Sunny River Writings

Late this morning a Cooper’s Hawk raced past the side maple tree flying under the branches heading in a straight path toward the apple tree. There were two young deer at the corn feeder. I could hear a bird squawking loudly but could see nothing. I noticed the deer looking down the hill in the direction the Cooper’s Hawk had flown. I got the binoculars and began combing the area past the pines.

Down the hill just before the wetlands I could see movement. Upon closer look it was the Cooper’s Hawk on top of and pecking at another bird. I could see the outstretched under side of the other bird. It was not one of the feeder birds. I could tell by the wings it was larger. And it was obvious the Cooper’s was struggling with its prey. The commotion attracted the attention of the deer and they watched with wide-eyed curiosity.

I gathered up my camera and boots. By the time I got to the door the deer were headed down the hill toward the activity. The Cooper’s flew off with its victim in tow. I slowly made my way through the pines but stopped short as the deer were still there. They soon caught sight of me and headed off along the ridge.

I once again made my way through the snow down the hill. There was fresh blood soaking into the snow. I noticed a trail made by the Cooper’s Hawk dragging its captured bird. It began at the top of the hill and made a groove in the snow surrounded by the print of wing beats hitting the snow. It was a beautiful pattern there where clumps of gray down feathers lay in several places along this killing trail.

I think what has happened is the establishment of territory. Both the Cooper’s Hawk and the Sharp-shinned Hawk are frequent visitors to the feeders in the side yard. The Sharpie will no longer take lunch from my yard as he has now become lunch.

Charlotte, Michigan