A friend at Pike Market informed me that the Sharp Shinned hawk in the
courtyard of the Soames Dunn Building was seen again a week ago sleeping in
the tree there. Presumably there's liklihood this is the same individual that
was there last year and this year's bird is an adult. On one occasion last
winter I witnessed her get a House Sparrow in Victor Steinbrueck Park and take
it to the courtyard to eat, and she was seen eating and sleeping there by
other observers on numerous occasions. One market photographer, Jon Robinson,
has greeting cards with her picture. (The courtyard I'm talking about is the
one with summer outdoor seating for Emmet Watson's Oyster Bar and stairs
leading to Post Alley.)
I'm motivated to post this story partly because it's such a great example
of an animal seeking the safety of the human umbrella to avoid being the
victim of predation or klepto-parasitism. Barn Owls avoid Great Horned Owls
by using barns, Barn Swallows avoid Crows by using barns and front porches,
and Ospreys avoid Bald Eagles by getting as close to human activity as they
can (I saw one nesting on top of a gas station near the Chesapeake Bay.)
With big bad Peregrines, Coopers Hawks and Red Tails ever a possibility
downtown, all the people milling around constantly in this courtyard are
precisely what would make this a safe and desirable place for a little Sharpy
to hang out.
PS saw a Merlin on Beacon Hill yesterday, no Harris Sparrow. (the two
observations are not related).

Tweeter by digest, Ed Newbold Beacon Hill Seattle
newboldwildlife at netscape.net



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