| Author |
Message |
    
mtierney
Citizen
Username: Mtierney
Post Number: 739
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 5:51 pm: |     |
This afternoon a hawk (either a Cooper or Sharp Shinned) sat on a branch within three feet of a window! He/she devoured a small prey with great gusto until every morsel was gone. The bird then carefully groomed its feet to make sure no bits and pieces remained! I don't like to think what was lunch, but from what I've read it would be a bird or small animal. It looked dark grey like a mouse, but I'm worried there may be one less tufted titmouse at my bird feeder tomorrow.
However, it was an amazing thing to witness from my house. Also the first time I've seen a hawk that close to home.
Made my day for sure. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3767
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 5:54 pm: | |
Aren't they the coolest? My old job was in a zig-zag shaped building that allowed us to watch the hawks practically nose-to-beak as they perched on the roof and swooped to the ground. They are so majestic. I never got to have lunch with one, tho. I might get queasy, anyway. |
Mark Fuhrman
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 1210
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 6:51 pm: | |
Oh man, I know how you feel. One day when I was picking up my youngest son from pre-school, a red-tailed hawk was hovering right above the parking lot. My middle son was with me, and we stood in wonderment staring up for what felt like hours--great shared experience of the power and awe of nature. What bothered me, though, was that all the other parents did not bother to look up, but instead were intent on talking to each other, getting their kids, etc. No one seemed to even notice these two hawk-struck fools standing in the middle of the macadam staring skywards.
Another time I was walking on the path behind Jefferson School early one morning and saw a very large, fat hawk sitting on the fence, not more than 20 feet from me. He had a squirrel in his claws and periodically pecked at it, then looked up--and not at me, but out into the distance. He was so cool that he totally ignored my presence--I felt like I was back in high school being ignored by the popular kids! Man, was he or she a beauty! All tawny backed with a tan-yellow belly and sharp black eyes and beak.
When I moved to Jersey I was stunned at the amount of raptors in the area. Always stirring to be near them. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5276
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 9:06 pm: | |
Yeah, I saw a red-tailed hawk two Saturdays ago, on the corner of Prospect and Park Ave. I pulled my car over and got out. As it feasted, it saw me, but it didn't seem afraid. It let me get about 12 feet from it.
A couple of hours later, my daughter and I passed the site. She thought it odd that it happened on the lawn of one of her friends. The hawk was gone. I went to see what it had been eating. The remains of a squirrel were there. Actually, most of the body was there, but the head was missing. For some reason, this didn't disgust me at all. |
finnegan
Citizen
Username: Finnegan
Post Number: 174
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 11:01 pm: | |
I saw a hawk (Cooper or Sharp shinned) last winter feasting in my back yard on a pigeon; I watched it for a while and was quite relieved that when it flew off, it took the bloody carcass with it. |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7389
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 7:52 am: | |
Fierce predators have no place in a peaceful community such as ours. They should be shot on sight. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 5277
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 8:19 am: | |
and that comes from a guy who's calling himself bobkat lately. Say hello to Mrs. Kat for me. |
sportsnut
Citizen
Username: Sportsnut
Post Number: 1723
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 9:42 am: | |
Does anyone remember the old Far Side cartoon that shows several hawks wearing sunglasses and walkmans (I think) with the caption, "Birds of prey know they're cool" |
joy
Citizen
Username: Joy
Post Number: 215
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 9:49 am: | |
Had a red tail on my dexk a few months ago. Way cool! I worked with them at a wildlfe center while in college. Got to walk around the center/forest with a red tail, a kestral and a great horned owl on my glove. All were un releasable - but still the most majestic, graceful creatures on earth. If there was only a way i could make a living working with them... |
Sgt. Pepper
Citizen
Username: Jjkatz
Post Number: 599
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 10:48 am: | |
Saw a hawk flying around yesterday, in Livingston. Way cool. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 136
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 1:46 pm: | |
How exciting to have a visit from such a spectacular bird. Glad to know I'm not the only one who gets crazy excited about these birds.
Anyone follow the saga of Pale Male? An RT who's been successfully nesting and breeding in NYC for something like 12 years. Co-op board of "his" building decided to remove his nest. What a brou-ha-ha! And they actually put it back! www.palemale.com, www.mariewinn.com, www.calvorn.com/palemale
Also, if you love birds of prey, you must visit The Raptor Trust in Millington, on the edge of the Great Swamp. Beautiful birds there that can't be released and are used for education. Rehab center for injured birds of all kinds. Took the kids over Christmas break. A little cold but well worth the trip. They operate solely on private funding, so don't forget a donation when you go! www.theraptortrust.org |
tabby
Citizen
Username: Tabby
Post Number: 175
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, February 5, 2005 - 5:27 pm: | |
We visit the Raptor Trust frequently. Great way to get "up close and personal" with hawks, eagles, owls etc. |
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