[va-richmond-general] Fireworks Avian Style

Fireworks: Avian Style
 
     Bryan Park, VA- Most people don?t expect to see fireworks early in the 
morning, but seven birdwatchers did on Sunday, July 2, 2006 at Bryan Park in 
Richmond, Virginia.
     Standing on the highest soccer field, which overlooks a large meadow and 
surrounding woods, Jerry Uhlman was the first birder to spot the Cooper?s hawk 
rocketing towards a group of small birds. Exploding like stars, the small 
finches and sparrows flew for deep cover in the dense meadow bushes and other 
nearby vegetation.
     Meanwhile, a large oak on the southern edge of the meadow stood like a 
Roman candle periodically spewing out young American kestrels. Three or four 
kestrels flew upward at different heights into the blue sky and circled 
downward and then upward completing cartwheels in the sky. An adult kestrel 
perched regally on a high bare branch several hundred meters to the west of the 
young.
     Suddenly, the Cooper?s hawk reappeared out of nowhere and flew like a 
bottle rocket high into the blue sky with the kestrels. The hawk turned and 
then dove quickly. A squadron of Mourning doves flew purposely in school fish 
formation out of the woods. The doves headed northwest without a sound as the 
young kestrels called repeatedly. 
     ?Anyone observing us could image our OOWs and Ahaaas as we looked 
skyward,? said  one birdwatcher.
     One of the experienced bird watchers said, "Remember this, because you'll 
probably never see anything like it again in your life" referring to the young 
kestrel who seemed to be solo-ing for the first time and didn't quite know what 
s/he was doing but was having a hell of a ride!
   Happy Fourth of July!

     

   

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