Feeder news
-
- November
- 24
Had a bit of life-and-death trauma out at the bird feeders the other morning. Nothing affecting my well-being but rather that of a mourning dove. The dozen or so doves that hang out behind our house tend to perch in the tops of some of the elms back there. It’s there, 60 feet or so above the ground, that the first rays of the sun hit every morning.
Anyway, I was reaching up to grab a feeder for refilling when I saw a hawk swoop in feet first and try to grab one of the doves. After a second or two of a treetop tussle, the hawk left empty-taloned. Pretty sure it was a sharp-shinned hawk because I’ve seen them in the yard before and its closest cousin, the Cooper’s hawk, tends to be a bit larger (kind of blue jay vs. crow size).
The incident just serves as a reminder that what seems like a strictly benevolent activity (bird feeding) can actually provide a one-stop buffet for raptors who prey on on other birds. But, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, right?
And, speaking of bird feeders, the photograph shows the records and PVC pipe I mentioned in an earlier post that are supposed to deter the thieving squirrels from accessing the feeders. So far, so good. 
This entry was posted
on Saturday, November 24th, 2007 at 12:30 pm by Mike Risinit.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Share and Enjoy: 
| 
Print
| 
Email
Journal News staff writer Greg Clary writes Earth Watch, reporting on environmental issues in the lower Hudson region. Clary has been a reporter, editor and columnist at the Journal News since 1988 and has covered police and courts, transportation, municipal government, development and the environment in the Lower Hudson Valley, among other topics. 
Laura Incalcaterra covers the environment, open space and zoning and planning issues for The Journal News. A Boston College graduate, Laura grew up in Rockland, attended East Ramapo schools and has worked for The Journal News since 1993. Laura has written features and covered North Rockland, crime, government and a host of other issues.
Mike Risinit covers Patterson and Kent in Putnam County, as well as environmental topics touching on the Hudson River and the Great Swamp. Risinit has been a reporter at The Journal News since 1998.
