i’m pretty sure that was an osprey i saw out at the beach last weekend.
]]>We usually see them soaring overhead, but this one may have been injured as it didn’t move very far, or very fast when I finally came out.
Only the largest two or three toms would have been big enough, and the cats avoid trouble unless there are kittens to defend.
Actual bird predation is limited to mother cats weening kittens and teaching them how to hunt. They ignore birds at other times, except as a form of recreation.
]]>We have Merlins in the summer. But I haven’t been able to get a photo of one yet.
]]>It’s a guess on my part based on the really smooth head, and eye color. All of the pictures of the Cooper’s seemed to have some head roughness to them, and that comparison photo is almost a perfect match.
The only raptors in my area tend to be Merlins, and they are heard. The only visible sign of them is the falling dove feathers after a strike just above the trees.
A friend a couple of miles away got pictures of a golden eagle that showed up in his backyard for some reason.
Of course, I don’t count the turkey vultures as raptors. They occasionally stop by for a nosh from the cat dishes.
]]>Of course, only a flight profile would make it certain.
]]>I spent my Valentines Day counting birds for the Audubon Great Backyard Bird Count. Except I was running around in in the cold at a nature preserve. I did encounter a pair of cardinals singing which was a nice surprise as this is a few weeks early for song in this part of the country. Highlight of the day was a Cooper’s Hawk hunting for a meal.
.-= last blog ..Happy Valentine’s Day =-.
You can order anything over the ‘Net, the problem is getting it to this area. 😉
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