A short time ago I saw a commotion, about 1/3 of a mile southeast of the house.
As I watched, a Harrier crossed over Trimble Road, flying low as they do, and
almost directly toward me. As she flew, the Red-winged blackbirds popped out
of the standing grain to harass it. It was fascinating to watch, because there
are literally dozens of Red-wings, that have staked out parcels of the grain
field and, as the Harrier passed over each, a different Red-wing would join the
chase briefly, before dropping back. The effect was that she had a constant
escort of five or six fussing Blackbirds. She flared away when she spotted me,
and I watched her as she passed across the rest of the field, with blackbirds
chasing the whole way. I can’t imagine how a Harrier could manage at all, in
this area, which has Red-wings literally everywhere.
Btw, eBird was contrary about a Harrier in May, but we occasionally see them,
through the summer, here.
It has been an amazing birding morning, with Rose-breasted Grosbeaks literally
everywhere, a house-list first Black-billed Cuckoo, which was singing in the
woodlot, and our FOS Orchard Oriole, and Willow Flycatcher. We’ve tallied 47
species just this morning, at the house.
Stephen Tyson, Schochoh, Logan Co. ================NOTES TO
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