It seems incredible that more than two weeks have passed since my last posting. This month is certainly moving with a cadence I’ve not experienced before. My father remains hospitalized – we’re in our eighth week, or I should say he’s endured that many weeks of very difficult circumstances. I’m inclined to start a blog just on the topic of medical mistakes made by health care providers in this time of managed care. But I won’t get into that here.
I need t
o acknowledge, however, that helping to care for a critically ill family member shifts priorities and scrambles schedules and plans. My time is so limited that it’s been hard to find time to chase birds. So I’ve expanded my appreciation for the birds that show up in my yard, and in direct proportion, the frustration (okay, anger) for the daily visits by the Sharp-shinned Hawk.
The hawk usually shows up before 9 a.m. and often manages to keep the sparrows, starlings and doves at bay until mid-afternoon. He does create excitement, though. He nabbed a starling one day this week (photo right) and allowed me to take photos while he held it on the ground. This whole predator/prey thing is marvelous… who do I cheer for? The hawk, for being an adept hunter… or the downy woodpecker who escapes? Do I hope the hawk gets a sparrow or starling and spares the doves? Why would one bird be more expendible than another? Do high population numbers make birds less important? I need an a philosopher to sort out these questions! Any thoughts?
Nice picture of the hawk Pat. I notice that your feeders still empty quite fast so the birds are still visiting as is the squirrel.
The Sparrow Hawk over here is still keeping the birds away at the back of the house, we get the occasional sparrow, a pair of doves and a few Blue Tits but that’s all. The new feeder in front of the house is now attracting a large number of sparrows along with various different types of Tit and being fairly close to the road keeps the hawk away.
Les
Les,
As always, it’s great to hear from you! Thanks for letting me know about putting the feeders close to the road. I’ve never heard of the hawk being deterred by traffic but it’s worth a try. Take care, Pat
Hey, Pat.
We have had a Cooper’s Hawk visit the yard more and more. Nice pile of Mourning Dove feathers next to the deck a few days ago.
Around here we are actually glad to have an increase of in-state breeding Coopers. Feeding must be good!
Decided to start my own blog. Just getting into it.
Send me some Goldfinches. I have already request a few from Terri. 🙂
Take care,
Andrew Boyle
Orlando
Ah, predators. Don’t know much about the hawk, but I often listen to coyotes snatching prairie dogs in the middle of the night. I hear the barking of the prairie dogs as one of their own is losing his life. I know it’s nature. I know the skinny coyotes have to eat, but I don’t necessarily want to listen to it. Having said that, the land owners have recently started poisoning the prairie dogs to deal with overpopulation. I’d rather listen to the coyotes howl right before their meal than to watch the poison go down a hole and then get covered up by a tractor’s plow.
Goldfinches are few and far between this year in my backyard. I know they are abundant in Terri’s Edmond backyard but they are in serious short supply around my neighborhood and the Oklahoma City lakes.
I too have a hawk that visits on a daily basis…However, I have so many birds here, that I often get more excited to catch the hawk in action than worry about the birds. He usually picks out a lame/sick meal, so I figure “survival of the fittest”. His presence hasn’t had much affect on the birds sticking around. Usually the bluejays sound the alert and they all go hide only to return in a few minutes. He’s quite a tenacious fellow…has swooped down a couple times right in front of my face while I was tending the feeders. Very exciting.
Oh, and I’ll send you all some goldfinches….I have 15-20 feeding at once throughout the day!!