Yesterday I happened to be watching the birds at the feeders at the right
time when a small hawk came in from the left like a bullet. On the ground
under the feeder were 3 Cowbirds, a female Redwing and a Cardinal. The hawk
was so fast that I didn't get a really good look at it as it came in, but
from the size of it I am almost certain it was a male Sharp-shinned. There
was an azalea bush between the hawk and the feeding birds. The hawk stayed
low coming in, and used the bush as cover. It was practically on the birds
before they knew it was there. It suddenly appeared in the air slightly
above and behind the bush. The birds instantly flew toward the hawk and the
closest protection, which was the azalea bush. As the birds entered the bush
low the hawk was diving downward and turning to follow. It was inches behind
them and it also dived into the bush. This happened so fast it was almost
more than I could follow, but I did see the hawk's tail spreading as it
tried to make the turn downward.
There was just a moment of branches shaking and suddenly a male cowbird
burst from the bush and headed down through the yard toward the woods with
the hawk practically on it. Once that happened I couldn't see the cowbird
because the hawk was blocking it from my view as they flew away from me, but
the cowbird must have been making some short side to side maneuvers. I could
see the hawk flaring its tail as it used it as a rudder to constantly change
directions. The two disappeared into the woods and I don't know if the hawk
got its lunch. This whole event lasted no more than about 3 seconds. I think
if I had blinked at just that moment I would have missed most of the action.
Attached is a photo I took today of my first Eastern Bluebird nest of the
season. This box is located in our backyard, and I saw the female fly from
it. I checked the box and found a nearly completed nest.
Even though some Northern Flickers stay in this area during the winter many
of them migrate southward. This time of the year, as they return, they can
often be seen in grassy areas probing the ground for grubs, ants, etc. This
female (no black stripes on side of neck) came to the suet feeder with a
male that has been eating the suet all winter. She felt a bit uncomfortable
at the feeder so she flew to the backyard and began probing the ground where
I took the photo. I often find the holes in the yard where they have been
feeding.
I also had another male Purple Finch at the feeder this morning.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
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201&-3_28 FOS Bluebird Nest_r - Mayhorn Home - Compton Mt_9911.jpg
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2017_3_27 Norrthern Flicker_crs - Compton Mt_9907.jpg
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