Been away for a bit.

Thanks to everybody for the input on thrush and accipiter weights, and raptors'
inclinations to tackle prey much larger than we would think. Of particular
surprise, Dennis' findings that Sharpies, themselves, are frequent victims of
windows.

I'm still of the impression that my most recent Varied Thrush window hit was a
result of pursuit by a hawk, because the window blinds were down and the window
presented a huge white mass with fine dark bars across it. I checked it for
reflected image when I picked up the bird, and there was no way the bird could
have perceived a confusing image of sky or trees.

And I'm caused to wonder if the Sharpie window strikes aren't often the result
of pursuit, with the prey bird dodging at the last moment, saying , "Heh, heh"
as the Sharpie, looking more and more like a not-so-Wiley coyote, crashes into
the window.

I'm certainly going to pay more attention to my VATH's this winter to see if
they present a particularly good prey target.

Jerry


E-mail from: Jerry Blinn, 05-Nov-1996