an adult 
Sharp-shinned Hawk with red eyes gleaming. It was mantling a small bird; I did 
not 
see what species, as the Sharp-shinned decided it would not share its hard 
earned fair with an Ol'Coot.

The prior week I saw a good number of Cooper's Hawks hunting and migrating 
but no Sharp-shinned.

Has anyone else noted more Sharp-shinned in the past few days or an increase 
in their numbers over the past few years?


Good Birding!!!

Jeff R. Wilson
OL'COOT / TLBA
Bartlett, TN


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